Exiting his Zanzen state, Kensei Kenzuru's first thought upon opening his eyes was that he had to give Urahara more work.
As a good boss, how could he not show appreciation to overtime employees?
After rummaging through drawers for a while, Kensei finally unearthed a green-and-white striped bucket hat from a corner.
"Hmm, this color... distinctive. I'm sure Urahara will love it."
Kensei nodded to himself. After all, the original Urahara wore this kind of hat.
With the gift ready, Kensei wasted no time. Using Kūkon's ability, his body vanished from the room.
The next moment, Kensei materialized out of thin air in the central shared laboratory of the Research and Development Institute, where Urahara and Kurotsuchi worked.
"Soul Society's Yellow Flash, Kensei Kenzuru, reporting!"
A shame Kensei wasn't blonde and lacked a cloak. Seems getting Shutara to customize some clothes needs to happen soon. Can't let the style points drop.
BANG!
Right after Kensei's announcement, the sound of a test tube shattering on the floor echoed.
"Kenzuru, your sudden appearances are quite startling." Urahara turned around, a look of resignation on his face. "And whenever you come, there's usually not-so-good news."
"Just asking you to put in a little overtime." Kensei announced the news that would break Urahara. "Don't look like that. I even brought a consolation gift."
With that, he placed the hat on Urahara's head. It fit perfectly. Truly, fate.
"Out with it. What is it this time?"
Urahara adjusted the hat on his head—it felt good—and sighed, asking Kensei's purpose.
"Within a day and a half, I need a device capable of packaging up and transporting the Tsunayashiro Clan's main estate to Hueco Mundo."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who had been dissecting an unknown creature, looked at Kensei with an unpleasant expression. "You said how long?"
"A day and a half. Sooner if you can manage." Kensei's expression was serious. "Time is tight, the task is heavy, but the situation is special."
Seeing Kensei wasn't joking, Urahara's expression also turned serious. "Kenzuru, a large-scale spatial relocation device involves complex principles. Neither Mayuri nor I are experts in spatial manipulation. Just that step alone will consume significant time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tessai Tsukabishi—wearing reflective glasses, his hairstyle resembling bull horns—walked in, followed by Hachigen Ushōda, who was as round as a ball.
"Lord Kenzuru, we are here on Captain Yoruichi's orders to assist."
"Chief Tessai is a master of spatial Kidō. Hachigen is also an expert. You two can consult them if you have questions."
Kensei gave a brief introduction. With the technical personnel assembled, he briefly outlined the Tsunayashiro Clan's conspiracy.
After understanding the situation, Urahara frowned too, realizing Kensei wasn't acting on a whim—it was the Tsunayashiro Clan making him work overtime.
His researcher instincts kicked in. Urahara quickly grabbed a whiteboard, sketching diagrams as he spoke. "Forced relocation of a large, fixed area requires four giant pillars as anchor points to initiate the spatial transfer."
Kurotsuchi raised another key point. "Since the destination is Hueco Mundo, precise coordinates are necessary."
"Indeed." Urahara continued designing the prototype. "Random teleportation would be disastrous if we hit a Hollow swarm. But existing instruments can't provide the precision required for this."
Hearing this, Kensei's eyes lit up. "That's nothing. My Zanpakutō does exactly that."
"Then that problem is solved." Urahara had seen Kensei's spatial movements many times and knew his ability was suited for this. "But if the Tsunayashiro Clan dares to act, they must have supporters. Those pillars will need people to guard them."
"Let's talk about that once you have a finished product. No need to worry now."
Kensei waved a hand. He had authority to mobilize Captain-level combatants. Assigning one Captain per pillar wouldn't be an issue—even two or three wouldn't be a problem.
Might as well assign Old Man Yama to one too. He's a Captain, after all, within my authority.
"In short, I want to see results in a day and a half." Kensei gave Urahara and Kurotsuchi an encouraging look. "If you need resources, get approval from Captain Hikifune."
