The Alchemist in Bleach

I don't know.

'Unsure?'

"Yes, I don't know. The power of time is the most mysterious, and time travel is the most mysterious because it involves both time and space, as well as some of the forces of cause and effect and destiny."

"Is that so? I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Yue Ling." Ichiro nodded. Indeed, the mysterious power of time is not so easy to decipher.

The Moon Spirit itself does not possess omniscience or omnipotence; it merely relies on its spiritual senses to search for information. Moreover, it is currently only a semi-finished product, which is normal.

'A father should be like this.'

"By the way, you've improved a lot since last time. It seems my method is effective. I'll prepare some new books for you; after you finish these problems, you can start reading."

Upon hearing this, Yue Ling's smile, which had appeared due to the praise, instantly froze on her face...

But what troubled Him was that He had no choice. Could He refuse the task His Father had assigned? What if He couldn't help Him next time?

Hey~

He sighed softly to himself and replied reluctantly, "I understand, Father. Thank you, Father."

"It's nothing, it's what I should do." After saying that, Ichiro glanced at Tsukiryu, who was still engrossed in doing her practice problems.

He sensed that Yue Ling seemed quite unwilling, and she even seemed rather resentful just now.

Ichiro frowned, then relaxed his gaze. It must have been an illusion. He had no doubt that Yue Ling would eventually have her own emotions, and he would be happy to see that happen. But it was too early for Yue Ling now. She spent most of her time sleeping. How could it be so fast?

Not long ago she was still a nobody, how could things have changed so quickly?

Shaking his head, Ichiro stopped thinking about it and stepped into the gate of the Second Division.

"Is Captain Yoruichi here?"

"The Commander-in-Chief is in the Captain's office, Captain." As Ichiro asked the question, a voice rang out from the darkness beside him, answering.

"Understood." Ichiro nodded and walked towards the captain's office.

Many members of the Second Division are also members of the Covert Mobile Organization, so most of the time they prefer to call the captain "Commander-in-Chief" to distinguish him from Ichiro and the other squad leaders.

Soon, Ichiro arrived at the Second Division's office and saw Yoruichi engrossed in her work, so he couldn't help but smile.

"Tsk~ So busy, I'm so envious. You guys have so much power and still manage to live such fulfilling lives. I'm much worse off, sleeping in until I naturally wake up every day. Sigh~ I've become so decadent~"

"..." Yoruichi looked speechlessly at Ichiro, who was shaking his head. "Since you're so envious, why don't I go and suggest it to Captain Unohana? I think she would be happy to give you the captain's position."

"Then let's pass. A gentleman does not take what others cherish."

Are you a gentleman?

"Why not?"

"Why not?"

"I think so?"

Soi Fon and Yoruichi: "..."

Why are you still hesitating? Are you so indecisive?

"Forget about all this nonsense. What do you need me for?"

Yoruichi had a pretty clear understanding of Ichiro. Like Urahara, once they started researching, unless something major happened, they basically wouldn't respond no matter how you called them. They would only come to you when they finished their research or when they got stuck in a rut.

So now, he must have something to ask her, and Ichiro is probably after her study.

Moreover, Ichiro would definitely not bring up the matter immediately; he would have to be polite and try to build rapport first.

really……

"What are you saying? With our relationship, can't I even come to see you?"

Yoruichi remained silent, simply watching Ichiro, silently counting in her mind: 3…2…1…

"I've run into some trouble with my research, and I was thinking of borrowing your study to find some inspiration."

Yoruichi pursed her lips. She could guess everything. Why didn't she come up with something new?

Yoruichi buried her head back in the documents in her hands, and said without looking up, "Wait a moment, I'll finish these documents. But what research is so difficult that you need to look up information?"

"What are you saying? I'm not omnipotent." Ichiro rolled his eyes. "I've done a lot of research, I just haven't been to your study."

