The negotiations for opening a shop in the Noble District were settled to everyone's satisfaction, except for Urahara Kisuke, who looked a bit dazed.
No wonder Captain Shihoin brought Lieutenant Omaeda along; that was her angle all along.
Urahara didn't think Yoruichi suggested Hasumi Ren open a shop in the Noble District for the sake of protection or compensation.
Maybe there was a hint of that, but the main reason was likely simpler: she thought the outskirts of the Seireitei were too far and wanted good food close by.
With the deal struck, Yoruichi could eat delicacies right outside her door, Omaeda had invested in a promising business, and Hasumi Ren gained thick profits and the so-called protection of the Great Noble houses.
Everyone benefited. But what about him?
Was he just an outsider in all this?
"Hasumi-kun, about our previous cooperation..."
Hearing Urahara's voice, Ren remembered.
"Ah, Lieutenant Omaeda, regarding what 3rd Seat Urahara mentioned, I'd appreciate your help in following up."
"After all, increasing the raw material yield will help lower the shop's operating costs."
"Oh?"
Omaeda sized up Urahara Kisuke.
"Urahara, you have this kind of partnership with our young friend here? Sounds like it has quite the future..."
"Well, I suppose so..."
Seeing Omaeda looking like he wanted to jump in, Urahara scratched his head awkwardly.
"Alright, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it for you. But shouldn't I know the details of your cooperation too?"
Ren nodded in response, ignoring the look on Urahara's face that suggested the sky was falling.
"That's only fair. Thank you, Lieutenant Omaeda."
"Don't mention it."
Once the deal was finalized, the room grew quiet.
Omaeda shared the bag of yakitori he brought with the others, chatting about the latest rumors in the Seireitei.
Ren leaned against the headboard, listening to their banter.
The changes over the past few days had left him a bit overwhelmed.
Yoruichi Shihoin's attention, the partnership with the Omaeda family, and the shop in the Noble District.
Overnight, his foundation in this world seemed to have solidified significantly.
He couldn't help but reflect on his journey here.
Four years? Five?
His sense of time was starting to blur.
For the most part, he had kept a low profile, cautiously scavenging attributes and growing in secret.
He didn't stand out or make a name for himself.
Like a spider hidden in the shadows, he wove his web and gathered strength.
It was all to avoid unnecessary attention and danger until he was fully grown.
But now, Aizen had noticed him, and he had clashed with the Tsunayashiro family.
Two assassination attempts, two visits to the Fourth Division.
His name had entered the sights of certain high-ranking officials in the Seireitei.
Like a balloon being slowly inflated in the dark, he had suddenly been dragged into the spotlight with a needle pointed right at him.
What he needed most now wasn't more money, more stable industries, or better connections.
It was strength.
His Spiritual Pressure needed to break through faster, and his progress in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido couldn't fall behind. He needed more fragments.
Simply picking up fragments was no longer enough.
Especially after his recent experiences: sparring with Kaien, training in the Nest of Maggots, and fighting the assassins.
He had long noticed that his system didn't just passively collect; combat also rapidly increased his corresponding experience.
It seemed he was far from maximizing the system's potential.
He needed to adjust his leveling method—integrate combat while maintaining collection, pushing the system to its absolute limit to improve himself.
'System, show me your limits.'
With that realization, the gloom in Ren's heart caused by his injuries and passivity mostly dissipated.
He looked at Yoruichi and spoke softly.
"Captain Shihoin, I previously said I wanted to finish the Academy's curriculum this year, but now I've changed my mind."
Yoruichi arched an eyebrow. Looking into Ren's eyes, she saw they were different—less idle, more sharp.
"Oh? The Academy's training can't satisfy you anymore?"
"Exactly. After yesterday's attack, I realized my strength is still far from enough."
Ren said in a low voice.
"What I need now is more intense training and pressure, the kind of tempering that allows me to convert everything I have into raw combat power."
Yoruichi stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled with a hint of appreciation.
"Well said. So, what's your plan?"
Ren pondered for a moment.
"I want to graduate early from the Spiritual Arts Academy and join the Gotei 13. I originally considered the Eighth or Tenth Divisions, but then I thought the Eleventh might be a good fit."
"I wonder if the Second Division has any similar openings."
Hearing Ren's words, Yoruichi nodded slightly.
"The Eleventh Division is the public blade—sharp, direct, and seeking head-on slaughter."
"But the First Unit of the Stealth Force, the Punishment Force, is far more ruthless than the Eleventh Division."
Yoruichi's golden eyes met Ren's.
The Punishment Force.
Directly under the Corps Commander, they handled assassinations, executions, and secret investigations—the unit tasked with the Soul Society's most dangerous and darkest missions.
This was the true shadow unit. The identities of its members were mostly classified, and their actions left no trace.
"The kind of assassination you faced last night is just a typical day for the Punishment Force. It's more frequent, more relentless, and the enemies are much stronger."
Yoruichi's voice was calm but carried heavy weight.
"In that place, mission failure often means death. You won't just face fallen Shinigami or defectors, but all sorts of monsters lurking in the shadows."
She walked up to Ren and leaned in slightly, her presence becoming oppressive.
"In the Punishment Force, no one will look out for you just because you're a genius from the Academy or someone the Head of the Shihoin family favors. You can only earn their respect with your own strength."
"Are you prepared, Hasumi? Not prepared to get hurt, but prepared to die at any moment?"
Ren looked up to meet her gaze.
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.
"You're joking, Captain. Being a Shinigami is dangerous by nature. Words alone won't scare me off."
"I'll join the Punishment Force."
The hospital room fell silent for a moment.
Yoruichi straightened up, her smile widening.
"Good."
She spoke only one word, but it carried immense weight.
"There's another benefit to joining now. Our investigation into the Tsunayashiro family is underway. It might just be the chance for revenge you've been looking for."
"Once you're discharged, go back to the Academy and handle the formalities. I'll arrange the early graduation and special recruitment paperwork for you."
"As for the Punishment Force's entrance exam, there's no skipping that. Prepare yourself."
She turned her head, a flash of interest in her eyes.
"I hope you can still speak with such confidence on the day you officially report for duty."