"But decades ago, it was something I simply could not have accomplished."
"I'm immensely grateful that Captain Yoruichi was willing to help me."
Ailin sighed.
Indeed, after Haruko's soul had weakened, the only solution Ailin could think of was to seize the "Hogyoku" from Urahara Kisuke, hoping that its power could restore Haruko's soul.
But later, Ailin learned that while Urahara Kisuke had indeed conceived of creating the "Hogyoku" and had gathered some experimental data, he had been unable to find the "Soul King's power." Thus, even if Ailin had defeated Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi back then, he would never have obtained the "Hogyoku" from Urahara Kisuke.
Looking back, using the "Hogyoku" to threaten Urahara Kisuke had truly been a misstep.
Still, the outcome had been good. Urahara Kisuke had successfully created a perfect "Gigai," allowing Haruko to become a "vessel" once more and recover from her soul's weakness.
From Ailin's words, Shunsui Kyōraku could hear his sincerity.
Perhaps that was one reason Captain Yoruichi had been willing to accept Captain Ailin's favor and help him.
When the two entered the Kuchiki Clan's reception hall, neither Haruko nor Ise Nanao had arrived yet, so they sat down and chatted.
The more they talked, the more they clicked. Ailin even spilled the story about how he had once waited around in an Izakaya to run into Shunsui.
"Captain Kyōraku, you have no idea. When I was serving in the Second Division, I admired your free-spirited nature the most..."
"After all, as you know, the Second Division is part of the Secret Movement. If someone failed to arrive at the assembly point within the designated time during an emergency, many of them would be thrown into the Worm's Nest..."
"Back then, I wanted freedom. I wanted to go out whenever I wanted,