"Really? Maybe I didn't notice. Also, I can ask you a question, but please don't answer, otherwise it will affect my processing of the documents."

"...Strange request. Won't you think about that question if I don't answer it? Besides, why not just leave this kind of thing to the vice-captain? The vice-captain is there to handle these kinds of things. Otherwise, what use are they besides taking the blame? Do we really need their fighting strength?"

"Ahem." The second division vice-captain, Noriyuki Omaeda, who was in charge of team affairs, took the blame, and had little combat ability, walked in and coughed lightly, saying, "Captain Tenshin, please make way for this vice-captain who is only good at handling miscellaneous tasks and taking the blame and is also weak."

"Huh? Isn't this Vice-Captain Ōmaeda? Who said that to you? How awful! Tell me, and I'll stand up for you! How utterly disrespectful! You have no respect for the vice-captain at all! The vice-captain is still a captain, you rotten egg... uh, no, salted duck... uh, anyway, you're a captain too! Who dares to say that to you? Who has the right to say that to you?"

Everyone: "..."

Soi Fon stared speechlessly at Ichiro. What she admired most about Ichiro was his shamelessness. She thought that man was already shameless enough, but this guy was even more shameless!

Indeed, birds of a feather flock together...

Well, when Soi Fon made that comment, she clearly didn't consider that Yoruichi was also part of Ichiro's group...

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Chapter 188 The New Member of the Zero Squad—Demon Blade!

"Captain, the Matsushita family, a high-ranking noble family, is plotting a rebellion in conjunction with two lower-ranking noble families. What do you think we should do?" Ōmaeda Kinoshita put away his expression and began to explain the real reason for his visit.

"Another rebellion? They're really playing games." Ichiro raised an eyebrow in surprise. If he remembered correctly, this was the second rebellion since he took over the work of the Covert Force. Was it happening this frequently?

“It’s normal. It’s just a test of the Central 46’s attitude. Soi Fon, take some men and get rid of the attendees from the two lower-ranking nobles. Ichiro, send a warning letter to the Matsushita family.”

"Yes!"

"clear."

After giving instructions to Ichiro and Soi Fon, Yoruichi put down the documents in her hand, rested her hands on her pale...wheat-colored chin, looked at Nozomi, and narrowed her cat-like eyes.

"If it were just something trivial, you wouldn't have come in person. So, has something important happened?"

Upon hearing this, Ichiro and Soi Fon also looked at Nozomi. Indeed, rebellion was already underway. Every year, there were several lower-ranking nobles who had nowhere else to turn, and they were instigated by higher-ranking nobles to rebel.

After all, many lower-ranking nobles, though called nobles, may actually live no different lives from ordinary people. For example, the Ukitake family now relies entirely on Ukitake to support them. If he weren't the captain, who knows how badly they would be doing.

Therefore, unless it is a large-scale rebellion, the covert mobile unit usually has the authority to make decisions, and naturally, there is no need for hope Zhijin to come and report in person.

Xi Zhijin glanced at Soi Fon, and seeing that Yoruichi didn't intend to let her leave, he said, "Kuchiki Hibiki of the First Division, promoted to Royal Special Agent! That is, the Zero Division!"

"?!"

The three stared at hope Zhijin in shock. They had never heard of Kuchiki Hibiki making any outstanding contributions.

The standard for entering the Zero Division is to make a significant contribution to Soul Society and become a part of its history. Kuchiki Kyouga obviously does not meet this standard. Of course, in addition to this, there is also the option of being strong enough to be admitted exceptionally, but although Kuchiki Kyouga is strong, he does not meet this standard.

The meaning behind the Zero Division is rather interesting...

Yoruichi frowned and asked, "Are you sure it's Kuchiki Hibiki?"

Yoruichi knew that the Zero Division was recruiting. In fact, as the head of the Shihōin family, it was impossible for the Zero Division to avoid her involvement in some of its actions. The recruitment process had started not long after the Technology Development Bureau was established, and she was even asked to recommend a few people from the Shihōin family.

