Ren paused slightly.
Kisuke Urahara's countenance was graver than it had ever been before, his usual lazy demeanor completely vanishing. He recounted the results of the probe, the enemy's swift countermeasure, and the sudden disappearance of the spatial coordinates in meticulous detail.
"The individuals residing within that dimension possess technical capabilities that are easily on par with my own, and they are exceptionally vigilant," Urahara explained, his voice sounding somewhat dry. "The moment I attempted to probe deeper to analyze the internal details, they detected the intrusion and immediately countered my spell. Furthermore, they jammed the coordinates. I can no longer locate that space."
Ren looked at him steadily. "Do they know it was you?"
Urahara shook his head. "They shouldn't know my specific identity, but they are fully aware that someone was spying on them. In other words, they now know that someone within the Soul Society has uncovered their existence."
The two fell into a heavy silence. The night wind swept through the alleyway, rustling the fallen leaves on the ground with a soft, scraping sound.
"What do you plan to do now?" Ren asked.
Leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed, Urahara kept his head lowered. "If I report this to the Central 46, my unsanctioned research into forbidden spatial spells will be completely exposed. If I report it to the Head Captain... Captain-Commander Yamamoto might very well decide to discipline me first."
Urahara offered a bitter smile. He was caught entirely between a rock and a hard place.
Observing Urahara's uncharacteristic predicament, Ren finally spoke, his voice remarkably calm. "Since you cannot handle it yourself, let someone else deal with it."
Urahara turned his head to look at him. "Who?"
"Aizen."
Ren's response was barely louder than a whisper, yet it sent a visible shiver through Urahara.
"Your probe has already been compromised, but the other side remains ignorant of your identity," Ren continued. "Rather than sitting around like ducks waiting for the slaughter, we should actively shift the trouble onto someone else. We will initiate another detection wave directly from Aizen's secret laboratory. That place is already a hotbed for forbidden experiments. Even if it gets targeted by that hidden faction, the resulting fallout will be Aizen's problem to solve, leaving you and me completely clear of suspicion. Besides, his capabilities far exceed ours, and he has far more resources at his disposal. Forcing him to contend with the residents of that dimension is infinitely safer than taking the risk ourselves."
Urahara stared at him, a complex glint swirling in his eyes. "So your solution is to drag Aizen into this muddy water as well?"
Deep calculations and reservations flared within Urahara's gaze. He understood exactly what Ren was implying. This strategy would undoubtedly allow him to retreat with absolute safety, but it was also a highly volatile, dangerous move on the board.
"Do you have a better alternative? Or are you simply going to pray that the people on the other side pretend they never noticed you and choose not to cause you any trouble?"
Hearing Ren's counter-argument, Urahara let out a long, weary sigh, raising a hand to vigorously scratch at his messy hair. "You're right... But how exactly do you plan to execute this?"
Ren pondered for a brief moment before meeting Urahara's gaze. "I will launch another detection wave from within Aizen's experimental base, forcing the occupants of that space to trace and lock onto that exact location. Since they failed to pin down your location during the first attempt, and assuming they are hiding something deeply incriminating, the previous scare will ensure they are on high alert this time. They will almost certainly attempt to reverse-engineer the origin of my signal."
Urahara nodded slowly. "They have no way of knowing who was behind the first intrusion, but if given a sufficient window of time, they possess the technical prowess to trace the source. Therefore, rather than passively waiting for them to come knocking on our door, it is better to proactively hand them a target."
"Exactly," Ren picked up the thread.
A subtle, knowing smile finally crept onto the corner of Urahara's mouth. "Aizen has erected an immense network of isolation barriers within those desolate mountains of the Rukongai. If someone traces the detection wave back to that coordinates, they will naturally conclude that the Garganta experiments themselves are the source of the surveillance. After that, it will be entirely up to them to make a move."
"If they choose to launch an offensive against Aizen, you know how formidable he is. It won't be easy for those people to eliminate him," Ren noted. "Whether they end up locked in a mutually destructive conflict or one side completely obliterates the other, the outcome benefits us regardless."
Urahara nodded, though he countered, "But what if they choose to remain stationary and take no action?"
"Then we will simply continue to probe them. If they are truly as formidable as you describe, they will eventually lose their patience and attempt to spy back," Ren asserted calmly. "Aizen is no fool. The moment he realizes someone is covertly monitoring his research base, he will relentlessly pursue the source. With his methods and intellect, uncovering their existence is merely a matter of time." He paused briefly. "Of course, this is the most ideal scenario. Reality rarely unfolds quite so smoothly."
As he listened to Ren's breakdown, Urahara's mind rapidly simulated every single branch of the plan. It was undeniably a massive gamble. The occupants of that hidden dimension were highly sophisticated, and they wouldn't blindly walk into a trap. Similarly, Aizen was a master manipulator who wouldn't tolerate being used as a shield.
