Stepping out of the iron gates of the Maggot's Nest, the midday sun beat straight down, its glaring rays making one squint.
Hasumi Ren raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun and took a deep breath.
The crisp, refreshing scent unique to the forest air allowed his tense nerves to relax slightly.
He hadn't expected Urahara Kisuke to actually dare to bring the matter out into the open so directly.
Bringing up the probing during their last mission, pointing out the Hollowfication power within him, and even subtly offering to help him control it.
That level of audacity was far greater than he had imagined.
Urahara had always been a shrewd man; he was the type to always keep a card hidden up his sleeve.
Yet this time, he was so direct.
Clearly, he placed immense importance on the Hollowfication power inside Ren.
Ren began walking toward the suspension bridge.
The iron chains creaked beneath his feet, and the white mist churning below the bridge perfectly mirrored his current state of mind.
He reached down to touch the Zanpakuto at his waist. The cool sensation of the blade seeping into his palm gradually cleared his thoughts.
How could he not understand Urahara Kisuke's intentions?
All that talk about helping him uncover the truth of his power, or helping him grow stronger.
In the end, it was nothing more than a desire to use him as an experimental subject.
Urahara was a mad scientist; to achieve his goals, he had always been ruthless and unscrupulous.
Just like Hyosube Ichibei, the Captain of the Zero Division known as Manako Osho.
He didn't care who the Soul King was, nor did he care if the Soul King lived or died.
As long as the Soul Society had a Soul King to maintain the balance of the three realms, that was enough.
Urahara Kisuke was exactly the same.
As long as he could achieve his goals, as long as he could counter the impending crisis.
In his eyes, it didn't matter who had to be sacrificed.
Everything else was just a high-sounding excuse.
A cold smile tugged at the corners of Ren's lips.
Trying to use him wouldn't be that easy.
He had never been a pawn to be manipulated at will. If Urahara wanted to scheme against him, he would first have to see if Ren agreed to it.
His heart sank slightly as he recalled the mastermind Urahara had mentioned.
He had long been aware of the missing Shinigami cases in the Rukongai, as well as the souls that had vanished without a trace.
Urahara's suspicion that someone was pulling the strings from the shadows was spot on.
Up until now, no one knew that the true mastermind behind these incidents was the current Lieutenant of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sosuke.
Only Aizen possessed the strength and the deep cunning required to manipulate hordes of Hollows into hunting Shinigami right under the Seireitei's nose, all while leaving absolutely no trace.
The abnormal Hollow movements in the South Rukongai, the Adjuchas in the East Rukongai—Aizen's shadow likely loomed behind all of them.
That man was currently lurking in the shadows of the Soul Society, silently laying out his grand design.
Thinking of Aizen, a trace of dread welled up in Ren's heart.
Kyoka Suigetsu's ability could perfectly manipulate a person's five senses, making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion.
Once targeted by him, one wouldn't even know how they died.
Ren had painstakingly managed to gradually fade out of Aizen's line of sight.
Aizen's attention should currently be entirely focused on the Hogyoku; he wouldn't care about a lowly Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division.
He absolutely did not want to draw Aizen's attention again just because of Urahara's little schemes.
As for the current Urahara, he was still serving under Shihoin Yoruichi and was still a member of the Gotei 13.
He wasn't yet the man who would be sentenced by Central 46, exiled from the Soul Society, and stripped of all trust in its higher-ups.
At this point in time, Urahara Kisuke still somewhat respected the rules of the Seireitei and his own status, not daring to step too far out of line.
But Aizen was different. He had long since cast aside all scruples; to achieve his goals, there was nothing he wouldn't do.
If Aizen were to discover the Hollowfication power within him, Ren would likely be captured within days, sliced into specimens, and turned into research material for Aizen's Hogyoku.
Furthermore, he was currently in the Fourth Division.
His strength was steadily improving, and his days were peaceful and fulfilling.
There was no need for him to take such massive risks just for the sake of the "strength" Urahara spoke of.
However, Ren's footsteps gradually came to a halt in the middle of the suspension bridge.
He looked down at the churning waves below, the dread in his eyes slowly dissipating, replaced by a thoughtful gleam.
He had seen right through Urahara Kisuke's intentions.
But conversely, couldn't Urahara Kisuke also be used by him?
Urahara was a brilliant man, and more importantly, a highly capable one.
Their cooperation on the Spirit Spring project had already given him a taste of the benefits, allowing his Spiritual Pressure level to skyrocket.
If he could continue to utilize Urahara's abilities, wouldn't he be able to increase his own strength even faster?
It was certainly feasible.
Of course, using Urahara would come at a price.
He had to remain vigilant at all times, ensuring he wasn't led by the nose and didn't expose any more of his secrets.
He needed to maintain a delicate balance with Urahara—a balance of mutual exploitation and mutual wariness.
If he could extend this balance to the exploration of his Hollowfication powers, it wouldn't be a bad idea.
A sharp glint flashed through Ren's eyes.
He wasn't someone who blindly ran away; when faced with an opportunity, he knew how to seize it.
If Urahara wanted to use him, he could simply play along and turn the tide to his advantage.
As long as he held something back, kept a clear head, and never fully trusted Urahara, he wouldn't fall into a passive position.
After all, the Hollowfication within his body was granted by the system.
It was something he had upgraded step by step by absorbing fragments; he had his own rhythm.
If he could use the guise of Urahara's research to accelerate his own progress, that would be an unexpected bonus.
However, all of this had to remain under his control.
Pulling back his thoughts, Ren tightened his grip on his Zanpakuto and resumed his walk toward the other end of the suspension bridge.
His steps were steady, his gaze resolute. All the emotions in his eyes were deeply concealed, leaving behind only a trace of indifference.
As for Urahara Kisuke, he wouldn't seek him out proactively, nor would he outright reject him.
He was confident that Urahara would eventually lose his patience and come knocking on his door again.
Right now, all he needed to do was quietly improve his strength within the Fourth Division.
Master the swordsmanship Unohana Retsu had taught him, integrate his Kido techniques, continue raising his Spiritual Pressure level, and push his overall strength one step further.
Only with sufficient personal strength could he secure a firm foothold in this treacherous and unpredictable Soul Society.
Only then could he become the one holding the initiative in the chess match between Urahara and Aizen, rather than a passive pawn at their mercy.
Stepping off the suspension bridge, Ren arrived at the Second Division barracks.
Before long, he navigated his way to the Second Division's training grounds with practiced ease.
At this moment, the division members were sweating profusely as they practiced Hakuda and Shunpo.
Soi Fon's figure was also present in the center of the training grounds.
Her movements were sharp, every strike and stance exceptionally ruthless. Then, as if sensing his gaze, she turned her head.
Seeing Ren, Soi Fon paused her steps, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.
She immediately walked over. Her tone remained cold, yet it carried an imperceptible hint of pleasant surprise.
"Ren? How do you have the time to visit the Second Division?"
Ren looked at Soi Fon, a faint smile curving his lips.
"It's nothing. Third Seat Urahara sought me out to discuss some matters regarding our cooperation."
Soi Fon nodded and looked Ren up and down, her eyes flickering.
Soon after, a glint of fighting spirit flashed in her eyes.
"It's rare for you to come back. How about it? Care for a spar?"