Of course, scolding aside.
Mayuri had to admit that he had been careless, otherwise Kisuke Urahara would not have seized the opportunity and he would have lost control of Nemu.
He should have thought of it earlier.
"Damn it."
He clenched his fists tightly, and Yamamoto Genryusai saw this, who then snorted coldly:
"What, Mayuri, do you think I said something wrong?"
Of course he was wrong! His was a noble science, how could it be constrained by mere race or position!
But he also understood that if he said that, it would be like walking into a trap, so he could only keep that thought to himself.
He pouted and said helplessly:
"How could that be? You are the Captain-Commander. Since you believe that these forbidden techniques should not be researched at this critical juncture, then they indeed should not be researched."
"However, the Sleeping Project was an experimental subject I created forty years ago, and there was no Quincy threat at that time."
"Now…"
"The experimental results are out, and it's a great success, yet you want me to destroy it. Don't you think that's a bit unreasonable?"
"Captain-Commander, since you are worried, why don't you see it with your own eyes?"
Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes. Unreasonable? He was already very merciful, having summoned Mayuri before the Forty-Six Chambers.
If it were someone else, a few days later, even Mayuri, the researcher, would be thrown into prison.
Now he was just asking him to destroy it, which would still guarantee his freedom.
Otherwise…
"Hmph."
Yamamoto Genryusai heavily tapped his cane and slowly stood up.
His condescending posture, coupled with his voice, which was weathered by time yet still powerful, made him appear even more majestic.
"Forty years ago, I never heard that you would use Quincy techniques in the Sleeping Project."
"Don't you know what Quincy means to Shinigami?"
"Knowing that war is approaching, you still act this way, Mayuri, your courage is truly not small."
Mayuri was unconcerned, knowing that Yamamoto Genryusai could not do anything to Nemu, and his tone was even a little flippant:
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Technology is inherently progressive. In your eyes, Sternritter are heretics, but in my eyes, they are a treasure."
"Although I can only excavate a small part of the treasure at present, it is enough to give a group of artificial souls powerful strength."
"Of course, I know that Soul Society strictly prohibits such research, so I only created one artificial Shinigami, Nemu VII."
"With Captain Tsugikuni supervising her, Captain-Commander, you wouldn't still think that Nemu VII is a threat, would you? She's just a child."
Anything that could pose a threat to Soul Society, even a child, must be completely eliminated!
This was Yamamoto Genryusai's consistent and deeply ingrained philosophy, which had never wavered.
However, when he heard Mayuri bring up Yoriichi Tsugikuni, he became somewhat indecisive.
He knew very well that his disciple's strength was greater than his own, and he also understood that his disciple's sense of justice was more humane than his own.
At this critical juncture, if their philosophies clashed, it would inevitably have an adverse impact on the entire Gotei 13.
The words Yamamoto Genryusai was about to blurt out caught in his throat.
After much hesitation, he finally tapped the ground again, his eyes filled with contemplation, and said in a deep voice:
"A child?"
"Alright, I want to see what kind of child you are talking about."
"Mayuri, lead the way. If you dare to deceive me, don't blame me for being impolite."
...
In the Twelfth Division, Nemu's training continued.
Within just five minutes, she perfectly replicated Yoriichi Tsugikuni's movements.
Although it was only the form, not the spirit.
But given her age and the learning efficiency she displayed.
To be able to grasp the form of the movements so perfectly was already extremely rare.
Nemu did not lack reishi.
And on the basis of powerful reishi, the more exquisite and accurate the techniques, the more they could overwhelm a Captain in terms of skill.
"Truly amazing."
Kisuke Urahara had lost count of how many times he had exclaimed this.
Even he couldn't master some of Yoriichi's techniques, yet Nemu could learn them quickly…
Although this was partly due to constantly deconstructing and transforming techniques, thereby learning similar sword skills from other angles.
But undeniably, these were achievements that a normal person's brain and eyes could not accomplish.
