Hasumi Ren followed Urahara Kisuke as they headed inside.
As they passed through the crowds, most of the inhabitants ignored Urahara, simply staring blankly into space.
Occasionally, someone would hear the commotion and look over, their gaze fixed intently on Urahara and the young man behind him.
Some faces wore expressions of mockery, while others flashed with clear hostility.
"Hasumi-kun, you'd better be careful."
"Most of these people are pugnacious brawlers. With nothing to do in here, they spend their time either training their bodies or picking fights."
"Some might launch a sudden attack. Even with their Spiritual Pressure suppressed, there are a few whose Hakuda skills are actually quite decent."
Hasumi had already noticed several figures inconspicuously closing in around them.
"And this is what you call 'no threat'?"
"Well, given your strength, they shouldn't pose much of a threat to you."
Hasumi glanced at his surroundings and noticed many scattered fragments lying about.
As he walked, those fragments were absorbed into him one after another.
[SYSTEM: Obtained 12 Spiritual Power Fragments, Spiritual Pressure EXP +60]
[SYSTEM: Spiritual Pressure: Grade 8 (EXP: 735/8000)]
[SYSTEM: Obtained 25 Hakuda Insights, Hakuda EXP +125]
[SYSTEM: Hakuda: Level 4 (EXP: 290/5000)]
A thought occurred to him.
"3rd Seat Urahara, if they attack a guard like you, is there any penalty?"
"Hmm? Yes, there is. The penalty is getting a sound thrashing from us."
"But most of them don't care. They just keep charging forward tirelessly, even if they end up battered and bruised."
"I suppose it's just their way of venting their frustration."
Urahara Kisuke spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"After all, the Maggots' Nest doesn't hold criminals, but 'potential threats.'"
"They've merely been reported and judged as people who might pose a danger to their comrades, but no actual crime has ever been committed."
"Some just have radical ideas, some performed research they shouldn't have, and others... well, they simply know things they aren't supposed to know."
"Anyone would feel the injustice in that."
Urahara whispered softly.
Hasumi understood. This kind of decaying, archaic system could be found in every dark corner of the Seireitei.
"Why, from your tone, 3rd Seat, it almost sounds like you're sympathizing with them?"
Hearing Hasumi's voice, Urahara gave a light laugh.
"Perhaps."
Hasumi thought for a moment; there was a question he was quite curious about.
"Speaking of which, do nobles ever get locked up in here?"
Urahara went silent for a few seconds after hearing the question.
"Hasumi-kun, it's best not to ask questions that might hurt our sense of unity."
"However... yes, they do."
Hasumi understood perfectly.
The powerful and influential certainly wouldn't end up here. The nobles who did were likely low-ranking ones or discarded pawns who had lost a power struggle and been exiled.
As the two chatted, the people gathering around them could no longer restrain themselves.
"Hey, Urahara! Is this some new brat you've hauled in? He looks pretty green."
A giant of a man, over three meters tall, stepped forward with eyes full of resentment.
"Hasumi-kun's thoughts are very upright, and he hasn't done anything out of line."
Urahara acted as if he didn't catch the man's sarcasm.
"I should introduce him. He's... something of a partner of mine."
"Hah?"
Another man sneered.
"I've been in this hellhole for seven years, looking at the same rocks and the same faces every single day."
"You just bring an outsider in whenever you feel like it? You think this place is your home? What happened to the Stealth Force's discipline?"
"Urahara Kisuke, you're the one who really belongs in here!"
The next moment, a sudden gust of wind rose.
The massive giant threw a punch without the slightest warning.
Simultaneously, a long-haired man lashed out with a vicious kick aimed at Urahara's ankle from behind.
But Urahara was faster.
Before anyone could even track his movement, the man attacking from behind was sent flying, slamming heavily into the stone wall nearby.
As for the giant, his fist—the size of a large pot—was caught firmly by Urahara, unable to move an inch forward.
In the next second, the giant was seized by the collar and thrown, tumbling heavily across the ground several times.
The air around them froze.
"As the Unit Commander of the Penitentiary Unit, I believe I have at least this much authority."
"What's wrong? Do you want to try again?"
The other prisoners stopped in their tracks, watching the scene coldly.
No one stepped forward to help, but no one backed away either. They stared at Urahara Kisuke like a pack of hyenas waiting for an opening.
"Cough!"
The long-haired man who hit the wall coughed up a mouthful of blood. He struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with murderous rage.
His gaze then shifted toward Hasumi, a flash of cruelty crossing his eyes.
He lunged forward once more, but this time his target wasn't Urahara Kisuke—it was the young, white-haired boy standing behind him.
Hasumi watched him approach and suddenly smiled.
"3rd Seat Urahara."
He spoke up, his voice ringing clearly through the cavernous space.
"If I fight back while being attacked, I assume I'm not breaking any rules?"
Urahara glanced back at him, a hint of interest in his eyes.
"Of course not. It's just self-defense."
The long-haired man reached Hasumi, striking out from an awkward angle in an attempt to seize him.
However, Hasumi didn't give him the chance.
The moment the man's hand was about to grab him, Hasumi's hand snapped up, pinning the man's wrist.
With a sharp pull and a twist, a sickening crack echoed as the man's wrist was instantly dislocated.
Taking advantage of the opening as the man stumbled, Hasumi delivered a heavy flying knee to his abdomen. The force was so great that it briefly lifted the man off the ground.
Hasumi then grabbed him by the collar and hurled him away.
The long-haired man crashed into the distance, clutching his wrist and twitching in pain, unable to stand again.
Several fragments were silently absorbed by Hasumi.
[SYSTEM: Obtained 2 Advanced Hakuda Insights, Hakuda EXP +200]
[SYSTEM: Obtained 5 Hakuda Insights, Hakuda EXP +25]
Seeing this, Urahara Kisuke clapped his hands lightly.
"Wow, Hasumi-kun, you really don't show any mercy. But please be careful not to kill anyone."
"Don't worry."
Hasumi took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the hostile faces surrounding them.
"Well," he said casually, "does anyone else want to spar with me?"
A brief silence fell over the area.
"You're dead meat, kid."
The giant Urahara had thrown earlier scrambled back to his feet, spitting out blood and grinning ferociously.
Several others stepped out from the crowd, their gazes icy as they stared down Hasumi.
Behind them, even more prisoners were starting to get restless.
Seeing the situation, Urahara Kisuke crossed his arms and took a few steps back.
"Since Hasumi-kun is in such high spirits, I won't disturb you. I'll go grab my things first."
"When you're finished here, remember to wait for me."
"Hey, keep a close eye on them. Don't let things get too out of hand."
After giving instructions to the guards hidden in the shadows, Urahara turned and walked toward a small door deep within the cavern.
'That fellow... he should be almost done reviewing the experimental proposal by now.'