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Early morning.
In the pitch-black room, Ishikawa climbed out of his only bed.
"Haaah~"
Yawning, Ishikawa looked at the dark room around him and mumbled sleepily, "It seems it's time to put a window in the bedroom."
"I think so too."
A voice suddenly came, making Ishikawa pause, then the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
For some reason... apart from the initial surprise, Ishikawa wasn't surprised at all by this voice that suddenly appeared in his bedroom.
"Sigh~"
With a heavy sigh, Ishikawa, dressed in shorts, walked towards the wardrobe.
Opening the wardrobe door, he looked at a corner inside, where a commanding shinki with a glowing screen was conspicuously placed.
"Good morning, Ishikawa-sama."
As if sensing Ishikawa's arrival, Urahara Kisuke's voice came through the commanding shinki at the opportune moment.
"Before you say good morning, shouldn't you first explain to me what exactly is going on here?"
Ishikawa said while getting dressed, "If I remember correctly, when I bought this commanding shinki from you for a 'hefty price', you should have guaranteed me that it didn't have any superfluous functions like surveillance or spiritual pressure extraction, right?"
"Of course not."
Urahara Kisuke chuckled, "This is just a communication function."
"..." Ishikawa.
Bullshit communication function.
He had never heard of a communication function that could force someone to answer.
"Spit it out!"
Too lazy to argue with Urahara Kisuke, Ishikawa said with a cold tone.
Yesterday, when Yoruichi said Urahara had something for her to relay, Ishikawa vaguely realized that Urahara Kisuke might contact him.
Because if he really had something important to tell him, then no matter how Ishikawa avoided him, that bastard would find a way to contact him.
And if he didn't contact him... it meant that what he had Yoruichi relay wasn't important, and there was no need for him to seek trouble.
Aizen took the Hōgyoku, so Urahara Kisuke would definitely take action.
Now that he was contacting him, it couldn't be good news.
Don't let his constant smiling fool you; he's definitely the 'dagger in a smile' type. The more humble he appears on the surface, the harder he schemes behind the scenes... Essentially, he's no different from Mayuri Kurotsuchi; both are believers in 'balance theory' and will do anything to maintain it.
Ichigo and the others were an example; before encountering Aizen, they all thought they were just there to save Rukia.
"Hehehe... communicating with Ishikawa-sama is indeed easy."
Hearing this, Ishikawa frowned, and an ominous premonition suddenly surged in his heart.
Because... Urahara Kisuke's words were a bit too humble.
So humble that Ishikawa almost used Hado to turn the commanding shinki and the wardrobe into dust, just to stop him from continuing.
Of course, that was just a thought.
Because many things don't not happen just because you don't hear about them; at least if you hear them, you can die with understanding.
"Actually, the reason I contacted you this time, Ishikawa-sama, is because of the Hōgyoku..."
Urahara Kisuke didn't waste words, directly explaining the reason for contacting Ishikawa from beginning to end in great detail: "...Although I left means to prevent prying on it, if you were to see it, Ishikawa, you would definitely feel your own blood, so I..."
"Where are you?" Ishikawa interrupted.
"Huh?"
"Urahara Shop, right?!"
Veins popped on Ishikawa's forehead: "You wait, I'm going to go kill you right now!"
He was going too far.
Although when he gave his blood to Urahara Kisuke, Ishikawa had thought that Urahara Kisuke might analyze his blood to find his weaknesses or something... but the benefits he could gain from cooperating with him far outweighed the risk of giving up his blood.
And indeed, Urahara Kisuke's technology had greatly helped Ishikawa, even saving his life.
Furthermore, although Urahara Kisuke was a lunatic, he was arguably... an ally, and Ishikawa hadn't been overly wary of him, only thinking that he could create countermeasures once Urahara researched something.
Ishikawa never expected that this bastard wouldn't research any weaknesses, but instead research how to use his blood to seal the Hōgyoku.
If it were just that, it would be fine. Aizen being unable to extract the energy from the Hōgyoku created by Urahara Kisuke and fuse it with his own created Hōgyoku was exactly what Ishikawa wanted!
But this unsealing method... made Ishikawa want to grind Urahara Kisuke's bones to dust.
What does 'a large amount of Ishikawa-sama's blood' mean to unseal the Hōgyoku?
You might as well just say Aizen is going to sacrifice me to unseal the Hōgyoku!
"Uh... Ishikawa-sama, please don't get agitated."
