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The next day, Aozaki Reiji had Ichimaru Gin cover for him and found Urahara Kisuke slacking off in the Twelfth Division.
"So Kurotsuchi Mayuri actually agreed? I didn't expect you to have that kind of skill."
Urahara Kisuke, with his dead fish eyes, yawned and said:
"When I used to chat with him in the Onmitsukidō, he would always speak sarcastically and mock me."
Aozaki Reiji chuckled, "That's because he's jealous you're smarter than him."
Urahara Kisuke let out a heavy snort, revealing a simple-minded smile.
"Though I know you're complimenting me, I'll accept it anyway."
"I'm not complimenting you. Honestly, I haven't met anyone smarter than you in the Seireitei."
Aozaki Reiji said with a smile, sighing.
"Once the Technology Development Bureau is established, good days will come."
"Good days?"
Urahara Kisuke tilted his head, a bit confused.
"That's right, good days!"
Aozaki Reiji nodded.
"Don't you think the current Seireitei is too boring? We can change the world with technology!"
"That sounds like a lot of trouble."
Urahara Kisuke sighed:
"Speaking of which, why do you want to establish such an organization? You've never done scientific research, have you?"
"I guess I have…" Aozaki Reiji said uncertainly.
Actually, when he helped Aizen hunt souls in Rukongai, he secretly kept some experimental materials, wanting to try if he could create the Hōgyoku.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of professional laboratory equipment and relevant technology, he ultimately failed.
Urahara Kisuke nodded, stroking his chin, and smiled:
"That's true, you and Kukaku did explosion experiments together, that counts as a research project."
"So when are you going to talk to the Captain-Commander about establishing the Technology Development Bureau?"
"After you become the Captain of the Twelfth Division."
"Huh!? That'll be at least more than ten years from now. I'm not even Captain-class yet, and Captain Hikifune is still in office! Does Kurotsuchi Mayuri know about any of this?"
"No, he didn't ask, so I didn't say." Aozaki Reiji shook his head and chuckled.
"But you're quite confident, speaking as if you're sure to become a Captain in over ten years."
"To be honest, although I admit I can't compare to a monster like you, I do have some confidence in my own talent."
Urahara Kisuke waved his hand.
"I wouldn't say I'm great, but becoming a Captain shouldn't be a big problem."
"Then I'll rest easy waiting for that day."
To complete the Hōgyoku, Aizen's technology alone wouldn't be enough…
Of course, Aozaki Reiji couldn't just wait for them to perfect the Hōgyoku, hoping they would place it before him after its completion for him to take.
That's unrealistic.
In life, one must ultimately rely on oneself.
He also had his own plan to create a Hōgyoku that belonged to him.
However, he currently lacked the qualifications and means to carry out the plan, so he could only take things one step at a time and make attempts within his capabilities.
This was also the reason Aozaki Reiji proactively sought out Kurotsuchi Mayuri, hoping to find a breakthrough through him.
From the situation in the original work, Kurotsuchi Mayuri was very important to Urahara Kisuke.
Urahara Kisuke's ability to complete the "half-finished Hōgyoku" might have been inseparable from Kurotsuchi Mayuri's technical support.
Of course, this was just Aozaki Reiji's guess.
This was a casual move, going with the flow; if he guessed right, he could seize the initiative, and if not, it didn't matter.
It would simply be business as usual, putting more effort into Aizen and Urahara Kisuke, and continuing to wait for an opportunity.
Aozaki Reiji crossed his arms and shook his head, saying helplessly:
"Actually, I also hope to establish the Technology Development Bureau as soon as possible, but as two Third Seats, our strength and status are not enough."
"Even with Yoruichi's support, it would probably be difficult to gain Old Man's approval. Old Man is a stubborn old man."
"Is that so? Then it'll be difficult…" Urahara Kisuke uncharacteristically showed genuine disappointment.
This was a rare thing that interested him.
"You two little ones…"
A sudden voice made both of them break out in a cold sweat.
Two Shinigami of Vice-Captain rank had been approached so closely without realizing it; the newcomer's strength was undoubtedly extraordinarily powerful.
Turning back, a beautiful woman with a white haori, long purple hair, and a sexy, voluptuous figure stood behind them.
"Captain, I wasn't slacking off, I just came out to relieve myself, I'll be right back."
"Miss Kiryū, what a coincidence, I came out to relieve myself with Kisuke, I'm going back to work now."
"Wait!"
Hikifune Kirio smiled, glancing at the embarrassed Reiji and Kisuke, and her soft yet strong hands rested on their shoulders, clearly not intending to let them leave so easily.
"What were you two just talking about?"
"Nothing…" Both shook their heads in unison.
Hikifune Kirio wagged her index finger and said proudly:
"But I clearly heard Kurotsuchi Mayuri just now, and Technology Development Bureau… Kurotsuchi Mayuri was a former member of our Squad, wasn't he? He was later imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest."
Aozaki Reiji rubbed his forehead and said, "Didn't you hear the whole thing?"
"I was too far away just now, so I didn't hear very clearly! Tell me in detail!" Hikifune Kirio said, crossing her arms.
"But…" Aozaki Reiji was about to refuse, but his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said seriously, "Never mind, it's nothing to hide, it's actually like this…"
"..."
After listening, Hikifune Kirio nodded in sudden understanding.
"Hmm, establishing a research and development department for new technologies and new spiritual tools, that is indeed a good idea."
"Miss Kiryū is also interested?" Aozaki Reiji asked.
"Extremely interested." Hikifune Kirio said with a half-smile, "You two Third Seats don't mind if I join you, do you?"
"Of course not." Aozaki Reiji replied quickly, and Urahara Kisuke next to him also nodded.
"In that case… it's settled then. Technology Development Bureau, a good name!"
"…I'll handle Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
She stroked her chin, saying with full confidence.
Given Captain-Commander Yamamoto's stubborn personality.
It would be impossible for Aozaki Reiji and Urahara Kisuke, two youngsters, to persuade him to establish the Technology Development Bureau.
But it would be different if she went to Yamamoto.
After all, she was one of those recognized by "Lord Soul King" as "Soul Society's history itself" due to her temporary soul technology, earning her the qualification to enter the Zero Division.
Aozaki Reiji said in surprise, "Isn't this too fast?"
He was truly a bit flustered by this decisive style.
This was too fast, but such things shouldn't be done so quickly.
However, on second thought, he found it understandable.
Perhaps she trusted not him and Urahara Kisuke, but Yamamoto.
"Not fast. I can't stay in the Seireitei for many more years, so of course I have to seize the time." Hikifune Kirio waved her hand, saying casually, "Anyway, you two have already planned it all out, haven't you?"
Aozaki Reiji nodded.
His unilaterally acknowledged external brain—Urahara Kisuke—had indeed already completed the conceptualization.
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