I Want to Stand Atop the Zenith Too?

What happened?!

Kisaragi Akira was shocked. Had Aizen's uniqueness been discovered by someone?

Could it be that the hidden malice lurking in that kid's personality had also been seen through?

Was he about to be locked away in Muken Hell?

And also...

Who are you, beautiful lady?

"However..."

The elegant woman's gaze shifted, landing on Kisaragi Akira, changing the object of her attention.

"It seems you are quite special as well."

"Allow me to introduce myself: head of the 12th Division research team, Shutara Senjumaru."

The woman carried herself with elegance; every expression and smile exuded a sense of nobility, not at all like a typical researcher.

Upon hearing her self-introduction, Kisaragi Akira was even more stunned.

Although he couldn't recall specific details clearly, he was very certain about the appearances of certain key figures.

In his memory, that Shutara Senjumaru...

Wait!

If you add those intricate golden hair ornaments, pair them with the white haori exclusive to the Royal Guard, and finally add a few golden skeletal arms.

It matched.

It matched the image in his memory perfectly.

After staring at the woman before him and examining her for nearly a minute, Kisaragi Akira frowned.

"Young man, your gaze is quite rude."

"Could it be that there is something amiss with this Concubine's makeup today?"

Shutara Senjumaru wore a smile; while her words carried a hint of reproach, there was no actual intent to blame him.

"I just think you look better this way."

Kisaragi Akira answered honestly. Because she lacked the complex golden ornaments, the current Shutara Senjumaru seemed more approachable.

Of course, that was only relative.

If he remembered correctly, this elegant woman before him would soon be promoted to the Royal Guard.

Even if she wasn't serving as the captain of the 12th Division for some reason right now, her status and standing would be no less than that of any captain.

"You certainly know how to talk, young man."

"It's a pity I'll be leaving Seireitei soon; otherwise, inviting you to the 12th Division would have been a fine choice."

Flattery will get you everywhere; no woman could refuse the most sincere of compliments.

Especially when the other party had no malicious intent.

Shutara Senjumaru took a square brick from the metal counter nearby. From its appearance, it was silver-white and hard in texture.

"Hollow Group Circuitry Device, used to detect the Reiatsu circuits of Hollows infiltrating Soul Society."

"The method of use is simple: infuse it with Reiatsu within the Hollow's activity range to activate it, and it will automatically capture the location of the Hollow group."

"Alright, the meeting ends here."

A woman's mood is like the weather in June—it changes in an instant.

One second they were chatting happily, the next she was already shooing him away.

"Kurotsuchi Mayuri, see him out."

As her voice fell, a figure walked out from the laboratory nearby, grumbling. His face, covered in white paint, was filled with anger and dissatisfaction toward his superior.

"Damn it, can't you just tell them to get lost?"

"Interrupting me for such trivial matters—my experiment is at a critical moment!"

Kisaragi Akira curiously sized up the man before him: a blue slicked-back hairstyle, a face covered in white paint, wearing an eyepatch mask, and ears encased in yellow hollowed-out cones. He looked nothing like a human.

Although he looked a bit different from the Kurotsuchi Mayuri in his memory, in terms of temperament and image, he already possessed a hint of his future self.

He had assumed Urahara Kisuke was Kurotsuchi Mayuri's senior, but he hadn't expected that Kurotsuchi Mayuri was already conducting research in the 12th Division long before Urahara Kisuke became captain.

No wonder he was so unhappy with Urahara Kisuke; anyone would be in a foul mood if they were overshadowed by a junior.

Seeing the young man standing there in a daze, unable to snap out of it for a long time, Kurotsuchi Mayuri frowned, a look of pity flashing in his eyes.

Is this kid a fool?

"Let's go, brat."

Kurotsuchi Mayuri said impatiently, "How much longer do you intend to stay here?"

"Get out of here quickly and stop disturbing my experimental research."

Urged by him, the two took the Hollow Group Circuitry Device and left the laboratory.

They walked along the road toward Shantei Temple.

After looking around to ensure no one was nearby, Kisaragi Akira whispered:

"Sosuke, do you think Shutara Senjumaru calculated that you brat would eventually rebel against Soul Society and become a great evil, which is why she said you were special?"

Aizen glanced at him indifferently and replied calmly:

"She evaluated you the same way."

"Doesn't that mean you and I will walk the same path?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Kisaragi Akira's brows furrowed, his mouth slightly agape, emitting a "hissing" sound.

Judging by all the recent signs.

It seems that this possibility is not entirely out of the question!

Could it be...

Am I also going to stand at the top of the heavens?

Harboring such thoughts, Kisaragi Akira walked toward Rukongai, filled with worry, until he reached the mission location.

Shantei Temple.

Some time had passed since the incident where civilians were slaughtered, and the residents here had returned to their normal lives. The streets were bustling once again, filled with the lively flow of people.

The arrival of Kisaragi Akira and Aizen did not attract much attention.

As one of the more prominent districts, one could even see Shinigami Squad Member patrols in Shantei Temple; two students from the Spiritual Arts Academy would naturally not cause a stir.

"The target's last known location is in the outskirts."

Aizen said seriously, "We should be able to see it once we pass through the final street."

Kisaragi Akira held the brick-shaped Hollow Group Circuitry Device, attempting to channel his Reiatsu into it to activate it.

A moment later, a red grid pattern appeared on the silver surface of the device.

It displayed a green dot representing himself, along with two red dots representing Hollows.

Seeing this, Kisaragi Akira grinned:

"Say what you will, this Hollow Group Circuitry Device is quite effective."

"We've already pinpointed the Hollows' location right after arriving; it's perfect, one for each of us."

Aizen glanced at it without saying much, heading west following the guidance.

For some reason, after arriving at Shantei Temple this time, he had a lingering sense of unease.

It was as if...

Something was about to happen.

This feeling of being unable to control his own destiny was truly terrible.

The outskirts.

In front of a dark, deep cave.

"They should be hiding in here."

Aizen confirmed the location one last time and looked up at the cave before him.

"Let's finish this quickly and go back to eat."

Kisaragi Akira grinned, though he didn't foolishly rush straight into the cave.

He spread the fingers of his right hand, aiming directly ahead:

"Bakudo #21: Red Smoke Escape."

In an instant, a massive amount of crimson smoke erupted from his palm, pouring entirely into the deep darkness.

Sizzling electric arcs surged and danced within the smoke and dust, leaping frantically and emitting sharp, piercing cries.

Finally, with the spark of a flame.

BOOM!!

Amidst a low roar, scorching flames surged and exploded, with layer upon layer of heavy shockwaves reverberating within the mountain, emitting a deafening, thunderous howl.

The flames swirled, erupting from the narrow cave entrance and transforming into countless viscous droplets of fire that scattered, creating a truly spectacular scene.

Regarding Shutara Senjumaru, I feel it is better to provide an explanation. In a certain interview, the author mentioned that before the Department of Research and Development was established, there was an informal research group led by Shutara Senjumaru, with Kurotsuchi Mayuri as the first member. This is official information, not my own invention.

It is possible that after Shutara Senjumaru was promoted to the Royal Guard, Kurotsuchi Mayuri researched certain taboos and was subsequently imprisoned in the Nest of Maggots, after which Urahara Kisuke took over.

As for Hikifune Kirio, she should be the captain of the 12th Division at this time.

The timeline of Bleach is very vague, so I can only try my best to align with it. Any discrepancies are merely to serve the plot, and I hope the readers will understand.