Inside the secret laboratory, the brilliant glow of the reishi lamps illuminated the entire space.
Hasumi Ren stood before the workstation, holding a spell matrix substrate as the spiritual pressure channeling from his fingertips etched intricate patterns across its surface. His movements were remarkably steady and swift, each node carved with flawless precision.
This was the task Aizen Sosuke had assigned him: optimizing the spiritual pressure conduction formula for the Hollowification experiments. Ren had performed this routine countless times, making each version more refined than the last.
Aizen stood behind him, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze resting intently on the substrate in Ren's hands. A flash of satisfaction mirrored in his eyes.
"Impressive. The spiritual pressure transition at this particular node is far smoother than the previous iteration."
Ren kept his focus on the task, not bothering to look up. "The structure of the last version was a bit unrefined. For this one, I eased the rhythm of the transition to give the spiritual pressure a proper buffering phase."
Aizen nodded in approval. "Applying your Kaido logic to the Hollowification experiments is indeed a superb fit."
Ren remained silent.
In the distance, inside a massive cultivation vat, a dark-red mass of spiritual pressure writhed sluggishly. It was a collection of countless soul fragments, coalescing into a sort of embryo under the catalytic influence of the Hogyoku. Having just taken shape, it had not yet developed a consciousness of its own.
Its spiritual pressure was incredibly faint, but Ren could distinctly feel it growing.
Within his field of vision, tiny specks of light drifted from the direction of the vat, merging seamlessly into his body.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Hollow Fragment ×30, Hollowification EXP +300] [SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment ×20, Spiritual Pressure EXP +200] [SYSTEM: Obtained Tiny Hogyoku Fragment, Hogyoku Awakening Rate +0.1%]
Ren maintained a calm, indifferent facade, continuing to etch the spell matrix. Inwardly, however, he knew exactly what these fragments were—byproducts shedding from the embryo during its developmental phase. Aizen remained completely unaware that to Ren, these fragments were the truly invaluable assets.
Aizen walked over to the cultivation tank, observing the writhing, dark-red spiritual pressure inside.
"The power of a Hollow is far more primal and pure than that of a Soul Reaper."
"The way they release their spiritual pressure requires no incantations or formal rituals. Hierro, High-Speed Regeneration, Sonido, Cero... these are all forces entirely distinct from a Soul Reaper's power."
"Soul Reapers require prolonged training to cultivate and master their abilities. They are fundamentally different from creatures like Hollows."
Ren looked up, turning his attention to Aizen. "So, your objective in studying Hollowification is to allow Soul Reapers to acquire these Hollow traits?"
Aizen shook his head slightly. "Not simply to acquire them."
"The powers of Soul Reapers and Hollows have never truly been antithetical. In my view, they are merely two sides of the same coin."
"If we can seamlessly fuse these two sides, we can ascend to an entirely new plane of existence."
"Your own Hollowification, based on my projected outcomes, remains incomplete."
He stepped back toward the workstation, picking up a file. "Complete Hollowification—a higher boundary of the soul—is the ultimate destination of the Hogyoku."
Ren stared at him, falling silent for a brief moment. "And how long do you believe it will take to achieve this goal?"
Aizen pondered for a moment. "Who can say? Perhaps a few years, perhaps decades, or maybe even a century. But regardless of the timeframe, it will inevitably be realized."
He laid the file down, locking eyes with Ren. "Do you wish to witness that final destination alongside me?"
Ren met his gaze without answering immediately. He knew exactly what Aizen implied; this was no longer a question about the experiment or the assignment. It was a test of Ren's allegiance.
Aizen was attempting to subtly win him over, to assimilate him over time.
"I will simply do what needs to be done," Ren finally replied.
Aizen stared at him, keeping silent for a moment before letting out a soft laugh, dropping the matter entirely. "That is more than enough."
He walked over to the window, staring out into the dark night. "By the way, have you been in contact with Ichimaru Gin lately?"
Ren's brow twitched imperceptibly. "No. He is still attending classes at the Shin'o Academy."
Aizen nodded. "He is quite promising. His spiritual pressure grade is exceptionally high."
"As you should know, souls endowed with greater spiritual talent often tend to develop somewhat slowly in terms of physical growth."