Urahara Kisuke's fawning voice came through the receiver, making the veins on Ishikawa's forehead throb.
"Compared to the Human World, you are clearly safer staying in the Soul Society."
"Think about it, if Aizen wants to break the seal, he will definitely come to the Soul Society to find you. This way, you can serve as bait to attract Aizen, forcing him to return to the Soul Society without having fused with the Hōgyoku."
Urahara Kisuke's tone shifted, becoming serious: "Ishikawa, I apologize for this matter. Whatever compensation you want afterwards is fine. But you may not realize how dangerous Aizen will become after fusing with the Hōgyoku. It's safe to say... at that point, Aizen will be impossible to kill by any means."
"So, we must stop all of this before he fuses with the Hōgyoku."
"Heh, easier said than done."
Ishikawa's tone was somewhat cold. He naturally knew Aizen's state after fusing with the Hōgyoku; otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to disrupt Aizen's plan in the first place.
"But don't tell me you haven't considered what danger this might bring to the people around me?"
"Indeed!"
"I can completely hide in Seireitei, but what about my Everything Store? What about Kukaku-nee and Ganju?"
"If I'm bait for Aizen, won't they become bait for Aizen to attract me?"
Ishikawa paused, then continued, "Or do you think Aizen wouldn't think of that?"
The barrage of questions plunged Urahara Kisuke into silence.
Finally, he sighed heavily: "In any case, Ishikawa-sama, I will prepare thoroughly here and then immediately find a way to go to the Soul Society. Whatever you need, you can directly ask, and I will do everything in my power to fulfill it."
...After hanging up the call, a thoughtful expression appeared on Ishikawa's face.
His previous words were actually a bit exaggerated.
If Ishikawa wanted to, he might not be unable to bring Kukaku-nee and the others into Seireitei.
As long as he asked Nayura for help and persuaded the other sages, it wouldn't be difficult for Kukaku-nee, Ganju, Utsuki, and Unagiya to obtain a passing permit to enter Seireitei.
The only person who would be very difficult to get permission for was Ishida Soken, the Quincy.
But it wasn't entirely impossible!
However... the most troublesome ones weren't Ishida Soken, but Kukaku-nee and Ganju.
Issuing passing permits wasn't difficult; Nayura already had the idea of issuing them on a large scale anyway. The difficulty lay in how to persuade Kukaku-nee and Ganju to enter Seireitei.
Although the misunderstanding between Ganju and Rukia had been resolved, making Ganju no longer as repulsed by Shinigami as he once was. But both Ganju and Kukaku-nee, like himself, disliked the atmosphere of Seireitei.
However, if they were unwilling to go to Seireitei, there were other methods.
As long as the Gotei 13 came out of Seireitei.
But for what reason?
To tell the truth would be quite dangerous.
Because Ishikawa wasn't sure if Captain-Commander Yamamoto would refrain from acting against him due to his status as a sage.
Compared to protecting himself, killing himself would obviously be easier.
As long as he died, it could slow down Aizen's speed of fusing with the Hōgyoku, or even prevent Aizen from fusing with it altogether, at least giving the Soul Society more time to prepare for battle.
Given Captain-Commander Yamamoto's ruthless style, he would very likely make such a choice.
And his only reliance was merely his identity as a sage.
Gambling his life on his identity... no matter how he thought about it, it wasn't secure, especially since Captain-Commander Yamamoto was currently temporarily handling the affairs of the Central 46.
Shaking his head, Ishikawa didn't dwell on this point, instead beginning to assess whether his current forces could withstand Aizen's assault.
The number of villains under his command now was arguably more than, or at least equal to, the Shinigami of the Gotei 13.
But the top-tier combat power was extremely limited.
Currently, the only person with Captain-level spiritual pressure was Nishijin Ori.
There were quite a few with Vice-Captain-level spiritual pressure.
Nishijin Ori, Oyama, Jin Jiao, Gin'en, and everyone's favorite student Takashi... plus some well-known villains from various districts, he had over a dozen people with Vice-Captain-level spiritual pressure.
As for the exact number, Ishikawa hadn't counted; those he remembered were mostly people he often saw in the tavern.
Overall, it wasn't weak.
However, having Captain-level spiritual pressure doesn't necessarily mean having Captain-level combat power.
Because apart from a few individuals Ishikawa personally taught, most villains didn't have Zanpakuto, nor could they use Kido, Hakuda, Shunpo, and other techniques.
However, besides the villains, he also had other trump cards.
