Ren packed up the documents and turned to walk toward the cave entrance.
"I'll go ahead with your approach for the Garganta plan. As for what comes next, wait for my word."
With that, Ren turned and left. Behind him, Urahara Kisuke stood frozen in place, watching Ren's receding figure fade into the distance, remaining silent for a long time.
A few days later, in the Squad 5 Vice-Captain's office.
Ren pushed the door open and stepped inside after receiving permission to enter. This was his first time setting foot inside the Squad 5 barracks. He examined the interior of the Vice-Captain's office; it was simple and elegant, exuding a practical air. He couldn't help but wonder why Aizen had summoned him here of all places.
Led all the way from the barracks entrance by a bald Soul Reaper, the feeling of being completely ignored by everyone under the influence of Kyoka Suigetsu was truly surreal. Ren snapped his focus back to the present.
Aizen was sitting at his desk, a calligraphy scroll spread out before him. He wielded his brush with seamless precision, his ink flowing like water in a single, fluid motion. After rendering the final stroke, Aizen let out a soft breath, set the brush aside, and lifted the paper.
"Take a look." Aizen handed the calligraphy over to Ren.
Ren took it and glanced down.
Folly.
"Excellent calligraphy." Ren had no idea what Aizen meant by it, but he forced out a compliment anyway.
Aizen smiled and nodded, gesturing for Ren to sit. Ren took a seat opposite him and handed over the Garganta research report.
"The research is moving faster than anticipated. The formula framework is essentially complete, so all that's left is live testing and verification."
Aizen accepted the report and flipped through a few pages. His expression didn't change much, but Ren noticed his gaze lingering on certain sections for quite a while.
"Not bad." Aizen closed the report. "It is far more complete than I expected."
Aizen set the report aside and looked at Ren. "Ren, do you know why I assigned this project to you?"
Ren thought it over. "Because of my Hollowfication abilities?"
Aizen chuckled softly. Tapping the calligraphy on the desk, he stood up and walked over to the window.
"Great wisdom often looks like folly. Ren, you are highly intelligent. Yet, at times, you appear lacking in that very brightness. Consequently, you make it difficult for me to judge you. In my eyes, you instead seem rather inscrutable." He turned around to face Ren. "You went to see Urahara Kisuke, didn't you?"
Ren lowered his gaze slightly. "Yes." He didn't deny it.
Aizen knew. Of course he knew. From the very moment Aizen handed this task to Ren, he had been watching everything unfold. The development of this matter had not strayed from his calculations. And while he didn't know exactly when a rift would form between Ren and Urahara, Aizen knew that as long as he gave Ren enough time to understand and interact with Urahara Kisuke, that microscopic fracture would inevitably manifest. Once that rift appeared, it would grant him ample room to maneuver.
Aizen smiled. He walked back to his desk and sat down once more.
"You aren't surprised, which means you already anticipated this, yet you went to him anyway. Urahara Kisuke is a rare talent. His intellect and technical prowess are top-tier. Regrettably, he is far too conservative. Bound by his own narrow perspective and so-called rules, he shelves his brilliance and ambition, content to remain mediocre." He locked eyes with Ren. "But you are different. You are willing to exploit every available asset—including Urahara Kisuke. That is what I value in you."
Ren remained silent for a brief moment. "Vice-Captain Aizen, you don't mind that I'm in contact with Urahara?"
Aizen shook his head. "Of course not. On the contrary, I want you to maintain contact with him. If his intellect can be channeled through you to benefit our cause, then his involvement is trivial." He paused. "Provided, of course... you know what it is you truly desire. When you first sought me out, surely it wasn't to become a dull person like Urahara Kisuke."
Ren bowed his head. "I understand."
Aizen nodded with satisfaction. "Very well. Keep pushing forward with the Garganta project. Once the blueprint passes live testing, we can proceed to the next stage. I look forward to your performance."
Ren nodded, stood up, and took his leave.
Stepping out of the Squad 5 barracks, the sunlight spilled over him, carrying a touch of warmth. Ren glanced down at the documents in his hand—the Garganta research report and the formula framework optimized by Urahara. Aizen's approval was merely the first step. He needed to master this technology completely rather than relying on Urahara forever.
After a moment's thought, he turned and headed in a different direction.
The Kido Corps barracks were located on the western side of the Seireitei. Its architectural style was ancient and heavy, a stark contrast to the elegance of Squad 5. As Ren reached the entrance, the guards on duty recognized him, a complex look flashing through their eyes. Everyone here knew that Ren had been expelled from the Kido Corps by the Central 46.
"I need to see the Grand Kido Chief," Ren said.
The guard hesitated for a second before turning inside to report his arrival. A moment later, he emerged and stepped aside to clear the doorway.
"The Grand Kido Chief requests your presence."
Ren walked through the familiar corridors and arrived at Tsukabishi Tessai's room. The Grand Kido Chief was sitting at his desk holding a document. Seeing Ren walk in, he set it down, his gaze serene.
"What brings you to visit me out of the blue?"
Skipping any pleasantries, Ren spoke directly. "Lord Tsukabishi, I have an urgent matter to discuss."
Tessai's eyebrows twitched slightly. Reading the gravity on Ren's face, he knew this was no ordinary visit. He nodded and stood up.
"Come with me."
The two traversed the corridors and arrived at a concealed secret chamber. The door shut behind them, and a barrier flared to life, sealing off any external noise. Tessai gestured for Ren to sit and took a seat opposite him.
"Speak. What is it?"
Ren pulled the Garganta research report from his robes, placed it on the table, and slid it toward Tsukabishi Tessai. "Lord Tsukabishi, please take a look at this."
Tessai picked up the document and flipped open the first page. As his eyes scanned the dense clusters of formula nodes and spiritual pressure trajectory diagrams, his brow furrowed deeper.
"This is... spatial technology. Tearing open a Garganta... What exactly are you trying to do?" His voice was low, the sheer solemnity in his eyes clear as day.
Ren made no attempt to hide it. "This is a project Aizen assigned to me. The objective is to research how to artificially open a Garganta, creating a stable pathway between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo."
Tessai fell silent, his deep gaze locked onto the blueprints. "This plan was not drawn up by you alone." His tone was calm, yet Ren could hear the absolute certainty beneath it. "The optimization method for the spiritual pressure nodes, the formula framework for spatial anchoring... these techniques bear Urahara's distinct signature."
Ren nodded. "Yes, Urahara Kisuke helped me optimize the core framework. However, I don't want to rely on him too heavily. I want to master this technology for myself." He looked up, matching Tessai's gaze. "When it comes to spatial formulas, I cannot think of anyone more accomplished than the Grand Kido Chief. I hope you can give me some guidance."