Bleach: I Love Making Friends

Thus, there's always been debate about when exactly the Hōgyoku was implanted in Rukia Kuchiki's body.

And from the looks of it now, the second theory is true.

Kisuke Urahara had placed the Hōgyoku inside Rukia Kuchiki's body much earlier.

If Rukia is over 110 years old, then there's even a possibility it was implanted while she was still alive in the Human World.

In any case, White likely sensed the Hōgyoku in Rukia's body, which prompted it to choose her for the "transfer" and "fusion."

Haruki glanced at Aizen.

What would Aizen do about this?

"That's the Hōgyoku created by Urahara Kisuke, correct?" Haruki asked. "Are you planning to extract it?"

Aizen looked at Haruki and calmly shook his head.

"Don't be in such a rush, Haruki."

He gazed at Rukia's image on the monitor and spoke softly, "Aren't you curious about what might happen when 'White' meets the Hōgyoku?"

"Urahara Kisuke sure is bold, placing the Hōgyoku right under your nose, here in the Soul Society."

"In a way, you could call it hiding in plain sight."

Because Kisuke was exiled to the Human World, everyone would be searching for him and the Hōgyoku out there. Who would have thought he'd leave something that important back in the Soul Society, out of his direct line of sight?

Even if he still had informants in the Seireitei, most of them would be located around the West Rukongai districts. Yet Rukia had spent most of her life in the South Rukongai—far removed from where Urahara's usual contacts might be. Under normal circumstances, no one would suspect Kisuke of making such a move.

"What about 'White'?" Haruki asked softly. "Has it done all it can for Rukia Kuchiki, and that's the end of it?"

He was a bit worried. Without White, who would bring Isshin Shiba and Masaki Kurosaki together? Ichigo Kurosaki still needed to be born. Haruki had no desire to take on the role of saving the world himself.

Bleach differs from many other worlds in that its protagonist isn't strictly necessary to kick off major storylines. Even if Ichigo never appeared:

Aizen would still execute his plan to extract the Hōgyoku by sentencing Rukia to death.

After obtaining the Hōgyoku, Aizen would still wage war on the Soul Society.

Yhwach would continue to grow in the Wandenreich.

The Thousand-Year Blood War would still erupt.

But…

Without Ichigo, Aizen and Yhwach's plans would likely succeed, and the Soul Society would fall. Haruki had zero interest in taking their place as its savior. He'd much rather live unburdened.

To his question, Aizen merely frowned. Truth be told, he had only just begun his research on White. It was the first Hollow created from a Shinigami's soul, containing numerous angles worth studying.

But that frown soon relaxed.

"I'll just create another one."

He paused and then added,

"After all… it's disposable."

Given the data Aizen already possessed, he was confident he could recreate "White," even without the powerful "nourishment" Haruki had initially provided. It was merely a matter of time.

Seeing Aizen's confidence, Haruki nodded in agreement. With Aizen's capabilities, it wasn't impossible to make another White.

"Still, I don't think the Seireitei will be very peaceful after all this," Haruki remarked.

"It's just a small matter," Aizen replied casually. "For the time being, keep an eye on Rukia Kuchiki."

"Understood."

Haruki stayed in the lab a while longer before returning home.

...

The next day, he didn't go to Squad Five but headed straight to Squad Four instead. Upon arriving, he went to Jūshirō Ukitake's hospital room and found Kyōraku Shunsui there as well.

When Haruki walked in, Ukitake coughed twice and said, "Thank you so much, Haruki-kun. If it weren't for you, I, Lieutenant Shiba, and Rukia Kuchiki would all have been killed by that Hollow."

Kyōraku also turned to Haruki. "I didn't expect things to get so dangerous last night. We owe it all to you, Haruki."

I don't buy it—though at least Ukitake's favorability jumped to 66, Haruki thought. Meanwhile, Shunsui went from 50 to 55. What an old fox.

Still, any increase is a step forward. Eventually, he'd break through that shell and push favorability to 80.

Haruki spoke a bit sheepishly, "It was mainly thanks to Captain Ukitake and Lieutenant Shiba. They drained that Hollow of most of its energy and spiritual pressure. Otherwise, it wouldn't have fled so quickly."

"Unfortunately, I'm still too weak. I couldn't finish it off."

"Don't say that," Ukitake replied. "I've heard from Kaien: you saved both him and Rukia with your healing."

"Speaking of Lieutenant Shiba, Captain Unohana's Fourth Seat told me he's already discharged?"

"Yes…" Ukitake murmured. "He asked me for permission to go to Hueco Mundo. He wants to search for that strange Hollow."

"…"

Haruki fell silent. A Shinigami heading to Hueco Mundo was unimaginably dangerous.

"And you granted it?"

"I… can't refuse," Ukitake said softly. "I understand how he feels. So…"

"I'll propose this to the Head Captain."

"I'm not particularly close with Lieutenant Shiba," Haruki said, "but we did fight side by side. If his mission gets approved, please let me know before he departs. I'd like to see him off."

"Certainly," Ukitake agreed.

With that, Haruki added, "All right, Captain Ukitake, I'll let you rest. I'm going to check on Rukia."

"Yes, go ahead."

After stepping out, Haruki suddenly saw Byakuya Kuchiki emerging from Rukia's room. Byakuya spotted Haruki as well. Though his face remained cold, Haruki could see that Byakuya's favorability toward him…

Had already reached 72!

...

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