A normal person's eyes cannot deconstruct a movement into tens of thousands of frames in an instant.
A normal person's brain also cannot extract a few frames from tens of thousands of frames and integrate them into other movements to compensate for their own deficiencies…
In terms of biological modification, Mayuri had indeed surpassed him.
Kisuke Urahara let out a soft breath, feeling both admiration and a hint of worry.
After Yoriichi finished demonstrating, he quickly stepped forward and called a few people to thoroughly examine Nemu's current physical condition.
Aside from slight mental fatigue and an overloaded brain due to memory, everything else was normal.
The Hōgyoku technology combined with Kiyonosuke Yamada's flesh creation technology was certainly not an empty boast.
Nemu's Quincy physique, which absorbed reishi, allowed her to maintain peak condition at all times and in all places.
Based on her performance, she seemed to have perfectly surpassed most of the Captains in Seireitei. This was truly…
Kisuke Urahara pondered for a while before finally using a single word to simply summarize Nemu's potential at this moment:
"Heaven-defying."
Between the lines, his admiration was evident, and his eyes revealed undisguised appreciation.
He turned to Yoriichi:
"It was indeed correct to entrust this child to you. Only you can fully unleash her potential."
"If nothing goes wrong, when the war comes, she will become the main force under you."
Kisuke Urahara said, gently tapping his palm with his fan, his eyes full of anticipation,
"Yoriichi, what do you think of this child's future?"
Yoriichi had no particular thoughts. Although she was a genius, she was still just a child after all.
The most important thing at present was not to let her blindly acquire power, but to focus on ideological guidance, lest she go astray.
Mayuri was not nearby, so it seemed he had been taken away by the Gotei 13 or the Forty-Six Chambers… Yoriichi somewhat guessed Kisuke Urahara's intentions.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have specified those books…
After a moment of thought, Yoriichi gazed at Nemu, who was surrounded by researchers and having her physical indicators checked, and slowly spoke:
"She's very intelligent, the most outstanding child I've seen in a hundred years."
"When do you plan to start shaping this child's personality?"
"You're worried about Mayuri, aren't you?"
"That's right." Kisuke Urahara didn't hide it. He opened his fan and gently fanned himself,
"Mayuri isn't a good father."
"Whether from a humanitarian perspective or a Shinigami perspective, his attitude towards Nemu is entirely based on her being a creation."
"It's like a painter treating a painting they consider perfect, only caring if the work meets their personal standard of perfection."
"But once the painting no longer meets his perfect standard, he will become obsessive, and may even destroy it."
"This is extremely detrimental to Nemu's growth."
"At the same time, it can easily lead her to another extreme, such as unconditional sacrifice."
Kisuke Urahara closed his fan and gently clapped his hands,
"She is not an object, but a person. This is what Nemu must know."
After speaking, he sighed softly, his eyes filled with worry for Nemu's future.
"In the entire Seireitei, you are the only Shinigami who can ignore the influence of others, possess great strength, is not rigid in thought, and knows how to educate a child."
"I hope you will be her private tutor."
"Even if she is only an adopted daughter in name, you wouldn't just stand by and watch her be corrupted by Mayuri, would you?"
Yoriichi certainly wouldn't.
Admittedly, Kisuke Urahara subtly exaggerated his words, but upon closer thought, such a possibility did seem to exist.
If Nemu's current body didn't require constant checks,
He even felt that Kisuke Urahara would say something as exaggerated as having Nemu live in his own home.
He gazed at Kisuke Urahara, as if trying to discern something from his eyes, yet his expression remained unperturbed.
As if to say, he had no ulterior motives…
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded gently.
Just then.
Thump.
Yamamoto Genryusai walked in.
Mayuri followed behind him, seeing Nemu surrounded by a group of researchers.
Upon seeing her calm gaze pass through the gaps in the crowd, Mayuri's expression immediately became quite solemn.
What exactly had Kisuke Urahara done in the short half an hour since he left?
When he left, Nemu was still innocent, but now she had become like a little adult?
How much knowledge had he instilled in her?
Damn it.
Had he arrived a step too late?
Mayuri thought indignantly.
At this moment, Yamamoto Genryusai had already walked in front of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
He first scrutinized the two individuals before him with piercing eyes…
No fear, very good. At least these two could be so calm in front of him; they certainly had some spirit.
With this thought, Yamamoto Genryusai's gaze slowly shifted from the two of them and settled on Nemu.
At this moment, his eyes held a hint of scrutiny, and his voice was deep yet carried an undeniable authority as he questioned:
"That child, is she your newly adopted daughter?"
Yamamoto Genryusai frowned, emphasizing his tone slightly,
"Do you know that her existence is the greatest provocation to Soul Society?"
Yoriichi seemed to have anticipated Yamamoto Genryusai's arrival.
He nodded gently, his expression still calm, and responded steadily: "I know."
He paused, Yoriichi lowered his gaze slightly, carefully choosing his words, and continued,
"I also know that you, Master, hate Quincy, but Nemu is merely a life that emerged based on Quincy, not a Quincy herself."
"Currently, she has done nothing wrong; she is just a modified soul that can absorb reishi."
"If nothing goes wrong, once she grows up, with her abilities, she will certainly become a very good helper."
"This is also why I choose to stand by her side. I hope you will consider it carefully."
Hearing this answer, Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes slightly, and at the same time tightened his grip on his cane.
As Captain-Commander, how could he not know these things?
It was just that…
Artificial souls have no distinction between innocent and not innocent.
Were not the modified souls developed for war also innocent?
Yet they were ultimately destroyed en masse.
Logically speaking, his attitude should be firmer, as it always was.
But now…
Yamamoto Genryusai secretly thought that he was indeed getting old, and had even lost his prestige. No…
If Ukitake and Kyōraku were standing in front of him, they would probably say the same thing.
It's just that those two would be more tactful, after all, their strength isn't enough…
Thinking of this, Yamamoto Genryusai frowned and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
Although Kisuke Urahara, who was beside him, didn't hear a single word,
based on his understanding of the Captain-Commander, he could keenly discern the deep melancholy in him at this moment.
It was like an aging person watching their child grow up and develop their own opinions, yet feeling powerless to intervene.
Yoriichi also noticed, and out of respect for his position, he remained silent.
Just like that, when the group of researchers finished Nemu Kurotsuchi's full-body examination, the strange atmosphere in the air gradually dissipated.
"Godfather, what happened? Why is everyone gathered here?"
Nemu Kurotsuchi walked over, her gaze curiously sweeping over everyone one by one, very puzzled by the silent atmosphere.
—There were too many people around just now, so she didn't hear anything here.
When her gaze landed on Mayuri, that familiar figure from her memory instantly appeared in her mind, and a clear look of joy bloomed on her face.
However, influenced by Kisuke Urahara, she tried hard to control her emotions, only pursing her lips, letting her joy show only on the surface.
After all, girls always need to be a bit reserved.
Seeing this, Mayuri couldn't help but secretly grit his teeth.
—I am your father! How could you not ask me first... Damn Kisuke Urahara.
Although he wasn't clear about Mayuri Kurotsuchi's specific experiences, it was definitely correct to blame Kisuke Urahara at this moment.
"Nothing."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni gently shook his head, and to prevent her from worrying, he gently consoled her,
"It's just that Captain-Commander wanted to see you. After all, you are very special, and I'm sure you've noticed that."
"Nemu, let me ask you, what is your dream?"
Suddenly asked about her dream, Nemu Kurotsuchi was slightly startled, a hint of surprise flashed in her bright eyes, and she blinked.
Then, she quickly recalled in her mind the various explanations of dreams in books—fantasy, desire, ideal...
Although she didn't fully understand it, she still deliberated and said:
"My dream is to become a great person like my father and Godfather, after all, you created me."
