Kōe tapped his index finger rhythmically on the table. He wasn't sure if Urahara had actually discovered something, or if this was merely a probe based on his words and actions.
However, there was no longer any need to dwell on it. It was time to reveal the existence of Roca and the other Menos who had already undergone Arrancarification to Urahara and Yoruichi.
"I merely guided them to naturally undergo Arrancarification. At best, I'm just a Shinigamification instructor. I wouldn't say I have profound insights."
Modest? No, Yoruichi only saw pure smugness on Kōe's face. Teaching Menos Shinigamification? As a Shinigami, was that really something to be proud of?!
But on second thought, compared to Urahara who had researched Hollowfication, Kōe actually *did* have a reason to be proud. One turned Shinigami into Hollows, and the other turned Hollows into Shinigami. It went without saying who looked more like an undercover agent.
Just as Yoruichi's thoughts drifted further away, Urahara noted Kōe's phrasing. Guiding Menos to naturally undergo Arrancarification... that meant...
"Is Shinigamification also one of the evolutionary paths for Hollows?"
"From what you're saying, the same applies to Hollowfication?"
The two exchanged a smile. Shinigami Hollowfication and Hollow Shinigamification—in theory, as long as one dabbled in either aspect, the other could be deduced to a fairly deep level.
But deduction was ultimately just deduction. After leaving the Seireitei, Urahara had no way to further research Hollow Shinigamification. Similarly, after leaving Hueco Mundo, Kōe couldn't move freely either. It was difficult for both of them to verify the theories in their minds.
"And the Hōgyoku?"
"If its direction of progression is truly as you predicted, then my judgment aligns with yours." Kōe grew uncharacteristically serious. "Of course, it wouldn't be bad to witness it with my own eyes. This is the perfect opportunity."
Urahara nodded in agreement, then offered a wry smile. "Unfortunately, there is a possibility that this opportunity provided by Aizen will slip beyond our control."
"If it weren't for Aizen, we wouldn't have allowed such an opportunity to arise in the first place."
"Hold on!" Yoruichi decisively interrupted the two, who were getting increasingly engrossed in their chat. *'You two understand everything, but what about me?!'*
"Could you first explain what exactly the Hōgyoku is?"
"Apologies, I forgot you haven't been involved in the related research," Urahara said with a smile. "I'll explain my line of thought, and Kōe can chime in whenever."
"The Hōgyoku is a special substance designed to achieve the goal of strengthening souls by breaking the boundary between the two extreme entities: Hollows and Shinigami. The concept of breaking the boundary itself isn't wrong; what's wrong is the final manifestation of the Hōgyoku."
"Broadly speaking, the Hōgyoku should theoretically have two manifestations. One is what I just mentioned: by allowing the two entities to complement each other, it creates a new entity independent of both Shinigami and Hollows. Simply put, the new entity is both a Hollow and a Shinigami, but at the same time, it is neither a Hollow nor a Shinigami. The other sounds quite similar, and that is..." Urahara lowered one finger, but couldn't bring himself to lower the other. His eyes quietly darted toward the door.
"I'm back! I didn't find anything... unusual in all of Karakura Town."
The moment Kaien slid the door open, he was startled by the eerie atmosphere in the room. What was with those three pairs of eyes staring straight at him? Especially Yoruichi's gaze...
"Is... is there something on my face?" Kaien blinked, asking tentatively. "Or is it because I didn't knock? But I actually did knock just now..."
"So stupid. How did I never notice before that your eyes look so incredibly stupid!" Yoruichi glanced at Kaien, then turned her head and asked in a low voice, "Don't you two think so?"
"Ha... ha... ha..." Kōe gave three dry laughs in response, while Urahara seemed genuinely amused.
"It's a very cute look, Mr. Shiba."
*'Are these three messing with me?'*
"You guys..."
"Even his voice sounds like an idiot."
"Ha... ha... ha..."
"It's a very cute voice, Mr. Shiba."
"Bastards!"
Similar to Yoruichi, whose mind was full of Kaien's innocent gaze, Grimmjow also had a pair of eyes stuck in his mind—eyes that pissed him off immensely.
"Where are you sneaking off to, Grimmjow?"
Grimmjow looked up toward the voice. A pair of narrow, obnoxious eyes met his, though they weren't quite as obnoxious as the ones in his head.
"I don't have to tell you, Nnoitra."
"Scary, scary. Would you still dare to answer like that if Ulquiorra were here?" the extravagantly dressed man named Nnoitra said with a laugh. "That human is entirely under his jurisdiction, you know."
"Then he'll have to ask me himself." With that, Grimmjow shoved his hands into his pockets, having no intention of paying any more attention to the infuriating clown beside him.
"W-Wait!"
Suddenly, a short figure darted out from behind a pillar ahead. His large hood obscured his face as he hunched over, blocking Grimmjow's path. He spoke with a trembling voice, "T-This is Aizen-sama's order. W-We should... we should obey it properly, Grimmjow."
"I *am* going to execute Aizen-sama's order, Abraham."
Another headache-inducing guy. Grimmjow brushed him off with a quick excuse and tried to step around Abraham, who was blocking his way.
"N-No, that's not true. Aizen-sama hasn't given you any new orders." The short man named Abraham stumbled as he blocked Grimmjow again, a hint of pleading in his voice. "Go back, o-okay? Grimmjow."
"Have you turned into an idiot too, Abraham?!" Grimmjow shouted. Abraham's head visibly shrank back, but his body didn't budge an inch.
He definitely wouldn't be able to leave without convincing this guy. Grimmjow understood this, so he tried hard to restrain himself. "Aizen-sama's order was to kill that brat, wasn't it, Abraham?"
"B-But Aizen-sama already gave Ulquiorra full authority to handle it."
"That soft-hearted fool let that brat grow enough to threaten Aizen-sama. What right does he have to full authority?"
"Aizen-sama will absolutely never fail!"
Grimmjow clutched his head. He had still underestimated Abraham's worship of Aizen.
"Aizen-sama won't fail, sure, but making Aizen-sama lift a finger is already a disgrace to us. Threats need to be eradicated as early as possible. Isn't the whole point of our existence to clear the obstacles in Aizen-sama's path?"
As Grimmjow spoke, his mind was entirely consumed by Ichigo's eyes. They were very much like his own—just as resolute, as if no danger could ever force those eyes to close.
Those were eyes that only a king should possess, yet they now appeared on a piece of trash who didn't even dare to fight for his own survival. It was truly infuriating.
And for this world to be merciful enough to let such trash actually grow to the level of a king... Grimmjow couldn't accept it.
A cowardly heart was not worthy of a king's eyes, and a king with a cowardly heart had no reason to exist.
"I am going to wash away our disgrace, Abraham."