Bleach: Gazing Mirage

The next day, as the sun cast its warm glow over the Soul Society, Yuichi found himself heading to the academy, and he wondered when Niko would be done with the device. He would need it before he could retrieve Miel since he was being observed. As he entered the classroom, he noticed a buzz of excitement among the students. Instructor Kensei had returned, and the news spread quickly.

 

Kensei Muguruma, known for his tough demeanor and combat prowess, stood at the front of the class. The students, eager to see their instructor after his absence, erupted into cheers. However, Kensei raised his hand, silencing the room with a stern gaze.

 

"Quiet down, you bunch of brats!" Kensei's voice, though gruff, carried a hint of amusement. The students hushed, their attention fixed on the returning instructor.

 

"I just got back from the human world," Kensei announced, his arms crossed over his muscular chest. "The forest training ground is closed off for now. Some idiots thought it would be a good idea to sneak in even though you’ve been told not to, and as a result, they ended up increasing the patrols and the forest will be sealed off even longer than was previously set. So we've got to come up with a new plan to get you weakling some combat experience."

 

A murmur of curiosity and concern spread through the classroom. Yuichi, intrigued by the unexpected turn of events, listened intently as Kensei continued.

 

"We've got a training ground in the human world—filled with hollows. You'll be heading there tomorrow for a three-day trip to make up for all the practicals you've been skipping. Consider it a special training session. Pack your stuff tonight, and be ready to leave early tomorrow morning. It's time to toughen you lot up. These hollows will be stronger than what you’re used to so don’t be careless."

 

Kensei's words were met with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The prospect of facing hollows in the human world added a level of intensity to their training. This would be the first time for many of these students who didn’t remember their human life to return there. As the instructor dismissed the class, discussions erupted among the students about the upcoming trip.

 

Yuichi couldn't help but feel that this was a good chance. This was a chance to test the techniques he had been learning, especially the ones involving reiryoku control and gathering. The practical application of these skills in a real combat scenario would provide invaluable experience. There was also a new theory he had wanted to try out on living creatures and a hollow would be the best test subject.

 

The next morning, the students gathered at the designated area, going over their essentials and readying their zanpakutos, Yuichi couldn't shake the feeling that something bad would happen during this trip. From his memories every time a soul reaper went to the human world something bad would happen to them. Actually, he wouldn’t be surprised if someone called the human world cursed.

 

As Senkaimon the dimensional gateway which the soul reaper used to enter and leave Soul Society shimmering with spiritual energy. Kensei Muguruma, stood at the front, his gaze assessing the group.

 

"Listen up, maggots. This isn't a vacation. You're heading to the human world to face real threats. Keep your wits about you, follow orders, and maybe you'll come back in one piece. Move out!"

 

The Senkaimon gate opened, revealing the swirling vortex of energy that connected the Soul Society to the human world. As the students stepped through, the adventure in the realm of the living awaited, filled with hollows, challenges, and the opportunity for growth.

 

In the shadowy corners of the Soul Society, hours before the student would leave for the human world Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the eccentric member of the 12th Division of the Research and Development Institute, eavesdropped on the conversation about the upcoming trip to the human world. His twisted mind immediately saw an opportunity, one that promised new subjects for his experiments.

 

"Hmm, the human world, you say?" Mayuri muttered to himself, his expression hidden behind the ominous mask he wore. "What an excellent chance to capture my new guinea pig. Those fools are walking right into my hands."

 

His fingers tapped rhythmically against a vial of experimental concoction as he pondered the best approach. Mayuri reveled in the chaos and unpredictability of the human world, a realm that often threw unexpected challenges at those who dared to venture there.

 

"Capturing one out of those students would prove difficult so should I capture more than one? But how to go about it without arousing suspicion?" Mayuri mused, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Perhaps I can stage a scenario where multiple groups are attacked all at once. Yes, that might work."

 

A wicked grin played on Mayuri's lips as he considered the possibilities. The human world was a playground of variables, and he relished the idea of exploiting them for his experiments.

 

"Since they'll be training with hollows, I can use my soul-strengthening pills. Injecting a bit of chaos into the mix might be entertaining. Let's see what effects it has on those hollows. If their strength grows exponentially, I'll get the most valuable data. Those students better stay alive long enough for me to collect sufficient information," Mayuri chuckled to himself, the excitement in his voice bordering on madness.

 

The prospect of testing his unorthodox creations on living hollows thrilled Mayuri. He reveled in the idea of pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, even if it meant subjecting others to the unpredictable consequences of his experiments.

 

"The instructors will be a hindrance. Kensei and Gengorō, particularly, are known for their combat prowess. If they fight my data will be skewed. Rin is also a member of the 12th Division; he could maybe figure out this is my handiwork," Mayuri pondered, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the vial. "I'll need to make them disappear temporarily, perhaps alter the Senkaimon gate."

 

The devious scientist contemplated ways to manipulate the dimensional gateway, the Senkaimon, to create a diversion or delay the instructors' arrival in the human world. Mayuri's mind was a labyrinth of schemes, each more intricate than the last.