Death: Then stood in the sky.

That was decades ago.

His pale skin and physical ailments gave him the impression of a weak scholar, the kind of scholar who was constantly haunted by female demons every night, dressed in white robes, fighting a coffin battle that would drive the deceased to vomit in anger.

“He has grown up, in every way.” Yoruichi Shifuin licked her lips. “I’ve seen it myself. Although he’s on the thin side, he has eight-pack abs, and… he’s strong too, very strong.”

Kisuke Urahara was taken aback by this shocking statement.

He pointed a trembling finger at Yoruichi Shifūin: "You...you two...you wouldn't...?"

"What are you thinking, you idiot?" Yoruichi Shifūin flicked her tail and looked at her friend with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot.

Kisuke Urahara's playful expression vanished, replaced by a serious tone. "So, you're still alive?"

Tetsuzai was bewildered by these words: "Manager, since Yoruichi has already seen him, isn't it obvious that Ukitake Seiji is still alive?"

“I’m not referring to the fact that he’s still alive.” Kisuke Urahara lowered his gaze slightly. “I’m referring to why he’s been able to survive until now. That’s the real question, isn’t it, Tessai?”

Wo Ling Tie Zhai was taken aback upon hearing this.

Yes.

Seiji Ukitake has contracted the same illness as Jushiro Ukitake, the captain of the 13th Division.

When they parted ways in Soul Society, Urahara, to express his gratitude to Seiji Ukitake, even specifically asked him to secretly come to the human world whenever he had time. At that time, Urahara would personally study his illness and try to find a way to prolong his life.

But... the other party never came.

So logically, Ukitake Seiji should have died long ago, so why is he still alive today?

With a whoosh, the folding fan opened.

Kisuke Urahara, with half his face hidden behind a folding fan, asked calmly, "So Yoruichi, what exactly are you and him hiding from me?"

What's been hidden?

Wo Ling Tie Zhai was startled again.

Kisuke Urahara: "It's some kind of taboo research, isn't it?"

Taboo research?

Goryu Tessai's breathing became heavy, which sounded very bad.

Kisuke Urahara continued, talking to himself, "In order to survive, he began to study his own body and disease, and then extended to other areas, touching on areas that Death could never touch or was not allowed to touch."

Wo Ling Tie Zhai couldn't sit still any longer.

Just look at them. Just because they got involved with the forbidden power of Hollowfication, they immediately became traitors to Soul Society and were ordered by the 46 Chambers to be hunted down and killed without exception.

If they hadn't escaped quickly enough, they would all have been chopped into mincemeat.

If Seiji Ukitake were involved in similar dangerous research, his fate would be no better than theirs should the 46th Division find out.

Tessai Kōhime wanted to ask something more, but Kisuke Urahara didn't give him the chance. "Without receiving a systematic education or technical support from the Technology Development Bureau, he has achieved this level on his own. I can only describe him as a genius."

Kisuke Urahara's voice was filled with astonishment.

Although he hadn't done much research, Kisuke Urahara had some basic understanding of the body's ailments.

It's very difficult to treat, and it takes a lot of effort to achieve any results, and even then, a complete cure isn't guaranteed.

So, how exactly did Ukitake Seiji manage to do it?

Kisuke Urahara was somewhat puzzled. He changed the subject, staring into Yoruichi Shihōin's golden eyes, "So, Yoruichi-san, all those years, besides teaching him Shunpo and Hakuda, your real purpose was to monitor him, wasn't it?"

Kisuke Urahara knew very well that Yoruichi Shifuin's staying at Urahara Shop was not simply because she couldn't return to Soul Society.

Stop making such childish jokes.

Who is Yoruichi of Shifuin?

Former captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, former Commander-in-Chief of the Covert Operations, former commander of the First Division of the Execution Corps, and most importantly—the former head of the Shifuin family!

What exactly is the Shifuin family?

The five great noble families of Soul Society!

The original purpose of the Seireitei was to maintain the rule of the five great noble families!

Many people believe that the 46th Chamber has supreme power, and that even Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni cannot overturn its decisions. However, few people know that the 46th Chamber's power is granted by the nobility.

Or to put it bluntly—it was granted by the five great noble families!

As long as Yoruichi Shihōin thinks it through, she will definitely be able to return to Soul Society, and what awaits her is a punishment that seems severe but is actually painless.

For example, you might be locked up for several years, but in reality, it's just like being at home.

But... who knows?

At least it needs to look presentable; it's just a formality. Whoever takes it seriously is the one who truly loses.

So the reason Yoruichi stayed at Urahara Store was never because he and Yoruichi were friends, but rather—to monitor her.

Kisuke Urahara was well aware that he was in great danger, even more so than Aizen, which is why he needed to be monitored even more.

If he were to conduct any more of those forbidden and dangerous researches, Yoruichi Shifūin would not hesitate to activate Shun'ō and kick him away, and after kicking him away, she would not forget to give him a few more hard kicks.

And if nothing unexpected happens, Yoruichi Shifūin will do the same thing to Seiji Ukitake.

Thinking of this, Kisuke Urahara suddenly said, "Yoruichi-san, you're such a bad person."

Yoruichi Shifūin retorted with a cold laugh: "Likewise, you're no better than anyone else."

“Then let’s meet,” Kisuke Urahara decided. “It would be best if your former teacher arranged this meeting; he will give you the honor.”

Is it a teacher?

That guy probably didn't think that way. He not only often talked back to her, but he also dared to talk back to her. He was the kind of person who was very unruly and needed to be severely verbally disciplined.

You traitor! You traitor!

