"I'd like to ask for your help in creating a gravity device."
Kyoya then began describing his ideas for the gravity device to Kirio.
"Hmm, gravity?" Kirio rubbed her chin with her thumb and index finger, "That's quite an interesting research topic."
"Unfortunately, I haven't done much research in this field."
Researchers weren't omnipotent. Each person specialized in different areas and achieved excellence in their respective fields.
Kirio had reached the pinnacle in her researches on Gikon.
But in the realm of gravity, she was starting from scratch.
"How about this, let me ask around the division first to see if anyone has studied gravity."
"If not..."
At this point, Kirio shook her head and didn't continue.
But Kyoya of course understood what she meant.
Even for a research expert like Kirio, breaking into an unfamiliar field would take considerable time.
Moreover, there was no guarantee of success.
After all, not everyone was a 'scientific research genius' like Kisuke or Mayuri.
Well, to be precise, part of Kisuke's 'genius' came from his Zanpakuto, which allowed him to dabble in various fields and create all sorts of things.
In fact, while Aizen needed the [Soul King's Nails] to create the Hogyoku, Kisuke could craft one by hand… without needing the Soul King's Fragments.
After the Thousand-Year Blood War, when Tsunayashiro Tokinada wanted to create another Hogyoku, he sought out Kisuke, not Aizen.
For Tokinada, who had become the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan at that point, visiting Aizen in Muken would have been far easier than tracking down Kisuke.
But in the end, he still chose Urahara Kisuke… why?
It's simply because Tokinada believed Kisuke was better at making the Hogyoku than Aizen.
If he had gone to Aizen, without the Soul King's Fragments, even Aizen wouldn't have been able to recreate the Hogyoku.
Otherwise, Aizen could have just made another one himself… why would he need to steal the one Kisuke had created?
As for Kisuke?
After throwing out the Hogyoku he made to lure Aizen, Kisuke had also considered the possibility of his plan failing… that Aizen might successfully create the Oken, invade the Soul King Palace, and kill the Soul King.
So, Ururu and Jinta were his contingency plan.
Like Ubuginu Hikone, as long as there was a Hogyoku, Ururu and Jinta could evolve into the [Soul King], becoming the 'linchpin' that stabilized the world!
Besides, it was possible that Kirio was already preparing for her promotion to the Zero Division and wouldn't have much time to complete this research.
"I understand."
Kyoya nodded, "Whether it works out or not, I appreciate your efforts, Captain Hikifune."
When he went to the 12th Division, Kyoya hadn't expected gravity chambers or gravity wristbands to be developed immediately.
All he wanted was for Kirio to establish a gravity research project within the 12th Division.
Once Kirio was promoted to the Zero Division and Kisuke took over the 12th Division, Kyoya would have a reason to pressure Kisuke into making it for him.
Urahara Kisuke had a lazy personality.
Back then, if Yoruichi hadn't forced him into the position, he probably wouldn't have become Captain of the 12th Division, preferring to stay in the 2nd Division and play with the 'talented' individuals in the Nest of Maggots… people who were good-looking and had smooth tongues.
In a way, the inmates of the Nest of Maggots played a significant role in helping Kisuke develop his research skills.
Having achieved his goal, Kyoya didn't linger in the 12th Division.
Though the pouty, topknot-wearing Sarugaki Hiyori was amusing, Kyoya wasn't so idle that he'd waste time just to tease her.
Recently, Kyoya had shifted his training focus to Hakuda. Given his current physical strength, his training caused too much commotion, and if he trained in the 11th Division's training grounds, it would easily disturb the other members of the 11th Division.
So, to avoid affecting them, Kyoya didn't train there.
Instead, he left the Seireitei and went to the Rukongai, searching for Sekkiseki Mines that could isolate Reiatsu to practice his punches!
Well, it had to be said that the Sekkiseki truly lived up to its reputation as the material used to build the Seireitei's protective walls.
Even after a full day of Kyoya's intense training, he could only shatter one mine.
If it were purified Sekkiseki, Kyoya might have needed to exert real effort to break it.
As Gin's strength improved, Kyoya found himself with more free time.
Before, if a Gillian-class Menos appeared, Kyoya had to step in to ensure no casualties in the 11th Division.
Now, unless multiple Gillians appeared in different locations simultaneously, Kyoya rarely needed to intervene.
One day, after returning to the Seireitei from his training, Kyoya realized he had missed Kirio's promotion to the Zero Division.
