Chapter 52 : Six Questions

"What in the world is happening here?!"

Under the cover of night, Tōshirō navigated through buildings and communicated with Uchiha Ran via a light projection.

Once might be coincidental, but what about two or three times?

Just moments ago, he had verified that Abarai Renji and Kira Iziru had indeed managed to escape.

This situation is highly unusual.

Uchiha Ran, hailing from a different world, possesses the uncanny ability to foresee events and clearly possesses a deep understanding of his own world.

"As I've said, it's all part of Aizen Sōsuke's scheme!" Uchiha Ran stated with a grin. "Every action is geared towards achieving a specific purpose."

"And what might that purpose be?" Tōshirō demanded.

In response, Uchiha Ran's smile remained, and he chose to remain silent.

Tōshirō's expression turned bitter.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

"If your answer satisfies me, I'll make sure to pass it on," Tōshirō asserted resolutely.

He hadn't forgotten that Uchiha Ran mentioned how Hinamori Momo would shoot him under Aizen's manipulations.

Enough is enough!

"For the Hōgyoku!" Uchiha Ran began.

"The Hōgyoku?" Tōshirō interrupted, seeking clarification. "What's that?"

"Well, it seems you're still quite young," Uchiha Ran teased before proceeding with an explanation. "The Hōgyoku is a sentient object capable of absorbing and manifesting surrounding emotions and thoughts. It safeguards its host's body, making them practically immortal. In times of extreme danger or when the host's abilities reach their limit, the Hōgyoku can trigger an evolution to the next level."

"Aizen orchestrated a grand scheme, possibly hundreds of years ago. Back then, he was the vice-captain of the fifth division. He gathered the power of hundreds of Shinigami souls to seek power beyond the confines of a Shinigami. This was all to obtain the Hōgyoku."

"But Aizen only managed to complete one half, which led him to pursue the other half of the Hōgyoku created by Urahara Kisuke, the former captain of the 12th division."

"Whoa," Tōshirō reacted, taken aback.

He had never anticipated the existence of the Hōgyoku, let alone the lengths Aizen would go to for its creation, not to mention the involvement of Urahara Kisuke.

But Uchiha Ran's account sounded coherent and aligned with the facts he had gathered earlier. It was becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss it.

"What's Hinamori's connection to the Hōgyoku?" Tōshirō wondered.

Uchiha Ran didn't immediately respond but instead stated, "I'll provide that information only if you agree to pass it on."

Tōshirō hesitated momentarily before making up his mind.

The information Uchiha Ran had divulged warranted his trust.

As for the harsh words exchanged earlier…

Ha, those seemed far less significant now.

"Fine, I agree!" Tōshirō stated solemnly.

Uchiha Ran gazed at Haku.

"The Gold List reminds me that I've been chosen as an inheritor."

Haku nodded gently.

In the next instant, a Zanpakutō identical to Tōshirō's appeared in his grasp.

"Can you activate Shikai?" Uchiha Ran inquired.

"I can!"

Haku nodded and then clarified, "However, you can't rely on external techniques. You need to grasp the essence on your own."

"Isn't that quite troublesome?" Uchiha Ran arched an eyebrow before asking, "Is there a shortcut?"

If things proved difficult, he could learn from Tōshirō during their time in the Shinigami world.

"It's also possible through inheritance, provided the inheritor agrees," Haku responded.

"Oh?"

A faint smile curled at the corners of Uchiha Ran's lips.

There was no reason behind Tōshirō's constant company.

"Six!"

Uchiha Ran signaled toward Tōshirō.

"What's this 'six' about?"

"It's in response to your six questions!"

Uchiha Ran's voice carried a smile. "Now that I've passed on six Shikai techniques—Bird's Ice, Ice Dragon Spinning Tail, Ice Dragon Spinning Tail, Frosty Ice Formation, Six Attire Frost Purification Formation, and Void Ice Blade—you need to pass on information to Haku, and then I'll answer one of your questions."

"You can answer first, then I'll pass it on."

"..." Tōshirō regretted being too hasty with the inheritance. He hadn't expected Uchiha Ran's bargaining approach.

However, the more he observed, the more he believed in Uchiha Ran's credibility.

"Agreed then!"

Tōshirō consented. After all, he had handed over the Zanpakutō inheritance, and Uchiha Ran had utilized it as promised. It seemed sensible to exchange for information that would potentially aid his development in the future.

"Hōgyoku and Hinamori have no connection."

Uchiha Ran answered without a hint of fear, stretching out a fourth finger.

Tōshirō was taken aback by this unexpected answer, prompting him to continue, "Then why did Aizen deceive Hinamori into attacking me?"

"As for you, it was merely a test of his manipulation's effectiveness, and also a ploy to involve Hinamori Momo. This, in turn, would divert the attention of the Gotei 13 Captains. Aizen could then feign his death and engage in various actions under the cover of deception," Uchiha Ran explained, extending a fifth finger.

Diversion, indeed.

Tōshirō nodded, comprehending the tactics.

He "offered" Haku's next two techniques before asking his final question, "Where is Aizen now?"

"He's in the hidden corridor of the Central 46 Chambers, investigating the items necessary to access the Royal world—the Kings Key," Uchiha Ran confirmed, stretching out a sixth finger.

No wonder!

Though Tōshirō was still young, he was undeniably sharp. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.

The peculiar disruptions in Soul Society, the unusual events surrounding Rukia Kuchiki's execution—they all began to make sense.

A realization struck him.

"Find Hinamori first, establish an understanding with Ichimaru Gin, and then contact the Captains!"

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