Fascinating character study. The conversation about yin and yang, the exploration of what bankai and shikai mean. It made a lot of sense. Kisuke is a dodgy character-his prowess was alluded to throughout, though rarely expounded upon. If you consider who he keeps close to him-former second squad captain and nobility (Yoruichi), and former kido corps master (Tessai), you begin to understand more about his rank. In the Hueco Mundo arc, Ulquiorra makes an interesting comment to YammyFool, do you know who these people are? They are Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara. You can't defeat them at your current level." Followed by a quick escape. There were always little details like that.

I just love the way you've given us a Kisuke that is shrouded beneath that mischievous smile of his. I really wish the manga would have fleshed him out more. Well, I guess that's what fanfiction is for. Thanks for a great read!

Tbh, I watched bleach, despite my unfavorable opinions about the series, for Kisuke Urahara's character alone. I've watched the anime years ago but didn't like it, until I decided to pick it back again. Terribly unsurprised about anything else, but Kisuke's character was very interesting. And to think he had such a devastatingly beautiful zanpakuto, too. I wish we could have seen him using it more, but I guess it's just a part of the mystery that Urahara is.

This terrifying version of Urahara and Benihime made my inner fangirl scream. The description of Benihime, the explanation of Shikai and Bankai was nice, and the overall atmosphere was chilling especially from the eyes of Ichigo who witnessed the brutality Urahara is capable of. Guy could have defeated Aizen had the latter not possessed the hogyoku, as a fact, so that says a lot about his actual prowess. Ichigo learning this way surely could have been an unforgettable experience for him.

Thank you very much for this.

"When the dust clears, Urahara is entirely unmoved; he stands straight and tall like the blade of his sword, and he is smiling."
Love this bit.

Shikai - self acceptance
Ban Kai - self enlightenment
The way Urahara describes this makes the general insanity of the Shinigami make all too much sense. Their techniques are not trifling matters you achieve on a whim without changing. Having knowledge of your core self and exactly what you would be willing to put on the line would be terrifying. A frightening clarity of purpose that few but zealots achieve.

I wonder how Ichigo's fast rise in a spiritual sense was viewed when other examples such as Urahara shows how serious a mistake in such matters can be.

Ichigo's pov and the growing sense of dread when Urahara delivers his speech was wonderful. With the backdrop of him completely overwhelming the Arrancar it creates this eerie setting that is lovely to read.

"My name is Urahara Kisuke. You killed my best friend. Prepare to die."
And everything becomes better with a bit of Princess Bride.

I love the way Urahara explains things to Ichigo. :)

so breath taking

creepy. i don't want to face benihime at all...

It is a very good read. It is fairly obvious what happened. Still bugs me though. Yoruichi is a lot stronger than what people give her credit as. It seems very odd that would die this way. From what I can gather from Urahara it would have been a scuide mission. Look how far he went for for the Vizards let alone for Yoruichi.

Holy shit thats perfect like that made me cry and question a bit of reality for a bit

and this is why, i know, to never piss Urahara off enough to get him that mad.

So dark.
Thanks.

***Pyrane***

Holy hell! That was incredible!

I love your Princess Bride reference.

I think I wet myself. DX

Amazing! I love it a lot!

I have to say, it's been quite a while since i favourited a story! Congrats :P

I do appreciate the lack of errors and the depth of your exploration of Kisuke's hidden nature; your interpretation is quite thorough and profound. (unless this is mentioned somewhere in the manga, in which case I had no idea; I'm not really one for manga)

I might go stalk your profile now... hahaha. Happy writing!