Chapter 162: Nie Jianli: Thousand-Hand Pill, You wouldn't have guessed, would you? this

Since the "Handling Myriad Affairs" Captain Urahara has arrived, we can officially begin this captains' meeting...

Huangmu took a deep look at the tardy Urahara Kisuke, then proceeded to open this captains' meeting.

"Eh hehe..."

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Urahara Kisuke suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Especially since Huangmu deliberately added the prefix "Handling Myriad Affairs" before Urahara Kisuke's name and the suffix "Captain" after it, making Urahara feel utterly embarrassed, thoroughly put down by Huangmu.

"All in all, I'll just say a few words here..."

Next, Huangmu launched into a textbook-style lecture.

Originally, Huangmu wouldn't utter such useless talk, but after he assumed the position of Captain-Commander, he suddenly felt enlightened and began to speak eloquently...

Indeed, one's seat and position determine what they ought to say...

As Huangmu entered the small-talk segment, the captains also sized up the tardy Urahara Kisuke; indeed, today's captains' meeting was meant to let everyone get acquainted with Urahara Kisuke, so Huangmu did not stop their behavior...

Bean sprouts—just look, they're not hard to beat!

Gengmu was the first to feel disappointed in Urahara; having heard of a new captain, he'd expected a tough opponent, but got nothing but a delicate bean sprout—Gengmu was truly disappointed! After confirming Urahara's 'attribute,' he turned his head away, unwilling to glance at Urahara even once...

Is this guy really reliable?

Pingzi felt immense worry for Urahara, fearing he could never properly lead the Twelfth Division, given that its previous captains had been exceedingly outstanding, nearly eclipsing the brilliance of their contemporaries.

So sleepy...

Shibo Yixin had no interest in anyone present; he only wished Huangmu's talk would end quickly so he could hurry back and get a good nap.

As for the other captains, each had their own thoughts, everyone sizing up Urahara Kisuke while pondering their personal matters.

As Huangmu's talk flowed on endlessly, time passed minute by minute...

Then my talk ends here!

An hour later, Huangmu finally ceased his speech, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a gentle sip to soothe his throat.

You may all depart as you wish.

Seeing his duty conclude, Huangmu waved his hand at those present.

Going! Going...

As Huangmu announced the meeting's adjournment, the captains present hurried toward the outside of the First Division captain's office, at that moment their eyes seemed to behold endless light~

That was the light called 'hope'~

Among them, Jingle Chunshui's eyes shone the brightest~

Jingle, stay a moment...

However, just as Jingle's steps were about to exit the First Division captain's office, his ears suddenly caught Huangmu's voice.

Eh...

Jingle's steps halted instantly; he reluctantly turned his face, looking pitifully at Huangmu and said, "Teacher, I really was wrong."

You were wrong? No, you weren't...

Upon hearing Jingle's words, Huangmu chuckled and spoke.

Hahaha...

Seeing this, the other captains immediately slowed their steps, still delighted to eat Jingle Chunshui's melon~

You're walking so slowly—do you all not want to leave?

Since each of you utterly refuses to go, then all of you stay behind to keep Jingle company while I give my lecture...

Huangmu naturally noticed the other captains' behavior, gazing at the captains of the other divisions and asked lightly.

Go! Go right away...

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, everyone bolted, fleeing his captain's office.

Then tell me your problem...

Next, Huangmu turned his gaze to Jingle before him.

Thump~

Jingle, without waiting for Huangmu to speak, immediately knelt before him.

Master, just now outside there were many people; I now kowtow to you once!

Jingle, looking anxiously at Huangmu, kowtowed and said.

Go guard the gate! This year you are not to go anywhere...

Train your temperament well; you're already an adult, you shouldn't be like this.

To that, Huangmu regarded Jingle and spoke calmly.

Many thanks for Teacher Huangmu's mercy in not killing!

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Jingle immediately kowtowed several more times to him.

Thereafter, he waddled away from Huangmu's captain's office and ran off to guard the gate...

