From the beginning to the end.
Suddenly, Urahara Kisuke's eyes narrowed as if he had finally understood something.
He remembered the contract he had signed with Shihoin Ren back when he was imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest.
Yes, that had to be it!
It was because of that contract they had made back then.
Urahara was certain now; he had seen through Ren's ability to seize his Zanpakutō.
But... what good did seeing through it do?
Urahara's mood plummeted instantly, sinking into a bottomless abyss.
Without Benihime, he had lost his final trump card. How was he supposed to resist now?
They were like turtles trapped in a jar, waiting to be slaughtered.
Was it truly possible that he, Shinji, and the others would meet their end here?
Ren gripped Benihime, giving it a couple of experimental swings before nodding in satisfaction.
"It is indeed an excellent Zanpakutō. Benihime... a fine name."
He recalled that Benihime's Bankai could restructure anything it touched, allowing it to adapt to any crisis.
It was this very ability that had allowed Urahara Kisuke to defeat that poison-wielding Quincy.
Its power was undeniably formidable!
Unfortunately, Ren had no use for it right now.
Such an ability was far better suited for research and development than simple combat.
Just as Urahara Kisuke had used it.
In the hands of a capable researcher, Benihime would be far more effective than in the hands of a mere brawler.
Who among his subordinates was a suitable researcher?
Ren went through his mental roster before suddenly waving his hand toward Shisui, who stood ahead.
"Shisui, I recall Orochimaru has done quite well recently. He's unearthed many talents for us."
Shisui's figure flickered into existence before Ren, speaking respectfully. "Yes. Currently, the Fourth Kazekage, Third Kazekage, and Third Raikage of the Stealth Force were all 'unearthed' by Orochimaru."
Indeed, it was unearthing in the literal sense.
Orochimaru and his subordinates had been digging through graves across the Ninja World, summoning the souls of the powerful dead.
Then, the Soul Reapers sent from Yomi Castle would capture those souls.
This mode of operation was exceptionally efficient.
It was much faster than searching one by one through the countless souls within the Pure Land.
Ren said, "Once this is over, have someone deliver Benihime to him. Consider it his reward for this period."
"Understood."
Shisui reached out, about to take the sword, when Urahara Kisuke's shrill cry rang out.
"Shihoin Ren! You... you're actually going to give my Benihime to someone else?!"
Shisui paused as Ren pulled the blade back.
"Kisuke, I told you. This is my Benihime now."
Ren turned his head to look at Urahara.
Anxiety and panic were etched across Urahara's face, revealing a rare glimpse of helplessness.
Ren's brow quirked up as he gave a mocking smile. "Next, I'll show you something even more interesting."
With that, he extended his arm, pointing the tip of the blade toward the ground.
His spiritual pressure surged violently, whipping up a gale that made his robes snap loudly in the wind.
"Bankai!"
Hearing Ren utter those words, Urahara Kisuke's face turned pale.
It was just as he feared!
Since he could use the Shikai of another's blade, then a Bankai... was not impossible!
Yoruichi was in disbelief. "He can even deploy someone else's Bankai?!"
Tessai Tsukabishi looked troubled, his gaze shifting between Ren and Urahara. He patted Urahara's shoulder as if to offer silent comfort.
Taking in everyone's reactions, the smile on Ren's face widened.
"Kannon Biraki, Benihime—"
Just as Ren's spiritual pressure reached its peak and began to condense, right before he could finish the release command...
Ren's voice cut off abruptly at the final moment.
The surging spiritual pressure vanished instantly. Ren's brow furrowed deeply, and a cold expression settled on his face.
His gaze flickered intentionally toward a patch of empty space to his side.
Seeing Ren stop his Bankai, everyone on the field was struck with confusion.
"Did the Bankai fail?"
"It doesn't look like it. It's more like he gave up on it himself."
"Why so sudden..."
Various thoughts raced through their minds.
Though Ren hadn't continued the release, as his expression turned cold, a profound sense of oppression permeated the entire underground space.
An unprecedented pressure bore down on them, making them feel as if they had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
Under this weight, every cell in their bodies seemed to scream out in protest, emitting a silent, unbearable roar.
Yoruichi stared at Ren, who stood at the center of this storm of pressure, her heart racing with shock.
"What on earth happened..."
It was the first time she had seen Ren look so solemn, and the first time she had felt such heavy pressure emanating from him.
It wasn't just spiritual pressure, nor was it killing intent, or any other tangible power.