However, it was precisely because both factions were exceptionally brilliant that this strategy had a genuine chance of succeeding. Intelligent people loved to calculate, dissect their opponent's underlying motives, and navigate complex variables to secure the most advantageous position. And the more calculations they made, the more points of friction would inevitably ignite.
"What do you think of this plan?" Ren asked.
Urahara ran through the feasibility one last time. From a strictly cautious standpoint, he preferred to avoid such volatile measures, but... Ultimately, he let out another long sigh.
"Very well. Matters have already escalated to this point, so we will proceed according to your words." Urahara waved his hand in a gesture of resignation, his tone laced with a hint of capitulation. "I will return to Sokyoku Hill and completely scrub any remaining traces of my array to ensure nothing leads back to me. Exercise absolute caution on your end. Do not trigger Aizen's suspicion under any circumstances."
"Do not worry," Ren nodded subtly.
The two exchanged a final glance, an implicit understanding passing between them without another word.
A few days later, in the desolate mountain research base of the Rukongai.
The overlapping barriers constructed by Aizen completely insulated the entire facility from the outside world, while the familiar thin mist continued to shroud the barren ravine. Ren stood at the center of the experimental sector, dark red spiritual pressure billowing from his body and swirling intensely around him. Raising his hand, he concentrated his Hollowfied spiritual pressure at his fingertips, weaving the energy into an intricate, luminous spell structure.
The surrounding space began to vibrate violently, visible spatial distortions warping the air. Then, a pitch-black fissure slowly tore open.
Ren did not immediately close the Garganta. Instead, he forced his spatial anchor to extend outward through the spatial rift, driving it further into the void until it firmly brushed against the coordinates of that hidden dimension once more.
Moving smoothly, he slipped his hand into his sleeve and retrieved the compact spatial probe Urahara had provided. Capitalizing on a brief interval while adjusting the primary instrumentation, he discreetly affixed the device onto one of the spiritual pressure nodes on the workbench. The probe instantly harmonized with the laboratory's ambient reishi currents, and a faint, imperceptible detection wave propagated outward without a sound.
The signal traversed the open Garganta, slicing through the interstitial layers of the Soul Society's space to lock onto the Wandenreich coordinates deep beneath the Seireitei. Ren kept his eyes glued to the fluctuating data readouts on the console.
Before long, the spiritual pressure waves generated by the equipment impacted the boundary of that concealed space. Without a moment's hesitation, Ren cranked up the spiritual pressure output. The diagnostic shockwaves grew significantly denser and penetrated much deeper, deliberately pounding against the tightly sealed spatial barrier.
He was fully aware that the other side had almost certainly detected his presence, just as they had caught Urahara previously. However, this time, his detection wave was not met with an immediate, aggressive severance. The surveillance wave persisted for a far more substantial duration—long enough to grant the counterparty an ample window to track the source.
Only after a significant period had elapsed did Ren slowly shut down the equipment, severing the spiritual pressure feed. The Garganta snapped shut, and the residual energy dissipated into nothingness.
Dissolving his mask, Ren exhaled a soft breath. He packed up his personal gear and calmly walked out of the testing area, his stride perfectly steady and his expression entirely serene. The signal had been broadcasted successfully, and the Wandenreich had undoubtedly received it. Now, it was simply a matter of watching the dominoes fall.
Deep within the Shadow Realm, inside the Wandenreich's spatial research facility.
The brilliant illumination of reishi lamps flooded the entire space. Unlike the warmth found in the Soul Society, the light here possessed a frigid, crystalline quality, emphasizing the stark, sterile discipline of the environment. Intricate reishi circuits were engraved across the walls, with massive spiritual currents flowing slowly through the tracks, emitting a low, constant hum.
Several researchers clad in pristine white uniforms sat rigidly before their terminals, which displayed highly complex spiritual pressure frequency charts. Their expressions were intensely focused and grim. Absolute silence governed the room, save for the rapid clacking of fingers against control panels as spiritual energy flowed seamlessly from their fingertips.
On the main reishi monitoring screen, the previously stable wavelengths were currently spiking in a frantic, chaotic pattern. One of the researchers stared wide-eyed at the terminal, his hands flying across the controls as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His voice trembled with raw tension.
"Go inform Lord Haschwalth immediately! The detection waves—the exact same spatial detection waves from last time have manifested again!"
Moments later, the heavy doors slid open, and a tall figure stepped into the facility. He wore a flawless white military uniform with a saber resting at his hip. His stride was entirely composed, long golden hair draped elegantly over his shoulders. His handsome, severe features remained as unyielding as a frozen lake, and a commanding aura of absolute stability radiated from his person.
Jugram Haschwalth. Grandmaster of the Sternritter, and the most trusted right hand of Yhwach.
