(T/N: Second Chapter for today!)
In the Fuwai District Laboratory, Katori Nanatsuki sat at a desk, flipping through a stack of docunts.
He was reviewing the experintal records compiled by Aizen Sōsuke and Hoshino Rie.
After a period of training, the two had beco competent laboratory assistants, capable of handling potion preparation, sample processing, and data recording.
Hoshino Rie occasionally had to deal with Fourth Division affairs and couldn’t co every day, but Nanatsuki and Aizen showed up to the laboratory without fail.
So ti ago, Nanatsuki had brought back several Adjuchas samples from the Forest of nos, which the three of them had been studying together.
Currently, the laboratory’s primary research focus was on Reishi Shells and Hollows.
In addition, Nanatsuki was also attempting to simplify the formula for the Reiatsu-Converging Pill.
The materials required for the pill were expensive, making them unsuitable for widespread use. Nanatsuki intended to develop a weaker but far cheaper alternative.
If successful, he would be able to prove his research and developnt capabilities to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Then, once Hikifune Kirio was promoted to the Royal Guard, Nanatsuki’s appointnt as Captain of the 12th Division would be a natural next step.
On the table in front of him were more than ten cylindrical transparent glass jars, each filled with a pale blue solution. Within them floated clusters of white flesh.
These pale blue liquids were designed to anesthetize spirit bodies, while the white clumps inside were none other than the captured Adjuchas capable of self-division — along with several of its divided sub-bodies.
Nanatsuki had deliberately kept the Adjuchas alive, imdiately sedating it after bringing it back.
Before long, light footsteps approached from outside.
"Sōsuke, today’s haul looks impressive." Nanatsuki glanced at Aizen Sōsuke, who was carrying a large deer on his shoulder.
"Sensei, you’re here. Got lucky today — ran into a deer. Looks like we won’t need to go hunting for a few days," Aizen replied, placing the deer onto the operating table.
Recently, Aizen had taken on an additional task: he often had to hunt small animals with Reiatsu in the mountains to feed the Adjuchas’ divided sub-bodies, keeping them alive and active.
Previously, they had tested whether these divided bodies shared the sa traits as ordinary Hollows.
The results were surprising — the divided forms did retain Hollow characteristics and were capable of devouring other spirit bodies.
"I noticed from your recorded data that Division No. 3 has shown slight size changes since yesterday," Nanatsuki remarked.
"Yes," Aizen nodded. "After feeding it six Gillian carcasses, its maximum diater increased by 0.08 centiters, and its weight rose by 356 grams. It hasn’t reached its limit yet. I recomnd continuing to feed it Gillian remains for a week to observe further."
Upon confirming that the divided bodies could devour other spirit entities, Nanatsuki began feeding them Gillian carcasses brought back from the Forest of nos.
The main Adjuchas itself showed no further growth after consuming Gillian remains, but its divided forms — not yet on the Adjuchas’ power level — exhibited modest increases in size.
"My guess is that while the Adjuchas’ main body is awake, it suppresses the growth of its divided forms," Aizen explained, retrieving one of the divided bodies from the jar for feeding. "Before, when the main body was conscious, feeding the divisions Gillian remnants had no effect. Now that we’ve induced deep sedation with drugs, the suppression seems to have lifted."
Nanatsuki nodded slightly. "Adjuchas-class Hollows are rare in the Forest of nos, and capturing them is troubleso."
"If we can cultivate divided forms to Adjuchas level simply by feeding them Gillian remains," Aizen replied, "we’ll have a steady supply of Adjuchas-grade research material."
"Next, I’ll resu constructing Reishi Shells, this ti using live Hollows’ Reishi to replicate our previous experints," Nanatsuki added.
With the Forest of nos abundant in Gillians, Nanatsuki could hunt them anyti without significant danger — given his current strength, it was hardly a challenge.
"Sensei, what’s the ultimate purpose of studying Hollows?" Aizen’s hand slowed as he fed a divided form. "And since we’re also researching spirit bodies... doesn’t combining Hollow and spirit-body studies technically violate Seireitei regulations?"
Nanatsuki smiled. "Call it curiosity... Hollows are spirit beings too, yet they’re born with traits vastly different from ordinary souls. Don’t you find that fascinating?"
He paused briefly before continuing:
"Besides... Sōsuke, you may not know this yet — but Shinigami have limits. To break past those limits, we need to stand on a higher plane of understanding."
Aizen froze mid-motion, lost in thought. The piece of at hovered in his hand while the divided body, awakening slightly from the anesthetic, extended its tentacles upward, sensing the food above.
After a few monts, Aizen snapped back and tossed the at toward the increasingly restless divided Hollow.
"The limits of a Shinigami... I understand now, Sensei."
He turned to glance at his teacher, who was still imrsed in the experintal records.
’So Sensei has already thought this far ahead... Catching up to him will be a long journey,’ Aizen thought to himself.
A wave of awe swept through him — his teacher was already pondering how to transcend the very boundaries of a Shinigami!
Despite Nanatsuki’s incredible strength, he never ceased advancing, paving his own road forward even where none existed.
Three years later — Katori-ryu Dojo.
Clack, clack — thunk, thunk!
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the courtyard.
Dressed now in a Shinigami’s black uniform, Azashiro Kana sparred fiercely with Yadōmaru Lisa.
As Nanatsuki’s senior disciple, Kana had taken on the responsibility of guiding her juniors.
Though now a mber of the 3rd Division, she returned to the dojo whenever she had a day off.
anwhile, Nanatsuki and Katori Batsu’unsai sat under the eaves, sipping tea and occasionally observing their disciples’ training.
"Isane, Sōya, and Lisa have all built solid foundations," Batsu’unsai remarked thoughtfully. "I think it’s ti to arrange for them to enroll alongside Sōsuke and Isshin."
Nanatsuki took a slow sip of tea and nodded. "I agree. Once I finish training this batch of disciples, I’ll be resigning from my position at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy."
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