Chapter 238

After finishing his business, Yamamoto issued the order to disband the meeting.

Several team leaders left one after another.

Kirio Hikifune, carrying Mayuri Kurotsuchi, walked outside.

Shunsui Kyōraku lowered his straw hat and walked out side by side with Jūshirō Ukitake.

Neither of them spoke, but Ukitake paused at the doorway and glanced back in Wang Xun's direction.

Then she sighed softly and disappeared at the end of the corridor with Kyōraku.

Wang Xun took a step back from where Unohana was and turned to walk towards the main entrance.

He hadn't spoken to anyone along the way, but as soon as he turned into the corridor, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Vice-Captain Wang Xun, you're walking so fast!"

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Xun stopped in his tracks.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi came out from behind.

He walked to Wang Xun's side, put his hands in his sleeves, and tilted his head.

A mysterious smile played on his face, which was painted with black and white greasepaint.

"The captain Hollowfication, and there are still so many people. I was quite surprised when I found out."

"But I heard that it was Kisuke Urahara who did it."

"Although I don't know exactly what happened, how Kisuke Urahara, possibly dare to lay a hand on these captains?"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi lowered his voice, but his tone still retained that peculiar, distinctive accent.

"And based on my understanding of him, he always has a backup plan in mind."

"Would someone with this kind of personality suddenly lure a group of captains deep into Rukongai, then use Hollowfication on them, leaving behind a mountain of evidence for the Central 46 to catch them red-handed?"

"This is something I just can't understand, no matter how you look at it."

He paused, his yellow eyes scanning Wang Xun's face back and forth.

"Does Vice-Captain Wang Xun know anything about this?"

At this moment, Wang Xun slightly raised his eyes, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a figure walking slowly behind the pillar.

Aizen didn't stop or even glance in this direction; he simply walked past the other end of the corridor, as if he had just happened to be passing by after the meeting.

Aizen's appearance was a silent reminder.

Wang Xun withdrew his gaze and looked at Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"I don't understand Kisuke Urahara's thoughts, and I'm not as familiar with him as you might think."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eyes narrowed.

His gaze lingered on Wang Xun's face for a long time, then he shrugged slightly and let out a sigh tinged with disappointment.

"Really? That's a real shame."

But then, as if he had just thought of something, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's lips curled into an exaggerated smile.

"But speaking of which, I never expected that this matter would be related to the Quincy."

"A hundred years ago, when the Central 46 ordered the extermination of the remaining Quincy in the World of the Living, I was just an ordinary member of the Twelfth Division, and I handled quite a few Quincy corpses."

"Dissection, analysis, classification and archiving... During that time, I came into contact with a lot of valuable materials and accumulated a large amount of valuable experimental data."

"I didn't expect to have another opportunity to come into contact with Quincy this time. I imagine there will be plenty of fresh material."

His smile deepened.

"For this, I must thank Kisuke Urahara for discovering that space, and also you... Vice-Captain Wang Xun."

Wang Xun's expression remained unchanged.

"This has nothing to do with me. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi didn't stop him, simply waving his hand dismissively.

Then, tilting his head, he watched Wang Xun's back as he walked step by step toward the gate of the First Division.

Wang Xun left, Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood there, thinking about the information she had come across, muttering to herself softly.

"That guy, Kisuke Urahara, mentioned before that he wanted to establish an organization called the Research and Development Institute."

"Separate the research functions of the Twelfth Division, integrate its technical resources, and appoint a director and a deputy director, with several research departments under them."

There was a tone in his voice that was unclear whether it was ridicule or emotion.

"That idea has some merit, but unfortunately, he never had the chance to realize it. However..."

At that moment, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he had thought of something fun.

"When Kisuke Urahara comes into contact with Soul Society again, and hears that it was Mayuri Kurotsuchi established the Research and Development Institute, I wonder..."

"What kind of expression will he have?"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi turned and walked toward the main entrance with a smile, her deep laughter echoing in the empty corridor.

The Second Division's barracks were exceptionally quiet in the afternoon sunlight.

The daily training of the Stealth Force had ended, and the team members left in twos and threes from the direction of the training ground. Some people saw Wang Xun, nodded slightly in greeting, and then hurried past.

After the captain's defection, the entire Second Division was shrouded in a heavy silence.

Wang Xun walked along the stone path and saw Soi Fon under the corridor in the inner courtyard.

She was squatting by the porch, holding a small dish of dried fish, surrounded by several wild cats that had been attracted from somewhere.

The cats rubbed against her feet, their tails held high.

Soi Fon fish to them one by one, but her expression betrayed a hint of loneliness.

Wang Xun walked behind her, his shadow falling on the stone slab in front of her.

Soi Fon's fingers stiffened for a moment, and a dried fish slipped from her fingers, only to be leaped away and snatched by the fattest cat.

"Is training over for today?"

Wang Xun's voice was very ordinary.

"... I wasn't feeling well today, so I didn't train."

Soi Fon didn't turn around, and her voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

She picked up another dried fish from the plate, but held it between her fingers for a long time without handing it over, while the cat paced anxiously around her feet.

Wang Xun nodded and stood beside Soi Fon.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

The Soi Fon's hand was snapped in two.

She stood up abruptly, but did not turn to face Wang Xun; her face flushed red from the base of her neck to the tips of her ears.

Her mouth opened and closed, closed and opened again.

It seemed she was trying to argue that it was just an accident, or that she didn't remember anything at all.

But every word was extremely difficult to utter.

Even just mentioning it would trigger her vague and chaotic memories of last night.

Soi Fon was speechless.

She simply lowered her head, her short hair slipping down her sides, obscuring her burning red earlobes.

She was still clutching half a dried fish in her hand, and the cat was tugging at her trouser leg at her feet, completely unaware.

Wang Xun reached out, took the half-eaten dried fish from her hand, squatted down, and handed it to the fat cat that was almost frantic with worry.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up."

Soi Fon watched Wang Xun squatting on the ground, teasing the cat, her lips pursed repeatedly.

"No, it's not your fault..."

Soi Fon's voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.

After all, Soi Fon vaguely remembered that it seemed she had grabbed Wang Xun under the influence of alcohol, and then the subsequent events occurred.

There was a moment of silence between them, then Soi Fon seemed to have adjusted and asked softly.

What brings you here today?

Wang Xun looked up at her.

"Just dropping by to see you, and I also stopped by the Second Division to take care of some business."

Then, Wang Xun handed over the paper bag he was holding.

Soi Fon glanced down at the paper bag.

"Here, I brought you some yakitori, it's still warm."

Wang Xun said.

Soi Fon hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the paper bag.

Her movements were very gentle; she slightly pulled back when her fingertips touched Wang Xun's palm before taking the whole hand.

She looked down at the skewers of grilled meat in the paper bag, and checked the flavors; they were the same kinds she had liked to eat last night.

"You remember it quite clearly."

Her voice was much softer than before, with a hint of deliberate nonchalance, but her tone had softened.

Soi Fon took out the yakitori, ate it in small bites, and then said softly.

"I'll be doing Shunkō training in a few days. Will you come?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xun was slightly surprised, then smiled and asked in return.

Do you want me to come?

Soi Fon pursed her lips, turned her back to him, and her ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

"Whatever, there's no one at the training ground at night anyway, come or don't come if you want."

Wang Xun smiled upon hearing this and stood up.

"Then I'll come over then."

Upon hearing this, Soi Fon gave a soft snort, then dumped the remaining dried fish from the plate onto the ground, stood up, and walked towards the training ground without looking back.

He took a few steps, then paused, as if he wanted to turn back, but ultimately didn't. He just quickened his pace a bit more than before.

Wang Xun watched Soi Fon's retreating figure and felt much more relaxed.

It seems that Soi Fon is much more accepting of this matter than he thought.

Furthermore, it's clear that Yoruichi's departure is gradually fading the impact on Soi Fon.

It just means I have to put in a little more effort.

Isn't this a good thing?

Wang Xun turned around and walked towards his destination.

As always, the entrance to the Maggot's Nest was heavily guarded.

Before arriving, Wang Xun had prepared himself for being stopped.

He no longer has the access Kisuke Urahara, and theoretically, the Maggot's Nest will restrict his entry and exit.

But when the gatekeeper saw Wang Xun, he hesitated for a moment.

Wang Xun frequented this place and was familiar with them.

"Vice-Captain Wang Xun, do you have an official letter with you for this trip?"

"The gatekeeper asked."

"No, I just came to see Captain Unohana."

"If you need it, I can ask Lieutenant Ōmaeda for a letter."

Wang Xun said.

The goalkeeper remained silent for a few seconds.

Wang Xun could tell that this person was hesitating.

The reasons for his hesitation were numerous and complex, with these intertwined relationships giving the gatekeeper every reason to refuse him.

But in the end, the goalkeeper did not refuse.

