With Kirio Hikifune perfecting the "Temporary Soul" technology ahead of schedule, it was highly likely she would be promoted to the Royal Guard early.
This meant that the position of captain of the 12th Division would likely be vacant for some time.
Sora's mind began to race.
The two future candidates for the 12th Division captaincy were Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
Kisuke Urahara was still too young and needed more time to grow.
Sora was confident that he could reach captain-level before Urahara.
As for the other research talent, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Sora had heard his name just two weeks ago.
He had been imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest after being discovered by the 2nd Division for secretly researching Quincies.
In the normal course of events, he wouldn't be released from the Maggot's Nest until Urahara became captain.
Therefore, Sora only needed to raise his strength to captain-level before Urahara did.
Then he could take the position of 12th Division captain and inherit the laboratory left behind by Kirio Hikifune, Shutara Senjumaru, and others.
Sora now possessed Mod-Soul technology, a high level of Healing Kidō, and extensive medical knowledge, giving him a deep understanding of spiritual bodies.
He already had the foundation to conduct research on spiritual bodies.
If he could inherit the laboratory left by Kirio, Shutara, and the others, it would be of immense help to his research.
The research resources available to a captain of the 12th Division were also beyond comparison for an ordinary person.
He could even, like Urahara, transform the 12th Division into the Shinigami Research and Development Institute and recruit researchers to assist him.
Moreover, the Katori Dojo's reputation was now established, so recruiting new disciples was no longer a problem.
Even if he were to step down from his teaching position at the academy, he could still recruit students.
He could also, like Unohana, give a few swordsmanship lectures at the academy each semester and scout for talent at the same time.
"Captain, Soul #69 is beginning to dissipate," Kisuke Urahara called out to Kirio.
Katori Sora followed her to a transparent glass tank.
Inside the tank, which was filled with a high-concentration reishi liquid, an unidentifiable mass floated.
At first glance, this floating object looked like a strangely shaped tumor.
But upon closer inspection, one would see that it was a mass formed by the fusion of hundreds or even thousands of very small nodules.
Kirio explained to Sora, "This is a very early experimental product. We tried to use reishi clumps to form a rodent's spiritual body, using the clumps to constitute its organs and body."
"Unfortunately, we couldn't achieve the desired effect. Even when these reishi clumps fused together, they failed to develop self-awareness and just became a larger 'organ'."
"Failed to develop consciousness?" An idea struck Sora. "Then could this technology be used to cultivate organs?"
"Cultivating organs that can adapt to a host according to specific needs could heal some injuries that are untreatable with Healing Kidō. This wouldn't require creating a soul that develops consciousness... for example, a spiritual pressure core."
"We can cultivate organs, and we've even successfully transplanted them into Shinigami," Kirio sighed softly and continued, "You're thinking of healing Batsu'unsai's spiritual pressure core, aren't you?"
"To use this technology to cultivate a spiritual pressure core and replace Batsu'unsai's, we still face two problems."
"As you can see, these reishi clumps are decomposing."
"They lack the ability to absorb external reishi, and their own reishi is constantly dissipating outwards. The result is that the amount of reishi within the clumps dwindles, and when it falls below a certain threshold, the clumps can no longer be sustained."
"So, these creations have a very short lifespan. They certainly can't be used to make a spiritual pressure core."
Sora nodded. After observing for a while, he could also see that the tumorous mass had entered a state of decay and was collapsing and dissipating.
Kirio continued, "However, thanks to you, Lord Katori, I gained some inspiration from the Nōreitan and improved the structure of the reishi wall, giving it the ability to absorb reishi."
She led Sora to another glass tank.
This tank also contained a reishi aggregate soaking in a high-concentration reishi liquid.
Kirio smiled. "The experimental results are very gratifying. The improved reishi wall not only allows the reishi clumps to absorb reishi but also suppresses the rate of reishi dissipation."
"Look—it's still 'alive,' just without any self-awareness."
This reishi aggregate vaguely resembled a mouse.
Sora asked, "So, can this technology be used to cultivate a spiritual pressure core now?"
"It can cultivate a core, but not one that Batsu'unsai can use," Kirio shook her head and continued, "There is still another problem that hasn't been solved."
"If we connect a core we cultivate to Batsu'unsai's Saketsu and Hakusui, her body will regain the ability to produce spiritual pressure on its own."
"But her spiritual pressure is too strong. The fragile core we create would be unable to bear it and would be instantly crushed by her Spiritual Pressure."
"The souls I cultivate lack the ability to grow. A core created this way is not strong enough to bear her spiritual pressure."
Sora nodded, understanding the difficulties the technology faced.
The spiritual pressure core Kirio could cultivate with this technology was like a child's heart; it simply couldn't support the functioning of an adult's body.
To rely on this technology to replace Batsu'unsai's core, they would have to solve the problem of soul growth and cultivate a core strong enough to withstand her spiritual pressure.
Sora felt a gaze from the side. He looked up and saw Kisuke Urahara sizing him up.
"So you're Katori Sora. The Nōreitan technology is truly refreshing. It has greatly accelerated the captain's research progress," Urahara said with a faint smile. "Aren't you going to recruit him, Captain?"
Urahara had also overheard the conversation between Sora and Kirio and could tell that Sora was very interested in their research.
"Oh my, oh my. I would love to invite Lord Katori to join the lab, but it seems he prefers to teach at the academy," Kirio said, shaking her head helplessly.
"Captain Hikifune, I just got promoted. You have to let me enjoy being the Head of the Swordsmanship Department for a few more days," Sora joked. "In the future, if I no longer wish to teach at the academy, I will definitely consider the 12th Division first."
Sora didn't give a definitive answer. He was genuinely starting to consider joining the 12th Division, but what he was considering was the position of captain.
"Hahahaha—you said the same thing to Unohana, didn't you? You sly little thing!" Kirio laughed heartily.
"It's not the same. After all, you can't get food this good in the 4th Division," Sora said.
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