Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Preparations

Dōsan handed Rizukihime an exquisite lunchbox decorated with simple patterns.

Suggested retail price: 30 ringgit.

The bento box was opaque, and although she knew it was impolite, Rizukihime couldn't suppress her curiosity about what kind of thank-you gift Dōsan Hanyū would bring.

I just wanted to take a quick peek.

Seeing that the vulgar woman on the stage wasn't looking at her, Rizukihime lifted the lid of the lunchbox, and a rich, savory aroma filled her nostrils.

It's a fish.

Rizukihime felt unwell.

Fish is an ingredient that some people love and can't live without at every meal, while others can't eat a single bite if they don't like it.

Rizukihime is the type who rarely eats fish, especially the fish in Dōsan's dish, which is cooked using a rare oil-frying method in Seireitei.

And also, why is this fish only half a fish? It has no head, only half a body.

There are still a few small pieces missing from the fish.

Could this fish be... one of the leftovers?

No, impossible. Although White Eyebrows likes to show off, he's not that despicable.

I was initially somewhat reluctant.

But the aroma that was trapped inside the lunchbox instantly assaulted her nostrils the moment she opened it.

It might be worth a try.

The new teacher lecturing on stage is different from the previous teachers.

The teacher of this Ittō-ryū kendo class was a red-haired woman wearing a revealing leather outfit, with her entire right collarbone exposed.

This design is truly pioneering for the current Soul Society.

Rangiku's story could at least be explained as being made of Soul Reaper fabric, but hers can only be described as indecent.

The students probably feel the same way.

Most of the male students in the class crowded into the rows of seats in front of the female teacher, staring intently at her inappropriate behavior.

Despite her revealing attire, she taught in a very strict manner, carrying a wooden sword and occasionally slashing it at the desk.

The female teacher was still giving a passionate lecture on the podium when a peculiar smell wafted from the back seat towards the front.

The scent was no longer the overpowering, intense fishy aroma of Rizukihime that could even send shivers down your Reishi.

But this scent, which was spreading among the Reishi, became even clearer and purer when it entered the female teacher's nasal cavity.

This is a fish.

It smells so good.

For every person who hates it, there is someone who likes it; the female teacher is someone who can't live without fish.

Not only him, but when the teacher looked again, even the students in the front row who were still seriously appreciating the art had their eyes glazed over.

"Rizukihime Kasumiōji, what are you doing?"

At this moment, Rizukihime had already put the fish in her mouth. Her soft tongue mashed the fish meat in her mouth, allowing her to enjoy the deliciousness of the dish to the fullest extent.

In the Soul Society's elite circles, dishes that focus on the natural flavors of the ingredients and are simply prepared are generally referred to as "aristocratic cuisine," while dishes with complex cooking steps are considered "luxury cuisine among the common people."

With its multiple processing steps, this dish is certainly not cheap, but it's still a meal enjoyed by ordinary people on a daily basis.

Rizukihime never expected that this humble commoner's dish would be so delicious.

Hearing the female teacher's words, Rizukihime raised her eyelids listlessly and replied, "I know," but her hands didn't stop, and she took another bite.

"You bastard, are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

The female teacher gripped the wooden knife on the lectern and then chopped it down from above.

"So fast."

Dōsan, sitting in the back row, was the first in the class to react. Dōsan had been somewhat lost in thought during the lesson, but this slash snapped him out of it.

It's not just the speed of the blade, but also the agility of the movement.

The sword didn't come down from the same spot; the female teacher used Shunpo while slashing with the sword.

To the average college student, it was as if the female teacher hadn't moved at all.

Rizukihime was holding a lunchbox in one hand and a bowl and chopsticks in the other when the female teacher slashed the lunchbox open, leaving only half of the fish bone in Rizukihime's hand.

"Hey..." Rizukihime roared weakly. That slash just now had really frightened her. Rizukihime glared at Dōsan San. Ever since she met this white-browed boy, she had been having a lot of bad luck.

