The Alchemist in Bleach

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Chapter 179 If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening!

"Then you'll have to practice your sword with me!" Faced with Ichiro's shameless insistence, the captain finally couldn't help but glare at him.

Well, Ichiro has quieted down now. He's always been this kind of person. "Taking an inch and wanting a mile" is a phrase tailor-made for him. The more indulgent he is, the more he lets himself go.

This became even more pronounced after gaining the near-immortality of the Grim Reaper...

As long as I don't die, I'll live life to the fullest!

As it turns out, you can't spoil someone like Ichiro!

After the captain glared at him, most of the others just smiled and nodded. "Swordsmanship? What's that? What does it have to do with him?"

Despite the playful banter, Ichiro took the captain's introduction to heart. The people were secondary; he knew almost everyone from his years there. The main point of the introduction was the general direction of the Fourth Division's development. Of course, this was the direction set by the captain, and once Ichiro became captain, he could implement it according to his own ideas.

Although Ichiro won't be the captain, just kidding, he won't even be the vice-captain, he'll go straight for captain?

You're overthinking it, really overthinking it.

He did all this for one purpose: to relieve the captain of all her worries as much as possible, so that she could concentrate all her energy on preparing for the battle and enjoy it in the best possible way!

However, there's not much to be familiar with in reality. Although Ichiro doesn't handle anything in the Fourth Division, he still knows the general direction of development, and some things are even based on his suggestions.

Therefore, in just half a day, he became completely familiar with what he should do as the captain. However, what intrigued Ichiro was that after the initial familiarization, just as he was about to go back to rest, Kirinji mysteriously pulled him aside.

However… Ichiro glanced at the captain who was handling team affairs not far away. He was a little doubtful. Was it really necessary to come over? At this distance, did you think you could get away with not speaking?

Just as Ichiro was wondering what was going on, Kirinji threw out a soundproof barrier.

Okay, that way you really can't hear anything, but isn't it impolite to throw a soundproof barrier in front of others?

However, Ichiro didn't have much time to think about this problem, because he learned something even more surprising from Kirinji.

"Inviting me to join Squad Zero?"

"Yes, your achievements are more than enough."

"But didn't I already refuse once before? Would the same person invite me multiple times?" Ichiro asked, puzzled.

"Ahem~ Actually, that wasn't an invitation. At that time, I was planning to invite you and protect you at the same time."

"Is there a difference? Oh well, I'm not going to the Zero Division anyway, it's pointless." Ichiro shrugged indifferently; he really had no interest in the Zero Division.

Putting aside the metaphysical notion of success leading to certain death, he simply couldn't endure that environment, locking himself in one place for hundreds or even thousands of years...

You might as well just kill him...

He might occasionally lock himself in his room for months to think about certain research, but this was driven by his own will and only lasted a few months, whereas the Zero Division's research spanned hundreds or even thousands of years...

And to be honest, although the description of the Zero Division is impressive and the threshold is very high, from Ichiro's perspective, he looks down on the Zero Division.

The threshold is too high. Although they accept the best of the best, what's the point besides showing off?

We have different research fields, so how do we communicate on a regular basis?

Technological progress can never be achieved by working in isolation.

Wang Yue invented the Zanpakuto, but in terms of understanding Zanpakuto, Ichiro, Urahara, and Aizen far surpass him. Wang Yue's only advantage now is that the materials he uses to forge the sword are excellent, but this only shows that he has perseverance and good luck. He found good materials through countless experiments, and that's all.

Given the same amount of time, the three of them could do better than Wang Yue. The reason is that Ichiro and the others are not working alone, but the whole world is working together!

Take the technology of spiritual food as an example. As of now, both Ichiro and Hikifune have reached the limit of their research. Although there is still some room for improvement, it is very small. It is foreseeable that if they continue to research on their own, it may not be possible to achieve significant results for hundreds of years.

After a brief exchange, the two found new breakthroughs. Whether they could succeed was unknown, but at least they had a direction.

Another example is the resurrection. Ichiro was not the first Shinigami to propose the concept of resurrection chanting. Before him, many Shinigami had been researching this, including Kirinji himself.

But now, hundreds of years later, what results have been achieved?

Before Ichiro, there were almost no results...

Ichiro did not believe that the chanting of the return path was entirely his achievement; his talent was not that extraordinary.

The reason why chanting and reciting scriptures has not yielded results over the years is still due to a lack of communication.

In the chanting of the return path, Ichiro's role was merely a thread, a thread that connected the achievements of others!

This thread connects the research findings of Kirinji, the captain, Seinosuke, and others, ultimately forming the current chanting system!

It can be said that communication played an indispensable role in Ichiro's success today!

After all, technology can only develop rapidly through communication, which should be one of the reasons why Urahara established the Technology Development Bureau in the original work.

Therefore, places like the Spirit King's Palace were still too boring for Ichiro...

Kirinji knew a little about this, after all, he had taught Ichiro for a while and was very clear about his thoughts, but even so, he still insisted, "Think about it again. I hope you can join the Zero Division."

Ichiro looked at Kirinji with surprise, his eyes narrowing slightly, and asked, "Kirinji-sensei, you should know my thoughts very well, so why?"

Yes, Ichiro wants to know why?

Why did you personally come to the Fourth Division to inform him?

Why invite him in front of the team leader?

And why are you so insistent on having him join Squad Zero...?

After a moment of silence, Kirinji sighed and said, "You should know that Retsu will be engaged in a battle soon, right?"

"Yes, I know. That was the teacher's long-cherished wish, which is why I took over the affairs of the Fourth Division so that the captain could enjoy the battle without any distractions."

"Enjoyed? She's courting death, you know that?!"

