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

However, out of a strong determination, he still managed to hold on to his breath and said, "It has the potential to become... become an unrivaled sword... Don't, don't let it be covered in dust..."

"this?"

Iori took a look at it and admitted that it was a high-quality weapon that could also be used as a carrier for a Zanpakutō, but he was not interested.

Zanpakutō is a more intimate existence to the Shinigami than a partner, and Iori has some mental mysophobia. It's not that he can't use swords like Yafusa and Jiangxue, but if he has a choice, he still wants a new sword.

At this moment, he thought of Izo's ronin look, and something suddenly came to his mind.

"It's called 'Jiang Xue'. Does it have any history?"

"...My hometown...an island country far away in the East..."

really!

——Iori narrowed his eyes and felt that he had found the right way.

"... a family of swordsmiths that has passed down from generation to generation... using the famous sword forged by Oliha... countless blood sacrifices... only one last thing left... um..."

"Orichalcum?"

Hearing this, Najeta perked up: "That's the main material of the imperial weapon. The alchemical formula and forging technology have been lost. The existing Orichalcum creations are almost all relics of the previous era... Is there any inheritance somewhere else?"

She wanted to go up and ask Izo, but the killer had already taken his last breath with his eyes open. Najta could only shake her head and sigh.

"An Eastern island country?... We can't go to such a remote place now."

It is also an island, but unlike the scattered archipelagos in the south, the Eastern Island Country is a whole large island, which has always been isolated overseas and has very little communication with the mainland. It is said that the shipping routes are shrouded in thick fog all year round. It is a very mysterious place.

Although the formula of Orichalcum steel is important, we don't know how to obtain it, and it cannot be converted into combat power in a short period of time. At this important time when the empire is about to change, we cannot distract our attention on such things.

"The Eastern island country... feels a bit interesting."

Unlike Nadezhda, Iori had a plan in mind, because he intuitively believed that a trip to the East would surely be rewarding.

It’s not that there is any information in the original work, but that as a comic, it is impossible for the original work to take into account every detail in its creation of the world view.

But Iori came to a "real" world. Even if it was only mentioned in the comics, it objectively exists here.

The settings of "Oriental Island Country", "Home of Samurai" or "Land of the Far East" are really easy to make people imagine!

It’s not that Iori has a rich imagination, it’s just that there are too many examples!

From the Iron Kingdom in Naruto, the Japanese setting of Genshin Island in Strike: Blood, to the Academy City in Toaru Majutsu no Index, and even Orb in Gundam...

Even in various Western fantasy light novels, there are always samurai and ninjas from the East!

Japanese creators in the 21st century really like to create a place in their works that corresponds to real Japan, and like to add settings such as "a small place that seems remote and independent but has military power/technology that surpasses the outside world."

For example, Type-Moon, three of the five major magics can be found in the "magic desert" of Japan!

How should I put it? Although it is a bit narcissistic, it is understandable. After all, once upon a time, Chinese martial arts and ancient martial arts were also a must for online literature...

Nadezhda was only guessing that the Eastern Island Country had the forging technology of Orichalcum steel, but Iori was almost certain.

It’s nothing, I’ve seen it a lot!

Look at the technological strength of Wano Country next door, don’t you understand this?

If you think about it carefully, the imperial weapons in "Aka Kill" also have many traces of Japanese or Chinese culture, such as Hachifusa, Murasame, Susanoo, and the space imperial weapons with the Bagua Tai Chi as the formation diagram.

Referring to "One Piece", even if it is finally found out that the manufacturing technology of the imperial tool came from the Eastern island country, Iori would not be surprised at all!

Okay, I decided to go to the East China Sea. Although I heard it might be a bit troublesome, the last thing the God of Death lacks is time.

If everything goes well, maybe Iori can make a suitable knife blank by himself...

Before that, let’s go back to Soul Society to “recharge”!

"As agreed, you have the right to choose an imperial weapon first."

Chelsea came over with [Dimensional Matrix Shangri-La]: "But to be honest, this imperial weapon is more useful to the Revolutionary Army. If you can give it up, the other imperial weapons can be given to you.

If you're worried about the limitation that one person can't use multiple imperial weapons at the same time, the Revolutionary Army will also let you choose one from the existing collection.

For individuals, we have more valuable and more powerful imperial weapons in our collection~"

"Thank you for your kindness."

Iori took it without hesitation: "But a promise is a promise."