You little brat...

Huangmu watched Jingle's retreating back, muttering.

At the same time, Urahara Kisuke ran with the captains all the way to the outside of the First Division barracks...

I've never before seen Captain-Commander Huangmu lose his temper like this~

That scene was utterly terrifying! Merely sensing the spiritual pressure unintentionally released by Captain-Commander Huangmu made it hard to breathe; I felt as if I were about to die—it was utterly frightening...

To be honest, I truly don't know how much effort and sweat one must expend to attain Captain-Commander Huangmu's level of power! Even if I set aside all my research, devoted myself to martial training, and spent a lifetime chasing, I might never reach his stature...

Urahara Kisuke scratched his cheek, venting to the captains with lingering trepidation.

Huh? Do you think Captain-Commander Huangmu's title as the strongest shinigami of Soul Society is just for show? Although we're both captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, our strength differs worlds apart~

Pingzi responded immediately after hearing Urahara's words.

"Really, you little brat, after seeing Captain-Commander Araki's strength..."

"And you still want to catch up to the Captain-Commander's footsteps! From the day I first saw Captain-Commander Araki, my heart has clearly told me that this man before me is an existence I could never match in my lifetime..."

Liuchē Quánxī also chimed in at this moment.

"You're pretty fierce, huh~"

"But wanting to catch up to the Captain-Commander isn't easy..."

"The Captain-Commander's spiritual pressure is at least ten times that of Liuchē Quánxī!"

Aikawa Raumu then walked right up to Urahara, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a laugh:

"Hey hey hey! Why are you using me as a unit of combat power?"

Upon hearing Raumu's words, Liuchē Quánxī protested:

"Because your name just happens to contain a number..."

Pingzi then interjected:

"There are plenty of people whose names contain numbers, right? Loz (Fengqiao Lou Shilang), and also Ukitake-senpai, their names also have numbers, right?"

Upon hearing Pingzi's words, Liuchē Quánxī continued to protest:

"So noisy..."

As for Fengqiao Lou Shilang, he casually yawned and then left on his own.

Fengqiao Lou Shilang had no intention of chatting with these people lacking artistic sense...

"Probably because, Quánxī, your spiritual pressure is fairly standard (third class), right?"

"But I think Captain-Commander Araki's spiritual pressure is definitely more than ten times that of Liuchē Quánxī~"

Urahara then joined in on the 'Quánxī' joke.

"I'm not targeting you, Quánxī; I mean if you were replaced by any other captain, to me it would be the same..."

But soon after, Urahara added another sentence, apparently not wanting to offend Quánxī.

However, Urahara was clearly overthinking; although Quánxī lacks some strength, he is indeed a carefree person, and he doesn't at all mind jokes among friends~

"By the way, discussing an existence completely different from our own level here—doesn't that seem ridiculous?!"

After walking halfway, Fengqiao Lou Shilang, who had chosen to turn back, interjected:

"Pfft hahaha..."

As Fengqiao Lou Shilang's words fell, everyone present—whether Urahara, Quánxī, or Pingzi—suddenly burst out laughing...

They seemed to be laughing at themselves for so seriously discussing the Captain-Commander's strength—how could the Captain-Commander be something these lower-ranking captains could talk about?

But as everyone just goofed around, the awkwardness between Urahara Kisuke and these captains seemed to magically disappear in an instant.

"Let's go, let's go..."

After everyone finished chatting, they each went off with their respective vice-captains toward their own divisions.

Among them, Pingzi walked the most calmly; he deliberately sought out Urahara to see what kind of person Urahara Kisuke was, and after this brief chat, Pingzi felt completely at ease, entrusting Hissori to him...

"Urahara Kisuke?!"

"What a distinctive and very interesting person~"

Seeing his captain Pingzi Zhenzi choose to leave, Aizen Sosuke naturally smiled and followed closely behind Pingzi, though no one noticed that from the start, Aizen's gaze had been fixed on Urahara Kisuke.

"So then..."

