Old Man Ichiraku looked at Hasumi Ren, his face marked by a rare look of concern.
"Master Hasumi, twenty million... isn't that a bit much?"
He whispered the reminder.
"Even though our shop has a good turnover, that isn't a small amount. If that Mr. Urahara..."
"Uncle," Hasumi interrupted, his eyes still fixed on the direction Urahara had gone. "You have to trust my vision."
"It is just twenty million. If he can truly solve the problem of increasing raw material production, our business can break past the limitations of the Rukongai. We could reach the South, North, and East Districts... even expand into the Seireitei itself."
Old Man Ichiraku froze for a moment, then a look of realization dawned on him.
"Master, are you saying our true goal is to control the upstream production and supply chain?"
"Exactly."
Hasumi smiled.
"As long as the ingredients are plentiful and the price is right, given the current state of the Rukongai, we might even become the largest food supplier in the Soul Society. That is where the real business lies."
He patted the old man's shoulder.
"So, this investment is worth it."
"...I understand."
Old Man Ichiraku nodded solemnly.
Master Hasumi really was no ordinary person.
The old man had known this from the moment Hasumi discovered his talent for making ramen and used his own strength to secure their first storefront in the Rukongai.
Since then, even when Hasumi had the sudden whim to suggest he change his name to Ichiraku to match the shop's name, he had readily accepted.
After all, everything he had achieved in the Soul Society was given to him by Hasumi.
After gesturing for the old man to get back to work, Hasumi stood alone at his post.
He pulled the pass from his robe and examined it closely under the light.
The token was engraved with intricate patterns and text; on the front, the words 'Stealth Force' were carved in large characters.
Flipping it over, Hasumi froze when he saw the five characters on the back.
[CAPTAIN OF THE CUSTODIAL UNIT]
Hasumi Ren: ?
'What did that old fox Urahara Kisuke give me?'
'Is this something I can just walk around with?!'
He stepped outside, but Urahara Kisuke was already nowhere to be seen.
Looking at the token that now felt like a hot potato, Hasumi sighed heavily and began walking toward the Seireitei.
He was mentally exhausted.
Not far from the ramen shop, the night wind blew coolly over the rooftops.
Urahara Kisuke's figure appeared silently.
"Well?"
Yoruichi, in her black cat form, sat perched on the eaves, her golden eyes watching him in the darkness.
"I didn't get any useful information out of him, but the conversation went well enough."
Urahara paused, looking at Yoruichi.
"Why is the Captain paying so much attention to him?"
The black cat flicked her tail elegantly.
"Just intuition. I feel like there's something special about that kid."
"He appeared out of nowhere like a sudden mist, yet by the time you noticed him, that mist was already entangled in a thousand different threads of influence."
"Anyone would want to keep an eye on a guy like that."
As she spoke, Yoruichi suddenly thought of Hirako Shinji.
His focus on Aizen Sosuke was much the same.
However, Aizen was different from Hasumi Ren; he had never shown the slightest hint of abnormality.
Aizen was diligent, humble, and possessed great capability, earning him a stellar reputation both inside and outside his division.
Because of Aizen, the 5th Division received significantly more applications for transfer every year.
In that regard, Hasumi seemed quite ordinary by comparison.
"Anyway, just keep a close watch."
"Is that so..."
Urahara murmured softly, his eyes reflecting the deep darkness as he watched the direction Hasumi had gone.
Beneath his wide sleeves, his fingertips were toyed with a transparent capsule.
Inside was a wisp of spiritual pressure he had extracted from Hasumi's body when they touched earlier.
Within the pale blue ribbons of spirit energy, a tiny, restless flicker of dark red spirit energy agitated.
It looked like a small hand conjured of bone, scratching at Urahara's insatiable curiosity.
An amused expression appeared on Urahara's face.
"But besides that, the matter we discussed just now was also quite interesting."
Yoruichi looked curious.
"What did you two talk about?"
"An investment project aimed at increasing the production of food raw materials."
"Furthermore, his insight into the supply issues of the Rukongai is quite profound. He has clearly given it deep thought."
Yoruichi tilted her head. "So?"
"The fact that he sought me out might not be purely for increasing food production."
"He might indeed have that need, but choosing me as a partner... perhaps he has other motives."
The cat's ears twitched. "You think he approached you on purpose?"
"Hard to say," Urahara shrugged. "Maybe I am overthinking things."
"But for now, I find him very interesting."
Yoruichi gave a soft snort.
"I don't care about that, just don't mess things up. That kid is a candidate I've got my eye on for the Punishment Force."
Urahara gave a non-committal smile.
The two sat on the roof for a while as the night breeze brushed past, blowing over the lights of ten thousand homes.
Yoruichi suddenly spoke.
"Urahara, you've mastered Bankai for some time now. I'm thinking it might be time to push you into a higher position."
Urahara's eyes flickered.
A Captaincy? He was indeed qualified.
"Is Yoruichi-san planning to make a move?"
Yoruichi did not respond, simply gazing quietly toward the Seireitei.
Urahara Kisuke thought for a moment. There were indeed vacant Captain positions, but...
"I'm not going to the 10th Division," Urahara stated bluntly. "Moving around outside every day doesn't fit my lifestyle."
"I know. Even if I forced you, you would refuse."
Yoruichi flicked her tail.
"So there is no rush, but rumors say Hikifune Kirio might be promoted to the Royal Guard within the next few years. The Royal Family has taken an interest in her research on Artificial Soul technology."
"If it is the 12th Division, which prizes technological development, I imagine it would be quite to your liking."
Urahara's eyes lit up slightly.
An independent research institution, higher authority, a more ample budget...
He was indeed tempted.
"By the way, what about Soi Fon?"
Urahara brought her up suddenly.
"She seems to be training for her Bankai under your supervision lately. With her talent, becoming a Captain later shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Yoruichi sighed at his words.
"Soi Fon is indeed making progress, but she needs time. And given her personality, she would probably prefer to stay in the Punishment Force as my lieutenant."
"More importantly, Old Man Yamamoto won't allow the influence of the Shihoin family to expand too quickly within the Gotei 13."
"Pushing you up will be hard enough. If I try to push Soi Fon as well, some people won't be able to sleep at night."
Urahara nodded in understanding.
The balance of power in the Seireitei was never a simple matter.
"So, stay in the 2nd Division for now and wait for news about the 12th."
Yoruichi stood up and yawned, stretching her body into a graceful arc.
"As for that Hasumi kid, I don't care what dealings you have. But until he enters the Punishment Force, help me keep an eye on him."
Urahara looked into the night and nodded casually, a smile returning to his lips.
The special capsule sealing Hasumi's spiritual pressure spun between his fingertips.
"Of course."
"It is all for the Soul Society."