It was simply that Ren's own mood had become so grave that it affected the very atmosphere of the area, placing a crushing spiritual burden on everyone present!
Ren reached out and handed Benihime to Toji.
Toji's brow twitched slightly as if he had sensed something. He took the blade smoothly into his hand.
At the same time, he turned his head, his gaze becoming razor-sharp as he stared intently at the empty space Ren had just been watching.
There was absolutely no one there!
While handing over the sword, Ren looked toward Walter, who was standing near Suì-Fēng.
"Walter, take Yoruichi and leave."
Ren's voice was calm, yet it carried an indisputable authority.
"As you wish."
Walter nodded in agreement.
He wasn't sure why Ren's demeanor had changed so drastically, but being told to take Yoruichi away meant that something significant had been discovered.
"Come out."
As Walter spoke, a mass of shadows rose out of the ground beside him.
From the shadows, five figures emerged.
Two wore the uniforms of the Stealth Force, while two wore suits draped with white coats that had the word 'JUSTICE' written across the back.
The four of them surrounded Yoruichi.
Leading them were two elderly women who looked to be of significant age.
One had her hair in a ponytail, tall and thin with a stern face.
The other had her hair in a bun, shorter in stature, with a gentle smile on her face.
"Lady Yoruichi, please come with us."
"Please, do not make this difficult for us."
Yoruichi's eyes fell upon the shadows. She realized immediately that Walter's silent appearance earlier must have relied on this shadow technique.
She scanned the four people around her, and her face twisted into a look of disdain.
"Ren... you actually hid these subordinates as well? You never mentioned them to me."
"And what if I do make it difficult for you?"
Seeing Yoruichi unmoved, Walter sighed and spoke again. "Please calm your anger, Lady Yoruichi. Young Master Touichirou and Master Yūshirō are waiting for you inside."
Upon hearing this, Yoruichi's face flushed with rage.
"You're actually using my son and my brother to threaten me!"
She turned to Ren and questioned him sharply, "Is this another one of your 'good' deeds?"
"It is not a threat. It is protection."
Ren finished speaking and waved his hand.
Receiving the signal, Walter said to the two women, "Madame Tsuru, Madame Chiyo, please escort Lady Yoruichi away."
"Lady Yoruichi, please come. Master Touichirou is waiting for you."
Watching the two women step forward, Yoruichi glanced at Kisuke and Tessai, then at the unconscious Aizen and the others. She asked Ren, "What are you going to do with Kisuke and Aizen?"
Ren replied, "Originally, I intended to kill them all and be done with it. Now, however, things don't seem quite that simple."
Just then, Toji's feet moved as he suddenly flickered to the side of the shadows.
The blade of Benihime was held horizontally in mid-air, emitting a sharp 'clang' as it collided with another sword.
Sparks flew, the edge of the blade pressed against what appeared to be empty air.
Toji's voice was icy. "Blind man, take one more step and I'll butcher you!"
Yoruichi looked at Toji.
Clearly, there was nothing there, yet from his stance, it looked as if he were fighting an invisible enemy.
Coupled with Ren's sudden change in behavior, something she wasn't aware of was definitely happening.
Yoruichi stared at Ren for several seconds before gritting her teeth and nodding.
"But you must promise me... you won't hurt Aizen and the others!"
Ren remained silent, his eyes fixed on the empty space to the side.
Seeing Ren wouldn't answer, Yoruichi's expression darkened. She opened her mouth as if to unleash a thousand questions, but the words stuck in her throat.
She could barely look after herself now, and with her brother and son being held, what could she possibly do?
What could she even say to Ren?
Even if she spoke, given Ren's personality, he wouldn't agree.
Yoruichi fell silent, her steps heavy as she walked into the shadows under the guard of the four subordinates.
After Yoruichi left, Walter's fingers danced, and the threads binding Suì-Fēng unraveled.
"Suì-Fēng, you go inside as well. Remember to take good care of Lady Yoruichi."
Walter made a hooking motion toward the severed hand on the ground.
Several threads swept through the air, lifting the hand and tossing it into Suì-Fēng's grasp.
Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth, clutching the severed hand. She took one last look at the situation on the field and, without a word, silently followed.
Seeing his task complete, Walter touched his chest and bowed to Ren in departure.
After Ren nodded in approval, Walter stepped back into the shadows.
As Walter withdrew, the shadows quickly dissipated, vanishing without a trace.
Ren looked toward the empty space, his tone freezing.
"How much longer do you plan on hiding there?"
Several seconds passed, yet the empty ground remained still.
