After hearing Kenma's question, the two did not respond immediately, but instead looked at Yoruichi beside him.
Whether it was Urahara Kisuke or Suì-Fēng, in both public and private matters, they were of a lower rank, affiliated with the Shihoin clan.
To them, Yoruichi was like a master.
Sensing their gazes, Yoruichi's face lost its usual slackness and instead tensed, her expression full of solemnity.
She gave a slight nod to the two of them, signaling them to agree to accept Kenma's connection contract.
"Guh..."
Feeling Yoruichi's will, Suì-Fēng knew it was for her own good, but a wave of bitterness still welled up in her heart.
She was actually going to make a life-and-death contract with the enemy who had stolen Lady Yoruichi away. Yet the Lady Yoruichi she admired was helping that enemy persuade her to agree...
How could the young girl's mood be good?
Such a cliché plot development, even the stories in those romance novels wouldn't be so vulgar.
The young girl's heart was sour and painful, filled with unspeakable bitterness.
But in order not to sadden and trouble her beloved Lady Yoruichi, the girl still suppressed the bitterness in her heart. Her face became incredibly heavy as she nodded weakly.
"I... agree..."
'This is all for Lady Yoruichi!'
'It's so that Lady Yoruichi won't have to worry about me anymore, and so that I can still serve Lady Yoruichi in the future.'
'Now is the time to endure.'
Suì-Fēng comforted herself in her heart, while at the same time glaring fiercely at Kenma.
'Today I will temporarily submit to this villain, but I will definitely repay it all in the future.'
Seeing the girl agree, Yoruichi breathed a sigh of relief, then her gaze turned to Urahara Kisuke in the other cell.
"Kisuke, you should agree too."
"Otherwise, Kenma will really lock you up for life, and he might even have people use all sorts of torture on you. I can't keep an eye on you for a lifetime..."
"I can promise you that as long as you agree, your life after you get out will be exactly the same as before. Kenma will not restrict your freedom, nor will he harm your life."
Yoruichi knew that Urahara Kisuke's thoughts were deep, and sometimes even she couldn't see what her childhood friend was thinking.
But at this moment, she really didn't want Urahara Kisuke to make the wrong choice and ruin the rest of his life.
Seeing Yoruichi speak up for Kenma like this, Urahara Kisuke sighed in his heart and no longer looked at her.
His gaze fell on Kenma, a will as strong as steel in his eyes.
"Third Seat Kenma, one last question."
"This question is very simple. I just want to ask about your attitude. If your answer satisfies me, then I will agree to form a contract with you."
"Otherwise, even if I have to stay in this cell until I die, even if you torture me, even if I die, I will never yield an inch."
And Kenma, seeing the determined look in Urahara Kisuke's eyes, couldn't help but become cautious.
"Speak."
After taking a deep breath, Urahara Kisuke slowly asked, "If... if I don't agree to your contract, will you forcibly... have a relationship with me?"
"From what I know of you, you don't seem like the type to give up easily."
Hearing this, Kenma was taken aback.
A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes as he looked at Urahara Kisuke.
"I didn't think... you would think of me that way?"
Yoruichi had a bad feeling and immediately showed a nervous expression. "Kisuke, what are you thinking? What do you mean?"
"Captain, I've already said, I just want to ask Third Seat Kenma about his attitude."
The expression on Urahara Kisuke's face at this moment was a gravity that Yoruichi had never seen before.
"This is of the utmost importance. It concerns my decision later."
He looked at Kenma and said in a deep voice, "Third Seat Kenma, even if I can't resist your ability, I can still kill myself before your ability takes effect."
Kenma ignored Yoruichi, who was constantly tugging at his sleeve, and after careful consideration, finally nodded at Urahara Kisuke.
He had to be honest.
"That's right. I did have that thought."
"Urahara Kisuke, you are a rare talent. Your abilities are outstanding, so outstanding that if I can't have you, no one can, not even you yourself!"
"Now that I have this opportunity, how could I let it go so easily? Even if you don't agree, I will force you to connect with me."
