Chương 129: Failed Experiment

"Naruki City…"

Yūshirō Shihōin seemed thoughtful.

Everyone looked at him with a hint of nervousness, fearing their clan head might impulsively use the Senkaimon to travel to the human world.

"Were there any other presences besides my sister's spiritual pressure?"

Yūshirō was not as irrational as the elders of the Shihōin family feared.

Upon hearing his question, the figure kneeling on the ground hesitated briefly. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a muffled voice from behind his black mask:

"Apart from the stationed Shinigami, there were also Hollows, Quincy, spiritually aware humans, and…"

"The head of the Kaname family, Tokikaze Kaname!"

It seemed he had made up his mind as he divulged all the information in one breath.

You are ignoring the elders' nearly murderous glares.

"Based on the spiritual pressure analysis, Lady Yoruichi likely had a brief battle with Tokikaze Kaname."

"The outcome is unknown!"

As his words faded, the room again fell into a deathly silence.

Was it a coincidence?

Or intentional?

The last time Tokikaze Kaname appeared in the human world, it was to quell a rebellion. This time, what was it for?

Could it be that he had discovered Yoruichi's presence?

Various thoughts swirled in everyone's minds, their imaginations instantly creating over nine hundred potential scenarios.

As members of the Shihōin family, which controlled the Second Division, they needed to possess excellent deduction abilities and imaginative thinking.

Only then could they deduce the truth from the limited information provided by their subordinates.

Experience has shown this method to be highly effective.

Most events, when analysed by them, eventually reveal their true nature.

Without exception, Tokikaze Kaname's presence in the human world was likely connected to the scenarios they had just imagined.

Realising this, the expressions on the faces of the elders and Yūshirō changed to varying degrees.

Some even had expressions of anguish, as if their precious flower had been taken away.

Though they were unsure of the specifics, their hatred for Tokikaze Kaname was clear.

After all, relations between the great noble families were far from amicable.

Though Yoruichi had defected from the Soul Society, she still held great respect within the Shihōin family.

No matter what, she was the most outstanding head since Shihōin Chidori.

In contrast, although Yūshirō Shihōin was also competent, he fell short compared to the previous two.

"I understand. You may leave now."

After a moment of silence, Yūshirō waved his hand, signalling for the informant to leave.

Such calm behaviour was beyond the elders' expectations.

Normally, even the slightest mention of information about Yoruichi would make the head lose his composure.

But now he remained so composed, which was truly unusual.

"The dead soldier plan is on hold."

Yūshirō said quietly, without imposing, "Until we understand the relationship between my sister and Tokikaze Kaname, all plans against the Kaname family are paused."

Hearing this, the elders exchanged glances and responded in unison:

"Yes, Head!"

Yūshirō Shihōin's abilities were not as incompetent as Tokikaze and Yoruichi had imagined.

...

After nearly a day's work, Ishikawa Naoto finally gathered enough remains from the rubble.

Primarily, it was because Tokikaze's techniques were too destructive. Even someone as strong as Kūgo Ginjō, who was at a captain level, didn't leave much of a body.

He had to capture the residual spiritual particles in the atmosphere.

Tsukishima Shūkurō, however, left a piece of blackened, charred remains that were barely identifiable.

It would have to suffice.

What surprised Tokikaze the most was that the souls of Kūgo Ginjō and Tsukishima Shūkurō did not reappear in the human world.

Instead, they moved to the Rukongai in the Soul Society along with the flow of spiritual particles.

Tokikaze had no intention of letting them go.

No matter how weak Kūgo Ginjō was, he was still above a standard captain level.

Tsukishima Shūkurō, though not as strong, was at least lieutenant level.

It was best to control such potential threats.

As rare Fullbringers, both Yamada Hanatarō and Mayuri Kurotsuchi would likely be very interested in them.

As for mercy.

Laughable, considering that neither Kūgo Ginjō nor Tsukishima Shūkurō showed any when dealing with other Fullbringers and Shinigami.

He who kills will be killed.

The Hell Butterfly communicator rang just as Ishikawa Naoto was packing up the remains.

Tokikaze answered it, and a peculiar laugh filled with madness came through, revealing a hint of insanity.

"Captain Tokikaze, based on your previous reminder, I have enhanced the spiritual wave measurement research department's monitoring devices for the human world."

"While you're in the human world, would you mind cleaning up our failed experiment?"

Tokikaze frowned, not surprised that Mayuri Kurotsuchi knew his location.

After all, this latest Hell Butterfly communicator, containing the Soul Society's highest technology, was his invention.

It wasn't a big deal as long as the communicator didn't have real-time monitoring.

With Tokikaze's multiple reminders, Mayuri likely wasn't foolish enough to go that far.

He was more curious about what Mayuri meant by "our."

"The upper echelons of the Soul Society have conducted multiple studies on eternal life, but these studies often have high failure rates and dangers."

Mayuri, sensing Tokikaze's curiosity, quickly explained:

"Centuries ago, a failed experiment on immortal souls caused a massive explosion, spreading numerous mutated spiritual particles into the human world. These particles mixed with human bodies, creating a hybrid species."

"This group, by consuming human souls, can remain ageless and wield powers similar to Shinigami, even affecting spatial stability."

As he spoke, Mayuri's laugh grew more manic: "That explosion destroyed a tenth of Seireitei!"

...

Through Mayuri's explanation, Tokikaze understood his request and recalled related information.

The Bounts products of a failed experiment.

Mayuri's enhanced spiritual wave measurement devices had detected their presence.

"Capture some for re-experimentation?" Tokikaze asked indifferently.

"No, no, don't misunderstand, my dear Captain Tokikaze!"

In a rare show of humility, Mayuri managed to speak somewhat reasonably:

"The reason I'm asking for your help is that these creatures are massively consuming human souls, seriously destabilizing the spiritual particles in the human world."

"Such failed experiments have no research value at all…"