There was no denying it—Urahara's gaze carried a weight few could bear.
Even just locking eyes with him, Shimo could feel a pressure like a bottomless abyss.
He had only ever sensed something once before: from Aizen Sōsuke.
Of course, he didn't mean in terms of raw power—but that same suffocating sense of depth.
"I'm here to save someone."
Shimo's tone was firm, his words carrying no hesitation.
Urahara raised an eyebrow and casually filled Shimo's teacup from the kettle.
"Saving someone? Shouldn't you be going to Fourth Division for that?"
"I'm not exactly a medical expert, you know."
Shimo nodded and clarified, "More precisely, I'm trying to save a Plus on the brink of disappearance."
Urahara cradled his own teacup in both hands, waiting for more.
"Her name is Kuchiki Hisana—wife of Kuchiki Byakuya, head of the current Kuchiki Clan."
At that, Urahara's eyes flashed with surprise.
"Due to chronic illness and exhaustion, she's now at the very edge of fading away," Shimo continued.
"Even the captain of Fourth Division has no way to save her."
He gave a brief rundown of Hisana's condition and then waited for Urahara's response.
After a long silence, Urahara took off his bucket hat and fell into thought.
Eventually, he spoke.
"And what exactly do I gain from helping you?"
Clearly expecting this question, Shimo answered without delay:
"An alliance between the Kuchiki and Kyōraku families—
—and classified intelligence on Aizen Sōsuke."
At those words, a faint smile returned to Urahara's lips.
"Well, with an offer that sincere, it'd be rude to turn you down."
The first part of the deal—political support—was something Urahara could take or leave.
But information on Aizen? That he could not ignore.
From Shimo's tone and demeanor, Urahara was certain this young man knew things others didn't.
And since he sensed no hostility from Shimo, he made a decision.
"You've made the right choice, Urahara-san."
Shimo lifted his teacup and took a sip—only to immediately grimace.
The taste was… odd. Like it had been sealed away for years.
Then he remembered the eccentricities of Tessai Tsukabishi, former Kidō Chief, and gingerly set the cup back down.
Better not drink any more of that.
"I can give you some of the information on Aizen up front," Shimo said. "In return, I hope you'll commit to doing everything you can to save her."
He trusted Urahara's sense of integrity.
"So, Urahara-san—how much do you really know about Aizen's Zanpakutō?"
That question brought a strange look to Urahara's face.
"He's never exactly hidden it," he said. "Most Shinigami know what it does."
"It's a water-type Zanpakutō. It manipulates light and reflection through mist and flowing water to confuse enemies—even turn them against each other."
"That's only a facade."
"Kyōka Suigetsu's true ability… is complete hypnosis."
Urahara's fingers tightened around his teacup.
"Anyone who witnesses its Shikai falls under total sensory domination," Shimo said, his voice heavy.
"What you see… what you hear… everything becomes Aizen's to control."
Urahara remained silent, but his grip betrayed his unrest.
"Kyōka Suigetsu," Shimo continued, "is perhaps the most powerful illusion-type Zanpakutō in existence. Anyone who sees its release—"
"—falls fully under its sway."
"That's why Aizen made a public display of his Shikai in front of the Gotei 13 all those years ago."
Urahara lowered his head, staring into the swirling tea in his cup, his thoughts as disturbed as the ripples.
It took a long time before he spoke again, voice calm but grave:
"…And how exactly do you know all this?"
"Aizen would never share that kind of secret."
"Everyone has their secrets, Urahara-san."
"I have mine… just like you have yours."
Urahara chuckled softly and shook his head.
"What secrets could I possibly have? I'm just a humble exile."
Shimo tapped the table gently and leaned in slightly, whispering:
Urahara said nothing.
The silence lingered—thick and weighty.
Eventually, Shimo broke it.
"Urahara-san, I trust your judgment."
"I believe you'll come to the right conclusion about whether we should work together."
Urahara looked up and gave a dry smile.
"Seems like you've had this under control the whole time, haven't you?"
Shimo waved his hands quickly in protest.
"Not at all! I've just been leveraging the fact that I know things others don't."
"As for brains? I wouldn't dare compare myself to you."
To Urahara, that sounded like modesty—but his instincts told him every word from Shimo since arriving had been genuine.
And that was why he'd decided to trust him.
"In that case," Urahara said, raising his teacup again.
"Here's to a successful partnership."
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