Tosen Kaname's brow furrowed. Having poor hearing was indeed a valid excuse.
Although Hasumi Ren was talking nonsense, Tosen had no way of knowing for sure.
"In that case..."
Tosen's expression darkened as he stopped holding back.
He gripped his blade with both hands, his Reiatsu erupting.
"Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihiko!"
The Zanpakuto transformed into countless tiny blades, swarming toward Hasumi Ren like a cloud of locusts.
Each blade let out a piercing screech as they flew toward him.
Hasumi Ren's eyes narrowed.
After using Shunpo to evade the massive wave of blades, a net of sword light woven by Hasumi blocked the remaining scattered shards.
A symphony of metallic clangs echoed through the air.
As Tosen sensed the battle, his suspicion grew.
Not only were his sonic vibrations ineffective against this man.
What unsettled him even more was the troublesome level of power the man displayed.
Even after just finishing a battle, he could still maintain this much fighting strength.
Tosen's brow remained tightly knit.
The first form of Suzumushi had failed to hinder Hasumi Ren's movements.
More problematic was that after Hasumi interrupted the hypnotic effect, Soi Fon and the two other Stealth Force members had shaken off their initial daze and were gradually regaining consciousness.
He couldn't let this continue.
Tosen steeled his resolve.
He had already come this far; he had to take Amamiya Shin with him.
For that, he wouldn't hesitate even if it meant exposing power far beyond the level of a 5th Seat.
Lord Aizen's plan could not afford any mishaps here.
His sword stance shifted abruptly as his Reiatsu surged, condensing onto the blade and emitting a higher-frequency, sharper ringing.
Sensing the change in Tosen's Reiatsu, Hasumi Ren braced himself, ready to expend all his remaining energy.
Just as the conflict was about to reach its breaking point.
A slightly lazy, curious-sounding voice called out from not far away without warning.
"My, my, things sure are lively over here."
Tosen's body jolted to a halt. He forced his mid-swing blade to stop, his face instantly turning grim.
He whipped around toward the source of the sound. Though he could not see, his senses told him someone had appeared out of nowhere.
This Reiatsu, this voice...
Urahara Kisuke!
'Why is he here?'
Hasumi Ren, Soi Fon, and the others also turned toward the voice.
They saw Urahara Kisuke scratching his head, looking a bit confused and curious.
"3rd Seat Urahara?"
Hasumi Ren turned and looked at the appearing Urahara, somewhat surprised.
"Oh, it's Hasumi. I finally found you."
Urahara Kisuke greeted him with a smile, scanning the scene.
His gaze lingered briefly on Amamiya Shin on the ground before landing on the heavily guarded Tosen Kaname.
"I originally wanted to have a chat with you, but Captain Yoruichi said you were out on a mission. Since I was free, I thought I'd follow along and see if I could help out."
Urahara shrugged, his tone casual.
"I didn't expect to see such an incredible scene."
He turned his gaze to Tosen, his smile unchanging.
"Isn't this 5th Seat Tosen of the 9th Division? I wonder what happened here that required force to resolve?"
Tosen's grip on his sword tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.
Urahara Kisuke's arrival had completely derailed his plans.
Tosen's mind raced as he weighed his options.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration, and deactivated his Shikai.
"What's wrong, 5th Seat Tosen? Giving up on the fight already?"
Hasumi Ren watched Tosen sheathe his blade, his voice full of mockery.
'Fight? How could he possibly fight now?'
Tosen turned toward Hasumi and gave a slight nod, his voice returning to its usual steady, emotionless tone.
"I acted out of urgency. My apologies for the offense."
"In that case, this man will remain in the custody of the Stealth Force for now. Once the interrogation is complete, I hope you will notify the 9th Division promptly."
Hasumi Ren looked at Tosen with a flat but unquestionable tone.
"Of course. Furthermore, I will report today's events exactly as they happened."
"5th Seat Tosen Kaname of the 9th Division, drawing his blade against a comrade without cause while on duty, attempting to seize a prisoner, and even using his Shikai—the Stealth Force will record all of this."
He paused.
"As for this man, we are taking him back for interrogation. If it turns out to be related to a 9th Division case after we're done, he will be transferred."
Hasumi Ren stepped aside.
"You all may leave now."
Tosen's expression shifted several times before he finally let out a long sigh.
He sheathed his sword and waved to his three subordinates.
"Let's go."
He turned toward Hasumi, went silent for a moment, and then finally walked away.
The four figures flickered and disappeared into the night.
Only after their Reiatsu completely vanished did the tension in the air finally relax.
Hasumi Ren looked at the suddenly appearing Urahara Kisuke and let out a long breath of relief.
"Thanks, 3rd Seat Urahara. You arrived just in time. Any later and I wouldn't have been able to hold out."
"Well, it seems I didn't actually do anything."
Urahara Kisuke smiled and walked over to Amamiya Shin, crouching down to check on him.
"However, this guy doesn't look like he's in very good shape. Can you briefly tell me what happened before?"
After a quick inspection, he turned his gaze to Hasumi.
Hasumi Ren nodded and recounted the previous events, including Amamiya Shin's attack, his Shikai ability, and the conflict with Tosen Kaname.
Urahara rubbed his chin, listening intently.
He quietly repeated a few keywords, his eyes flickering.
"It seems you've completed the mission well this time. Captain Yoruichi will be pleased when she hears."
He stood up and brushed the dust off his hands.
"I just wonder what those 9th Division guys were thinking. Their behavior was certainly quite unusual."
Hasumi Ren stood beside him, looking in the direction Tosen had left, and whispered.
"Yeah. Once we get back, we'll let Captain Yoruichi communicate with the 9th Division Captain. I feel like this isn't over yet."
"Then we'll take this man back. You two are still able to move, right?"
Sugimoto and Kawasaki, having recovered, nodded and hoisted Amamiya Shin onto their shoulders.
Soi Fon was also stretching her body, though her limbs were still slightly unresponsive.
She frowned, her voice low.
"You all head back first. Don't delay the mission. I will follow shortly."
Hearing Soi Fon's words, the others hesitated.
"But your condition..."
"I'm fine. It's just some neurotoxin that causes paralysis; it'll wear off in a moment. Don't worry about it."
Hasumi Ren looked at Soi Fon's determined expression and spoke softly.
"How about this: you guys head back with the suspect and 3rd Seat Urahara. Soi Fon and I will follow shortly after."
Soi Fon looked at Hasumi upon hearing this, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
Her lips trembled slightly, but in the end, she looked away and didn't refuse.
Urahara and the others looked at each other in surprise, not expecting Soi Fon to actually accept.
'This kid's got something...'
"Alright, then you two be careful. We'll head back first."
Before leaving, Urahara Kisuke looked at Hasumi Ren and asked seemingly casually.
"Hasumi, your Reiatsu has been depleted quite a bit. Is your body doing alright?"
Hasumi Ren looked at Urahara in surprise.
Just as Urahara said, after those two battles, his Reiatsu had been heavily consumed, leaving him with a sense of emptiness.
And the Hollow Reiatsu uniquely tucked away inside him was starting to stir restlessly again.
Fortunately, Hasumi had mostly adapted to this feeling.
Although that Reiatsu was restless, it wouldn't change unless he actively triggered it.
"No problem. I'll be fine after some rest."
Hearing this, Urahara Kisuke turned around.
"Is that so? Good then."