However, Yoruichi refused. Firstly, members of the five noble families were not suitable to join the Zero Division, and secondly, there were not many members of the Shihouin family who met the required strength, so it was impossible to send them there.

What she didn't expect was that she would choose Kuchiki Hibiki...

"It's confirmed. Kuchiki Kyouka has now joined the Zero Squad, and his title has already been decided."

"What is it?"

"Demon Blade!"

Upon hearing this, Yoruichi's heart sank; the worst-case scenario had occurred!

To be honest, although Kuchiki Kyouga's strength was not bad, Yoruichi did not take him seriously. Even if he joined the Zero Division and underwent a Transcendental Transformation, it would be the same. It was just a Transcendental Transformation. If she wanted something like that, Urahara could do it for her immediately. It was an imperfect and inferior ritual, not worth worrying about.

What Yoruichi cared about was the reason they chose Kuchiki Hibiki...

While Kuchiki Kyoga is strong, he isn't actually that strong. What's more noteworthy than his strength is his Zanpakuto—Muramasa!

It can almost directly control the Zanpakuto of weaker Shinigami, and even the Zanpakuto of powerful Shinigami can be turned against them. In a time when Zanpakuto have become the core power of Shinigami, this ability will basically arouse the hostility of all Shinigami!

As a result, Kuchiki Kyoga's future has been affected on several occasions.

He is different from Shihouin. Although Shihouin also targets Shinigami, they rely on skills and equipment; in other words, their fighting methods are more targeted at Shinigami. This kind of family or force is not unique in Soul Society, but Muramasa is different...

To put it simply, it means that Kyoga Kuchiki can make you green with his Zanpakuto!

How can I possibly tolerate this?

Therefore, under these circumstances, the Zero Division's decision to recruit Kuchiki Kyoga, whose strength is not particularly strong, is worth pondering...

The monk and Wang Yue were alright; their achievements were already remarkable, so although their power did somewhat restrain the Grim Reaper, no one paid them any attention.

But now, you've actually recruited a member specifically to target the Grim Reaper. Who are you trying to protect yourself from?

After a moment's hesitation, Yoruichi looked up at Ichiro and asked, "How's the situation with the simulated Zanpakuto?"

“Ordinary Shinigami have become stronger. Most of the Zanpakuto used by the seat commanders have reached the normal standard. A few with special abilities or those that have hidden their strength and abilities are slightly weaker. Captain-level... all have dropped by one to three levels.”

"The captain level difference is so big?" Yoruichi frowned.

"There's no other way. Every captain-level Zanpakuto has already reached another limit, and it's not easy to break through. If needed, we can assign the task to the Technology Development Bureau, where a corresponding team will be set up to tackle the challenge."

"I understand. I will consider this matter. Prepare all the simulated Zanpakuto except for those at the captain level, and make sure they are delivered to the Shinigami within one day."

"clear."

"Vice Captain Ōmaeda, you're in charge of strengthening surveillance over the other four noble families. Report any developments immediately. Remember, report immediately, even if you miss an opportunity. Do not act without authorization!"

"understand!"

Let's take action!

"Yes!" x2

After the two left, Yoruichi looked at Ichiro and sighed, saying, "It seems that the Zero Division has been quite provoked by you guys."

"It's normal. The Zero Division's advantage lies in its talent pool and the immense strength brought about by its transformative modifications. Now that its talent pool has been surpassed, its strength advantage won't last long, so naturally it's panicking. However, I really didn't expect them to choose Kuchiki Kyouga... The Zero Division is finished!"

Yoruichi didn't speak, but simply nodded silently, which was considered as acknowledging Ichiro's statement.

The selection criteria for the Zero Division are not arbitrary. Whether it is based on achievements or combat power, the Shinigami selected are definitely the elite of the elite!