The sun hung lazily in the sky, its light warm but not harsh, while a gentle breeze swept over the rooftop, teasing the edges of a straw hat perched on a boy's face.
*Slap!*
A small, delicate hand pressed the hat back into place, shielding the face beneath it.
Nara Shikane lay sprawled on the rooftop, his eyes closed tightly beneath the hat. In his mind, a glowing card flickered to life—a surreal vision of a man with flamboyant makeup, golden teeth glinting behind a sinister grin.
**[Talent Card: Mayuri Kurotsuchi]**
**World:** *Bleach*
**Quality:** Blue (77/1000)
**Effects:**
- **Growth-Type Research Aptitude** (You are a born scientist. Your brilliance shines brightest in the realm of innovation.)
- **Specialization:** Your genius in *biology* and *neuroscience* eclipses all other fields!
- **Passive: Biological Modification**
- **Knowledge Absorption:** All acquired knowledge is processed with inhuman efficiency, stored as "rewards" for creative breakthroughs.
- **Achievements:** Crafting recognized inventions boosts your physical prowess.
- **Obsession:** Surpass Urahara Kisuke as the ultimate scientist.
*Mayuri Kurotsuchi.*
Shikane recognized the mad scientist instantly, thanks to the fragmented memories from his past life—a life cut short when he'd collapsed as an overworked medical intern. Now reborn in this perilous ninja world, he'd been granted a second chance… and a twisted cheat ability.
Sure, he'd have preferred the genius of *Aizen* or *Urahara*. But Mayuri's unhinged brilliance? It fit. Mostly. Except for the creeping urge to dissect *everything*.
With a sigh, Shikane sat up, his six-year-old limbs scrawny beneath his baggy clothes. His signature Nara "pineapple" hairstyle ruffled in the wind. Reluctantly, he abandoned his cozy rooftop perch—*breaktime over*.
In his past life, he'd been ground to dust by society's gears. Here, despite the dangers of a shinobi world, he at least had a clan to rely on. A *Nara* clan. Their laziness tugged at him like gravity, but he fought it. Orphaned prodigies might starve for resources, but Shikane had access to centuries of accumulated knowledge—pharmacology, anatomy, shadow techniques. Perfect fuel for a budding mad scientist.
He leapt from the roof, landing in a crouch before striding toward his room. Inside, books lay strewn everywhere: anatomical diagrams, chakra network charts, even a fat, caterpillar-like insect frozen in a flowerpot.
As he dove into today's reading, a sudden *bark* startled him. A snowy pup scrambled over the windowsill, tail whirling like a propeller. Behind it, a boy with tribal face paint hopped inside, grinning.
"Feeding time, Shikane!" called Inuzuka Yama, cradling his hyperactive ninken, Yamamaru. The pup squirmed eagerly, sniffing the air for its favorite treats.
Shikane lifted Yamamaru, studying the dog's dilated pupils. "New formula's working," he murmured. "Muscle density increased… adrenaline production optimal…"
Yama laughed. "Dad's gonna flip! After your last batch, Yamamaru outran a *chunin's* shuriken! He wants to talk to your parents about—"
*Thud.*
The door slammed open. A shadow fell across the room.
---
**End of Chapter**
*(New Novel! Stay Tuned!)*