"Hmm? You can see me?"
Seeing Shin staring at her and sizing her up, the woman asked.
Only upon hearing the question did Shin realize that the woman's figure was much more ethereal than that of a normal person.
"Who are you?"
"Urozakuro."
Hearing that name, Shin understood immediately.
Urozakuro was the Zanpakutō of the Eighth Kenpachi, Azashiro Sōya, and that guy was currently locked up in Muken.
Another internal conflict powerhouse.
"Shin, you truly surprise me. I noticed you during your battle with Aizen before, but I never expected you to be able to see me now."
Regarding this, Shin guessed it was because his ability to manipulate Reishi for combat and healing had further enhanced his perception of Reishi.
"You know me?" Shin displayed a talent for acting.
Urozakuro said, "Of course. My master's Bankai ability is to merge his own Reishi with the Reishi inside other things, achieving the goal of manipulation."
"He has already merged with Seireitei, and nothing that happens within Seireitei can escape his notice."
"Master? So you are a Zanpakutō?"
"That's right."
"Is it really alright for you to be so candid?"
Urozakuro covered her mouth and laughed. "Hahaha, I just wanted to be completely open with you."
As expected of a mature onee-san type.
"Does your master know you're doing this?"
"Of course, he knows. He's listening in right now."
Shin was speechless.
What kind of situation was this?
"Who is your master? Why doesn't he come out and talk to me directly?"
"My master is named Azashiro Sōya. Right now, he's locked up in Muken, and because his abilities are suppressed, he can only perceive things, he can't manifest physically yet." Urozakuro answered every question posed to her.
"So why are you paying so much attention to me?"
"Because you are strong, of course."
As she spoke, Urozakuro poked Shin's chest with her index finger.
"My master knows about the Hueco Mundo subjugation force this time, and he's very interested."
Shin's expression remained unchanged. Showing weakness in front of a woman like this would only lead to more intense teasing.
"Oh? As far as I know, Muken holds only the most heinous criminals, right? Why would your master be interested in subjugating Hueco Mundo?"
Seeing Shin's lack of reaction, Urozakuro restrained herself slightly. "That doesn't conflict at all, does it? If possible, you could go to Muken yourself and have a chat with my master."
Muken? Maybe he really should go and take a look.
"Alright, I understand. Goodbye."
Shin prepared to leave after speaking.
Urozakuro felt Shin was too calm, as if he didn't care about their abilities at all.
"Wait! I haven't spoken to anyone else in over a century. Can't you stay and talk with me a little longer?"
Shin turned back to look at Urozakuro. "I thought we were finished talking. What? Do you want to come home with me and chat?"
"Hehe, that's not impossible, although things are moving a little fast." Urozakuro covered her mouth with her long sleeve, feigning shyness.
"Forget it." Shin turned and walked away.
"Oh, come on, I was just joking. I can tell you more information about my master."
Urozakuro chased after Shin... to the Shihoin Manor.
Urozakuro actually followed Shin all the way to his room. Shin had no choice but to humor her and chat.
Urozakuro spilled everything about Sōya, including his former identity and why he was imprisoned in Muken. However, she still concealed some of the most crucial information.
Shin said, "Your master must be very pleased to have a Zanpakutō like you, right?"
"Hehehe, well, causing trouble for my master happens to be my hobby." Urozakuro didn't mind Shin's sarcasm.
"Bye-bye. I had a great chat tonight."
"Goodbye."
After bidding farewell to Urozakuro, the room finally quieted down.
After some thought, Shin decided to go and talk to Sōya tonight.
Originally, he hadn't included Sōya in his plans, but now that Urozakuro had appeared, it might be an opportunity.
He couldn't stay in Soul Society for more than a few days this time, and there was no telling when he would return next. If he could recruit Sōya, the man might become a great asset.
Deciding to act immediately, Shin retrieved a black cloak from his Yogasa. This item, which could completely conceal both Reiryoku and physical form, was an excellent tool for travel, home use, and assassination.
Dressed in the black cloak, Shin headed straight for the lowest level of the Central Great Underground Prison beneath the First Division barracks—Muken.
Muken was pitch black, visibility was zero, and the boundless darkness seemed capable of swallowing everything.
Shin ignited a cluster of flames in his palm, the faint light appearing exceptionally dazzling in this place.
"You've come?"
Sōya had his black hair tied back in a ponytail, with two long bangs parted down the middle, and he was still wearing a Captain's haori.
Shin glanced at him. Sōya was not trussed up like Aizen was in the original storyline. Relatively speaking, he had a good deal of freedom.
"I hear you are quite interested in this Hueco Mundo subjugation?" Shin got straight to the point.
Sōya said, "Compared to subjugating Hueco Mundo, I am more interested in eliminating all Hollows."
"Oh? Why eliminate all Hollows? I believe Azashiro-san must know that this would disrupt the balance of the three worlds."
"Eliminating Hollows is the duty of us Shinigami." Sōya's expression was calm.
Shin smiled as he looked at Sōya. "Then is maintaining the stability of the three worlds not the duty of a Shinigami?"
"Azashiro-san, your reasoning is not very convincing."
"I know a Shinigami who guarded the Forest of Menos for centuries alone..." Shin slowly recounted Ashido's story.
"Compared to him, I believe Azashiro-san's actions and attitude seem more rooted in hatred toward Hollows."
Hearing the word "hatred," Sōya finally lost his composure, and a flicker of emotion crossed his face.
"Why would you think that?"
"Just a hunch."
"Putting that aside for now, Azashiro-san, do you think your methods are viable?"
Whether it was Sōya's previous plan to transform Rukongai residents into weapons of war to subjugate Hueco Mundo, or his later plan in the original timeline to first purify all Hollows and then turn humans into imbeciles to prevent the birth of new Hollows.
To Shin, all these approaches seemed strange and extreme.
It was akin to saying: to achieve world peace, one must destroy the world and eliminate all humans.
Sōya said, "My previous methods were indeed unfeasible, so I am currently seeking alternative approaches."
Shin shook his head. "In my opinion, Hollows are not the root of the problem. Your attitude toward Hollows is far too extreme."
"Extreme? Hollows deserve to die. You don't understand at all!"
Sōya was likely recalling past memories, and his face showed pain mixed with a hint of madness.