"Kisuke," Yoruichi Shifūin suddenly called out. Seeing Kisuke Urahara looking over, she smiled and said, "He's even more outstanding than you think, so don't be too surprised."

“Is that so…” Kisuke Urahara pressed down his fisherman’s hat. “Then I’ll wait and see.”

Chapter 31 The Darkness Surging Beneath Soul Society

After Yoruichi Shifuin left.

A little boy with red hair could no longer contain his curiosity: "Does Yoruichi-san have such an acquaintance in Soul Society?"

His name is Hanakari Jinta, an artificial spirit created by Kisuke Urahara.

Beside him was a little girl with a confused look on her face and two braids. She was Tsumugi Amane, also an artificial spirit.

"It's not just a simple matter of old acquaintances," Kisuke Urahara said meaningfully.

Even the Woling Iron Studio, which was originally closing, joined in, unwilling to miss any gossip—especially gossip about people around them.

Seeing that he had attracted the attention of the employees, Kisuke Urahara immediately coughed lightly, preparing to do something.

He's actually a bit of an abstract character; he even did something like piercing a rock with his crotch, which almost caused the little girl to break her own leg.

"Yoruichi and Seiji Ukitake have known each other for many years. Originally, they only agreed to teach each other Shunpo and Hakuda, but the two gradually developed feelings for each other."

"Is that so?" Tetsuzai was surprised. He had never heard of such a thing before. Was Yoruichi's past really that interesting?

Teacher-student romance, female teacher after class or something?

hiss.

“But how can this relationship possibly have a happy ending? After all, Yoruichi is the head of the Shifuin family.” Kisuke Urahara sighed.

"So they were separated?" Wo Ling Tie Zhai was already engrossed in the conversation.

"It's not that they were separated, but due to various pressures, they were never truly able to be together."

"And then...do you want to hear more?" Kisuke Urahara suddenly changed the subject.

Everyone nodded repeatedly, their eyes shining.

Kisuke Urahara smiled slightly: "You can listen, but you'll have to pay extra."

"???"

The group was chatting animatedly, but no one noticed that the door was slowly pushed open, revealing a black cat standing there.

Murderous intent began to permeate the air.

With a sharp crack, the fingernail sprang out from the fleshy pad.

......

In this world, Karakura Town.

"So you mean, a masked man suddenly appeared, stopped your fight, and took away the Arrancar that was wreaking havoc in the human world?" Shiba Ichishin stroked his chin, sorting through the information Seiji had given him.

Aoshi nodded: "That's right."

"And the reason you were able to defeat that Adjuchas-class Arrancar was also thanks to this so-called [Spiritual Pressure Amplification Potion]?" Shiba Isshin shook an empty vessel in his hand.

Aoshi nodded again: "That's right."

Shiba Isshin was astonished: "It can amplify spiritual pressure?"

"right."

"How about completely ignoring the Shinigami's own spiritual pressure and forcibly increasing it?"

"If Captain Isshin is referring to the effect, then that is indeed true. But to correct one point, it is not a permanent improvement, but only a temporary one, and it has extremely strong side effects."

"The side effect is that you will be weak for a period of time after using it. The most serious side effect may be near death or death. If I remember correctly, that's what you said, right?"

Seiji explained, "After all, my strength is limited, and I cannot drive them away. I can only rely on this trick to amplify my power and protect Karakura Town."

It is impossible to directly admit that it is impossible to suppress Noitra by one's own power.

If possible, Seiji wouldn't want any credit.

Is that so?

Shiba stroked his chin, thinking it made sense.

After all, the enemy is an Arrancar of the Adjuchas level, which is equivalent to a captain-level or higher combat power. If Seiji can defeat the opponent with his sick body, how strong must he be?

That doesn't make sense, and it's not realistic at all.

After glancing at the other person's pale face again, Shiba Isshin still found it somewhat suspicious, but he basically accepted the explanation.

"What incredible talent! To have developed such an amazing drug all by himself."

“An astonishing reserve of spiritual pressure, and a suspected mastery of Bankai…” Shiba Isshin suddenly reached out to stop Seiji from speaking. “I know you don’t want to admit it, but it’s okay, I’ll just assume you have it.”

Aoshi's eyelid twitched.

Ichimaru Gin, right?

You'll see if I ask Matsumoto Rangiku out or not, that's all.

"And you also have this scientific research talent," Shiba Isshin remarked. "Perhaps you should join the Twelfth Division's Technology Development Bureau."

Aoji firmly denied it: "I will not join the 12th Division, let alone the Technology Development Bureau."

Shiba Isshin frowned. How could he have forgotten that Kurotsuchi, that madman, was at odds with Jushiro Ukitake and Seiji Ukitake? At the captain's meeting, he had even openly demanded Seiji Ukitake on several occasions, wanting to study Seiji's body.

"I was reckless, I'm sorry." Shiba Isshin apologized without any airs of being a captain or a nobleman. Aoji gestured to stop, indicating that he didn't mind and that the topic should be dropped.

"In addition, there are a few more questions." Shiba Isshin's face turned unusually serious. "To avoid unnecessary trouble, please answer truthfully."

The two began to talk quickly, while Matsumoto Rangiku stood to the side with a worried look in her eyes.

"Can this [Spiritual Pressure Amplification Potion] be mass-produced?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I can't do it."

"reason."

"The materials for the [Spiritual Pressure Amplification Potion] require the use of my own spiritual pressure, and my physical condition cannot support the overdraft of a large amount of spiritual pressure to create the [Spiritual Pressure Amplification Potion]."