The Alchemist in Bleach

"Slay him with a stroke!"

Ichiro nodded, and the Southern Bird Sparrow was instantly unsheathed. A huge flame swept across the sky, burning all the approaching Hollows to ashes in the shocked eyes of the many souls in Rukongai!

"Record the data and continue experimenting with the next set of fluctuations."

"Uh, yes!" The group was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening, organized the data, and started the next experiment. Meanwhile, the others also realized what was happening and hurriedly checked the data from the first group's experiment to analyze the reasons for the failure.

Now they finally understood why they didn't ask other squads for protection. It seems the rumors were true. Tenshin Ichiro, the third seat of the fourth squad, has captain-level strength. With that kind of strength, does he need protection?

With the constant "support" from Xu Yuanyuan, Ichiro and his team's database was being filled at an extremely fast pace. Unfortunately, they still couldn't reliably block it, and a few bands were still missing.

Through his research on the Killing Stone, Ichiro discovered that shielding the black cavity was only one function of the Soul-Shielding Membrane formed by the Killing Stone. In other words, shielding the black cavity was merely incidental; its true function was still as a barrier.

This is probably why Aizen's Hollow energy directly broke through the Soul-Sealing Membrane in the original work to open the Black Cavity in the Seireitei. Of course, it's also possible that it opened outside, or that the barrier formed by the Killing Stone was destroyed. These are all possibilities, but this does not affect Ichiro's research.

Blindly imitating is definitely not going to work. If it's just about imitation, why doesn't Ichiro just refine a large number of killing intent stones? That wouldn't be difficult.

Therefore, the current technique actually only simulates a few wavebands of the Killing Stone. After repeated experiments, Ichiro discovered that these wavebands can effectively affect the formation of the Black Cavity. Therefore, the core of the entire technique revolves around these wavebands.

The current combination is the optimal combination of these wavebands, and theoretically, it is complete.

However, this is only theoretically possible. In reality, these wavebands are easily affected. What Ichiro and his team are doing now is trying to find out which wavebands or techniques can be added without affecting their abilities.

This is the final step, the easiest step, and also the hardest step.

It's the easiest part because the overall structure is already in place and the technical problems have been solved. The real technical challenge lies in finding these wavebands and simulating them completely.

The most difficult part is that we can only try them one by one and verify them using exhaustive methods. This is the most difficult part because, based on the pre-determined range, we have compiled tens of thousands of combinations, and we can only try them a dozen or so times a day, even if we try our hardest.

Adding too much would affect the balance of spiritual particles and the stability of space, therefore, it's the most difficult, because this thing is dependent on luck...

If your face is healthy, it might only need ten or so treatments; if it's not, you might have to try all of them...

Even if they did absolutely nothing but testing over 10,000 groups every day, it would still take three to four years to complete, and that time might be extended. As the experiment progresses, they will collect a lot of data, and analyzing this data might gradually overturn some existing assumptions or add new ones. Therefore, the timeframe is uncertain...

Time passed slowly, and another week went by. Ichiro and his team started to fall behind because they were basically doing mechanical data verification and experimental data collection. As a result, Ichiro was able to spend more time assisting Urahara and Hikifune, which allowed their progress to accelerate rapidly.

In just a few days, the two researchers were left with only the final debugging stage. At this point, the research was essentially over, because the so-called debugging was actually the final stage, which involved repeatedly collecting operational data and checking for possible errors.

Urahara's Black Cavity is activated by the piece of Hueco Mundo that was cut off. No matter how fragmented it is, it is still part of Hueco Mundo, just like how Ichiro can activate Black Cavity without going through Hueco Mundo by simulating the Universal World as Hueco Mundo.

By using this fragment, they can activate the Black Cavity, and because this fragment is completely under their control, they may be able to activate the Black Cavity faster than the Hollow.

The reverse membrane, on the other hand, was created by Urahara through his research on Hueco Mundo fragments, who compared it to a similar function in Soul Society. With some effort and the help of Ichiro and Hikifune, he completed it.

The Hueco Mundo reconnaissance technique of the boat was also successfully completed through the study of the Hueco Mundo fragments. Now it is just waiting for Hueco Mundo to be repaired before the final test. However, according to the calculations of the three, this thing should be basically successful.

Looking at the whole process, it's not hard to see that the key to their success was the Hueco Mundo fragment that Urahara brought back. Without this, even if the three of them joined forces, it would be unlikely that they would have made any breakthrough progress in their research.