After bidding farewell to all the captains present, Urahara Kisuke turned his gaze to his vice-captain, Yuánshì Rìshìlǐ.

"I haven't even acknowledged that you're the captain of our Twelfth Division~"

Upon feeling Urahara's gaze, Hissori snorted coldly.

"Looks like there's still a lot of trouble waiting for me ahead~"

Urahara looked at the disobedient Hissori and smiled helplessly.

Soon after, one week later...

In that short week, Urahara had completely moved all his equipment from the Second Division to the Technical Development Bureau of the Twelfth Division, and he was also amazed by the various equipment in the Tech Development Bureau, which were everything he had ever dreamed of...

At the same time, during that week, Urahara's relationship with Hissori began to ease, because Hissori saw many similarities between Urahara and his former captain, Ye Zhou Tongsheng—for example, both are the type who, once they start an experiment, just keep going nonstop, and both are extraordinarily talented and stunningly brilliant~

Of course, these aren't the main point; the main point is that since arriving at the Technical Development Bureau, Urahara has constantly praised Ye Zhou Tongsheng's achievements, saying things like Ye Zhou Tongsheng is an existence even more talented than he is~

Although Hissori doesn't understand the technical terms Urahara uses, nor his experiments, she likes when others praise Ye Zhou Tongsheng, and in her eyes, anyone who praises Ye Zhou Tongsheng is definitely not a bad person...

At the same time, after Ye Zhou left the Twelfth Division, Aizen successfully entered the Twelfth Division's core data area and reviewed all materials related to Ye Zhou Tongsheng, and thus, Aizen praised from the bottom of his heart: 'Ye Zhou senior, the temporary souls you invented and created are truly an achievement unparalleled in history—Ye Zhou Tongsheng is indeed a rare genius and talent in the Soul Society once in ten thousand years~'

And another week.

"I have absolutely no clue~"

Urahara sat in the hallway of the Twelfth Division, dazed, as his recent experimental projects encountered some problems—problems he temporarily couldn't solve.

"As I suspected, I still need an assistant to help me~"

Urahara Kisuke muttered to himself.

For a moment, Urahara recalled the scene a few nights ago when he met Captain Pingzi Zhenzi; it seemed Pingzi Zhenzi was very worried about his relationship with his small vice-captain, namely Yuánshì Rìshìlǐ~

"If that's the case, then let's go take a look~"

Upon thinking this, Urahara made a decision.

Since he now needs a qualified assistant to help solve many experimental problems, and also needs to completely win over his own vice-captain's heart, there is only one place he can go...

Thus, Urahara found Hissori: 'Hey little Hissori, I have a nice place in mind to go to—what do you think?'

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing Urahara's words, Hissori's expression slightly froze.

"What place?"

Hissori asked Urahara.

Anyway, you'll know once you go......

Urahara Kisuke didn't answer Ri Shili's question; instead, he deliberately kept her in suspense.

So mysterious......

Ri Shili muttered, but still intended to give her captain some face.

After all, Ping Zi had given him plenty of homework, urging her to fully accept Urahara Kisuke. Even if it wasn't for Urahara's sake, it was for Ping Zi's sake......

Yes, Pingzi Zhenzi had racked her brains over the relationship between Ri Shili and Urahara Kisuke. Ping Zi was practically like a male mother, taking meticulous care of Ri Shili.

Then let's set off~

After obtaining Ri Shili's consent, Urahara Kisuke revealed a mysterious smile.

Immediately afterward, Urahara Kisuke and Ri Shili arrived at the front gate of the Second Division's barracks......

Inside the Second Division captain's quarters......

Inside the magnificently palace-like captain's quarters, the Second Division's captain, Sifengyuan Yeyi, was constantly adjusting her drink.

Report, Lady Yeyi: the Twelfth Division's captain, Urahara Kisuke, has come to visit. He says you promised him, allowing him free entry into the Maggot Worm Nest......

A soldier in black tactical gear from the Covert Mobilization knelt on one knee before Yeyi and reported earnestly.

