"Technology Development Bureau?" Mayuri's gaze sharpened.
"I'm planning to build a full-fledged Technology Development Bureau dedicated to developing new technologies and Reishi tools," Nanatsuki explained.
"A division solely focused on R&D, huh…?" Mayuri muttered.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted. He understood clearly what kind of power and resources a Division could command. For his research, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If he could join such a bureau, he could use its resources to test and verify his theories.
"The bureau is still in its infancy. We desperately need talents like you," Nanatsuki added, sweetening the deal. "I'm here to invite you to serve as a Chief Officer within the bureau—an official seat officer of the 12th Division."
"The Chief of the Development Bureau will be equivalent to the Third Seat of the Division, operating under the authority of the Bureau. Of course," Nanatsuki smiled, "if you prove more capable than Deputy Chief Urahara, then the deputy position might also be negotiable."
"That does sound… quite tempting." Mayuri allowed a small smile to form. "Not accepting would be foolish, wouldn't it?"
Yoruichi gave a signal, and the guard quickly stepped in to unshackle Mayuri's ankles.
"Captain Katori, thanks to you, I'm finally getting out of this place," Mayuri said as he stretched his limbs inside the cell.
"Welcome to the Technology Development Bureau, Chief Mayuri," Nanatsuki said with a light nod. "But before we leave, there's one more person I'd like to see."
"Another one like me locked up here, huh?" Mayuri raised an eyebrow.
He quickly understood Nanatsuki's purpose—he was recruiting researchers to establish the Bureau.
But when he noticed the white-robed Shinigami standing behind this unfamiliar captain, he realized something else.
That man was clearly a prisoner here as well, yet he wasn't restrained.
"I'm Katori Nanatsuki, Captain of the 12th Division," Nanatsuki said with a gentle smile. "Akon, I've heard of your work. Your talents shouldn't be wasted in a place like this."
"Kukuku" Mayuri removed the earring from his right ear and muttered lazily, "That line sounds so familiar~"
"You mean… I can leave this place?" Akon asked in disbelief.
He had originally worked as a technical staffer serving a noble family. But when that noble committed a serious crime, Akon was implicated and imprisoned by the Onmitsukidō.
The noble's offense was severe—Akon had faced the possibility of being locked up for a century or more.
Luckily, he hadn't directly participated in the Reishi Shell incident. Otherwise, he might've been thrown into a far worse prison.
"I'm deeply honored by your trust, Captain Katori! I won't disappoint you!" Akon exclaimed with joy.
He really didn't want to rot in this place. At that moment, his gratitude toward Nanatsuki—this man who had pulled him out of the abyss—overflowed.
"Let me introduce you," Nanatsuki said warmly. "This is the Chief of the Bureau I just recruited—our 12th Division's Third Seat. You'll be working closely together."
"Chief Mayuri, I look forward to working with you!" Akon greeted respectfully.
"..."
'Boring,' thought Mayuri.
He had been sizing up Akon the whole time, but quickly lost interest. The man seemed utterly unremarkable.
"...Is that... one of the blades? I thought they were all destroyed?" Akon suddenly exclaimed.
As a researcher himself, Akon had always been curious about the Bakkōtō. When he first heard of them, he desperately wanted to get his hands on one to study.
Unfortunately, after the fall of the Kasumioji family, it had been reported that all the Bakkōtō had been destroyed.
Yet here one was.
"A few were kept," Nanatsuki said casually. "If you're interested, you'll get to study them later."
The most urgent task for the Bureau now was to build and refine the researcher training system—to produce capable researchers, and ensure there were enough assistants to support the work.
"You want me to teach others too?" Mayuri frowned and scoffed. "Just don't stick me with a bunch of morons."
Mayuri's expression shifted slightly—he'd sensed a very different kind of Reishi wave.
He picked up a cultivation container. Inside the blue solution floated tiny red spheres.
"Hey hey, I worked hard to extract those! Shaking it like that could—!"
"You two… I haven't seen your faces before. Don't tell me… are you my 'helpers'?" Urahara Kisuke scratched his cheek, stepping into view.