"He might look young right now, but his actual chronological age is likely much higher."
He paused for a beat. "With a talent like that, his future achievements will certainly not be minor."
"If he truly aligns himself with us, he might very well become my right-hand man in the future. Just like you and Tosen Kaname."
Ren didn't say a word, keeping his hands steady as he continued working.
"He will," Ren remarked, "if given enough time."
Aizen nodded, and then out of nowhere, he changed the subject. "How is that girl in Squad Four recovering?"
Ren's fingers paused for a fraction of a second.
Aizen was talking about Rangiku. Aizen knew perfectly well that Rangiku was staying with the Fourth Division—after all, he had watched Ren bring her back himself. Still, Ren hadn't anticipated that Aizen would actively bring her up.
"She's recovering well enough. Her spiritual pressure has stabilized, and her physical condition is gradually improving."
"Furthermore, her potential isn't bad. She might even become a Soul Reaper down the line."
Aizen nodded. "That is good to hear."
He turned to Ren, his eyes deep and unreadable. "You know what I did to her. I happened to overhear a portion of your conversation with Ichimaru Gin back then."
"You might think that what I did to that girl was exceptionally cruel."
"However, everything I do is never driven by a desire to cause harm, but rather to fulfill a magnificent ideal."
"You need not view me as a monster; I take no pleasure in mindless slaughter or brutality."
Aizen's voice remained incredibly calm and resolute, carrying an unshakeable conviction in his own vision.
"Sometimes, to realize a grand objective, agonizing choices must be made."
"Those sacrifices are merely the necessary toll to reach the new world."
He looked directly at Ren. "In time, you will uncover more of the truth and witness the profound darkness festering behind the Soul Society. When that day comes, you will understand my actions."
Ren fell into a lengthy silence.
Eventually, he gave a slow nod. "I understand."
Aizen pursued the topic no further. He simply returned to the lab bench, pulled a document from a drawer, and unfurled it.
"Very well, let us move past that. I have a new plan I would like you to hear."
Ren set aside the spell matrix substrate and walked over.
Aizen pointed at a map outlined in the document. "Hueco Mundo."
Ren's brow shifted slightly.
"Presently, the Soul Society's understanding of Hueco Mundo is far too superficial. The same applies to us," Aizen said in a low, measured voice.
"How the various factions are distributed within Hueco Mundo, the mechanics governing the Garganta, what lies in the deepest reaches of that realm... we are still largely in the dark about these matters."
He raised his eyes to look at Ren. "Therefore, we are going to thoroughly investigate Hueco Mundo. I intend to slip inside and scout the layout."
Aizen's decision to enter Hueco Mundo meant his operations were entering an entirely new phase.
"Down the line, if everything goes according to plan and we secure the completed Hogyoku, we will no longer be able to remain in the Soul Society."
Aizen's voice was perfectly tranquil, yet every syllable carried massive weight.
"Yamamoto Shigekuni possesses immense strength. To be entirely honest, I do not have absolute certainty in defeating him in a direct, head-on confrontation within the Soul Society."
"Thus, securing a foothold in Hueco Mundo is a critical component of our blueprint."
Ren looked at him. "You intend to establish a base of operations in Hueco Mundo?"
Aizen smiled. "Precisely. Once we master the methodology to traverse into Hueco Mundo, it will buy us an invaluable amount of time when our grand plan is set into motion."
Though Aizen left it unsaid, Ren knew exactly why they needed that time—to fully assimilate the Hogyoku and engineer the Arrancar specifically designed to counter Old Man Yama.
Aizen turned back around, facing Ren directly. "For now, our primary objective is to begin deciphering the technique to manifest a Garganta."
He stepped back to the workstation and pulled out a technical file. "The Garganta is the dimensional conduit Hollows utilize to cross between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo."
"In essence, it is the tearing of space itself. If we can master this mechanism, we will be capable of tearing open a Garganta at will, entering and exiting Hueco Mundo as we please."
He paused briefly. "I want you and Tosen Kaname to take full charge of this particular phase."
Ren's brow raised slightly. "Tosen Kaname and myself?"
"Yes," Aizen replied, keeping his eyes locked onto him. "And you will be leading the project."
Upon hearing those words, Ren was momentarily stunned.