Hearing Angra, Urahara smiled wryly. "Don't overdo it. I said Quincies are our enemies, but not all Quincies are enemies."
"Whatever. I'm not interested in that. I just want to check whether the Quincy nation you spoke of actually exists," Angra said coldly.
He checked Urahara's favorability—already 45.
For someone like Urahara, reaching 60 isn't hard; going beyond is.
Yoshio suspects that aside from Yoruichi, no one can reach 80 with Urahara.
60 is a threshold; 80 is another.
For Urahara's legitimate partner, reaching 60 isn't too hard; a few more years might cross it.
But without special circumstances, naturally progressing to 80+ could take a thousand years.
Unless Yoshio could travel back to childhood and build a bond, it's too hard now.
Still, hitting 60 is great—"Universal Countermeasure" is god-tier; even a one-time use at 60 can flip a battle!
He won't waste it—save it for the crucial moment.
He's not at 60 yet—thinking ahead is premature.
Urahara didn't know Angra's complicated thoughts. He sighed. "From studying Quincy arrows and corpses, I suspect a 'shadow space' exists within the Seireitei."
"Suspect?"
"I can't confirm," Urahara said gravely. "Decades ago, I was exiled from Soul Society—and since then I've been unable to enter.
"It's a root-level spiritual seal. Normally, to apply it takes massive resources—previously only applied to me.
"But since last time's incident, not just me—even Miss Yoruichi's reiatsu is sealed. We can't enter Soul Society now."
Angra raised a brow. He knew Urahara was banished and couldn't enter.
Perhaps misunderstandings would clear and the ban lifts later.
But Urahara is too dangerous—by their old logic, he didn't need to fight; he could just secretly hollowfy shinigami and cost Gotei 13 several captains!
After the previous clash, entry is even less likely.
He hadn't expected Yoruichi to be exiled too.
So she can't take Kurosaki Ichigo to Soul Society like in the original?
Would he become guardian of those kids?
"So…" Angra mused, "because you can't enter the Seiretei, you can't confirm the hidden empire?"
"Exactly," Urahara said. "So I can only simulate a hidden Quincy empire within the Seireitei."
"Leave it to me," Angra said.
Urahara looked surprised.
"Since you can't enter, I will," Angra said.
"I can infiltrate the Seireitei."
Urahara frowned, thinking. He stood and paced to the exit.
Angra changed into modern clothes—brown jacket and blue jeans—hands in pockets, matching Urahara's pace.
Neither spoke as they left the underground base—their current hideout is no longer the shop; he wouldn't use it again while Shinigami hunts him.
Now it's a bookstore. They reached the storefront and peered through the glass.
"It's a thunderstorm tonight," Urahara said suddenly.
Angra looked up. Outside, no wind or rain—the summer night unusually quiet. Near Tokyo's outskirts, there are usually cars and passersby even late at night, but now all was still.
Where was the storm?
The sky was thickly overcast, moonless, dim starlight, no lightning, so no thunder.
Seeing his doubt, Urahara said meaningfully, "The cloud deck is too thick—you can't see the storm above it."
This should raise many guesses, but Angra caught his drift.
Hidden by clouds, we can't see the storm above.
In Soul Society…
Hidden by shadows, one can't see Wandenreich "below"?
You can't see the world above the clouds, nor the darkness beneath the shadows.
Urahara's research suggests Wandenreich likely exists within the Seireitei's shadows, but he can't enter to confirm.
"But you've located the storm zone," Angra said.
"Yes, but storm zones are dangerous. When storms hit, flights get delayed," Urahara said.
He meant Wandenreich is dangerous; even with a location, the risks inside are unknown.
"Depends on who goes in," Angra said, taking a random book from the shelf.
He flipped a page. "Such sinners, by evil karma, should fall into Jigoku Zoku (Lonely Hell). At the end of life, all the flames of Jigoku Zoku (Lonely Hell) descend at once."
Urahara seemed to understand. "Those souls who should fall into Jigoku Zoku (Lonely Hell) were not consumed by flame but hid in the shadows of the Three Realms.
"Anyone who seeks to exile them back to Jigoku Zoku (Lonely Hell) must endure hellish trials themselves."
