Bleach: Gazing Mirage

Chapter 33

In the shadows of the cave, the masked figure hurriedly made their way to a concealed entrance. Once inside, they were greeted by a voice that resonated with familiarity, saying, "Welcome back."

The figure stepped further into the cave, and as they entered the illuminated area, the identity of the speaker was revealed. It was none other than Aizen, the mastermind behind countless schemes and orchestrations. The masked figure removed the mask and exposed his face to the dim light, revealing himself to be Kaname Tōsen.

"Lord Aizen," Tōsen greeted respectfully. "I have successfully reviewed the list of soul reapers you provided me."

Aizen's gaze, ever composed, locked onto Tōsen. "And what did you discover, Kaname?"

Tōsen took a deep breath before answering. "Among the candidates, Kensei Muguruma stands out as the most suitable candidate for the hollowification experiment. His strong reiatsu, resilience, and his past experiences make him an ideal choice."

Aizen's lips curved into a slight smile. "Your judgment is valued as always, Kaname. I trust your insights."

Tōsen inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Aizen."

Just as Tōsen turned to depart, Aizen's voice halted him. Tōsen pivoted to face Aizen, curiosity evident in his expression. Aizen's gaze seemed to hold a moment of contemplation before he finally posed a question that caught Tōsen off guard.

"What are your thoughts on a student in Kensei's class named Yuichi Toshikyo?"

Tōsen's brows furrowed as his mind processed the unexpected inquiry. Aizen's interest in a student was unusual, and Tōsen found himself grappling with the implications of this query. He carefully considered his response before speaking.

"I have observed him during my visits to the academy to check on Kensei Muguruma," Tōsen began, his voice steady. "If I am to be honest, while his reiatsu is well-controlled and he seems eager to become stronger. The short duration I observed him makes it challenging to fully discern his true abilities. He seems to possess some small potential, though from what I have seen so far I would say at most he can maybe one day climb up to the level of a third seat."

Aizen's gaze remained fixed on Tōsen, and a faint smile played at the corners of his lips. "Interesting. Keep an eye on him, Tōsen. There might be more to this student than meets the eye. Gin, who was observing Urahara Kisuke, said that he visited him."

Tōsen nodded, absorbing Aizen's words. "Understood, Lord Aizen. I will ensure to discreetly monitor his progress."

With that, Tōsen bowed respectfully and turned to leave the cave. The weight of Aizen's words lingered in his thoughts.

Meanwhile, back at Urahara's place, he found himself unable to resist the temptation of testing out Niko and Yuichi's theory regarding the creation of an artificial human. His curiosity got the best of him, and he decided to put the theory to the test using a method of his own. Instead of utilizing a Gikon, Urahara opted to employ Mod-Souls – artificial souls he had personally designed for enhancing Gigai to soul reaper-level strength.

As Urahara meticulously conducted the experiment in his secret underground laboratory, his skills and knowledge were put to the test. He combined Mod-Souls with Gigai technology, a complex process that required precise calculations and meticulous attention to detail. The synchronization of these elements formed the foundation for the creation of an artificial human, a being that existed outside the realm of the natural order.

The culmination of Urahara's efforts led to success, and before him stood the embodiment of his experiment – an artificial human with the appearance of a young girl. Her cheeks bore a perpetual blush, and her round purple eyes radiated an air of innocence. Cascading black hair, tinged with a purple hue, framed her face. Urahara watched in awe as the girl's eyelids fluttered, and consciousness stirred within her.

As the artificial human awoke, Urahara's initial sense of fascination was quickly replaced by a surge of realization. He comprehended the gravity of his actions, panic washed over him as he imagined the repercussions of his experimentation.

Amidst his inner turmoil, Urahara's voice escaped him as he muttered, "I know it's hard to resist trying new things but this might be bad. Ahhhh, Yoruichi is gonna kill me. Wait, she won't get the chance if I just send the child to her with a note and dodge her for a few days."

As Urahara paced anxiously, his focus consumed by thoughts of potential repercussions, he remained unaware that the young girl had roused from her slumber. Her innocent curiosity propelled her to approach him, her small hand tugging gently at his robe. Startled, Urahara turned his gaze toward her, surprise evident in his eyes. A warm smile spread across his lips as he realized her presence.

Unperturbed by his concern, the girl looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. Urahara's features softened as he patted her head gently, a mixture of reassurance and kindness in his touch.

"Did I worry you? Everything's okay. Let's get you some better clothes," Urahara reassured her, draping his white captain's haori around her small form, offering comfort and protection in the midst of uncertainty.

Urahara extended his hand, waiting patiently for the girl to take his hand. When she did, he smiled warmly and said, "Good job, Ururu."

The little girl looked up at him with a quizzical expression, not understanding the name he had called her. Urahara chuckled softly and added, "That's your name. Ururu. It just seems to fit you perfectly."

Ururu tilted her head to the side, her gaze fixed on Urahara as she tried to process the information. Her name was unfamiliar, yet a strange sense of belonging accompanied it. Urahara's reassuring presence eased her uncertainty, and a small smile tugged at her lips as she nodded in acknowledgment.

As they walked toward the exit, Urahara turned back to look at a small bluish-purple orb inside a clear crystal casing. His expression turned stern as he contemplated the consequences of his experimentation. With a thoughtful sigh, he eventually turned away from the orb and continued on, Ururu by his side.