CHAPTER 233: Mayuri and Nemu

A frenzied clacking reverberated through the dimly lit chamber, coming from a man furiously typing across an array of high-tech equipment simultaneously. Surrounding him was an array of scientific equipment that only he could comprehend within Soul Society, and only he could use them to their peak performance.

This man's face was painted in stark contrasts of black and white, while his body was shrouded entirely in white paint. Both his ears as well as his chin were seemingly replaced with stubbed golden cones.

In all of Soul Society, only one individual would adorn himself with such unsettling makeup. That man was none other than Mayuri Kurotsuchi — the crazy and controversial captain of the 12th Squad, an ex-criminal that Kisuke had taken out from the Maggot's Nest.

Currently he was working on something important as one could see from his concentrated expression. The screens before him displayed strings of intricate data at a dizzying pace, yet Mayuri's mind effortlessly kept up with the surge of information.

His fingers sped up as a maniacal grin crept across his painted face.

"The secret to Hollowification lies in its—"

At the most crucial moment of his research, a knock on the door interrupted him, followed by the meek voice of his daughter. "M-Master."

Mayuri immediately teleported to the door with Shunpo and flung it open. Standing on the other side was a young woman with a slender figure and green eyes. Her black hair was tied back in a long braid with slightly parted bangs. Unlike other Shinigami, she wore a short black kimono that reached mid-thigh, and she carried no sword on her in person.

The young lady, Nemu, served the role of Vice-Captain within this squad.

"Master…" Her meek whisper matched the soft look in her eyes. "Vice—"

Before she could utter another syllable, Mayuri's fist collided with her face, sending her crashing into the wall. Crumpling to the cold ground, coughing up blood, she gazed up at Mayuri with an absence of emotion.

It was as if she was used to such treatment from her creator.

"You fool. You wretched little being. I told you specifically to not disturb me today. Give me one reason to not self-destruct your soul."

"I-I'm sorry, Master. We have an emergency…"

Mayuri slowly walked to her. "What is so important?"

"V-Vice-Captain Isane and an unknown Shinigami have breached the facility," Nemu conveyed the events beyond Mayuri's underground facility. "Akon and others went to intercept them but were defeated swiftly…"

Mayuri's eyes widened in disbelief. "Akon is defeated…?"

Vice-Captain Isane, as far as he knew, was a healer first and fighter later. Akon should have more than enough intellect to annihilate someone of her level. In fact, Akon could defeat even a captain with sufficient research and preparations.

That was the most terrifying aspect of 12th Squad. Even though they looked frail and scholarly types, they were more than capable of assisting the Soul Society against any enemy.

"T-The silver-haired Shinigami on her side…" Nemu whispered as she wiped the blood from her mouth. "He is very powerful. I believe he is Captain-level."

"Captain-level?" Mayuri narrowed his eyes. "Ah, it's that subject from the academy. Why is he here?"

Mayuri's interest in subject Kazuya Ishihara was less than his interest in solving a mystery Kisuke had failed to decipher — the Hollowification. Kazuya's innate strength didn't interest him one bit. After all, his research with Kenpachi Zaraki had definitively proven that souls of Captain-level Reiatsu could manifest organically.

Kazuya Ishihara was simply one of them.

Even Arrancars took more priority in research than a man whose voice could bewitch women.

"He said he has an important business with you…" Nemu responded in her usual melancholic tone. "Do I have the permission to engage him in battle?"

"You want to battle him?" Mayuri scoffed. "You may as well request self-destruction."

Although Mayuri was confident in Nemu's battle capability as her creator, he didn't believe she could defeat Kazuya. At least not without pushing her body to the point of breaking down.

Nemu remained silent, waiting for Mayuri to cast his verdict.

"There is a way you defeat him without much destruction involved…" Mayuri rubbed his stubbed metal chin, recalling all the rumors he had heard surrounding the subject Kazuya Ishihara. However, another look at Nemu's bloodied condition made him back away from the suggestion. She wouldn't be able to seduce him in her current state. "You're a failure in everything. A worthless creation."

Being called a failure in her face, from her creator nevertheless, had no effect on Nemu. She was simply used to this, used to being abused and mistreated at his hands, and very used to unconditionally loving him.

Nemu picked herself up and stood with her hands clasped in front of her lap. "What shall I do, Master?"

Although she was curious about this non-hostile method, she dared not utter the question, as it would trigger Mayuri to start abusing her again. Nemu, like all living beings, was capable of feeling pain. Being designed to take more punishment than any Shinigami didn't mean she liked being tormented.

On the contrary, she abhorred pain. Yet she wouldn't hesitate to throw her life for her Captain.

Mayuri pointed Nemu out of the facility. "Bring them to me. I'll deal with them personally."

Nemu gave a convincing nod and made a dash for her objective at a speed comparable to first-class Shunpo without using an ounce of spiritual energy. Although the wound on her face stung, she didn't stop for a second to apply any medicine on it.

Fulfilling her creator's orders was always her utmost priority.

It wasn't long before she intercepted the duo, who were making their way through the facility at a rapid pace.

'Isane…'

As a member of Shinigami Women's Association, Nemu was on good terms with Isane. But she had never seen the silver-haired man by Isane's side. His Reiatsu was dangerous, she concluded with one glance, realizing that Mayuri had been right about the man's capabilities.

"Oh, Nemu," Isane said with a surprised look on her face. "What happened to your face?"

Nemu wasn't least bit surprised to find concern on Isane's face. Maintaining her doll-like expression, she said, "It's surface wounds. They won't hinder my vital functions."

"Your face has literally swollen," said the silver-haired man, his kind voice sending Nemu into an involuntary daze. "Let me treat it with Kaido."

Nemu suddenly snapped out of her daydream, her eyes widening in shock as her pupils dilated. Despite her limited emotional range and lower emotional intelligence compared to others, she instinctively understood that the warm, pleasant sensations welling up inside her were caused by the mysterious man's voice. She felt a sense of curiosity, wanting to know the precise name for this emotion, while also craving to experience more of it.

Like her creator, she could become utterly curious about certain topics in life, most of which pertained to her own evolution.

As these thoughts swirled through her mind, Kazuya had already begun to work his Kaido on her injured face.

Isane revealed a kind smile. "Thanks, Kazuya."

Nemu inclined her head, giving him her best gesture of gratitude. "Thanks… Kazuya."

Kazuya chuckled at the ladies' gratitude. "In exchange for my help, how about you take us to your captain?"

Nemu nodded firmly. "I was sent here to bring you two to him. Please follow me closely."

...

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