"Excuse me, is Director Shudara Shion here?"
Takamiya Yuji knocked on the heavy wooden door.
A moment later, a small head with black twin tails peeked through the narrow gap of the door.
"Who is... waa! It's Amaoki-nii!"
The little girl, who looked no older than eight or nine, squealed happily and jumped into Takamiya Yuji's arms, who gently ran his hand through her hair.
"Chigusa-chan, where is your sister?"
"Sister is in the lab!" The girl named Chigusa looked curiously at Arata. "Who's this handsome guy?"
"Chigusa is so cute. I'm Arata, the new vice-captain of the 8th Division." Arata crouched down and pulled out a candy from his sleeve like performing a magic trick.
"Here."
Chigusa accepted the candy with surprise and happily ran into the inner room.
"Sister Shion! We have guests! Give me more candy!"
Takamiya Yuji smiled helplessly.
"Chigusa is Director Shudara's adopted sister. Her parents died very early. This child is naturally sensitive to spirit particles and smarter than many researchers."
Arata nodded gently and followed him into the Spirit Research Institute.
The interior space was much larger than it appeared from the outside. On both sides of the hallway were glass jars filled with various organs, and the air was saturated with a strange smell of mixed potions and preservatives.
"Yuji-kun, I've told you many times you need to disinfect before entering."
A cold female voice came from deep within the laboratory.
As the footsteps approached, a tall woman with purple hair appeared before them.
Shudara Shion wore golden glasses, and her long purple hair was loosely tied with a silver clip. Her seductive curves were faintly visible beneath her white lab coat.
Most striking was the tear-shaped mole beneath her left eye, which added a hint of allure to her serious face.
"Shion-sama, this is the body of a Sternritter we obtained on the North Fifth District defense line." Takamiya Yuji skillfully changed his tone and gave Arata a look to set down the sealed box.
"Oh?" Shudara Shion pushed up her glasses, and her gaze lingered briefly on Arata.
"He managed to kill three Ritter at once. Since when does the 8th Division have such a person? That brat Kadori didn't tell me anything."
Her voice held the calmness and scrutiny typical of a researcher, and her long, slender fingers lightly tapped on the table.
"Arata-kun only joined the Gotei 13 yesterday, it's perfectly normal that Shion-sama hasn't heard of him yet."
Takamiya Yuji briefly explained Arata's situation but deliberately skipped over the murky details of the earlier battle.
At least he has some emotional intelligence.
After listening, Shudara Shion suddenly leaned closer to Arata, her nose almost touching his collarbone.
"Arata-kun? You smell unusual..."
Arata felt his body freeze for a moment as a woman came so close, but he soon relaxed.
"Uh, I probably got dirty from Quincy spiritual particles on the battlefield earlier."
"Hmm?"
Shudara Shion straightened up without comment, turned, and opened the sealed box.
Arata took that brief moment to observe the inside of the institute. In size, it was much smaller than the future Technology Development Bureau, but its equipment and instruments were very complete, and everything worked in a neat rhythm.
He also noticed that various documents and materials were neatly arranged on the largest workstation, and in the corner of the desk was a wooden photo frame.
In the photo were three people: Shudara Shion and the girl Chigusa stood smiling on either side, and in the center was another black-haired woman Arata knew very well.
It was none other than Shutara Senjumaru, the "Great Weave Guard" of the Zero Squad in the main story.
At that moment, Shudara Shion beside him quietly sighed, bringing Arata back to reality.
"Killed with one strike, and the spirit particle structure at the wound almost completely collapsed… interesting."
When she saw the neat cuts on the bodies, a flash of surprise flickered in the eyes behind her glasses.
"Did you cause all these wounds? Did you use some special technique?"
Suddenly, she grabbed his wrist without warning, with a strength that didn't match someone who spent her days in a lab.
Arata felt the warm touch of her palm, as well as a faint trace of probing spiritual pressure.
"These are just sword techniques passed down in my family." He calmly pulled his hand back, showing no interest in another's warmth. "Shion-sama, do you also study swordsmanship?"
Shudara Shion smiled meaningfully.
"I'm interested in all unknown things. I hope Captain Takamiya and the Vice-captain will visit the institute more often when you're free. I'll treat you to tea."
"The black tea here is the best quality in the Soul Society~"
Takamiya Yuji cleared his throat to interrupt their conversation.
"Shion-sama, the Captain is still waiting for our report, we'd better finish the chat here."
"What's the rush?"
Shudara Shion casually waved her hand and pulled a document from the drawer.
"Perfect that you came. Please deliver this spiritual particle analysis report to Master Genryūsai. It's about a new weapon Wandenreich has been using recently."
"This thing is no joke. I almost went bald from overnight work. Don't forget to tell him to increase the institute's funds."
As she handed the document to Takamiya Yuji, the tips of her fingernails, painted red, casually slid across the back of Arata's hand, leaving an almost unnoticeable spiritual pressure mark.
"Of course, of course. Then, we'll be going."
"Goodbye."
Arata pretended not to notice the subtle gesture and followed Takamiya Yuji out of the Spirit Research Institute.
Once they were far enough from the gate, Takamiya Yuji suddenly lowered his voice.
"Arata-kun, you have to be careful with that woman. She's much more dangerous than she looks."
Arata raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"The Shudara family has led research institutes and labs across the country for generations. It's said that Shion-sama's sister is the creator of the Shihakushō and was chosen by the lords of the Zero Squad several hundred years ago."
Takamiya's voice was unusually serious.
He is a good friend of Shihouin Chihira from the 2nd Division, so he might know this level of secret information. Other ordinary captains are completely unaware.
"Even though Shion-sama looks young, in truth… don't be fooled by her gentle appearance."
"I see. Thank you, Captain Takamiya, for the warning."
Arata nodded gratefully and thoughtfully glanced back at the white building behind them.
Through the window, he could see Shudara Shion standing by the second-floor laboratory window.
Her long purple hair shimmered enchanting under the sun, and the gaze behind her golden glasses followed them with the eyes of a predator savoring fine prey.
When they arrived at the First Division barracks, Yamamoto Genryūsai was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.
In his middle years, Genryūsai was shirtless. Though his body was covered in various scars, he still radiated immense oppressive strength. Each swing of Ryūjin Jakka stirred waves of scorching air.
"Reporting to Master Genryūsai, a localized battle occurred at the North Fifth District defense line. It is now concluded and the situation is stable."
Takamiya Yuji stepped forward and saluted respectfully, his gaze full of reverence toward the man.
Yamamoto Genryūsai did not stop his sword training, only nodded slightly.
"What about casualties?"
"Seventeen members of the 10th Division were killed, forty-three were seriously injured, and the enemy had three Sternritter members and about two hundred ordinary Quincy—"
Takamiya Yuji took a deep breath, as if deciding on something important.
"All destroyed."
As soon as he said it, Yamamoto's sword suddenly stopped, his eyes widened, and his beard began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Total destruction?!"