"Watch out for Aizen!!!"
"Whether in the past or now, that man wearing a mask of deceit has been fooling everyone!"
"The entire Soul Society is trapped inside the lies he's woven!"
To Bai Chen's surprise—
Urahara Kisuke didn't beat around the bush at all.
The moment they met, he went straight for the throat and exposed Aizen's true face.
"?!"
"Ai… zen?"
It was so sudden that Bai Chen hadn't expected it.
So the real reason Urahara had invited him into a private talk…
Was to warn him—earnestly, even anxiously.
So after hearing Urahara's words—
Bai Chen's first reaction was instinctive: he froze in surprise for a split second.
But that tiny slip—
His expression and body language—
Was caught cleanly by both Urahara and Tessai.
They exchanged a glance, then patted their chests in relief, as if finally able to breathe.
"Good…"
"Looks like we gambled right."
"Bai Chen-kun—just like I thought, you really were kept in the dark."
"You truly don't know Aizen's real nature at all."
Urahara's lips curled upward.
The severity on his face faded, and his voice loosened back into its usual light, amused tone.
For Urahara, what he'd just said was essentially a wager—
A bet placed with his full trust.
Thankfully, Bai Chen's reaction didn't disappoint him.
Urahara could now be certain:
He hadn't chosen the wrong person.
Bai Chen was the one he'd been searching for all these years—
Someone trustworthy, and capable of dealing with Aizen.
And now—
As the one being "trusted," Bai Chen already knew the full truth.
He'd also realized during the academy test that Aizen had begun paying attention to him.
Since he'd gained Urahara's trust by accident…
Bai Chen decided not to immediately agree.
Instead, he chose to act.
Following Urahara's words, he frowned slightly and asked as if confused:
"Wait."
"Urahara-san… could this be a misunderstanding?"
"In my impression, Captain Aizen is a total 'good guy.'"
"He's also universally acknowledged as the kindest, most popular captain in the Gotei 13."
"Someone so respected and adored… shouldn't be a villain, right?"
To make his performance more convincing, Bai Chen pressed further.
Urahara didn't find it strange at all.
Instead, he laughed openly.
"Bai Chen… I knew you'd ask that."
"And honestly, that's normal."
"If you believed me instantly without a shred of doubt, that would actually feel less real."
Urahara lifted his tea cup and took a calm sip.
Then he countered with a question.
"Bai Chen-kun…"
"Tell me—what do you think of Aizen's zanpakutō… Kyōka Suigetsu?"
Urahara guided him, steadily closing in on the core.
"Well…"
Bai Chen's dark eyes shifted as he pretended to consider.
Then he answered without hesitation:
"Right now, I've only met Captain Aizen once."
"Other than the exam a few days ago, we haven't interacted much in private."
"So regarding his zanpakutō, I've only heard rumors."
Facing Urahara and Tessai's gazes, Bai Chen calmly recited what was widely accepted in Seireitei—
The version Aizen himself had publicly stated.
"As far as I know…"
"Kyōka Suigetsu is a water-type zanpakutō."
"And after release, its ability…"
"Uses mist and the refraction of flowing water to interfere with enemies—making them attack each other and kill each other."
Decades ago, before Urahara fled—
Aizen had deliberately demonstrated his zanpakutō's "ability" in front of the Gotei 13.
Since then, that explanation had spread throughout Seireitei,
Becoming a "fact" accepted by everyone.
"Heh…"
"Just as I thought."
"Generation after generation… newcomers are all brainwashed by the exact same excuse."
Urahara's eyes flickered.
He let out a cold, dismissive laugh.
Then, with a heavy gaze, he shook his head.
"No, Bai Chen—you're wrong."
"That's exactly one of the lies Aizen fabricated."
"In truth, Kyōka Suigetsu's ability is not that."
He drained the last of the tea in one go, then finally revealed the truth he'd buried for years:
"Complete hypnosis of the five senses."
"That is Kyōka Suigetsu's real ability."
"It gives Aizen the power to dominate and manipulate another person's five senses."
"And the activation condition…"
"Is simply to witness Kyōka Suigetsu's release even once."
Spitting out that long-suppressed secret in one breath—
Urahara visibly relaxed, as if he'd shed years of pressure.
Back then, this was how he'd been framed—
Forced to flee Soul Society branded as a criminal.
And now, in front of Bai Chen, an outsider—
He finally had a chance to vent the humiliation he'd swallowed for so long.
"So…"
"The reason you came to me…"
"Is because I'm still new, and I haven't seen Kyōka Suigetsu's release yet… right?"
Bai Chen asked seriously.
"Exactly."
"Talking with smart people really is different."
Urahara nodded lightly and explained with a faint smile:
"Based on my judgment…"
"Given your outstanding performance and terrifying talent…"
"It won't be long before Aizen starts scheming ways…"
"To create an opportunity to show you his zanpakutō."
Even from the Human World, Urahara seemed to understand Aizen's habits with frightening clarity.
"I see…"
"Then I really did show up at the right time."
"Otherwise, if you were even a step late…"
"Your hope of stopping Aizen would collapse again… right?"
Bai Chen teased with a playful smile.
At this point, Bai Chen no longer needed to keep up the act.
In Urahara's eyes—
He was the final straw that could overturn the conspiracy and punish Aizen.
"Right."
"Even if we've only met once…"
"I don't want to see another genius fall into his hands."
Urahara spoke from the heart.
Without realizing it, in the flow of conversation, he had already begun treating Bai Chen as an ally.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have confessed so openly.
"Then tell me."
"What do you need me to do to deal with Aizen?"
