Upon hearing Kirio Hikifune's words, Satoru instinctively gave a look of disdain.
It wasn't directed at Kirio herself, but rather the title was far too dangerous.
Kirio Hikifune was one of the most powerful Soul Reapers in the Soul Society.
According to Yoruichi, Kirio had already received an invitation to join the Royal Guard.
In a few decades—or even just over a decade—Kirio would leave the Soul Society and ascend to the legendary Soul King Palace, becoming a member of the Royal Special Forces.
If he dared to accept this title and become Kirio Hikifune's teacher, even a fool could imagine the sheer amount of trouble it would bring.
Satoru coughed lightly. "Captain Hikifune, let's skip the disciple part. If you're interested in any particular type of cuisine, I can teach you slowly."
"In exchange, there's something I'd like to ask of you as well."
Kirio frowned slightly. "Cuisine isn't something to be taken so lightly. One must have reverence for the art of cooking—"
Satoru decisively ignored her words and continued, "Captain Hikifune, I heard from Head Captain Yamamoto that your artificial soul system can counter illusion-based abilities."
"I'd like to ask for your help in designing a technique that can be used to resist illusions."
At the mention of artificial souls, Kirio's interest was piqued.
"Illusion abilities? Tell me more?"
Under Kirio's curious gaze, Satoru explained the characteristics of Kyōka Suigetsu that he had prepared in advance.
He omitted anything that might hint at Aizen's involvement, leaving only the key aspects of the ability that needed to be countered.
Perhaps one day in the future, Kirio might piece together the clues and deduce Aizen's connection to this ability—but that would be decades from now at the earliest.
After listening to Satoru's explanation, Kirio stroked her chin and furrowed her brows slightly.
"That sounds incredibly powerful… Does the Soul Society really have an illusionist of that caliber?"
Two figures instantly flashed through her mind—Tessai Tsukabishi and Hachigen Ushōda.
The Grand Kidō Chief and Vice Kidō Chief of the Seireitei.
If it were those two… Hmm, even they probably couldn't pull it off, right?
Though she didn't understand where Satoru had encountered such an ability, she clapped her hands lightly. "Ah, whatever. If it's Master Satoru's request, I'll just have to figure it out!"
"…Captain Hikifune, just call me by my name, please." Satoru's eye twitched.
However, Kirio was no longer listening to him at all.
Under Satoru's watchful gaze, she sprang to her feet and walked over to a machine.
With a press of a button, a large sheet of paper unfurled from the machine.
Kirio grabbed a pen and began scribbling away. The machine automatically adjusted the paper's position as she worked, moving filled sections aside and pulling in fresh sheets.
The most absurd part was that it could even organize and categorize the written pages based on Kirio's gestures, eventually binding them into booklets.
Watching this, Satoru couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
As expected of the former head of what would become the Research and Development Institute—Kirio Hikifune's knack for inventions was no less impressive than her successors.
Originally, he had assumed Kirio would only study for a short while, so he sat quietly to the side and waited.
Unexpectedly, Kirio wrote continuously for over four hours without any sign of stopping.
During this time, a member of the 12th Division came by, seemingly needing to speak with her.
Satoru slid open the door, intending to ask the member what the matter was and if he should call Captain Hikifune for them.
But just as the member was about to speak, they caught sight of Kirio deeply engrossed in her work inside the room. With a practiced wave of the hand, they turned and left without another word.
After that, no other members came by.
Satoru wasn't in any hurry either. He placed the Asauchi on his lap and continued his sword meditation as Yamamoto had taught him.
By the time dinner approached, he opened his eyes to find Kirio still writing.
Beside the machine, a neat stack of booklets had already piled up.
Satoru sucked in a breath.
If the lazy novelists from his previous life had even half this level of diligence, they wouldn't have been cursed at daily.
Seeing that Kirio showed no intention of stopping, Satoru thought for a few seconds before deciding to prepare some food for himself first.
The materials in the room were too important. If he went back to the mess hall to eat and someone happened to come in and see them, it would be troublesome.
Approaching the kitchen counter, Satoru randomly selected a few ingredients from the assortment Kirio had prepared.
He heated the oil in the pan.
As he cooked, he glanced at Kirio, who was scribbling away furiously.
Before today, although he had included dealing with Kyōka Suigetsu in his plans, it hadn't been a high priority.
After all, someone as insignificant as him was unlikely to be targeted by Aizen.
But… after these past few days, Satoru realized he had to do something.
If he delayed any longer, Aizen might actually be discovered by the Captain-Commander.
He found it hard to believe in things like plot armor or protagonist luck.
If the worst-case scenario came to pass, he would personally intervene to stop Aizen.
Better that than being sent to Muken at such a young age…
With a few deft flips of the pan, several dishes were freshly prepared.
Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, green pepper with pork, pan-fried small fish, braised meatballs, and finally, a pot of beef soup.
Surveying his handiwork, Satoru wore a satisfied expression.
Most of the seasonings Kirio had prepared were for Western cuisine, but he managed to find substitutes to recreate these dishes without compromising their authenticity.
Now this was the mark of a true chef.
Just as he turned to call Kirio, he found her already standing beside him at some point.
Satoru nearly blurted out a curse in surprise.
Kirio's face lit up with delight.
"Satoru-sensei, are these dishes from Chinese cuisine?"
"I've heard of their cooking but never tasted it. I never imagined you could make them…"
"Truly worthy of being called sensei!"
Pouring the soup into a bowl, Satoru lazily replied, "If you really admire me, stop using that title that's just asking for trouble."
The two sat down opposite each other and began eating in silence.
Initially, Satoru thought he might have made too much food, but after finishing everything, Kirio still seemed to want more.
Watching Kirio's cheerful demeanor, Satoru instinctively glanced at her slender waist.
How does she maintain such a figure while eating so much?
Is this what they call natural talent?
Or perhaps all the nutrients went straight to those ample assets?
Meanwhile, Kirio slammed both hands on the table and stood up, leaning her upper body across the surface until she was right in front of Satoru.
"Master! I want to learn how to make these dishes too!"
"That can wait... How's your research coming along?"
At this question, Satoru's expression turned serious.
Hearing this, Kirio gave a smug grin.
"Don't worry, Master Satoru, I've already got a solution!"
Satoru's eyes lit up.
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