You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

However, after seeing Iori, they felt that since Aizen-sama was involved, it was normal for things to turn out this way.

"The prisoner is now in your hands. But be careful, although he is under my control with my Binding Spell, he is actually a master who has already awakened Bankai. Be careful to prevent him from using any tricks, understand?"

"Please rest assured, Lord Aizen, we will use 'penetration' to temporarily anesthetize... Huh? What did you say? Bankai!"

A senior officer from the Second Division exclaimed in astonishment, "This person knows Bankai?!"

"It was an unexpected surprise... I can't really say whether it counts as a 'surprise,' but that's how it is."

"This, this is truly unexpected... It's beyond the capabilities of ordinary squad members to escort such a heinous criminal. I'll inform Vice Captain Yoruichi right now!"

Yoruichi has become a vice-captain, which is quite normal.

"Lord Aizen, should this secret base also be sealed off? Are there any dangerous items inside? Should we send the Kido Sect to deal with it?"

"No, I have destroyed most of the dangerous items and written materials inside. There is no need to notify the Kido Clan. It's just that there are some experimental subjects... we can let the Thirteenth Division handle the cleanup."

"—!"

Not far away, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who had been lifeless, suddenly moved. A glint of light flashed in his dull eyes as he secretly glanced at Iori.

"Iori! You actually plotted against me!"

He suddenly started struggling wildly, but the team members rushed over and pinned him to the ground.

"I will never forget this day! You shameless bastard! Even if I am imprisoned for fifty or sixty years, my hatred will not diminish in the slightest, and I will surely burn you to ashes!"

"Damn it! This guy, behave yourself!"

"nirvana……"

Iori glanced at him expressionlessly, but clearly saw a slight grin creep onto Mayuri Kurotsuchi's lips as he was being held down by the team members...

-

After briefly explaining the situation to Yoruichi and handing over the subsequent investigation to others, Iori went alone to the location indicated by the cipher.

The riddle is simple, nothing more than a combination of directions and numbers: fifty, sixty, one. Mayuri Kurotsuchi will not give useless or misleading information; each number must have its own meaning.

Based on that sentence, we can roughly guess that he was referring to "56-1", which is 55. In Feng Shui, "fire" is "Li", and the corresponding direction is "south".

In other words, Mayuri Kurotsuchi is alluding to "South 55 Rukongai"!

Knowing Mayuri Kurotsuchi's habits, Iori searched the suburbs all night and finally sensed unusual spiritual energy fluctuations near a slum. It was a barrier-type Kido that Mayuri Kurotsuchi often used, which was originally meant to conceal his presence, but for someone like Iori with exceptionally keen senses, it was conspicuous.

After dismantling the disguised demonic path outside and passing through the automatic defense devices, Iori strolled leisurely into the secret base.

Compared to the previous place, this place was much cleaner and less cluttered. Along the way, Iori found a lot of notes and documents, but the more he looked at them, the more he frowned, wondering why Mayuri Kurotsuchi had sent him here.

Surely it couldn't be that they just wanted to mess with him? Mayuri Kurotsuchi isn't the type to do things for nothing.

This doubt vanished instantly when he found the next level down in the basement and saw what was inside. He had finally found the most important research material in the base:

In the vertical glass culture tank, the petite and slender body of a young girl floats in the clear, pale green liquid, curled up like a baby in the womb.

"Highest priority... [Project Sleep]?"

Iori read the nameplate on the base of the incubation tank and murmured, "Special Subject Zero... Nemu... Nemu?"

Chapter 229: This child is mine!

Mayuri Kurotsuchi left Iori with a considerable "legacy".

His experimental data was not actually destroyed in the battle; the important manuscripts and logs were stored in Iori's personal space—of course, those culture tanks couldn't be put in there, and Iori had no interest in them.

Most of the things destroyed were things that Iori couldn't take with her, were of low value, or violated ethics.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi may have realized Iori's true thoughts through this incident. He himself was looking forward to continuing his research one day, so in order to preserve these things, he was willing to let his research results be "reaped" rather than reveal the matter.

He understood that although Iori had captured him personally, Iori's stance was not entirely aligned with the higher-ups, and she had her own ideas... Moreover, Iori was technically skilled, and by entrusting these things to Iori, he naturally knew just how valuable they were.

In addition to the data, he also handed over his most important research result to Iori for safekeeping.

This refers to the little girl codenamed "Zero," also known as Sleep Zero.

"Zero" is not a natural human, but an artificial Shinigami created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi by combining the essence of artificial body technology and artificial soul technology.

The so-called "Gi-soul" is similar to "Gi-hai" (artificial body), both being practical technologies developed to assist Shinigami in completing their missions (in the original work, they are divided into two types: ordinary "Gi-soul pills" and "modified souls").

