The three of them, along with one unconscious Ichigo, went to a warehouse located in a certain place in Karakura Town. An empty space with few boxes here and there, nothing interesting about the place at first glance. But Shinji grinned when they arrived.
"Here we are, welcome to my base. Feel at home." He introduced his hideout to his two guests. "Don't worry. It's a comfortable place for us and my friends."
Shinji looked around at the empty space, noticing no one else there. His arms were already spread wide, so it became awkward for him when he realized he was alone.
"Where are they? Oh well, probably slacking somewhere. I bet Lisa and Mashiro are reading their magazines, Hachi's probably meditating, while Kensei is training and Hiyori..." Shinji paused. "... She's probably out there, looking for candy."
Dejected, Shinji dropped his arms. "And I'm talking to myself." He muttered.
"..."
"..."
The awkward silence between Shirou and Ninny was unbearable for Shinji, who was feeling like he had lost something important.
After an awkward pause, Shirou sighed. "Well, we can visit tomorrow?"
"Good idea," Ninny said, turning away. "I can't stand this awkward silence."
"H-Hey hey hey, just a minute here." Shinji stopped them from going. "It's not awkward at all."
Shinji sighed, he looked tired as if the stress had taken a toll on his body and spirit. He didn't think that the other Visored members were gone, but he was hoping that someone could appear at least. Maybe he should use his phone, Hachi had it right? Maybe he could contact the bald guy to make an illusion of a girl or something.
No. It was a bad idea.
"Well, anyway. There's nothing I can do about the others. For now, I can explain a thing or two myself." Shinji shrugged his shoulders and then pointed inside, "For now come in."
The man entered first. He went straight inside, his eyes fixed ahead as if nothing could distract him.
Nothing stood out in the warehouse except for some junk and living space at the side. But, Shirou didn't pay it any attention because his eyes were glued to one thing.
Shinji Hirako was in the middle of a warehouse that he claimed to be their base. The blond-haired guy sat down and crossed his arms behind his head.
"So? You want to ask me something?"
"Yes."
Shirou sat down as well on the rubble. His eyes never left Shinji as he studied the man carefully.
"First, you are Visored, right?" Shirou started, "What are your goals?"
"Goal? Do we need a goal to live?" Shinji asked in return.
Shirou sighed and shook his head. He was going nowhere with this guy. It's better if he didn't waste his breath anymore.
"I see," he replied. "Then, do you know about Ichigo and his hollowification?"
Shinji grinned, "Hollowfication? Why do you ask? You're his brother, so you must be able to tell, no? Yes we know, and we will help him. But you don't trust me?"
"..."
It wasn't like Shirou didn't trust him, but something was off about him.
"I don't know about you guys." The teen said honestly.
"Hahaha! Don't be like that. I am a kind person."
"Are you now?" Shirou narrowed his eyes. This guy was definitely up to something.
No one helped people without hoping to get something in return. Even Kiritsugu helped him because of something—one that he failed to understand until now. But he was sure the man was doing that for a reason.
Even the selfless heroes in stories were doing it for fame and glory.
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean? I can't help others?"
"No."
"... Tch! Kids nowadays..." Shinji muttered under his breath and then sighed loudly, "Okay, fine. We do want something. But does that matter now? Your brother's in a pinch and needs our help. And we can help him with that problem."
"Then what is it?"
"Help us in exchange." Shinji's smile was replaced with a serious look.
"What help do you need?" Shirou asked back.
"Aizen Sosuke."
The boy's eyes narrowed when Shinji mentioned that name. It seemed like he recognized the name and was interested in him as well.
Before continuing, Shinji looked at Ninny, who clearly looked dissatisfied being there. She was still angry at him, that much was obvious. And then, Shinji's gaze moved to Ichigo that was put down near them.
"Well, I can't explain a lot. But do know that leaving your brother like that is dangerous. I won't lie that there is a risk to his life, but he needs this or else the Hollow inside him will consume him."
After saying that, Shinji sighed. He had been talking to himself the entire time, and it was getting tiresome.
Believing someone they just met would be hard to accept, so Shinji took a gamble. He just hoped that this kid had the same goal as he did.
To defeat Aizen.
"Well? So, are we in an agreement or what?" The blond Visored asked.
"..." Shirou thought about it for a while. He needed more information, but there was nothing to gain if he refused here. Besides, it's not like he had much of a choice.
Still, that didn't mean he would give his consent that easily. There were many questions that still needed to be answered. Like how they would train Ichigo or what they could do against Aizen.
"I will agree. But... I have some questions."
Shinji grinned at that, he looked like he already knew the answers.
"I thought you might say that." He shrugged. "Alright, I'll answer them."
What kind of question would he ask?
Shirou was curious about many things. Such as who Shinji actually was and why he wanted to fight Aizen. Or maybe even how did he know about him?
But first...
"What will happen if we accept?"
"If we succeed, he won't go berserk. But there's also a chance of him losing control completely. That is the worst possible scenario, of course. But that is very unlikely."
"Is it dangerous?" Ninny suddenly asked.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the thought. Her body was tense as if she expected an enemy to attack her. She held her staff tightly in her hand as if it would protect her from anything.
She didn't like where this was going.
"It's dangerous." He confirmed. "But it's better than doing nothing. That will only make things worse."
Indeed, it would be worse to do nothing. But if they did it and it didn't work, then Ichigo would die.
Still, it wasn't like he had a choice. He had no idea what to do. So he could only hope that everything went smoothly.
"If you want to know more, you should come back tomorrow." Shinji said. "I am not the only one who's going to teach Ichigo. You can come and watch as long as you keep yourself hidden and don't interfere. You know, we need a rather intense training method."