Inside a secluded "laboratory" in the Second Division barracks.
Urahara Kisuke frantically swept a pile of parts and blueprints off the only relatively intact table, then carelessly wiped the tabletop with his sleeve.
Then, from some unknown corner, he produced a teapot and two cups that looked reasonably clean. With a flattering smile, he pushed a steaming cup of "tea" toward Siwei Yan.
It was no wonder he was acting almost sycophantically.
The "research" he was tinkering with had not yet reached the stage where it could generate any profit.
And scientific research was undoubtedly a bottomless pit that devoured money.
To him, Siwei Yan was a potentially crucial "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 talked-about "Most Beautiful Noble Son of Soul Society" in the Seireitei!
If all else failed, with that face and temperament, couldn't he just marry into wealth by finding some rich older woman?
Hmm... didn't their Second Division happen to have a super-rich woman who met every condition?
At that thought, his smile became even more reverent.
"Brother Yan Si, to what do I owe the honor? What can I do for you this time?"
Yan Si picked up the cup and took a sip. Instead of tea fragrance, it carried a slightly sharp flavor reminiscent of ginger tea.
He set down the cup and got straight to the point.
"This machine you made has a good idea behind it, but I'm afraid it's wasted effort."
He pointed at the "iron barrel" covered by black cloth in the corner. "Whether it's in the Second Division or the Ninth Division, artificially creating an area of 'Reishi vacuum' would be like lighting a bonfire in the dark. It would only make it incredibly conspicuous."
"Th-that really was 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 we isolate it, an 'empty hole' is inevitable."
Yan Si naturally understood that as well.
"So we need a different approach. Find somewhere inherently remote and inconspicuous, a place nobody would normally pay attention to, then set up spiritual isolation devices there."
"For example... some abandoned mountain cave. The more remote it is, the less likely it'll be discovered."
As he spoke, what he had in mind was the fully equipped secret base that Yoruichi and Urahara would establish beneath the Hill of the Twin Executions in the future.
But judging from the current situation, Yoruichi and Urahara did not seem particularly close. They were nothing like childhood sweethearts.
Could it be... that my appearance as a "variable" kept them from meeting during their childhood?
Thinking that, he could not help giving Urahara a look filled with faint sympathy and a subtle sense of responsibility.
"Oh! So that's another way to do it! That really opens things up!" Urahara Kisuke clapped in sudden realization, then felt a little uneasy under Yan Si's pitying gaze.
But he was immediately fired up by the new idea!
If he could really establish an independent, concealed 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 excitedly turned around and rummaged through a pile of clutter. "Oh! Found it, found it!"
Bang!
He spread a huge sheet of paper across the table.
Yan Si looked closely and discovered that it was an extraordinarily detailed map of the Seireitei and the surrounding Rukongai districts!
Even many small paths and changes in terrain were marked with perfect clarity!
He narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Urahara a meaningful look.
Kid... what are you planning with such a detailed map? Drawing up a route for rebellion?
Urahara's scalp tingled under his stare, and he quickly explained with an awkward laugh.
"Ha, haha... this is only a general map of the Seireitei. The surrounding area only includes the lower-numbered Rukongai districts. It's very common, very common..."
He hurriedly pointed to several spots on the map, changing the subject.
"If we're choosing a location, I think District 62, Huāku, would be good. Lots of mountains, complicated terrain, and public order that's neither too good nor too bad. It won't easily attract attention. We could find a natural cave and expand it, and it's relatively close to the Seireitei's north gate."
His finger moved again toward the area near the Seireitei's south gate.
"Of course, the surroundings of District 3, Lǐfú Shān, are better and safer. But accordingly, Shinigami or Wandering Souls occasionally go there for recreation, so the risk of exposure would be higher."
Yan Si listened attentively. To be honest, when he had appeared in Soul Society, he had been beside District 1, Runlin An, and before he could even react, he had been taken away by teachers from the First Academy of Spirit Arts.
He had lived in the surrounding area for thirty years, but he truly was unfamiliar with the regions around the Seireitei.
Just then—
"I'll tell you about 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 actually such a good place?!" Urahara Kisuke's eyes lit up as he began excitedly analyzing it.
"The Hill of the Twin Executions! There's nothing there except the execution platform. Even patrolling Shinigami unconsciously overlook it. It's the perfect blind spot right under our noses! The security level would be extremely high!"
He excitedly raised his head to see which wise person had offered the advice, only to meet a pair of smiling golden eyes.
"Uh?!" Urahara froze instantly.
The captain of the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin, had somehow appeared beside Yan Si. She had been the one to make that suggestion!
Yan Si was also badly startled. Anyone would feel their heart stop when someone suddenly appeared beside them while they were intently discussing a "secret plan"!
Instinctively, he reached for the Soul-Cutter at his waist. Fortunately, at the last moment, he forcefully suppressed the impulse and maintained his outwardly expressionless face.
He gave a light cough and forcibly calmed himself.
"Mm... I think Yoruichi's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Let's settle on underground 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.
"Still~ since we'll be building deep underground while ensuring both secrecy and functionality, this won't be a small project."
She tilted her head, smiling at Yan Si as she spoke horrifying words in a relaxed tone.
"If your new book doesn't sell at least a hundred thousand copies, the budget will probably be very tight~"
Yan Si was not surprised by that.
The Omaeda Family was a subordinate noble house of the Shihoin Clan, and the current vice-captain was from the Omaeda Family. It was perfectly normal for Yoruichi to know that he had settled the matter of publishing his book.
He did not let Yoruichi throw him off pace. Instead, he calmly spoke.
"Since it's 'everyone's' secret base, shouldn't everyone contribute something?"
Before you continue