Urahara looked wryly at the dense formulas and diagrams on the whiteboard, pressing down on his bucket hat. "I'll do my best... No, we will get it done."
This concerned the Seireitei's stability. He wouldn't hold back.
"I suggest working in parallel groups. It'll save significant time." Kurotsuchi had already turned towards his own workbench. "Of course, that's assuming you can keep up with my train of thought, Urahara."
"Save that line for yourself."
Urahara swiftly entered work mode as well. Tessai and Hachigen moved between them, providing the spatial knowledge they needed.
The Research and Development Institute entered an unprecedented state of high-speed operation: instruments running at full power, assistants scurrying with materials, punctuated only by the occasional mutual mockery between Urahara and Kurotsuchi.
Seeing this, Kensei felt reassured and prepared to head to the Shihōin Clan to borrow a Senkaimon for another trip to Hueco Mundo for on-site surveying.
Beneath the Tsunayashiro Clan Estate, Seireitei
Deep underground, a similarly tense atmosphere prevailed.
In a vast, advanced laboratory, numerous Tsunayashiro researchers constantly adjusted data at various instruments.
At the center, suspended in mid-air, was a blurred humanoid silhouette with obvious stitch marks on its body. In its hand was an oddly shaped, ancient-looking Zanpakutō—the stolen Ikomikidomoe. Perhaps freed from its seal, ominous black-and-red spiritual pressure coiled around the blade.
Tsunayashiro Jin stood on a high observation platform, his expression shifting between shadow and light.
"Reporting, Master. The synchronization experiment has entered its final stabilization phase." A researcher in a lab coat reported. "In three more days, the subject will be able to fully harness this power."
"Excellent." A cruel smile touched Tsunayashiro Jin's lips. "Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni... Gotei 13... I'll make you understand who the true master of Soul Society is."
Just then, Ban'ya Tenshirō emerged from the shadows, whispering a few words into Tsunayashiro Jin's ear.
Tsunayashiro Jin's previously smiling expression instantly twisted into rage. "You say Shutara Senjumaru went to the Gotei 13?!"
"This subordinate witnessed it personally." Ban'ya's face was grim. "Presumably, the Captains are already aware of the incident concerning the Royal Guard."
"Damn it!!!" Tsunayashiro Jin slammed his palm against the nearby railing, bending it slightly. "That damn Monk! Since he secretly assisted me in obtaining this blade, why would he go through the trouble of notifying the Gotei 13?!"
Tsunayashiro Jin paced back and forth, fury practically erupting from his eyes. "What is his intention? Doesn't that bald-headed fool not care about the Seireitei's fate?"
"Master, do not be angry. Anger clouds wisdom."
Hearing Ban'ya's reminder, Tsunayashiro Jin stopped pacing. His eyes fixed on the figure in the center of the lab, his chest heaving.
"You're right." Tsunayashiro Jin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, he had regained composure. "So what if they know in advance that I took the Zanpakutō?"
With that, Tsunayashiro Jin burst into hearty laughter.
"Why does the Master laugh?" Ban'ya, still kneeling, didn't understand his lord's thoughts.
"I laugh at Yamamoto's lack of planning, Kyōraku's shortsightedness. How could they possibly anticipate the secret weapon I've prepared?"
"Moreover, Kensei Kenzuru has been bribed by me, promised not to interfere. The only one with intellect and strategic mind comparable to mine isn't even on Yamamoto's side. What does he have to fight me with?"
As he spoke, Tsunayashiro Jin seemed to regain his confidence.
"Notify everyone. Accelerate preparations." He waved a grand hand. "In three days, I will stand at the heart of the Seireitei and, before all witnesses, utterly crush Yamamoto Genryūsai and his lackeys!"
Tsunayashiro Jin gazed towards the direction of the First Division barracks, madness flickering in his eyes.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!