Ren had always found it somewhat peculiar that Aizen didn't seem to want him to come into direct contact with the Hogyoku.
Even though Ren could witness Aizen conducting various experiments with the device inside the laboratory, he could distinctly perceive that Aizen had been maintaining a subtle guard against him for a long time.
As for the underlying reason, Ren had meticulously reviewed his actions before. Specifically, ever since that instance when Aizen attempted to use the Hogyoku to stimulate the Hollowified power dormant within him, there hadn't been a single subsequent experiment involving the sphere.
This strongly indicated that a certain hypothesis forming in Ren's mind was highly likely to be the absolute truth.
The Hogyoku's power could potentially be directly siphoned by him, converting into his own internal awakening rate. That was precisely why Aizen was exercising such immense caution, strictly regulating any proximity between him and the artifact.
If that was truly the case, then the veracity of Aizen's promise to let him participate in the core research and development of the Hogyoku was highly debatable. Aizen might grant him entry into the initiative, but he would undoubtedly continue to strictly monitor and restrict his physical contact with the orb.
However, at this very moment, a brand-new strategy crystallized in Ren's mind.
He happened to hold a magnificent trump card that absolutely no one else was privy to—his clone currently stationed in Hueco Mundo.
That was a spiritual entity he had severed using his Hollowification ability and casually tossed into that desert realm to fend for itself. Since then, it had been growing at a feral pace. From time to time, Ren would assume control over it to hunt down and devour the reishi of other Hollows to accumulate experience points. Through its relentless struggles in the dog-eat-dog environment of Hueco Mundo, that clone had already successfully evolved into an Adjuchas.
Furthermore, because this clone had remained entirely sequestered deep within Hueco Mundo, its existence had never been exposed. Absolutely no one would ever connect a random Hollow to Ren himself.
If he could manipulate events so that this clone was "inadvertently" captured by Aizen's subordinates, it could display a uniquely bizarre constitution that would inevitably pique Aizen's curiosity. Ultimately, by enticing Aizen into utilizing the Hogyoku to conduct specialized experiments on its body, Ren could exploit the opportunity to execute a covert maneuver against the Hogyoku via the clone.
A wild yet entirely viable stratagem rapidly took shape in his mind.
He would have his clone masquerade as a Hollow possessing an anomalous physical makeup, intentionally allowing itself to be captured by Aizen's scouts so it could infiltrate the Hogyoku-related trials as an experimental subject. The clone shared his exact capability to harvest system fragments; as long as it was positioned adjacent to the Hogyoku during live testing, it could seamlessly siphon Hogyoku fragments to escalate his awakening rate.
The entire execution required zero physical intervention from his main body, ensuring his true motives remained perfectly concealed. Even if the Hollow's abnormalities were premature exposed and it failed to escape, the solitary loss would be a mere clone—inflicting no true damage upon Ren himself.
But the moment it succeeded, he would reap a massive, guaranteed haul of Hogyoku fragments.
This blueprint was highly practical and carried zero fatal risks to his own person. It was absolutely worth an attempt.
Ren suppressed the calculations churning in his mind. This was his ultimate, top-secret trump card, and he had no intention of discussing it with anyone—not even Urahara Kisuke.
Maintaining an unreadable expression, he brought his consciousness back to reality, turning his gaze toward Urahara before suddenly breaking the silence. "By the way, Urahara."
"Yes?"
"While we are plotting a way to secure Aizen's Hogyoku, Aizen has similarly been orchestrating a plot against yours for a very long time. Are you entirely certain that the location where you've hidden your Hogyoku is secure enough?"
Urahara's hands paused for a fraction of a second. He turned around, fixing his eyes on Ren. "Naturally. That can be considered the single most critical matter in existence."
Ren pondered for a brief moment as a daring idea flashed through his mind, prompting him to press further. "When we evaluated my Hollowification capabilities previously, the only assets you brought out were custom serums. But seeing as Aizen has already utilized his Hogyoku to test its effects on my body before, why don't you employ yours to run a similar trial on me?"
Upon hearing those words, a highly peculiar glint manifested within Urahara's eyes. "Why bring up something like that so out of nowhere?"
"It is merely a logical query."
"That artifact is an exceptionally hazardous and vital entity," Urahara stated, his tone shifting into something sharper. "Setting aside the unpredictable ramifications it might inflict upon your person... more importantly, it cannot be exposed lightly. What are we to do if Aizen catches wind of its activation?"
