Naturally, the next step for Kisuke Urahara was to observe this being carefully, to decide how exactly he should deal with a Hollow that had achieved complete Arrancar evolution.
Although Natsuro had told him about these special cases, Urahara wouldn't take anyone's word for it. Not until he had seen it and confirmed it himself.
"So then," he asked with mild curiosity, "what exactly do you plan to do with the gigai?"
"Natsuro told me to come to the Human World, experience life, and… find my heart," Ulquiorra replied. His expression betrayed faint confusion as he looked at Kisuke. "Do you know what he actually meant by that?"
"Oh? I see," Kisuke nodded, now understanding. It seemed Natsuro truly regarded this being as a companion, one still unversed in the ways of the world. But to Ulquiorra's question, Kisuke only smiled and shook his head.
"That's something I can't explain to you," he said. "Some truths can't be understood just by hearing the answer, you have to live them to know what they mean."
"Is that so?" Ulquiorra frowned slightly, recalling all he'd seen on his way to the shop... humans laughing, crying, arguing and felt even more lost.
He didn't believe there was anything of value he could learn in this world.
"Well," Urahara said after a moment, "since you're here on Natsuro's behalf, I'll prepare a gigai for you. It'll take me two or three days to get it ready."
"Thank you," Ulquiorra said simply.
Kisuke smiled faintly. Even though he was a Hollow, the calm rationality and courtesy in his voice were… oddly pleasant.
Perhaps Natsuro had been right, once Hollows completed their transformation into Arrancar, they were no different from Soul Reapers.
Ulquiorra turned to leave.
"Wait," Kisuke said. "Where are you going? Do you even have a place to stay in the Human World?"
Ulquiorra stopped, then answered matter-of-factly, "No. You said it would take two or three days, didn't you? I can wait outside until then."
For a moment, the shop fell silent. Yoruichi blinked in surprise, and even the ever-suspicious Jinta relaxed slightly, glancing at Ulquiorra with something like pity.
"Is there something wrong with my answer?" Ulquiorra asked, noticing their looks.
"No, not at all," Kisuke replied with a small laugh. "I just didn't expect you to say you'd wait outside for several days… If Natsuro knew I made you do that, he'd probably be furious with me."
"I'll explain it to him," Ulquiorra replied earnestly. "He won't blame you, it was my decision."
"There's no need for that," Kisuke chuckled. "I've got plenty of spare rooms here. Why don't you stay with us for now?" He looked toward Jinta. "Jinta, prepare a room for our guest."
Ulquiorra gave Urahara a long look, then nodded. "Thank you." He followed Jinta down the hall.
"Do you really trust him?" Yoruichi asked as she groomed a paw.
"At least for now, I see no reason not to," Urahara replied with a faint smile.
"Mmm. I suppose that's true," Yoruichi admitted. Thinking back on Ulquiorra's behavior, she had to agree, nothing about him suggested hostility.
"Still," Kisuke murmured, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "I wonder what kind of impact a being like him will have on the current balance of power…"
"Heh. Maybe a good one," Yoruichi said with a sly grin. "Perhaps it's time something finally changed in that stagnant Soul Society of ours."
"Maybe so," Kisuke agreed quietly.
He thought of the recent events: how he had just given a special gigai to the young girl Rukia Kuchiki, one containing half of the Hōgyoku embedded within her soul.
And now, right after that… Ulquiorra had arrived.
It gave him an uneasy feeling, as if a storm were gathering on the horizon.
Urahara still wasn't sure whether sealing the Hōgyoku inside Rukia to destroy it was the right decision.
"What do you plan to do with him next?" Yoruichi asked.
"Hm… perhaps I'll send him to school," Kisuke said suddenly, smiling mischievously.
Yoruichi's pupils contracted. "You're kidding. You really want to throw him into that chaos?"
Humans, Hollows, Soul Reapers, and even a Quincy, all in the same classroom? "You just love stirring trouble, don't you…" she sighed.
Urahara only chuckled.
Meanwhile, Jinta had finished showing Ulquiorra to his room.
"You can stay here for now," Jinta said. "This is the same room Natsuro used when he stayed here."
"Understood," Ulquiorra said with a nod. The place was modest compared to his palace in Hueco Mundo, but he wasn't picky.
Jinta studied him curiously, eyes lingering on the black Hollow hole at his throat. "So you're really a Hollow? You don't seem like one."
"I can assure you, I am," Ulquiorra replied calmly.
"It's just… weird," Jinta muttered. "The Hollows I've seen are all mindless monsters, they just chase after souls with strong spiritual energy and destroy everything. But you… you're nothing like that."
"Most Hollows are like that," Ulquiorra agreed. "When they fall, they lose reason and act only on instinct. That's why they hunt powerful souls, to feed."
"And you?" Jinta pressed, curious.
"I'm the same. I could do what they do," Ulquiorra said evenly. "I simply choose not to."
"So… you're still dangerous, huh," Jinta said with a nervous laugh.
"I don't understand your meaning," Ulquiorra replied. "If killing humans makes one dangerous, then you, the shopkeeper, and even that cat are all capable of killing humans just as easily. By that logic, you are all equally dangerous."
Jinta froze, speechless. He wanted to argue, but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
If Ulquiorra truly had no intent to harm humans, then how was he any different from them?
