Chapter 162: Sōsuke, I Made It!
Just to be safe, Aizen left the laboratory and returned to the Seireitei.
He first went back to the Fifth Division, got up from his "sickbed," left the room in front of witnesses, and canceled his previously requested sick leave.
Once free to move around, he went to the Second Division and politely stopped a passing squad member.
Seeing Aizen, the squad member was first taken aback, then his eyes lit up:
"Ah... You're Satoru Third Seat's classmate, the one who graduated with Third Seat Satoru!"
"I was there during your graduation exam—you were really impressive!"
Aizen quickly expressed his thanks, feeling unworthy of the praise.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he got straight to the point:
"Excuse me, where is Third Seat Satoru now?"
The squad member thought for a moment.
"I heard he's been training with the Corps Commander recently, but I don't know the specifics."
Training with Yoruichi Shihōin, huh.
Aizen showed a thoughtful expression.
Perhaps after the recent Hueco Mundo incident, Yoruichi was eager to get stronger and had dragged Satoru along as a training partner.
No... Yoruichi had a strong-willed personality. If she were the only one benefiting, she wouldn't pull Satoru into it.
She probably had some secret techniques from the Shihōin Clan and was studying them together with Satoru.
Was she already assuming that Satoru would marry into the Shihōin Clan?
After some thought, he decided to go find Kisuke.
Satoru hadn't sought his help, so these past few days he must have been relentlessly tormenting Kisuke instead.
He went to Kisuke's dormitory, only to find the latter wasn't there.
Using his Reiatsu to sense the area, he discovered not only was there no one inside, but even the experimental equipment that had been there before was gone.
This was somewhat strange.
After asking around again, he learned Kisuke's location and headed there.
Looking at the expansive building before him and the nameplate at the entrance reading "Satoru Technical Bureau," Aizen fell into deep thought.
Hadn't he only been in the Great Spiritual Library for less than a week?
Could it be that the Great Spiritual Library had some time-altering barrier, where one day inside equaled several days outside?
Since when did the Second Division have such a place?
Seeing Aizen, several Shinigami stationed at the entrance came forward.
After confirming Aizen's identity, one of them went to the entrance and pressed a few buttons on a small screen.
Soon after, Kisuke's face appeared on the screen.
Hearing Aizen's name, he nodded without hesitation: "No problem, let him come right in."
With the guards' permission, Aizen slowly entered the "Satoru Technical Bureau."
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw various large-scale equipment.
Many of them were busily operating,
with over a dozen squad members working the devices inside.
These were all people Kisuke had recruited from the division over the past couple of days.
As the Fourth Seat of the Second Division, he knew his subordinates' personalities well.
He had long noted which members had high obedience and were suitable for confidential work, and which were intelligent and worth cultivating.
Now this knowledge had indeed proven useful.
After looking around, Aizen nodded slightly.
It was clear this place had originally been just a wooden dojo, but now it had been completely converted into solid structures.
Not only had the materials been reinforced, but there were also traces of Kidō arrangements.
Satoru's laboratory building wasn't just some casual project - he had genuinely put effort into it.
So... exactly how long had he been in the Great Spiritual Library?
While he was questioning his sense of time, Kisuke hurried over.
The latter scratched his head while wearing a somewhat silly smile.
"Mr. Aizen, you're here to see Mr. Satoru, right... Sorry, it seems he went out with the Corps Commander, and I don't know where they went."
Aizen nodded. "No matter. Show me around this research institute."
Kisuke readily agreed.
He was still quite patient with Aizen.
Unlike Satoru, Aizen truly understood how to conduct research.
Whenever projects hit a wall, discussing them with Aizen often yielded good results.
As they walked through the various experimental areas, Aizen grew increasingly impressed.
That Satoru fellow had quietly managed to set up this laboratory building in a surprisingly proper manner.
After completing the rounds, Aizen glanced toward a laboratory that had remained closed from start to finish.
"Mr. Urahara, what's over there?"
"Huh? Oh, that's Mr. Kurotsuchi's laboratory... Mr. Kurotsuchi was formerly a seated officer in the Twelfth Division. Later, he joined the rebel army and was imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest. It was Mr. Satoru who brought him out."
