Squad 2 barracks, inside the remote "research lab."
Kisuke Urahara scrambled to sweep a pile of parts and blueprints off the only table that was still in good shape. He messily wiped the tabletop with his sleeve.
Then, from some unknown corner, he pulled out a teapot and two cups that looked fairly clean. With a flattering smile, he pushed a cup of steaming "tea" in front of Mirai.
It was no wonder he acted like such a sycophant. The "research" he was working on now was nowhere near the stage where it could make a profit.
Doing scientific research was undoubtedly a bottomless pit that swallowed money. In his eyes, the Mirai in front of him was his most important potential" investor."
Although this investor currently looked even poorer than he was, Urahara firmly believed this was only temporary. After all...
He was currently the most famous person in the Seireitei, known as the "Soul Society's Most Beautiful Noble."
If nothing else worked, with that face and vibe, wouldn't finding a top-tier rich woman to "marry into a wealthy family" take just a minute?
Hmm... doesn't our Squad 2 just happen to have a super rich woman who meets all those conditions?
Thinking of this, the smile on his face became even more devoted. "Mirai, it is a great honor to have you here. Do you have any instructions this time?"
Mirai picked up the cup and took a sip. It didn't taste like tea. Instead, it was a slightly sharp.
He put down the cup and got straight to the point. "The machine you made is a good idea, but I'm afraid it's a waste of effort."
He pointed to the "iron barrel" covered by a black cloth in the corner. "Whether in Squad 2 or Squad 9, creating a 'spirit particle vacuum' is like lighting a fire at night. It will become very obvious."
"This... I really didn't think it through," Kisuke Urahara scratched his messy, nest-like hair, looking a bit helpless.
"But if we want to hide spiritual power perfectly without blocking it off completely, it's very hard. Soul Society is made of spirit particles. Once you block them, a 'hole' is bound to appear."
Mirai naturally understood this logic as well. "So, we have to change our thinking. We need to find a place that is already remote and boring, where no one ever looks. Then we set up the spiritual power blocking device there."
"For example... an abandoned cave. The place is remote, so the chance of being discovered is much lower."
As he spoke, he was thinking of the fully functional secret base that Yoruichi and Urahara would build under Sōkyoku Hill in the future.
But looking at the current situation, the relationship between Yoruichi and Urahara didn't seem close. They didn't act like childhood friends at all.
"Did my appearance as a 'variable' cause them to not meet during their childhood?"
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Urahara with a gaze full of pity and a slight sense of responsibility.
"Oh! So that's how it is! My mind is open now!" Kisuke Urahara clapped his hands as if he had just realized something, though he felt a bit creeped out by Mirai's pitying look.
But he was immediately fired up by the new idea!
If he could really set up an independent and hidden secret base, wouldn't that mean he could escape all the rules of Squad 2? He could do all kinds of "interesting" research inside as he pleased.
"Wait a moment!" He turned around excitedly and dug through a pile of junk. "Oh! Found it, found it!"
Bang!
He spread a huge piece of paper out on the table.
Mirai looked closely. This was actually an extremely detailed map of the Seireitei and the surrounding Rukongai areas!
Even many small paths and the shape of the land were marked very clearly.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Urahara in a meaningful way.
Why do you have such a detailed map? Are you drawing a route for a rebellion?
Urahara felt nervous under his gaze and quickly explained with an awkward laugh.
"Ha, haha... This is just a rough map of the Seireitei. The surrounding area only includes the Rukongai districts with low numbers. It's very common, very common..."
He quickly pointed to several spots on the map to change the subject.
"If we are choosing a place, I think District 62, 'Hanagare,' is good. There are many mountains, the terrain is complex, and the security is neither good nor bad. It won't attract attention."
"We just need to find a natural cave and expand it. Also, it's quite close to the North Gate of the Seireitei."
His finger moved again toward the South Gate of the Seireitei.
"Of course, the environment around District 3, 'Koifushi,' is better and safer. But occasionally, Shinigami or residents go there for fun, so the risk of being exposed is higher."
Mirai listened seriously. To be honest, when he appeared in Soul Society, he was right next to District 1. Before he could react, he was taken away by a teacher from the Shin'ō Academy.
He had lived here for 30 years, but he was really not familiar with the areas around the Seireitei.
Just then—
"I will tell you both a good place~"
A hand with long fingers suddenly reached out from the side and pointed at the map.
Sōkyoku Hill!
"Deep underground here, there is a large natural cave. There is enough space, and it's perfect for turning into a secret base."
"Oh?! There's such a good place?!" Kisuke Urahara's eyes lit up, and he began to analyze the idea excitedly.
"Sōkyoku Hill! There is nothing there except the execution platform. Usually, even patrolling Shinigami subconsciously ignore it. It's the perfect hiding spot! The safety level is extremely high!"
He looked up excitedly to see who had given them the advice. Instead, he found himself staring into a pair of smiling golden eyes.
"Uh?!" Urahara froze instantly.
The Captain of Squad 2, Yoruichi Shihōin, was standing next to Mirai at some point. She was the one who said those words!
Mirai was also startled. Anyone would have their heart stop if an extra person suddenly appeared while they were focused on discussing a "secret plan!"
His instinct was to reach for the Zanpakutō at his waist. Luckily, he suppressed the urge at the last second and kept a blank expression on the outside.
He cleared his throat and forced himself to stay calm.
"Um... I think Yoruichi's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Let's set it underground at Sōkyoku Hill."
Yoruichi smiled with satisfaction. She pulled over a chair and sat down, crossing her legs.
"However~ since we are building something deep underground and want to ensure it's hidden and functional, the amount of work won't be small."
She turned her head and looked at Mirai with a smile. She said something terrifying in a relaxed tone.
"If your new book doesn't sell more than 100,000 copies, I'm afraid the budget will be very tight~"
Mirai was not surprised by this.
The Ōmaeda family is a noble family under the Shihōin family. The current Lieutenant is from the Ōmaeda family. It was perfectly normal for Yoruichi to know he had finished the book deal.
He did not let Yoruichi change his pace. Instead, he spoke calmly.
"Since this is 'our' secret base, shouldn't everyone contribute some effort?"