(T/N: Second chapter for today!)
In the Fuwai District Laboratory, Katori Nanatsuki sat at a desk, flipping through a stack of documents.
He was reviewing the experimental records compiled by Aizen Sōsuke and Hoshino Rie.
After a period of training, the two had become competent laboratory assistants, capable of handling potion preparation, sample processing, and data recording.
Hoshino Rie occasionally had to deal with Fourth Division affairs and couldn't come every day, but Nanatsuki and Aizen showed up to the laboratory without fail.
Some time ago, Nanatsuki had brought back several Adjuchas samples from the Forest of Menos, which the three of them had been studying together.
Currently, the laboratory's primary research focus was on Reishi Shells and Hollows.
In addition, Nanatsuki was also attempting to simplify the formula for the Reiatsu-Converging Pill.
The materials required for the pill were expensive, making them unsuitable for widespread use. Nanatsuki intended to develop a weaker but far cheaper alternative.
If successful, he would be able to prove his research and development capabilities to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Then, once Hikifune Kirio was promoted to the Royal Guard, Nanatsuki's appointment as Captain of the 12th Division would be a natural next step.
On the table in front of him were more than ten cylindrical transparent glass jars, each filled with a pale blue solution. Within them floated clusters of white flesh.
These pale blue liquids were designed to anesthetize spirit bodies, while the white clumps inside were none other than the captured Adjuchas capable of self-division — along with several of its divided sub-bodies.
Nanatsuki had deliberately kept the Adjuchas alive, immediately sedating it after bringing it back.
Before long, light footsteps approached from outside.
"Sōsuke, today's haul looks impressive." Nanatsuki glanced at Aizen Sōsuke, who was carrying a large deer on his shoulder.
"Sensei, you're here. Got lucky today — ran into a deer. Looks like we won't need to go hunting for a few days," Aizen replied, placing the deer onto the operating table.
Recently, Aizen had taken on an additional task: he often had to hunt small animals with Reiatsu in the mountains to feed the Adjuchas' divided sub-bodies, keeping them alive and active.
Previously, they had tested whether these divided bodies shared the same traits as ordinary Hollows.
The results were surprising — the divided forms did retain Hollow characteristics and were capable of devouring other spirit bodies.
"I noticed from your recorded data that Division No. 3 has shown slight size changes since yesterday," Nanatsuki remarked.
"Yes," Aizen nodded. "After feeding it six Gillian carcasses, its maximum diameter increased by 0.08 centimeters, and its weight rose by 356 grams. It hasn't reached its limit yet. I recommend continuing to feed it Gillian remains for a week to observe further."
Upon confirming that the divided bodies could devour other spirit entities, Nanatsuki began feeding them Gillian carcasses brought back from the Forest of Menos.
The main Adjuchas itself showed no further growth after consuming Gillian remains, but its divided forms — not yet on the Adjuchas' power level — exhibited modest increases in size.
"My guess is that while the Adjuchas' main body is awake, it suppresses the growth of its divided forms," Aizen explained, retrieving one of the divided bodies from the jar for feeding. "Before, when the main body was conscious, feeding the divisions Gillian remnants had no effect. Now that we've induced deep sedation with drugs, the suppression seems to have lifted."
Nanatsuki nodded slightly. "Adjuchas-class Hollows are rare in the Forest of Menos, and capturing them is troublesome."
"If we can cultivate divided forms to Adjuchas level simply by feeding them Gillian remains," Aizen replied, "we'll have a steady supply of Adjuchas-grade research material."
"Next, I'll resume constructing Reishi Shells, this time using live Hollows' Reishi to replicate our previous experiments," Nanatsuki added.
With the Forest of Menos abundant in Gillians, Nanatsuki could hunt them anytime without significant danger — given his current strength, it was hardly a challenge.
"Sensei, what's the ultimate purpose of studying Hollows?" Aizen's hand slowed as he fed a divided form. "And since we're also researching spirit bodies… doesn't combining Hollow and spirit-body studies technically violate Seireitei regulations?"
Nanatsuki smiled. "Call it curiosity… Hollows are spirit beings too, yet they're born with traits vastly different from ordinary souls. Don't you find that fascinating?"
He paused briefly before continuing:
"Besides… Sōsuke, you may not know this yet — but Shinigami have limits. To break past those limits, we need to stand on a higher plane of understanding."
Aizen froze mid-motion, lost in thought. The piece of meat hovered in his hand while the divided body, awakening slightly from the anesthetic, extended its tentacles upward, sensing the food above.
After a few moments, Aizen snapped back and tossed the meat toward the increasingly restless divided Hollow.
"The limits of a Shinigami… I understand now, Sensei."
He turned to glance at his teacher, who was still immersed in the experimental records.
'So Sensei has already thought this far ahead… Catching up to him will be a long journey,' Aizen thought to himself.
A wave of awe swept through him — his teacher was already pondering how to transcend the very boundaries of a Shinigami!
Despite Nanatsuki's incredible strength, he never ceased advancing, paving his own road forward even where none existed.
Three years later — Katori-ryu Dojo.
Clack, clack — thunk, thunk!
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the courtyard.
Dressed now in a Shinigami's black uniform, Azashiro Kana sparred fiercely with Yadōmaru Lisa.
As Nanatsuki's senior disciple, Kana had taken on the responsibility of guiding her juniors.
Though now a member of the 3rd Division, she returned to the dojo whenever she had a day off.
Meanwhile, Nanatsuki and Katori Batsu'unsai sat under the eaves, sipping tea and occasionally observing their disciples' training.
"Isane, Sōya, and Lisa have all built solid foundations," Batsu'unsai remarked thoughtfully. "I think it's time to arrange for them to enroll alongside Sōsuke and Isshin."
Nanatsuki took a slow sip of tea and nodded. "I agree. Once I finish training this batch of disciples, I'll be resigning from my position at the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy."