The next day, Sora arrived at the laboratory of the Technology Development Bureau.
"Kisuke, why are you sleeping here?"
Sora found Kisuke Urahara on a bench in the lab.
"Oh, it's you, Captain... Is it morning already?" Urahara yawned and sat up from the bench.
"I've been trying to contact you on your Denreishinki for a while. You didn't forget, did you? The Spiritual Arts Academy invited us to watch the Shinken Taiketsu today," Sora shook his head helplessly.
Urahara must have been so engrossed in his research that he had lost track of time.
"Ah... is that today? I think my Denreishinki fell off..." Urahara searched for it but couldn't find it on his person.
A moment later, he found it under a distant desk.
"The Denreishinki's reishi fluctuation can only be sensed up close. I should probably make a home-use version... with a stronger signal... hmm... and maybe an instant alert function..." Urahara muttered to himself.
In the blink of an eye, Urahara had already assigned himself a new pile of development tasks.
"Let's not talk about that for now... Captain, I've had some recent breakthroughs," Urahara put the Denreishinki in his pocket, rummaged through the desk, and pulled out a small, dice-like cube from a stack of papers.
"Is this... Hell reishi?"
Sora picked up the cube and could sense the aura of Hell from within.
The small die had six faces, each with some formula runes on it.
The project to study Hell reishi was still being handled by Urahara.
Mayuri had wanted to compete with him for it, but ever since the ban on Reigai technology was lifted, his attention had been drawn to that instead.
Mayuri felt that Reigai technology was more worthy of study than Hell reishi.
It was a technology closer to the power of a creator.
"I've successfully created a spiritual tool using Hell reishi," Urahara pointed to the runes on the die. "Look, Captain. I used standard Kidō formula runes, and the result was surprising. The effect is almost the same as using a normal formula!"
Urahara was trying to find a way for Shinigami to utilize Hell reishi.
"Is that so... then why don't you demonstrate its function for me?"
"It's simple to operate. Press one face of the die, then throw it."
Following Urahara's instructions, Sora tried pressing one side of the die and then tossed it to the ground.
After the die landed, it rolled once, and the face Sora had pressed stopped on top. The Kidō formula on it activated instantly.
A red cord of light extended from the die.
"This is 'Bakudō #4: Hainawa', isn't it? But the color is a bit different. Does Hell reishi change the color of Kidō?"
Sora remembered that the light cord released by 'Hainawa' was not red.
"Hell reishi turns Kidō red and black," Urahara bent down to pick up the die and continued, "Hell reishi has a strong assimilation property. I'm calling these tools activated by Hell reishi 'Hell Spiritual Tools'. Does the Captain have a better name to suggest?"
"'Hell Spiritual Tool' is a fine name," Sora nodded. "In the future, if Shinigami need to explore Hell, these tools could be of great help."
In Hell, a Shinigami could absorb Hell reishi in an emergency to replenish their spiritual pressure, but this would put a great strain on their spiritual body.
Absorbing too much could also transform a Shinigami into a Hell-based spiritual being, binding them to Hell just like those who had fallen into it.
The 'Hell Spiritual Tool' developed by Urahara would allow a Shinigami to cast Kidō without using their own spiritual pressure.
"You can keep this die as a memento, Captain!" Urahara handed it over. "This is the first 'Hell Spiritual Tool' created by the Technology Development Bureau!"
"Then let's display it in the lab... Six faces, six Kidō spells. It's already very practical," Sora played with the die in his hand. "But this activation method feels somewhat familiar... a bit like a Quincy's spiritual tool?"
Most Shinigami spiritual tools required the user's own spiritual pressure to activate. Such semi-automatic tools were quite rare.
On the other hand, most Quincy spiritual tools utilized external reishi.
"The Captain's eyes are sharp!" Urahara raised an eyebrow, surprised. "The activation method for this die was indeed inspired by Quincy spiritual tools."
Urahara said with a troubled look, "I lost a lot of hair trying to connect all these functions!"
"Thank you for your hard work!" Sora patted Urahara's shoulder and smiled. "Put your work aside for now and get some rest. Today, we're going to the academy to watch the Shinken Taiketsu!"
"It really has been a long time since I've rested..." Urahara stretched. "I guess I'll take it easy today!"
...
Katori Sora and Kisuke Urahara arrived at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy.
It had been some time since Sora had last been here.
He had come with Urahara today by invitation to watch this year's Shinken Taiketsu.
Sōya Azashiro and Kaname Tōsen were both participating, and they had made it to the finals.
Today was the day of their final battle.
At the entrance, they met Riko Shirai, who was guiding the guests.
"Captain Katori, Lieutenant Urahara!"
"Professor Shirai, it's been a while."
"It's been a while! There have been some changes to the spectator seating this year. Please follow me..."
"The seats have been raised."
Sora glanced at the position of the spectator stands. Their height had been increased significantly, allowing for a bird's-eye view of the arena.
"Captain Katori's disciples were a bit too over-the-top in the last tournament. For the safety of the audience, we've made some special arrangements,"
Riko Shirai said with a smile. "Thanks to your efforts, Captain, the Shinken Taiketsu has become one of the grandest events in the Seireitei. This has given us a much bigger budget; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to buy so much Sarcophagus Stone!"
The stands were raised, and the outer wall below was now lined with a layer of Sarcophagus Stone, which could block reishi.
With the double protection of the stone wall and a reishi barrier, the safety of the audience had been greatly enhanced.
Led by Riko, Sora soon arrived at the guest seating area.
"Professor, over here!" Yoruichi waved and patted the empty seat next to her.
"Sorry, am I late?"
Sora took the seat beside Yoruichi.
The guest section was already quite full.
Apart from him and Urahara, everyone else had already arrived.
"What do you mean, late? Look at the time. The match is about to start," Shunsui Kyōraku rolled his eyes.
"I went back to the dōjō yesterday to give Sōya and Tōsen some pointers," Sora shook his head helplessly. "And this morning, I had to go back to the 12th Division. If I hadn't, Kisuke probably would have forgotten about today's match."
"I got too caught up in my research last night and forgot I had something today..." Urahara scratched his face sheepishly. "It's a good thing the Captain woke me up!"
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