Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 141 on Patreon. Read at one go.
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The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 141-146)
patreon.com/FrancisMW
"What an idiot."
"To make such a rookie mistake..."
Clenching her fists, Matsumoto Rangiku slumped onto the couch and muttered in disbelief.
Hanging up on Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
It sounded like a joke. And yet, that idiot of a captain, out in the boondocks, had somehow pulled it off. Even if it was unintentional, there's no way the old man would let it slide. Back in the Soul Society, this was bound to spark a storm.
Captain Yamamoto was not known for being understanding.
"By the way... has he always been like this?"
Kanbaru gestured toward the despondent man slouched on the floor — Shiba Isshin.
"You get used to it," Rangiku sighed, rolling her sultry eyes. "Captain Shiba's always been like this. Loves goofing off, and loves getting punched by karma."
Kanbaru nodded. "Tough break. Must be hard serving under such a captain."
Shiba Isshin: "...You looking for a fight?! I'll throw down, you smug brat!"
Rangiku leaned back with a long exhale. "Well, not like we get to pick another one…"
Shiba Isshin: "...Seriously? You too? I'm your captain!"
There's no doubt. These two definitely have something going on!
---
Karakura Town — remote, mundane, and quiet.
Kanbaru stood on an empty street, gaze fixed ahead.
The Urahara Shop was hidden just up ahead — a strange, enchanted structure tucked between the cracks of ordinary life.
Faint ripples shimmered in the air, and then... a shadow emerged from them.
"Yo, Mr. Kurosaki. We meet again."
Urahara Kisuke adjusted his bucket hat with a smirk, his eyes flicking to Kanbaru's shoulder. "Yoruichi didn't tag along this time? Hmm... I figured she'd come if she sent you here herself."
"Come on in, then."
He gestured casually and led the way. The area around the shop was riddled with complex barriers and spiritual traps. Anyone unfamiliar could trip one with a misstep. Better to be guided.
What puzzled Urahara, however, was how Kanbaru had gotten in last time without triggering anything.
> [Don't touch that handle — it's rigged with one of Urahara Kisuke's barriers.]
> [Look at this sly old fox. There are barriers hidden in every corner! These definitely weren't here before.]
Even as Urahara acted friendly, Kanbaru's interface was exposing every trap and seal like peeling onions.
The old shopkeeper didn't know that Kanbaru could see through everything.
"Oh, by the way," Urahara called over his shoulder, "are you here to shop? I've got some top-tier spiritual tech in stock — high-performance, low-price!"
He slid open a side door and plopped down cross-legged. "Come on, indulge a little. I'm running a special."
> [Lies, all lies!]
> [Since when did shady merchants offer high quality and low price?]
> [Don't trust him. That 'limited stock' is just a bunch of expired spiritual drugs!]
> […Wait, what's this? A toothless fish-type Hollow vacuum? That is kind of neat…]
...Not bad. No — wait, trash!
Kanbaru declined firmly. "No thanks."
Urahara put on a dejected face. "Ah, really? That hurts. I thought you'd be interested in my gadgets."
Then his tone suddenly shifted.
"But more importantly — you heard about the Adjuchas-class Menos Grande that showed up in Karakura Town today, right?"
"Oh," he added with a teasing glint, "I should say — the one you dealt with yourself."
Kanbaru: "…"
You're skipping the parts I didn't already know.
"Strange, right? Why would an Arrancar of that level appear so suddenly?" Urahara's gaze sharpened.
Kanbaru: "…"
Of course I know why. Because I stole the Hōgyoku from Aizen, duh.
"I've been thinking… Something odd is happening in Soul Society. Aizen's movements are getting strange. I suspect there's been a disruption in his experiments."
Urahara's expression tightened.
Kanbaru: "…."
Nope. You've got it backwards.
The problem isn't his experiment — it's that I jacked the Hōgyoku. And just to troll him, I left a green hat and clog pattern on the scene. Pretty sure he thinks you did it.
"That sudden aggression of his — it's not normal."
Urahara took a slow breath, eyes flickering with doubt.
It didn't make sense.
He had layered his plans in advance. Predicted every possible move. All based around one crucial assumption: the Hōgyoku.
---
First-level prediction:
Urahara would find the right moment to hand over the Hōgyoku — deliberately — knowing Aizen would accept it anyway.
Second-level prediction:
Aizen would be aware that it was a trap, but still take the bait, because he needed the Hōgyoku no matter the risk. Urahara would vanish and wait for Aizen to expose a weakness during his evolution.
Third-level prediction:
Aizen would know that Urahara knew, and still press forward. Because in the end, he believed he could control everything — even Urahara's moves.
And Urahara?
He accepted that. Because he, too, was predicting that this chain of calculated deceptions would result in Aizen eventually fusing the two Hōgyoku — his own, and Rukia's — into a flawless catalyst. Then, in that final moment of arrogance, he would stumble.
That was the moment Urahara had waited for.
A single instant — to strike the perfect blow.
But now…
Everything was off.
"…Something broke the chain."
Urahara's voice was low, troubled. "Aizen shouldn't be panicking. He never panics."
Kanbaru: "…"
You think? I basically stole his one irreplaceable artifact and made it look like you set him up.
"I've been outplayed."
Urahara scratched his head in frustration.
The truth was — he didn't know how Aizen got pushed into acting out. No intel from Soul Society had mentioned anything like this.
"Maybe it's just a fluke," Kanbaru offered innocently. "No one's smart enough to mess with you, Mr. Urahara."
Urahara beamed. "True! It does make sense!"
"Still…" Kanbaru added, "if Aizen keeps moving this recklessly, Soul Society will notice soon."
Just then, the door opened.
Tessai Tsukabishi walked in with a deadpan expression. "That's wishful thinking. Aizen doesn't leave loopholes. If he's moving, then he's already made a plan to blindside the entire Soul Society — or bury them in a bigger disaster."
"You're underestimating him, Tessai," Urahara replied calmly, eyeing him. "By the way, what's in your hands?"
"Just expired tonic," Tessai replied smoothly. "Inventory's building up. Thought I'd bring it here so someone can finally improve their frail body."
Urahara: "∑(ﾟДﾟ)!!"
Wait! Isn't that the junk I was trying to pawn off on Kanbaru just now!?
"Wait, Tessai! I feel great! Peak condition, even! No need for supplements!"
Urahara tried flexing his scrawny arms. They barely had muscle.
"Mr. Urahara…" Tessai adjusted his glasses ominously. "Your health has been declining. The staff are worried."
He smiled — a dark, sunny smile.
Urahara: "((((;ﾟДﾟ)))) Don't come any closer!"
"I'll be gentle, store manager. Just hold still — this might sting a bit."
"…Tessai, put the iron down! I'm begging you!"
Kanbaru: "…"
Shihouin Yoruichi (somewhere nearby): "…"
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 141 on Patreon. Read at one go.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 141-146)
patreon.com/FrancisMW