Mirai reached out his hand. He pointed at Kisuke Urahara.
"Urahara has the technology. Designing and building the base depends on him. He will also install the traps and Reishi equipment."
"We cannot let outsiders help. If we do, it won't be a 'secret' base anymore."
Then, Mirai moved his finger to point at himself. "In that case, I cannot be the only one paying for all of this, right?"
"Hahaha!" Yoruichi laughed loudly. She slapped Mirai's shoulder hard. "It is just money! No problem, I will pay half!"
However, before Mirai could even smile, Yoruichi leaned in close. She was smiling, but she lowered her voice.
"However... since I am being so helpful, the base cannot be cheap, right? We need high standards!"
She held up one finger and waved it in front of Mirai. She spoke easily, like she was deciding what to eat for dinner.
"So, for the first budget, let's set it at one hundred million Kan."
"One...?!" Mirai's eyes went wide. He almost jumped out of his chair.
"Okay!"
Urahara shouted with all his strength. He cut Mirai off.
He was shaking with excitement. His eyes turned into money symbols. He clenched his fists tightly.
"One hundred million it is!!!"
His head was full of gold coins. He could almost hear the sound of money clinking in his ears.
One hundred million Kan! That was a huge amount! It was more than the research budget of the Twelfth Division for many decades.
With this money, he could build an underground palace, not just a secret base.
He could buy the latest Reishi analyzers and high-quality forging tables. He could get everything.
Mirai tried to argue. "This... this is too much..."
Urahara jumped forward. He grabbed Mirai's hands tightly. His eyes shone with a sincere and crazy light. His voice shook.
"Mirai! Please do not worry! I promise on my future career as a scientist!"
"With enough money, I will build a perfect base! It will be strong and have everything you need! I promise!"
Mirai looked at Urahara's burning eyes. He thought about how important this base would be for his writing and training.
He finally stopped trying to argue. He nodded his head slowly.
It was fine. This would be his long-term home. It was better to spend more now than have problems later.
He took a deep breath. He turned to Yoruichi. She was smiling like a cat that just ate a fish. He slowly gave his condition.
"Since the budget is so high... you cannot just give money."
"Hmm?" Yoruichi tilted her head. Her golden eyes looked curious.
Mirai looked at her. He gave her a knowing smile.
"You are the Head of the Shihoin family. I need you to handle some 'troubles' for me."
"After all, we are 'partners' now, right?"
...
The center of the Seireitei was surrounded by high walls. It was very different from the noisy areas outside.
This was the noble residential area. It was protected by the barracks of the Gotei 13. It was the safest place in the Soul Society.
The nobles here looked down on places like Rinrinan. They thought "civilian areas" were not worth visiting.
The high wall was not just a physical barrier. It was a gap between social classes and identities.
Yoruichi Shihoin was the current head of one of the five great noble houses. She had a book titled The Loneliness and Arrogance of a Genius Youth.
She walked slowly through the noble shopping street. Her bright purple hair and relaxed attitude stood out.
As she walked, she spoke loud enough for others to hear. She read sentences from the book.
"'I bow to no one....'"
She clicked her tongue. Her face showed that she really liked it. "This is... written very well."
She looked like she was lost in the book. This made the noble women on the street curious.
The Shihoin family had a very high status. If Yoruichi was reading a book this seriously, it had to be good.
The noble ladies felt they had to buy a copy too. They wanted to display it in their homes. It was a symbol of status and taste.
"Lady Yoruichi..." A cold voice spoke beside her.
It was a small girl wearing Stealth Force clothes. Her name was Soi Fon.
She was from a lower noble house that served the Shihōin clan—the Fon family
She looked around with sharp eyes. She watched anyone who tried to get close. Her strong aura made the noble women stay away.
Yoruichi sighed. She felt a bit helpless.
"Soi Fon, relax. This is our own shopping street. There is no danger here."
She closed the book. She held up the cover. Mirai's stylish signature was clearly visible on it. She showed it to the people watching her.
"I just couldn't help it. I wanted to read this great book while walking. Nothing will happen."
She seemed to be talking to Soi Fon. But she was really explaining her strange behavior to the crowd.
"But, Lady Yoruichi..." Soi Fon lowered her head. She was respectful, but she did not stop being alert.
Yoruichi looked at the loyal girl. She felt complicated.
She saw Soi Fon as a sister. However, the strict noble rules were like chains.
If she acted too close to her in public, it might cause trouble for Soi Fon.
Then, a cheerful and warm voice broke the tension.
"Oh! Isn't this Lady Yoruichi Shihoin?"
A noble woman in expensive clothes walked over. She looked surprised and happy. She gave Yoruichi a perfect noble bow.
"It has been a long time since I saw you here!" the woman said. She was respectful but friendly.
"Oh, it's Mareka Ōmaeda. It has been a long time," Yoruichi smiled back. They acted like old friends.
Mareka Ōmaeda covered her mouth with her sleeve. She looked very honored.
"Please don't say that, my Lady. I haven't visited you in a long time. It was very rude of me."
"If you don't mind, I'll bring Maremi to visit you in a few days."
"Hahaha, Maremi? I haven't seen that girl in a long time either," Yoruichi laughed. She waved the book The Loneliness again. It seemed very natural.
Mareka Ōmaeda understood what was happening. She decided to help. She acted shocked.
"Oh! Did you also buy a copy of The Loneliness and Arrogance of a Genius Youth, Lady Yoruichi?"
She spoke a bit louder. She made sure all the noble women nearby could hear her.
"To be honest, my daughter and I love this book. The writing and the mood are excellent!"
"I came to the shopping street today just to buy a few more copies for my collection!"
Yoruichi looked very happy, like she had found someone who shared her interests.
"That's good. When you visit, we can talk about this book. The poems in it are worth reading carefully."
"I am honored!" Mareka's face lit up. "Then I will leave now. I heard this book is selling fast. I must hurry to the bookstore before they run out."
She did not waste time. She bowed again and walked quickly toward the most expensive bookstore.
A moment later, Yoruichi and Soi Fon walked past the bookstore. They saw Mareka Ōmaeda walking out with a stack of new books.
The covers were all the same. They were all copies!
Inside the store, it was now much busier. Many noble women were asking for the book that Yoruichi and Mareka had recommended.
Yoruichi saw that her plan worked. She and Soi Fon quietly left the street.
After walking away, Yoruichi made a face. She felt a bit annoyed but also found it funny.
That idiot Mirai... he actually made me do this kind of work!
I will remember this! You will pay for this later!
She felt like she was "holding a grudge," but she was smiling. The plan was a success.