The most crucial point is that this fragment allows the three to analyze the rules and structure of Hueco Mundo more intuitively, which is the key to their success.

This makes Ichiro even more worried about Aizen, who practically got a fragment for free; he's really in a difficult position.

However, it's not all bad news. At least Urahara and Hikifune are free now, so they can help Ichiro and speed up his experiments. There's no way to balance the spiritual particles, so we can only try our best to avoid killing. But stabilizing the space is much simpler. We can either use spells to help him recover or keep changing locations.

Then, the very next day, Urahara tested it and found out...

Ichiro glanced at the documents in his hand, then at Urahara's innocent face, and then back at the documents, feeling that the world was truly unfair...

"It is common knowledge that those with exceptionally high luck in the lottery have extremely short lifespans!"

"Ha~ Ah~" Urahara chuckled and yawned, saying nonchalantly, "As everyone knows, Shinigami have extremely long lifespans. By the way, when do you plan to deploy this thing?"

"do not know."

"Hmm?" Hikifune and Urahara looked at Ichiro with a puzzled expression.

"Don't look at me, I really don't know. This matter needs to be decided by higher-ups, okay? This is no small matter." Ichiro helplessly spread his hands. He had submitted the report as soon as the technical theory was finalized, but more than a week had passed and there was still no news.

That's the problem with a complete parliamentary system. Without someone to make the final decision, many trivial matters can drag on for ages. I heard that even the expedition to Hueco Mundo is still being argued about.

In Ichiro's opinion, what's the point of talking about this now? If the problem of the Rukongai being constantly invaded by Hollows isn't solved, how can we launch an expedition?

The outside must be safe first!

Of course, this principle is not uncommon, but the structure of the Central 46 Chambers dictates that the opinions of one or two people are irrelevant, or rather, the interests of non-nobles are irrelevant.

The captain-in-chief is clear-headed and has the authority to make decisions; he can make the final decision as long as he speaks. But, well, that's how most older folks are.

The three of them understood, so they exchanged a glance and went back into the lab. They didn't care about the arguments or anything, as long as it didn't affect their research.

As the three resumed their research, the three inside the Spirit King Palace began to struggle with their own thoughts as they reviewed the information on Ichiro and the others. (There are currently three people; Hikifune hasn't entered yet, and Senjura was promoted from the Technology Development Bureau.)

It's not that I'm struggling to choose someone, but rather, I'm wondering if there are too many applicants...

The selection criteria for the Zero Division are either having an invention that is significant enough to be recorded in the history of Soul Society, or having extremely powerful combat strength.

Originally, this election method was intended to ensure the quality of the Zero Division members, and also to maintain an air of mystery, promoting only one member every few hundred years, which kept it very prestigious.

But now... three at once that meet the full standard...

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I fell asleep yesterday...

Sorry, I went straight to sleep after get off work yesterday... I only realized I hadn't updated when I woke up, no, I didn't write anything... I promise to make up for it today, if I don't, then...

Just pretend I took the day off yesterday!

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Chapter 163 Funds Received

"Um... what are you two agonizing over? Why don't you just post it together?" In the end, Kirinji Tenjiro couldn't help but speak up first.

"Easy for you to say. Do you think those nobles would agree to hire three people at once? Besides, where would we get so many royal materials?" The monk rolled his eyes.

"Do you really think all three of them will get in?" Tenjiro looked at the monk Shinmei with a speechless expression. "If that kid from the Urahara family wanted to, he could get in with just his Transcendental Body as long as it was announced. Besides, he knows the selection criteria. Ichiro, well, that kid will never leave the Fourth Division. And Retsu won't let him go either."

"Hmph! That's not up to her!" the monk sneered.

"Hehe~ Then you can deal with Lie when he goes crazy, I won't go."

Monk: "......."

After a moment of silence, the monk decided to steer clear of the topic. He could definitely win in a fight, but killing was another matter... It would be interesting if he forced the reformed villain to rebel.

“In that case, let’s send them invitations first. Whether they come or not is their business. It’s not like no one has ever refused. As for Wang Jian, Ichiro, and Kiryuki, they’re all ready-made. In other words, even if they all agree, it will only make Urahara wait a little longer. Besides, they might not even agree. And even if they do, Yamamoto won’t let them go so easily. These two have only just graduated not long ago.” Wang Yue, with his afro, spoke seriously for once.

"Alright then, Tian Shilang, I'll leave this matter to you. Didn't you just apply to leave the Spirit King Palace? Let's go together." As soon as he finished speaking, the monk and Wang Yue disappeared together, leaving the place in an instant.

