Discussing Precautions for Kaien Shiba

Kisuke Urahara felt a tremor run through him when he saw Liu Hao's gaze—it was the gaze of a true king, a calm masking undeniable authority. He nodded, his tone becoming serious. "Alright, I understand."

"Kisuke, you're a good person in every way, except you're too suspicious." Liu Hao sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "You have to understand, a king has a path, not a position. My path isn't to replace anyone, but to protect what needs to be protected."

He paused, then steered the conversation back on track. "But we've strayed a bit off-topic. Quickly help me think of what Kaien should do next?"

Kisuke Urahara pondered for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the table. "Hmm... For now, Vice-Captain Kaien should pretend he knows nothing. But we need to take some measures to prevent Aizen from using underhanded tactics."

Liu Hao nodded. "We know what you're saying; we can't let him really defect to Soul Society. The main thing is, what methods should we use to prevent this?"

"I can get some things here to prevent Vice-Captain Kaien from being used as a test subject and becoming infected with Hollowfication." Kisuke Urahara walked to Ikkaku of the laboratory, opened a storage cabinet, and took out several small devices. "These are Reishi Interference Device. They can create a weak Reishi field within the body to interfere with the implantation of Hollowfication substances. However, the effect is limited; they can only be used as a preventative measure."

He turned to Kaien Shiba: "Also, Vice-Captain Kaien, you probably won't be able to freely travel between the human world and the World of the Living anymore. Every time you Senkaimon, a record is left behind, Aizen can easily track your movements through these records."

Liu Hao continued, "Yes, it's good that you have something to guard against. Also, Kaien needs to remember that once you return to Soul Society, no matter who asks about us, you must not reveal any information about us. After all, he's not immune to Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities; once he's hypnotized by Aizen, he'll tell you everything."

Kaien Shiba nodded solemnly. "I understand."

Kisuke Urahara raised another question, "What if Aizen tries to eliminate Vice-Captain Kaien through other means?"

Liu Hao shrugged. "How would I know? If I knew, why would I be looking for you?"

"How about this," Kisuke Urahara suggested, "I'll have Yoruichi secretly protect you, just in case."

"That works too," Liu Hao agreed, but added, "However, have Aizen keep an eye on this. In case Yoruichi takes action himself, don't let her get caught up in it too."

Kisuke Urahara's expression was serious. "Yes, I'll have Yoruichi keep an eye out. She's skilled in covert operations and can protect you secretly without being detected."

Liu Hao continued, "Also, when Kaien returns, put that bug back into his body and throw a smokescreen at Aizen, making him think you're interfering remotely, not actually contacting Kaien."

"Hmm, you've thought of everything." Kisuke Urahara smiled, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. The plan was indeed ingenious—if the bugs were removed and then put back in, Aizen might assume it was a technical malfunction or remote interference, rather than that Kaien Shiba and Kisuke Urahara had direct contact.

But Kaien Shiba's expression turned grim. "Huh? We have to put that disgusting bug back into my body? Does that mean I'll be under Aizen's surveillance forever?"

Liu Hao explained, "Let Urahara get you something so it can be naturally expelled from your body; that would be better. However, even if it's expelled, there's no guarantee Aizen won't put something else into your body. So, when you go back, you must remain silent about our affairs. And try not to come to the World of the Living again."

Although reluctant, Kaien Shiba knew it was necessary. He could only nod in agreement. "I understand."

After the plan was finalized, the three parted ways. Kaien Shiba first went to see Isshin Kurosaki, briefly explained the situation, and then returned to Urahara Shop to prepare to return to Soul Society. Kisuke Urahara, on the other hand, began preparing protective equipment and the worm that needed to be re-implanted into his body.

After leaving Urahara Shop, Liu Hao went directly to the Ishida Family. When he arrived, Ryūken Ishida and Sōken Ishida were waiting in the courtyard.

"How is it?" Ryūken Ishida asked anxiously.

Liu Hao briefly recounted what had happened, then said, "It's safe for now. But you still need to remain vigilant; Mayuri Kurotsuchi is not one to give up easily."

Sōken Ishida nodded, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "We will. Mr. Liu Hao, you must also be careful in the World of the Living. All forces are watching this place."

"I know," Liu Hao replied, then began to set up more security measures around the Ishida Family.

For the next few days, Liu Hao remained stationed at the Ishida Family. On the surface, everything appeared calm, but Liu Hao could sense an undercurrent surging beneath the surface. He knew that this game had only just begun.

Soul Society, the Thirteenth Division Barracks.

Kaien Shiba passed through the Senkaimon and returned to the familiar Seireitei. He did not go directly to his residence, but went to the barracks first to report to Jūshirō Ukitake.

"Captain, the mission in the World of the Living is complete." Kaien Shiba stood in front of Ukitake's desk, his tone calm. "The Quincy shouldn't misunderstand, after all, we didn't send those Hollows there."

Upon hearing these words, Jūshirō Ukitake immediately understood— Kaien Shiba was telling him in this way that the World of the Living situation was under control, but at the same time implying that some information could not be said directly.

