"So…"
"Captain Mayuri… if it were you—if you went over to the pirate world and made contact with 'Tyrant' Kuma!"
"With the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, and all the expertise and techniques you've accumulated over the years through human experimentation…"
"Would there be any possibility… of helping 'Tyrant' Kuma recover his consciousness?"
By coincidence—
Just as Jewelry Bonney, drowning in grief, thought of the Soul Reapers' world and prayed for a way to be found…
Within Seireitei, in the First Division.
After watching the video, Shunsui Kyōraku was the first to raise the topic. He looked straight at Mayuri Kurotsuchi and asked on purpose, as if teasing him.
Truthfully…
In his view, something like restoring memory shouldn't be much of a problem.
After all—
Methods for erasing memory…
The Research and Development Institute had long since mastered such things, and it was nothing more than one of the most ordinary, commonplace techniques!
So Kyōraku's question was, in a sense, knowingly asking what he already knew.
His bigger goal…
Was to hear Mayuri's thoughts—and also… what he thought of the pirate world!
Because who knew?
With this perverted scientist—
That consistently unhinged, wildly imaginative, and downright audacious way of thinking…
Maybe he'd develop a different kind of interest in the pirate world.
Maybe he'd even start plotting and scheming…
To create a technology that could cross over to that world!
Now that would be interesting!!!
And sure enough—
Mayuri's answer didn't disappoint Kyōraku, or the other captains present.
"Heh…"
Behind the blue-and-white mask…
His black pupils rolled slightly in their sockets before he let out a cold laugh.
"Whether it's memory, or the body… returning 'Tyrant' Kuma to the state he used to be in isn't difficult at all. I could do it with ease!"
"But… how to reach the pirate world—that is the topic most worth researching and discussing next!!!"
That low, hoarse voice—
Was filled with unmistakable interest as Mayuri spoke with feverish eyes.
Haki.
Devil Fruits.
The Marines, pirates, the Seven Warlords, the Revolutionary Army, and the World Government…
A whole series of brand-new things—
Made Mayuri feel as though he'd discovered a new continent, a rush of novelty and ecstasy surging through him!
Because—
For the past hundred-plus years…
Ever since he took over as director of the Research and Development Institute, and seized control of technology and resources…
Mayuri had already gained a complete grasp of the world. To him, it was a place with no secrets left to speak of!
Not to mention…
Earlier—
The "ranking" about the Soul Reapers' world had already exposed every remaining secret, along with the future plot, in full detail!
So even if Kyōraku hadn't brought it up…
Mayuri would still, at this very moment, be wracking his brain for a method to cross over.
If—
During the rest of this viewing…
He suddenly caught a flash of inspiration, and truly figured it out…
Then the strong of the Soul Reapers' world invading the pirate world—
Challenging and striking at the forces over there, and the various powerful figures across the seas—
Would become possible!
And when that happened—
The intersection of two worlds—
The clashes and contact between strong—
Would undoubtedly cause both sides to spark brand-new, unknown advances, grinding their cultures and power systems together until they threw off fresh flames of progress!
And that—
Was also the kind of outcome Mayuri—
And the other captains present—
Would be more than happy to see!!!
——
Meanwhile…
In the suburbs of Karakura Town, inside Urahara's shop.
Led by Kisuke Urahara—
Several of Ichigo's older friends and family, the "grown-ups" among his circle—
Began discussing things as well, spurred by the newly revealed footage.
"Shopkeeper…"
"Modification technology—isn't that exactly what you and your Zanpakutō, Benihime, are best at? More than anyone else?"
…
Tessai Tsukabishi folded his arms across his chest, turned his head toward Urahara, and asked with a light laugh.
"Yeah…"
Urahara nodded, neither confirming nor denying too strongly.
"Tessai… you're right. If there were a chance to cross over to the pirate world…"
"With Benihime's Shikai ability, forget something as trivial as 'Tyrant' Kuma's body and memory."
"Even remodeling huge swaths of the Grand Line itself wouldn't be a difficult matter…"
Every word of that statement—
Was saturated with confidence and certainty.
Yes.
Scientists of the same kind.
At this moment, Kisuke Urahara's thinking wasn't far from Mayuri's at all!
He was equally certain—
That with their own intellect, their scientific knowledge, their black-tech methods, and the power of their Zanpakutō…
No matter what—
As long as they could reach the pirate world—
They would definitely be able to stir up an enormous storm on the Grand Line.
That was beyond doubt.
(End of Chapter)
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