Aizen's Probe

With a bright moon and few stars, the Rukongai mountains west of Rukongai appeared exceptionally deep and mysterious in the night.

A thin, grayish-white mist rose from the valley floor, drifting over the rugged rocks and enveloping the entire valley in a hazy, pale light.

Several layers of barriers isolated the outside world, firmly sealing the fluctuations of Reiatsu within the mountain valley.

Kaname Tōsen stood in front of the experimental table, facing those complex instruments and surgical procedures.

The light from the Reishi shone on his face, making his dark complexion appear ashen.

His fingers traced across the base plate, his Reiatsu probing into the densely packed nodes, adjusting the data again and again, he had lost count of how many times he had done it.

Ever since Wang Xun left in such a hurry that day, he has been trying here every day.

He tried to replicate Wang Xun's techniques, attempting to uncover what Wang Xun had concealed back then.

He remembered Wang Xun's reaction at the time; it wasn't the frustration of a failed experiment, but a deeper shock and bewilderment.

He remembered all that hesitation, that unspoken longing.

That was an experiment to anchor a spatial position. Wang Xun's performance at that time couldn't have been a simple technical problem; he must have discovered something else.

But Wang Xun chose to conceal the truth, using the excuse that there had been some minor problems with the experiment to brush him off.

Kaname Tōsen's fingers clenched slightly.

He was very dissatisfied with Wang Xun's attitude and his concealment of the truth.

Kaname Tōsen a deep breath, suppressing his agitation, and once again probed his Reiatsu into the spell.

Spatial nodes, Reiatsu anchoring, Hueco Mundo coordinates—everything seems normal.

He adjusted several parameters in an attempt to expand his perception range, but the unfamiliar spatial fluctuations never materialized.

There was nothing there.

He gritted his teeth and tried several more times, but still failed.

Kaname Tōsen's breathing became rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly clenched his fist and slammed it heavily onto the instrument.

Bang!

The dull metallic clang echoed through the valley, startling a few birds perched on the treetops in the distance.

They flapped their wings and flew into the night sky, emitting hoarse cries, gradually disappearing into the mist.

Kaname Tōsen stood still, his chest heaving violently.

His fist was still pressed against the outer casing of the instrument, and he felt a dull pain in his knuckles, but he did not pull it back.

He remained silent in the darkness, like an abandoned stone statue.

A short while later, footsteps came from behind.

Very gently, very slowly, Kaname Tōsen's brow twitched slightly, and he turned around.

"Lord Aizen."

Aizen emerged from the mist, glancing at Kaname Tōsen and then at the smashed instrument.

"What happened?"

Kaname Tōsen lowered his head and remained silent for a moment.

He hesitated.

Accuse Wang Xun?

He has no evidence.

Wang Xun never explicitly stated what he had discovered; all his suspicions were merely speculations.

He has nothing to say to Lord Aizen; what can he possibly say?

"What's wrong? Is there something you're having trouble saying?"

"Yes, you and I don't need to hide anything, just tell me directly."

Aizen's voice came again, still gentle.

Kaname Tōsen gritted his teeth.

"Lord Aizen, there is indeed something I need to say, but I don't know how to express it."

"Speak."

Kaname Tōsen a deep breath.

"It's about Wang Xun."

Aizen's brow twitched slightly.

"Wang Xun, what happened to him?"

Kaname Tōsen that day in detail.

Wang Xun suddenly stopped, looking surprised, and then hurriedly ended the experiment, saying it was just a technical problem.

But Kaname Tōsen suspects that Wang Xun is hiding something.

"I have no evidence and dare not be certain. However... Wang Xun's reaction at the time didn't seem like the experiment had gone wrong."

Kaname Tōsen's voice was very low.

"I think he may have discovered something unusual, but I cannot confirm what it is."

After listening, Aizen remained silent for a moment. "So, you've been trying here for so many days just to find out what Wang Xun is hiding?"

Kaname Tōsen lowered his head.

"Yes, but my abilities are limited, and I have never been able to reproduce it."

Aizen walked to the experimental table and looked at the densely packed data and spell nodes.

He didn't speak, but just watched quietly for a while.

Then, he turned around and looked at Kaname Tōsen.

"You don't need to investigate this matter anymore."

Kaname Tōsen taken aback.

"Lord Aizen..."

"I will ask Wang Xun myself." Aizen's voice was calm. "You don't need to worry about anything. You handled this matter very well."