Huh? Is that true?

Upon hearing this, Yeyi's expression flickered with surprise; she couldn't recall promising Urahara anything, nor remembered granting him permission to freely enter the Maggot Worm Nest.

Since you don't remember this, I'll go drive him away now.

The Covert Mobilization soldier, upon hearing Yeyi's words, immediately understood; he intended to rush back and drive the deceitful Urahara Kisuke out of the Second Division.

Forget it, just let him go~

Upon hearing that, Yeyi immediately waved her hand; in her view, granting Urahara permission to enter the Maggot Worm Nest was not unacceptable.

Yes, ma'am.

The Covert Mobilization soldier, upon hearing that, nodded and then vanished in a flash before everyone's eyes.

Lady Yeyi......

After the Covert Mobilization soldier left, Feng Shaoling furrowed her brows; her prejudice against Urahara Kisuke hadn't dissipated with his departure.

Shaoling......

However, before Feng Shaoling could speak, Sui Feng interjected, merely calling out Shaoling's name softly before falling silent.

Uh......

However, upon hearing her grandmother's words, Shaoling instantly fell silent.

Shaoling, what's the matter?

Regarding that, Yeyi deliberately glanced at Feng Shaoling and asked with a smile.

Just now there was still......

Now it's suddenly gone.

Feng Shaoling responded truthfully.

It's better that it's gone~

After hearing Shaoling's words, Yeyi first stretched lazily, then lowered her head and began drinking the honey water she had been stirring for a while......

Hmm, I don't know if it's Yeyi's illusion, but after Feng Shaoling's problem disappeared, she suddenly felt that today's honey water had become unusually sweet.

For a moment, only Feng Shaoling looked up at the admired Lady Yeyi with a wronged expression; she truly couldn't understand why, despite her wholehearted dedication to the Second Division and the Covert Mobilization, neither her grandmother nor Captain Yeyi could comprehend her painstaking efforts.

Meanwhile, Urahara Kisuke had already brought his vice-captain Ri Shili into the Second Division's barracks; after passing through a forest, they finally arrived at the Maggot Worm Nest, where countless criminals are imprisoned......

Ri Shili, do you know that in our Thirteen Court Guard Squads, there's actually no such thing as quitting?

Urahara Kisuke led Ri Shili forward while chuckling.

Huh? Impossible, I've encountered several soldiers who quit......

I was the one who stamped their discharge papers; how could I not know?

Don't learn from that bald liar Zhenzi, Urahara......

Upon hearing that, Ri Shili frowned and denied Urahara's statement.

Ri Shili clearly remembered that in the Twelfth Division, at least seven or eight soldiers had once quit, and she had processed their discharge paperwork, even though she had never met those soldiers in person......

Haha, really? Actually, I wanted to tell you that those who quit the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have actually all been captured and brought here......

Upon hearing that, Urahara Kisuke merely gave a light smile.

What?

Ri Shili stared blankly after hearing Urahara Kisuke's words.

This is the Maggot Worm Nest; any existence deemed by the Forty-Six Chamber to be a threat to the Soul Society is imprisoned here......

Urahara Kisuke looked at the dazed Ri Shili and explained.

In other words......

Ri Shili suddenly understood.

Yes, those who once quit the Twelfth Division, people you once knew, might very well be in this huge prison......

Also, Ri Shili, remember this: no matter how close you were before or how familiar, once they're locked up here they become different from the people you knew, so you must never trust anyone in this place......

Urahara Kisuke educated Ri Shili.

Huh? Do you need to say these things?

After hearing Urahara Kisuke's words, Ri Shili tilted her head in a haughty manner.

And then......

Don't think I'm weak just because I look delicate; I actually once served as captain of the Covert Mobilization's Third Detachment Supervisory Squad, and the sole requirement to become captain of that squad is being able to suppress everyone in the Maggot Worm Nest with bare hands......

Urahara Kisuke spoke, his eyes gradually sharpening, as he led Nichigo deeper into the maggot worm's nest. He resolved to give his vice-captain a proper demonstration……

Because the current True Central Spirit Academy teaches students the history and structure of the Seireitei, Urahara Kisuke no longer explained to Nichigo the relationship between the Covert Ops and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, instead jumping straight to the stage of displaying his abilities……

In Urahara Kisuke's view, as long as he displayed his formidable strength, he should be able to earn Nichigo's sufficient trust while also giving her a sense of security.

"Hah?!"

Nichigo heard this, froze for a moment, then immediately followed closely behind him.

After Urahara Kisuke disposed of several clueless fools in front of Nichigo, the two proceeded all the way to the deepest part of the maggot worm's nest……

At this moment, Nichigo, having witnessed Urahara Kisuke's strength, indeed changed her opinion of him; at least in her eyes he was no longer a fragile bean sprout.

After Urahara Kisuke and Nichigo passed through several iron doors, they finally arrived before the innermost cell of the maggot worm's nest; this spacious cell held only one person—a man wearing a mask and with long blue hair.

"Yo, Mayuri, you still doing alright lately?"

Urahara Kisuke voiced a greeting toward the man in the prison.

"Oh, Urahara Kisuke, you've come?"

"You haven't been here in a long while; I thought you might have died."

Mayuri, who had been dazed, caught a flicker of liveliness in his eyes upon hearing Urahara Kisuke's words; he looked at the visitor and spoke coldly.

"Ahaha, I've been busy with some things lately…"

Urahara Kisuke heard this but paid no heed to Mayuri's words; he merely gave a light smile.

"Huh? That white haori you're wearing, Urahara…"

"I see, you've become a captain, huh?!"

Mayuri looked at Urahara Kisuke's haori and realized.

"Yes, I've been busy with captain duties lately~"

"But Mayuri, you actually managed to discern my identity—how rare~"

"I thought you knew nothing about outside affairs~"

Urahara Kisuke heard this and smiled at Mayuri.

"Nonsense, that white captain's haori symbolizing the rank of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' commander—I wouldn't mistake it."

"That tattered garment you wear now has been used by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads for over a thousand years; frankly, in my view it's outdated—I could invent something better, superior to that woman's haori."

Mayuri muttered to himself.

"Really? Then, Senior Mayuri, would you be willing to come out and help me?!"

Urahara Kisuke heard this, chuckled, then extended an invitation to Mayuri.

"Help you? I see, you really went to the Twelfth Division, right?"

"So does that mean the annoying brat Chōshū Kirishō has finally died?"

"No, that's wrong! Given Chōshū's strength, she would certainly not die so easily…"

"I see, has Chōshū also finally gone to where that woman is?"

"These hateful fellows, one after another, have all eventually left—what about the world we're in~"

Mayuri's eyes darted about; within just a few minutes he had figured out what was happening outside.

"Urahara Kisuke, I can go out to help you…"

"But you must agree to my conditions~"

Mayuri narrowed his eyes slightly at this thought; having fallen once before, this time he was determined to become captain of the Twelfth Division, fully commandeer the woman's left-behind Technical Development Bureau, and reshape the Tech Development Bureau in his own image.

"Possible…"

Upon hearing Mayuri's words, Urahara Kisuke lightly nodded.

"Hehehe…"

"Well then! Let's do it like this~"

"I hope you won't regret today's actions, Urahara~"

After hearing Urahara Kisuke's words, Mayuri let out a barbell-like laugh, his eyes flashing with an extraordinarily eerie light.

"This guy is kinda scary…"

"Are we really going to release such a dangerous guy?"

"I have a feeling she'll deal a devastating blow to the Soul Society…"

At the same time, Nichigo felt a twinge of apprehension toward Mayuri imprisoned in the cell.

"Utterly foolish! You're just like the woman who sent me here, and the obedient Central Forty-Six Chambers that follow her word—annoying…"

Upon hearing Nichigo's words, Mayuri let loose a tirade at her.

Mayuri didn't know what was making the kid act up; he'd been foul-mouthed since childhood……

"How to put it—occasionally being foul-mouthed feels good, constantly foul-mouthed feels good~"

"What did you say?!"

Nichigo, enraged by Mayuri's words, slammed her fists against the cage.

"Ouch…"

Then Nichigo paid the price for her actions, looking at her red, swollen palms as tears welled in her eyes.

"Is that yellow-haired monkey your pet, Urahara?"

"I advise you to replace her; she's downright stupid and would easily drag down the Twelfth Division's average intellect…"

Mayuri glanced at Nichigo and said flatly.

"Huh? Who are you calling a monkey? "

Nichigo heard this and roared angrily at Mayuri.

"……"

Nie Jianli, upon hearing that, chose silence.

He, Nie Jianli, being human, can get angry with children, but must never get angry with a monkey, that would make him look low‑class…

Meanwhile.

The territory of the Xiumu family, one of the Five Great Noble Houses of the Shihun Realm.

"Swish! Swish…"

A boy who looked about eleven or twelve held a wooden sword, continuously swinging it in the courtyard, sweating profusely.

"Impressive, impressive~"

"Really training hard, Bai Zai~"

Just as the boy was immersed in his sword‑waving practice, an aged voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Hmm? Grandfather, you're back. Aren't you staying at the squad quarters today?"

The boy turned at the sound and saw his grandfather, Captain Xiumu Yinling of the Sixth Squad, smiling faintly and watching him silently.

"Take a little rest today~"

"By the way, Bai Zai, someone's coming to see you today~"

Yinling smiled gently after hearing the boy's words.

"Hm?!"

The boy—Xiumu Bai Zai—was momentarily stunned after hearing Yinling.

"Yo! Bai Zai! We've come looking for you…"

Soon after, Bai Zai saw Zhibo Haiyan and Zhibo Konghe walking toward him from the courtyard.

"Brother Haiyan, and Sister Konghe~"

Bai Zai, upon seeing Haiyan and Konghe, instantly brightened and waved at them.

Because the Zhibo family has not declined as in the original story, the two great houses—Zhibo and Xiumu—remain relatively close.

"Brother Haiyan, let's have a duel~"

"This time I'll never lose to you again…"

Bai Zai said that and charged straight at Haiyan. Before he could reach Haiyan, he suddenly collided with a soft mass…

"Hm?!"

As the familiar choking sensation rose in his chest, Bai Zai's complexion changed abruptly.

"Ye Yi!!"

Bai Zai shouted, swinging the wooden sword in his hand forward.

He naturally cut only a slice of air.

"Hahaha, little brother Bai Zai is still full of vigor~"

The newcomer was Ye Yi of the Four Maple Courtyard; after teasing Bai Zai a bit, she moved from in front of him to behind him.

"Damn! This time I'll definitely catch you…"

Bai Zai reached back, but he only grasped empty air, and Ye Yi slipped off his headband.

"……"

For a moment, a vein bulged on Bai Zai's forehead.

"Little brother Bai Zai, you're no good~"

"Haven't seen you for days, you're getting weaker and weaker~"

Ye Yi, holding Bai Zai's headband, mocked him.

"Just wait…"

Bai Zai said, then used a flash step to chase after Ye Yi.

In an instant, two black shadows flickered across the courtyard…

"Hahaha, be careful, you two~"

Xiumu Yinling watched the scene and smiled lightly.

Although his son, Xiumu Cangchun, has some health issues and is unlikely to inherit the Xiumu family's leadership…

Fortunately, he has an outstanding grandson; Bai Zai's talent even surpasses his, and he will surely become an excellent head of the Xiumu family, leading the Xiumu clan and the Sixth Squad to a new height…

At the same time, besides Bai Zai's succession, the son‑in‑law they recruited for the Xiumu family is also excellent; that kid Xiang He is a bit impatient, but his talent is undeniable, especially his Zanpo Blade Demon Sword Muramasa, whose power is truly overwhelming.