The Hōgyoku Is placed Within Me

Based on Urahara Kisuke's understanding of Aizen, a man who calculates everything down to the smallest detail and never leaves loose ends, it was impossible for him to overlook such a crucial flaw.

He had hoped that Kuchiki Shinji hadn't fallen under the influence of Kyōka Suigetsu, which could have given them an advantage.

But unfortunately, Aizen had already accounted for this possibility.

Those who have been affected by Kyōka Suigetsu are utterly helpless against Aizen.

Because Kyōka Suigetsu's ability is Complete Hypnosis, it forces its target to believe in the existence, form, weight, texture, and even smell of something as dictated by Aizen's will.

As long as a person has witnessed Kyōka Suigetsu's activation even once, their five senses and spiritual perception can be completely controlled.

This is also why Aizen had falsely claimed that his Zanpakutō was a water-type, capable of using fog and reflections to create illusions.

He frequently demonstrated this ability in front of the Gotei 13 and at the Shin'ō Academy, ensuring that nearly everyone fell under its influence.

Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai had all lost their ability to resist Aizen because of this.

It was foolish to hope otherwise.

Urahara shook his head in disappointment—until Shinji suddenly chuckled and tapped the table.

"But... Kyōka Suigetsu doesn't seem to work on me."

His tone was casual, but the impact of his words was anything but.

For the first time, Urahara Kisuke's expression changed.

Yoruichi immediately leaned forward, grabbing Shinji's wrist.

"What do you mean? You've already been caught under Kyōka Suigetsu—why is it not affecting you?"

"Could it be... you figured out Kyōka Suigetsu's flaw?"

A sudden flash of realization appeared in Urahara's eyes as he asked in disbelief.

"I did notice the flaw, but Kyōka Suigetsu doesn't work on me for another reason."

Shinji shook his head and said lightly,

"I'm someone who's already died once."

What does Kyōka Suigetsu in "Kuchiki Shinji" have to do with this Shinji?

The moment he changed—Kyōka Suigetsu lost its hold on him.

That was why, for years, Shinji had always found excuses to avoid Aizen whenever he visited the Academy.

Because he wasn't sure if his current state, fused with Hōgyoku, could resist Kyōka Suigetsu's effects a second time.

Apparently, Aizen had never even considered this possibility.

To him, Shinji was just another ordinary student who had already been hypnotized. He wasn't a threat.

Aizen must have assumed Shinji was simply avoiding him out of wariness, not because he had broken free.

"...You died once?"

Urahara narrowed his eyes in thought.

"You were attacked by a Menos Grande three years ago and nearly died... Is that it?"

Urahara seemed to be piecing things together, but since he wasn't directly asking, Shinji saw no need to explain further.

Instead, Tessai asked urgently,

"What about the flaw? What is Kyōka Suigetsu's weakness?"

Shinji simply smiled and asked back,

"Before I answer that, shouldn't you tell me why Aizen has been hunting you for so many years?"

Though Shinji already knew about the existence of Hōgyoku, he didn't let it show.

Now was the perfect time to get directly involved with the Hōgyoku in Urahara's possession.

Even though he had already fused with one Hōgyoku, he wasn't sure if it was complete or a defective version.

There could be side effects.

He needed Urahara's Hōgyoku—just in case.

Urahara fell silent for a moment before sighing.

"Since Yoruichi trusts you, there's no reason for me to doubt you."

After exchanging a glance with Yoruichi, who gave a small nod, Urahara reached into his coat and pulled out a transparent crystal box.

Inside, a deep blue-purple gem lay still.

"This... is why Aizen has been searching for me."

He spoke with gravity.

But before Shinji could respond, Hōgyoku suddenly shuddered.

A strange, invisible force spread outward like tendrils, reaching out into the air.

It was displaying an extremely high degree of activity.

And then—

The Hōgyoku struggled against its seal.

It was trying to break free from the box!

Urahara's eyes widened in shock.

"This is... Recognition of the Master!?"

"Impossible!"

In all the years he had possessed Hōgyoku, it had never behaved like this.

Even as its creator, Hōgyoku had never once acknowledged Urahara.

But now—

It was unmistakable.

The Hōgyoku was attempting to recognize someone as its master.

Urahara scanned the room.

The only people present were himself, Yoruichi, Tessai...

And Shinji.

Was it—?

Was the Hōgyoku responding to Kuchiki Shinji?!

But how could that be possible?

This situation was beyond anything Urahara had anticipated.

"...What is this?"

Shinji clutched his chest, frowning.

In that moment, he felt a powerful urge.

An irresistible pull.

The Hōgyoku inside him was calling out.

It wanted to merge with the Hōgyoku in Urahara's hands.

Shinji was suddenly struck by an undeniable feeling—

If he fused with this second Hōgyoku, his evolution would accelerate exponentially.

He would reach a higher fusion state.

It was an instinctual certainty.

"...What terrifying talent and willpower."

Urahara took a deep breath, his shock slowly settling into grim understanding.

"To be recognized by Hōgyoku immediately... Kuchiki Shinji, you really are full of surprises."

Regaining his composure, he placed the sealed box on the table.

"As you can see, this jewel contains a terrifying power that can reshape the world."

"Its name is Hōgyoku."

