First Meeting, Captain Urahara

First Meeting, Captain Urahara—Twelfth Division.

Within the Gotei 13, where responsibilities were clearly divided, it was categorized as a technical development division.

The Research and Development Department, established afterward, was an affiliated organization built around the Twelfth Division as its core.

Under the Research and Development Department were the Communications Technology Research Division and the Radio Wave Measurement Research Division.

It handled all manner of work within the Seireitei, including development, measurement, and data analysis.

It was a new organization that balanced traditional and modern ways of thinking.

Want to join? Then get in touch right away...

"So long..."

And why did it sound so much like an advertisement? It felt like the pitch of some kind of shady den... The stench was so strong it was practically wafting off the page!

Looking at the brochure in his hands, black lines had already appeared over Arima Shizuya's head.

Aizen, walking ahead of him, heard the complaint behind him and laughed without turning around.

"You're already troubled by something so minor? How young, Shizuya-kun."

No, this brochure was a full 120 pages long, Prison Master! Arima Shizuya closed it, his expression turning somewhat strange.

"Teacher Aizen..."

"I'm listening, Shizuya-kun."

"Is it really just the two of us for today's Off-Campus Internship?"

"Yes. Very few people are interested in the Research and Development Department, after all. And the Twelfth Division's ideals run contrary to tradition. There are even fewer volunteers for it than there are for the Fourth Division."

Was that so? Still, something felt off... Even if they were few, there should always be some people volunteering for the Twelfth Division.

It felt like Aizen had deliberately avoided the others and only wanted to bring him along for this visit.

Eugh, was this the legendary special tutoring?!

"By the way, Shizuya-kun, does the outfit fit properly?"

Subconsciously tugging at the black robe he wore, Arima Shizuya nodded cheerfully and answered loudly.

"No problems at all. Thank you, Teacher Aizen."

This was Arima Shizuya's first off-campus activity.

By the rules, students had to wear academy uniforms during outings such as today's internship in order to identify themselves.

But since it was only the two of them traveling together,

the "rules" did not seem quite so important.

The simple outfit Arima Shizuya was wearing was one of Aizen's spare sets of clothes.

It carried a faint soapberry scent. It had clearly been cleaned often, rather than being clothes left buried away in a closet.

Their heights and builds were fairly similar, so it more or less fit... Ah, no, it really was still a little different.

Aizen's shoulders were broader than he had imagined.

The clothes did not quite fill out properly.

But it should not have mattered—before the thought could settle, the figure in front of him suddenly stopped.

Arima Shizuya looked up just in time to see Aizen half turn around, his gaze falling precisely on Shizuya's shoulders.

The man's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Just as I thought... I suspected earlier that it might not fit quite right. Looking at it now, it does seem a little strange."

He seemed to want to fix something, but after fiddling with it for a while, Aizen wore an expression of being at a loss.

Dora Aizen might have known how to mend clothes, but in this situation, even the most skillful housewife could not cook without rice.

Arima Shizuya waved a hand unconcernedly.

"It's fine, it's fine. It just looks a little loose. No one will care."

"That will not do. One's attire forms the first impression; only by straightening one's clothes and cap can one cultivate proper conduct... Shizuya-kun must not be too lax in such matters."

He was oddly stubborn about certain things.

Not choosing to argue, Arima Shizuya could only smile helplessly.

"I understand. When we return, I'll order a couple of properly fitted outfits. That way, I won't have to trouble Teacher Aizen next time we go out."

Aizen appeared satisfied with the answer, but soon pressed his lips together.

"I'm sorry, Shizuya-kun."

"Ah... Teacher Aizen, you don't need to apologize for something like this."

Wasn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?

Or was it because Shizuya was someone he had brought out, and looking too sloppy would affect their overall image? Well, if it was this guy, perhaps he really did care about that sort of thing.

As he pondered it, Arima Shizuya watched Aizen knit his brows and speak softly.

"Because of my oversight, Shizuya-kun has to go out looking so unkempt. It is a failure of my duty as a teacher."

Tch...

Prison Master, you really knew how to talk. He was actually a little touched! "Um, Teacher Aizen, how much farther is our destination?"

Returning to the main topic, today was the academy's designated day for off-campus internships, so they had gotten up early and entered free activity time.

The two had prepared themselves before dawn and met in front of the School Building.

Without using any special means and simply traveling on foot, the Seireitei was still very large...

"About half an hour more."

It was already nearing ten o'clock. They would barely have time to look around before lunch.

Arima Shizuya nodded slightly, then raised his head with a sigh.

The others were probably experiencing internship day like this too, weren't they?

Had Tōsen Kaname, Kotetsu Isane, and Ise Nanao gone through this when they were first-years as well?

Thinking of such things at a time like this made him feel somewhat sentimental.

Not long afterward, Aizen said, "We're here," and Arima Shizuya came back to himself, lifting his gaze.

Before him stood a massive arched building. There were no residential areas or shopping streets in sight.