Tenshiro: "..."

In the past, sending out this kind of notification wouldn't have been a problem, but sending an invitation to Ichiro at this time is practically asking for trouble...

You finally found an heir and raised him, and just when you're about to let go, you try to steal his heir away. Who else would you be punished if not you?

But can he not go?

No.

Because the monk is the leader of the Zero Division, he does not have absolute authority over them, but he can give them some simple orders. For example, he needs to apply to the monk before leaving the Spirit King Palace, and he can directly assign tasks such as sending out invitations.

However, on the other hand, he actually quite hoped that Ichiro would join the Zero Division. That way, there would be no one to take over Retsu's Fourth Division, and perhaps that time could be extended a little longer...

It seems we can try to persuade them...

……

While the monks in the Spirit King's Palace made the decisive decision, the Central Forty-Six Chambers were still debating whether or not to launch an expedition to Hueco Mundo.

One faction believes that an expedition should be launched to defend the dignity of the Soul Society!

One faction believes that Hueco Mundo is too powerful and should not launch an expedition, but should try to maintain the current situation to avoid causing more unnecessary casualties.

Another group is trying to smooth things over.

such as:

"We all know the strength of Hueco Mundo. Don't let this battle blind you. How many Tenshin Ichiro's are there in Squad 13? How many Shinigami would die in a normal battle? Who would maintain the balance of spiritual particles then? The advantage is currently on our side. With the smoothly systematized Return Path system, the preliminary summary of the auxiliary path, and high-quality spiritual food and medicine, as long as we continue to develop, we will only get stronger!"

"That makes sense."

"What kind of logic is that? The Hollows have already reached our doorstep! And look how many Vastodes they have now! Do they still have the advantage? Are we the only ones who can develop? Are they all idiots? Besides, we are Shinigami! Shinigami who kill Hollows! What kind of nonsense is it to be afraid to fight back when Hollows have reached our doorstep? We should gather our current strength and press our advantage!"

"Yes, that's right, the honor of the nobility must not be trampled on!"

"Then let's vote: Expedition or Defense."

"I abstain."

Expeditionists and those who stayed behind: "..."

If you're going to abstain, why are you even responding to us? Are you bored?

Thus, a pointless vote ended before it even began, and the two factions started arguing again. The captain, wearing his captain's haori, stood quietly in the corner, seemingly oblivious to the situation, letting them argue as they pleased.

Anyway, there's no need for an expedition now. The spiritual balance is stabilizing. We've killed so many Hollows and a Vastod this time, so our expected goal has been achieved. Now, we just need to wait for them to argue. Once they've argued enough, we can start to scam—I mean, apply for funding.

A qualified military leader should allocate the funds allocated from above in a reasonable manner, ensuring that there is enough left over and not a shortage. He should use only the amount allocated from above, and apply for more funding but apply for fewer additional funds.

This way, you can reassure politicians and give them more room to maneuver.

However, such military leaders are best suited to serve wise politicians. If the politician is not wise enough, or if their allegiance is slightly skewed, then serious problems can arise...

For example, the Marines in One Piece are like that. Don't they want to rebel?

Those high-ranking naval officers dreamed of it.

But there's nothing we can do about it, because their military spending comes from the World Government, and their lifeline is in their hands.

If you really have to blame someone, blame them for being too conservative and not daring to try to take on more authority. How much worse can things get?

Of course, we can also blame one side: the countries that paid the Celestial Gold. They knew perfectly well what kind of people the Celestial Dragons were, yet they still rushed to pay the Celestial Gold. Wouldn't it have been better if they had secretly united and given the Celestial Gold directly to the Navy as military expenses? Wouldn't the Navy have protected them then? And they wouldn't even have had to pay it all.

It can only be said that their hearts are not united.

Therefore, a qualified military leader should be like this: obey orders in times of peace, and make his own way in times of chaos; he must learn to be flexible.

And what about the chief commander? He was a typical incompetent military leader. Obeying orders? Sorry, he wasn't that obedient. He didn't listen to all the opinions of the Central 46th Bureau. He would only listen to things that didn't go against his own wishes, no matter what.

A workaround?

He is inflexible and can be described as a very rigid person who only follows the rules in his heart. He knows that many things are wrong, but because he does not violate the rules and desires in his heart, he will obey the Central 46th Bureau.

For example, there's the matter of Rukia in the original work, and there's the fact that he always believed Ichigo was human and shouldn't get involved in the affairs of Soul Society, and so on. There are many such examples.