CHAPTER 235: The Threat (II)

Kazuya didn't even bat an eye at Mayuri's blatant threats. "Mayuri, be honest with me. How much time do you think I'll need to kill you?"

Mayuri raised his brows in surprise and then stared blankly, the gears of his mind shifting in calculations. "I have thirty-three methods to escape this place. Because, you see, I value my life. There's no amusement to be found in my knowledge if I am but a lifeless corpse."

While Mayuri wasn't as cautious as Kisuke, he had multiple contingencies to survive nearly every predicament.

Kazuya smiled. "Let's test that, shall we?"

He snapped his fingers. In the infinitesimal fraction of a moment it took for the sound to reach Mayuri, the scientist felt a cold blade pressed against his throat.

All it had taken was a single snap to get Mayuri's neck at the tip of his sword.

Mayuri's eyes widened in shock. "That—that was Quincy's movement technique Hirenkyaku."

Mayuri's assessment had been only partially correct. The technique Kazuya had used was a fusion of Shunpo and Hirenkyaku, granting him speed that surpassed both added with the stealthy nature of Hirenkyaku.

"Let's just say you aren't the only one who studied Quincy for their techniques."

A twisted grin spread across Mayuri's features. He seemed completely unafraid of the sword at his throat. "Ah, Quincy. Those deluded, idealistic imbeciles. I had so much fun making them burn their own children. I mentally broke them by dismembering their limbs… unfortunately, their scarce numbers made me put the project on hold. Such a pity…"

Isane shuddered from hearing Mayuri boast about his cruel actions. "You are a sadist… a monster."

"Very rich coming from you," Mayuri sneered. "You serve the greatest criminal of the Soul Society. She cut down hundreds for no reason, whereas my purpose is to research. It's a purpose higher than you uneducated lot can understand."

Isane clenched her fists, her body shaking with barely-restrained anger. "Captain Unohana has changed. All she wants now is to help others. I know—"

"Isane, don't waste your breath trying to explain anything to this dumbass," Kazuya cut her off, pressing the sword's edge into Mayuri's throat, which drew a crimson smile across his neck. "Captain Mayuri, you are quite fearless. Does this confidence come from your ability to abandon your body and escape in another form?"

Mayuri's eyes widened, a glimmer of begrudging appreciation shining through. "It appears you came well-prepared. I seem to be at a disadvantage."

"You can't kill me even if you had months to prepare." Kazuya unsheathed the top of his blade back, and immediately, searing flames came pouring forth. "And I don't care what form you take. I can track you down and incinerate you whenever I want, however I want."

"Murdering a Captain will get you in trouble—"

Kazuya pulled back his blade and grabbed Mayuri by the throat. Eyes narrowing with murderous intent, he said, "If you want to report me to the higher-ups, consider this — I will burn down your entire squad before they can catch me. This trouble you mentioned won't mean much if I just escape to the Living World."

Mayuri never feared anyone to this day, but the sheer conviction in Kazuya's gave him shivers.

He understood one thing — the man before him would risk everything to destroy one person.

He was… insane, no less than himself.

Kazuya loosened his grip on Mayuri's throat. "I can live a cozy life in the Living World. But you, can you continue your research after I kill you? Is the satisfaction of imprisoning me worth gambling your life's work?"

Mayuri rubbed his neck. "Crazy brat…"

He responded with a smile before turning to Nemu. "Take me to the Hollowfied Shinigami. I'm going to help them recover."

Nemu nodded mechanically, then abruptly shook her head as if to clear it. She had very nearly succumbed to his charm and betrayed her father. "Master, should I?"

Mayuri assumed a serious expression. "Did you just say you can help them recover? Are you going to put them down or reverse their Hollowification?"

"Our squad members are paid to heal others. Not kill them."

"And how will you do that?"

"I'll show you how after you take me to them."

Curious by Kazuya's method, Mayuri agreed to take them to his experiment material.

Kazuya let out a sigh of relief. Even though he utterly despised Mayuri, he couldn't free the world from his craziness. Killing Mayuri would ruin everything all his efforts in the Soul Society.

{Partner, give in your bloodlust… let these darker urges guide your fists… strangle this madman!}

'Mayuri 's turn will come after Aizen.'

{That is fine as well.}

On the way to the Hollowfied Shinigami, Isane continuously glanced at Kazuya. Until now, she had only witnessed him laugh, tease others, and just be a kind man. Though she had seen his serious side during the battles, she had never expected him to harbor a terrifying side.

The memory of his chilling threat still made her shiver.

At last, they arrived into another sprawling cave, where the Hollowfied Shinigami were imprisoned in cages like animals.

Kazuya frowned. "Forty-three… What happened to the rest?"

"Dissected for my study. I selected the female first since their anatomy is more pleasing to the eyes."

Isane clenched her fist, so damn ready to throw one punch at Mayuri's repulsive face. "Kazuya, should we transport them—"

"No need."

He took his Zanpakutō and activated its Shikai form, the transformation earning a look of fascination from Mayuri and an intrigued look from Nemu.

Kazuya approached the nearest cage and squeezed the trigger of his musket. A burst of radiant flames engulfed the Hollow born from a Shinigami.

"Arghhh!"

The white layer of skin burned away, revealing the tormented woman trapped beneath. The flames disintegrated every last trace of her Hollow traits, leaving the black-haired lady with flawless skin.

She collapsed on the ground, her butt raised high in a rather provocative manner.

Kazuya cleared his throat. "Isane, would you mind checking her condition?"

Isane swiftly sliced through the cage and knelt beside the woman. A radiant smile blossomed across her face as she lifted her head to meet Kazuya's eyes. "You did it! I expect her to regain consciousness in a few minutes."

Kazuya nodded and moved his musket away from Mayuri's grasping fingers. "Hands off, lunatic."

"I'm simply borrowing it for a few days."

"No means no."

Smirking at Mayuri's frustrated scowl, Kazuya brought the musket to his lips and planted a soft kiss on its polished surface. His action elicited a seductive moan that echoed through his mind.

"Master… you just kissed my butt," Tsubasa whispered meekly. "Next time say it before, so I can prepare myself…"

"…"

Ignoring the young Zanpakutō Spirit, he decided to finish the job as quickly as possible. Bang! Bang! Bang! The cave echoed with gunshots, each bullet finding its mark in a Hollowfied Shinigami.

In a matter of minutes, all forty-three had been returned to their original form. They all looked severely traumatized, showing no glee at their second chance at life.

Mayuri observed the entire process, yet he could comprehend nothing. "Your Shikai restores a being to a previous state."

"Wow, so insightful."

Mayuri gritted his teeth. "I have the entire footage. I won't rest until I understand everything about your Shikai."

Kazuya shook his head. "Nemu, can you bring some clothes for everyone?"

Hypnotized by his voice, Nemu nodded her head. "I shall."

...

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