CHAPTER 234: Threat (I)

"Master is inside."

Nemu said so after bringing the duo of Kazuya and Isane to the entrance of Mayuri's secret underground research facility.

{My most beloved companion, how shall we deal with this Mayuri insect?} Nami spoke, her voice dripping with disdain — she wasn't a fan of Mayuri. {I suggest we put him through the iron maiden ninety-nine times. Then we flay his skin and crucify him at the door of his barracks. After nine days, we grant him, let's say, a very merciful death.}

'Since when did you become a torture specialist?'

Nami let out a heavy sigh. {I'll gladly take any burden to protect my partner.}

'Well, let me try to handle this peacefully.'

Mayuri might be evil, but Kazuya was no saint either. Kazuya had little reason to battle the deranged scientist if he willingly handed over the Hollowfied Shinigami. Otherwise, he might have to resort to other means that won't get him in trouble with the Gotei 13.

{Mayuri won't listen to reason… Tsubasa has something to say.}

'Master, protecting yourself and others is important. But always staying defensive is not possible. Therefore, we need to take action to eliminate future threats before they become too troublesome!'

Nodding at Tsubasa's considerate advice, he turned to Isane. "Let me handle it alone."

Isane shook her head before revealing a determined look. "I want to help…"

"I expected that response from my stubborn Vice Captain."

"Everyone keeps saying that," Isane grumbled, her brow knitting in a troubled frown. "I'm not stubborn. I'm just… loyal to my duties."

His smile widened at her almost childlike protestation. "Let's talk about it after we finish here."

As they stepped through the door, they instantly perceived an uncanny shift in the ambient Reiryoku. The chamber's atmosphere and equipment seemed extremely futuristic, especially given the era of 1950.

"Hey, this place is amazing. Can't say the same about your face though. You'll give me nightmares for weeks."

The scientist cocked his head at an unnatural angle, his golden eyes intensely analyzing Kazuya. "Your voice—how does it work? Your Zanpakutō is sheathed so it doesn't come from there. You aren't using any artificial implants either. Ah, interesting! I have never come across an ability like this!"

Ironically, Mayuri had indeed previously witnessed, or rather heard, Kazuya's voice, yet on that day he had shown no interest..

With a shake of his head, Kazuya said,"Interesting ability without any practice use, well, outside of charming ladies."

"You don't understand the potential of your ability. With your ability, I can persuade anyone to willingly become my research subject. I might be able to enhance its effects to work on non living beings. Think about controlling the very Reishi through mere voice!"

Mayuri grew more enthusiastic the more he dwelled into the peak potential of Kazuya's innate ability.

"Captain Kurotsuchi!" Isane interjected, dismissing Mayuri's excitement without a single consideration. "Our purpose for being here is to gain custody of the Hollowfied Shinigami. Please allow us—"

"Silence, woman! You invaded the 12th Squad and harmed my personnel. Do you know what that means?" Mayuri slowly raised his chin and displayed an evil smile. "It means I can lawfully apprehend you and turn you into my research subjects."

"Are you—"

"It's alright, Kazuya." Isane placed a hand on his shoulder with a strained smile before she faced Mayuri. "Captain Kurotsuchi, I—I will be your research subject on the condition you release those Shinigami."

She had long ago accepted the consequences they would face for their bold actions. Even a Captain was strictly forbidden from laying a finger on another division's lowest seat, yet they had stormed the barracks and rendered nearly every member of the 12th squad unconscious. Stripping the two of their positions and imprisoning them would be the most lenient punishment.

But to save innocent lives and atone for her mistakes, Isane was ready to offer herself up as Mayuri's test subject.

"Sadly, I have no interest in you," Mayuri said dismissively and looked at Kazuya. "What about it, brat? Are you willing to become my research subject? I'll give you top-class special treatment!"

Mayuri was being unreasonable, but that's just how he was. His squad was nothing more than disposable pawns to him, but the act of interrupting his precious research ignited fury in him.

Revenge was what he craved, and what sweeter revenge could there be than turning the perpetrator into an extraordinary test subject?

Kazuya crossed his arms, looking skeptical. "I have a hunch your special treatment is only good for nutjobs like yourself."

Mayuri rubbed his hands, an unconcealed eagerness on his grinning face. "I'll only drug you nine times a day. And only five hours of machine operations a day. You'll be well-fed in a nice room and given clothes to wear. I won't even try life-threatening operations on you!"

These were the most generous terms Mayuri had offered to this day. Only a female subject could hope to receive better, as their agonized screams never failed to arouse him.

But Kazuya simply laughed in the face of Mayuri's offer. "I'll give you an even better deal. Hand over the Hollowfied Shinigami, and I'll let you walk away without spanking. Phenomenal deal, right?"

Mayuri burst into maniacal laughter. "Where negotiation fails violence prevails... I don't have to commit to that effort either. I shall report your crimes to the authorities and let them punish you. The last Shinigami who laid his hands on his comrades — he was imprisoned, his Zanpakutō confiscated. You both will suffer the same fate."

Mayuri knew he required weeks of preparation to have any hope of subduing one of Kazuya's caliber. But they had practically gifted him the leverage to bend them to his whims.

Isane couldn't help but tremble imagining Kazuya in such a future. "No, you can't! It was me who brought him here. If you want to report—"

Kazuya gently pinched Isane's cheeks, saving her from falling further into despair. "Have faith in me. I won't let anything happen to either of us."

Kazuya had defied her constant pleas to avoid violence, only because he was up against Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Kazuya understood Mayuri's depraved mind and precisely which buttons to push to get Mayuri dancing on his palm.

Unaware of Kazuya's thoughts, Mayuri laughed. "I have physical evidence for your crimes in the form of surveillance footage. However strong you may be, you can't weasel out of this situation. Accept my terms, and you will survive."

Mayuri's smug confidence made his beliefs obvious — he was assured of his victory, that he had Kazuya firmly in his grasp.

...

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