Kaname Tōsen's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head.

"Yes."

Aizen patted him on the shoulder, then turned and walked out of the ravine.

His figure gradually disappeared into the night, with only the light of the Reishi lamp still faintly visible in the mist.

Kaname Tōsen stood there, silent for a long time.

Then he turned around and walked back to the lab table.

He didn't adjust the data anymore; he just stood there quietly, like a statue.

A night breeze blew by, lifting the hem of his clothes, which fluttered gently in the thin mist.

A few days later, in the secret laboratory.

Aizen sat at the lab bench, several documents spread out in front of him.

A short while later, Wang Xun appeared behind him and stood in front of the experimental table.

You were looking for me.

Aizen looked up at him.

"Sit."

Wang Xun sat down opposite him.

Aizen pushed a document in front of him.

"This is the progress report on the development of the Hōgyoku. Take a look."

Wang Xun paused for a moment, then took the document and glanced through it.

The densely packed data, the complex structure of the technique, and some records of Reiatsu fluctuations he had never seen before.

"Your ' Garganta' project is progressing much faster than I expected."

Aizen's voice came from the other side.

"His mastery of spatial techniques has also exceeded my expectations."

Wang Xun put down the document.

"Lieutenant Aizen, you flatter me."

Aizen shook his head.

"No need to be modest, you've proven your ability."

"Therefore, I've decided to involve you in the development of the Hōgyoku."

Wang Xun's brow twitched slightly.

The Hōgyoku was Aizen's most crucial secret, the cornerstone of his entire plan.

Aizen had mentioned this before, but he thought it was just empty talk; he didn't expect it to come true so quickly.

"Of course," Aizen turned to look at him, "I have been personally in charge of this mission, with Kaname Tōsen assisting."

"Your abilities are sufficient, but you lack experience."

"Therefore, you will be led by Kaname Tōsen for now, observing and learning from him. Once you have gained more experience, you will be assigned more important tasks."

Wang Xun nodded.

"Clear."

At Aizen's prompting, Wang Xun began to examine the documents in his hands.

But then, Aizen suddenly spoke.

"Wang Xun, regarding the spatial positioning test from the last Garganta experiment, is there anything you want to tell me?"

Wang Xun's fingers, which were turning the pages of the documents, paused slightly.

He looked up at Aizen.

The smile had vanished from those gentle eyes, replaced by a calm yet unavoidable gaze.

"What does Lieutenant Aizen mean by this?"

Aizen remained silent, watching Wang Xun quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, unhurriedly.

The atmosphere gradually became tense.

But Wang Xun did not look away.

He stared directly into Aizen's eyes, his face expressionless.

His breathing was steady, his heartbeat was even, and everything seemed normal.

"It's just a problem with the experimental data."

He finally spoke, his tone flat, as if he were talking about something insignificant.

"There was a misalignment in the connection of the Reiatsu nodes, causing unstable perception data. I have already readjusted it, and it will not affect subsequent experiments."

He paused.

"I wonder what Lieutenant Aizen wants to ask?"

Aizen looked at him, and then he smiled.

"Really? Then it seems I misunderstood something."

Wang Xun lowered his head.

"Lieutenant Aizen, you flatter me."

Aizen his hand.

Don't worry about it. You've been working hard lately, go home and get some rest.

"Thank you Lieutenant Aizen."

Wang Xun stood up and walked towards the door.

Behind him, Aizen sat at his desk, staring intently at the closed door.

Wang Xun's performance just now was flawless.

His expression and tone were flawless.

If he really did discover something, then his acting was flawless.

If not, then Kaname Tōsen's suspicions are unnecessary.

Aizen's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

He had no evidence and could not determine whether Wang Xun was lying.

But that doesn't matter.

Wang Xun's value lies in what he can do.

Garganta technology, spatial manipulation techniques, and the ability to Hollowfication —these are all tangible achievements.

Moreover, Wang Xun's attitude was also very clear.

He neither denied nor admitted it; he simply deflected the question.

This humble yet assertive attitude only made Aizen admire him more.

He doesn't need to control Wang Xun through coercion.

Coercion only breeds resistance, while benefits and trust are what make people willingly follow.

What Wang Xun needs now is time and space, to make his own choice.

Aizen withdrew his gaze, picked up the documents on the table, and continued to peruse them.

