When he saw that figure, a flicker of realization finally appeared on Naraku's face.
No wonder Nishikawa had warned him to be careful around the Deputy Warden of the Central Prison—the so-called number two.
He hadn't expected it to be another mad scientist, a man of high-end technology, creator of countless black-arts inventions that had advanced Soul Society—
Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Unlike Shutara Senjumaru, Mayuri looked harmless at the moment.
But even from a distance, with just a glance, Naraku could feel the undisguised coldness, harshness, and arrogance in his bones.
He looked down on everyone equally. In Kurotsuchi Mayuri's world, there was no air for idiots to breathe.
And to him, most people were idiots.
Still, every now and then, something would catch his interest.
Like now.
Mayuri stepped forward and walked right up to Naraku. Golden eyes glowing strangely, he examined the boy with keen interest, like a collector inspecting a priceless artifact.
"Truly unique."
"Alone, you leveled the Araki family's research base, single-handedly defeated a Gillian-class Menos, and even killed Ishikawa Sāsuke head-on."
"As expected of someone that woman Shutara has taken a liking to. You really aren't like other Shinigami."
Naraku raised an eyebrow. This attitude was a bit different from what he'd expected.
"With someone like you, I might finally be able to complete some of those experimental designs."
Mayuri's lips spread in a wide grin, revealing a perfectly neat row of teeth that would satisfy even the pickiest perfectionist.
"Boy, interested in working together?"
Naraku: "?"
Staring at Mayuri's excited expression, Naraku began to wonder if some part of the script had gone wrong.
According to Nishikawa, this deputy warden was arguably the nastiest they'd ever had—worse than most of the prisoners, even.
But he never quite crossed the legal line. He always stayed right at the edge of Soul Society's rules.
Which meant those who hated him had no way to strike back.
All the same, Naraku trusted the bad woman and his good friend far more than Mayuri.
The man in front of him was far too dangerous to be a "partner."
So he refused cleanly. "I already have someone I'm working with."
Mayuri frowned, displeasure flashing in his eyes.
"Who moved faster than me?"
"Why, that would be me, Mayuri."
Another voice drifted from the Hell entrance. A tall, elegant figure slipped out like a ghost, a woman completely out of place in the atmosphere of the underground prison.
Unlike the fear that greeted Mayuri, the jailers' faces brightened with respect when they saw Shutara Senjumaru.
Her gaze dropped slightly, a hint of a teasing smile in her eyes as the corners of her red lips lifted.
"Mayuri, I know warnings like this won't stop your rotten ideas."
"But if you ever try anything improper with a colleague in private, I will make you regret ever being born…"
Her tone was soft, as if she were talking about something trivial.
Annoyance flashed in Mayuri's eyes. "You're as insufferable as ever. Always talking like you're above everyone."
Shutara's smile deepened.
"Speak for yourself, Mayuri. I was only away brewing tea for a moment, and you're already trying to poach my Naraku— even trick him into 'collaborating' with you."
"Don't think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours."
She walked up to the two of them. A pale, slender hand settled on Naraku's shoulder, a faint fragrance drifting over him.
"This child belongs exclusively to me."
Right there, in front of everyone, Shutara openly claimed him.
Naraku turned, a bit stunned, and found her flawless face only inches away. The faint curve of her mouth held no displeasure whatsoever.
Mayuri's expression darkened.
No one knew this woman better than he did.
Back when she'd founded her research group, she'd been the same—pleasant on the surface, absolutely dictatorial underneath. Once she made a decision, she rarely changed it, and never allowed anyone to interfere.
Not even the Head-Captain.
If she were like all those idiot Shinigami, it wouldn't be so bad. But her research skill was in no way inferior to his. In some areas, she even exceeded him.
Worse still, in pure combat… she outclassed him by dozens of leagues.
If he fought her without any "enhancements," he'd probably end up a hideous corpse full of needle holes.
"All right, Naraku. I have something to discuss with you. Let's go," Shutara said, ignoring Mayuri's sour face as she guided Naraku back toward the surface.
Watching them leave, Mayuri's gloom suddenly melted away, replaced by a strange smile.
You're still as easy to bait as ever, Shutara.
On the way to the lab, Shutara let out a quiet sigh, a faint exasperation showing through her refined features.
"I let that guy play me again."
Naraku nodded, blunt as ever. "It was a pretty obvious probe. Even I could tell."
Looking at things through Aizen's mental lens really did open up new angles.
Mayuri's "request to collaborate" had come far too abruptly. It was obvious that wasn't his real goal.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Shutara said, eyes narrowing slightly. A cold glint flashed and vanished in her gaze.
"As long as I'm here, Mayuri won't cross the line and attack a colleague."
"Anyway— we're here."
She placed her pale right hand on the wall. There was a sharp click, and the heavy lab door swung open.
The décor inside was completely different from before.
Brilliant, multicolored silks hung down and drifted from the ceiling, filling the room with an eerie atmosphere.
Shutara walked in front. The cloth moved as if it had a mind of its own, parting for her as she passed.
"I've invented many things, but the one I'm most satisfied with is the shihakushō—intimately tied to every Shinigami. It's thanks to that invention that I received an invitation to the Royal Guard."
"Because I had unfinished research, I requested a delay from the Soul King's Palace."
"But recently, I've discovered that even the shihakushō still has room for improvement."
She stopped, a delicate sewing needle now resting between her fingers. Her lips twisted up.
"And as for where the inspiration came from… naturally, it's you, brat."
Naraku watched the bad woman closing in one careful step at a time and suddenly felt a very strong sense of impending doom.
~~~
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