She slightly raised her head, her eyes revealing a hint of determination and longing,
"Of course, that's a long-term dream. My short-term dream is to master the skills you've taught me."
"And after mastering them?" Yoriichi pressed, "What do you want to use these skills for?"
"..." Nemu Kurotsuchi was stumped by this question, and her originally bright eyes gradually dimmed.
Currently, the knowledge she possessed was limited to what was written in books; she knew very little about the emotions and behaviors of humans or Shinigami.
To truly understand, she would need a long time to learn and comprehend.
Not far away, a young researcher looked a bit uncomfortable.
He really wanted to say that this question was too difficult for a one-year-old child.
But before he could speak, he was stopped by a stern look from Kisuke Urahara.
That look seemed to say that this was a critical moment.
To ensure Nemu Kurotsuchi received the same treatment as ordinary people, relying solely on Yoriichi's words was clearly not enough.
Only Nemu Kurotsuchi's unintentional truths could reassure Yamamoto Genryusai.
In the future, even if the Forty-Six Chambers wanted to cause trouble on the grounds of righteousness, Yamamoto Genryusai and Yoriichi Tsugikuni would bear the brunt, preventing a solitary struggle.
Nemu Kurotsuchi wasn't aware of the adults' intricate schemes.
Seeing that no one was speaking, she thought her silence was making everyone unhappy, so she quickly offered an answer:
"I... I want to protect you. The big brothers and sisters in white coats said I have a lot of potential and will definitely become a peerless strong person in the future."
"Since I am strong, I have the responsibility to protect the weak."
"That's what the book says."
Upon hearing this.
Although it was just a childish, innocent remark, it was like a gentle breeze, causing Yamamoto Genryusai to exhale a sigh of relief.
He subconsciously stroked his beard, a smile suddenly appearing on his stern face, and the solemnity and worry in his heart instantly vanished.
"Good."
He gently nodded, giving this assessment.
Then, he turned and left the Twelfth Division, having already made his decision.
...
"Yoriichi, I heard you've taken in a goddaughter?"
Time slowly passed. After a day of ideological education work, Yoriichi returned home.
As soon as he put down his Captain's haori, Uta approached him with a curious expression and softly asked,
"Who is it? Do I know her?"
"Why didn't you bring her home? How old is she?"
Listening closely, these words had another meaning. Yoriichi thought for a moment, looked at Uta, and replied:
"You probably don't know her. She's Mayuri's daughter, and she's only one year old."
"Due to some factors regarding her identity and physical condition, she can only stay in the Twelfth Division until she grows up."
"If you want to see her, I can take you with me tomorrow."
"After all, the Twelfth Division and the Ninth Division aren't very far apart."
"Mayuri's daughter?" Hearing this answer, Uta's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
Having lived in Seireitei for so long, she naturally knew who Mayuri was.
Did that mad scientist actually get married? When?
It was too sudden; even Kisuke and Yoruichi didn't have anything going on yet.
Knowing that Uta might have misunderstood something, Yoriichi opened his mouth, about to explain.
But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Hisana's familiar voice.
Immediately after, Hisana's figure appeared outside the door.
His gaze was drawn, and his words were interrupted.
Looking closely.
Byakuya followed beside her, talking and laughing, creating a very warm scene, and their relationship was progressing well.
The two noticed Yoriichi's gaze and immediately instinctively reined in their actions, quickly resuming their usual composure.
After Hisana returned home, Byakuya left.
As he left, Yoriichi noticed a slight hesitation in his steps, as if he was contemplating something.
During dinner, a topic Hisana brought up resolved the confusion in Yoriichi's heart.
"Brother, because the war with the Quincy is approaching, some nobles are very uneasy."
"So Byakuya's elders believe that a strong alliance through marriage is needed to alleviate their unease..."
She slightly lowered her head, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes, and hesitated, saying,
"What do you think...?"
