"Strip."
"Again?"
Naraku Sora wore a look of intense vigilance, his expression practically screaming refusal.
The personality of this wicked woman was even more perverse than Unohana Retsu from the neighboring squad. Whether it was researching individual biology or conducting experiments related to Hollowfication, her very first requirement was always to have him take his clothes off.
Shutara Senjumaru paused, a curious look flitting across her face. "Are you truly not interested in the improvement plan for the Shihakushō at all?"
"This... I..."
Naraku Sora opened his mouth, but the refusal died in his throat.
Although this woman's personality was wicked to the core, it was usually limited to a few trivial, twisted interests. When it came down to official business, she was actually quite reliable.
Moreover, Naraku Sora could already smell the scent of a "sweet deal" in the air.
"Don't tell me... the improved Shihakushō is useful for me too?"
Senjumaru nodded. "Of course."
"To be honest, I don't really understand what role a piece of clothing meant to cover one's shame can play," Naraku Sora sighed helplessly. "So, could a kind, beautiful sister please explain it to me?"
The corners of Senjumaru's mouth curled upward. "You've certainly asked the right person."
Naraku Sora: "..."
He had thought she might show at least a little humility.
As if sensing his thoughts, Senjumaru tilted her head and glanced at him sideways. "Is big sister not beautiful?"
Her tone was calm and indifferent, yet it contained a spine-chilling killing intent.
"Beautiful!"
Naraku Sora didn't hesitate for a second, choosing to follow his heart immediately. Honesty was his best policy.
The smile on Senjumaru's face deepened as she spoke.
"In the early days of the Gotei 13's founding, the concept of the Shihakushō didn't actually exist. They simply unified their clothing by switching to black."
"That concept actually originated from the Menos."
Naraku Sora simply sat cross-legged in front of Senjumaru, listening intently.
"Unlike Soul Reapers, although Menos lack powerful weapons like the Zanpakutō, their indestructible Hierro often brings unimaginable trouble to their enemies."
"Based on this ability, I combined fabric with a Soul Reaper's spiritual power to create the Shihakushō, which possesses a degree of defensive performance."
"In addition, I added a self-repair function. If it is damaged in battle, it can be restored to its complete state by injecting Reiatsu."
"Most importantly, I completed the binding of the 'Shihakushō' concept to the Soul Reaper. Upon joining a squad, the Shihakushō is officially granted, and just like an Asauchi, it is imprinted with the Soul Reaper's individual tag."
"Aside from these, minor features like automatic cleaning and dust resistance are hardly worth mentioning."
Though she said they weren't worth mentioning, her tone carried a faint, subtle trace of pride.
If mastering Bankai allows a Soul Reaper to leave their name in the history of the Soul Society, then Senjumaru's contribution undoubtedly changed the very course of the Soul Society's development, leaving a massive mark upon it.
Naraku Sora looked thoughtful. "In other words, the Shihakushō has existed since the Gotei 13 was founded."
Senjumaru nodded slightly. "Correct."
"By that calculation, your age must be—"
Before he could finish, a terrifying gaze suddenly shot toward him. It was even more bone-chilling than before, as if he were being stared down by something truly monstrous.
Naraku Sora sensibly shut his mouth. If he continued this conversation, something very bad was bound to happen.
Senjumaru gave the boy an annoyed look before continuing.
"Through my research these past few days, I have discovered that while Reishi is the fundamental unit of the world, its essence remains complex and multifaceted."
"Although the properties are generally the same, if you break them down, there are hundreds or even thousands of categories. The differences between different types of Reishi are sometimes greater than the difference between a Soul Reaper and a wild beast."
"But surprisingly, between two types of Reishi that most researchers believe should repel each other, there is actually common ground."
"Soul Reaper and Hollow."
Naraku Sora realized that this was where her inspiration had come from.
As someone who could perfectly harness Hollow power, this woman, Senjumaru, had drawn plenty of his blood. After a series of experiments, it was only natural that she would find some commonalities.
"Now that you understand, take off your clothes."
Senjumaru extended a finger as white as jade. A slender, long sewing needle sat between her fingers, and visible Reiatsu swirled around it, turning into thread that passed through the eye of the needle.
Naraku Sora stared intently at her, a suspicious expression on his face. "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to set me up?"
Senjumaru's movements stiffened. A hurt expression appeared on her face, but just as she was about to speak, Naraku Sora cut her off.
"Let me guess. Your next line is: 'Would I ever lie to you?'"
Senjumaru: "?"
Naraku Sora sighed helplessly. "And then you'll use actual actions to tell me that yes, you would."
After spending so much time together, he had already figured out this woman's temperament and way of doing things. There would certainly be benefits, but there would also be no shortage of pitfalls.
Senjumaru sighed softly. When a Silly Boy gets tricked enough times, he eventually grows up. She felt he was cuter when he was still acting foolish.
The moment the sigh fell, Naraku Sora noticed the colorful silks hanging from the ceiling drop silently. They suddenly exploded with breathtaking, terrifying speed.
A few muffled sonic booms even echoed in the air.
Too bad—this woman was going to force it.
Fine then, the battle to defend his clothes starts now.
Naraku Sora grinned, revealing sharp white teeth. He suddenly unleashed a surging Reiatsu; a visible pillar of light shot into the sky, and a howling gale shook the room, directly blowing away the flying silk.
Although his Reiatsu intensity was still slightly weaker than hers, its quality had already surpassed Soul Reapers of the same spiritual rank.
Whether it was the boost from his growth rate or the assimilation of Hollow power, Naraku Sora could easily stand above average Soul Reapers.
Never mind Lieutenant-level Soul Reapers—even against a Captain-class opponent, I can hold my own!
Full of confidence, Naraku Sora stared directly at Shutara Senjumaru with unhidden, aggressive eyes.
And then...
He saw the corners of the woman's mouth curve into a beautiful arc as she released her Reiatsu.
In an instant, time seemed to stop.
A terrifying Reiatsu, like an overturning ocean, exploded outward. Suddenly, the air became sticky and thick, pressing in from all directions like heavy mercury.
His internal organs were being subjected to unimaginable pressure.
Naraku Sora fell into a deep state of self-doubt. Wasn't it said that the strength of the Zero Division members only takes a qualitative leap after the Ouken is forged using the Soul King's power?
What was with this suffocatingly exaggerated Reiatsu right now?
"Soul Reapers of your age are usually in a period of high-speed growth," Senjumaru said to herself, as if justifying her current behavior.
"Stripping for an inspection is merely a necessary measure."
"Come, let big sister see if you are developing normally..."