Discussing the Construction of a Secret Base

Inside a secluded "research room" in the Second Division barracks.

Urahara Kisuke hurriedly swept a pile of parts and blueprints off the only relatively intact table, then carelessly wiped the surface with his sleeve.

Then, from some unknown corner, he produced a teapot and two cups that looked reasonably clean. With an ingratiating smile, he pushed a steaming cup of "tea" toward Siwei Yan.

It was no wonder he was acting almost like a lackey.

The "research" he was working on had yet to reach the stage where it could generate any returns.

And scientific research was undoubtedly a bottomless pit that devoured money.

In his eyes, Siwei Yan was the most important potential "angel investor"!

Although this investor currently looked even poorer than he was, Urahara firmly believed that was only temporary! After all...

He was currently the "Most Beautiful Noble Son of Soul Society," the man receiving the most attention in the Seireitei!

If worse came to worst, with that face and temperament, wouldn't marrying into wealth be effortless?

Hmm... didn't the Second Division happen to have a super-rich woman who met every requirement?

At that thought, the smile on his face became even more devout.

"Brother Yan Si, to what do I owe the honor? What can I do for you this time?"

Yan Si raised the cup and took a sip. Instead of tea fragrance, it carried a slightly sharp flavor, somewhat like ginger tea.

He set down the cup and got straight to the point.

"The idea behind this machine of yours is good, but I'm afraid it's wasted effort."

He pointed at the "iron barrel" covered by a black cloth in the corner. "Whether it's in the Second Division or the Ninth Division, artificially creating an area of 'Reishi vacuum' is like lighting a bonfire in the middle of the night. It would only make it incredibly conspicuous."

"This... was indeed an oversight on my part." Urahara Kisuke scratched his bird's-nest hair, looking somewhat helpless.

"But if we want to perfectly conceal spiritual energy fluctuations, it'll be difficult without complete isolation. Soul Society itself is made of Reishi. Once it's isolated, a 'void' is inevitable."

Yan Si naturally understood that.

"So we need a different approach. Find somewhere inherently remote and inconspicuous, a place no one would normally pay attention to, then set up spiritual energy isolation devices there."

"For example... an abandoned cave. The more remote the location, the less likely it is to be discovered."

As he spoke, what he was actually thinking of was the fully equipped Secret Base that Yoruichi and Urahara would build beneath the Hill of the Twin Executions in the future.

But judging by the current situation, Yoruichi and Urahara did not seem particularly close. They were nothing like childhood friends.

Could it be... that the appearance of a "variable" like me had caused them not to meet during childhood?

Thinking of that, he could not help giving Urahara a look tinged with sympathy and a strange sense of responsibility.

"Oh! So that's another way to do it! That really opens things up!" Urahara Kisuke clapped his hands in sudden realization, then felt a chill under Yan Si's pitying gaze.

But he was immediately fired up by the new idea!

If he could really create an independent, hidden Secret Base, wouldn't that mean he could escape all the Second Division's restrictions and freely conduct all kinds of "interesting" research inside?

"Wait a moment!" He turned excitedly and began rummaging through the clutter. "Oh! Found it, found it!"

Bang!

He spread a huge sheet of paper across the table.

Yan Si focused his gaze and found that it was actually an extremely detailed map of the Seireitei and the surrounding Rukon District!

Even many small paths and changes in terrain were clearly marked!

He narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Urahara a meaningful look.

Kid... what are you planning to do with such a detailed map? Draw up a rebellion route?

Urahara's scalp prickled under his stare, and he hurriedly explained with a dry laugh.

"Ha, haha... this is only a rough map of the Seireitei. The surrounding area only includes the lower-numbered Rukon Districts. Very common, very common..."

He quickly pointed to several locations on the map, changing the subject.

"If we're choosing a location, I think District 62, Huāku, would be good. There are many mountains, the terrain is complicated, and public security is neither too good nor too bad, so it won't draw attention. We can just find a natural cave and expand it. It's also relatively close if we leave through the Seireitei's north gate."

His finger moved toward an area near the Seireitei's south gate.

"Of course, the surroundings of District 3, Lǐfú Shān, are better and safer. But accordingly, Shinigami or Rukon residents occasionally go there for recreation, so the risk of exposure is higher."

Yan Si listened carefully. To be honest, when he first appeared in Soul Society, he had been near District 1, Runlin An. Before he could even react, a teacher from the First Academy of Spirit Arts had taken him away.

He had lived nearby for thirty years, yet he truly was unfamiliar with the areas surrounding the Seireitei.

Just then—

"I know a good place~"

A slender-fingered hand suddenly reached in from the side, its fingertip landing on the map.

The Hill of the Twin Executions!

"Deep underground there is a very large natural cavern~ There's plenty of space, making it perfect for converting into a Secret Base."

"Oh?! There's such a good place?!" Urahara Kisuke's eyes lit up as he eagerly began to analyze it.

"The Hill of the Twin Executions! There's nothing there except the execution platform. Even patrolling Shinigami instinctively overlook it. It's the perfect blind spot right under everyone's noses! The safety factor is extremely high!"

He excitedly looked up, wanting to see which wise expert had offered this guidance, only to meet a pair of golden eyes filled with amusement.

"Uh?!" Urahara froze instantly.

The captain of the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin, was standing beside Yan Si at some unknown point. She had been the one to say all that!

Yan Si was also badly startled. Anyone would feel their heart stop if someone suddenly appeared beside them while they were focused on discussing a "secret plan"!

Instinctively, he reached for the Zanpakutō at his waist. Fortunately, he forcibly suppressed the urge at the last moment and maintained his outwardly expressionless face.

He cleared his throat and forced himself to calm down.

"Mm... I think Yoruichi's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Let's settle on beneath the Hill of the Twin Executions."

Yoruichi smiled in satisfaction, pulled over a chair, and sat down with one leg crossed over the other.

"However~ since we're building deep underground while also ensuring secrecy and functionality, this won't be a small project."

She tilted her head, smiling at Yan Si as she casually said something terrifying.

"If your new book doesn't sell over a hundred thousand copies, the budget will probably be very tight~"

Yan Si was not surprised by this.

The Omaeda Family was a subordinate noble house of the Shihoin Clan. The current vice-captain was from the Omaeda Clan, so it was perfectly normal for Yoruichi to know he had finalized the matter of publishing a book.

He did not let Yoruichi derail the conversation. Instead, he spoke calmly.

"Since this is 'everyone's' Secret Base, shouldn't everyone contribute something?"