Chapter 169 – 169 ⥤ Those Who Follow the Right Path Will Find Many Allies

Mayuri woke up from unconsciousness to find two unfamiliar faces before him.

Both were of average build, wearing pristine white garments with Quincy pendants at their collars.

His heart sank as he grasped the situation. How had these once-defeated soldiers grown so formidable?

Recalling the previous battle, Mayuri’s expression darkened. He attempted to move but found himself completely paralyzed — not even a finger would respond.

“Ah, our dear Shinigami has awakened.” One of them said mockingly, “How does it feel to taste the bitter fruits of your actions after attacking our kind? Do you feel any remorse as death approaches?”

Golden pupils fixed intently on the speaking Quincy, as if burning that face into his memory.

Mayuri was vindictive by nature. He silently vowed that if he escaped, he would dissect every single one of these Quincy, from organs to tissues, leaving nothing behind.

“It seems our Shinigami has no desire to converse.” That person turned away, “Let’s continue with the previous experiments. I’m curious what methods he used to neutralize our Heilig Pfeil during the earlier battle. Our plans may have already been exposed to the Shinigami.”

The other figure stepped forward with a needle as thick as an arm, piercing Mayuri’s skin. As the drug entered his system, his mind grew hazy.

Being unable to focus his thoughts was the state Mayuri despised most.

Soon, he fell unconscious once more.

“Analysis partially complete. Mayuri used a Pseudo-Reishi technique, using liquid Reishi as a base to construct a Reishi membrane on the surface. This allows him to assimilate the structure of incoming Heilig Pfeil, neutralizing their offensive capabilities. The technique has limited potential — if the Heilig Pfeil are too powerful, they’ll be immune to this technique. It’s neither here nor there.”

Aizen shook his head slightly in disappointment as he watched the data scroll across the screen.

{T/N: In case you’re wondering how they know the term ‘Heilig Pfeil’, remember that Aizen researched about the Quincy in the Spirit Library.}

The results matched his predictions. It wasn’t a particularly sophisticated ability, not worth in-depth research.

The true scene in the room revealed Akira playing both roles, using drugs and taunts to keep Mayuri in a constant state of confusion. With Kyōka Suigetsu’s assistance, this deception was effortless.

Nearby, Aizen focused on analyzing and extracting whatever remaining value could be found in Mayuri.

In his view, a scientist of this caliber was valuable from head to toe, rivaling Szayelaporro Granz, whom they had acquired earlier in Hueco Mundo.

In some aspects, he even surpassed him.

However, Mayuri’s most valuable asset — his brain — couldn’t be extracted for use. Aizen’s current scientific capabilities weren’t sufficient to implement control measures.

For a test subject of this level, breaking free from control would lead to catastrophic consequences.

Therefore, until he had foolproof methods, Aizen would use Kyōka Suigetsu’s ability to conceal himself and Akira. This way, even if something unexpected occurred, the situation would remain within controllable bounds.

Disaster wouldn’t affect them personally.

After collecting relevant data from Mayuri, the two moved to another laboratory where a massive container — resembling a cocoon — held another prize from their expedition to the World of the Living.

The Quincy, Sōken Ishida.

Unlike Mayuri, Sōken’s formidable willpower made him resistant to the drugs. Any information about the Quincy remained out of reach.

After consideration, Aizen decided to try Akira’s method.

When Sōken regained consciousness, he found himself facing a young man. Though seemingly harmless, the pure evil written across the youth’s face was deeply unsettling.

The dim surroundings triggered an unpleasant memory. His heart skipped a beat, his vision darkened, and he passed out again.

Akira: “?”

What’s wrong with this fellow?! Is my face really that frightening?

When they finally roused Sōken again, mental preparation kept him conscious, though his pupils flickered with tension as he warily watched the young Shinigami.

As is well known, Shinigami and Quincy are natural enemies.

Centuries ago, the Lichtreich under Yhwach’s leadership had waged war against the Soul Society, only to face defeat.

Even Yhwach himself had “fallen” in that war. The defeated forces fled to the World of the Living, their hopes shattered.

For certain reasons, the Soul Society had chosen not to eliminate the Quincy in the Human World, instead allowing them to recover.

But Mayuri’s appearance made Sōken suspect the Shinigami were preparing to break their agreement and move against the Quincy.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, the Shinigami spoke.

“Ah, you’re awake, Quincy. Now then, tell us what methods you used to kill our Lord Mayuri!”

Sōken’s pupils contracted as the gravity of the situation hit him.

He had intended to send that Shinigami to the Soul Society for legal punishment — never imagining the other party was already dead.

This was disastrous! The Quincy clan might face catastrophic consequences!

Without hesitation, Sōken spilled everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube, describing every detail down to what he had for breakfast.

Akira stared intently at the middle-aged, white-haired Quincy before him, surprised to realize this was Sōken Ishida — the future Uryū’s grandfather.

{T/N: Uryū Ishida, the second coming of protagonism.}

This was quite a catch indeed.

Speaking of which, if they were to eliminate him, would it cause immeasurable damage and changes to future timelines?

For some unknown reason, Sōken inexplicably shivered, as if marked by an ominous presence.

“Is that all?” Akira’s expression turned fierce, “I suggest you confess everything you know. Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist. This Captain isn’t like those delicate Quincy from the Wandenreich — I have plenty of methods and strength at my disposal!”

Sōken’s pupils contracted to pinpoints.

