Morpheus seized the lizard Hollow, still roasting in hellfire, and sealed it within a crystal orb. He stepped out of the basement to find Kotoko Iwanaga waiting.
"You were right. This is the Hollow I was looking for."
Kotoko sighed in relief, her task for Morpheus complete.
"So, did you kill it?"
"No, that'd be too easy," Morpheus replied. "I'm a bit petty. I plan to roast it in hellfire for a century first."
Kotoko blinked. That's… quite vindictive.
Morpheus continued, "I also discovered it was artificially created to harvest human souls. So, I'm going to have a chat with its creator."
Kotoko was surprised. She hadn't expected such a complex plot behind a mere Hollow.
"Want me to come along?"
"No need." Morpheus waved dismissively. "I'll handle it. You go about your business."
Before she could respond, he vanished.
Karakura Town wasn't far.
In minutes, Morpheus arrived and located Urahara Shop.
Knock, knock, knock. He rapped on the door.
A small girl with twin tails answered—Ururu Tsumugiya, if he recalled correctly.
"Hello, miss. Is your shopkeeper in?" Morpheus asked.
Ururu glanced up at him. A stranger, but he seemed harmless. She nodded. "The shopkeeper's inside."
At the sound, Kisuke Urahara strolled to the entrance. "Oh? A new customer! Hello!"
He had his usual carefree demeanor.
A sleek black cat trailed him, its vibrant fur and curious eyes fixed on Morpheus.
Having seen Bleach, Morpheus knew this was no ordinary cat.
It was Yoruichi Shihouin.
A genuine Shinigami.
And former captain of the Gotei 13's Second Division.
"Kisuke Urahara, right? I'm here to ask you something. Got a minute?" Morpheus said.
Urahara's eyes flickered, sensing this wasn't an ordinary visitor, but he didn't refuse.
"Come in, guest."
Morpheus nodded and followed him to a reception room.
A burly man entered, offering Morpheus a cup of tea.
Tessai Tsukabishi.
A reserved man.
Once the Grand Kidō Chief of the Soul Society's Kidō Corps, immensely powerful, capable of casting Binding Spell 99 and time-stopping forbidden techniques.
He'd followed Urahara to the human world.
"Thanks," Morpheus said, taking the tea. He sipped it—decent, but a bit old-fashioned for his taste.
His palate, spoiled by the Light Dimension's gourmet delights, found it lacking.
He set the cup aside.
Urahara smiled. "So, mysterious guest, what brings you here?"
Morpheus produced the crystal orb containing the sealed lizard Hollow.
"This thing ate my body not long ago. If I weren't an Ajin, I'd be dead."
Urahara let out a surprised "Haa?" Both Morpheus's Ajin nature and his ability to seal a Hollow caught him off guard.
Morpheus ignored his reaction. "Recently, I gained great power, tracked this Hollow down for revenge, and captured it."
"But then I discovered something shocking—it was artificially created."
"And the one who made it? You, Kisuke Urahara."
Urahara froze, then opened his fan, covering his mouth, his eyes locked on Morpheus.
"That's a serious accusation, guest."
Morpheus raised a hand, casting a spell to project the Hollow's memories.
Everyone present saw clearly: the mastermind creating the lizard Hollow and sending it to attack humans was none other than Kisuke Urahara.
"Got anything to say now, Shopkeeper Urahara?" Morpheus asked.
Urahara studied the memories. The evidence was damning, but he didn't panic.
Instead, he said, "Can I say it wasn't me?"
Morpheus countered, "Do you think I'd believe that?"
Urahara chuckled. "I think you would. If you didn't, you wouldn't be sitting here calmly talking. You'd have taken my head off with a blade."
"Since you're talking, it means you don't fully trust this so-called evidence."
"Right, guest?"
Morpheus gave Urahara an approving look. The man was sharp.
"You're not wrong. I don't entirely believe the evidence. That's why I'm here to ask—what do you make of it? Do you know who the real mastermind is?"
Urahara shook his head. "Can I say I don't know?"
Morpheus shook his head too. "I'm not satisfied with that answer."
"But it's the truth," Urahara said, spreading his hands with apparent sincerity. "I only just learned of this. How could I know who's behind it?"
Morpheus sighed. "Looks like I've been too nice, giving you the wrong impression, Shopkeeper Urahara."
"I came here to question you and get answers, not to be brushed off."
"You're making me unhappy."
He glanced around, and an invisible pressure erupted, enveloping Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai.
The terrifying, crushing force descended like a mountain, catching them off guard and forcing them to the ground.
Ururu, about to speak, collapsed into a deep sleep.
Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai realized Morpheus wasn't ordinary—he was a man-eating tiger, a prehistoric beast, a ferocious dragon.
The pressure he exuded left them breathless.
Their reiatsu felt locked, immovable.
For a moment, they feared their bones would shatter.
Just as they thought they were done for, Morpheus withdrew the pressure.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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