Bad Souls Make Good Games

Chiaki would move through the town quickly, trying to speedwalk to her destination without any interruption. Usually, she would have tried to seem as normal as possible, but… at this point, she'd apparently become a local celebrity, so it didn't matter if she tried to lay low, she'd be recognized either way.

"Well, I guess it won't matter if I bring a little attention to myself now…"

Chiaki then dashed forward, running as fast as she could toward the direction of Urahara's Shop. Better to have as much time as possible to take advantage of her shinigami training… assuming Urahara was telling the truth, which was always tricky business.

Putting those thoughts aside, Chiaki reached Urahara's Shop relatively quickly, only to find Tessai already there and waiting.

"Hmph. I'm supposed to say that we've been expecting you, but even so, would it be possible for you to have some patience miss? Our humble business is supposed to be at least somewhat discrete."

Chiaki chuckled a bit at that remark, before adjusting the straps and giving the area around her a good look.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Is everyone else already inside?"

"Naturally, we can't begin your training out in the open. Come with me!"

Tessai would motion for Chiaki to follow him, before opening the door and leading her inside. Past the wares and past the boxes of supply, the kido grandmaster would take her all the way to what looked like an elevator in the back, before opening the door for her.

"Are you certain you're prepared? There is a not-insignificant chance that you will not be returning once you enter."

Chiaki simply sighed and shook her head, before stepping in without any visible worries.

"Haven't you heard the phrase, 'Never tell me the odds' before?"

Tessai simply tilted his head and gave her a quizzical look, so Chiaki just waved the issue aside.

"Never mind. Let's just go…"

Chiaki would head all the way down to the basement of the shop, until finally, she was able to step out into (what seemed to be) a clear blue sky: the domain of legendary training that Urahara put Ichigo through.

"Ohohoho, someone's interested in my underground facility. You have good taste~"

Chiaki turned her head to see Urahara standing there, seemingly also already waiting for her. Now, the battle of wits would begin; She'd have to watch her step around Urahara, or else be caught in his schemes.

"Do you just stand around waiting to look cool when you have an appointment, or is that just for me?"

Chiaki had been hoping to throw him off his game and get under his skin, but much to her chagrin, Urahara simply smirked at this remark, more amused than anything.

"No need to be so tense Chiaki~. I get it, you're a schemer at your core, you want to control the flow of conversation and have the upper hand. But… how does the saying go again? 'I commend your skill, but you are still 1000 years too early to be my opponent'. Something like that."

Urahara's expression would then become deadly serious, almost bloodthirsty, and Chiaki could almost feel the force of his spiritual pressure weighing down on her.

"Besides, your focus should be on this training. I don't want you to get the idea that just because you're smart, you can waltz through these trials. Honestly, your potential is only around 60-65% of your brother's, give or take some. If you don't take me seriously, you'll lose your soul."

Chiaki was momentarily stunned by the change in atmosphere, taking a moment to recollect herself from the shock. However, despite Urahara's presence… there was something that had been nagging her at the back of her mind, and his threats had only brought it to the forefront of her mind.

"…so, why train me instead of Ichigo then? Seems like he'd be the better candidate then."

"Ah… well…"

The malevolent presence emanating from the shopkeep slowly began to recede, as Urahara twirled his cane, clearly considering whether or not to tell her his true motivations.

"It's true that he would be more powerful in the future but… diminishing returns. He already has active shinigami powers, it would take far more work to improve his strength. You on the other hand, you can gain much more, and you have a mind like a steel trap to use your power effectively."

"So I'm the backup huh?"

Chiaki crossed her arms indignantly, but Urahara only continued to respond with the same sly smile, hiding his true thoughts behind a mask of deceit all the while.

"There's no need to put it like that, you have your own unique strengths and weaknesses at all. Anyway… you do remember what I asked in exchange for your cooperation right?"

Chiaki nodded, thinking back to the conversation that had occurred when she had just woken up from her recovery.

"…I need to protect Rukia with my life. Don't worry, I was going to do that anyway. Mind telling me why?"

"No more questions."

Without any warning, Urahara would tap her with his cane, knocking her soul straight out of her body: a searing pain erupted throughout her soul, but Chiaki did her best to grin and bear it.

"The first start of your training starts now. It's actually pretty simple, since already have very strong spiritual pressure, so movement in this state shouldn't be an issue. That leaves…"

Chiaki braced herself for the moment she'd been most worried about; not hesitating at all, Urahara would unveil his sword from his cane and cut off the chain that bound her soul to her body, before tapping the ground in front of her with his cane, causing it to give way beneath her. With a yelp, Chiaki would fall all the way down.

"Hey! You could have given me just a little warning!"

"Sorry bout that! Had to keep you on your toes! Now… Bakudo #63: Sajō Sabaku!"

A chain of light would appear from the air, wrapping around Chiaki with blinding speed to hold her hands and arms in place, which was good, as she might have flipped him off otherwise. Urahara continued to smile smugly from over the edge of the hole.

"So, you have 72 hours to climb back up before your soul chain eats itself! If you can't achieve the level of a Shinigami by then, you'll hollowify, so get it done quickly! Don't worry though! If you die, I'll make sure to erase your family's memory of you so they won't suffer, so no pressure!"

[…You know, at least Mayuri is honest about being an asshole. Guess I'll just have to wipe that smug grin off his face.]

"72 hours? Don't make me laugh! I'll be back in time for dinner."