Cooperation in Detail

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Kisuke Urahara's half-closed eyes widened slightly, and his eyebrows rose.

Twenty million kan. That was far more than he had just estimated, and it was no small sum.

He took another look at the white-haired youth before him.

He wore an ordinary Spiritual Arts Academy uniform and still had a somewhat student-like air about him.

But his eyes now gleamed with shrewdness and confidence.

"Twenty million..."

Urahara repeated the number, his tone betraying no emotion.

"Wang Xun, are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Wang Xun's smile remained unchanged.

"And as I said, that's just the initial investment."

"If your technology can actually solve my ingredient supply problem, Mr. Urahara, there'll only be more investment to follow."

He paused, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice.

"I know a researcher like you, Mr. Urahara, seeks breakthroughs in knowledge and technology."

"But research needs resources, equipment, and... an environment free from outside interference. And all of that takes money, doesn't it?"

Those words struck a chord with Urahara.

That was one of the difficulties he had faced recently.

Although Yoruichi supported him, as the Second Division Captain, she had her own limits and concerns.

Some materials, equipment, and hard-to-obtain experimental specimens had to be acquired through unconventional channels.

And all of it took money.

Urahara quietly watched Wang Xun, seemingly lost in thought.

A few seconds later, he smiled-not the gentle, polite smile from before, but one tinged with amusement and interest.

"You're right, Wang Xun."

"But I have a question. If I simply take your money and do the job, then this deal is only a one-time arrangement for me."

"You may have heard that a business model known as the joint-stock system is on the rise in the World of the Living."

"I was wondering whether I could contribute my technology as capital and take part in your business. The technology would entitle me to a certain percentage of shares and long-term dividends."

"That would also give me more incentive to keep improving the technology and providing support. A solution that benefits us both. What do you think?"

That sly old Kisuke Urahara even brought up taking shares in exchange for technology. He clearly wants a big piece of the pie.

Wang Xun clicked his tongue inwardly.

In that case, they would have to hash things out properly.

Wang Xun then pretended to ponder the matter.

"Hmm... that's an interesting proposal. But Mr. Urahara, in business, seeing is believing. How about this instead?"

"We start by cooperating on a project. You help me increase ingredient production, and I'll pay the research and development costs."

"Once the project has produced results and proven its value, we can sit down and discuss these shares. What do you think?"

Wang Xun smiled and added,

"After all, the percentage of shares your technology earns should match its actual contribution, Mr. Urahara. Right now, we have nothing but words to go on, which wouldn't be fair to either of us."

Wang Xun's response was airtight. He deftly deflected the question of the future dividends Urahara wanted.

He had neither rejected Urahara's proposal outright, leaving room for future cooperation, nor allowed a decision until the results had been verified.

The art of give and take.

Urahara stared at Wang Xun for quite a while before suddenly laughing.

"Interesting. Very interesting."

He shook his head, his tone full of feeling.

"I only meant to ask about the fruit trees, but I didn't expect a surprise like this."

"Wang Xun, are you really just a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy?"

Wang Xun smiled at that too.

"Life forced my hand, that's all. Doing business in Rukongai, how could I make it last if I didn't work everything out carefully?"

The two looked at each other, and invisible sparks seemed to clash in the air.

It was the subtle moment when two clever men, having probed, assessed, and weighed each other up, finally found a balance for cooperation.

"So, how exactly do we proceed?"

Urahara was the first to get down to business.

"What sort of production increase do you need? Which crops or animals are involved, and do you have any special requirements?"

Hearing this, Wang Xun called Uncle Ichiraku over. He knew the most about this.

Once Uncle Ichiraku heard about it, he thought it over briefly and put together a list.

"There are three main categories. First, grains: the rye and brown rice common in Rukongai. Second, vegetables, though those are fine and not particularly scarce. Third, livestock, such as chickens and pigs."

When Uncle Ichiraku finished, Wang Xun added,

"My requirements are simple: shorten the growing cycle of the raw materials as much as possible and increase yield per unit."

"If you can also improve the taste and nutritional content, that would be even better."

Urahara took the list and glanced over it, the corners of his mouth turning up.

"Very practical requirements. But Wang Xun, improving agricultural and livestock production isn't something that happens overnight."

"I'll need time to develop them, and you'll need to prepare a site capable of mass production in advance."

"I'll take care of the site,"

Wang Xun said.

"There are plenty of vacant, unclaimed lots near the edges of the second and third districts of West Rukongai. I'll apply to the Seireitei and pay rent to have some set aside as a testing site."

"Good, as long as you have a plan."

Urahara took a notebook from inside his clothes and quickly wrote something down.

"I expect the first stage of research and development to take two months. During that time, I'll conduct basic data analysis, draw up preliminary plans, and run a small number of tests."

"So how do you intend to pay the research and development costs?"

"In installments."

Wang Xun clearly already had a plan in mind.

"Six million up front, another six million after the interim report is reviewed and accepted, and the remaining eight million once the results pass inspection. If the results exceed expectations, there'll be additional investment."

"A very reasonable proposal."

Urahara finally nodded and held out his hand.

"Then, here's to a successful partnership?"

"Here's to a successful partnership."

Their hands clasped tightly together.

Having reached an agreement, both men wore what could only be called perfect business smiles.

"I'll prepare the agreement. Once we both sign and put our fingerprints on it, it'll take effect immediately."

"Uncle Ichiraku, bring paper, a pen, and the money."

Wang Xun waved a hand, and the uncle left as requested.

A moment later, he returned with paper, a pen, and a bag.

Before long, the three of them had drawn up the agreement together.

Urahara glanced over it and nodded, then signed his name and put his fingerprint on it alongside Wang Xun.

Urahara then took the bag and opened it for a look, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"Then, Mr. Urahara, under the terms of the agreement, what should I do if I want to check on the research and development progress?"

Urahara gave Wang Xun a long look, then took a note and a token from inside his clothes.

He wrote an address on the note and drew a simple map on the back.

"I'll conduct the initial research and development at my current laboratory. It should take about two months."

"Once there are results in two months, I'll move to the site you've prepared for larger-scale experiments."

"This is a map from the Spiritual Arts Academy to where I currently live. You can come find me when you have time."

Urahara handed him the note and token.

"With this token, no one will stop you once you get there."

Wang Xun put away the note and token. Before he could look at them closely, Kisuke Urahara had already risen to his feet.

"Well then, let's leave it there for today."

Wang Xun also stood and politely saw him off.

Urahara waved, then turned and left under Wang Xun's gaze.