In the Fu'gai district laboratory, Katori Sora was reading through a stack of documents on his desk.
He was reviewing the experiment logs compiled by Sōsuke Aizen and Rii Hoshino.
After a period of training, both had become qualified lab assistants, capable of handling some reagent preparation, sample processing, and data recording.
Rii Hoshino sometimes had to attend to matters in the 4th Division and didn't come every day, but Sora and Aizen came to the lab daily.
Sora had brought back some Menos Grande materials from the Forest of Menos a while ago, and the three of them were studying them together.
The lab's main research projects at present were Reigai and Hollows.
In addition, Sora also wanted to see if he could simplify the Nōreitan formula.
The materials required to concoct the Nōreitan were quite expensive, making it unsuitable for widespread use. Sora planned to develop a weaker but more cost-effective version.
This would allow him to prove his research and development capabilities to Yamamoto, making his appointment as the 12th Division captain a logical next step after Kirio Hikifune's promotion to the Royal Guard.
In front of Sora were more than ten cylindrical, transparent glass jars filled with a light blue solution. Lumps of white flesh floated within them.
The solution was a drug that could anesthetize spiritual bodies. The floating white lumps were the divisible 'Adjuchas' he had captured and its offspring.
Sora hadn't killed the 'Adjuchas' at the time. After bringing it back, he had immediately used anesthetics to control it.
A moment later, the sound of light footsteps came from outside.
"Sōsuke, quite a harvest today," Sora said, glancing at the massive deer-like creature slung over Aizen's shoulder.
"Ah, you're here, Professor. I was lucky today and ran into a deer. I feel like I won't have to go hunting for a few days," Aizen said, placing the creature on an operating table.
Aizen now had an additional job. He needed to frequently hunt small, spiritual-pressure-bearing animals in the mountain forests to feed the 'Adjuchas' clones and keep them active.
They had previously tested the characteristics of the clones, trying to verify if they possessed the traits of ordinary Hollows.
The results were pleasantly surprising. The clones of this 'Adjuchas' also possessed the ability to devour other spiritual bodies.
"I just looked at the data you recorded. The size of clone #3 has changed slightly since yesterday," Sora said.
"Yes. Clone #3 was fed the remains of six 'Gillians.' Its maximum diameter grew by 0.08 centimeters, and its weight increased by 356 grams. It likely has not yet reached its limit. I recommend continuing to feed it 'Gillian' remains and observing for another week," Aizen nodded. He ran his finger along the deer's foreleg, slicing it off.
After confirming the clones could devour other spiritual bodies, Sora had begun feeding some of them the 'Gillian' remains he'd brought back from the Forest of Menos.
Feeding the main 'Adjuchas' body the remains no longer produced any change, but its clones had not yet reached its level. After being fed, their size had grown slightly.
"I suspect that when the main 'Adjuchas' body is conscious, it suppresses the growth of its clones," Aizen said, taking a clone from its jar to feed it. "Previously, when its main body was still awake, feeding the clones 'Gillian' remains produced no change. Now that we have used drugs to put its main body into a deep sleep, that suppression has been lifted."
Sora nodded. "'Adjuchas'-class Menos are a relatively rare existence even in the Forest of Menos, and capturing them is troublesome."
"If we can make the clones grow into 'Adjuchas'-class Menos by feeding them 'Gillian' remains, then we will have an endless supply of research material."
"Next, I will continue to create Reigai and repeat our previous experiments using the reishi of a live Hollow."
There was no shortage of 'Gillians' in the Forest of Menos. Sora could go and hunt them at any time.
With his current strength, hunting in the Forest of Menos was not a very dangerous affair.
"Professor, what is your purpose in researching Hollows?" Aizen's feeding motions slowed. "And we are also involved in spiritual body research. Combining the two seems to be a violation of Seireitei regulations, does it not?"
Sora smiled. "Perhaps it's a thirst for knowledge... Hollows are a type of spiritual body, yet they are born with many characteristics completely different from ordinary ones. The mysteries within are very curious!"
"Moreover..." Sora paused, then continued, "Sōsuke, perhaps you don't know this yet—Shinigami have limits. To break through those limits, you need to stand on a higher perspective."
Aizen fell into deep thought. The hand holding the piece of meat unconsciously froze in mid-air. The clone on the table, having been removed from the anesthetic solution, had regained some of its instincts. Sensing the food above, it slowly extended its tentacles towards it.
A moment later, Aizen returned to his senses and tossed the meat to the increasingly restless clone.
"The limits of a Shinigami... I understand, Professor."
Aizen looked back at the figure behind him. The professor was still engrossed in the experiment logs.
"So the professor has already come this far... It seems that catching up to his footsteps will be a very long journey," Aizen thought to himself.
His heart was in turmoil—his professor was already thinking about how to break the limits of a Shinigami!
Aizen's admiration for his Professor grew even deeper. He was already so strong, yet he had not stopped moving forward.
Even when there was no path before him, he was trying to pave one himself. It was truly admirable!
...
Three years later, at the Katori Dojo.
Clang, clang, clang—
The sound of clashing wooden swords echoed in the courtyard.
Kana Azashiro, now in her Shinigami shihakushō, was sparring with Lisa.
As Sora's chief disciple, Kana had now taken on the responsibility of guiding her junior brothers and sisters.
Although she was now a member of the 3rd Division, she would come to the dojo whenever she had a day off.
Sora and Batsu'unsai were drinking tea on the veranda, occasionally observing the disciples' training.
"Isane, Sōya, and Lisa have built a pretty solid foundation, haven't they?" Batsu'unsai said after a moment's thought. "I feel we can arrange for them to enroll in the academy with Sōsuke and Isshin."
Sora took a sip of tea and nodded slowly. "I was thinking the same thing. I plan to resign from my position at the academy after I've taught this next class."
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