His Name Was Clever

After Urahara left, the shop fell quiet.

Uncle Ichiraku looked at Wang Xun, a rare look of concern on his face.

"Young Master Wang Xun, twenty million... isn't that too much?"

He spoke in a low voice.

"Our shop brings in good money, but that's still no small sum. What if that Mr. Urahara..."

"Uncle," Wang Xun interrupted, still looking in the direction Urahara had left, "you have to trust my judgment."

"It's only twenty million. If he really can solve the problem of increasing raw material production, our business can break beyond the limits of Rukongai and reach the southern, northern, and eastern districts, and even... expand into Seireitei itself."

Uncle Ichiraku was taken aback. Then he seemed to understand, and realization dawned on his face.

"Young Master, do you mean our real goal is to gain access to upstream raw material production and supply?"

"That's right."

Wang Xun smiled.

"As long as ingredients are plentiful and reasonably priced, judging by the current state of Rukongai, we might even have a chance to become the biggest supplier of food ingredients in Soul Society. That would be the real big business."

He patted Uncle Ichiraku on the shoulder.

"So this investment is worth it."

"...I understand."

Uncle Ichiraku nodded solemnly.

Young Master Wang Xun truly was no ordinary person.

He had known it ever since Wang Xun discovered his ramen-making skills and then used his fists and feet to establish their first shop in Rukongai.

After that, even when Wang Xun suddenly suggested he change his name to Ichiraku to match the shop's name, he readily agreed.

After all, everything he now had in Soul Society had been given to him by Wang Xun.

After gesturing for Uncle Ichiraku to get back to work, Wang Xun stood alone where he was.

He pulled the pass token from his robes and examined it closely under the light.

Patterns and words were engraved on the token. On the front were the four large characters for Stealth Force.

He turned it over, and the five characters on the back made him pause.

[Captain of the Detention Unit]

Wang Xun: ?

What did that old rascal Kisuke Urahara give me?

Is this something I can just carry around?!

Wang Xun took a few steps outside the shop, but Kisuke Urahara was already nowhere to be seen.

Looking at the token, which suddenly felt a little too hot to hold, Wang Xun let out a long sigh and headed toward Seireitei.

He was exhausted.

On a rooftop not far from the ramen shop, the night breeze was slightly cool.

Kisuke Urahara appeared without a sound.

"How did it go?"

Yoruichi, a black cat, was also crouching on the eaves, her golden eyes watching him in the darkness.

"I didn't learn anything useful, but we had a good conversation."

Kisuke Urahara paused and looked at Yoruichi.

"Why did you take an interest in him, Captain?"

The black cat swished her tail gracefully.

"Just a hunch. I have a feeling there's something special about that kid."

"He appeared suddenly, like a cloud of mist, but by the time you noticed him, that mist was already tangled up in countless connections."

"Anyone would want to keep an eye on a guy like that, wouldn't they?"

As she spoke, Yoruichi suddenly thought of Shinji Hirako.

His interest in Sōsuke Aizen was much the same.

But unlike Wang Xun, Aizen had shown nothing unusual.

He was diligent and modest, highly capable at his work, and well regarded both inside and outside his division.

Because of Aizen, the Fifth Division received many more applications to join each year.

In that respect, Wang Xun seemed ordinary by comparison.

"Anyway, just keep a close eye on him."

"Is that so..."

Urahara murmured as he looked in the direction Wang Xun had gone, his eyes reflecting a depth like the night.

Beneath his wide sleeve, his fingertips were playing with a transparent capsule.

It contained a trace of Reiatsu he had extracted from Wang Xun's body when he touched him earlier.

Within the pale blue ribbon of Reiryoku, an extremely fine strand of dark red Reiryoku stirred restlessly.

It was like a small hand made of white bone, scratching at Kisuke Urahara's heart, which had long been itching unbearably.

An intrigued expression appeared on Urahara's face.

"But compared with that, what we were talking about earlier was interesting too."

Yoruichi looked curious.

"What did you talk about?"

"An investment project intended to increase the production of food ingredients."

"And he has a thorough grasp of the supply problems in Rukongai. He's clearly given them a lot of thought."

Yoruichi tilted her head. "So?"

"He may have sought me out for more than just increasing ingredient production."

"Perhaps he really does need that, but he may have had another reason for choosing me as a partner..."

The black cat's ears twitched. "You think he approached you on purpose?"

"Hard to say." Urahara shrugged. "Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

"But now I'm very interested in him."

Yoruichi gave a soft snort.

"I don't care about that, but don't let things get out of hand. I've got my eye on that kid as a prospect for the Punishment Force."

Urahara smiled without committing himself.

The two sat on the roof for a while, the night breeze brushing past the lights of countless homes.

Yoruichi suddenly spoke.

"Urahara, you've had Bankai mastered for a while now. I'm thinking it might be time to push you into a higher position."

Urahara's eyes flickered.

A captain's position? He was indeed qualified for one.

"Yoruichi-san, are you planning to make a move?"

Yoruichi didn't answer, only gazing quietly toward Seireitei.

Kisuke Urahara thought for a moment. There was indeed a vacant captain's position right now, but...

"I'm not going to the Tenth Division," Urahara said bluntly. "Being out and about every day doesn't suit my lifestyle."

"I know. Even if I tried to force you, you'd refuse."

Yoruichi swished her tail.

"So there's no rush yet. But word has it that Kirio Hikifune may be promoted to the Zero Division within the next few years. The royal family has taken an interest in the Artificial Soul Technology she developed."

"If it's the Twelfth Division, which values technological development, I imagine it would be just what you want."

Urahara's eyes lit up slightly.

An independent research institute, greater authority, a more generous budget...

He was indeed tempted.

"Oh, right, what about Soi Fon?"

Kisuke Urahara suddenly brought her up.

"She's been training to master Bankai under your supervision lately, hasn't she? With her talent, becoming a captain later shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Yoruichi sighed at that.

"Soi Fon is making progress, but she still needs time. Besides, given her personality, she'd probably rather stay in the Punishment Force as my deputy."

"More importantly, Old Man Yamamoto won't allow the Shihoin family's influence in the Gotei 13 to expand too quickly."

"It's hard enough to get you promoted. If I tried to push Soi Fon up as well, some people would lose sleep over it."

Urahara nodded in understanding.

The balance of power in Seireitei had never been a simple matter.

"So stay in the Second Division for now and wait for news about the Twelfth Division."

Yoruichi stood up and yawned, stretching her body into an elegant arch.

"As for that kid Wang Xun, whatever deals you have with him are none of my business. But until he joins the Punishment Force, keep an eye on him for me."

Urahara looked out at the night and nodded casually, a smile appearing on his lips again.

The special capsule containing Wang Xun's sealed Reiatsu spun at his fingertips.

"Of course."

"It's all for Soul Society."