Ren stared at him, suddenly registering an underlying discordance. Urahara's demeanor was fundamentally different from his usual casual self.
Ren ran the interaction through his mind and instantly realized the truth. He fully understood Urahara's underlying apprehension. The man was terrified that Ren was a puppet operating under the absolute hypnosis of Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, acting with deliberate intent to swindle him out of his own Hogyoku.
"You don't seriously believe that I am an illusion manifested by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, do you?" Ren's voice carried a distinct trace of helplessness.
Urahara didn't offer a word of denial. He merely stood rooted to the spot, watching Ren with an entirely guarded, expressionless visage. He neither validated nor refuted the statement. There was only a heavy, ringing silence.
Looking at him, an indefinable sensation welled up in Ren's chest before he let out a soft, slow breath. He suddenly saw the reality of their dynamic with absolute clarity.
Urahara Kisuke had actually been maintaining a strict guard against him all along. From the very moment Ren had initially laid his cards on the table, Urahara had already prepared himself for this exact worst-case scenario. To him, even the absolute truths Ren spoke carried the inherent possibility of being a deeply manufactured lie.
Urahara had no way of confirming whether Ren's statements and behavior up to this point were genuine or simply a elaborate script Aizen wanted him to perceive. He simply didn't dare to gamble. Consequently, he had chosen the safest methodology available to him: extending absolute trust to no one, and keeping his Hogyoku sequestered in the most unassailable hiding place possible.
"Hasumi, I am sure you can comprehend my position. I genuinely do not wish to believe in the worst possible outcome," Urahara finally spoke, his voice completely devoid of its customary lightheartedness. "You understand the sheer magnitude of what the Hogyoku represents. When dealing with anything that concerns it, no level of caution can ever be deemed excessive."
Ren stared at him in silence for a prolonged moment. Then, a smile slowly spread across his face. There was no trace of resentment or disappointment mirrored in that expression, only an indefinable sense of profound relief.
"Of course. I completely understand." Ren turned his body around, taking a step toward the exit of the cavern. "Regarding the Garganta project, if you are willing to extend your assistance, that would be ideal. If not, then let us drop the matter. I have nothing else to discuss."
"Hasumi."
Hearing his name, Ren halted his steps.
"It is not that I do not trust you," Urahara's voice resonated, somewhat low and heavy.
Ren didn't bother to look back. "I know." He strode forward, stepping directly into the shadows of the corridor.
From behind him, Urahara's voice drifted through the darkness. "I will still formulate the experimental blueprint for the Garganta for you. It won't take too long. Our overarching plan must continue to move forward regardless."
"Naturally. I appreciate the hard work."
Only when Ren's silhouette had completely dissolved into the far end of the passageway did Urahara let out a long, weary sigh, turning back around to face his workstation.
Walking along the path leading back to the Fourth Division barracks, the conversation that had just transpired continuously replayed within Ren's mind. Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu truly forced everyone to live in a perpetual cycle of absolute suspicion.
Ren paused in his tracks, tilting his head back to gaze up at the vast night sky.
While Aizen was undeniably dangerous, he was at the very least entirely upfront about his nature. If he intended to exploit you, he did so completely out in the open. If he resolved to execute you, he did so directly. He would never feign absolute trust in you only to construct a wall of suspicion behind your back. His machinations were laid bare on the table; you could see them coming, and though you couldn't avoid them, you always knew exactly where you stood.
But Urahara was a different entity altogether. He would smile warmly as he aided you, and he would readily provide you with resources. Yet deep within his soul, a massive wall always remained standing. That wall wasn't constructed specifically to keep Ren out, but to keep the entire world at bay. He could cooperate with you, he could fight shoulder-to-shoulder alongside you, but he would never grant you his genuine, unreserved trust. Within the confines of the Seireitei, his trust was the single most luxury commodity.
Yet, Ren found himself unable to blame Urahara. After all, if their positions were reversed, he would undoubtedly adopt the exact same stance.
Ren withdrew his gaze from the heavens and resumed his forward march. A sudden realization struck him with total clarity.
So this had been Aizen's true objective right from the inception of this assignment. To force him to vividly see through the unyielding nature of Urahara Kisuke once more.
'What a truly terrifying mastery over the human heart...'