"I must say, Mr. Satoru truly has a peculiar talent for recognizing and utilizing people."
"This Mr. Kurotsuchi... his abilities are really formidable..."
Speaking of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Kisuke couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
That workaholic Mayuri, relying on his powerful intellect and near-sleepless manic drive, was frantically advancing the development progress of the gaming console Satoru wanted.
To avoid being overwhelmed by Mayuri's relentless pace, Kisuke had been forced to significantly increase his own working hours.
The energy he invested now far exceeded his previous efforts.
His work time had unconsciously extended from an hour and a half to nearly five hours.
Although it still fell short compared to Mayuri's minimum nineteen hours of daily work, it was already enough to leave him utterly exhausted.
Aizen, however, slightly furrowed his brow.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi... He remembered that name.
Satoru had mentioned before that he'd acquired a prized scientist from the rebel side with that exact name.
He'd heard that Mayuri had played a part in driving Satoru all the way to Hueco Mundo while being pursued.
This guy really had a broad mind.
To willingly accept an enemy who had nearly killed him...
At this thought, Aizen suddenly paused.
He was well aware of Kisuke's capabilities.
Though lazy, he was extremely intelligent and highly skilled—a man worthy of Aizen's acknowledgment.
If even Kisuke spoke of Mayuri with such admiration, Mayuri likely wasn't far behind in ability.
Considering this... That Satoru fellow had quietly recruited two top-tier scientists.
On the surface, it seemed like it was just for researching gaming consoles to satisfy his somewhat laughable desires.
But was that really all there was to it?
If Satoru was truly as unambitious as he appeared, how could he possess such powerful Reiatsu?
Even if he were a genius surpassing himself, born with such strong Reiatsu, what about his swordsmanship and Kidō?
Satoru disliked swordsmanship, yet his level was astonishingly high.
Aizen had diligently studied swordsmanship for years, far surpassing ordinary practitioners.
The sword instructor of the Fifth Division didn't even come close to his understanding of the blade.
Yet, when facing Satoru, his swordsmanship still couldn't gain any advantage.
This showed that even in areas he disliked, Satoru must have invested considerable effort into learning.
A person who disciplined himself so rigorously while quietly recruiting powerful scientists...
Could such a person truly be as content with mediocrity as he appeared?
Aizen suddenly began to doubt his own ability to judge people.
Could it be that Satoru was hiding his true self so well that even he couldn't see through his real intentions?
Various thoughts rapidly surfaced in his mind, then vanished one by one.
No... the various histories about the Soul King keep surfacing in my mind again.
Walking out of Satoru's Technical Bureau, Aizen looked up at the sky.
With Kisuke and Mayuri combined, these two were more than sufficient to serve as Satoru's strategists.
The Shihōin Clan and Captain-Commander Yamamoto - two deeply rooted factions - were jointly nurturing Satoru, leaving no concerns about his combat capabilities.
Unconsciously, that guy had truly grown up.
He had grown to the point where he could now stride forward openly, standing proudly in the light.
As his friend, witnessing this scene should make me happy.
Soon, whenever a captain position becomes vacant in any division, Satoru should rightfully claim it.
If he truly has any ambitions, that would be the time to reveal them.
Given his growth rate, the Soul Society might even enter a brand new era belonging to Satoru after Yamamoto's era ends.
Kisuke, walking beside him, noticed Aizen's expression and asked curiously:
"Mr. Aizen, is something the matter?"
"If you're looking for Mr. Satoru, I can send someone to deliver a message to the Shihōin Clan. They should know his whereabouts."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Aizen shook his head and gave Kisuke a gentle smile.
"Mr. Urahara, thank you for your trouble today. I'm very grateful."
"If the opportunity arises, please do visit the Fifth Division. I'd like to show you around our barracks properly."
After chatting with Kisuke for a while, Aizen left the Second Division.
Satoru had already found his own path.
From now on, his visits here would probably become less and less frequent.
Though his feelings were somewhat complicated, this was actually a good thing.
Only by casting aside those unnecessary connections could he walk his own path with greater determination.
