Hasumi Ren stared at the various experimental plans and dense annotations on the paper. He remained silent for a moment before handing the documents back to Urahara Kisuke.
"I don't quite understand it all, but it looks very comprehensive. You must have put a lot of effort into this."
Ren looked around. Although the setup was simple, the care put into it was evident.
"Well, I am taking your money, after all."
Urahara replied with a smile. It wasn't every day he encountered such an easygoing client.
"Since you're so generous with your payments, I naturally have to produce matching results."
Ren nodded, pausing for a moment in thought.
"I came here today not just to check on the experiment's progress, but because I have something to ask you."
Urahara looked up, a glimmer of understanding flashing in his eyes. The real reason for the visit was finally surfacing.
"Whatever it is, feel free to speak your mind."
Ren nodded and gave a brief account of his confrontation with Tsunayashiro Tokiying at the Academy gates, including the man's threats.
"I need to be on guard in case he targets my business, and I'm currently lacking any countermeasures."
"If my business is ruined by him, it'll be difficult for our future collaborations to continue."
"I was wondering if you had any suggestions, 3rd Seat Urahara."
Urahara stood up and poured two cups of hot tea from the desk, his expression turning serious.
"Tsunayashiro... You've certainly provoked a troublesome individual."
"If he's truly determined to come after you, he'll be a handful. However, since you're already associated with the Shihoin family, he likely won't move against you openly."
Urahara Kisuke took a sip of water and spoke slowly.
"If his goal is simply to dismantle your business, there are many ways he could go about it."
"The simplest way is character assassination—the most common method used by nobles to suppress commoners."
"Spreading rumors that your ingredients are tainted or your hygiene is subpar. He could even send people to cause trouble in your shop to drive away customers."
"Next, you need to watch out for disruptions to your supply chain. He might threaten your suppliers to cut off your source of raw materials."
"Ichiraku Ramen must consume a massive amount of ingredients daily. If the supply is cut, your reserves won't last long."
"Well, that's actually something I'm working on right now, though unfortunately, I can't replace your storefront's procurement channels in the short term."
"The final thing to guard against is direct physical harassment."
Urahara set down his teacup.
"Hiring thugs from the Rukongai or cash-strapped Soul Reapers to attack your staff and trash your shop."
"They don't need to cause any casualties; as long as customers are scared to visit and staff are too afraid to work, the business will naturally fail."
Ren listened quietly. He had considered most of these possibilities himself.
But hearing Urahara Kisuke lay them out so systematically gave him a much clearer understanding of the situation.
"So, what are your suggestions, 3rd Seat Urahara?"
Urahara stroked his chin and stood up to pace around the lab.
"Technically speaking, I can offer some support."
He stopped and looked at Ren.
"For instance, installing Spiritual Pressure Recorders in your shop—little gadgets I made that can capture a target's spiritual signature."
"I can even add a basic recording function. If anyone causes trouble, you'll at least have evidence."
"Additionally, I can provide some non-lethal defensive tools for your employees to protect themselves."
Urahara walked to a cabinet by the wall and pulled open a drawer, revealing various oddly shaped items neatly arranged inside.
"Binding ropes, smoke bombs... and these, which I call Shock Orbs. Once triggered, they release a pulse that dazes the soul."
Ren walked over and picked up a palm-sized metal sphere. Its surface was etched with intricate, mysterious patterns.
"Of course, these come at a price."
"How much?"
"Friendship price: two hundred thousand kan for a set of ten."
Urahara said with a smile.
Ren's lip twitched.
"Too expensive. Eighty thousand."
"One hundred and ninety thousand."
Urahara Kisuke's expression remained unchanged.
"Are you really going to pinch pennies on something like this, Student Hasumi?"
Ren snorted, unmoved.
After some haggling, they settled on one hundred and sixty thousand kan per set.
Ren ended up ordering ten sets. Including the spiritual pressure monitoring equipment for the shop, the final price was rounded down to three million kan.
Once the deal was struck, Ren suddenly felt a twinge of regret.
He had gotten a bit carried away after being sweet-talked. He'd spent a fortune on this junk, and he had no idea if it would even be useful.
Ren stared at Urahara Kisuke for a few seconds and laughed in exasperation.
"3rd Seat Urahara, do you have any idea how much you look like a total crook right now?"
"Now, Student, that's uncalled for. How can you call me a crook when the goods are worth every penny?"
Ren toyed with a Shock Orb in his hand before speaking.
"Actually, I have one more requirement. I currently have a logistics system managed by a kid named Shiba Ganju."
"A logistics system?"
"That's right."
Ren nodded.
"They started as porters delivering ramen, but their numbers have grown recently. We've expanded into general freight work as well."
"Those boys run through the Rukongai all day and are the most sensitive to any shifts in the wind. I plan to have them work part-time as lookouts, keeping an eye out for anything unusual."
"For instance, new faces appearing around the neighborhood, unusual gatherings, or people secretly observing the shop."
Ren paused and added.
"I want to equip them with simple communication devices. Something that works within a small range would be enough. I wonder if you have any equipment like that."
"Sounds like a simplified version of a Denreishinki... I could certainly develop something like that, but it won't be cheap."
"Just give me the price."
Urahara Kisuke thought for a moment.
"Thirty thousand each. These would be custom-made, so I can't budge on the price."
Ren did a quick calculation in his head.
'Ganju has over twenty of those boar-riding kids now. If I give each of them a communicator, the total cost would be around six million kan.'
To be honest, it was a bit over budget.
After weighing his options, Ren ordered ten units.
Once all the deals were finalized, Ren could see that Urahara Kisuke could barely contain the grin on his face.
"Alright then, Student Hasumi. Since you've been so generous, I'll give you one last piece of information."
Urahara's voice pulled Ren back from his minor financial heartbreak.
"Actually, Captain Yoruichi has been keeping a close eye on the Tsunayashiro family lately."
Ren keenly caught the deeper meaning in his words.
"What do you mean?"
Urahara Kisuke fell silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.
"In recent years, there have been frequent cases of souls mysteriously vanishing in the Rukongai."
"The numbers aren't high, and the locations are scattered, but those who disappear are always souls with high spiritual power. Some were even Soul Reapers."
"The Stealth Force has been investigating in secret, but every time they uncover a lead, they hit a wall of resistance."
He turned his head and looked at Ren.
"And some of that resistance... comes from within the Seireitei itself."