"The Hōgyoku possesses the ability to break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow. It can help a Shinigami undergo Hollowfication—or allow a Hollow to attain Shinigamification and become an Arrancar."

"Aizen seeks this power to transcend the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow."

"That... is what he desires."

---

So, it's only natural that you, the creator of Hōgyoku, couldn't gain its recognition.

Shinji twitched, resisting the urge to complain.

Hōgyoku isn't just some substance that breaks the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows.

Its true power lies in manifesting a person's deepest desires according to their own subconscious will—but only if they have the strength to achieve that desire.

Since Urahara Kisuke's original purpose in creating Hōgyoku was to break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows, that's the ability it ended up displaying.

This is a huge misunderstanding!

Hōgyoku absorbs and materializes the hearts of those around it and can protect its host from death. When the host reaches their limit or faces a life-threatening situation, Hōgyoku allows them to continuously evolve beyond their current dimension.

So how could Urahara Kisuke, the creator, ever gain Hōgyoku's recognition if he doesn't even understand its true nature?

"Don't be too surprised, Shinji-kun. Even I was intimidated by Hōgyoku at first," Urahara Kisuke said reassuringly, mistaking Shinji's silence for shock at Hōgyoku's display.

Shinji: "..."

Where does this guy get his sense of superiority?

Wasn't he the one actually scared?

"So, can you tell us how to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis?" Urahara Kisuke asked, curious.

"In exchange, how about handing over your Hōgyoku to me?" Shinji revealed his true intention.

"Hōgyoku? You do realize how dangerous it is, right? If mishandled, it could become extremely hazardous," Urahara Kisuke replied, frowning. As its creator, he was unwilling to let anyone else have Hōgyoku.

Hōgyoku was simply too dangerous. Even Hirako Shinji and the others couldn't resist its power and were forcibly Hollowfied, ultimately forced to flee Soul Society.

If it weren't for his intervention, Hirako Shinji and the others wouldn't have survived the Hollowfication process at all.

"Of course, I understand. But I won't do anything reckless," Shinji said sincerely.

Hollowfication?

That's the last thing he needed.

What he wanted was to merge with Hōgyoku to accelerate his evolution.

In a world this dangerous, only by gaining more power could he truly feel secure.

"Then… I agree. But you must not break Hōgyoku's seal, or Aizen will sense its presence," Urahara Kisuke warned before pushing Hōgyoku toward Shinji.

For Urahara Kisuke, having a way to defeat Aizen was more valuable than keeping Hōgyoku.

After securing Hōgyoku, Shinji raised two fingers. "There are two ways to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis."

"Two ways? That many?" Tessai Tsukabishi looked skeptical. Had they really missed these methods for over a hundred years?

"That's right, two." Shinji nodded before explaining, "The first method—if you've already been affected by Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis, you can break it by directly touching Aizen's Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu."

"As for the second method—if you haven't been hypnotized yet, as long as you touch Kyōka Suigetsu before Aizen activates its Complete Hypnosis, the ability will fail to affect you."

"These are the only two known ways to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis."

Understanding flashed across Urahara Kisuke's eyes as he lightly tapped the table. "So that's it. Such a simple method to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis…"

"Sometimes, we just overthink things," Shinji said with a smile.

"Shinji-kun, you're a terrifying man. No wonder Yoruichi acknowledged you as her fiancé," Urahara Kisuke sighed.

In just this short time, Kuchiki Shinji had shocked him over and over again.

He had mastered Bankai as a sixth-year student yet kept it hidden. Hōgyoku recognized him almost instantly.

Without any prior information, he managed to deduce Aizen's existence and even discovered the way to break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis—something that had eluded them for over a century.

This level of ability was beyond mere talent.

It was no surprise that a proud woman like Shihouin Yoruichi would acknowledge him as her fiancé.

Bankai, an exceptional strategic mind, keen intuition, and power with no discernible limit

Even Urahara Kisuke dared not underestimate Shinji anymore.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Shinji chuckled, pleased with securing Hōgyoku.

"But don't get careless, and definitely don't act rashly," Urahara Kisuke warned seriously. "Aizen has other allies—"

"You mean the Third Division Captain, Ichimaru Gin, and the Ninth Division Captain, Tousen Kaname?" Shinji interrupted.

"You brat… you really aren't cute at all," Urahara Kisuke grumbled. Were kids nowadays all this terrifying?

"Who are you calling a brat, you bastard?!" Shihouin Yoruichi squinted at him, cracking her knuckles.

"Hey, we've known each other for a while now. Can't you cut me some slack?"

"If I have to call him a brat, then what does that make me? Should I be calling you 'senior' instead?"

"If you want to call me 'senior,' I wouldn't mind—"

"Are you looking for a beating, you bastard?!"

"Ahhh! Not the face, Yoruichi, please! Go easy on me—I swear I can still be saved!"

"Save what? You're beyond saving!"

"No, seriously! I can still be saved, trust me!"

"Looks like being in cat form for all these years has made you forget, Kisuke…"

"W-Wait… what are you planning? Why are you showing your claws…? Oi! Hold on! NO—!!!"

As Urahara Kisuke let out repeated screams while getting his face clawed, Tessai Tsukabishi—knowing all too well how this would end—shuddered and covered his own face, wisely choosing to remain silent.

Lady Yoruichi, especially when she is in a protective mood... She's truly terrifying…