Especially now, after learning the truth about the Soul King, his goals might gradually diverge from the Seireitei's.
Maintaining distance from Satoru wasn't a bad choice.
Speaking of which, he had told Yoruichi during their last meeting in Hueco Mundo that his base was in District 79.
This would be a good opportunity to relocate his laboratory.
Lost in thought, he returned to where his laboratory was located.
But before he even reached the place, he spotted from afar a certain figure lying on the small hill next to the laboratory, chewing on a blade of grass.
Seeing Aizen approach, Satoru's eyes lit up.
He spat out the grass with a "pfft" sound.
Standing up, he grinned widely:
"Yo! Sōsuke! I knew you'd be back around this time!"
Aizen was slightly taken aback.
What was this guy doing here now?
He opened his mouth, about to say something.
But Satoru excitedly rushed over.
"Sōsuke! I've made it!"
"Made what?"
"While you were away these days, I've been cultivating divine techniques and have achieved mastery!"
"The current me is on a completely different level from before... I'm fucking invincible!"
"Before, you were always worried that if I went to Hueco Mundo with you, I might attract unwanted attention and cause trouble, right?"
"Well, you can rest assured now... With my mastery of Shunkō, I can stand against all enemies in this world! You won't regret bringing me along!"
Watching Satoru's jubilant expression, Aizen fell into deep thought.
He studied Satoru for a moment.
Then, he couldn't help but ask: "You went to train... just to go to Hueco Mundo?"
Satoru raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean 'just for that'?"
"As a knowledgeable and exemplary Shinigami, I must properly educate you today."
"Throughout human history, many seemingly barren and desolate places have later yielded crucial resources with decisive strategic value!"
"You might think Hueco Mundo is insignificant now, but in the future it could develop into a mainstream realm!"
Aizen frowned. "Speak plainly."
Satoru chuckled. "Isn't it because you've always wanted to go to Hueco Mundo but were afraid of crossing Tsunayashiro?"
"Now that I've mastered divine techniques, I can pave the way for you! Just go do what you want to do!"
Seeing Satoru's smug smile, Aizen remained silent.
After a long pause, he finally spoke:
"Yū, if you ruled Hueco Mundo, what would you do?"
Satoru made a conflicted expression. "What to do... There's not much we can do now, it depends on you."
If Aizen couldn't create the Hōgyoku to transform the Menos Grande into Arrancar, these Menos would remain beast-like creatures.
From what he recalled, the only one in Hueco Mundo capable of completing the Arrancar transformation independently was Stark.
And since he wasn't gay, what possible interest could he have in Stark?
Therefore, whether the Hueco Mundo paradise plan could be realized completely depended on Aizen.
But to Aizen, Satoru's words carried a different meaning.
Was this guy testing his magnanimity?
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
This mere Satoru was really getting full of himself.
Since you want to know, I'll show you.
Don't be scared when the time comes!
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Satoru suddenly make a pained face.
"Ah, right, Sōsuke! You have to help me this time!"
"That old man keeps scheming to promote me every day, but I can't become a corporate slave! Quick, help me think of how to brush him off next time?"
"Oh, and the Reishi conversion project - help me consider whether batch processing might be possible?"
"Ah yes, there's another important matter... I built a laboratory building in the Second Division, it's quite beautiful! Why don't you relocate part of your operations there? I've already reserved space for you in advance!"
"And..."
Watching Satoru ramble on and on, listing problem after problem, Aizen felt his familiar headache returning."
He had really overthought this.
When had this guy Satoru ever stopped tormenting him just because he had other advisors?
This bastard had simply been accumulating all these problems while focused on training these past few days, waiting to drown him with them all at once!
He couldn't help but reach up and rub his eyebrows.
Satoru pressed his palms together. "...That's about everything. Sōsuke, I'm counting on you!"
Aizen let out a sigh:
"Saying so much at once, who could remember it all."
"Let's go inside, find a place to write it down. I'll read it slowly when I have time."
Satoru instantly grinned: "Thank you, Sōsuke! I knew you were my best friend!"
Aizen showed no reaction, simply leading the way toward the laboratory door.
His footsteps were slightly lighter than when they had returned from Seireitei earlier.