He remained silent for a moment, then stepped aside to make way.

"Captain Unohana is in the room further inside."

Thank you.

The iron gate closed behind me, shutting out the sunlight.

Wang Xun walked step by step down the stairs into the darkness. The light from the Reishi lamp grew dimmer and dimmer, and the air became increasingly humid.

After passing through the crowded hall, we arrived at a separate prison area. Low murmurs and the sound of chains dragging on the floor occasionally drifted from the cells on either side.

In the deepest solitary cell, Unohana sat on the stone bed.

Her clothes were neat and clean, her long hair was loose and draped over her shoulders, and her hands were placed on her knees, her posture calm.

Sensing the movement at the door, Unohana opened her eyes and looked at Wang Xun standing outside the iron fence.

"Wang Xun?"

Her voice was very soft.

"What, you actually know to come and visit your captain?"

Wang Xun stood in front of the iron fence and remained silent for a moment.

"There are some things I didn't explain to you beforehand, and that's my fault."

Unohana remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But all of this isn't entirely off-plan; it's just that there's been an increase in improvisation."

"Aizen's power is overwhelming; his Kyōka Suigetsu covers the entire Seireitei. A direct confrontation is futile; all attempts will be thwarted by Kyōka Suigetsu. We have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

His voice was very low, so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"The Hollowfication captains will be fine; Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara will take good care of them."

"Captain, please trust me, we'll keep the secret here for now."

He raised his hand and pointed to his chest.

I assure you, there will be a day when the clouds part and the sun shines through.

Unohana looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then, she spoke softly.

"Does Aizen know what you're saying?"

Wang Xun gently shook his head.

"He doesn't know that I spoke these words without anyone instructing me; they came from the bottom of my heart."

"I just hope the captain believes me; this situation won't last much longer."

Unohana closed her eyes, and after a long while, she spoke again.

"Understood," she said. "Go ahead, the Fourth Division is temporarily in your hands."

Wang Xun lowered his head, took a step back, then turned around and slowly went back the way he came.

Behind her, under the light of the Reishi lamp, Unohana remained seated on the stone bed, slowly closing her eyes.

When Wang Xun emerged from the Maggot's Nest, it was already dark.

The gatekeeper nodded slightly to him, without saying anything more.

The iron gate slammed shut behind them with a dull metallic clang.

He walked towards the Fourth Division, and when he arrived at the entrance of the Fourth Division, he saw the members of the Fifth Division.

Aizen's message has arrived.

Soon, Wang Xun arrived at Aizen's laboratory, where Aizen was standing in front of the lab table.

Wang Xun walked to the experimental table and stood still.

"Lieutenant Aizen, what brings you here?"

Aizen turned around, picked up a document lying on the lab table, and handed it to Wang Xun.

"I probably don't need to go into too much detail; it's about Mayuri Kurotsuchi's involvement in the development of the Shadow Domain."

"Yes."

Wang Xun took the document, glanced at it, and saw it was a preliminary assessment of the research report on Mayuri Kurotsuchi submitted by the Stealth Force.

"I anticipate that the Soul Society will be bogged down in their search for the Quincy, as they intend to Quincy."

Aizen's voice was calm.

"The spatial barrier of the Shadow Domain is fundamentally different from the Kidō barrier commonly used by Soul Reaper. With the current technological reserves of the Twelfth Division, it is not an easy task to reverse analyze and lock the entrance."

"But I didn't expect Mayuri Kurotsuchi to be such a variable."

"I Kisuke Urahara worked with him in the Maggot's Nest to develop spatial technology, enabling him to master the core principles of the Shadow Domain and even replicate the method to open the entrance."

Aizen turned around and looked in the direction of the Hōgyoku.

"However, it won't have a significant impact."

"My alliance with the Quincy was never based on any morality. They wanted to use me against the Seireitei, and I wanted to use them to restrain the Gotei 13. We both knew this perfectly well."

"The Seireitei's move against them now is simply a matter of the planned conflict being brought forward a little earlier."

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"With the Kyōka Suigetsu present, there's no need to fear that the Quincy can leak secrets to the Soul Reaper."

Even if they claim that Sōsuke Aizen, the Seireitei will only consider it a slanderous accusation made in a death throes.

He turned around, looked at Wang Xun, and his eyes held a look of expectation.

"I'm quite looking forward to seeing how the current Seireitei fares against those unprepared Quincy."

"We need to be prepared; this battle might provide a lot of suitable materials for the Hōgyoku."