Chapter 149 – 149 ⥤ The Mad Lady and the Mad Man

Senjumaru was in a bad mood.

While researching a new technology, she had missed several major events in Soul Society — including the once-in-a-million-years spectacle of eliminating Tsunayashiro.

To vent her frustration, she summoned Mayuri, her research group’s top member, overnight. She loaded him with multiple research tasks, forcing him to work non-stop like a machine.

Naturally, he protested — not because of the workload, but because Senjumaru had disrupted his research plans.

As his direct superior, she knew exactly how to torment him. Simply assigning research would make him happy and absorbed. But repeatedly disrupting his planned schedule? That would make him break down and curse, giving her the perfect excuse to beat him thoroughly.

The best way to vent frustration is to see someone more miserable than yourself.

With her promotion to the Zero Division approaching, Mayuri was her perfect stress relief tool. She had limited chances left to use him, so this one had to count.

Senjumaru tapped her chin, wondering if she’d forgotten anything lately.

Just then, an overbearing Reiatsu invaded the Shutara Research Institute’s premises.

She was somewhat surprised when she sensed who had arrived.

“Woman, I’ve come for revenge!”

As someone who held grudges, Akira believed in settling scores immediately — unless he couldn’t win.

Fresh from gaining Unohana’s approval, his confidence soared. He saw this as the perfect chance to wash away his previous humiliation from the Captain’s Haori application.

The sound of wooden clogs approached, and a figure materialized in the empty space before them.

Senjumaru stood there, pale complexion highlighting her bright red lips. She wore a slight smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation — her mood lifting at the sight of her punching bag delivering itself to her door.

“Welcome, welcome, what a rare guest indeed.” Her smile deepened as she gazed at the familiar young face, as if admiring a priceless treasure, “We’ll discuss revenge later. I happen to have some research that needs your cooperation.”

Akira was stunned for a moment.

Before he could speak, Senjumaru continued, “I’m not a petty person. If you help, I can make you a custom Shihakushō according to your specifications.”

At these words, Akira felt tempted.

While other Shinigami’s Shihakushō served as everyday wear, his was merely a consumable item — one fight meant one destroyed uniform.

Though not a luxury item, constantly changing clothes was tiresome. If the Shihakushō could repair itself using Reiatsu like certain overpowered Bankai, that would be wonderful.

And if it could have additional abilities added? Even better.

As he considered the possibilities, his orange eyes brightened like glowing bulbs.

“Tell me more.” He said, his vengeful intentions instantly forgotten.

Senjumaru smiled slightly, took his hand, and led him to the institute’s reception room.

Under her control, the white steel floor split down the middle, smoothly raising a tea table, chairs, and a complete tea set.

These high-tech facilities left Akira dumbfounded. While other Division barracks remained stuck in the ancient warring states period, this place was already using future technology?

Thinking of his Captain’s Barracks with its straw hut-like structure, he narrowed his eyes.

No way. Whatever others have, we must have too — and it must be better than hers!

Time to exploit Kisuke again!

“First, do you know my true identity?” Senjumaru sat opposite him, gracefully pouring tea as her lips curved into a smile.

Akira pondered for a moment before answering, “A crazy lady who lusts after my body?”

Senjumaru: “?”

Her blood pressure rose. The skeletal arm holding the teacup nearly splashed the tea in his face.

“I am the creator of the Shihakushō, a Zero Division candidate, and soon-to-be Royal Guard member in the Soul King’s Palace!” She tilted her head back like a swan, revealing her pale neck, her expression suffused with pride.

Usually, others would show shocked expressions upon learning about the Zero Division.

Though this boy was rather thick-headed, surely he must understand its importance?

“Oh.”

Senjumaru: “?”

She suddenly felt Akira wasn’t as pleasing to look at as before.

“Are you not surprised at all?”

“Surprised about what?”

“I’m a Zero Division candidate!”

“Why should I care?!” Akira picked up the teacup, downed it in one gulp, then spat out the tea leaves.

Not tasty — not as good as when the old man make it.

Seeing this, Senjumaru took a deep breath, suppressing her rising anger as she tried to get the conversation back on track.

“The help I need is related to the Shihakushō.”

Akira nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“The conditions for promotion to the Zero Division aren’t determined by combat strength, but by creating something of great significance to Soul Society.” Senjumaru explained softly, having regained her composure.

In her eyes, since Akira was a disciple of the Genryū Style and had accomplished much for Soul Society, these near-secrets needed no concealment. Besides, even if she didn’t tell him, Genryūsai would.

“I received an invitation from the Soul King’s Palace for inventing the Shihakushō. But before joining the Zero Division, I want to develop an advanced form of my creation.”

Akira looked bewildered.

Seeing his expression, Senjumaru continued.

“The advanced form — the Ultimate Garment — is a combat technique created through Reiatsu manipulation and needlework. Once completed, enemies will instantly become my fallen souls, and it can be developed even further.” She frowned, “But that’s for later. Right now, the Ultimate Garment still lacks several crucial data points. I need someone to help with experiments to collect data for improvements.”

Akira pondered thoughtfully.

He actually held no ill feelings toward this pretty woman. Apart from finding her somewhat eccentric and oddly fixated on his body, she had few flaws.

If he could help with minimal effort, why not?

“Alright, I agree!” He accepted.

Senjumaru nodded with satisfaction, a slight smile gracing her delicate face.

Her golden skeletal arms clapped gently behind her with a crisp sound. The ground cracked open, the tea table sank slowly, and massive, precise instruments and equipment rose continuously from underground.