Logically, the "Ghost" project should have been launched after the creation of the Gigai. At that time, the Soul Society would have a "Project Vanguard" to use this technology to mass-produce modified soldiers, which would have greatly promoted the advancement of related technologies. However, it was eventually banned for various reasons.

However, due to Iori's previous "enlightenment" of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, he began to focus on soul modification technology at an early age, while also paying attention to the research on artificial bodies by Kiryu Hikifune, Kisuke Urahara, and others.

Faced with two projects of similar difficulty, most people would choose to complete one first, then the other, and then try to combine the two. This is also how the Soul Society operates in the original work.

However, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a man who could not be bound by common sense. He did not believe that the two technologies had a "sequence" of feasibility, but rather that they were independent of each other. Therefore, he promoted the research of the "artificial soul" and "artificial body" technologies almost simultaneously, and made considerable progress in both.

Moreover, before these two technologies were even perfected, he couldn't wait to start combining and applying them... In the destroyed secret base, there were many failed products and waste related to this.

Iori initially set up a trap for Mayuri Kurotsuchi with "soul replication/split," just like Aozaki Touko or Orochimaru. He had considered that Mayuri might fall into the trap, but he never expected that Mayuri would almost turn the trap into an artificial lake... and he never expected that Mayuri's real goal was to dig to the Earth's core!

His goal, even his dream, is to create a new soul from nothing!

In the world of Bleach, where soul power is the central theme, the difficulty of achieving something like this is unimaginable, but if one could succeed, it would be practically equivalent to being a god.

Perhaps because it was too difficult, Mayuri Kurotsuchi named it the "Sleep Project," meaning that to outsiders his ideas were close to daydreaming.

During this period, Mayuri Kurotsuchi created four failed prototypes, namely "Nemesis No. 1" through "Nemesis No. 4". He achieved a breakthrough with "Nemesis No. 5", whose growth exceeded the lifespan limit of artificial souls, bringing Mayuri Kurotsuchi indescribable joy.

However, Sleep No. 5 could not control its own growth. Its body grew rapidly due to the rapid division of cells, and it eventually died as a result.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi made further improvements to "Nemesis No. 5" and combined them with her discoveries in her research on souls. Although what was inputted was an artificially created "heart", it was undoubtedly another step towards becoming a true human being!

The new individual did not suffer from the lifespan drawbacks of the previous experimental subjects and was involved in the realm of the "heart". Therefore, in order to distinguish it, Mayuri Kurotsuchi called it "Individual Zero".

—This is Mayuri Kurotsuchi's greatest masterpiece to date.

Once he's arrested, he could normally be imprisoned for hundreds of years or even for life, but Individual Zero can't wait that long no matter what. In order to protect his life's work, Mayuri Kurotsuchi chooses to entrust her to Iori.

I don't ask that Iori take good care of her, I just ask that all the data about her growth process be recorded so that there will be a reference for making new experimental subjects in the future.

Of course, Iori is not Mayuri Kurotsuchi; being more emotional, he cannot treat Individual Zero as a mere "experimental subject."

In Iori's eyes, no matter how much amazing technology Zero possessed, she was still a living person, not an object or prop.

He found a method from the collected information to safely remove Zero from the culture tank, summoned warm water to wash her body, then wrapped her in a soft blanket and laid her flat on an operating table.

The girl, around twelve or thirteen years old, seemed to be just beginning to enter puberty. The outline of her future tall and slender figure could already be seen, displayed in front of Iori through only a layer of cloth... To be honest, the scene was a bit awkward.

However, Iori had no evil thoughts in her heart. Apart from a little embarrassment, she had no inappropriate thoughts whatsoever.

This is not surprising, after all, Iori is a woman who has "seen it all". Both Esdeath and Sera are extremely charming women, far superior to this little girl.

Besides, this is too small... Most people who are into lolicon are just talking nonsense online; they just like anime and manga. As for the real-life version... Iori isn't a pervert, after all.

It's sizzling!

Tiny flashes of lightning danced at her fingertips. Iori lifted a gap in the blanket and gently pressed two fingers together against Individual Zero's chest—

Bang!

A faint spiritual pulse spread throughout her body, causing the girl's entire body to tremble. Then, as if she were drowning, she suddenly bent over and began to cough incessantly. Culture fluid flowed from her mouth and nose, and the intense stimulation made her unable to hold back her tears.

Blurred vision, cold white light, dry air, discomfort in her chest... all of this left Individual Zero feeling lost and instinctively reaching out, as if only grasping something could bring her peace of mind.

—Mayuri Kurotsuchi would be overjoyed to see this reaction.

The test subjects were all instilled with basic common sense and fundamental instructions beforehand, such as absolute loyalty to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. But for some reason, these test subjects were very calm after waking up, just like robots.