Ren's gaze became increasingly unfriendly.
"You brought this on yourself. You're forcing me to be rude!"
As he spoke, his hand rested on the hilt of the Zanpakutō at his waist. He stepped forward, killing intent overflowing.
Seeing Ren's strange movements, Urahara Kisuke was stunned for a moment before something clicked. His face went completely pale.
A concealment ability so powerful that even he couldn't see through it, combined with the 'blind man' comment Toji just made... a suspicion instantly formed in Urahara's mind.
Could it be Aizen Sousuke?!
And that blind man... could it be Aizen's subordinate, Tōsen Kaname?
So, Ren had discovered Tōsen, which explained his reaction.
But what was with this murderous intent?
Could there be some rift between the two of them that he didn't know about!
Just as Ren was about to draw his sword, a warm, deep voice echoed through the underground space.
"Senior, there's no need to be so impatient."
The empty space shimmered with mist and flowing light, revealing one tall and one short figure.
The short, silver-haired youth brushed away the mist, his eyes squinting into a deceptive, fox-like smile.
"This isn't good, Vice-Captain Aizen. It seems we've been exposed."
"Gin, I never intended to stay hidden much longer."
The tall man in the Soul Reaper uniform, wearing black-rimmed glasses, wore a gentle smile on his face.
It was indeed Aizen!
Aizen faced Ren, the light reflecting off his glasses and obscuring his eyes.
"As expected of my senior. You actually managed to find me."
After Aizen revealed himself, another figure appeared in front of Toji.
Tōsen Kaname, wearing sunglasses, raised his Zanpakutō, parrying Benihime in Toji's hand. Realizing they were exposed, Tōsen pushed Toji's blade away with a flick of his wrist.
His figure blurred as he flickered through the air, coming to stand behind Aizen.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Aizen. I was unable to infiltrate further."
"It's no matter, Kaname. After all, we are right under his nose. He wouldn't make it so easy for us to succeed."
Aizen tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked at Ren with a hint of curiosity.
"Senior, I thought I was quite well-hidden. When exactly did you discover me?"
"When?"
Even though Aizen had revealed himself, Ren's hand remained on his hilt, not relaxing in the slightest.
The killing intent radiating from him didn't dissipate; instead, it became even more solid.
"Since you were still in your mother's womb."
"I see."
Aizen felt himself being surrounded by a killing intent so tight that there wasn't a single opening. It felt as if any movement, however slight, would trigger a fatal attack.
Yet Aizen remained unhurried, that gentle smile still fixed on his face.
His gaze drifted through his lenses toward Hirako Shinji lying on the ground, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Is Senior trying to imitate Captain Hirako?"
Back when Hirako Shinji was the Captain of the 5th Division, he, as Aizen's superior, often said such things to provoke him.
Hearing such vulgar words from Ren's mouth now, Aizen couldn't help but tease him.
"Captain Hirako's particular temperament is not something you can easily learn, Senior. It doesn't suit you at all."
"I'd advise you to give up on that idea."
Ren's eyes narrowed, and the hand on his hilt shifted slightly away.
"Sousuke, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing much."
Aizen's voice paused. He turned his head, looking at Urahara Kisuke with a smile.
He then said to Ren, "I was just passing through and happened to see Senior here, so I thought I'd come say hello."
Passing through? Saying hello?
Nonsense!
This was deep underground, even below the subterranean waterways. Without a map or a guide, it was nearly impossible for a normal person to find this place.
Not to mention, Ren had ordered a barrier to be placed outside.
Yet what surprised Ren was that when Aizen entered, the barrier hadn't sent out a single alert.
He had only been able to find Aizen's trail by relying on a few minute clues.
Seeing Ren's skeptical expression, Aizen shook his head.
He didn't bother to explain further, instead just quietly watching Ren.
"Senior, you don't believe my words?"
"It'd be a miracle if I did!" Ren retorted.
In the original history, it wasn't that no one believed Aizen.
But the outcome for those people was always a blade in the back.
Ren's gaze swept over Tōsen Kaname behind Aizen.
Except for this blind man, who would eventually die by Aizen's hand as well.
Though, such a death would likely be exactly what he wanted.
That said, after a moment of silence, Ren finally removed his hand from his sword hilt entirely.
The murderous aura dissipated like the wind.
The stifling pressure in the air vanished in an instant.
Urahara Kisuke felt a wave of relief, but in the next second, his heart was in his throat again.
Ren turned around, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he looked directly at him.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]