Gosuke Shigure was not unfamiliar with Shiba Isshin.
Not merely because of his own understanding of the Shiba clan's past but because, years ago, when Shutara Senjumaru had escorted him briefly into the domain of Squad Zero, he had once crossed paths with Isshin face to face.
It had been a short encounter.
Polite.
Measured.
Unremarkable on the surface.
Yet Gosuke Shigure had seen enough to understand one thing clearly
Shiba Isshin was not a man who returned to Seireitei on a whim.
Even so, Gosuke Shigure had no intention of forging close ties with him.
He had already stepped away from the Gotei Thirteen.
The era in which he involved himself directly in captain affairs had ended.
Rather than focusing on Isshin's resolve to shoulder the burden of the Tenth Division, Gosuke Shigure chose to look further ahead.
The future, after all, did not wait for anyone.
In the World of the Living, Urahara Kisuke's shop quietly opened its doors.
On the surface, it appeared to be nothing more than a small, cluttered general store.
Yet in truth, it was something far more unusual.
Though Urahara Kisuke was a Shinigami and a prodigy whose intellect rivaled any in Soul Society his shop did not cater to ordinary humans, nor openly to Shinigami.
Due to his status as a wanted criminal, he could not openly trade with Soul Society.
Thus, most of the items lining his shelves were
Experimental Gigai components
Kidō-enhancing tools
Spiritual detectors
Prototype sealing charms
Unstable inventions that had no place in official records
To call it a business was inaccurate.
It was closer to a workshop masquerading as a store.
If, one day, Shinigami passing through the World of the Living were to forget his face or fail to recognize his identity it would not hurt to trade discreetly.
But that day was still far away.
Time could erode many things.
But for now, it could not erase a Central 46 arrest warrant.
Urahara Kisuke remained the most dangerous fugitive Soul Society had ever produced.
When the shop officially opened, Gosuke Shigure made another trip to the World of the Living.
This was, after all, Urahara Kisuke's first true foothold in exile.
Congratulating him was only proper.
But more importantly
There was business to discuss.
It was a plan Gosuke Shigure had conceived long ago.
Urahara Kisuke's inventions were valuable.
But due to his status, they could never circulate within Soul Society.
Gosuke Shigure, however, was different.
Though retired, he was not branded a traitor.
He could still operate openly within Seireitei.
Thus, Gosuke Shigure proposed a partnership
He would open a shop in Soul Society, acting as the public seller of Urahara Kisuke's creations.
The profit split was simple.
70% to Gosuke Shigure
30% to Urahara Kisuke
The reason was equally simple.
Urahara Kisuke bore no legal risk.
Gosuke Shigure would bear all of it.
Even thirty percent, however, was more than enough.
With a stable source of income, Urahara Kisuke could freely pursue further research, purchase rare materials, and continue his experiments without restraint.
He could even rely on Gosuke Shigure to procure spiritual materials unavailable in the World of the Living substances unique to Soul Society's reishi environment.
To Gosuke Shigure's mild surprise, Urahara Kisuke accepted without hesitation.
At this stage, he was not yet the sly, profiteering shopkeeper of later years.
He was still earnest almost shy.
The shop existed merely as camouflage.
Profit meant little to him.
Research meant everything.
Only after Urahara Kisuke agreed did Gosuke Shigure experience a flicker of regret.
"…I could've negotiated harder."
Twenty-eight percent.
Even nineteen.
Urahara Kisuke probably would've agreed.
But the words were already spoken.
A deal was a deal.
Given the lifespan of Shinigami, the two signed a hundred-year contract.
Urahara Kisuke signed casually, hardly thinking about it.
Years later
He would regret it deeply.
With matters settled, Gosuke Shigure returned to Soul Society.
Opening a shop in Seireitei, however, was far more difficult than opening one in the World of the Living.
A tavern or teahouse would have raised few eyebrows.
But a general supply shop
One that sold Kidō tools, communication devices, spiritual apparatus, and even boundary-related equipment
That required approval.
Under Central 46's regulations, even Zanpakutō were monitored.
Such a business demanded noble backing.
Fortunately, Gosuke Shigure already knew who to approach.
Tsunayashiro Ayana.
Seeking her assistance meant accruing favors.
But paradoxically
She welcomed it.
The Tsunayashiro clan, though still bearing the name of a Great Noble House, was fragile.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada's crimes had nearly destroyed the family.
Only Ayana's survival had preserved the main line.
Even so, branch families circled like wolves.
They waited for weakness.
They waited for the chance to replace the main house entirely.
Under these circumstances, Gosuke Shigure's presence was invaluable.
Strength was currency in Soul Society.
And Gosuke Shigure's strength was unquestionable.
Thus, when he asked for assistance
Tsunayashiro Ayana agreed without hesitation.
Through the Tsunayashiro family's influence, permits were granted.
Licenses approved.
Restrictions quietly lifted.
And so
Gosuke Shigure's shop opened in Seireitei.
The items within many originating from Urahara Kisuke's research immediately attracted attention.
Shinigami whispered.
Where had he acquired such things?
Who was truly behind them?
Yet no one dared investigate too deeply.
Not when the Tsunayashiro name stood behind the shop.
And so, beneath the calm surface of Soul Society
New currents began to flow.