The next day, Hasumi Ren walked out of the Fourth Division barracks and let out a soft breath.
He had spent the entire day handling the aftermath of yesterday's incident.
Writing reports, briefing his superiors, and comforting the terrified squad members.
The matter had already been reported to the General Headquarters, and more detailed, rigorous arrangements and orders would be issued soon.
Within the Fourth Division, Captain Unohana had shown a moderate amount of curiosity, but it was strictly directed at the symptoms of the Hollowfication poison.
After all, being a Soul Reaper was an inherently high-risk profession. She merely expressed her regrets for the few who had perished from the poison's erosion.
Ren walked forward along the stone-paved path.
His mind was still preoccupied with yesterday's events.
The return trip had gone smoothly, which was a massive relief. He hadn't been forced to expose his Hollowfication abilities to cover up any loose ends.
But his only headache was the fact that Aizen had decided to make a move on him.
The Hogyoku. Hollowfication experiments.
Even though it had failed, Ren knew exactly what it meant.
That man was no longer satisfied with merely probing him.
He wanted to eliminate him.
Or worse, he wanted to use him as a research subject.
Ren's footsteps paused slightly.
*If Aizen strikes again, when will it be, and what method will he use? Will I still have this beginner's grace period to defend against the next unpredictable attack?*
Taking a deep breath, Ren continued walking.
The pressure was immense.
But he knew he couldn't afford to panic right now.
The more dangerous the situation, the calmer he needed to be.
At that moment, a certain someone suddenly came to Ren's mind.
Just as the thought surfaced, he abruptly stopped in his tracks.
Not far away, a figure was leaning against the perimeter wall.
Light blonde hair and a lazy posture.
Urahara Kisuke.
Ren was slightly stunned.
Speak of the devil.
But this time, Urahara's expression was different from usual.
Gone was his typical cynical playfulness, and he lacked that unfathomable, calculating depth.
He just looked calm, even carrying a faint trace of sincerity.
Ren looked at him without saying a word.
Urahara looked back.
The two locked eyes for a few seconds.
Then, Urahara stood up straight and walked toward him.
"Hasumi Ren."
He spoke, his voice lower than usual.
"I need to talk to you about what happened last time..."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean, Urahara-dono?"
Hearing this, Urahara let out a bitter smile.
His face actually bore a faint trace of exhaustion.
"I know you've been on guard against me... and I have indeed done some things wrong."
"But I truly mean no harm. I came here today to explain what happened last time."
Saying this, Urahara paused.
"Can we talk somewhere else?"
Ren looked at him, remaining silent for a moment.
Just as Urahara thought Ren was going to refuse, he saw the young man unexpectedly nod.
Urahara's eyes brightened a fraction.
A moment later, the two arrived at a secluded alleyway.
Urahara leaned against the wall, staying silent for a while before finally speaking.
"Recently, there has been a massive problem within the Seireitei."
His voice was calm, as if merely stating a fact.
"It started over the last few decades. There have been far too many disappearances—souls in the Rukongai, Soul Reapers of the Gotei 13... This is highly unusual."
Urahara lifted his head and looked at Ren.
"I suspect this is an organized, massive, and interconnected series of cases."
"I've been investigating for a long time, but I haven't been able to find the specific mastermind or any concrete evidence. They've hidden themselves too deeply."
Ren didn't speak, simply listening quietly.
Urahara continued.
"However, some recent events have given me a few clues. The first is the little girl you brought back, and the second is what you encountered yesterday."
"I'm very interested in what happened to you yesterday. I've already investigated the site where you were attacked."
"Although the scene was cleaned up, I still found something."
Saying this, Urahara pulled a small vial from his sleeve.
Inside were a few white, granular specks.
Ren looked at it, frowning slightly.
"This is..."
"Bone residue left behind after a Soul Reaper undergoes Hollowfication."
He looked at Ren, his eyes complex.
"This was a Hollowfication experiment."
"I heard an Adjuchas appeared at the scene. Perhaps someone from Hueco Mundo is responsible."
"But I can sense it's not that simple. It's highly likely they have accomplices right here in the Soul Society."
"This is also why I felt apologetic toward you before."
"The power inside you will likely draw the covetous eyes of those people. I wanted to use that opportunity to root them out."
"Unfortunately, I arrived a bit too late yesterday. The incident ended quickly, and you had already left."
Ren was stunned upon hearing this.
So Urahara Kisuke had also been at the scene yesterday.
No wonder Aizen hadn't made any follow-up moves.
Urahara continued speaking.
"I know this sounds hypocritical, but I truly never wanted to hurt you."
"Those reagents were carefully concocted by me. The dosage was very small, only meant to moderately stimulate the power already existing within you, without causing any substantial harm."
"But I didn't expect those reagents to have no effect at all, and instead, you noticed them."
Urahara then let out a bitter chuckle.
Ren just looked at him in silence.
Indeed, he was fine.
Not only had those reagents failed to hurt him, but they had also gifted him free Hollowfication experience.
But that didn't mean he could accept being treated as a clueless guinea pig.
"So? You came to find me now. What do you want to say?"
Urahara took a deep breath.
"I want to ask for your help."
His tone was completely sincere, devoid of any concealment.
"The power inside you is very special. I noticed it the very first time I saw you."
"Soul Reaper powers and Hollow powers coexisting perfectly without any conflict—this is incredibly difficult to achieve under my current theories."
Ren looked at him.
"So you still want to use me for your experiments?"
Urahara shook his head.
"No, I want to cooperate with you."
"Cooperation and exploitation are two different things."
He looked at Ren with earnest eyes.
"I don't want to use you; I want to uncover the truth together with you. This time, we'll lay all our cards on the table."
Ren fell silent.
He was thinking.
Urahara's attitude this time was indeed different from before.
No hiding, no probing, no unfathomable smiles.
Just honestly explaining everything, and then asking for cooperation.
Moreover, he really did need an ally right now.
After all, Aizen had already made a move on him.
Next time, the attack might be even more ruthless.
If he was alone, with his current strength, he didn't know how he would cope.
But if he teamed up with Urahara, perhaps he could divert the danger to some extent.
After all, over the next century, Aizen's sole purpose would be to obtain the other Hogyoku in Urahara Kisuke's possession.
Ren lifted his head and looked at Urahara.
"Why do you think I would believe you?"
Urahara sighed, then spoke softly.
"Because... you don't have any other choice right now, do you?"
Hearing this, Ren's pupils dilated slightly.
Urahara Kisuke looked at Ren, a trace of solemnity in his eyes.
"I know you're being targeted. You should have noticed it too."
"You've encountered far too many accidents recently. Those Hollowfied wounded, that suddenly appearing Adjuchas... Do you really think this is merely a coincidence?"