Hisana's words were very ambiguous; although she didn't finish her sentence, Yoriichi immediately understood the meaning.
His right hand, holding the chopsticks, suddenly froze in mid-air.
Beside him, Uta was stunned for a moment, then, recalling the various behaviors of the two over recent years, she suddenly realized and exclaimed, surprised:
"You're getting married!"
"I'm not dreaming, Hisana! Has your relationship with Byakuya progressed to this point? Yoriichi..."
Uta's demeanor was a bit eager; she really wanted to share this joy with Yoriichi. In her opinion, this was an important sign of a child growing up.
However, when she turned to look at Yoriichi, she suddenly saw his silent expression.
Hisana's gaze was fixed on Yoriichi at the same time, forcing herself to be energetic, seemingly wanting to hear her brother's opinion.
A big brother is like a father; although not biological, after so many years of living together, there wasn't much difference from a biological one.
After a long while, the two finally saw Yoriichi slowly open his mouth:
"Oh, congratulations to you two. Your forty-year long-distance relationship has finally come to fruition. When do you plan to set the wedding date?"
He gently put down his chopsticks, looking earnestly at Hisana, "Are you going to move out?"
"Hmm..." Hisana lowered her head slightly, thought for a moment, and didn't immediately make up her mind.
At this time, Rukia and Rangiku were not around, so the only one who could offer advice was Uta.
Uta mused:
"Of course, she has to move out. After all, the Kuchiki Clan is a high-ranking noble family, and Byakuya is also the next head of the Kuchiki Clan."
"As the wife of the family head, how can she live in her maiden home after marriage? It's not like he's marrying into her family."
"Kuchiki Hisana... I think Rukia would also be happy to hear that."
—Hard to say.
Hisana secretly shook her head.
In her opinion, Rukia's reaction should first be reluctance, and only then congratulations.
However, since Rukia wasn't present, Hisana didn't refute these words.
After tacitly agreeing, she began to discuss the remaining details.
...
At this moment, inside the Kuchiki Clan, the atmosphere was somewhat quiet.
Kuchiki Byakuya had just returned home and was sitting alone in the courtyard, recalling the day's events, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
After several years of tempering at the Spiritual Arts Academy, his personality had become much more composed.
Only when he was with Hisana would he display a completely different expression.
The steaming tea in front of him was reflected in his deep black pupils, and he gently held it.
Just then, someone walked up beside him—it was his personal attendant, Kiyohiro Kiyohime.
Kiyohiro Kiyohime came to his side, slightly lowered his head, in a respectful posture, and whispered:
"Young Master Byakuya, Master Sōjun asked me to come and ask you, have you discussed that matter with Miss Hisana?"
"Some of the family elders are very much looking forward to your union with Miss Hisana."
"Master Sōjun also plans to pass on the position of clan head to you after this matter, what do you think...?"
"I did," Byakuya's tone was calm, and the tea he held in his hand showed no ripples.
He took a small sip, a faint hint of dissatisfaction in his voice,
"Whether they look forward to it or not, what does it have to do with me? My union with Hisana is not for them."
"Go tell Father that a general time can be set."
Although Kuchiki Byakuya was not yet sure what answer Yoriichi Tsugikuni would give.
But he believed that Hisana would definitely get Yoriichi Tsugikuni's approval.
This was their unspoken understanding.
After spending so much time together, he had also figured out his future brother-in-law's temper.
Hearing this, Kiyohiro Kiyohime nodded gently: "Yes, I understand."
Having said that, he quietly left Kuchiki Byakuya's side and quickly informed Kuchiki Sōjun of the matter.
Sōjun was very pleased to hear this.
This not only meant that the Kuchiki Clan finally had an heir, but it also meant that their relationship with the Tsugikuni would reach a new level...
A strong alliance, and no worries for the next ten thousand years.
It must be a grand celebration.
With this in mind, Kuchiki Sōjun drank three cups of water in a row and even thought of names for their children.