"Yes, I know." Ichiro nodded calmly; it wasn't hard to guess.

Just as "Causeway Bay can only have one Hao Nan," there can only be one Kenpachi in the same era.

In fact, the reason she stepped down as captain of the 11th Division was largely because she lost to Kenpachi.

And the outcome...

To be honest, even Ichiro could see Kenpachi's overpowered physique that grew stronger with each battle, so it was impossible for the captain not to notice. Therefore, Ichiro was almost 100% certain that if Ichiro were to give her the opportunity to inherit the Fourth Division, the captain would definitely choose to sacrifice herself to maximize Kenpachi's potential, then lose to Kenpachi fair and square, and finally die at his hands!

"Then why don't you stop her!"

Compared to Ichiro's calmness, Kirinji was far more excited, so much so that even with the soundproof barrier in place, he still attracted the attention of the captain not far away.

Kirinji took a deep breath and looked at Ichiro, saying in a deep voice, "Are you just going to watch her go and commit suicide? Even if she doesn't join the Zero Division, you should know that if you ask, Retsu will hesitate."

“I’ve already said I know, but I don’t want to do this.”

Kirinji stared intently at Ichiro for a long while before uttering two words: "The reason?"

"Master Kirinji, do you still remember the question you asked me when you tested me before?" Ichiro didn't answer Kirinji immediately, but asked in return.

Forgot? Ha~ That question was asked with a different approach, how could he forget... Kirinji touched his chest, seemingly still able to feel the sensation of being cut there, and nodded with lingering fear: "You still remember, to witness the truth of the world, right? Many researchers have this pursuit."

“Yes, Truth. Compared to the Captain’s battle, this is my long-cherished wish. If I could see the absolute truth of the world by sacrificing my life, I would not hesitate to die!” Under Kirinji’s shocked gaze, Ichiro continued, “Unfortunately, there is no absolute truth in the world. But fortunately, there is something that allows the Captain to fight to her heart’s content, so I will not stop her.”

Kirinji looked at Ichiro with a complicated expression and sighed, "They really are master and disciple, they're practically cut from the same mold."

Ichiro didn't speak, he just smiled slightly.

The two stared at each other for a moment. Kirinji looked at Ichiro solemnly and said, "I have known Retsu for nearly a thousand years. I will not let her seek death!"

"I won't let anyone stop the captain either."

Kirinji narrowed his eyes, and the glint of his gaze peeking out from the gap gleamed with endless cold light!

"What if I insist on stopping it?"

"Then I'll kill you! Even if it's Kirinji-sensei, I won't show any mercy!"

"Do you know what you're saying? Kill me? Are you sure you can do it?"

"call!"

As he spoke, an immense spiritual pressure emanated from Kirinji and pressed down hard on Ichiro!

However, Ichiro is no longer the same as before. This level of spiritual pressure only makes Ichiro feel a little uncomfortable at most, and he has no other feelings.

"How many complete recitations of the Five Dragons Reincarnation at Qilin Temple can you take on, Master?"

"You can't release it!"

"Can you stop me if time stops?"

Kirinji's pupils contracted. Time stop—a forbidden technique within the Kido (Demon Path)—possibly powerful, but capable of causing immense destruction to the world. Of course, that wasn't the main point. Given his status, he was somewhat familiar with time stop, but…

The forbidden technique of stopping time is so powerful that it must be difficult to master. Even the current Great Ghost Daoist, as far as he knows, spent nearly a hundred years learning and putting this forbidden technique into practice!

How long has Ichiro been studying?

Kirinji would certainly not believe anyone else who said this, but he thought it was very likely that Ichiro would say it. First, he had taught Ichiro and knew his talent very well. Second, Ichiro's eyes were very firm.

The look in your eyes when you like someone is impossible to hide, just as the look in your eyes when you want to kill someone is impossible to hide...

After expressing his determination to Kirinji-sensei, Ichiro turned and left.

He needs to go back and prepare. Although he made some tough threats, he still needs to be prepared for a real fight with Kirinji-sensei.

Yes, Ichiro wasn't just saying it; if Kirinji really intended to stop him, he would actually kill him!

At worst, we can just revive him after the captain finishes fighting, apologize afterwards, and everything will be fine.

Of course, Ichiro didn't understand at this time that reviving a low-level enemy and reviving a captain-level being were different in difficulty, or rather, the process was slightly different...

This is also the biggest difference between his resurrection ability and the monk's. The monk's resurrection is legal, with a license, while Ichiro's is illegal. Resurrecting small fry at the resurrection point is fine, but for captain-level enemies...

However, Ichiro is unaware of all this yet, because from the very beginning, he has firmly locked away the ability to revive.

On the other side, Kirinji watched Ichiro's departing figure, then suddenly laughed, shook his head, walked to the captain's side, and sighed, "You've really taken on a good disciple! He even dared to threaten me... and called me 'teacher'! Heh, Ichiro!"

“I told you, you can’t convince him. Ichiro wasn’t born in Soul Society, so don’t treat him like a child.”

"Heh~ Maybe, but why do you all seem so indifferent to death? You are like that, and so is Ichiro. Does death really mean nothing to you?" Leaning against his desk, Kirinji's gaze was somewhat lost.

He first invented the return path because he couldn't bear to see others die. Therefore, he invented the return path to save people, thus pulling countless people back from the brink of death.

However, the path to healing is merely treatment, not resurrection, and not a panacea. Therefore, while saving many, he also witnessed much death, naturally developing a deep-seated aversion to it...

Therefore, he couldn't understand why Ichiro and Retsu could face death so calmly...

The captain chuckled and said, "Death? Afraid? Of course we are! It's just that we have something more to fear than death..."