Returning to the Second Division

Wang Xun opened his eyes and struggled free of Shackle Lotus, who was clinging to him, kicking up a fuss and rolling around.

You've got to be kidding. Where am I supposed to get you that?

He let out a long sigh. Although he had developed a new ability, he wasn't particularly happy. Instead, he felt a little unexpectedly tired.

He wondered what had been going on with Nanao earlier.

He glanced at the pitch-black sky. It was time for him to leave.

On his way back to the dormitory from the training grounds, Wang Xun didn't see Nanao again.

It seemed she really had gone back first.

Although he didn't quite understand it, at least she hadn't seemed so down anymore.

He would ask her what had happened later.

But Tsunayashiro's words that day had made him take the matter much more seriously.

There were some things he really did have to guard against.

It was time to make some preparations in advance.

When he returned to the dormitory, Wang Xun dug out the things Kisuke Urahara had left him.

An address and a token engraved with the words "Captain of the Detention Unit."

It wasn't appropriate for him to keep holding on to it.

It was time to pay a visit.

The next day, Wang Xun had no important classes, so he skipped them.

Following the address Kisuke Urahara had left, Wang Xun made his way there.

Only when he stood before the Second Division barracks and saw the familiar gate did Wang Xun click his tongue, at a loss for words.

Sure enough, he had already had a feeling.

Here we go again.

Fortunately, he hadn't been summoned this time.

"Who goes there? What business do you have with the Second Division?"

Two members dressed in Stealth Force uniforms appeared before the gate with Shunpo and eyed Wang Xun warily.

Wang Xun looked down at the token in his hand, then handed it over.

"I'm here to see Kisuke Urahara. Please let him know."

One of them took the token and examined it closely, then frowned deeply.

"This really is Third Seat Urahara's token. How did you get it?"

"He gave it to me. He said to show it as proof of identity when I came to see him."

The guard's expression grew even stranger.

If it was Third Seat Urahara, that did seem like something he would do...

The guard looked at the token, then at Wang Xun. Finally, he lowered his head in thought for a moment and whispered a few words to the other guard.

"Please wait a moment."

The man vanished with the token. Presumably, he had gone to ask his superiors.

A moment later, he reappeared and nodded to his companion.

"Please follow me."

"Third Seat Urahara is with the Detention Unit at the moment. I can only take you there; you'll have to explain the rest yourself."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Wang Xun nodded and stepped into the Second Division barracks.

As he followed the guard through the barracks, Wang Xun found the place familiar enough, having been there once before.

Most of the passing Soul Reapers wore the Stealth Force's close-fitting uniforms and hurried along.

When they saw Wang Xun's unfamiliar face, they cast him wary glances before silently looking away.

The guard led Wang Xun through several corridors to a stretch of wooded hills behind the barracks.

After passing through a grove, he saw a suspension bridge.

Beneath the bridge was a moat dozens of meters wide. In the middle stood an island surrounded by towering stone walls, with only the narrow suspension bridge connecting it to the shore.

There were two guards at each end of the bridge. As Wang Xun approached, one stepped forward to stop them.

"Halt. This area is under the Detention Unit's jurisdiction. Do you have orders?"

"By Lady Yoruichi's order, I'm taking this person to Third Seat Urahara."

The guard who had brought Wang Xun gestured toward him.

Wang Xun showed the token again.

The two guards exchanged a glance, then stepped aside.

One of them spoke quietly.

"We received orders that if a white-haired boy came with the token, he was to be allowed directly into the Maggot's Nest."

"Squad Leader Urahara is inside. Please follow me."

After exchanging a few words with them, the guard who had brought Wang Xun turned and left. Wang Xun continued inward, following the other man.

The suspension bridge swayed, and the water beneath their feet was unfathomably deep.

When he reached the middle of the bridge, Wang Xun distinctly felt a change in the concentration of Reishi around him.

A subtle oppressive sensation washed over him, as though an invisible force were blocking his Reiatsu.

Wang Xun looked at the gray walls surrounding the island in the lake and recognized the special material that could block Reiatsu.

Sekki Stone.

The entire island was surrounded by walls built from Sekki Stone, forming a natural barrier that blocked Reiatsu.

After crossing the suspension bridge and passing through the Sekki Stone walls, Wang Xun walked farther in and saw a heavy iron door set into a stone cliff.

There were no markings on the door, only a simple lock.

Though the surroundings were quiet, Wang Xun could feel numerous faint gazes fixed on him from the shadows, leaving no blind spots.

"This is..."

"This is the Underground Special Detention Tower, commonly called the Maggot's Nest. Captain Urahara is on duty today. You can wait at the entrance while I go inform him."

After gesturing to Wang Xun, the guard opened the iron door and went inside.

A moment later, Kisuke Urahara appeared with him.

"Hey, Wang Xun, you came to see me so soon! Come to think of it, today isn't a day off, is it? Don't you have classes at the Spiritual Arts Academy?"

"Just some boring history classes. It doesn't matter whether I attend or not. I suddenly remembered the job I gave you, so I came to see how it was going."

Kisuke Urahara's smile remained unchanged, but a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.

"I see."

"Unfortunately, I've only just finished laying out the preliminary plans and ideas for the experiment. If you want to check the progress, I'll need a little more time."

"And... why do I get the feeling you came to see me for more than just that?"

Seeing the inquisitive look in Kisuke Urahara's eyes, Wang Xun fell silent for a moment.

"I do have some problems. I just don't know whether you're capable of helping me solve them."

"Hmm, then it sounds like it's no small matter... How about this? It's not really appropriate to stand outside talking. Come on, let's go inside."

Watching Kisuke Urahara reach for the door, Wang Xun had a bad feeling.

"Inside where?"

"Here, of course. My experiment planning log is still inside. I can show it to you while we're at it."

"Don't worry. The prisoners inside are all marked with the Special Limitation Seal. Their Reiatsu is heavily suppressed, so they're no threat."

As he spoke, Kisuke Urahara pushed open the iron door at the entrance to the Maggot's Nest.

Well, uh...

Seeing that Urahara had already gone in, Wang Xun scratched his head and followed.

A vast underground cavern came into view. Steps stretched steadily downward, with pale blue Reishi lamps on either side lighting the way.

The sight was quite fitting for a place called the Maggot's Nest.

At the bottom, they pushed open another large door, and the view suddenly opened up before them.

Beyond the door was a broad open space.

The ground was paved with smooth stone, and a towering cavern ceiling rose overhead. Bright light illuminated the area.

Simple tables and chairs were scattered throughout the cavern.

Prisoners in white uniforms gathered here and there, their expressions somewhat vacant. There was no telling how long they had been confined.

Their movements, however, were not restricted, and they could walk freely around the open area.

Rather than a prison, it looked more like a small community shut away from the world.

Kisuke Urahara looked back at Wang Xun and explained quietly.

"This is the Maggot's Nest. Your classes at the Spiritual Arts Academy should have mentioned it. It's where potentially dangerous individuals are held."

"Come on. My laboratory is farther inside."