Heavy, thick Reiatsu flooded the room. Feeling this enormous pressure, Akira briefly suspected she was trying to drown him in it. It seemed excessive.

Her Reiatsu made Takeda Chishi and Kōga’s seem insignificant in comparison — they weren’t even in the same league.

“The entire process has three steps. Just do as I say.”

As she spoke, her golden skeletal arms began operating various instruments. Her Reiatsu, vast as an ocean, surged like waves.

From the ceiling cascaded strips of vibrant, colorful fabric, their varied patterns transforming the laboratory into an ocean of colors.

The curtains fell. Like a deity controlling fabric, Senjumaru made the cloth dance freely with her thoughts, creating a fairy tale world unique to silk.

“Release your Reiatsu shield.”

The elegant, gentle voice whispered by Akira’s ear, and in the next moment, a thick Reiatsu shield materialized at his side.

Bang!

A heavy collision resounded as a strip of fabric wrapped around his body, fine needles dancing across it. In an instant, a pure white garment enveloped him.

Then the garment constricted!

The Reiatsu shield groaned under the strain, lasting barely three seconds before shattering with a boom into countless points of scattered light.

A slight stinging sensation prickled his skin, like the touch of a hedgehog.

Senjumaru stood among the equipment, brows furrowed as she watched the data changes on the screen. Her golden fingers flew across the keyboard like a concert pianist protecting their masterpiece.

“Reiatsu depth index stable, metamorphosis law showing aberration, three-point-six-zero index needs forward adjustment…” She analyzed the collected data, quickly deriving two improvement plans for the Ultimate Garment, “One more time!”

She took a deep breath and looked at Akira again.

The young man spread his hands, unbothered. This request posed no challenge for him.

Her demands continued endlessly, one after another.

Yet Akira grew drowsy during the monotonous experiments, his eyelids becoming heavier by the minute.

It was mind-numbingly boring. All he had to do was maintain Reiatsu shields — break and remake, remake and break — in an endless cycle.

Eventually, he became so numb to the fabric’s attacks that they ceased to cause him any pain.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

After what seemed like ages, he was shaken awake to find Senjumaru’s smiling face looking down at him.

“Young man, thank you for your help. The Ultimate Garment’s structure is essentially complete. Now, let’s discuss your compensation.”

At this, Akira instantly perked up and listed his requirements for the Shihakushō.

“Self-cleaning and auto-repair are the main functions?” Senjumaru nodded slightly, “That’s not difficult, but before sewing, I’ll need to measure your body again. After all, young men like you grow quickly.”

Akira: “…”

He finally understood — this crazy woman had set him up just to get her hands on his body!

He hadn’t even gotten revenge for last time, and now he definitely wouldn’t let her have her way.

He shook his head in refusal, but before he could speak, that ocean-like Reiatsu crashed down, instantly restraining him. The fabric suspended from the ceiling transformed into a massive torrent, flooding the room.

Yet suddenly, terrifying heat surged within the torrent. Deep purple overtook the colorful world as countless fabric strips turned to ash in the flames, beyond any hope of repair.

A battle to defend his dignity had begun!

Akira felt confident that this time he wouldn’t fail from Reiatsu exhaustion on his path to victory.

The exclusive Trait Reiryoku Surge would be his key to turning defeat into victory!

But then Senjumaru noticed something unusual, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

Despite the short time since their last encounter, his strength had improved dramatically. His resistance was particularly fierce, even giving her pause.

His growth was evident in his Reiatsu, Spiritual Body strength, and other aspects.

“Well, I don’t like young men with too much endurance.”

Like heaven itself collapsing, terrifying Reiatsu erupted. The room’s gravity multiplied instantly, with Reiatsu solidifying and pressing in from all directions.

Akira let out a muffled grunt.

His Reiatsu was indeed his weakness — with mere Rank 4 in the Spirit Class, he would be suppressed even facing Rōjūrō. Yet due to his powerful Spiritual Body, he usually ignored Reiatsu suppression.

This level of oppressive force he had only experienced when facing Genryūsai or the corrupted Unohana.

⤫ Bankai: Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji ⥤ Final Release: Crossing of Sahā’s Gate, Kāla’s Corpse and Piercing Entanglements! ⤬

The moment these words fell, Akira’s vision went dark. He found himself in another world, countless stars shining in the sky above.

A deity-like figure stood at the forefront. Golden skeletal arms merged behind her as massive golden machinery operated throughout this realm. The sound of turning gears and cascading red fabric added an otherworldly brilliance to this dark dimension.

Looking at the terrifying scene before him, he slowly typed out a question mark.

Was this woman’s obsession with his body really worth using Bankai just to strip his clothes?

{T/N: Tip for the unknown reader, she’s always with the Shikai, that’s why she just pulled the Bankai out of nowhere.}

He attempted one final struggle, but as the red fabric coiled around him, the heaven-shattering Reiatsu descended in full force.

Suffocating pressure instantly enveloped his entire body. Even with Akira going all out — igniting his Elemental Transformation and releasing all his Reiatsu — he lasted less than a minute.

Then, darkness claimed him as consciousness slipped away.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

“Teacher!!”

Akira’s voice echoed through the 1st Division.

Genryūsai, who had been writing, twitched at the corner of his eye. Veins bulged briefly on his forehead before subsiding.

After so many similar interruptions, he should have been used to it by now.

Still, the customary scolding couldn’t be skipped.

“You fool! You’re already a Captain, yet you show no proper conduct. What kind of example does such recklessness set?” He set down his brush and continued, “To temper your character, I happen to have a task for you!”

Akira: “?”

Something didn’t seem quite right here.

⤫⤬⤫

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep