Nemu Kurotsuchi put down the bowl she had picked up, a few vegetable leaves floating on the nearly empty buckwheat noodle soup. She looked up at Shiraishi across from her, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
She had clearly expressed her desire to return to Mayuri -sama's side before, so why did Shiraishi ask again?
I don't understand.
She felt there was some reason behind it, but couldn't understand what it was.
Shiraishi said sincerely, "You'd better think it through. Can you really be happy going back to a father like that?"
Nemu Kurotsuchi was stumped by the question. In her memory, the happiest time was when she was a child.
There's no need to learn anything, no need to do anything special. Just breathing, drinking water, and eating normally like Shinigami is enough to satisfy Mayuri.
Akon also said that during that period, Mayuri seemed to be living in a dream.
However, as she grew older, everything began to change. Lord Mayuri became increasingly dissatisfied with her, resorting to physical violence at the slightest provocation. He would call her his masterpiece while simultaneously berating her as a useless thing.
Every few days, she was subjected to experiments that modified her, and she was no longer entitled to a normal diet, but instead given various drugs.
She understood the reason for the change.
Mayuri has always wanted to move the artificial Shinigami project to the next stage, but she hasn't met the requirements, so she's been unable to generate Reiatsu or use her Zanpakuto.
Even if her lifespan exceeds that of the previous six failed attempts, she is still a failed attempt at the artificial Shinigami project.
"... I have no idea."
Nemu Kurotsuchi lowered her eyes, a hint of confusion in her voice, and murmured, "But I feel at ease as long as I can stay by Mayuri- sama's side."
Shiraishi sighed, " Nemu, do you know about Stockholm Syndrome?"
Nemu Kurotsuchi shook her head.
"Stockholm syndrome refers to a distorted mentality in which victims develop feelings for their abusers, and instead of resisting when they are abused or oppressed, they even help their abusers."
Shiraishi gave a brief explanation and then asked, "Did Mayuri Kurotsuchi often beat and verbally abuse you, and then constantly modify your body?"
Nemu Kurotsuchi nodded gently.
Unable to remain silent any longer, Isane Kotetsu said angrily, " Nemu, you should fight back against Captain Kurotsuchi's treatment of you. Go complain to Central 46 Chambers, or apply for a transfer if that doesn't work."
Even the captain has no right to arbitrarily beat or insult a vice-captain!
This anger left Nemu Kurotsuchi feeling bewildered, and she explained, " Mayuri- sama conducted the modification experiments on me for my own good, and the beatings and scoldings were because I failed to do my job properly."
"It has nothing to do with Lord Mayuri."
Shiraishi spoke first, leaving the words she was about to say stuck in her throat, "This is classic Stockholm syndrome."
You've become accustomed to Mayuri Kurotsuchi's abuse, even accepting it as part of your daily life. Coupled with your lack of contact with others, this has led to your distorted values.
You are a gentle person, but that gentleness is not a reason for others to hurt you.
"I..." Nemu Kurotsuchi felt insecure after hearing his words, so she shifted her gaze to Isane Kotetsu and asked again, " Kotetsu, isn't this normal?"
"Of course it's not normal!"
Isane Kotetsu answered excitedly.
The Fourth Division also has a vice-captain with an extremely nasty personality; she knows all too well how painful it is to be insulted and rejected.
But this pain was only mental; that person had no habit of physically abusing him.
If both the mind and body are ravaged, can a person still live like a human being over a long period of time?
" Nemu, our Shinigami Women's Association will definitely stand behind you and will never let Captain Kurotsuchi continue to torment you like this!"
At this moment, Isane Kotetsu forgot her fear of Captain Kurotsuchi and the Twelfth Division, and made up her mind to save her best friend.
Nemu Kurotsuchi seemed a little uncomfortable. Going against Mayuri? She couldn't even imagine doing such a thing.
"I'll leave that to you to handle. I should go now."
Shiraishi dared not stay any longer; if he went too far, he might end up getting himself into trouble.
"Wait." Nemu Kurotsuchi's chaotic mind suddenly cleared up, and she stood up, saying, "I'll go with you."
"?" Shiraishi looked puzzled.
Nemu Kurotsuchi, "If I can cure my illness, maybe I can evolve again, and that will be possible."
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn't continue. She knew that the two people in front of her probably didn't want to hear anything that would disappoint Lady Mayuri.
"Can you take me with you?" she changed her mind.
Shiraishi smiled and said, "I wouldn't mind traveling the world with a beauty."
Nemu Kurotsuchi turned her head and said, " Kotetsu, Kotetsu."
"Yes, please take care."
Isane Kotetsu didn't try to persuade her; as long as she wasn't going back to the Twelfth Division, there was no need to try.
Nemu Kurotsuchi and Shiraishi left the soba noodle shop and quickly disappeared into the streets of North District.
She remained calm, paid the bill, and strolled towards the end of the street.
The streets were still crowded, and the lively sounds filled her ears; she hadn't even reached the end of the street yet.
Several masked members of the Stealth Force surrounded him, their presence bringing a partial silence to the bustling North District. Then, like ink being poured into a cup, the silence quickly spread throughout North District.
The number of residents on the street decreased rapidly, and shops closed one after another.
When Soi Fon returned from the West District Ten, North District was already deserted. She didn't care, her silver-gray eyes sweeping over Isane Kotetsu, and asked, "Where's Shiraishi?"
Isane Kotetsu truthfully replied, "He's gone."
Soi Fon narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "As the Third Seat of the Fourth Division, how can you eat and drink with criminals? Do you still have the dignity and pride of a Gotei 13?"
Isane Kotetsu shrugged and said weakly, "I can't beat him."
Soi Fon raised an eyebrow, but didn't lose her temper. If it were any of her subordinates who dared to answer like that, they would definitely be given a severe scolding.
But the other party is the Third Seat of the Fourth Division. In this situation, it's not her place to interfere. "Go back and write a report, recording the whole process. Where did Shiraishi run off to?"
Isane Kotetsu pointed west and said, "That direction."
"Let's chase!" Soi Fon wasn't sure if they could catch up, but he still gave chase just in case.
Isane Kotetsu breathed a sigh of relief, intending to return to Seireitei, when the Denreishinki in her arms suddenly beeped. She reached out, took it out, and pressed the answer button, "Hello."
"I am Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the Twelfth Division."
A chilling voice came from the Denreishinki, coiling around her ear like a venomous snake.
Isane Kotetsu was so startled he almost dropped his Denreishinki, but quickly regained his composure and stammered, "Captain, Captain Kurotsuchi, what do you want with me?"
"You and Shiraishi have a close relationship, so why didn't you let Nemu stay?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's question dispelled Isane Kotetsu's fear, and she said with extreme determination, "This is Nemu's wish; she's tired of your torment."
"Nonsense!!"
An angry voice came from the other side, "I created everything about Nemu, how could she possibly disobey her father?!"
" Nemu is not an object; she is a person with her own will, and even if you are her father, you cannot change that!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi is a very rational person; even in the heat of anger, he never loses his composure and stops thinking.
For example, right now, he feels angry about everything Isane Kotetsu said, yet he also feels that what she said makes sense.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's dream is to create a soul from nothing, not a prop.
" Nemu is my masterpiece, and I won't let anyone else guide her evolution. Shiraishi, that bastard, I'm definitely going to put him on the lab table!!"