However, far from feeling regret, he was actually somewhat pleased.
'So, unless something unexpected happens, my gravity-assisted training equipment should be ready soon, right?'
That was Kyoya's first thought upon hearing about Kirio's promotion.
And it made sense.
Kyoya and Kirio had only met a few times, so there wasn't any deep emotional connection between them.
Compared to Kirio joining the Zero Division, Kyoya was far more interested in Kisuke taking over the 12th Division and quickly producing the equipment he needed.
As for whether Kisuke might fail to create the gravity chamber, Kyoya wasn't worried about that.
If even Kisuke couldn't make a gravity device, then probably no one in the entire Bleach World could.
...Well, that might be an exaggeration.
If Mayuri dedicated himself to this field, he might actually be able to produce a gravity device.
After all, after becoming the Captain of the 12th Division, Mayuri's research on souls had completely surpassed Kisuke's.
He defied the 'rules' of the Bleach World, genuinely creating a 'soul' from nothing.
Nemuri Nanago, Kurotsuchi Nemu could already be considered a finished product.
Though, to protect Mayuri, Nemu ultimately died at the hands of Pernida Parnkgjas.
Later, Mayuri used Nemu's remaining brain matter to create Nemuri Hachigo, who was practically indistinguishable from a real Shinigami. (T/N: Nanago means Number 7 and Hachigo means Number 8.)
With eager anticipation, Kyoya didn't go to the Rukongai to train these past few days. Instead, he waited for Yamamoto's summons.
He didn't have to wait long.
Half a month later, Kyoya finally received the emergency message from the 1st Division, calling for a Captains' Meeting.
"Gin, let's go!"
Kyoya had been looking forward to this Captains' Meeting for a long time.
Therefore, the moment he heard the summons, he grabbed Gin and flashed toward the 1st Division.
Whoosh-
At the entrance of the 1st Division's barracks, Kyoya and Gin suddenly materialized, startling the two Shinigami on guard duty.
"Captain Kyoya! Lieutenant Ichimaru!"
However, after recognizing them, the two Shinigami hurried forward and saluted.
However, their expressions were slightly distorted.
Because of the extreme speed, Gin, who had been dragged along by Kyoya, now had his usually smooth silver hair sticking straight back like a broom. His eyes were spinning like whirlpools, and after Kyoya let go, he staggered a few steps before finally steadying himself.
'So fast!'
'So strong!'
Gin took a deep breath, calming himself as he watched Kyoya's retreating back.
From the 11th Division to the 1st Division, if Gin went all out, he could make it in about three minutes.
And for an average Captain, one minute would suffice.
But how long had Kyoya taken just now?
Gin couldn't even calculate it.
Because, the moment Kyoya started moving, the sheer speed and resulting air pressure had left Gin's entire body weak and his mind dizzy.
Even after arriving, it took him several seconds to recover.
So how could he possibly know how much time had passed?
But one thing was certain… it was far shorter than Gin expected.
'How much time has even passed…?'
He hadn't even fully mastered his Bankai yet.
He had thought that once he completed his Bankai training and truly stepped into Captain-level strength, the gap between him and Kyoya would shrink significantly.
But now, it seemed the distance between them hadn't narrowed… it had widened.
Yet, strangely, the pressure in Gin's heart suddenly dissipated.
Because, no matter what he did in the future, as long as Kyoya was around, Rangiku's safety wouldn't be an issue.
…
After entering the meeting hall, Kyoya swept his gaze across the room.
Apart from Yamamoto, there are only four people: Yoruichi, Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake.
The other captains hadn't arrived yet.
After seeing these people, Kyoya had an idea in his mind.
The selection process for Gotei 13's Captains, aside from the 11th Division, where the Captain could be challenged directly in front of over 200 division's members, had strict requirements for other divisions.
First, pass the Captain's assessment under the witness of the Captain-Commander and three Captains. Generally, this assessment was simply achieving Bankai!
Second, obtain nominations from at least six Captains, and then gain approval from three of the remaining six.
Kyoya had rushed over at full speed the moment he heard the summons. He didn't think any other Captain could have arrived faster than him.
Clearly, these five were the ones conducting Kisuke's Captain examination.
Among them, Yoruichi is the recommender, while Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Unohana are the witnesses.
"Kyoya… you didn't just rush here from the 11th Division, did you?"
Seeing Kyoya, the others were stunned.
'How long had it been since the summons for the Captains' Meeting was sent out? How come Kyoya was already here?'