The severe pain kept Kurotsuki Renya awake, and he was carried to the Fourth Division barracks. Seeing Renya with a broken right leg, Captain Retsu Unohana walked out anxiously and asked,
"What happened?"
Shiba Kaien replied, "He was attacked by a Hollow and needs treatment."
Unohana frowned and asked, "With Renya's strength, what kind of Hollow could defeat him? Even an Adjuchas-level Menos wouldn't be able to take him down. Besides, the moment a Gillian or higher appeared in Soul Society, its spiritual pressure would be detected by Seireitei's barrier. How could something like that injure him?"
Renya said with a wry smile, "This one could seal my lightning-type Zanpakutō, and it also neutralized Kidō that used lightning energy. It completely restrained my ability."
Hearing this, Unohana raised her eyebrows and said, "In the entire Seireitei, only you and Vice-Captain Marechiyo Ōmaeda wield lightning-based Zanpakutō. But you're the only one who channels lightning energy directly into combat. A Hollow that nullifies lightning specifically… its ability seems too targeted. That suggests it might not be natural."
Kaien immediately added, "And the Hollow that attacked my wife, Miyako, four years ago had the ability to render Zanpakutō useless. At that time, it was you, Renya, who saved us in Rukongai. If this Hollow's powers were created artificially, then its true target is likely you. This is no small matter. I must report this to Captain Ukitake."
Unohana nodded. "Go ahead. Leave Renya's treatment to me."
After Kaien left, Unohana looked at Renya and said gently, "I'll reset your bones first. It will hurt."
Renya nodded, and Unohana extended her hands, her spiritual energy glowing.
Before long, the Fourth Division barracks echoed with cries of pain.
⸻
Elsewhere, in the shadows of Seireitei—
"Captain Aizen, why did you stop me? If this is reported to the Gotei 13, someone might discover a hand manipulating things behind the scenes." Gin Ichimaru stood beside Aizen with a puzzled expression.
Aizen smiled softly. "Don't concern yourself. Even if they investigate, they will find nothing—certainly not us. On the contrary, killing Renya and Shiba Kaien outright would only draw more suspicion."
Gin narrowed his eyes. "True enough. A Vice-Captain, and a young genius with near-Captain-level strength… if either were eliminated, it would cause a stir."
Aizen's smile widened. "Besides, there's always Kisuke Urahara. If suspicion arises, the blame will fall on him."
With that, both figures faded away into the darkness.
⸻
Back in the Fourth Division, Renya's legs and arms were wrapped tightly in braces. The fractures in both arms would take at least three days to heal. His right leg, however, was completely shattered, the muscles torn apart—it would take at least ten days to recover.
During that time, he couldn't even eat by himself and had to be fed.
Captain Soi Fon was the first to visit him. When she learned that Renya had been injured by a Hollow, she grew tense. After hearing his account of its power, her sharp eyes narrowed.
"The Hollow was targeting you. Someone must be pulling the strings."
Renya already knew who was truly behind it—there could be no one else but Aizen. But he still didn't understand: why kill him specifically? He chose not to say anything. Even though he trusted Soi Fon, blurting it out recklessly would only bring disaster.
He scratched his head weakly. "I don't know either."
Soi Fon clenched her fists, her expression hard. "But apart from him, it can only be one person."
Renya feigned confusion. "Who?"
Soi Fon's eyes sharpened. "Kisuke Urahara. Seventy-four years ago, he turned several Captains and Lieutenants into Hollow hybrids. In Hollow research, there's no one but him."
"Urahara Kisuke?" Renya thought. "Captain… you're letting your resentment cloud your judgment."
He knew it was because of Yoruichi Shihōin's sudden departure, but Soi Fon still hadn't let it go.
Still, considering the incident seventy-four years ago, Urahara was indeed a likely scapegoat.
Renya asked, "You mean the former Captain of the Twelfth Division? My predecessor in research?"
Soi Fon snorted coldly. "That's right. If I ever find him, I'll cut him down myself."
Renya frowned. "But why would he come after me?"
Soi Fon paused. The logic didn't quite fit, but then her eyes lit with a new suspicion. "You're a prodigy in the Second Division and the Onmitsukidō. If Urahara still has agents hidden in the Maggot's Nest or elsewhere, you could threaten his secrets. Remember, it was he who appointed Mayuri Kurotsuchi as his successor. There may still be operatives loyal to him. If that's the case, then eliminating you would benefit him."
Her tone grew sharper as she spoke, and finally she said, "I'll investigate the dangerous inmates of the Maggot's Nest myself. If Urahara is behind this, I'll drag him out."
Without waiting, she turned and left the Fourth Division in a rush.
Renya sighed helplessly. How deep does your grudge against Urahara go, Captain? But he also knew—even Aizen could only partially trace Hirako and the Visoreds. If Aizen couldn't track Urahara down, then Soi Fon certainly couldn't.
For now, Renya let the thought go.
Lying back, he thought over the battle. If it weren't for Shiba Kaien, I'd be dead today. I rely too much on my Zanpakutō and lightning Kidō. Even though I prepared backup techniques, like Shunkō and advanced Hadō, they're all lightning-based. Against an enemy that seals lightning completely, I'm helpless.
I need new moves. I need to expand into other attributes of Hadō—wind-based, fire-based, whatever it takes. I need to train my body too. Yamamoto Genryūsai could fight barehanded even when Wonderweiss sealed his flames. He overpowered him and forced his self-destruction. If I want to survive Aizen's games, I must follow that path.
Renya closed his eyes. Why me? Why does Aizen want me dead? Is it because I know his secret, or something else?
Dozens of possibilities ran through his mind. He rejected some, kept others. But the question remained.
What exactly is his intention?