Humanoid Mobile Mine Sweeper

From the moment they stepped into the Zenteiji District.

Danger Instinct began to scream a frantic warning, as endless malice surged toward them from every direction.

It felt as if the next step would plunge them into an abyss of death.

It was different from the Kendo duel against Unohana Retsu.

Her danger stemmed from pure killing intent and an instinctive thirst for slaughter.

But the danger in the Zenteiji District felt more like a mixture of malice and killing intent, coupled with a chilling disregard for life.

Although he could not pinpoint the exact location of the opponent's Reiatsu.

Kisaragi Akira knew very well that the source of that malice was likely watching the two of them silently from some hidden corner.

Therefore, he dared not make any rash moves.

Everything proceeded as usual.

It was not until they successfully left the Zenteiji District that the warnings from Danger Instinct finally vanished, and his taut nerves gradually began to settle.

"The scent of death..."

Aizen frowned slightly, struggling to recall every anomaly they had encountered in the Zenteiji District.

He was aware of Kisaragi Akira's inexplicable intuition.

So, he did not doubt the truth of those words.

Yet, no matter how hard he searched his memory, he could not find a single trace of evidence.

"Well, don't worry too much about it."

Kisaragi Akira gave a carefree smile. "We'll just let Teacher Kaede and the others have the headache."

"We only need to hand over the culprit's Zanpakuto and report the facts as they happened; this matter will have nothing to do with us anymore."

"Besides, we'll get a decent reward out of it."

"Tonight's tofu dinner is on this High Priest!"

Aizen nodded imperceptibly.

Although everything Kisaragi Akira said made sense.

For some reason, ever since hearing those words, he had felt a lingering sense of unease.

Given his current level of Reiatsu, for someone to evade his perception without being detected.

They would have to be at least a Captain-level fighter, right?

Did this incident actually involve a Captain-level figure?

What role did that rogue Shinigami play in all of this?

And what was the truth behind it all?

Aizen lowered his eyelids slightly, the flames of curiosity burning fiercely within his deliberately masked pupils.

Shin'o Academy.

In the faculty office.

Kaede Junya stared at the Zanpakuto with its distinct, personal characteristics resting on the desk, lost in thought.

How long had it been?

Less than a day to investigate the incident and slay the culprit.

This kid's strength was already no worse than that of a high-ranking seated officer, was it?

Thinking of this, Kaede Junya narrowed his eyes and began to size up Kisaragi Akira, who was sitting in another teacher's chair looking utterly lazy.

He couldn't see through him!

He couldn't see through him at all!

"This is the reward you deserve."

Kaede Junya efficiently produced a stack of banknotes and placed them on the table.

"As for the intelligence you provided regarding the potential for greater danger in the 32nd District of the East Rukon District, I will report it truthfully to the Head Captain."

"Everything after this has nothing to do with you."

Kisaragi Akira took the money with a flourish and left, dragging the contemplative Aizen along with him.

However, just as they reached the door, Aizen stopped in his tracks, turned back, and said earnestly:

"If possible, please try to have a Captain investigate this matter."

Kaede Junya was stunned, a look of confusion appearing on his face, but upon seeing the seriousness in Aizen's eyes, he couldn't help but nod.

Although he didn't know much about the student Aizen Sosuke, being able to hang out with Kisaragi Akira was a skill in its own right.

"I had better hurry and report this to the Head Captain."

Kaede Junya picked up the Zanpakuto on the table and hurried out of the office.

Nighttime.

Kisaragi Akira finally got to eat the special tofu dish from the Shin'o Cafeteria as he had wished.

Although Aizen was somewhat absent-minded while eating, he didn't eat any less.

Tofu was considered one of his favorite ingredients.

It had a fresh fragrance, a smooth texture, and a delicate mouthfeel.

As long as the chef's skill wasn't too poor, it was basically impossible to make a tofu dish that tasted bad.

What's more, the skill level of the chefs at the Shin'o Cafeteria was quite reliable.

The two finished their dinner and returned to their temporary dormitory just in time.

The reconstruction of the Central Male Dormitory would still take some time, so during this period, the two could only live in temporary quarters set up by the 12th Division's research team.

If nothing else, the quality of these temporary quarters was actually quite good.

The only drawback was perhaps that they were a little cramped.

Of course, with only two people living here like Kisaragi Akira, it wasn't really a problem.

The other temporary dorms were all four-person rooms.

There was even one unlucky room that had six people crammed into it.

"Full of food and tea, a cozy life."

Kisaragi Akira lay horizontally on the bed like a salted fish, his face full of satisfaction.

Compared to the life of struggling to survive in the Nikkotsu District before, he was practically in heaven now.

Of course, it would be even better if he could rest on Ise Shizune's lap pillow.

Back when he was at the Shrine, after a full meal, he would just lie down on Ise Shizune's lap pillow and quietly enjoy the massage from her ten slender, jade-like fingers.

Whether it was the pressure, the touch, or the technique, it was all superb.

Glancing at the slacking Kisaragi Akira, Aizen didn't pay him any mind, returning to his own bed and immediately beginning his Reiatsu cultivation.

What supports a vigorous curiosity is powerful strength.

No matter how good one's talent is, if one doesn't work hard at cultivation, one will sooner or later become mediocre among the masses.

Although he wasn't sure exactly how good Kisaragi Akira's talent was, judging from his performance during this period, it was definitely not worse than his own.

If he continued at this rate of progress, sooner or later, he would be surpassed by him.

Thinking of this, an inexplicable sense of urgency couldn't help but arise in Aizen's heart.

"Grind, keep grinding, it's good to grind."

Kisaragi Akira noticed Aizen's actions, sat up straight, and sighed helplessly.

The only bad thing about being friends with someone like Aizen was this.

When he was studying or cultivating, if you went off to play, a heavy sense of guilt would well up in your heart.

When that guilt surged, you couldn't eat or sleep well; it was pure mental torture.

Fortunately—

His current talent wasn't bad; while he couldn't claim to have a photographic memory, he did have a little bit of insight.

Kisaragi Akira straightened his posture, immediately preparing to join the grind.

[Reiatsu Affinity] maxed out, let me see your limits!

When his Reiatsu was fully released, the long-awaited accident happened again.

The Reishi present in the air flowed in irregular trajectories, gradually gathering, and a faint white glow emerged in the room, reflecting off the colorful fabrics above, below, and all around.

Aizen slowly opened his eyes and let out a helpless sigh.

He knew this incident wouldn't be as simple as it appeared on the surface.

This guy Kisaragi Akira was like a humanoid minesweeper; it was hard for accidents not to occur wherever he went.

Kisaragi Akira naturally noticed the anomaly as well, and when he saw the changes occurring in the room, his eyes widened instantly.

The white light was hazy and indistinct, with Reishi gathering and gradually becoming clear, reflecting a pure white and simple figure.

What is this?

A sentient mosaic?!