Chapter 121: Power of Artificial Souls
Senjumaru nearly fainted from rage at Satoru's words.
What damn granddaughter... she was still in the prime of her youth and beauty!
Before joining the Royal Guard, she'd been wholly devoted to research and self-improvement—no children, let alone grandchildren.
But she'd never admit this to that infuriating brat.
Somehow, confessing that would feel like total defeat...
"Speaking of which, why has Master come today?"
Kirio suddenly asked with hopeful eyes.
"Have you developed new recipes perhaps?"
Satoru glanced at her. "Have you mastered the 'Rising Dragon Dumplings' I taught you last time?"
Kirio let out a soft whimper and lowered her head. "Not yet..."
"Then let's focus on mastering the Rising Dragon Dumplings first. Once you've learned that, I'll teach you 'Golden Laughter' next."
Hearing this, Kirio couldn't help but show an expectant look in her eyes.
Golden Laughter—just from the name alone, it sounded like an exceptionally splendid dish.
Even Senjumaru, upon hearing the names of these two dishes, couldn't suppress her curiosity.
If it weren't for the numerous and tedious rules every time the Zero Squad "descended," she would have personally come down to see what the dishes Satoru mentioned looked like.
Maybe she should put in some effort to see if she could enhance the effects of her sensory garment?
While Senjumaru was deep in thought, Satoru turned to Kirio, intending to state his purpose. But upon noticing Senjumaru sitting nearby, he suddenly hesitated.
His knowledge of the Zero Squad was limited. Revealing too much might invite trouble.
As if guessing Satoru's thoughts, Senjumaru complained discontentedly, "What's the matter, you brat? Worried I'll spill your secrets?"
"A mere Shinigami from the Soul Society—I have no such idle interest."
Kirio also smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Master. Despite how she acts, the Captain is actually quite kind."
"What do you mean, 'despite how I act'?"
Listening to their banter, Satoru thought for a moment and pulled something out from his chest—a small sphere of light.
It was the artificial soul he had previously taken from Kirio.
Seeing Satoru produce this item, Kirio's expression turned understanding. It seemed her master had encountered some difficulty in merging with the artificial soul.
She wondered how far along he was... Given his talent, he should have fused about one-tenth of it, right?
Well, one-tenth might be a bit too optimistic. As the developer, she had inherent advantages and shouldn't assume others would progress at the same pace.
But surely he had managed at least one-fifteenth, right? After all, it hadn't been that long since she shared this technology with him...
As she pondered, Satoru spoke up:
"Captain Kirio, I wanted to ask—are there any precautions to take when the artificial soul is almost fully absorbed?"
"Although there's still a little left, I've started to get a vague feeling."
"If I absorb it completely, I might be able to grasp a new special ability... Is that normal?"
Kirio: "?"
Senjumaru: "?"
After confirming Satoru wasn't joking, Kirio felt utterly bewildered.
How long had it been since she shared the artificial soul technology with Satoru? Less than two months, right?
In such a short time, even for a genius, achieving twenty percent fusion would be astonishing enough.
But Satoru was already nearly finished?
Even Senjumaru was momentarily stunned.
As the former captain of the 12th Division and Kirio's old superior, she had been heavily involved in the artificial soul technology. Thus, she was well aware of its difficulties.
No wonder this brat hesitated to speak directly... With such monstrous talent, if he didn't learn to keep it hidden, he'd likely bring trouble upon himself sooner or later.
At least in that regard, the kid had some sense.
Kirio silently gazed upward, suddenly doubting whether she was truly the pioneer of the artificial soul technology.
Perhaps I was just temporarily brought in as the risk management lead for the project team, but over time, I actually started thinking of myself as a technological pioneer...
Before she could sink deeper into self-doubt, Satoru finally managed to shake her awake.
With a mix of emotions—feeling like crying yet having no tears, somewhat envious yet somewhat relieved—Kirio explained to Satoru the outcome of fully fusing with the artificial soul.
"As Master said, after fully fusing with the artificial soul, it combines with one's own spiritual pressure to grant an ability."
"The artificial soul is an existence completely unrelated to one's own spiritual pressure. Under normal circumstances, trying to use the power of both simultaneously is extremely difficult, with rewards and costs completely disproportionate."
"But... gaining an artificial soul ability changes everything."
"For example, my ability is to create a special seed within my body."
"During combat, I can instantly germinate this seed, forming an ever-regenerating super tree that can absorb the spiritual pressure released by opponents, making the tree stronger and more robust."
"I've named this ability 'Life Fence'!"
As she spoke, she revealed a proud smile:
"I'm not boasting, but even though I'm not yet a member of the Zero Division and haven't received the Soul King's blessing..."
"My 'Life Fence,' if unleashed at full power, could hold back half the members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads without any problem!"
Hearing this, Satoru showed a somewhat surprised expression.
Holding back half the Thirteen Court Guard Squads... That sounded almost unbelievable.
Even excluding Yamamoto from that count, it would still represent a force powerful enough to shake the world.
Are all members of the Zero Division monsters of this caliber?
He instinctively glanced at Hikifune.
...Come to think of it, this woman could fight me evenly—even suppress me—just by remotely controlling a single garment.
She's a genuine monster too.
However, if he remembered correctly, despite possessing such strength, the Zero Division still couldn't stop Yhwach's advance, and in the end, it was Ichigo who won the battle.
Just what level was Yhwach then?
Satoru couldn't help but click his tongue.
After learning all about artificial soul abilities and their effects, Satoru took his leave.
Before he left, Kirio confidently promised she would soon complete the "Heavenly Garment" Satoru wanted, telling him to prepare the "Soaring Dragon Dumplings" and "Golden Laughter Buns."
Satoru wasn't particularly concerned about this.
If two bizarre dishes could exchange for Kirio's Heavenly Garment, it was definitely a profitable deal.
Mulling over these random thoughts, he followed the familiar route back to the Shin'ō Academy dormitory.
As soon as he entered the room, Satoru froze.
The beds that belonged to him and Aizen were now occupied by new students.
Only then did he remember.
He was no longer a student anymore...