Chapter 242: Why Did You Have to Provoke Him?
12th Division...
On his way to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Jūshirō Ukitake was filled with both anticipation and nervousness.
Finally, he arrived at the door of Deputy Director Mayuri Kurotsuchi's private laboratory. Thanks to prior notice from Masatsuki Aozaki, Mayuri had been expecting him for quite some time. Even Kisuke Urahara had made a special trip to personally brief him on the experiment, only leaving once he was satisfied that everything had been thoroughly explained.
Listening to Urahara's professional and meticulous explanation, Ukitake gradually felt his initial unease ease. After all, Kisuke Urahara was a genius recognized by Kirio Hikifune, and his words naturally carried more weight than those of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a former prisoner turned deputy director.
At this moment, Ukitake was filled with confidence in the experiment. He firmly believed that if he went through with it, his body—long tormented by illness—might finally return to a normal state.
With that thought, he didn't hesitate. Removing his clothing, he resolutely lay down on the experimental table, his gaze steady as he looked at Masatsuki Aozaki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Masatsuki, Director Mayuri, I'll leave everything to you."
When addressing Mayuri, Ukitake displayed a subtle sense of tact by deliberately omitting the word "Deputy." However, this gesture did nothing to please Mayuri. He merely scoffed, entirely indifferent to such flattery.
Waving a hand dismissively, he pulled out a syringe, a sinister grin creeping onto his face as he let out a low, eerie chuckle.
"Captain Ukitake, I'm about to administer the anesthetic. Please relax and don't resist."
"This syringe is custom-made, but even so, it can't break through a Captain-level Reiatsu defense."