[Soul Society Arc] Part 87: Veiled Intentions

Everyone was in disbelief at what the lieutenant had just said, to the point where Yato almost lost his focus on keeping Mayuri's liquid form contained.

Yato: "Can you repeat that, please?" - He asked the 12th Division lieutenant with a puzzled expression on his face.

Nemu: "I want to help..." - She stood up after Inoue finished healing her injuries. Her voice was soft but determined. - "All these years, I've been waiting for this opportunity..."

Uryū: "Waiting... for what?" - Uryū questioned with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, sharing a puzzled look with Yato and Orihime.

Nemu: "As you could hear before, I was created by Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi through experiments with Gigai and Gikongan." - She spoke stoically to the Quincy. - "But... the captain always treated me this way while I was developing, not caring about what could happen to me as long as my brain remained intact... so I waited..." - She turned to look at Yato. - "I decided to wait for someone who could show me a better example of what it means to be a father, so I can continue to evolve and learn. Someone like you, Yasakani-sama. You heard everything, you knew your friend was injured because of me... you could have let me die, but you cared about me and asked your friend to help me..." - Nemu's eyes expressed curiosity as she looked at Yato.

Mayuri: "It's impossible that you could have come to such a conclusion on your own to the extent of rebelling," - came the captain's voice despite still being in liquid form. - "I took the necessary precautions to monitor your development, leaving countless surveillance drugs and bacteria in your body. If there were any possibility of you turning against me, I would have known, but that was never a possibility."

Yato: "Maybe I'm just a charismatic guy," - he quipped about the situation. Despite the seriousness of the conversation, his smirk indicated that he wasn't easily rattled.

Yato pondered the situation, knowing well that Mayuri was capable of such manipulations. However, he recalled Cheshire's cryptic words from when he was still coming to terms with his powers.

Yato: 'Countless destinies... countless possibilities...' He thought, exhaling slowly. 'Cheshire only altered Nemu... swapped the part of her destiny where she loyally serves Mayuri... And because Cheshire finds it easier to make these changes when someone's reiatsu is low... Nemu was an easy target...'

Cheshire: 'Impressive~ You remembered that~?' - The feline voice echoed tauntingly in the young man's mind, the mental tone bearing a sense of amusement and cunning.

Yato: 'Is that your idea of fun?' - Yato questioned with a mix of exasperation and curiosity.

Cheshire: 'It's just the beginning~' - Cheshire's reply carried a playful and mischievous undertone.

Uryū and Orihime stood in shock, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation as they stared at Yato, who appeared to be considering the circumstances.

Uryū: "What should we do...?" He observed the lieutenant with a wary look. "This could be a trap..."

Yato: "Well..." - Yato leaned back casually against a nearby structure, his eyes never leaving the lieutenant. - "The only way to figure this out is to gather information step by step."

Inoue, on the other hand, seemed lost in her own thoughts, her vivid imagination conjuring a whimsical scenario where the enigmatic lieutenant lay comfortably in a cozy bed, kindly asking Yato to tell her a bedtime story.

Yato: "Would you mind answering a few questions?" - He inquired casually, and when the lieutenant nodded, he continued, "About this captain..." - He gestured toward the liquid form he was restraining. - "What happens if I were to release him?"

Nemu: "It's a method the captain employs to withdraw from the battlefield." - With a composed demeanor, she replied. - "While in this state, he can't attack, and he is generally immune to attacks. He'll remain in this form for several days before returning to his laboratory in the 12th Division." - Nemu's expression remained stoic as she provided this information.

Mayuri: "This is unacceptable...! What have you done to her, brat?!" - His voice conveyed frustration.

The young man completely ignored the captain's words and turned his attention back to the lieutenant.

Yato: "Can you tell me what happened to our other friends?"

Nemu: "A few hours ago, four captains encountered and confronted the Ryoka. They were Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of the 6th Division, Captain Sajin Komamura of the 7th Division, Captain Kaname Tōsen of the 9th Division, and Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of the 11th Division."

Nemu's expression remained stoic as she provided this information, her eyes darting between Yato, Uryū, and Orihime.

Yato: 'Komamura...? Who faced him...? Chad or Tatsuki...?' - He wondered, his brow furrowing in concern. But he quickly refocused his attention on the lieutenant. - "And what were the outcomes of these confrontations?" - he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. He knew that Uryū and Inoue were just as eager to know the fate of their companions.

Nemu: "The confrontations involving Captains Komamura, Tōsen, and Zaraki happened simultaneously," - She explained calmly. - "The Ryoka whom Captain Komamura faced was identified as Yasutora Sado. The captain managed to defeat him and took him into custody for treatment of his injuries. Currently, he is imprisoned in the underground relief cell #075 of the 4th Division."

Uryū's expression tightened upon hearing the news of Sado's defeat. He thought back to the giant samurai they had encountered earlier, and it seemed to click into place.

Uryū: "That must explain that giant samurai we saw hours ago..."

Yato was visibly impressed to learn that Komamura had to resort to using his Bankai to defeat Chad, which indicated Chad's considerable strength. Inoue, although initially relieved to hear that their friend was alive, shared the same concern that Yato had about Chad's well-being.

Orihime: "Was there anyone else with Sado-kun?"

Nemu: "There was a girl, but she withdrew during the battle. She hasn't been seen since."

Yato: "I see... and what about the other fights?"

Nemu: "The Ryoka whom Captain Tōsen faced didn't identify himself. According to the report we received, Captain Tōsen emerged from the confrontation severely wounded, and..." - She hesitated.

Yato felt the hesitation in the lieutenant's voice, which only fueled his curiosity, and he couldn't help but smirk knowingly.

Yato: "Relax. The Ryoka didn't bite the dust. It was me who had a friendly encounter with Tōsen, and I thought it would be fun to play a little dead, you know, to come up with a plan to get Rukia out of the Senzaikyū."

Nemu: "I see... I'm relieved that none of you suffered any casualties. The confrontation with Captain Zaraki ended with the captain's defeat, and two hours later, Captain Kuchiki faced the Ryoka identified as Ganju Shiba, who received assistance from the 7th seat of the 4th Division, Hanatarō Yamada. Ganju Shiba is in the same cell as Yasutora Sado, while Hanatarō was taken to Captain Unohana to receive his punishment."

Orihime: "I wonder what might've happened to Kurosaki-kun and Tatsuki-chan," - She asked with concern, her brows furrowed in worry.

Yato: "Well, it was Ichigo who took down Zaraki, and considering he disappeared after that, I guess Tatsuki must be with him," he speculated, his tone contemplative. - "Well... Nemu-san, do you really want to help us?"

Nemu: "Yes, Yasakani-sama." - She nodded, determination in her eyes.

Uryū: "What's on your mind, Yasakani?"

Yato: "Nemu, do you happen to know what happened to Rukia's Gigai?"

Nemu: "I regret to inform you, Yasakani-sama, but Rukia Kuchiki's Gigai was destroyed as soon as members of the 12th Division evaluated it..."

Yato: "Do you happen to have any other Gigai? It can be any."

Nemu: "There are other Gigais in the 12th Division's laboratory. Do you need anything else besides a Gigai?"

Yato: "Do you know of any way to enter Senzaikyū without being noticed?"

Nemu: "Captain Kurotsuchi has a small device in his body called Nisehada. It functions like a false skin. He can meld his skin with the color and texture of the environment, but it's something he implanted into his own body. Maybe only I can use it without side effects..." - She explained.

Yato: "Hmm... So, first, I need you to acquire this Nisehada and get me a Gigai as quickly as possible. I have a plan to rescue Rukia from Senzaikyū... tonight." - He smirk