Kenma made no secret of his intentions, nor did he care what Urahara Kisuke would think.
The situation was in his favor. Just as he had said, what could Urahara Kisuke do even if he disagreed?
Even if he had to use force, he would have Urahara Kisuke.
Even if Urahara Kisuke was lucky enough to commit suicide, it was still better than leaving him for someone else.
"Urahara Kisuke, that is my answer."
"Are you satisfied?"
Urahara Kisuke was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a breath of turbid air.
"From the looks of it, I'm really important in your heart."
"You are that important."
Kenma nodded in acknowledgement, then asked, "Having heard my true thoughts, what do you think?"
"At this point, do I still have a reason to refuse?"
A bitter smile appeared on Urahara Kisuke's face, but deep down, he was relieved.
Just as he had said, all he had asked for was the other's attitude.
For Kenma to be so frank in this situation, this attitude alone let Urahara Kisuke perceive the underlying color of his character.
At the very least, it showed him that Kenma's nature was not completely rotten; he still retained a shred of kindness.
That was enough.
"I agree to form a contract with you."
Hearing Urahara Kisuke's decision, Kenma nodded slightly.
Although he didn't know what he was really thinking, as long as he agreed, it was fine.
Kenma asked for nothing more.
However, at this moment, he did not directly release his Zanpakuto, but instead moved and walked to the front of the other cell.
He stopped and looked inside. A blurry figure was sitting there.
"You must have heard what I just said to them."
"Well, will you sign a contract with me and walk out of this rotten prison?"
Seeing Kenma's action, Yoruichi quickly ran over, her expression anxious. "Wait, Kenma, you're going to let him out too? This guy is very troublesome, not as harmless as Kisuke."
When she had come here to see Urahara Kisuke before, she had encountered the fellow inside who had been madly mocking the imprisoned Kisuke.
It was only later, from Kisuke's mouth, that she learned just how crazy this person was!
Before Urahara Kisuke and Suì-Fēng, this was the only person held in solitary confinement in the Maggot's Nest, which showed how wary the people in the Seireitei were of him.
Kenma gently pushed away Yoruichi, who was blocking his way, and said, "It's fine. I have a sense of proportion."
The prisoner inside raised his head. In the darkness, yellowish-brown eyes lit up, staring straight at Kenma.
A slightly hoarse voice echoed in the quiet cell.
"Why?"
"I don't recall ever asking you to let me out."
Hearing this voice, which was identical to Frieza's, Kenma said softly, "You can also take it as my request. I want you to come out. How about it?"
"Oh?"
The prisoner inside seemed to be interested.
"So you know of my talents?"
"Naturally."
"Then between me and that Urahara Kisuke over there, who do you think would win?"
Kenma shook his head.
"That I do not know."
"I have only vaguely heard of your abilities, just as my understanding of Urahara Kisuke's abilities is very vague."
"As for who is stronger between you, why don't you come out and have a match?"
"I'm sure you're not afraid, are you?"
"Afraid? Me? Afraid of this Urahara Kisuke fellow?"
The prisoner inside immediately let out a strange laugh. After he had laughed enough, he finally said, "To use such a simple trick on me? You really underestimate me."
"So be it. For the sake of you locking up that bastard Urahara Kisuke, I'll accompany you on a trip outside."
"But let me say this first. The laboratory I requested, and the materials and tools for dissection and modification, you must not be short on any of them. Otherwise, I won't let you off."
Kenma couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in his heart and nodded in agreement. "That's no problem."
Kenma naturally knew very well who was in this cell.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the captain of Squad 12 in the original story, the director of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, extremely skilled in physical modification techniques.
He had performed exceptionally well in the Thousand-Year Blood War against Yhwach, earning the title of "Blood War MVP."
Also a rare talent.
Thus, the goal of Kenma's trip was successfully completed. He had successfully obtained three future captain-level powerhouses.
In his exhilarated mood, a sense of joy welled up in Kenma's heart, and even the act of raising his Zanpakutō felt lighter.
Facing the three in the cells, he softly chanted the release command for his Zanpakuto.
"Connect, Kiritsugu."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]