"You little girl are really ruining my lecture!" The female teacher held the lunchbox at an angle so that not a drop of soup would spill.

"I..."

From now on, in this academy, this teacher will be the second most hated person in her life.

"Alright, that's enough. Class dismissed. I need to get rid of these lunchboxes quickly; the classroom smells like this, how can we have a lesson?" Before the students could react, the leather-clad teacher vanished from their senses with a "Shunpo."

"I suspect that the teacher seems to have, possibly, or probably went to sneak some food."

"No doubt about it, that should be it."

Let her eat a little; after all, the teacher is so well-developed.

However, the students' gazes shifted to Rizukihime; that scent was not so easily forgotten.

Sensing impending trouble, Dōsan also hurriedly left.

Medical guard Mitsui-san and Sōji Sanjō, whose relationship with Dōsan is warming up, follow Dōsan around.

The three exchanged brief pleasantries. Mitsui-san spoke less, while Sōji Sanjō chatted with Dōsan about their training.

"Dōsan."

A familiar voice came from behind Dōsan.

Dōsan's face showed three parts joy and seven parts surprise. "Brother Ganju?"

Although Kūkaku and his companion had already been dubbed the "Twin Fiends" by Liu Huisheng, this news had not yet reached the ears of the reclusive Dōsan.

The appearance of the Ganju at the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts surprised and delighted Dōsan.

Originally, Kūkaku and the other two intended to wait until a month later, after Dōsan had advanced to the sixth level of rebirth, before making contact. However, the arrival of these two uninvited guests today surprised Ganju.

The two people following behind Dōsan clicked their tongues in amazement. Although Ganju was plain-looking, even a bit rustic, the Shiba Clan crest was undeniable.

The two hurriedly greeted the Young Master of the Shiba Clan, but seeing that Ganju was in a bad mood and seemed to have something to say to Dōsan, they decided to leave immediately.

Ganju's face was clouded with worry. Dōsan had never seen Ganju with this expression before, so he also became serious and, before Dōsan could react, bowed deeply. "Dōsan, I have a favor to ask of you."

"This machine's Reishi density is simply insufficient."

"Also, the capture device needs to be strong enough to restrain the captain."

"The instrument should be as small and convenient as possible."

The few people who were mercilessly reprimanded by Nie didn't feel much anger; they were just secretly amazed that this time the experimental subject was actually Captain-level one.

Akon, on the other hand, had more to think about; he considered the team leader's inspection trip over the past two days.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's combat strength is not strong. After all, Captain Kurotsuchi was promoted to captain of the Twelfth Division thanks to the groundbreaking technology of Nemu Number Seven.

Akon and the others weren't even sure if Captain Kurotsuchi could Bankai or if he possessed Captain-level combat power.

But this did not prevent Captain Kurotsuchi from becoming the most respected person in their hearts.

Nie faced the several culture containers he had just prepared, each containing a formalin mixture.

This culture medium allows experimental subjects to have their internal organs removed and placed in it for several days and nights before being reattached to their bodies, without any decomposition.

The things had actually been prepared long ago, but only by constantly touching them could Nie barely calm his restless heart.

"Lord Mayuri, he's getting a lot of attention from the captains. Would there be any unforeseen risks in taking action against him?"

Nie turned his head, his neck making a "creaking" sound like a gear turning, as he turned to look at the expressionless Nemu.

"Don't use that brain of yours that I created to think about things I didn't teach you." Nie's eyes darted around. "You wouldn't have developed empathy, the last thing scientists need, because he spoke up for you that day, would you?"

Nie looked at Nemu, who had her head down, and said, "Also, I let you obtain Dōsan Hanyū's genes before, and you almost ruined the body I created. Could it be that you were going easy on me?"

"No, Lord Mayuri, that was indeed my mistake."

"Hmph!" Mayuri turned his head away. If it were any other time, Mayuri Kurotsuchi wouldn't mind giving Nemu a good talking-to.

But today, his mind was filled with the thought of dissecting Dōsan Hanyū, which made him so excited that he couldn't muster any interest in anything else.