"Whatever. I'm a hollow. Be it Jigoku Zoku (Lonely Hell), Hueco Mundo, or elsewhere—it's all the same," Angra said.
Rumble…
At that moment, the thunderstorm above the cloud deck revealed itself—flashes, thunder roared.
Urahara finally decided. A black little sword appeared in his hand—like a toy, only thumb-length.
"This is a 'key' forged from shadow power extracted from Quincy souls. With it, you should be able to enter an area only Quincies can enter.
"However…"
He paused, looked at Angra Mainyu. "At present I can only guarantee your entry—but there may be minor disturbances on entry."
"'Minor'? I doubt it's that minor," Angra grinned. "No matter. Don't forget my ability.
"I'll handle it, but don't rush. I want to meet someone first. Another time."
"That person…"
"Yes, Aizen's subordinate. He just contacted me. I'll see what he wants."
Angra took the black sword, opened the glass door, and stepped out.
The storm intensified; over Karakura Town, as though an ancient beast opened its maw—breathing thunder.
Whoosh…
Moments after he left, the clouds thickened, then split like a hole; water poured down in sheets, rain and gale like a wail of ten thousand ghosts.
Roadside trees bowed under the wind; branches whipped like hair in pain.
He reached out, tore space; beyond the night's crack was a purer darkness, which didn't affect the wind or rain—the darkness was another dimension, overlaid on the scene.
Angra stepped in—and entered Hueco Mundo.
With the black key, he could enter Wandenreich. Survival there is a later problem.
He has an inside man; once ingress/egress is solved, the rest will follow.
For now, he will wait.
Meeting Starrk was an excuse; what he truly awaited were Soul King fragments.
He knows Fullbringers will be gathered by Ginjō—but when they're gathered, that's when they perish.
Now only a few Tsunayashiro members remain, but if they exist, they won't give up collecting Soul King fragments.
Especially when… they're so easy to obtain.
Failing to collect would disgrace the Tsunayashiro name!
When they make a move, Yoshio will intercept.
His method is gentler and more civilized than the Tsunayashiro Clan's, which kills them and extracts fragments from their souls.
Yoshio doesn't need to—he's met these Fullbringers. Their abilities come from the fragments, so they're a special group.
Though they have independent souls, compared to the fragments within, their own souls are overshadowed; their inborn "personalities" are masked by the fragments.
"Soul King Fragment: when favorability reaches 80, you can obtain a Soul King fragment; the target's ability disappears."
Most Fullbringers have this trait. Meaning, as long as favorability hits 80, he can politely extract their fragment.
Once this ability is permanently obtained, it can be used on all Fullbringers.
That is, after getting A's favor to 80 and extracting A's fragment, he can extract fragments from B, C, D, E, F as well.
He can even use it on others who harbor fragments!
But it won't work on those without fragments.
This is… quite handy.
He's not sure whether things like the Soul King's left and right hands count as fragments. If they do, could he easily deal with Sternritter M and C?
The extraction process is unclear; perhaps it requires consent, so results remain to be seen.
When Tsunayashiro moves against them, if he appears as savior, he should gain favor, right?
Then he can extract the fragments.
Of course… they might be so frightened they don't act, in which case Yoshio must act first.
He can be a good guy—or a bad guy.
He appeared in Hueco Mundo, specifically at the Negar ruins he frequented.
His body heaved; the next moment, black sludge spurted out.
From the black mire, various items emerged—treasures devoured when he consumed the Tsunayashiro Clan: rare materials, ancient books, and a divine artifact, Enrakyōten.
Enrakyōten is a special Zanpakuto. Its ability is to copy all Zanpakuto Shikai abilities and stack multiple abilities, creating terrifying effects.
Imagine Kyōka Suigetsu with Senbonzakura, each petal burning with Ryūjin Jakka—who could resist?!
This Zanpakuto is the Tsunayashiro Clan's guardian artifact—
Like an overpowered fanfic MC's Zanpakuto.
But it has a fatal flaw: it erodes the wielder's soul.
Long use might kill you before your enemy.
Thus, less impressive than it seems.
