Shigure Segawa arrived at the 5th Division barracks and voluntarily handed over his vice-captain's badge.
This position, without a doubt, would return to Momo Hinamori.
As Shigure was leaving, he coincidentally ran into Momo, who was on official duty.
Shigure smiled at her, but she turned her face away.
Her gaze was cold, clearly still harboring resentment over past events.
However, Shigure didn't mind.
Watching Momo's retreating figure, a faint smile played at the corner of his lips.
"Momo Hinamori... please continue being Sōsuke Aizen's pawn."
Moments later, Shigure had only taken a few steps when he encountered Aizen.
"Captain Aizen," Shigure greeted with a slight bow.
Aizen looked at Shigure with a somewhat apologetic smile and said, "I feel ashamed. As your captain, I haven't been able to do much for you."
Shigure bowed deeply in response, replying politely, "You need not blame yourself. Though I can no longer remain in the 5th Division, the single lesson I had under you has already benefited me greatly. I will continue to refine my calligraphy as per your teachings."
If one is to act, they must act convincingly.
Hearing this, Aizen's gaze flickered with a hint of surprise but quickly returned to normal.
He said warmly, "Ah, I trust that with your abilities, leaving the Black Ridge Hell will not be an issue. Best of luck."
"Yes," Shigure replied steadily.
At that moment, a sudden voice came from behind them.
"Captain Aizen."
Both Aizen and Shigure turned to look.
Seeing the figure approaching, both of them felt a bit puzzled.
It was Nemu Kurotsuchi, the vice-captain of the 12th Division.
Her face remained as expressionless as ever, devoid of joy or sorrow, as she stood there.
Her eyes, though dark and clear as ink, resembled a lifeless pool, devoid of emotion.
"Vice-Captain Nemu, is there something you need from the 5th Division?" Aizen inquired.
Nemu bowed and replied, "The captain has sent me to escort Shigure Segawa to the Department of Research and Development."
Since Shigure was no longer a vice-captain, she addressed him directly by name.
Aizen's expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Shigure and then back at Nemu, smiling as he said, "Shigure is no longer my subordinate. I cannot make decisions on his behalf. Please ask for his opinion."
Nemu immediately understood and turned to Shigure. However, her tone was far less courteous than when addressing Aizen.
"Shigure Segawa, come with me to the Department of Research and Development."
Shigure's expression turned slightly peculiar. After a moment of thought, he nodded slightly. "Alright."
He then turned to Aizen and bowed. "I will take my leave now, Captain Aizen."
With that, he followed Nemu and walked away.
Walking along the long corridor outside, the two moved in silence, one ahead of the other, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Shigure found himself growing curious.
He recalled seeing both Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu during his entrance examination.
However, given Mayuri's peculiar personality, he hadn't even greeted Shigure at the time.
Now, just after Shigure's judgment had been finalized, Mayuri had suddenly sent Nemu to summon him to the Department of Research and Development...
What could be the purpose?
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Shigure asked, "Vice-Captain Nemu, may I ask why Captain Mayuri has summoned me?"
Hearing his question, Nemu suddenly stopped in her tracks, then turned around and replied coldly, "My task is to escort you, not to answer your questions."
Shigure found this amusing and said, "Well, if you don't explain, I might not go with you."
Nemu's expression remained unchanged. "The captain instructed that if you refuse to come, I am to restrain you and bring you by force."
Hearing this, Shigure raised an eyebrow.
Mayuri's personality was as peculiar and domineering as ever.
However, since Nemu was unwilling to explain, Shigure decided not to press further.
After all, she was utterly obedient to Mayuri.
As for the purpose of the summons, he would find out once he got there.
Moreover, the 12th Division barracks were close to the 13th Division barracks, where Jūshirō Ukitake resided. It would be a good opportunity to visit him in advance and discuss joining his division.
Having thought this through, Shigure decided to proceed without hesitation.
The Department of Research and Development was established over a hundred and ten years ago by the former 12th Division Captain, Kisuke Urahara.
It was Urahara who had released Mayuri from the Maggot's Nest and appointed him as vice-captain of the Department.
After Urahara and others fled to the World of the Living following Aizen's Hollowfication experiment, Mayuri naturally became the head of the Department and later succeeded as the 12th Division Captain.
With advancements in technology, the importance of the Department of Research and Development gradually became evident, and its facilities expanded accordingly.
Upon entering, Shigure felt as though the entire aesthetic had shifted.
The surrounding machinery gave him the sensation of having traveled from the Sengoku era straight into the Industrial Age.
The members of the Department were all busy with their respective tasks. None of them paid any attention to Shigure's arrival.
At the far end, a tightly sealed door bore a single large character written in red ink: 禁 (Restricted).
Nemu stopped and turned to Shigure. "Wait here. I will inform the captain."
Without waiting for Shigure's response, she walked toward the door.
The door seemed to recognize Nemu's identity and automatically slid open.
Nemu stepped inside quickly, and the door closed behind her.
Inside the room, a man wearing a white captain's haori was bent over a workbench, engrossed in his work.
Nemu bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Mayuri, Shigure Segawa has arrived."
The man immediately turned around upon hearing this.
His face was adorned with a dual-colored black-and-white mask, and his head was crowned with an eccentric headdress.
This was Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the current 12th Division Captain and the second Director of the Department of Research and Development.
Hearing Nemu's words, a wide grin spread across Mayuri's face:
"Heh heh... I've been waiting for him."
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