Early next morning, Urahara Kisuke found Hasumi Ren in the training grounds.
Although he still had his usual lazy demeanor, his tone and expression were quite formal.
"Ren, Captain Yoruichi has a mission for you. Consider it your final assignment in the Second Division."
"I will be leading this mission. As a team member, you'll accompany me to investigate the recent Soul Reaper disappearances. Pack your things; we depart immediately."
Hearing this, Ren gave a slight nod.
"Understood. I'll follow your arrangements. What are the specific details of the mission?"
Urahara Kisuke smiled and continued.
"You should already be somewhat aware of the recent Soul Reaper disappearances."
"I've investigated quite a few clues recently and pinpointed the location where several Soul Reapers were last seen. It's an abandoned house on the outskirts of the Eastern Rukongai."
"We're heading out now. The rest of the team is already waiting at the gate."
Ren didn't say much. He picked up his Zanpakuto from the side and followed Urahara Kisuke out of the training grounds.
At the gate, several team members were already geared up and ready to go.
Among them, Ren spotted Soi Fon.
When Soi Fon saw Ren approaching, she gave a slight nod, a hint of unnaturalness flickering in her eyes.
With everyone assembled, the group wasted no time and set off together toward the outskirts of the Seireitei.
Along the way, Soi Fon would occasionally glance at Ren subconsciously.
But whenever Ren noticed her gaze and looked over, she would quickly avert her eyes.
Ren maintained a calm expression, observing the surrounding spiritual pressure as he focused on the journey.
Under Urahara Kisuke's lead, it wasn't long before they arrived at their destination.
This suburban area was overgrown with wild grass, and a chilling wind blew in gusts.
The abandoned house sat deep within the tall grass, thoroughly dilapidated.
Its walls were mottled, and the doors and windows were battered, exuding a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.
Just as they approached the house, everyone could sense a dense and violent Hollow spiritual pressure—chaotic, frenzied, and carrying a lethal sense of oppression.
"What intense spiritual pressure. At this level... it's highly likely to be an Adjuchas-class Hollow."
One of the team members spoke in a low voice, his tone exceptionally grave.
The group treated it as a formidable enemy, standing a short distance from the house, not daring to get any closer.
Soi Fon's brows instantly furrowed. Her spiritual pressure subconsciously tensed as she gripped her Zanpakuto tightly, instinctively glancing at Ren beside her.
Although she was quite capable, she didn't dare to be the slightest bit careless when facing an Adjuchas-class Hollow.
Feeling this violent spiritual pressure, Ren's expression remained calm. He merely turned slightly, stepping half a pace in front of Soi Fon.
He quietly released a trace of gentle yet robust spiritual pressure around himself, blocking the majority of the oppressive force rushing toward them.
Noticing the sudden alleviation of pressure on her body, Soi Fon looked at Ren's profile, feeling a faint warmth in her heart.
She felt a slight urge to take a half-step back and stand behind him, but she forcefully held herself back.
Instead, she took a half-step forward, standing right beside Ren.
Ren glanced at Soi Fon beside him. Meeting her gaze, he gave a gentle nod.
"It seems the missing Soul Reapers likely met their end here."
The smile on Urahara Kisuke's face gradually faded, his expression turning solemn.
"The strength of the Hollow inside is unknown. I'll go in first to assess the situation. The rest of you wait outside and don't approach recklessly."
"Third Seat Urahara, won't that be too dangerous? That's very likely an Adjuchas-class Hollow," a team member beside him said in a deep voice, his tone laced with concern.
Urahara Kisuke smiled and waved his hand, his tone relaxed yet carrying a degree of certainty.
"Don't worry. I'm just going in to investigate. Nothing will happen."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ren slowly spoke up, his tone calm and resolute.
"I'll go in with you, Third Seat Urahara. An extra person means extra security."
Hearing this, a fleeting trace of contemplation flashed through Urahara Kisuke's eyes before he nodded.
"That works too. With you here, Ren, I'll feel much more at ease."
As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve, feeling for a special concoction.
That was precisely the reason he had specifically called Ren along this time.
This was the perfect opportunity to observe Ren's strength up close once again.
If he could conveniently conduct a little experiment along the way, that would be even better.
Seeing this, Soi Fon immediately stepped forward and spoke with a grave tone.
"I can fight too. Let me go in with you."
But Urahara Kisuke gently shook his head. His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
"No, you need to stay outside. Ren and I going in is more than enough."
"Besides, we need someone on guard outside to prevent sneak attacks from other Hollows, and to stop the one inside from taking the opportunity to escape."
"I am the commander for this mission, and you need to follow orders, Soi Fon."
Hearing this, Soi Fon furrowed her brows.
But she also knew that Urahara Kisuke made sense, and since it was an order, she couldn't disobey.
"Don't worry, Soi Fon. Third Seat Urahara's strength is unfathomable. With him here, there won't be any problems," Ren reassured her.
Hearing this, the corners of Urahara's mouth curled up slightly.
"You're really singing my praises, aren't you."
Ultimately, looking at Ren's expression, Soi Fon merely pursed her lips and turned her face away.
"Understood. Then... you two be careful. If you run into danger, call for us immediately."
Urahara Kisuke nodded in surprise, looking at Soi Fon and then at Ren.
In his impression, Soi Fon didn't seem like someone who was this easy to talk to.
'Well, I'll be...'
Subsequently, Urahara Kisuke's expression turned serious. The aura around him shifted as he rested his hand on the Zanpakuto at his waist.
"Ren, get ready."
Ren gave a slight nod, similarly tightening his grip on his Zanpakuto.
After leaving the others outside to keep a vigilant watch, he followed Urahara Kisuke and slowly stepped through the dilapidated doorway.
The worn wooden floorboards creaked, breaking the surrounding silence.
A thick stench of blood and rot instantly assaulted their senses.
Ren frowned and looked ahead.
The interior of the house was dim and damp, the light so faint that they could only vaguely make out the bloodstains and torn shreds of Shihakusho scattered across the floor.
As for the corpses of the Soul Reapers, they were nowhere to be seen.
Ren and Urahara looked up toward the center of the room.
A massive Hollow, its entire body covered in black scales, was lowering its head and gnawing on the corpse of a Soul Reaper squad member.
Its mouth was smeared with fresh blood and minced flesh, emitting a spine-chilling chewing sound.
Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, the Hollow abruptly stopped its movements and slowly raised its head.
A pair of scarlet eyes locked dead onto Ren and Urahara Kisuke at the doorway, its mouth curling into a cruel and greedy smile.
Its voice was hoarse and grating, dripping with thick malice.
"...Has more fresh food delivered itself to my door? How wonderful."
"That guy really didn't lie to me..."
Urahara Kisuke calmly looked at the Adjuchas before him. His spiritual pressure quietly tensed, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
It wasn't just because of the words the Hollow spoke, but also because its strength was somewhat greater than he had anticipated.
However, to him, it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Urahara glanced at Ren beside him.
At this moment, Ren had already slightly raised the Zanpakuto in his hand, the blade gleaming with a faint, cold light.
His spiritual pressure surged around him; he was fully prepared for battle.
Ren's gaze was fixed intently on the Hollow and the fragments scattered around it.
Beside him, Urahara Kisuke also drew his blade.
"Are you ready, Ren?"
"Here we go."
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