Inside the Shinigami Research and Development Institute of the Twelfth Division, there was a dormitory belonging to the laboratory director, Michibane Aura.
Aozaki Reiji leisurely enjoyed the dressing service provided by the calm-faced Nemu Kurotsuchi.
"Aura, you are truly remarkable! Over the years, I've heard Kisuke and Mayuri praise your talent more than once."
Aozaki Reiji said with emotion.
Michibane Aura, dressed in a pristine white lab coat, paid no mind to her ravaged body, but instead offered Aozaki Reiji a gentle smile:
"As you instructed, I have learned everything I needed to. Shall we begin our plan now?"
Aozaki Reiji nodded:
"Then let's begin. After all, time is pressing, and the worries in my heart have never lessened."
After speaking, he turned to look at the charming woman lying flat on the bed with a smiling face behind him, and gently lowered his head to kiss her.
At this moment, Nemu Kurotsuchi, standing nearby, watched this scene with a look of disdain.
But Aozaki Reiji didn't care.
Because this girl, who was once as pure as a blank sheet of paper, was now completely molded according to his wishes.
It was precisely because of this that Aozaki Reiji would reveal himself without reservation in front of her.
After all, dyeing the pure Nemu Kurotsuchi with his own colors was much easier than modifying Rukia and Michibane Aura.
"That being said, the Hōgyoku isn't something that's so easy to create."
Michibane Aura said with a smile, gently caressing Aozaki Reiji's cheek.
"It doesn't need to achieve the exact same effect as a true Hōgyoku. What I'm currently pursuing is just quantity."
Looking at Michibane Aura, whose face was flushed, Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but shake his head, saying playfully:
"You look absolutely adorable when you blush."
Upon hearing this, the composure on Michibane Aura's face instantly vanished, replaced by a hint of mechanical surprise.
Aozaki Reiji ruffled her beautiful hair and whispered softly:
"It seems even you didn't notice... But, sure enough, you are even more captivating when you don't disguise yourself and show your true emotions."
Aura frowned slightly, seemingly wanting to retort, then parted her vibrant, thin lips and lightly pecked Aozaki Reiji's lips.
Meanwhile, Nemu Kurotsuchi secretly narrowed her eyes, watching the two becoming increasingly unrestrained.
She had just helped Aozaki Reiji put on his clothes!
As Aozaki Reiji's secretary, she usually received rewards from Aozaki Reiji when she worked for him.
After all, as the old saying goes, if there's work, the secretary does it; if there's no work, they do... cough.
In short, this was the principle of interaction between them, secretary and boss.
However, now, Michibane Aura had pulled off such a stunt.
Not only did she not receive a reward, but it seemed she would have to do the same work again.
.......
Two and a half hours later, Aozaki Reiji walked out of the room with Nemu Kurotsuchi.
"Alright, alright, don't get excited yet. We'll talk about work tonight."
Looking at Nemu Kurotsuchi, whose cheeks were flushed and who wore a delicate expression, Aozaki Reiji helplessly rubbed her head and said.
"I'll take you to see your father later, and then we'll go home. The rest of the time is yours."
"...Kurotsuchi Mayuri is not my father."
Nemu Kurotsuchi's expression was slightly forlorn as she said in a low voice.
As for Aozaki Reiji's other words, she didn't want to comment.
"You actually believe his nonsense..."
Aozaki Reiji looked at the dejected Nemu Kurotsuchi in front of him, helplessly holding her delicate hand.
"If he didn't care about you, would he come to my house every few days?"
"On the surface, he comes to report on the progress of experiments, but his small eyes can't help but glance at a certain someone."
"Both you father and daughter are not honest people."
"Reiji-sama, I..."
Nemu Kurotsuchi was about to speak but was interrupted by a hoarse voice:
"Captain Reiji, speaking ill of others behind their backs is not very polite!"
Aozaki Reiji heard this familiar voice.
As expected, when he turned his head, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's bizarre face appeared before him.
Aozaki Reiji curled his lips in disdain and said:
"Did I say something wrong? Why are you so eager to interrupt?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's face fell, and he explained stiffly:
"I wasn't trying to interrupt your conversation; I just happened to have something to discuss with you."
Aozaki Reiji rolled his eyes.
Who would believe your nonsense!
Your small eyes keep darting towards my wife; how dare you say you don't care?
Aozaki Reiji snorted triumphantly.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri must be very disappointed.
After all, his little cabbage had been nurtured to be plump and tender by him, and she had no reason to leave him at all.
However, at this moment, Kurotsuchi Mayuri cast his gaze towards his laboratory and slightly tilted his head.
Upon seeing this, Aozaki Reiji immediately put away his playful expression, his brows furrowing tightly.
"There's been progress?"
Aozaki Reiji asked curiously.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded slightly, saying irritably:
"Otherwise? If there was no progress, why would I come to find you?"
"Do you really think I have nothing to do every day?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri led them to the Deputy Director's exclusive laboratory in the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
"Is this the technology that can lead to the Wandenreich?"
Aozaki Reiji asked, looking at the constantly flickering screen before him.
"That's right."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded, then continued:
"However, after years of research, I've discovered that the Wandenreich you mentioned is not in the shadows of Seireitei."
"Not there? Then where could it be?"
Aozaki Reiji frowned, muttering to himself.
"The shadows are merely the surface. Those Quincy actually use shadows as a medium to construct a massive alternate dimension."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri pointed to the constantly flickering screen and explained, "This space is comparable to the entire Seireitei, existing simultaneously with Seireitei yet not interfering with each other. Shadows are merely a passage to that world."
"I went to that world and took a look. They are indeed a terrifying bunch."
"If I hadn't recently modified Ashisogi Jizō into Bankai, I probably would have had to replace my body."
"I never thought that the failures from a thousand years ago would still possess such power. It was truly a miscalculation to venture in this time."
"If those guys were to invade Seireitei now, it would probably cause big trouble."
Aozaki Reiji stroked his chin, saying thoughtfully:
"I see. No wonder Urozakuro's ability was useless. It turns out it was in an alternate dimension."
Of course, he had also used his own methods to search for the existence of the Wandenreich.
Urozakuro was one of them.
He used Urozakuro's ability to merge himself with the entire Soul Society, exploring the shadows of Seireitei but finding nothing.
Indeed, such matters still require professionals.
"That space was constructed by the Quincy using their Quincy: Spirit Weapon Manipulation ability."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri looked at the arch-shaped machine on the ground and continued:
"By passing through this specially made Senkaimon, one can manipulate the spirit particles within the shadows, opening the boundaries between worlds to achieve the goal of crossing over."
"Quincy: Spirit Weapon Manipulation?" Aozaki Reiji's eyes lit up. "Show me the detailed information."
"As expected, you're a cautious fellow... Here you go."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri handed over a document and waited for a while before continuing:
"Do you want to go now? I can go and activate the machine."
He was already eager to research those pure-blooded Quincy.
"No need for that machine." Aozaki Reiji shook his head. "I'll do it myself."
Quincy: Spirit Weapon Manipulation, simply put, is the manipulation of spirit particles.
He himself possessed this ability, so he had no need for that gate. It was enough to master the method of using this ability to cross boundaries.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri looked at him, full of questions.
Something I've researched for decades, and you say you don't need it?
Don't I have any dignity?
Apologize for all my hard work over these years, you scoundrel who stole my daughter!!