"Okay, that's good then." Ukitake nodded, not pressing for details. He knew his Vice-Captain well and knew that Kaien Shiba would tell him more information at the appropriate time.

After giving his report, Kaien Shiba returned to his post. In the days that followed, he acted as if nothing was amiss—handling team affairs, training team members, and attending Captains’ Meetings. But only he knew that during each operation, he paid extra attention to his surroundings and was wary of possible surveillance.

Kisuke Urahara always carried the protective device he had been given. It was a small pendant that looked like an ordinary ornament, but it was actually a Reishi Interference Device. Kaien Shiba could feel it getting slightly warm, which indicated that it was working and interfering with any external matter that tried to invade his spirit.

About a week later, the calm was broken.

That afternoon, Kaien Shiba was working on documents in the barracks when a member rushed in. "Vice-Captain Kaien, Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division is here!"

Kaien Shiba was startled, but he remained outwardly calm. He knew this might be the first test.

"Oh, take me to meet them." He stood up, straightened his haori, and then followed his team members outside.

At the entrance to the Thirteenth Division, Sōsuke Aizen stood alone. Sunlight shone on him, making him appear gentle and refined, not at all like an enemy who might be lurking within the Gotei 13.

Kaien Shiba stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Hello, Captain Aizen."

"Kaien, Kaien." Aizen responded with a warm and sincere smile, which almost made Kaien Shiba doubt—could such a person really be an enemy?

"Is Captain Aizen here to see our Captain?" Kaien Shiba asked.

"No, I came to see you," Aizen replied, his gaze fixed on Kaien Shiba.

Kaien Shiba's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. "Captain Aizen, what do you want with me?"

Aizen didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked around and said, "Let's find a quiet place to talk. There are some things that aren't convenient to discuss here."

Kaien Shiba hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "Okay, please follow me."

He led Aizen to a reception room within the Thirteenth Division. The room was small but quiet, with a view of the courtyard from the window.

After the two sat down, Aizen spoke, asking an unexpected question, "Kaien, do you believe that Lieutenant Liu Hao would team up with a Hollow to ambush Captain Ichimaru?"

"Huh?" Kaien Shiba really didn't expect Aizen to ask this question directly, and didn't react for a moment.

Aizen repeated himself, his tone gentle but firm. "Do you believe that Lieutenant Liu Hao would team up with Hollow to ambush Captain Ichimaru?"

"Well..." Kaien Shiba hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "I don't know either, after all, so many people saw it."

This answer was very cautious; it neither affirmed nor denied anything, but simply stated a fact.

Aizen nodded, then changed the subject. "Those Menos Grande that appeared in the World of the Living before, weren't they dealt with by Lieutenant Liu Hao?"

Kaien Shiba's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface. "I don't know anything about this either. When I arrived, the person had already left. The residual Reiatsu was also unfamiliar; it was someone I didn't recognize at all."

"Kaien, I know you're quite familiar with Lieutenant Liu Hao," Aizen's tone softened, even tinged with understanding, "So you're afraid that if I know about him, I might do something to harm him. But don't worry, since I'm telling you this, I certainly won't do anything to hurt him."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "I suspect someone is doing something shady within the Seireitei. Lieutenant Liu Hao must have sensed something, which is why he was framed."

These words sounded reasonable and perfectly matched Aizen's image in the Gotei 13 —a leader who cared about his colleagues and saw through the truth. If Kaien Shiba hadn't known Aizen's true nature beforehand, he would almost have been convinced by him.

"Captain Aizen, I'm not entirely clear on the matter of Liu Hao either," Kaien Shiba chose a safe answer. "However, when I arrived at the scene, I found that the battle marks didn't seem to be left by Liu Hao."

"I see," Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "Then it seems Lieutenant Liu Hao didn't tell you anything. However, I suspect this is related to the Hollowfication Incident that happened in the Seireitei back then, involving many Captains and Vice-Captains. Otherwise, Lieutenant Liu Hao wouldn't have escaped from Hueco Mundo to the World of the Living."

Kaien Shiba's heart skipped a beat, and following Aizen's words, he asked, "Why did he escape to the World of the Living? Wasn't he hiding in Hueco Mundo?"

"Because those Captains and Vice-Captains who were victims before are still in the World of the Living," Aizen explained, "He probably went there to find some allies. However..."

He paused, his expression becoming somewhat complicated. "However, they are lurking in the World of the Living; I wonder if they will seek revenge on Soul Society in the future."

"Why?" Kaien Shiba asked, a question that was both a probe and a guide.

Aizen didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Kaien, do you think the judgment made by the Central 46 against those Captains and Vice-Captains who were used as test subjects was fair?"

This question silenced Kaien Shiba. The verdicts of the Central 46 had always been a sensitive topic within the Gotei 13, especially the verdict regarding the Hollowfication Incident, which many considered too harsh.

But Kaien Shiba knew he couldn't express any personal opinions right now. He cautiously replied, "I don't know about these things either. After all, the Central 46's verdict must have had its reasons. As for me, I think we just need to follow the orders of the Gotei 13."

This is a standard answer that won't offend anyone or reveal your true thoughts.