If there hadn’t been such a large person bound there, Akira would have suspected he had mastered the art of transforming into a cat.

Sōken stared at the Shinigami with a complex expression, never imagining someone so young could be a Captain of the Gotei 13.

What surprised him even more was that this person knew he wasn’t from the Human World’s line of Quincy, but rather from the Wandenreich. If he continued hiding anything, endless torture would await him.

Sōken had no doubt about the Soul Society’s interrogation methods.

He also knew he lacked the willpower to withstand them. When that time came, it wouldn’t just be him — it could affect all Quincy in the Human World.

After considering this, he lowered his gaze and revealed everything he knew, including secrets of the Wandenreich and their slumbering Emperor — Yhwach.

Upon hearing this account, Aizen’s eyes widened slightly, his expression shifting from calm to serious.

After the Quincy’s defeat years ago, the survivors who escaped to the World of the Living had split into two groups — one remained in the Human World, while the other returned to the Soul Society carrying the sleeping Yhwach.

Using their Reishi Manipulation techniques, they constructed the Schatten Bereich (Shadow Area), a space within the shadows of the Seireitei, rebuilding the Wandenreich within it.

While restoring their military strength, they waited for Yhwach’s awakening.

Sōken himself, unable to accept Yhwach’s ideology of world destruction, chose to live in the Human World.

But shortly after arriving there, he encountered the Mayuri incident.

“That’s all I know.” Sōken attempted a friendly smile.

Aizen gave Akira a meaningful look, and the latter understood immediately, injecting the remaining serum from the syringe into the white-haired man’s veins.

This sleeping drug, developed by Aizen, could render people unconscious instantly — its effects so potent that even Kisuke couldn’t resist it.

After checking for any oversights, the two left the laboratory together.

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“The situation is more serious than I anticipated.” Aizen said gravely, “For hundreds of years, the Wandenreich has existed within the shadows of the Seireitei, and the Soul Society never noticed. If not for this coincidence, we might have remained unaware until Yhwach awakened from his slumber. When that happens, the Soul Society and Shinigami would face an unimaginable catastrophe.”

Hearing this, Akira grinned, “Sōsuke, as the Soul Society’s second greatest intellect after myself, surely you must have some general countermeasures in mind?”

As the man who knew this psycho best, he had 120% faith in his dear friend. Since Aizen showed no signs of panic, everything must still be under control.

Aizen: “…”

He stared at the relaxed Akira, wondering where this guy got such confidence.

An enemy that neither Captain-Commander Yamamoto nor the original Gotei 13 could defeat, yet this guy so casually entrusted it to him.

Seeing that the other party wasn’t joking, Aizen sighed helplessly.

“I need to conduct deeper research on the Quincy. If Sōken Ishida cooperates, I can analyze their abilities while minimizing harm to him. I have a general plan, but the specifics need further research.”

Hearing this, Akira’s smile grew maniacal.

Indeed, he was the one standing at the pinnacle, able to get Aizen to work for free with just a bit of flattery.

{T/N: See, I knew this MC truly had a quarter of my IQ.}

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In the following days, Aizen requested sick leave from Chōjirō of the 1st Division, using Kyōka Suigetsu to fake his illness. He then devoted himself entirely to research.

Meanwhile, Akira split his time between rigorously training the 11th Division and focusing on Mayuri.

Keeping such a valuable asset confined to a container seemed wasteful. Though Mayuri’s research value was limited — as Aizen had already studied dozens of Shinigami at his level — he could still serve a greater purpose.

If they could mold him into a dedicated tool like Kisuke, the Soul Society’s future would be bright indeed.

They had to find a way!

With a single punch, Akira knocked down the fierce-looking Sajin and departed from the 11th Division.

The training ground fell into confusion as everyone watched him leave, unable to comprehend what had transpired.

Zaraki, however, flashed a savage grin as he raised his serrated blade toward Kaname and Sajin.

“Now that His Excellency has left, you two can fight me!”

Unable to defeat his Captain, Zaraki was required to address him as “His Excellency” — though Akira had promised he could issue similar orders if he ever managed to win.

This prospect had driven the madman to intensify his training several times over.

Sajin and Kaname’s expressions shifted uneasily at Zaraki’s challenge. Before they could decline, the fierce warrior was already upon them, his savage pressure bearing down as he swung his sword.

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Rukongai, Junrinan District, Sakahone Shrine.

Akira sat cross-legged before the altar, respectfully placing sake and roasted sweet potatoes as offerings. After a moment’s consideration, he added some konpeitō candy.

Following the familiar ritual procedures, fine black shadows materialized before the altar, coalescing into a giant right hand as tall as a person. Its single eye slowly opened, gazing calmly at the youth before it.

Akira chuckled, chatting casually as if with family while relating recent events.

There was nothing to hide from Mimihagi.

After all, Aizen’s laboratory remained beneath the shrine. For this deity who had helped him countless times, he had long considered It family.

Or rather, an indulgent elder.

As Akira continued his narration, the shadow hand produced several barely perceptible ripples — a detail that escaped his notice.

{T/N: Dude, even the blood pressure of Mimihagi is rising… I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of the Bleach series there will be a new power: Ketsuatsu (Blood Pressure)! Used by middle-aged people to achieve unmatched power!}

“So, boss, got any good methods to control Mayuri?” Akira asked, rubbing his hands together like a fly, his smile fawning, “Preferably something permanent…”

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/mrblackwing

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