12th Division, Technology Development Institute.
"So you want me to figure something out?"
Mayuri sat in his chair, looking at an experimental data sheet in his hand, and spoke without raising his head to Rangiku standing before him.
"Yes, Captain asked if you could please do some more research and find a specific, effective solution as soon as possible."
Rangiku replied.
"Even if you beg me like this..."
"Please, we really need your help."
"But I'm really not that interested."
Mayuri said with a look of disinterest.
Rangiku said with difficulty, "Not interested? This concerns the safety of the Seireitei..."
"Come to think of it, the last research on lifting the Zanpakuto brainwashing was a bit more challenging. This time, subduing the masterless Sword Beasts isn't really difficult at all. It just requires making the Sword Beasts 'stable' again."
"But finding the specific method to make them 'stable' requires trial and error, trying one method after another. Just thinking about it sounds incredibly boring, so I'm really not interested."
Mayuri explained his reason for refusing.
"Well, even if you say that, Captain's side..."
"What does Hitsugaya have to do with me? Nemu, see the guest out."
Mayuri waved his hand impatiently and prepared to turn and leave.
"Um... Captain Kurotsuchi..."
"I'm sorry, Captain still has matters to attend to. Please do not disturb him further."
Nemu blocked Rangiku, who was preparing to chase after him.
"My, my, how helpless. It seems I have no choice but to take out that thing."
Rangiku suddenly looked pained.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, actually, Captain also asked me to bring you a gift this time!"
Rangiku shouted at Mayuri, who had already reached the door.
Mayuri turned back in some surprise. "A gift? What gift? That guy Hitsugaya actually has the kindness to bring me a gift? But let me make it clear first, even if you bribe me with gifts, I won't agree..."
"Captain asked me to bring you some sweets."
Rangiku took out the box of sweets that Toshiro had given her to bring to Mayuri from somewhere on her person, and reluctantly opened the box.
Instantly, a tempting aroma filled the entire room.
"What! This smell... it's my favorite kind of sweet!!"
Mayuri flashed and instantly appeared before Rangiku, snatching the sweets from her hands before she could even react.
"Nemu, quick! Make some tea!!"
Mayuri ordered impatiently.
"Such speed... as expected of Captain-class."
Rangiku, who had just reacted, twitched her mouth.
'Sigh, speaking of which, what a pity. I was planning to secretly keep the sweets for myself. It seems that's not happening now.'
Rangiku thought to herself.
The sweets Toshiro had sent Rangiku to give Mayuri this time were not ordinary goods. They were from a thousand-year-old shop famous throughout the Soul Society.
The sweets made by this thousand-year-old shop, using special techniques, had an unparalleled flavor. And due to the special ingredients and production methods, it took several days to make just a few small batches.
So the sweets from that shop were always in short supply. Toshiro had been lucky to buy a few boxes this time. After sharing some with Kyoraku and the others, only one box was left.
And just now, when Toshiro was sending Rangiku to ask Mayuri for help with the research, he suddenly remembered that Mayuri also really liked sweets from that shop. So on a whim, he had Rangiku bring them as a 'gift' for Mayuri.
What Toshiro didn't expect was that Rangiku, the foodie, had 'become greedy' and planned to secretly keep the sweets for herself. So she hadn't mentioned the sweets at all at first.
It wasn't until Mayuri was about to leave, and she realized that failing the mission would definitely result in punishment from Toshiro, that Rangiku reluctantly took out the sweets.
"Mayuri-sama, the tea is ready."
Nemu left and returned shortly, carrying a tray.
"Mm, well done."
Mayuri nodded with satisfaction and prepared to enjoy the sweets with his tea.
"Wait!"
Rangiku suddenly grabbed Mayuri's right hand as he reached for a sweet.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, about that research I asked you to help with..."
Rangiku asked cautiously.
"Hmph, who do you think I am? Don't think a mere box of sweets can sway me. Even if I had no food and starved to death here, I would never yield to that guy Hitsugaya!!"
Mayuri said disdainfully.
"Since you won't help, I'll take the sweets back."
Hearing Mayuri's words, Rangiku wasn't disappointed at all. In fact, she looked happy.
If Mayuri refused to help, then the sweets would be hers.
Thinking this, Rangiku directly reached out to take the sweets back.
'Huh? Why won't it move?'
"Captain Kurotsuchi, could you please let go?"
Rangiku looked helplessly at Mayuri, who was still gripping the sweet box tightly.
"Hmph, how rude. Have you ever seen someone bring a gift to visit and then take it back?"
Mayuri said discontentedly.
"Well, it's not a matter of politeness or rudeness. The key is, you're planning to take the gift without doing anything, right?"
Rangiku retorted.
"Oh dear, how helpless. The matter of the Sword Beasts concerns the safety of the Seireitei. Asking me to help isn't impossible."
Faced with the temptation of the sweets, Mayuri finally relented.
Seeing Mayuri finally give in, Rangiku quickly seized the opportunity. "As expected of Captain Kurotsuchi! I knew you cared about the Seireitei's safety and wouldn't stand by and do nothing. Please accept this humble gift."
"Got it. Leave the research to me. You go back first. I'll notify you when there's a result."
With that, ignoring Rangiku, Mayuri immediately picked up a sweet and savored it slowly.
"Mm, so delicious."
Mayuri closed his eyes with a look of ecstasy.
…
10th Division Captain's Office.
"Is that so? Just sweets made Mayuri agree to help? You handled this matter well. Although I mentioned using polite means before force, not having to use orders to pressure him into agreeing is ultimately a good thing. We're all colleagues, after all. Falling out wouldn't look good for anyone."
Toshiro praised Rangiku, who had returned to report.
"Um... Captain, since I exceeded my mission, don't you think I deserve a reward?"
Rangiku asked cautiously.
"A reward? What kind of reward do you want?"
Toshiro asked.
"Sweets! The same kind you gave to Captain Kurotsuchi!!"
Rangiku replied without hesitation.
"How unfortunate. I was barely able to buy those sweets. There was only one box left, the one I had you give to Mayuri."
Toshiro said.
"Tch, then I'll just go drink instead."
Rangiku suddenly lost interest.
"Drinking? That's perfect timing. I'm tired of playing cards. Since we're drinking, let's all go together."
Toshiro said to everyone.
"Mm, that's a good idea."
Kyoraku, the old drunkard, was the first to respond.
The others had no objections and unanimously agreed with Toshiro's suggestion.