Ichigo and his group were undoubtedly the most powerful force on his side.
Originally, Ishikawa had Ichigo learn Bankai so that he could play his original role when Aizen attacked in the future... Ishikawa really didn't expect to need him so soon!
If you add Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Kukaku-nee... hmm... with Yoruichi, Captain Soi Fon could also be counted.
"...There are so many?"
Ishikawa's gaze was a bit strange. He had always been accustomed to fighting alone, and only now, after counting, did he realize... that when he encountered danger, there were so many people he believed would be willing to help him!
Shaking his head slightly, Ishikawa's frown deepened.
Although the number of villains was large, in a real fight, they were just cannon fodder.
To deal with Aizen's attack, the help of the Gotei 13 was still needed. The safest method was to hide within the Soul-Sealing Membrane!
What about voluntarily offering his blood?
Ishikawa shook his head again. Although this method was the simplest and safest.
But the target was Aizen... he, who had discovered the peculiarity of his blood, would not let him go just because he offered his blood.
If he were Aizen, Ishikawa would never let go of such special research material.
His orders to the Espada... would definitely not just be to get enough blood and return to Hueco Mundo, but to capture 'Ishikawa', this unknown creature, and bring him back to Hueco Mundo!
Although Ishikawa wasn't the type of scientist with a strong desire for exploration in all things, after coming to the Soul Society, he had many times resorted to unscrupulous means because he wanted to understand certain things.
Most importantly... would Aizen himself come to the Soul Society!
Information... he still had too little information.
To obtain information about Hueco Mundo, he could only rely on Cirucci.
But separated by two worlds, Ishikawa could only vaguely sense Cirucci's condition and couldn't contact her at all.
Unless he opened a Black Portal.
Just as Ishikawa was hesitating whether to risk opening a Black Portal, his expression suddenly changed.
Tap~
As if a certain nerve had been suddenly triggered, a familiar voice echoed in Ishikawa's mind.
This is... Cirucci?
Ishikawa's expression changed. While listening to Cirucci's voice in his mind, he rushed out of the bedroom.
"Good..."
Utsuki, behind the bar, subconsciously went to greet him, but before she could finish, Ishikawa interrupted her.
"Quick."
Ishikawa looked at Utsuki, and at Ganju, Ishida Soken, and Unagiya in front of the bar, saying, "The four of you immediately use the transfer stake to go to the East 1st District. I will have someone meet you."
Hearing this, the four of them all looked grim.
Utsuki saw Ishikawa's serious expression and didn't ask further.
Although she hadn't seen Ishikawa with such an expression in a long time, the fact that he displayed it already indicated the urgency of the situation.
The last time Ishikawa told her to transfer was when Gennaikura attacked!
"Be careful!"
Without further questions, Utsuki directly pulled Unagiya and Ganju, who wanted to ask, because she knew very well that even if she understood the reason, she couldn't help Ishikawa.
Their staying here would only be a burden to Ishikawa.
However, when Utsuki tried to pull Ishida Soken, he didn't move.
Ishida Soken smiled slightly at Utsuki and the others: "I should still be able to help Ishikawa-sama a bit. You all leave first."
Hearing this, Ishikawa glanced at Ishida Soken, nodded, then looked at Ganju, who was trying to break free, and said, "Ganju-nii, after you go to the East 1st District, immediately notify Seireitei that Arrancar are attacking the Everything Store, and try to contact Kukaku-nee, asking them to come support me."
As he spoke, Ishikawa tossed the commanding shinki to Ganju.
Ganju subconsciously caught it, a flicker of hesitation on his face, then he gritted his teeth slightly and pulled Utsuki and Unagiya towards the transfer stake in the backyard.
Watching the three disappear into the transfer stake, Ishikawa turned to look at the group of villains in the tavern.
"Ishikawa-sama, who should we cut down?"
All the villains in the tavern had stood up at this point, their eyes red and filled with murderous intent.
Seeing this, Ishikawa didn't tell them to leave.
Firstly, Ishikawa didn't care if they lived or died. Secondly... even if Ishikawa told them to leave, these lunatics, who lived only for excitement, would never leave.
However, a few people did use the transfer stake to leave and gather more people in other areas.
Ishikawa walked straight out of the tavern and gazed into the distance.
According to the information from Cirucci, their group was already close to passing through the Black Portal and arriving in the Soul Society...
Just as Ishikawa was hesitating whether to risk opening a Black Portal, his expression suddenly changed.
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