As for Zero, Mayuri Kurotsuchi only instilled common sense and minimal instructions, deliberately avoiding a complete brainwashing... Whether for this reason or because of the "heart," Zero's reaction was exactly like that of a newborn baby.

This is undoubtedly a huge step forward!

"Ah...ah...um..."

Iori didn't flinch, and Zero groped and grabbed her arm. Those slender, pale fingers were stronger than they looked, not at all like someone who had come from a culture tank. Zero, upon touching Iori, calmed down as she felt the warmth of a human body.

Curled up like a child, Zero kept her eyes tightly shut under the spotlight. Seeing this, Iori moved slightly to shield her from the direct, intense light, casting her own shadow on Zero.

What should we do with her? Iori looked at Zero and hesitated.

For someone who possesses the Third Law, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's research isn't that valuable, and besides, he doesn't know how to take care of children... It's something Iori would rather avoid at all costs, something that's both troublesome and draining.

But Zero is just an ordinary girl no matter how you look at it. Letting her fend for herself, or simply handing her over to the Gotei 13... seems too cruel.

What should I do?

Iori is a rational person and will not be swayed by momentary pity. When thinking about Zero's future, none of the options are for him to personally raise the child.

However, at that moment, Zero slowly opened her eyes, a hint of forbearance on her pale and delicate face.

Backlit, she saw a tall, dark silhouette, and a handsome face with slightly furrowed brows and a look of compassion that inspired admiration.

Her confused mind made it difficult for her to make sense of the situation and where she was. The only comforting thing was the warmth and realness of the touch on her hands.

Various pieces of common sense clashed in his mind, sparking like flashes of light, while Zero, as if possessed, looked at Iori and whispered:

"……dad?"

"..."

Okay, it's decided, I'll raise this child!

Chapter 230: Dad, is this my mom? (4K)

"You've worked hard. Have a cup of tea, Yuki."

"Thank you, Grandma!"

Inside the indigo-dyed clothing store, taking advantage of a lull in customers, the old woman brought over steaming cups of tea. Yuuki, dressed as a shop assistant in a plain blue kimono, smiled and carefully accepted the cups.

"Ah... I really miss it. This aroma is something only Grandma can give tea. You can't find it anywhere else."

"It feels like so much time has passed since you last spoke, but we haven't actually been apart for that long, have we?"

The old woman had a slightly hunched back and wore a bluish-gray kimono with bellflower patterns. Her yellow sash was printed with a few slightly worn maple leaves. Her hair was full of silver but neatly combed. Her face was lined with deep wrinkles as she squinted.

"It's a feeling~ Although I didn't spend much time in Hueco Mundo and the real world, I experienced so many things that it felt like a very long time."

Yuuki silently counted the tea leaves in her tea, and after a moment said softly, "I'm sorry... I made you worry, didn't I?"

Some things simply cannot be hidden from people. Aizen and his siblings always made up excuses when they went to Hueco Mundo and the Human World to avoid worrying their mother-in-law.

However, as time went on, it was eventually impossible to completely conceal the truth, especially something as significant as war.

"No~"

The old woman sat on the steps, with a soft cushion under her.

"Because worrying is useless. Since you have chosen to become Grim Reapers, you will experience this sooner or later... I was already aware of this when you entered the Spirit Arts Academy."

"Mother-in-law, what are you really thinking when you say that?"

"...huh~"

The old man was silent for a while, then picked up the tea, blew on it, took a small sip, put it down, and slightly opened his squinty eyes.

"Yuki, you'd better get rid of this habit of yours. Being too curious about other people's inner thoughts is not a good thing."

"It's not 'others' at all. I have no interest in most people. What they think is none of my business—of course, there's nothing complicated in their simple brains, and it's easy to guess what they're thinking."

"I'm only interested because it's you, Mother-in-law. This is special treatment!"

"You know... of course I'm worried, sigh~"

The mother-in-law sighed deeply: "Although you all always say how amazing you are, in my eyes you are still the same as before. Such innocent and lovely children are going to step into the battlefield - who can keep a calm mind?"

During the Warring States period, natural disasters and man-made calamities were common occurrences. Not to mention able-bodied men, even women and children could become sacrifices in war... I originally thought the afterlife would be easier, just like what is said in Buddhist scriptures.

But that's how Rukongai is... You finally find a safe place to live, and in a few years you'll have to become 'samurai' here again, sigh...

War is the same in every world.

"Yes, that's just how it is. Even if we stay in Rukongai, we can't live peacefully forever. We might get caught up in some incident at any time. We might be devoured by Hollows, expelled by the yakuza, or oppressed by nobles... In the end, the universal laws are the same whether it's the human world or Soul Society."

—The law of the jungle.