NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: CHAPTER 8
Kanbaru knew it very well.
It was impossible for Urahara Kisuke not to doubt the source of his information.
He might even guess that Kanbaru had been sent by Aizen himself.
After all, if you casually trust a stranger you've just met… then Urahara Kisuke wouldn't have been able to hide under Aizen's nose for all these years.
"Of course I have my sources of information."
"To be honest—"
"I'm dying."
Kanbaru placed his fingertips on the box containing the Hōgyoku and confessed his condition bluntly:
"Just getting the Hōgyoku will slow the collapse of my body."
Polite words were entirely unnecessary here.
Kanbaru shut down any further probing.
"Really straightforward," Urahara muttered.
"Kurosaki-kun, it seems you understand the Hōgyoku's capabilities quite well."
Urahara Kisuke gave Kanbaru a long, meaningful look and explained:
"The Hōgyoku has the ability to dissolve the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow."
"It can forcibly evolve a Shinigami into a Hollow hybrid, or stabilize an Arrancar into a Shinigami-like form."
"That's why Aizen wanted it—he needed the Hōgyoku to transcend the limits of both races."
Upon hearing this, Kanbaru narrowed his eyes—but didn't deny it.
So that's what you think, huh?
You, who created the Hōgyoku, still don't fully grasp what it truly is.
Breaking the barrier between Hollow and Shinigami?
That's just your desire—so the Hōgyoku manifests it.
The truth is far beyond that.
The Hōgyoku is a jewel that manifests spiritual intent—a core of spiritual transmutation.
It doesn't just "grant" power.
It materializes the desires of those around it.
It absorbs the will and survival instincts of beings nearby and gives form to them.
And it protects its host from death.
When the host reaches a limit—either in ability or lifespan—the Hōgyoku evolves the host, lifting them to a higher dimension of existence.
That is the true power of the Hōgyoku!
"But if you just tell me that without the Hōgyoku you'll die," Urahara said with a sly smile, "aren't you afraid I'll raise the price?"
Urahara Kisuke's gaze sharpened.
["The price starts at sitting on the ground? No, this guy wants to sit on the ground and inhale soil! A rare sucker walked into my shop today! Let's squeeze him dry!"]
A glimpse into Urahara's inner monologue.
Sit on the ground and suck the soil?
What kind of strange metaphor is that?
Kanbaru raised a mental question mark, then looked Urahara straight in the eyes with an earnest tone:
"Actually, I don't care much for the Hōgyoku."
Urahara Kisuke: "…"
Seriously?
Take your hand off the Hōgyoku before you say that!
Do you think I can't see you groping it like it's your childhood pet?!
"Just kidding."
Kanbaru's expression shifted, his tone deliberate:
"Let's make a deal."
"I've got a bargaining chip you can't refuse."
Want me to sit and suck dirt? We'll see if you can resist what I've got in hand.
"Then let's hear it."
Urahara propped his chin in his palm, intrigued.
"The real reason you're hiding in Karakura Town…"
"It's because of Aizen's Zanpakutō, isn't it?"
"Kyōka Suigetsu."
"Complete Hypnosis."
Kanbaru said it softly, but to Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai—it sounded like a thunderclap.
They stiffened instantly.
Are Urahara Kisuke, Shihouin Yoruichi, and Tsukabishi Tessai weak?
Absolutely not.
Each one of them stands near the peak of Shinigami power.
But even their immense strength becomes meaningless before Aizen.
Because Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu dominates all five senses—Complete Hypnosis is triggered the moment you see the blade's initial release.
That's what makes Aizen so invincible.
For years, Aizen pretended that his Zanpakutō was a simple water-based type that distorted light and reflections.
In reality, every time he demonstrated that "ability" in Soul Society or at Shin'ō Academy, he was hypnotizing the entire Gotei 13.
That's how Urahara and Yoruichi lost the initiative—unable to act, unable to trust what they saw.
Because how could you ever be sure the enemy in front of you was Aizen?
What if you were stabbing a friend?
That's the terror of Kyōka Suigetsu!
"Do you know how to break Kyōka Suigetsu?!"
Urahara held his breath, tense with anticipation.
Knowing how to counter Complete Hypnosis would flip the board entirely.
Instead of being cornered, he could finally plan to counterattack.
"There are only two ways," Kanbaru said.
"One: if you've already been placed under Complete Hypnosis, then the only way to shatter it is to physically touch Aizen's Zanpakutō—Kyōka Suigetsu itself. That resets the hypnosis."
"Two: if you touch Kyōka Suigetsu before being hypnotized, you become immune to its effect altogether—even when it's released."
"That's how you break Aizen's illusion."
He could see Urahara's soul practically vibrating with interest.
Kanbaru had given him exactly what he craved.
"…You really gave me something I can't ignore."
"No way I'm raising the price now."
Urahara exhaled deeply.
So simple, yet so elusive.
"Hōgyoku—I'll give it to you."
"But, Kurosaki-kun…" Urahara's face turned serious.
"You do understand how dangerous this thing is, right?"
"If you're not careful… it could kill you."
He wasn't being melodramatic.
As the one who created the Hōgyoku, Urahara understood its horror better than anyone.
Even captain-class veterans like Hirako Shinji and the Visored couldn't resist its influence.
Its Hollowfication effect corroded their souls until they were on the brink of no return.
If he hadn't intervened in time—
They'd all be dead now.
The Hōgyoku is far too dangerous.
If possible, Urahara would rather it never fall into anyone's hands.
"Don't worry."
"I won't suffer the danger you're talking about."
Kanbaru smiled confidently.
Hollowfication?
That's just one of the Hōgyoku's weaker features.
What he wanted was far more advanced.
He wanted to use the Hōgyoku to counteract Yhwach's 'Allmächtige' and Quincy soul sanctification.
In this treacherous world…
Only power could ensure survival.
Only power could let him reach the end.
"…If you say so," Urahara muttered, scratching his head.
He looked at Kanbaru, clearly still uneasy.
Well, maybe it'll work out. Probably.
["Brothers… I finally found the ultimate treasure chest. The Water Dragon King! ! !"]
Ignore the absurd thought popping into his head.
Kanbaru stared at the Hōgyoku in his palm.
But before he could make a move…
An inexplicable wave of fear rose up from his gut.
Then came the crashing weakness—his strength faltering, and spiritual pressure bleeding away at high speed!
That—was the Fourth Holy Form of Yhwach!