"It's clear he's not one to follow the rules blindly," Aizen continued, "Strictly speaking, Callum-kun is one of us!" Ichimaru Gin's eyes wi
"It's clear he's not one to follow the rules blindly," Aizen continued, "Strictly speaking, Callum-kun is one of us!"
Ichimaru Gin's eyes widened in surprise. Aizen's assessment of Callum was exceptionally high. Aizen, who rarely treated others as equals, had placed Callum on the same level.
"Lord Aizen seems to hold Callum-kun in high regard!" Ichimaru Gin remarked, his tone subtly probing.
Aizen gave him a meaningful look, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "Gin, your perspective is narrow. Like Tōsen, you only see the immediate landscape, neglecting the bigger picture."
Tōsen Kaname remained silent, but a clear look of confusion crossed his face. Both he and Ichimaru Gin were equally puzzled by Aizen's words.
"I've gathered information on Callum-kun," Aizen explained. "Before joining the Academy, he rarely engaged in rigorous self-cultivation. In other words, his current, Captain-level-surpassing strength was achieved in just a few short years."
Sunlight glinted off the black-rimmed glasses on Aizen's nose, obscuring his expression. However, Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname, standing opposite him, wore expressions of utter shock.
"Given time, Callum-kun might become the next Yamamoto Genryūsai," Aizen continued. "No, perhaps he could even surpass that realm."
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of Karakura Town…
Kyōraku Callum looked at Kurotsuchi Mayuri with a sigh.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, is this the good news you mentioned? I'm to remain in the World of the Living until the Hollow disturbance ends?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri spread his hands, attempting a friendly smile. Kyōraku Callum, however, found the expression unsettling.
"Just stick to your usual expression," Kyōraku Callum said. "Are you unaware of how unsettling you look?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, after several attempts, gave up. "Fine, I'll abandon the attempt." His usual, erratic demeanor was far more palatable.
"It's an order from the Captain-Commander. I have no choice. Also, I came to see you about something else."
Kyōraku Callum's brow furrowed in confusion, quickly understanding.
"Barragan's bone hand?" he asked.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri nodded, a hint of excitement in his tone.
"The specialized container holding it was actually made from a fragment of a separate dimension. Even within that space, the bone hand continuously released decaying energy. Based on our observations, the container will collapse in less than a month."
Kyōraku Callum calmly crossed his arms. "What does this have to do with me? Your inability to preserve it reflects poorly on your research skills."
Kyōraku Callum showed no hesitation in addressing Kurotsuchi Mayuri directly, a habit he'd adopted since understanding the man's personality.
"Kek kek, Callum-kun," Kurotsuchi Mayuri cackled. "I know you have a way to preserve this, so I came to you again."
Kyōraku Callum raised an eyebrow. "And what's the exchange?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"I concealed the battle in City of Karakura; I've already given you what you wanted. Your inability to preserve it is your problem. Now you need my help again; shouldn't there be some form of compensation?" Kyōraku Callum stated calmly.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri scratched his neck, revealing several bloody scratches. "The problem is, what do you want?"
Kyōraku Callum, as if waiting for this question, replied, "All research data on Barragan's hand."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri paused, then his mouth stretched into an extreme grin. "Ha! Of course! Here's the dimensional container. I'll leave it in your capable hands, Callum-kun."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri had always suspected Callum's power, but even without deliberate concealment, his suspicions were only vague. This confidence stemmed from his scientific background.
In combat, however, it was different. As with Callum's battle against Barragan, he couldn't even determine the cause of death without preparation.
Kyōraku Callum took the container, sensing that Kurotsuchi Mayuri wasn't lying. He'd observed the dimensional space for over a year. Its extremely high temporal density was its most striking feature.
Kyōraku Callum opened the container and inserted his right hand. To Kurotsuchi Mayuri's astonishment, Kyōraku Callum's fingertip touched the bone hand.
"Done," Kyōraku Callum said, resealing the container and handing it back to Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
"Can it really be preserved like that?" Kurotsuchi Mayuri questioned skeptically.
Kyōraku Callum nodded, smiling. "That's Barragan's right hand, his dominant hand, the one that wielded the Resurrección axe.
It's imbued with his Hollow core's power, hence the decaying energy. But do you really think that decaying energy is limitless?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri felt a sense of foreboding.
"What do you mean?"
"It's simple," Kyōraku Callum stated, pointing at the dimensional container. "This thing will only last three months. Once the power within completely dissipates, it will revert to spiritual particles and return to this world."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's expression turned to one of disbelief. "You mean I only have three months to research this before it vanishes?"
Kyōraku Callum nodded. "Yes. The spiritual particles are already dissipating; you understand this better than I do. There's nothing that can stop it."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri fell silent, his expression twisting with the passage of time. He realized this deal was a terrible loss for him. While the dimensional container only lasted a month, he had other containers. With a few more, he could have enjoyed the research results exclusively.
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 80 Advance Chapters