4-5 Kon and Kisuke's Infiltration Mission

Here we go. Let's see. I hope we can find something in the database.

Hey, it's asking for a password.

Yes, I was expecting that.

Every piece of equipment in here has been programmed by Mayuri.

He's not that hard to read. I don't think it's gonna be too difficult to figure out what he would use for a password. Let's see now. First try.

I can't make heads or tails of this stuff. Is this what you were looking for?

Yeah. According to this, Kageroza was inducted into the Soul Society about sixty years ago.

Really? That long ago? And Nozomi?

I don't see anything about her in this database.

Huh?

What is it?

Let's get out of here, Kon.

So, did you learn anything? If you did, it's time you told me.

Now, think back. Do you remember what Nozomi said to you before?

He's the one who originally developed the Mod Souls.

Out of all the Mod Souls that have been created, I was the first.

Then Kageroza explained it further.

It's quite simple, you see. Nozomi and I were both born from the Reishi of a single Soul Reaper. No one knows her better than me.

Did you notice that their two stories differed in one important aspect?

And because of that, isn't it obvious that one of them is lying?!

Well, it's certainly possible, but there might be another explanation. What if what they both said was actually true?

Huh?

What I'm trying to say is, what if Kageroza is a Mod Soul himself?

In other words, the two were once a single Mod Soul.

I don't get it. If Kageroza is also a Mod Soul, then how could he be the one who developed Mod Souls?

Like the invading army, Mod Souls were originally created from the Reishi of a particular Soul Reaper, and then imbued with enhanced capabilities.

And if that's true, then there can only be one answer.

The person who developed Mod Souls had to use himself as the basis for their creation!

Exactly right.

Which would mean then, that both Nozomi and Kageroza are representations of the same Soul Reaper who originally developed them.

Wait, but that still leaves one question. Who in the world could that Soul Reaper be?

I'm thinking we might find the answer at the Squad 10 barracks. If we can figure out the true developer, I'm hoping that we'll be able to locate the original lab as well.

And if we can find the lab, we can probably restore Ichigo's spirit energy! Hey, Clog-Dude! When did you figure this whole thing out?

I have to admit, I had my suspicions before we came here to the Soul Society.

Then you should have told us instead of keeping it to yourself! That was really selfish of you!

I didn't really want to tell anyone until I had more proof of my theory.

At the Squad 12 barracks, I began reviewing the records from the time I left the Soul Society until the time Kageroza assumed his post at the Department of Research and Development.

I expected to find a Soul Reaper who disappeared before Kageroza showed up, but I found something else instead. The records in which I was interested had all been erased.

And that's why you went over to the library?

Yeah. I thought whoever had tampered with the files might have overlooked the archive in the library, and the records would still be intact.

So, how did that work out?

I found nothing listed in Squad 12's registry of names, and no signs of alterations. But I did find indications of tampering in the books of another squad.

Really? Interesting. And which particular book was that?

It was a book of Squad 10's records from a long time ago. Ninety six years ago, to be exact.

Nothing's here that even looks remotely like it. There's no way that these particular records could have been changed. Bring me more books.

Wa-ahhhh!

Aha! Here it is!

Really? You found it?!

Yes, I'm sure this is it. It's dated 96 years ago. The man was transferred to Squad 12.

So, what is the guy's name?

Ouko Yushima.

Hey! This guy sort of does look a little like Nozomi.

So, where do we find him? Where is this guy? What does that crossed-out part of the page mean?

What it means is that the man doesn't exist within Squad 12 anymore.

But I believe I know where he is today.