So although Yoshio obtained it years ago, he never took it seriously—storing it in Angra's black-mud space.
Angra's body is like an ocean compressed into a human form, with overlapping inner spaces—his unique "black-mud space."
It reminded him of FGO's Tiamat mud: like imaginary numbers—immeasurable weight, near-infinite volume—like a four-dimensional pocket.
Stored in the mud, it's as if carried on him at all times.
What is a Zanpakuto?
A weapon that, when the essence of the soul is poured into an Asauchi, transforms and reveals its unique power.
Enrakyōten is special—it needs no infusion to display its power.
Even if you pour in power, it won't reflect your soul—its "program" is predesigned and unaltered by outside influence.
Most can only use Enrakyōten's Shikai—even Tsunayashiro can only use Shikai.
Firstly, Bankai isn't easy; generally, shinigami who achieve Bankai become captains.
Even the Five Great Noble Families don't produce a captain every generation; two or three generations per captain-class is good.
Especially true for great houses with deep military ties like Kuchiki, Shiba, and Shihōin; for a distant, privileged family like Tsunayashiro, training a captain is harder.
Secondly, in their succession, having captain-class power doesn't grant high rank or the right to Enrakyōten.
Such an ancient house has its own selection; no matter how strong a branch member is, they cannot become clan head.
After such screening, even fewer have the qualifications to awaken Enrakyōten's Bankai.
Across eons, perhaps only a handful of clan heads used Enrakyōten's "Bankai"—or rather, its "True Release," since "Bankai" may be improper.
Perhaps Enrakyōten is a pre-Zanpakuto-era artifact, predating Ōetsu Nimaiya's creations.
In any case, after carrying Enrakyōten for nearly a decade, Angra sensed something special:
It… seems to have a further release!
Not just shinigami—he, an Arrancar, may also qualify to unseal it.
What would its Bankai be like?
Angra was curious: if the Shikai is terrifying, what of the Bankai?
Realization is one thing—mastering a Bankai may take years.
Like Yoshio teaching Renji and Hinamori—even with the "Strict Teacher Produces Outstanding Students" buff, years later they only achieved materialization; Bankai is still far off.
Let alone him—a hollow.
He felt his tactile sense of Enrakyōten's materialization was only superficial; because it's so special, he hasn't even "synced" or "conversed" with it.
Cradling Enrakyōten, Angra sat on the ruins and picked up a book—another hobby. When time permits, he reads Tsunayashiro's ancient texts.
These prized volumes hide many secrets, even ancient rites and spells.
Before the Kido Corps, shinigami couldn't use Kido—or rather, Kido wasn't so easy.
The Corps' vital work was "making Kido easier to use."
Meaning, there are many extremely complex Kido beyond the current simplified forms.
For example, the Grand Master of Hadō's "time stop" and "space transfer"—not only forbidden arts, but beyond ordinary shinigami.
Likewise, outside the Corps—or before it—would Soul Society not develop Kido?
Of course they did. The Tsunayashiro records contain many complex Kido not yet simplified.
Even hidden Hadō used only by Ichibe Hyōsube.
Yoshio isn't keen on learning those Kido per se; he wants their research methods and structures, to aid his growth.
The Tsunayashiro collection is a treasure house.
For example… he's trying to modify Kido.
Thanks to Spirit Split and spiritual fusion, Yoshio split into Angra Mainyu and Baelz.
The main goal is to let them cozy up to people Yoshio's identity can't reach—
Like Kisuke Urahara, like Wandenreich Quincies…
Standing on opposing sides, he can't earn favor; only his clones—unrelated to him on the surface—can stand alongside and gain favor.
Favorability isn't shared while split—A can't use B and C's Souls Abilities.
But once B and C reintegrate into A, A can use them!
That is, after re-fusing, he can use the Souls Abilities gained during the split.
After research, Yoshio was dissatisfied with simple fusion.
Reintegrating Angra and Baelz would massively boost mental power—especially Angra, who absorbed many fragments—the benefits wouldn't vanish.
Dividing into three means three train at once: three different opportunities.
Fusion interweaves and expands their mental power—like Starrk and Lilynette's Resurrección.
But Yoshio wants more than simple addition.