"...Just like what the report said, he is a difficult guy to get along with." Chelsea was a little disappointed, but Iori was still a friendly force in the Revolutionary Army, and the top leaders were still trying to win him over, so the girl did not show a hostile attitude, but instead snorted as if to act coquettishly.

"Then according to the agreement, we will take all the remaining spoils away."

At this time, Akame suddenly spoke up: "This Jiangxue is not an imperial weapon. The enemy was killed by Iori and I. I think I have the right to take this sword."

The killer girl took the rare step of taking the initiative to make a request. Nadezhda, who was familiar with her character, was a little surprised, but she nodded without giving it much thought.

Although the famous sword Jiang Xue is good, it is still inferior to the imperial sword. I guess the top leaders won’t care if they know about it, so it doesn’t matter if Chi Tong takes it away.

Iori was also very casual: "Then give it to——"

"Give it to you."

Unexpectedly, Akame immediately gave it to Iori: "I have Murasame, that's enough."

"Hey~" Nadezhda raised her eyebrows and laughed for good intentions.

Iori was slightly stunned: "Give it to me?"

"It seems like you're interested in it."

The sharp-minded Akatomi seemed to have sensed something: "It may also be about its origin... But no matter what, take it with you, maybe it can help you."

"……Thanks."

It might not be of much help, but it warmed Iori's heart.

As expected... it's worth loving this foodie girl!

Volume 34: The White Moonlight of the Seireitei: Chapter : Aizen Yuuki Wants Sanctions

"Please ask for leave for me."

"How dare you! What do you think the 12th Division is? It's war time now, and we don't have enough manpower. And you still want to slack off?!"

In the team barracks, Kurotsuchi Mayuri glared fiercely at Iori, who had a calm face. His gnashing teeth made people think that he was loyal to Seireitei.

"You have to pay more!"

"Why didn't you say so earlier~"

"Well... I see that you are usually diligent. Now that the war has not officially begun, I will transfer you to the library to organize the files."

"You seem to be in a good mood?"

Kurotsuchi Mayuri was being particularly easy to talk to today. Iori had thought he would have to bargain with him, but he didn't expect to achieve his goal so easily. He couldn't help but look at him in surprise.

"Oh, of course. Once the war starts, my 'research materials' will be endless." Kurotsuchi Mayuri looked relieved. "I'm really looking forward to it~"

"…Then I really have to 'congratulate' you." Iori restrained his smile and replied indifferently.

Leaving aside the God of Death, the Quincy are living people who exist in the world. After being killed, their souls will naturally be extradited to Soul Society, and unlike ordinary souls, the Soul Society will definitely use some method to capture these souls.

If Iori remembered correctly, in the original work, Mayuri Kurotsuchi dissected countless Quincies alive, and even the corpses of Shinigami were not spared. Later, even the Forty-Sixth Chamber couldn't stand it anymore and decisively imprisoned him in the "Maggot Nest".

Although this incident has not happened yet, it once again reminds Iori:

No matter how pleasant it is to work with Kurotsuchi Mayuri, never forget this guy's true nature!

We can be partners in transferring benefits, but let’s forget about friendship!

"By the way, the handover documents from the Spiritual Arts Academy said that you should be allowed to receive a shallow-strike sword before leaving school, but the logistics management staff said that you have never been there. Does that mean you haven't started to cultivate your Zanpakutō yet?"

"I haven't thought about it yet." Iori said directly without any disguise, "I have concerns about Asauchi, or rather, about my Zanpakuto."

"Really? I understand." Kurotsuchi Mayuri made up an excuse on the document and stopped asking further questions.

Iori's logic is extremely incredible to any Shinigami. In their eyes, Zanpakuto is a part of themselves and their closest fighting partner, and Asauchi is a necessary tool for nurturing Zanpakuto, which is both convenient and practical.

Asking them to question Asaoka and Zanpakuto is like asking a cultivator to question his natal flying sword.

But Kurotsuchi Mayuri is different. In the Soul Society where most people are “sword practitioners”, he is a maverick “magician”.

This guy is in a state of undergoing a demonic tribulation on a daily basis. He does not trust anything external and even questions the authenticity of his "self". He has even made modifications to his Zanpakutō, body, and brain to prevent any sudden problems from occurring one day.

A guy who can equip Bankai with self-destructing bombs and backup the memory of the brain, even if you tell him that the whole world is just a dream of a great existence, he will think seriously...

Isn't it just questioning whether there is a problem with "shallow hitting"? It's very common~

In fact, Mayuri Kurotsuchi himself had also vaguely sensed some problems, so no matter what he did, he would always leave a back-up plan for himself. Now that he heard Iori say such sensational words, he felt particularly resonant.

