Inside Aizen Sosuke's secret experimental laboratory, the brilliant glow of the reishi lamps illuminated the entire space.
Hasumi Ren stood before the workstation, a thick stack of calculation manuscripts spread out in front of him. His brow was tightly furrowed as the spiritual pressure channeling from his fingertips etched a few lines onto a spell matrix substrate before coming to a halt. He stared at the densely packed spiritual pressure nodes on the substrate, falling silent for a long moment before letting out a soft sigh.
His train of thought was correct. Utilizing Hollowified spiritual pressure to simulate a Hollow's spatial fluctuations could pry open the dimensional barrier between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. By anchoring the reishi nodes with Kido formulas, a stable, artificial conduit could be torn open.
Unfortunately, he had hit a severe bottleneck at the technical level. He lacked a profound understanding of a Hollow's raw power, and his mastery of spatial barriers and formulas was not sufficiently refined. This wasn't an issue that could be resolved overnight; it required long-term accumulation. The technical barrier was something he simply couldn't breach relying solely on his own experience. Without a proper mentor, it was impossible for him to completely master spatial formulas in such a short timeframe.
Footsteps echoed from behind. Ren didn't turn around; he already knew exactly who it was.
"How is the progress?" Aizen's voice drifted from behind, smooth and tranquil.
Ren set down the spell matrix substrate and turned around. Aizen stood beside the workbench, his gaze shifting to the pile of calculations as he quietly awaited an answer.
"I've run into a few obstacles," Ren answered truthfully. "While the underlying direction is correct, I cannot breach the practical aspect of anchoring spatial reishi at the technical level anytime soon."
Aizen nodded, showing neither disappointment nor displeasure. He picked up a blueprint, examining the spiritual pressure trajectory mapped out on it, and fell silent for a brief moment. He could easily discern that Ren lacked the corresponding experience in this particular domain. Yet, he couldn't blame him; after all, talents versed in spatial manipulation techniques were far and few between across the entire Soul Society.
Aizen laid the blueprint back down, fixing his gaze on him. "This assignment is crucial. The Garganta technology forms the bedrock of our future plans." He paused for a beat. "Should the development of this technique be successfully completed, I will place you in charge of an even more significant experiment."
Ren looked up. "An even more significant experiment?"
Aizen looked at him, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Assisting in the research and development of the Hogyoku."
Ren lowered his head slightly, concealing the spark of surprise in his eyes.
Researching the Hogyoku. That was Aizen's most absolute secret, the cornerstone of his entire blueprint. If he could take part in its development, he would be one step closer to the inner sanctum of Aizen's operations.
He was clearly dangling a massive carrot.
"I will dedicate my full attention to this technology," Ren said, his voice level.
Aizen nodded. "Think it over and broaden your horizons. I am confident you will find a solution."
With that, Aizen spoke no further, turning to leisurely exit the laboratory. His figure vanished past the doorway, leaving behind nothing but a profound silence.
Ren stood before the workbench, staring in the direction Aizen had departed, remaining silent for a long time.
Broaden his horizons? Ren instantly grasped the underlying implication behind Aizen's words.
Aizen was dropping a hint. There was no need to rely solely on his own capabilities; as long as the objective was achieved, the methods employed were entirely irrelevant. Aizen knew Ren was in contact with Urahara Kisuke, and he was deliberately exploiting that connection.
It only just clicked for Ren. This scheme had been set in stone right from the very beginning.
Aizen knew there was a high probability he wouldn't be able to crack the Garganta technology on his own, so he deliberately steered him to seek out Urahara Kisuke. And once Urahara intervened, it would be equivalent to laying bricks for Aizen's overarching blueprint.
Ren's mouth twitched slightly. Yet, he had to admit that Aizen's scheming was remarkably profound. Because Ren genuinely could not crack the Garganta mechanics on his own. If he wanted to deliver tangible results, Urahara Kisuke was the solitary external resource he could depend on.
Turning around, he walked back to the workstation. Glancing over the calculation sheets and the densely packed spiritual pressure nodes, he let out a quiet sigh. Aizen was right; he needed to broaden his horizons. And currently, the absolute best avenue for that was Urahara Kisuke.
By evening, inside the subterranean cavern beneath the Sokyoku Hill.
Ren traversed the concealed passageway and stepped into the cavern. Urahara was already waiting there. He was crouching on the ground, tinkering with a newly brought-in piece of machinery, with various components and tools strewn all around him. Dressed in casual attire, his hair was somewhat disheveled—clear proof that he had been holed up here for quite some time.
"You're here?" Urahara didn't even look up, completely focused on the task at hand. "What brings you to me?"
Ren walked over to the workbench, pulled a document from his robes, and laid it on the table. "I need your assistance."
Urahara's hands paused for a fraction of a second. He stood up, picking up the document and flipping it open. As his gaze swept across the blueprints and data charts, his brow gradually furrowed. He read rapidly, yet meticulously.
"The Garganta?" He looked up at Ren, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes. "Is this research on how to manifest a Garganta?"
"Yes," Ren replied without any pretense. "Aizen placed me in charge of this project. The direction is solid, but I can't break through the technical bottlenecks."
Urahara fell silent for a brief moment. Then he leaned back against the workbench, crossing his arms as his tone dipped slightly. "Technically speaking, I can indeed pull this off. But... why would Aizen assign a task like this to you?"
Urahara's eyes bore a sharp, calculating scrutiny. "Is it truly as you claim—solely due to the compatibility of your Hollowification? Why do I get the impression that he is using you... to reach me?"
Urahara's tone carried a heavily analytical weight. "He knows full well that our paths cross. By intentionally dumping this predicament onto you, could his actual intent be to force you to seek my aid, thereby exploiting my expertise to achieve his own technical breakthrough?"
Urahara looked at him, his gaze intricate. "If I assist you in mastering the Garganta, it is effectively equivalent to paving the road for Aizen and laying bricks for his grand design. Furthermore, are you absolutely certain that Aizen's promises hold any real weight?"
Urahara's voice grew strictly serious.
Ren had naturally cross-examined this dilemma already; Urahara's anxieties were by no means unfounded. Aizen was indeed using him—exploiting his dynamic with Urahara to coerce the latter into indirectly serving his machinations. It wasn't some convoluted, deeply hidden stratagem; it was practically an open hand played right on the table.
Urahara stared at Ren, dropping into an extended silence before finally letting out a weary sigh. "You've really brought quite a massive headache to my doorstep."
Urahara stepped up to the workbench, picking up the document to peruse it once more. "I can help you finish this project, but in exchange, you must infiltrate deeper into Aizen's experimental core. You should have already caught sight of the Hogyoku in his possession, correct?"
Ren's brow shifted imperceptibly. "What are you implying?"
Urahara's voice was entirely even. "You are already positioned right by Aizen's side. You have the optimal chance to intercept his core research. If you can manage to find a vulnerability and seize his Hogyoku..."
Ren cut him off, a hint of sheer exasperation leaking into his voice. "Why don't you just ask me to go throw hands with Aizen directly? I'll knock him flat and walk away with the Hogyoku. Wouldn't that be a lot simpler?"
Urahara cracked a grin, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
However, Ren's expression gradually sobered into complete gravity. He walked over to the workbench, picking up an unblemished spell matrix substrate and twirling it between his fingertips. Deep within his mind, a brand-new concept was rapidly crystallizing.
While stealing the Hogyoku outright was functionally impossible... could there perhaps be another angle worth testing?