As for what Wang Xun is hiding, he'll find out sooner or later.

As Wang Xun walked back to the Fourth Division, he recalled Aizen's expression from earlier.

Aizen's eyes and tone, every detail, told Wang Xun that Aizen knew something.

But Wang Xun won the bet.

Aizen doesn't have concrete evidence, so he won't take action against someone of value without evidence.

Wang Xun a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

A few days later, the underground cavity of Sōkyoku Hill.

Wang Xun passed through the hidden passage and entered the hollow.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

The changes inside the cavity are significant.

The barrier protecting Reiatsu had clearly been upgraded; the fluctuations of Reiatsu were firmly sealed within the cave, not even a trace could escape.

The division of the area is also clearer. The large open space from before is still preserved, and the sword marks and traces of the Kidō burning on the rock wall are still there, which were left by him and Unohana during their training.

On the other side of the rock wall, a new, independent space has been carved out, separated by a transparent barrier.

Kisuke Urahara stood in that secluded space, his back to Wang Xun, fiddling with some instruments and examining the experimental data in his hands.

Wang Xun approached, passed through the barrier, and looked at the densely packed data and spell nodes on the instruments.

With his current eyesight and technical experience, he can barely discern some clues.

At this time, Kisuke Urahara was conducting an experiment using an extremely covert space detection technology.

Wang Xun's brow twitched slightly; he instantly realized what was happening.

Kisuke Urahara already has an idea for reverse-targeting the Wandenreich, and is refining this technology.

If he succeeds, he will be able to detect the interior of that space and thus determine what is inside.

To have such a complete idea and experimental plan in such a short time, Kisuke Urahara is truly terrifying.

Urahara noticed Wang Xun's presence, turned around, and smiled.

"You're here?" He beckoned. "Come on, help me take a look at this plan."

Wang Xun walked to the experimental table, and Urahara pushed a document in front of him, which was filled with experimental plans and technique details.

"This is a spatial detection technique I designed. The principle is to use Reiatsu shockwaves to touch the barrier of that space, and then use the feedback fluctuation frequency to deduce the internal structure."

Urahara pointed to several nodes on the drawing.

"Take a look, is there any problem?"

Wang Xun picked up the document and read it carefully.

The technique was ingenious, and the thought process was very clear.

Urahara did not attempt to forcibly tear open the spatial barrier, but instead used a more concealed and safer method to perceive the existence of that space.

Just like using sound waves to probe the seabed topography, the best approach is to avoid touching or disturbing the surface, prioritizing concealment.

"This idea is ingenious," Wang Xun, putting down the file. "I can't find any fault with it."

Urahara smiled.

"That's good. After a while, I'll be able to pinpoint exactly where that space is and what it is."

Wang Xun looked at him.

"Are you about to begin your exploration?"

Urahara nodded.

"That's right, I'll let you know as soon as there are any results."

He paused, turned around, and looked at the instruments.

"Wang Xun, have you ever wondered what might be hidden in that space?"

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, someone who can hide silently beneath the Seireitei for so long is not someone we can easily provoke."

Urahara nodded.

"You're right, so I'm just probing. We'll make more detailed plans once we figure out exactly what it is."

Wang Xun nodded and said nothing more.

He turned and walked out of the isolated space, onto the open ground in the center of the void.

There are still traces of his and Unohana's training there: knife marks, craters from Reiatsu explosions.

He stood amidst those marks, looking at the deep cracks in the rock face.

Now, there are many more craters created by fists and kicks.

Yoruichi had already arranged a time for their next training session, which made Wang Xun's schedule increasingly packed.

I wonder if Captain Unohana will ask about this if she discovers anything.

What should he say then?

Behind me, Kisuke Urahara's voice came.

"Wang Xun."

Urahara stood at the entrance to the private space, holding a document in his hand, his face unusually serious.

"Speaking of which, this is all thanks to you. Whatever was in that space, thank you for telling me."

Wang Xun shook his head.

"No need, after all, we're in the same boat now."

Wang Xun withdrew his gaze, waved his hand, and turned to walk towards the cave entrance.

His expression was calm, but countless thoughts were churning within him.

Urahara's detection techniques, Aizen's suspicions, and that space hidden in the shadows of Seireitei.

All the lines are converging in the same direction, and he is standing at the intersection of these lines.

Given these conditions, there may be opportunities.

Lost in thought, Wang Xun strode into the darkness.