"…Sorry," Jinta said after a pause.
"No need," Ulquiorra replied. "I'm not angry."
"Well, just make yourself at home," Jinta said awkwardly. "Nobody's gonna bother you here." Then he left quickly, still unsettled.
Even though Ulquiorra had been polite and composed, that emotionless, perfectly logical demeanor… was a little frightening, like speaking to a machine.
Ulquiorra watched him go, tilting his head slightly.
Was he afraid? Why? What is fear? What was he afraid of?
It would take Ulquiorra a long, long time to understand.
Soon after, Urahara finished preparing Ulquiorra's gigai.
It looked almost identical to him, except it lacked the bone helmet on the left side of his head, the green tear marks on his face, and the Hollow hole at his throat.
"This is your gigai," Kisuke said with a grin. "Want to give it a try?"
Ulquiorra nodded silently and stepped forward, merging seamlessly into the artificial body.
A moment later, the gigai's eyes opened. Ulquiorra lifted his hands, examining his slender fingers, flexing them slightly before giving a small nod.
"How is it? Comfortable?" Urahara asked.
"I've never used another gigai before, so I can't compare," Ulquiorra said plainly. "But I can move normally. I just seem unable to use much of my power."
"That's normal," Kisuke explained. "No matter how good the materials are, a gigai can never match a body forged from your own reiatsu."
"Indeed," Ulquiorra agreed with a nod.
"So," Kisuke continued with a teasing smile, "have you decided how you're going to experience life in the Human World?"
"No," Ulquiorra replied honestly. "I plan to use this body to wander around and observe everything. Perhaps then I'll understand."
"I see," Kisuke said, narrowing his eyes in amusement. "Well, if you don't have a plan, I can recommend a place. It's full of people and functions as a small society of its own, perfect for someone like you who's new to this world."
Ulquiorra turned to him, expression as calm as ever. "Thank you. You've helped me greatly. Is there anything I can do in return?"
He didn't like being the one constantly receiving help; relying solely on Natsuro's connection felt improper. He wanted to offer something in exchange.
Kisuke blinked, a little surprised by the question. "Hmm… nothing right now," he said with a thoughtful smile, "but maybe I'll have something for you later."
Ulquiorra nodded seriously. "Understood. If there's anything I can help with, just tell me, I'll do it."
"Good," Kisuke said, smiling more warmly.
The more time he spent with Ulquiorra, the more he felt the Hollow resembled a quiet, earnest child, one who understood little of the world but showed genuine curiosity about everything.
Now he understood why Natsuro had sent Ulquiorra to him. He must have known Kisuke would not dislike someone like this.
After all, who could dislike a Hollow that was polite, well-mannered, and even grateful?
If only all Hollows were like him… but Kisuke knew that was impossible.
Once a human soul became a Hollow, corruption was almost inevitable. Even the Visored, former captains and lieutenants, had lost their reason at the beginning of their Hollowfication.
Beings like Ulquiorra, who had escaped that madness through sheer will, were rare exceptions. Most would still drown in the ecstasy of corruption.
Kisuke then outlined his plan: Ulquiorra would attend school, as a transfer student, to experience human life firsthand.
Ulquiorra had no particular opinion about the idea. But when he saw the address of the school Kisuke pointed out, he paused.
"…So it's this place," he said with mild surprise.
"Oh? You've been there before?" Kisuke asked curiously.
"Yes. When I first came to the Human World looking for you, I tracked spiritual pressure," Ulquiorra explained. "Since I believed anyone connected to Natsuro would have strong reiatsu, I followed the trail, and found that location."
"Is that so? Then did you meet anyone interesting there?" Kisuke asked, intrigued. (Had he perhaps already encountered Ichigo Kurosaki, or Rukia Kuchiki?)
Ulquiorra shook his head. "No. I didn't go in. It was clear that it wasn't your shop."
"I see," Urahara nodded.
He thought back to Ichigo's uncontrolled, overflowing reiatsu, a beacon that drew Hollows like moths to a flame. For any Hollow, it was irresistible prey.
But Ulquiorra hadn't even approached.
That alone confirmed what Kisuke suspected: he truly had no desire to gain strength through devouring souls.
And of course, "devouring souls" didn't just mean humans, it meant other Hollows as well.
"Well then," Urahara said, thinking for a moment, "I'll need someone to escort you to the school."
Given that Rukia was currently there and familiar with many locals, it wouldn't be ideal for him or Jinta to show up.
Then his eyes lit up, and he turned toward Yoruichi. "Yoruichi, could you take Ulquiorra there?"
"Why me?" came Yoruichi's voice, deep and gruff from her cat form, like that of a slightly exasperated old man.
"Please?" Kisuke clasped his hands together and smiled innocently. "Rukia's there, so it's best if we keep a low profile."
"…Fine," Yoruichi sighed, clearly unable to refuse him.
Then she turned to Ulquiorra. "Alright, kid, follow me. If you lose sight of me, don't blame me for not waiting!"
"Understood," Ulquiorra said immediately, falling into step behind her.
As the two left the shop, Urahara watched their departing figures and couldn't help but smile.
"This is getting more and more interesting~"
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Currently on Chapter 520 - Amenominaka, The Eye Opens