"What is the situation?" his voice rang out, flat and completely devoid of emotional fluctuation.
A researcher shot up from his seat, bowing with deep reverence. "Lord Haschwalth, the detection wave has returned. The frequency, intensity, and distinct spiritual pressure signature match the previous intrusion identically."
Haschwalth's brow twitched subtly. "In accordance with our standing orders, do not act rashly. Do not actively disrupt the detection wave. Track the trajectory of the signal completely and record every single reishi characteristic. What is the duration of this sweep?"
"It has lasted significantly longer than the first occurrence. It almost feels as if... the opposing party is intentionally allowing us to lock onto their signal."
Haschwalth walked up to the primary array, inspecting the fluctuating charts. Two distinct probes, separated by a mere three days. The first had been a hurried, exploratory tap that they had instantly severed; the second was a sustained, deliberate surveillance that had lingered for a full several minutes before actively withdrawing.
This was absolutely no coincidence. Someone had definitively uncovered the existence of the Wandenreich and was methodically testing the defenses of the Shadow Realm.
He studied the streaming data for a silent moment before turning his gaze to the technician. "Can we trace the origin?"
Manipulating the interface before him, fine beads of sweat rolled down the researcher's temples. "Yes, my Lord. During the initial incident, we acted too precipitously and severed the connection immediately. But this time, following your precise directives, we held our ground and allowed the wave to persist, recording the complete telemetry of the fluctuation. We have successfully reverse-calculated the coordinates of the source."
Haschwalth nodded. "Where is it?"
The researcher input a final sequence, and the display shifted to present a detailed map. A bright red pinpoint stabilized within a range of desolate mountains situated well to the west of the Rukongai.
"Right here. The general perimeter is locked down. It is located outside the Seireitei, within the Twenty-Eighth District of West Rukongai."
Haschwalth stared at the crimson beacon, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Outside the Seireitei... Are you entirely certain?"
"One hundred percent certain!" the researcher affirmed confidently.
Haschwalth's fingers tightened subtly into a fist as his mind rapidly calculated the variables. If the facility sat outside the walls of the Seireitei, it strongly indicated that this was not an official branch of the Gotei 13, nor was it a publicly sanctioned operation. Otherwise, there would be absolutely no need for such clandestine operations.
From the look of it, this was highly likely a rogue faction of Soul Reapers practicing forbidden arts who had inadvertently breached their borders. But who exactly were they, and what was their ultimate objective? Was this a covert deployment orchestrated by Yamamoto Shigekuni, or the work of an entirely separate entity?
At present, His Majesty remained in a profound slumber, yet to awaken. The Wandenreich's grand plan had not yet reached the designated hour for revelation. This matter had to be handled with absolute precision.
"My Lord, how should we proceed?" the researcher inquired cautiously. "Should we immediately activate our defensive grid, or deploy a vanguard force to purge these intruders?"
"Do not act rashly," Haschwalth commanded instantly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "His Majesty has not yet awakened. The time to execute our millennium-long grand design has not arrived. Deploying a military force will inevitably alert the Gotei 13. If the existence of the Wandenreich is prematurely exposed, a thousand years of patient dormancy will be utterly wasted." His voice dropped lower, though each syllable carried immense weight. "I will absolutely not tolerate anyone interfering with His Majesty's grand design."
He turned to face the entire assembly, a flash of cold, murderous intent surfacing in his pale blue eyes. "I shall lead a detachment personally."
One of the researchers hesitated slightly. "Lord Haschwalth, if the opposing party truly belongs to the Seireitei..."
"That is precisely why I must handle this in person," Haschwalth interrupted seamlessly. "For them to successfully probe the Shadow Realm twice and establish a covert facility outside the Seireitei, their capabilities must not be underestimated. I will go personally to test their depth and discern exactly what manner of fools dares to spy on the Wandenreich. And then, I will eliminate them."
He needed to ensure that this surveillance threat was thoroughly crushed in its cradle. The existence of the Wandenreich had to remain an absolute secret until the moment arrived to bare its true fangs. Only then, upon Yhwach's awakening, would the millennium-old layout remain utterly flawless.
"I will silently eradicate those who pry into our domain. Before His Majesty awakens, no one must know we exist. Continue to monitor the spatial arrays here. Report any anomalies to me immediately."
"Yes! We obey your commands, Lord Haschwalth!" the assembly shouted in unison.
Haschwalth turned and strode toward the exit. Standing before the long corridor of the laboratory, his eyes were completely devoid of warmth, filled only with absolute calm and unyielding resolve.
Those who spy on the Wandenreich will die. Those who interfere with His Majesty's grand design will die.
No matter what faction they belonged to, he would erase them from existence with his own hands. Behind him, the researchers resumed their frantic duties, the spiritual pressure charts on the monitors continuing their slow, rhythmic pulsing.
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