12th Division, Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
The Shinigami Research and Development Institute was located within the 12th Division's compound, a mysterious research facility nestled deep in the mountains. On the surface, it appeared as a towering white building, but its true core operations were hidden underground.
After tidying up her desk, the purple-haired woman absentmindedly ran her fingers through her long hair, her gaze fixed on the screen in front of her. Even the food she had lifted to her mouth seemed to have lost its appeal.
At noon, the entire institute was enveloped in silence. It was hard to tell whether the rising temperature had induced a sense of laziness or if everyone had simply succumbed to drowsiness.
Kirio Hikifune never expected that her daily routine of eating, drinking, and occasionally researching temporary souls would lead to something like this.
"Technology really has advanced rapidly. A few hundred years ago, we didn't have such convenient tools," she mused, shaking her head as she stared at the screen in her office.
Still, recalling the two figures whispering suspiciously outside the institute's entrance, Kirio couldn't help but smile.
"Kisuke has done a great job... but does he not realize there's surveillance? Or does he think I wouldn't notice?"
"And Masatsuki… that kid is way too bold. How could he say something like that in broad daylight?"
Her fingers twirled a strand of hair as she thought back to all the times she had personally sought out Masatsuki Aozaki to teach her his craft. The memory made her feel slightly embarrassed.
"Wait… do I actually like him?" She shoveled a couple of mouthfuls of food into her mouth, deep in thought about their moments together.
"At the very least, his cooking is amazing. My stomach seems to have accepted him before I have. What am I supposed to do with that?"
After years of interaction, Kirio had come to understand the kind of person Masatsuki was.
Strictly speaking, he wasn't exactly a good man—but compared to most nobles, he was already one of the better ones.
Still, was it really okay to let herself be won over just because of good food?
But honestly, how many things in the world were more important than a great meal? Besides, it wasn't like he was a bad person.
As she reflected on the past few years, the office door suddenly opened. A poised woman with flowing black hair stepped inside.
"You've been working late and still haven't eaten, have you?" Senjumaru Shutara said as she walked in. "I brought you something from the division's canteen. Masatsuki is a captain now—he's bound to be busy, so you'll have to make do with this."
With a flick of her puppet arms, she set the lunchbox down on the desk.
"Oh my, that aroma… Did Masatsuki drop by? Even as Kenpachi, he still finds time to bring you meals."
"It looks like you're really important to that boy," she added with a teasing smile. "He doesn't even care about what others think."
Kirio quickly grabbed the lunch, her voice slightly rushed as she forced a casual laugh. "Thanks, I was starving. Honestly, the food Masatsuki brought probably wouldn't have been enough anyway."
"It's nothing," Senjumaru waved her hand dismissively. "But you really don't take care of yourself. Sure, you're fine now, but if something goes wrong in the future, you'll regret it."
"Not that it really matters anymore," she added with a smirk. "You're about to join the Zero Division. Injuries and sickness won't be much of a concern for us."
"With the Soul King's power strengthening your body, whether it's research or cooking, you'll be able to do it for as long as you want and eat as much as you like."
She glanced at the food, then licked her lips. "But are you sure you can finish all this?"
After all, she had been there when Masatsuki taught Kirio to cook and had tasted his food a few times herself. It really was delicious.
"Actually, I can't eat that much," Kirio Hikifune said with an embarrassed smile as she looked at Senjumaru Shutara.
Kirio, of all people, getting shy? Now that was unexpected.
Senjumaru was mildly surprised but covered her mouth with a chuckle. "Then let me help you. Masatsuki's cooking looks quite good."
Kirio pouted. "But… Masatsuki made that for me…"
Senjumaru, with all the authority of a senior, declared righteously, "Kirio, it is only natural for a senior to assist a junior!"
Kirio: "…"
At this point, she was seriously starting to suspect that Senjumaru had only brought food as an excuse to snatch Masatsuki's cooking!
...
Late at night, Rukongai was eerily silent. In the Kagarashi District, Sōsuke Aizen stood beneath the moonlit sky, gazing up at its serene glow.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed from underground, growing clearer as a figure slowly ascended toward the surface.
"Tōsen, did you find something that will satisfy me? I hope to hear good news," Aizen said, his back still turned, his tone utterly indifferent.
"Aizen-sama! It's nothing but ruins down there—just dirt and rubble. If we try to break through with Kidō, it could cause a collapse," Kaname Tōsen reported as he emerged from the underground passage. The lingering scent of soil made him frown slightly.
"You're quite cautious, Masatsuki-kun," Aizen mused, enjoying the quiet. "But if you're going to such lengths to conceal something… it seems you really have learned a thing or two."
For a brief moment, Tōsen thought he detected something unusual in Aizen's tone—was that… approval?
Just what kind of person did Aizen-sama consider this man to be?
Hesitating, he ventured, "It does seem that this man is hiding something from us…"
Aizen cut him off. "Hiding from us? No, you're mistaken, Tōsen. He's not hiding from us."
His thoughts drifted back to that day…
...
In Aizen's secret laboratory, the dim glow of the screens flickered across the room.
"Aizen-sama," Masatsuki Aozaki called out, eyes fixed on the luminous data displayed before him.
"What is it, Masatsuki-kun?" Aizen set down his work and turned, smiling faintly.
Masatsuki, as if casually making small talk, asked, "Can I take a look at the lab's research data?"
Aizen remained silent for a long moment before chuckling. "Do you even realize what you're asking? That's not a joke, Masatsuki-kun."
"I know. And you know what I'm after," Masatsuki said with a shrug. "But there's been no progress. Why not let me try? If you're not willing, then forget it."
"How amusing. Are you implying you can surpass me?" Aizen sneered. "If you truly believe that… then go ahead and try."
...
Aizen's thoughts returned to the present.
Looking back, he had been far too hasty in agreeing to that.
When exactly had this damned competitive drive awakened in him?
And more importantly, had that man noticed it?
Aizen thought back to Masatsuki's words.
No—he was certain of it. That clever man had definitely realized it.
"I handed him all the research… I just wanted to see how far he could go."
"And now, looking at the results…"
Aizen felt something stir inside him—an exhilaration he hadn't experienced in years.
That thrill of anticipation.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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