Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

Urahara Kisuke's proposal was not made on a whim.

In truth, the moment he retrieved the Hōgyoku, his mind had already settled on a more concrete conclusion.

"Aizen Sōsuke may have left, but judging by his confident demeanor, he must have more plans in place…"

"I suspect he has already set up his next move, though he has yet to act on it. Traveling with us will undoubtedly be dangerous."

"For your own safety, Seiya, it's best if you leave now."

Raising a question is easy, but finding a solution with real value takes thought.

And Urahara had clearly considered everything carefully.

"Seiya, once you leave here, go to the Second Division."

In just a few moments of contemplation, he had already formulated a solution and developed a further plan.

"Even if Aizen wants to eliminate you, Yoruichi's domain should be safe."

"That's a place Aizen can't reach for now. With the protection of nobility, he won't be able to make a move in the open."

"After that… withdraw from the Fifth Division and seek refuge with Yoruichi. Given her abilities, she can definitely protect you."

Given the current situation, Urahara's reasoning was nearly flawless.

Even in the original events, despite Yoruichi's defection, the Shihōin Clan remained a formidable force, never falling from its noble standing.

Its accumulated influence, power, and network of connections were not to be underestimated.

However, despite all his calculations, Urahara could never have anticipated the true nature of Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu…

A single miscalculation, and the entire game would be lost.

After all, at this stage, both sides were operating with asymmetric information, making it inevitable for this side to fall into disadvantage.

Seiya raised a hand, pressing lightly against the barely healed wound on his torso.

His lips, still pale from blood loss, trembled slightly as he whispered,

"Then… what about you, Captain Urahara?"

Tessai and Urahara exchanged glances, their expressions subtly shifting.

There was no doubt about it—whether they wanted to expose Aizen or warn others, now was the perfect time.

By tomorrow, the traitors might have already fled.

Yet, just as the two had said before, their priority had never wavered.

Saving lives came first.

After a brief moment of silence, Tessai finally spoke.

"I need to maintain the barrier's stability. I can't afford to let my guard down, so I won't be leaving."

Urahara, gripping the Hōgyoku tightly, replied in a calm voice.

"Same here… but Seiya, your situation is unique, so you don't need to stay here with us."

There was no doubt—if he wanted to cut ties and escape responsibility, now was the time.

But at this point, retreat was no longer an option.

If he were going to leave, why endure this injury? Wouldn't that make this stab wound pointless?

Seiya pressed his lips together, lowering his gaze as he shook his head slightly.

He wasn't going anywhere. Even if they tried to force him, he wouldn't budge.

Seeing how resolute he was, neither Urahara nor Tessai said anything more.

"Then let's begin treating them immediately, Captain Urahara."

"…Yeah."

With a soft murmur, Urahara clenched his fist.

A brilliant blue-white glow flickered within the lab, pulsing… until it fully ignited.

Seiya watched everything unfold, his expression subtly shifting.

This was—

The power of the Hōgyoku.

Though Aizen had never hidden the Hōgyoku from him, and Seiya had encountered it several times, seeing it now…

'These two are completely different.'

Having experienced both, the contrast was glaringly obvious to Seiya.

Perhaps it was due to the difference in materials used in their creation.

Aizen's version had been cultivated using the souls of Shinigami, nurtured into an extraordinary entity.

Urahara's, however, had been forged by extracting and refining the souls of Hollows.

The light rippled like waves, expanding outward, enveloping everything and everyone within its reach.

As the cool glow washed over him, Seiya's expression grew contemplative.

—He felt nothing.

Meanwhile—

Tessai had already lifted the time-freezing Kidō. Yet, even with that restriction removed, the progression of Hollowfication among the afflicted had ceased.

"It's working… It's really working!"

The mighty Grand Kidō Chief, at this moment, lost all composure, reacting with childlike excitement.

The reason was clear—what had just occurred was beyond his comprehension.

However—

While the situation had been stabilized, it was still too early to relax.

Urahara maintained his position, his gaze locked onto Shinji Hirako, who lay closest to him.

"It's not enough…"

Like trying to seal a leaking barrel—

Patching the holes was only a temporary measure. If they wanted to halt the process entirely…

They needed a permanent fix.

But how?

Truthfully, even Urahara wasn't sure.

But since the Hōgyoku had been constructed using Hollow souls, it should theoretically be able to resolve Hollowfication as well.

Like tides surging in waves—

Energy swept across the room, cascading outward in rippling pulses.

At the center of it all, Urahara furrowed his brows, his expression growing heavier with each passing second.

For now, one thing had become painfully clear—

Sealing the Hōgyoku had never been the right decision.

Avoidance out of fear had been an act of weakness.

If he had acknowledged the truth earlier and learned to harness the Hōgyoku's power—

He wouldn't be in such a desperate position now.

I was too hesitant. I lacked foresight…

Indecisive, wavering…

Yoruichi… what you said was right.

A person can never truly escape their responsibilities. Even if they try to run, they will eventually have to face the weight of their choices.

Neglect leads to decay.

Abandonment breeds ruin.

Since he was the one who created this, it was his duty to understand, analyze, and master it.

Hōgyoku…

I was late in realizing it, but now… I need your power.

Help me remove this affliction that torments them all.

——That's impossible.

Seiya observed everything, taking in Urahara's every expression.

Although he couldn't hear Urahara's inner thoughts, it wasn't difficult to guess his struggle.

Hollowfication.

Though Urahara had been the first to uncover its existence, he had never fully delved into it—perhaps due to his personal ethics, interests, or worldview.

On this subject, Aizen's research had been far more systematic.

Seiya even recalled a moment in the lab when Aizen had smirked at him and said:

"It's fascinating, isn't it, Seiya? Look at these remains—heaps of results, now laid bare before us."

"Hollowfication, in truth, is a fundamental transformation."

"From the name alone, many would misunderstand its true nature."

"Let me simplify it for you."

"Seiya, what does a person do when they fall ill?"

Diagnosis. Rest.

Allow the body to fight off the illness naturally or assist with medication.

"It's like a kingdom under siege—where the ruler must resist the invaders and drive them out."

"A fitting metaphor, wouldn't you say? After all, most diseases function in this way."

"But Hollowfication is different."

"If I had to describe it… It's a rebellion of the ruling lord."

"Your own body begins to act against your will. No matter how you look at it, isn't that something unthinkable?"

Memories surfaced in fragments, forming a complete picture in Seiya's mind.

Aizen had summarized it perfectly.

Hollowfication altered the very structure of the soul.

Once tainted, even if cut away or mended, it could never return to its original state.

And at this moment—

The self-aware entity, as if responding to Urahara's plea, surged forth with an even greater force.

Even though the energy was invisible, its sheer intensity stirred violent winds…

Forcing Seiya to narrow his eyes.

It was almost laughable—

Something with such overwhelming power actually existed.

So…

Should he make his move?

From the moment he had chosen to side with Urahara—

Seiya had already formulated two contingency plans.

And the first—

Was to strike at the right moment—

And seize the Hōgyoku.

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Powerstones?

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