"The Spiritual Arts Academy actually specifically asked about this matter..."

Iori pondered for a moment: "It seems that I also need to make some preparations... Vice Captain, our 12th Division is not usually responsible for combat, but assists by providing technical support to various divisions, right?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden? Aren't you trying to slack off? Are you interested in being on duty in another squad?"

"It's not the Gotei 13," Iori looked directly into Mayuri's eyes, "it's the Hueco Mundo Expedition. I want to know when the next batch of supplies will leave. If possible, I hope to go with them as an expatriate of the 12th Division."

"..."

Even someone as abnormal as Mayuri Kurotsuchi was stunned by Iori's jumping thoughts.

"Hueco Mundo expeditionary force? Why go to a desolate place like Hueco Mundo... Besides, that unit is not part of Squadron 13. If the commander doesn't give the nod, I won't be able to send anyone there even if I'm the vice-captain."

"No problem, you just need to get a transfer order document, and the expeditionary commander should give me this face." Iori smiled confidently, "She seems to like me very much."

"...Saito is immortal? You actually know that old woman..."

Kurotsuchi Mayuri couldn't help but look up to Iori. It was fine that he had a friendship with Kyoraku Shunsui, but Saito from the expeditionary force was not an easy person to get along with. As a temporary Shinigami who didn't even have a shallow fight, Iori actually had connections at the level of two captains... It was indeed not simple.

"The transfer order is simple, but the term of office of the expeditionary force is very long. Even if you are arranged to go there in the name of 'secondment', you have to stay for at least a year before you can apply to return. Whether you can get permission is still a question."

"Don't you have the vice-captain?" Iori smiled heartily, "If I don't come back, who will raise funds for your research?"

"...I can't understand it. There's only sand and hollows in that place."

"Because 'death' is the best reason."

Iori smiled and said something that even Kuroshio Mayuri didn't quite understand: "If there's no good reason to increase the character's combat power, then just let him die once."

-

What is the common problem of hot-blooded comics?

Fatalism? Bloodline theory? Inflation of combat power?

It’s all of these, but it’s also none of these.

In fact, as long as the plot is exciting enough, the characters are vivid enough, and the logic is not flawed, then even if there are some problems with the combat power system, it will often not become a reason for being attacked.

In terms of the expansion of combat power, nothing is more outrageous than Sun Wukong in the Namek chapter, whose combat power soared from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions, but when he knocked the king to the ground, no one thought it was unreasonable.

On the contrary, Luffy's awakening of the fruit and Naruto and Sasuke's ancestral skills, although just breaking a layer of window paper, always make people want to complain for no reason.

But no matter what, there is such a law in the world view of hot-blooded comics:

[After experiencing a life-and-death battle or "coming back from the dead", it is normal for combat power to surge. 】

Iori currently has two problems:

First, his spiritual pressure is gradually approaching the vice-captain level, and sooner or later he will have to show his strength in front of others, but his growth curve is too abrupt.

Second, if he doesn’t want to be a slashing king like Kenpachi Zaraki, it’s time for him to get a Zanpakutō.

These two problems can actually be solved together:

If he mastered the Shikai, according to the setting of his Zanpakutō, no one would doubt that his strength would improve by leaps and bounds. Therefore, he had to put the matter of nurturing his Zanpakutō on the agenda now.

However, he neither wanted to use the mass-produced version of the shallow fight, nor did he want to awaken in the Soul Society (under the nose of the monk) to avoid any accidents.

Although the whole process can be completed in the other world, he would have to explain to others when he gained an unregistered Zanpakutō.

What, you picked it up in Rukongai? Why not use the brand new shallow sword issued by the Spiritual Arts Academy?

Did you lose a close friend, too?

Then Iori's choice is very simple - join the army to fight against the Quincy or against Hueco Mundo!

On a battlefield with complex situations, problems of both shallow attack and spiritual pressure will be solved perfectly.

I remember that Luffy learned how to do the dominance and awakening in a battle. Now, I, Iori, have been on the expedition to the Hueco Mundo for a year, and it is not a problem for me to be promoted from a student to a vice-captain!

The more Iori thought about it, the more he felt it was right. After all, he also knew people on Saito's side. With Kurotsuchi Mayuri's secret help, it would be natural for him to be transferred to the expeditionary force. In this way, he could stay in the Hueco Mundo for a while, experience a few brutal battles, and then come back to say that he had awakened his Shikai between life and death. Who could say that there was something wrong?

What a genius!