If we split, then only add back together—how boring.
Over years absorbing scientists' knowledge and Tsunayashiro lore, he had an idea:
Combine science and Kido to design a ritual so that when fusing, their powers don't just add—they multiply—becoming overwhelmingly strong!
Then Yoshio could reach godhood.
Honestly, to surpass shinigami alone, step-by-step, he could eventually—he has Renji's "Star Chaser." In front of him, there's no "shinigami limit"—he can grow infinitely.
But surpassing shinigami isn't enough; Yhwach won't be solved by that alone.
And the story doesn't end with Yhwach—Hell awaits after!
So he should push as far as he can!
He plans to use the shinigami, hollow, and Quincy traits respectively contained in Yoshio, Angra, and Baelz to break soul boundaries and orchestrate a more complex soul reconstruction upon fusion—upgrading himself.
Breaking limits and soul reconstruction differ; Visoreds and Arrancars break boundaries, but only Aizen's soul was reconstructed.
Breaking limits gives a shinigami soul hollow traits or vice versa—still essentially one or the other.
Reconstruction is fundamental change—an "elevation" into someone unlike your past self.
Like Aizen—though defeated by Ichigo's Mugetsu and sealed by Urahara's bindings as power waned—once restored, he's stronger than after a year-plus in Muken and the battle.
Because Aizen's soul was restructured—once you have a high-tier transcendent soul, regaining greater power is easy.
Aizen's initial restructure began after an extreme battle, when his shinigami soul was pushed to the limit and fused with two Hōgyoku fragments (Urahara's and his own).
Yoshio's planned reconstruction will be more complex—Aizen used only shinigami and hollow.
Yoshio is cooperating with Quincy, seeking an even greater reconstruction!
That's why he sought every scientist's knowledge and Tsunayashiro lore to achieve it.
Aizen fused his own scientific magnum opus with Urahara's; we mustn't underestimate these scientists' crystallizations—Kurotsuchi Mayuri proves it.
Mayuri's magnum opus is Nemu—directly causing the Soul King's left arm to sever!
In short, these top-tier tech crystals rival the Soul King's body parts in value.
So Yoshio has much to do.
His ritual idea is preliminary; the key is "balance" during fusion.
Shinigami, hollow, Quincy soul strengths must match; reiatsu must be equal—no side can dominate or the reconstruction may collapse.
Currently, regardless of Souls Abilities, Angra is the strongest.
Yoshio is weaker but still captain-class.
Baelz is too weak.
Hence Yoshio needs Soul King fragments—to boost Baelz enough for Sternritter.
After Yhwach's free buffing, even if he can't surpass Angra, he should rival Yoshio.
As the main body, Yoshio must study techniques and prepare the Kido ritual.
That's clones for you: the main body designs Kido and learns; clones handle the messy resource integration.
For Enrakyōten, Yoshio feels its Bankai may be crucial—this Zanpakuto might be very important.
But first, the trio's strengths must balance.
Soul King fragments are high-end—strong reiatsu, rich abilities, high essence, strong endurance. Even now, Angra has digested only nine-tenths of prior fragment power.
Battle best digests power; he's nearly exhausted Tenshintai, with a final tenth left.
Yoshio shook his head—before Angra enters Wandenreich, he must prepare the fragments to send in.
Ginjō Kūgo, hurry up.
…
The next day, Yoshio didn't go to Fifth Division but to Thirteenth.
Central 46 had approved Ukitake's proposal to make Ginjō Kūgo the Substitute Shinigami, and Ginjō was coming to the Seireitei to receive his Substitute Shinigami Badge.
In reality, the badge is useless—purely developed by the Seireitei to monitor the Substitute's movements, analyze and suppress their reiatsu.
The manga says the idea was Ukitake's—wolf in sheep's clothing; no wonder his favor never passed 80 for so long.
These old fogeys…
Should've been cleared out long ago.
Yoshio's main purpose at Thirteenth was to see Ginjō Kūgo's Souls Ability.
Most Fullbringers' soul ability reads as "Soul King Fragment" because their personalities are masked by fragments.
But a central character like Ginjō should have his own Souls Ability.
"Lieutenant Yoshio?"
