Fairy Tail: Shinigami - CH241 (Patreon)
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[Kisuke Urahara. POV]
[Two days after the date between Adam and Erza.]
Today I found myself, in a peculiar predicament, one as baffling as it was intriguing. The task at hand? To comprehend the enigmatic 'Magic of Friendship' that pervaded this world, using the tools and methods of science. A daunting task, indeed, for something so intangible and, frankly, whimsical, but very real.
I had run some tests, and friendship wasn't just the literal definition of it, at least not in this world. It was a magic conductor that empowered energy via an unknown process, a process I shall discover!
As I stood amidst the bustling guild hall, my eyes scanned the room, observing interactions, the laughter, the camaraderie. My trusty notepad was in hand, ready to jot down any quantifiable data. But where does one even begin in quantifying friendship? Is there an algorithm for camaraderie, a formula for loyalty? Something that triggers this magical phenomena?
I approached Natsu and his group, prime example of this 'Magic of Friendship.' At least according to Adam. Taking a deep breath, I cleared my throat. "Natsu, may I inquire about the specific dynamics of your bond with your comrades? What is the foundational basis of your rapport?"
Natsu looked at me, confusion clear in his eyes. "Uh, what?"
Right, he's stupid. I sighed. Not the most auspicious start. "Let me rephrase. How would you describe your friendship?"
Natsu grinned, a light igniting in his eyes. "It's like a burning fire! Always warm and full of energy!"
I jotted down in my notepad: 'Friendship = Fire? Metaphorical or literal? Requires further analysis.'
Next, I turned to Gray. "And you, Gray, how do you perceive this bond?"
He shrugged, nonchalantly. "It's cool, I guess. Like, we've got each other's backs, no matter what."
'Friendship = Cool? Counter to Natsu's theory. Intriguing.'
I continued this line of questioning with various guild members, each answer more perplexing than the last. 'Friendship is a journey,' 'It's like an unbreakable chain,' 'It's sweeter than the sweetest cake.' My notepad quickly filled with metaphors and similes, none of which were particularly conducive to scientific analysis.
Feeling a tad overwhelmed, I retreated to a quieter corner of the guild, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. There must be a logical explanation, a scientific basis for this phenomenon. Yet, the answers eluded me, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand.
As I pondered, I noticed Juvia walking past, a dreamy expression on her face. Aha! Perhaps love, an equally complex human emotion, might offer some insight into this puzzle.
"Juvia," I called out, "might I inquire about your perspective on love?"
She stopped, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Juvia's love for Gray-sama is like an endless rain, pouring endlessly from the heart."
I blinked. 'Love = Endless rain. Complicates water cycle theories.'
It seemed that just as I had concluded, these emotions, love, friendship, they weren't just feelings; they were living, breathing forces in this world, almost elemental in nature. But how to quantify them? How to measure the immeasurable?
I glanced around the guild hall once more, my eyes landing on various groups. My scientific mind whirred, trying to apply logic and reason to how these emotions translated to more power for the sake of plot. I could decipher the properties of reiatsu, understand the complexities of soul reapers and hollows, but this... this was a different kind of challenge, because of how stupid it was.
In a last-ditch effort, I approached Mirajane, the barmaid, renowned for her understanding and insight into the hearts of the guild members. "Mirajane, I have a question for you. How would you explain the 'Magic of Friendship'?"
She smiled, her eyes lighting up with a knowing spark. "Kisuke, it's not something you can explain with words alone. It's something you feel, something you experience. It's the bond that holds us together, through thick and thin."
I scribbled down her words, but they felt hollow on paper, stripped of the warmth and sincerity with which she had spoken them. 'Friendship = Bond. Non-quantifiable. Experiential phenomenon?'
Feeling a sense of frustration, I leaned against the bar, my gaze drifting over the guild members. Each one of them was an embodiment of this 'Magic of Friendship,' a living proof of its existence, yet beyond the grasp of empirical evidence and scientific method.
Was I approaching this all wrong? Was there a need to redefine my methods, to look beyond the realms of science and into the realms of what I assumed was the result of a Disney God creating this universe? The thought was both unsettling and fascinating.
Maybe I needed to get one of them, while this phenomena was active, then I would be able to understand it. And once I understood it, I would be able to harness it, by force! Scientific force, the uses for this strange phenomena was limitless!
But for that to work, I needed to find something strong enough to force them into the friendship corner, where they would most likely enter a inner monologue about how everything they are doing, and everything they are is for the friends. Only then, they would pull a win that seemed impossible out of nowhere, giving me the data I need.
Hmm.
I could probably resurrect a Dragon, and have them fight it. But Adam would probably disapprove. A hollow mayhaps? An empowered Adjuchas should be enough to defeat most of guild, but certain Guild members are strong enough to face this.
Gildarts, Erza, Laxus...
Maybe a Vasto Lorde?
No. That would be too much, they would die.
A pack of Empowered Adjuchas?
Yeah, that sounds better.
"No," Yoruichi frowned, glaring at me. "I know that look, and I'm telling you, no, drop it."
I blinked, taken aback by Yoruichi's sudden interruption. She crossed her arms, a stern expression on her face that dared me to challenge her. Her words echoed in my mind, the resounding "no" reverberating through the empty spaces of my thoughts.
"But Yoruichi," I began.
"I said no," Yoruichi repeated. "I know that look, is the I want to experiment on my friends' looks. And guess what, that will earn you, the I will shove my foot up your ass look, if your ass survives Adam's wrath that is."
That's a fair point. Adam would not like me experimenting on his friends, he didn't even like to be experimented on. He can be quite selfish, but Yoruichi was right. "Fine, I'll find another way to discover the truths of 'Friendship'"
Yoruichi snorted. "My little pony is calling, they want their mojo."