"And…"
Bai Chen paused, a slight curve lifting his lips.
He glanced at both Urahara and Tessai, then asked with expectation:
"What kind of help can you provide me?"
The implication was clear:
If they wanted an alliance—
They needed to show enough sincerity first.
"Hehehe…"
"Don't worry, Bai Chen-kun."
"Since everything is going smoothly—and we've become friends who can trust each other…"
"I won't send you away empty-handed."
Urahara picked up his fisherman hat from the table, put it back on, then rose with his folding fan.
He turned and walked toward the back.
"Come on, Bai Chen-kun…"
"I'll take you to the display room."
"If you see something you like—something you think will help you…"
"Then take it. Choose freely."
He stopped at the corridor exit, turned slightly, and made a polite "please" gesture.
Those words instantly lit up Bai Chen's eyes.
"Ah… the display room?"
"That should be where all the black-tech stuff is stored."
"Perfect—I actually need a few things."
Bai Chen's heart jumped.
Even if Urahara hadn't offered, Bai Chen had planned to find a chance to make a trade.
Now it was even better—
Since Urahara said it himself, Bai Chen could take what he needed openly.
Soon after—
Following behind Urahara through a long corridor—
The three entered another sealed room.
Not long later…
Inside the display room packed with shelves, Bai Chen spoke:
"Urahara-san, I've chosen."
"I'll take these."
Urahara stepped close, lowered his eyes, and read the items in Bai Chen's hands one by one:
"A black cloak…"
"A Gigai…"
"An electromagnetic energy storage device…"
"And… hmm? You even took Tessai's Kidō training notes?"
When he saw the last item, Urahara froze for a beat—
Then gave a helpless, amused smile.
He said "take tools," not "take someone's life work."
And yet Bai Chen had quietly pulled off the ultimate fleece—
He'd taken the carefully recorded Kidō journal Tessai had compiled over years.
A true professional at shearing sheep.
"Of course."
Bai Chen lifted his arm and shook the worn-looking notebook in a showy way.
It looked old, but it contained dense insights and realizations.
Then he said with satisfaction:
"Even if there was a misunderstanding earlier…"
"After we talked it out, to help me break through and grasp legendary Kidō faster…"
"Tessai-san was generous enough to give me this journal."
"With this, my future Kidō training will be twice as efficient."
Bai Chen's smile widened, deeply pleased.
Honestly—
Compared to the gadgets, Tessai's Kidō journal was the real treasure.
Because Tessai had once been the Grand Kidō Master.
His insights were priceless to any Shinigami.
"Heh…"
"Bai Chen-kun, you're too polite."
Tessai laughed loudly—without a hint of reluctance.
"In my current life, far from conflict and battle, I'm just an ordinary laborer in this shop."
"If it stays with me, it'll only collect dust forever."
"Better to give it to someone who truly needs it—and deserves it."
As a senior in Kidō, Tessai openly acknowledged Bai Chen's talent and ability.
"Tessai-san… thank you."
"With this journal, maybe it won't be long before I can master legendary Kidō."
Bai Chen wasn't exaggerating.
Right now, his Kidō control was already at the level of perfect mastery.
All Kidō below the 90s could be cast instantly without incantation, without losing power.
To break into the "legendary" realm—
Normally required time, accumulation, and deep realization.
This journal filled that missing experience.
It meant Bai Chen could self-teach—
And even speedrun mastery using his current foundation.
"Bai Chen-kun…"
"Even if what you chose isn't particularly precious…"
"I still sincerely hope it helps you."
Urahara fanned himself again, slipping back into his usual relaxed manner.
"It's more than enough."
"The black cloak can create unexpected openings when it matters."
"And the Gigai helps with Bankai training too."
Bai Chen nodded, satisfied.
His goal was simple:
Speedrun strength.
Only by becoming stronger quickly could he withstand Aizen's schemes and traps.
"All right…"
"It's still early, isn't it?"
"Why not sit a bit longer and have a few more cups of hot tea before you go?"
Urahara casually changed the subject.
"Sure."
Bai Chen agreed easily.
There was still plenty of time before soul burial practice ended.
And since he'd unexpectedly become acquainted with Urahara and Tessai—
He might as well deepen the relationship while the chance existed.
Meanwhile—
What Bai Chen and the others didn't know—
Was that the man they'd just mentioned…
Aizen—
Was also making moves in the shadows.
At this moment—
Inside the 5th Division barracks, in a hidden underground base unknown to outsiders—
The light flickered.
Silence ruled.
Only rows of monitoring screens pulsed in the dark.
In front of those screens—
Aizen stood with his hands behind his back.
Behind the glare of his lenses, his eyes were locked onto every feed.
If anyone else were there, they would be horrified.
Because every screen displayed—
real-time surveillance of Karakura Town.
Meaning—
From the moment Bai Chen and the group approached the Senkaimon—
Aizen had already been watching everything.
"Tsk tsk…"
"Those clones just now… they were made through his zanpakutō ability, weren't they?"
"It's surprising—Bai Chen's zanpakutō is that strange."
Ichimaru Gin's voice sounded beside him, amused.
Through the screens, they had clearly spotted the Wood Release clones.
But what neither Aizen nor Gin expected was—
Each clone appeared to possess real strength.
Not mere decoys.
That alone was alarming.
"Gin…"
"The plan—are we ready?"
Aizen ignored Gin's commentary and asked in a low voice.
"Yes, Captain Aizen."
Gin smiled with narrowed eyes.
"The Menos-class group from Hueco Mundo can launch the attack at any time."
"When that happens, Bai Chen's zanpakutō ability will definitely be exposed."
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