On his way, Yoshio also saw Rukia.
Rukia usually doesn't live in the squad barracks; as a non-seated officer, she has no assigned quarters.
As a young lady of the Kuchiki family, she wouldn't live in a group dorm.
She craves a sense of "home," so she often returns to the Kuchiki estate.
She rushes from there each morning after a quick breakfast.
Since Yoshio rose early, they happened to take the same road.
"Rukia, long time no see. Has that kid bullied you?" Yoshio asked.
"Ah…" Rukia blinked. "How could he? Lieutenant Hitsugaya is very nice."
"Good. If he bullies you, tell me—I'll teach him a lesson!"
Yoshio had permanently gained Rukia's Souls Ability "Stars," but his gaze now was solemn.
Rukia grew flustered. "Lieutenant Yoshio…? Is there something on my head?"
She touched her hair—nothing.
Yoshio came back to himself and smiled. "Yes—your info text."
Rukia's mouth twitched. What's that supposed to mean?
He retracted his gaze.
He hadn't expected the first Souls Ability change not to be Renji or Hinamori but… Rukia!
Her ability was "Stars" and still is—but above "Stars" appeared a new line:
"Dual-Self: Upon activation, can generate another self and can fuse with the other self.
"Note 1: The generated self is not subordinate, not a clone, but an independent being intimately linked to the original.
"Note 2: Generation is random.
"Note 3: Before 'Stars' disappears, 'Dual-Self' requires 100 favorability to obtain; after 'Stars' disappears, 'Dual-Self' requires 90 to obtain. At 80, it can be used once temporarily."
This is the first time Yoshio has seen a Souls Ability with three entries!
And this ability… odd.
Has Rukia sensed Dark Rukia's existence? Indeed, Dark Rukia's presence has altered Rukia's Souls Ability!
Considering it, he's impacted Rukia most—more than Hitsugaya, Hinamori, or Renji.
Hence, Rukia's Souls Ability changes earlier.
And…
Stars will vanish.
Only after Stars disappears can he get this ability.
While it's possible to raise favor to 100 before Stars vanishes, Yoshio dismissed that.
Come on—100?
Wouldn't Rukia's favor explode the meter?
Did Rukia and Renji hit 100 at marriage in the original?
So the 100 makes him ignore that option. 90 is hard but possible.
Like his students—normally in the 91 range—now at 90.
Above 90, it fluctuates—sometimes drops.
No matter; permanently obtained abilities don't vanish, even if they become enemies and favor drops to zero or negative!
Frankly, Yoshio isn't interested in Rukia's new ability.
Why split off another self that isn't "his"?
He's not crazy.
Yoshio acts openly—no need for stand-ins. Why make another himself?
Worst, the other self is independent; he can't intervene in creation.
If the generated self is trash?
If it relates to parallel worlds, even worse.
If countless parallel universes exist, in the vast majority he's likely just a supporting character on this timeline—
So… never mind!
Go see Ginjō Kūgo.
Rukia felt Yoshio was acting odd, but didn't dwell on it, and they headed to Thirteenth Division together.
Upon arrival, Rukia went to the regular members' area; Yoshio to the office.
He didn't go to Hitsugaya's lieutenant office, but to Ukitake's captain office.
"Yoshio-san, you're early?"
He and Hitsugaya had arranged yesterday that he'd come today, so Ukitake wasn't surprised.
"Yeah," Yoshio smiled. "Heard the Substitute Shinigami's coming; I'll take a look. I've never seen him."
Yoshio was also surprised to sense fluctuations in Ukitake's power—like when he first saw Renji: a new Souls Ability hadn't appeared yet, but clearly Ukitake's might change.
That won't do!
He hasn't permanently obtained Ukitake's Souls Ability yet!
You can't just change like this!
He rapidly considered why—and then thought…
Is it because Jūshirō Ukitake is retiring?
This diverges much from the original…
Hitsugaya becoming Thirteenth captain isn't a big change; a captain is a captain.
But Ukitake stepping down from captain—now that's significant!
And his favorability isn't 80 yet!
If it all changes at once, won't he forever lose the chance to obtain Ukitake's current Souls Ability?!