The Person Behind the Scenes

Several people knocked on the door of the captain's office. Yoruichi Shihōin was sitting in the main seat, reviewing the documents in her hands.

Seeing the three of them enter, she raised her eyes, her tone tinged with curiosity.

"You're back. How did the mission investigation go? Any leads on the missing Soul Reaper members?"

Kisuke Urahara dropped his languid expression, his look gradually turning serious, before slowly speaking.

"The mission went relatively smoothly. Although we encountered an Adjuchas- level Hollow, we've dealt with it. However, the process... was a bit unusual."

Yoruichi frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Another Hollow of the Adjuchas level.

While Hollows often enter Soul Society through the Garganta to devour souls, isn't this happening too frequently lately?

Seeing Yoruichi's thoughtful expression, Urahara paused before continuing.

"When we arrived at the scene, the Hollow was already severely injured."

"Wang Xun severely injured it with over thirty types of Kidō, after which it disintegrated on its own, transforming into Reishi and disappearing."

"Only a shattered Shinigami uniform, bloodstains, and a few Hollow scales remained at the scene."

"We have not found the remains of the missing Soul Reaper Squad members, nor have we found any other valuable clues."

"Before it died, the Void muttered a few words, seemingly at someone's behest. Moreover, its body had been tampered with; if it suffered severe injury, it would trigger a self-destruct spell, completely dissipating without leaving any trace."

Upon hearing Yoruichi's expression grew even more solemn.

"Instigated by someone to destroy his own technique? So, this case of Soul Reaper's disappearance isn't as simple as Menos Grande's rampage."

Kisuke Urahara nodded, his gaze sweeping over Wang Xun and Soi Fon beside him, and slowly spoke.

"Yes, there must be something more to this story, but we have too few clues to ascertain the truth at the moment."

"Captain, the team members have used up a lot of Reiatsu during this mission. Why don't we let them go and rest first?"

"I'd like to give you some more details separately, as well as a summary of the previous missing persons cases."

Upon hearing Yoruichi, Yoruichi knew that Kisuke Urahara wanted to tell her some truly useful information.

She nodded slightly and looked at Wang Xun and Soi Fon.

"You all go and rest now, get yourselves in order, there may be other tasks that require your participation later."

"Yes, Captain Yoruichi."

Wang Xun and Soi Fon bowed simultaneously, then turned and left the captain's room.

As he reached the door, Wang Xun subconsciously glanced back at Kisuke Urahara, but this time, he only saw his back.

Kisuke Urahara didn't turn around, but he could sense that Wang Xun glanced at him before leaving.

The next moment, Wang Xun looked away and walked out with the others.

Soi Fon noticed Wang Xun's movements, then glanced at Kisuke Urahara inside the room, her eyes filled with even more confusion.

She didn't ask any further questions, and simply left with Wang Xun.

Once the two figures had completely disappeared through the doorway, Kisuke Urahara's calm expression vanished, replaced by a solemn look.

He walked up to Yoruichi and spoke slowly, his tone low and serious.

"Yoruichi-san, I have a feeling this matter is more serious than we realize."

"I just compiled all the previous cases of Soul Reaper disappearances and discovered a strange commonality."

"Many of the previous cases occurred in areas secretly controlled by noble families such as the Tsunayashiro Clan."

"Moreover, there are indeed many nobles secretly engaging in underhanded activities. Therefore, we believe that the disappearance of souls is due to secret experiments conducted by the nobles, and these things happen to interfere with our judgment."

There was a subtle, almost imperceptible heaviness in Kisuke Urahara's tone.

"Is it possible that someone is behind the scenes, using the power of the nobility to cover up their own actions?"

Upon hearing Yoruichi, a sharp glint flashed in Yoruichi's eyes.

"Borrowing the power of nobles... the Tsunayashiro Clan has always been arrogant and domineering, secretly colluding with outsiders, framing and assassinating people within the Seireitei, and even having family members directly kill people. They've done it many times."

"You mean, someone is taking advantage of the nobility's sordidness to secretly engage in illicit affairs?"

"That's possible."

Kisuke Urahara slightly, his tone grave.

"If that's really the case, then the number of victims is far greater than the number of victims in the known missing persons cases and those hastily closed cases."

Kisuke Urahara glanced out the window, his expression becoming increasingly inscrutable.

"Based on my speculation, the person behind this is not only assassinating Soul Reaper on missions, but may also be secretly capturing souls in Rukongai who possess Soul Reaper potential."

"Those souls haven't officially joined the Gotei 13, so even if they go missing, it won't be easily detected, much less attract much attention."

"The obstruction from the noble powers conveniently helped him cover it all up."

At this point, a hint of undisguised seriousness flashed in Kisuke Urahara's eyes.

"Assuming my hypothesis comes true, the number of souls killed in this attack will far exceed our imagination."

"But there's one thing I really can't understand: what was his purpose in doing this?"

"Is he trying to build up his own power, or is he planning to conduct some forbidden experiment?"

Kisuke Urahara frowned deeply, his doubts growing stronger.

A deathly silence fell over the captain's room.

Yoruichi remained silent, her expression somber, a hint of gravity and worry flashing in her eyes.

Kisuke Urahara's speculation is astonishing.

If the person behind this truly has such enormous ambitions, and the number of victims far exceeds expectations, then...

Then the Soul Society will undoubtedly be facing a huge storm.

And the mastermind behind it all, hiding in the shadows and using the power of the nobility to control everything.

Like a giant beast lurking in the darkness, it silently watches over the Gotei 13 and the entire Soul Society.

Waiting for the right moment to erupt completely.

"Continue the investigation."

After a long silence, Yoruichi finally spoke, her tone firm and carrying an unquestionable authority.

"No matter the cost, we must find clues about the person behind this and uncover their motives."

"Furthermore, closely monitor the movements of noble families, especially the Tsunayashiro Clan. Perhaps we can uncover their connection to the person behind the scenes through their subtle clues."

"Yes, Captain."

Kisuke Urahara bowed slightly, his tone solemn.

"I will investigate all the clues as soon as possible. And one more thing..."

Kisuke Urahara said this, then fell silent.

"What is it? Please speak freely."

"Well, it's nothing. I haven't thought it through yet. I'll report back to the captain after I've thought it through more thoroughly."

Kisuke Urahara shook his head and did not elaborate further.

Yoruichi glanced at Kisuke Urahara, then lowered his head to look at the documents in his hand.

"Let's talk about it after you've thought it through."

Urahara nodded, bid farewell to Yoruichi, and left the captain's room.

He walked into the courtyard; the night breeze was cool and breezy, ruffling his hair.

Urahara did not explicitly state the unusual features of Wang Xun's body, nor did he reveal his own experiments.

It's not time to confront Yoruichi yet.

Wang Xun's unique physique gave him a vague feeling that it might play an unexpected role in the subsequent investigation.

If Wang Xun as bait, will it be able to attract the attention of the person behind the scenes?

Although he didn't know who was behind it or what their purpose was.

But he felt that person would also be curious about the origin of this power.

It even... aroused covetousness.

However, this matter requires further consideration.

With these thoughts in mind, Kisuke Urahara moved his feet and slowly walked towards his team's barracks.

Only a shadow, against the dark night sky, grew longer and longer.