18

[lady_of_books]

[Filtered to Captains, Vice-Captains and Upper Seated Officers]

I would like to call officer attention to the report made by Vice-Captain Kuchiki on April 30, 2009. It has now been nearly two more months, and according to the files in the Eighth Division Archives, for which I have personally requested an update from the Spirit Arts Academy only

Comments

[madarame_i]

I got something for you, but it doesn't relate to the shikai issue. If you could come by the first sometime I can give it to you.

[Private to Captain Madarame]

[lady_of_books]

I'll be by in the evening, if that is all right.

[Private to Vice Captain Ise]

[madarame_i]

I'll be in my office.

[same filter]

[seven_tenken]

Has there been any indication of the source of this interference, or do we still have no clear evidence one way or another?

[Private to Nanao // unhackable]

I do not suppose you have any suspicions regarding the nature of this threat?

[same filter]

[lady_of_books]

I believe you would do better turning to the Twelfth for that kind of scientific examination, Captain Komamura. I have here some medical reports where students complained of nausea, dizziness, headaches associated with trying to speak to their zanpakutou. To an extent, such side effects are normal when trying to better grasp one's spiritual potential, but the frequency is alarming.

[Private to Komamura//unhackable]

I do, sir. I would rather discuss them in person.

[same filter]

[seven_tenken]

Indeed. I will await Kurotsuchi's report on the matter, then. Thank you.

[Private to Nanao // unhackable]

Naturally. At your convenience then, Ise.

[Private//unhackable]

[lady_of_books]

I'll be there after office hours, sir.

filtered same;

[butforonemoment]

That long...

filtered same;

[lady_of_books]

I'm not entirely sure what to make of it at this point, but if it keeps up we will have a serious problem on our hands. Any seated shinigami at all must be able to release shikai.

filtered same;

[butforonemoment]

Yes, the long term consequences of this... I don't really know what to say, though if I can help with anything.

[Private to Rangiku//oh so unhackable]

[lady_of_books]

Please keep your eyes and ears open. I will not believe this is a coincidence--too many strange things have been afoot lately, and most of them lead back to one source only.

[sciencemonster]

You can't rush genius.

My report will be available across Soul Society by the middle of next week, and I will send the Eighth, as usual, a copy to be filed.

[lady_of_books]

Thank you for the information, Captain Kurotsuchi. We will look forward to the results.

Private to Nanao

[sciencemonster]

I have made my response private so as not to cause concern, but I will say this: If you are relying on me to develop some kind of fix, I am unhappy to inform you that my results so far are not at all encouraging. Please keep this to yourself...there is still a chance that my final tests will yield some kind of hope.

If all else fails, we will need to find some other way to arm new Shinigami. While I do have the ability to alter existing zanpukuto if necessary, there is no current way to create them artificially. They are a manifested element of a Shinigami's soul, after all, and whilst I can give souls and personalities to objects, they will never be quite the same as the real thing.

I do not accept failure. There must be a reason, and I will not rest until I find it; even if it takes me a century.

[frozen_clouds]

This is an alarming trend. Long term, the consequences could be dire.

Private to Isane

[lady_of_books]

I did not wish to broach this subject in public, but is it possible there is some sort of a newly introduced pathogen inhibiting the growth of new shinigami? We've already seen a disease that could transform shinigami into Hollows--something that was not supposed to be doable outside... strict laboratory conditions. I am not a scientist, Isane-san, but the thought has occurred to me. Have you thought to perhaps examine some of the students on cusp of achieving shikai?

Private to Nanao

[frozen_clouds]

Even though it shouldn't be, I suppose it is possible. I can conduct some tests, and look for anything out of the ordinary. A few simple blood tests would be able to determine if it's some sort of virus or bacteria related to the recent outbreak. Of course, if it is a disease, there's always the distinct possibility that there simply is no way to cure it. Hopefully this isn't the case, but we need to be prepared for every eventuality.