In the blink of an eye, the day arrived when the environmental records for Hueco Mundo were complete.
Kisuke Urahara meticulously examined the records in his hand, his mind awash with thoughts.
Upon careful observation, Las Noches, once a mere ruin, had been replaced by a fortress by Aizen, a stark contrast to its former desolation.
This change was undoubtedly a public declaration of his existence to the Soul Society, revealing his arrogance and overbearing nature.
He handed the records to Yamamoto Genryusai.
Yamamoto Genryusai looked at the records and let out a cold snort.
Considering that Aizen's move might be a bluff, he immediately summoned Yoriichi Tsugikuni and ordered him to choose one person to accompany him into Hueco Mundo.
After all, the risk of acting alone was simply too great.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained silent for a moment, then slowly uttered a name:
"Kisuke Urahara."
As soon as these words were spoken, Kisuke Urahara, who had been watching the commotion beside Yamamoto Genryusai, instantly widened his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.
"Huh?"
He suspected he was hallucinating.
What was going on?
How did it become his turn to go to Hueco Mundo?
Seeing his astonished expression, Yoriichi Tsugikuni calmly explained:
"I have now reached First-Class Spiritual Power, and my combat strength is no longer lacking."
"If I need someone to accompany me, it must be someone with expertise in support."
"Kisuke, you are the most suitable."
"You possess extraordinary intelligence; even if we encounter a desperate situation, I believe you can find a way to escape."
"Then what about my Twelfth Division?"
Kisuke Urahara's eyebrows furrowed tightly, forming a deep 'well' shape.
Although Yoriichi Tsugikuni's words might have been an exaggeration, he had to admit that he liked hearing such compliments.
Therefore, he simply couldn't refuse.
But if he didn't refuse...
The Hōgyoku...
"You don't need to worry about the Twelfth Division; I remember you found a talent named Mayuri Kurotsuchi, didn't you?"
"Although he is only a Third Seat, his skills are comparable to yours."
Upon hearing the name Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Kisuke Urahara suddenly understood.
That was indeed true.
If one were to delve deeper, Mayuri Kurotsuchi could even be considered his senior.
When Shutara Senjumaru was still around, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a researcher in her scientific institution, while he was still studying at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
However, due to some incidents back then, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest and had only recently been released by him.
Kisuke Urahara had considerable trust in this person.
Science reigns supreme; Mayuri Kurotsuchi would not disrupt the Hōgyoku research for his own selfish desires.
Or rather, Mayuri Kurotsuchi desired the emergence of the Hōgyoku more than anyone else.
Thinking of this, Kisuke Urahara nodded:
"I understand. Since you've put it that way, alright then. You saved my life once, so I'll risk my life to accompany you."
"When do we act?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, today."
"Today, huh..."
Kisuke Urahara fell into a brief thought, then nodded in response, "No problem, but I need to go back to the Twelfth Division to make some arrangements."
"Also, Captain-Commander..."
He looked at Yamamoto Genryusai,
"While I'm away, I'll trouble you to bear with it."
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi, he's a very obsessive person. When conducting Hōgyoku research, he might add some of his own ideas."
"I hope you won't mind."
After a moment of silence, Yamamoto Genryusai didn't quite understand what Kisuke Urahara meant by 'obsessive,' merely giving a detached, business-like response.
But soon, after the two had left, he understood.
...
Inside the Twelfth Division, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's somewhat eager voice suddenly rang out.
"Idiots!"
"The captain is gone, so I'm the captain! All of you, obey my orders!"
"Stop adding Hollow souls to the Hōgyoku! Extract that energy and try adding some Shinigami souls!"
"What, no Shinigami souls? Are you an idiot? What are those criminals in the prison for? Just cut off a little bit, no one will know!"
"I've wanted to do this for a long time! Hōgyoku, Hōgyoku, breaking the boundaries of Shinigami! What's the point of just adding Hollow souls!"
"Kisuke Urahara has that psychological burden, but I don't!"
There was a hint of smugness in his voice, causing even Yamamoto Genryusai, who had quietly arrived nearby, to twitch his eyebrow, anger instantly surging.
This brat...
He immediately prepared to stop him.
But...
"What, you're the Captain-Commander? Captain-Commander is useless too."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? To research the Hōgyoku, you temporarily elevated our authority to the highest level within the Gotei 13."
"Besides, they are just some scoundrels."
"If it doesn't harm their lives, why can't their soul fragments be used for Hōgyoku research?"
"Or do you believe that Shinigami themselves are less important than those scoundrels?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi chuckled softly, though combined with his bizarre makeup, it appeared rather chilling.
"Captain-Commander, you're also an experienced person. Anyway, they have no hope of getting out in this lifetime. Instead of letting them slowly die of old age, why not let them contribute their last bit of remaining usefulness for the Seireitei?"
"They won't refuse."
...
At the same time.
Hueco Mundo.
"Yammy, watch your behavior. Even if they don't know Tier Harribel's location, there's no need to kill them."
"I dislike meaningless slaughter."
Ulquiorra Cifer's cold voice suddenly echoed across the silvery desert.
With his hands in his pockets, he watched Yammy Rialgo tormenting the weaker Menos Grande, shaking his head slightly.
"Nagging."
Yammy's displeased voice followed immediately, filled with thick impatience.
He casually waved his hand.
Specks of crimson blood, as he swung his arm, instantly stained the desert like blossoming blood-red flowers.
The corners of his mouth spread into a cold and cruel smile.
"There's no need to pity these weaklings; they're all just trash."
"As long as we can find that guy, a few useless Menos Grande dying is nothing."
Yammy slightly raised his chin, his rugged face filled with indifference.
He slowly stood up, kicking the corpses on the ground away, his bulging muscles becoming more grotesque with his movements.
His tone arrogant:
"Hmph, that woman can really run. The guys here have all seen her, but they just don't know where she is."
"Ulquiorra, when we find her, don't make a move yet. Let me have a good time with her."
"I'll make sure she sees the price of wasting my time. I hate trouble."
"..."
Ulquiorra quietly glanced at Yammy. He wanted to say, it was clearly you who insisted on coming with me... but the words died on his lips. He decided against it.
He had few friends.
He quietly shook his head.
Ulquiorra watched as the few Menos Grande completely lost their life force, then slowly turned and walked towards the direction they had mentioned, his voice calmly sounding:
"The mission is important. Don't kill her; Aizen needs her."