Taken as a whole, the place could not have been more remote.

As though he could completely guess what Arima Shizuya was thinking, Aizen spoke before the other party could even ask.

"Remote, isn't it? But that is the kind of place the Twelfth Division is. Because of its assigned duties, it is naturally far from the political center. It also needs concealment and secrecy, so it was built in a place like this."

The explanation was as professional as that of a tour guide—warm and considerate.

"But these things are actually mentioned on page 117 of the brochure, Shizuya-kun. It seems reading is not your strong suit."

I take back what I just said!

Master and student approached the building one behind the other, but before they had even reached the entrance,

they spotted someone standing beside it, grinning foolishly in their direction and waving continuously.

"You're finally here! I've been waiting for ages!"

Who was that?

Someone had actually come out to greet them at the entrance... Prison Master's clout really was no joke.

Arima Shizuya happily walked forward, but the closer he got, the stranger his expression became.

The other man's features gradually came into focus.

His short, slightly tousled hair had a pale blond base, much like Aizen's.

He had olive-green eyes and light stubble on his chin. He looked somewhat scruffy, yet possessed the air of a charming middle-aged man.

That appearance was far too familiar, and it made Arima Shizuya nervous.

No way. Could it really be that man?

His heart unsettled, Arima Shizuya finally drew close enough to hear Aizen speak beside him.

"Long time no see, Captain Urahara."

"The feeling is mutual~ It's been a long time, Aizen Fourth Seat."

Gah! It really is this guy!

Kisuke Urahara.

In the original story, he was the cool, calculating, endlessly resourceful handsome older man. In many people's eyes, he might have been more deserving of the name "Dora" than anyone else.

A man who had served as captain of the Twelfth Division a century ago, while also acting as the first director of the Research and Development Department.

How had he suddenly run into this man? And judging by Aizen's expression, this situation had apparently been entirely expected.

Prison Master, you didn't mention this to me at all! Arima Shizuya wailed inwardly, while the two chatted pleasantly as though they were old acquaintances.

After a round of pleasantries, Kisuke Urahara finally turned his gaze toward Arima Shizuya.

"You must be the New Talent everyone has been talking about lately, Arima-kun?"

So he was famous enough to be known even here?

The handsome older man before him wore an amiable smile, but Arima Shizuya could not stop picturing that classic image of a green haori, fisherman's hat, and wooden sandals.

No, these were basically two different people...

"Shizuya-kun."

Aizen prompted him from the side. Arima Shizuya suddenly snapped back to attention, let out a quiet "Ah," and hurriedly returned the greeting.

"N-no, forgive me! I am Arima Shizuya! Senior Urahara, I was distracted just now... My sincerest apologies."

"Haha, it's fine, it's fine. Since it's an Off-Campus Internship, it's only natural to be a little nervous."

He gave the impression of being very easygoing.

Kisuke Urahara shifted half a step aside and made an inviting gesture.

"Not many people are willing to intern with the Twelfth Division. I never expected a New Talent like Arima-kun to come to a place like mine. It truly is surprising."

That was something he should ask Aizen.

Honestly, Arima Shizuya still did not understand why the other man had brought him here.

He glanced back at Prison Master.

The other man merely wore a calm expression, clearly having no intention of explaining himself at this moment.

Then he could only take things one step at a time...

With an inexplicable sense of unease, Arima Shizuya followed the two inside the Research and Development Department.

The interior was spacious, but the lighting within was surprisingly scarce.

Though it was broad daylight, hardly any sunlight could enter... Arima Shizuya looked around and found no windows at all.

In place of lighting were screens of varying colors, their blue glows weaving through the air.

The sparse illumination certainly created an inexplicable sense of technology.

The people coming and going all looked hurried, as though they were extremely busy. And upon closer inspection, there were quite a few strange figures among them who hardly looked human, regardless of gender...

"Arima-kun, it must feel a little uncomfortable coming here for the first time, right?"

Kisuke Urahara was unexpectedly enthusiastic.

He walked at the front, deliberately slowing his pace. Keeping abreast of Aizen, he smiled at Arima Shizuya as he spoke.

"Since the Twelfth Division is rather unpopular, most people come here to pursue technical research. They may seem somewhat cold from a human perspective, but please rest assured—they are all kind people."

It felt like he had said something utterly terrifying in a very gentle tone...

But upon thinking it over, it was not really strange.

After all, Urahara had done many things after taking office. One major measure had been "rehabilitating" the criminals in the Maggot's Nest.

As long as they showed the potential inclination to commit crimes, the vagrants of the Soul Society would be gathered up and confined in that sort of place...

Judging by the practice alone, it was indeed unacceptable.

Yet Kisuke Urahara had broken that "tradition," which in a way proved the Twelfth Division's pursuit of knowledge and innovation.

Yes, he really was a handsome older man.

Arima Shizuya pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for your concern, Urahara-sensei. I'll do my best to get used to it."

The smile on the other man's face deepened considerably.

"You're quite the smooth talker, young man."