>>40857324
>"If he doesn't come around before the patrol, I'll call Ren and tell her to stay this one out for tonight."
No reason to take risks.
No more Naoko POV huh, awww.

>>40857324
>"Nothing really changes. We're going on a patrol tonight; if that guy pops up before or during it, I'll take care of it. Don't worry, I'll stay safe."
"I don't know, do you think he's likely to threaten Ren, seeing as he already seems to be wary of me?"

>>40857324
>>Ask Naoko something. (Write-in).
"This Urahara guy... if I understood Mayuri correctly, having his full power unleashed was what made everyone with spiritual sensitivity in the whole town -pass out-. Could he actually be scared of me?"

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>40857324
Voting over, rolling to split the tie!

If 1:
>"If he doesn't come around before the patrol, I'll call Ren and tell her to stay this one out for tonight."

If 2:
>"Nothing really changes. We're going on a patrol tonight; if that guy pops up before or during it, I'll take care of it. Don't worry, I'll stay safe."

>>40857324
>"If he doesn't come around before the patrol, I'll call Ren and tell her to stay this one out for tonight."
I guess this. Or at least tell Ren the scoop and ask her opinion.

>>40857443
>>40857503
"Nothing really changes. We're going on a patrol tonight; if that guy pops up before or during it, I'll take care of it. Don't worry, I'll stay safe."

"...Alright."

"Hey, about Ren..." You break up the arisen silence. "You think she'll be okay? He wouldn't... do anything to her, would he?"

"He might not know about her. She wasn't with us when we first met that Shinigami."

"But she'll be seen during the patrol if he decides to show up then... he didn't threaten you or anything, did he? If he's not going to do anything bad, then maybe there's no risk in having Ren around."

"He did not. He left as soon as I told him to," She curtly responds. "I don't trust him, though."

"Neither do I... well, I'll call Ren and tell her about this, so that she's not out of the loop."

"Alright."

...Silence over the phone is somehow even more awkward than in person.

"That guy's the one who knocked half the city just by going all out, right? Why the hell would he be scared of me?"

"He said he's injured. And, Clarissa... you can do the exact same thing."

That's true, or so you've been told before. When the wave of pressure from a few days ago hit you and the town, Naoko thought you were the one causing it. So it seems that, at your best, you're just as strong as him. Or something like that.

You don't have any other questions, so you tell Naoko that you'll meet her tonight. Afterwards, you call Ren and tell her about the situation. Looks like Urahara didn't visit her with any shady suggestions. She's a bit confused about it all, but she does promise to be even more careful.

...

(1/3)

>>40859147
Nothing of note happens before the patrol. You should have probably done some schoolwork during that downtime, but you're sure that it'd be a waste of effort. You leave your physical body behind, occupying it with Chappy just in case, and then leave to meet the others at the community park.

Ren arrived before you did, wearing a tracksuit. For some reason, you can't help but chuckle.

"Don't laugh! You're wearing something even weirder!"

You turn away and take a look around. There's no one suspicious in sight.

"Alright," You say. "Since Ren's not really mobile, we'll be taking it slow and easy. Just follow us, okay, Ren?"

She nods. Naoko speaks up after that. "Clarissa, wait. I want to teach you something."

Her eyes briefly close, and she spends a silent moment to concentrate. The air sparkles with blue wisps of light, and as Naoko's eyes open, the shapeless sparks glow brighter and reach out towards the skies; they slowly and gradually take on the form of white ribbons.

"This is a sensing technique," The girl explains as she runs her hand through the many threads. "These lines are the tangible form of spiritual auras. Following them will lead you to whomever the aura belongs. Well... unfortunately, I can't really distinguish between them yet."

"That's really cool... you learned this yourself?" Ren mutters and tries to grab one of the ribbons; it phases through her hand, earning a disappointed frown.

"You think I can learn something like this on the go?" You ask, to which Naoko nods. "Then that's cool, I'll give it a try. Hey, what are the red lines about?"

"They belong to Shinigami." She says and grasps one of them.

"...How come there's three of them?" You notice. Naoko furrows her brows.

"One of them is you. Nemu counts as a Shinigami... maybe she's still in town. I'm guessing the third one belongs to Urahara Kisuke," She sounds uncertain. "...That captain Shinigami didn't appear here before, however. Could they have sent someone new?"

(2/3)

>>40859206
New friend!

>>40859206
Her assumptions are both confirmed and denied right away. The Shinigami wearing a white coat over his black robes, Urahara Kisuke, makes his voice heard from his position up in the air. Just as Naoko warned you, you weren't able to spot him until he wanted you to.

"Good evening." He stands on air weakly and uncomfortably, leaning against something for support, or, well, someone - a very short, freckled girl with blond, spiky pigtails. You can barely make her out because of the difference in their size and how Urahara is very nearly lying on her and almost completely covering her up with himself, but she's wearing the standard black uniform of the Shinigami. The girl is pretty clearly displeased about having to carry a much larger adult on her shoulders, judging by her furious scowl.

Apparently unbothered by his peculiar position, Kisuke continues. "Have you been told everything?"

...

>"I've heard from Naoko. If you have something of yours on me, tell me what it is and I'll give you back."
>"Why should I give you anything?"
>"What, you couldn't find me before? Why wait until now?"
>"Yeah, something to me." (Write-in).
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40859237
>>"What, you couldn't find me before? Why wait until now?"

>>40859237
"Not even close and you know it. But if by 'everything' you mean the tidbits you gave Naoko, then yeah. But honestly if you want to mess around inside my soul, I'm gonna need some more information, especially becuase I think whatever you want might be all that's keeping me alive."

>>40859237
>"I've heard from Naoko. If you have something of yours on me, tell me about it."
Let's not promise too fast.

>>40859286
>especially becuase I think whatever you want might be all that's keeping me alive."
This line isn't strictly necessary, I don't know, I'm not sure that having your inner world be nothing but a desert is very spiritually healthy, and it could explain why Clarissa hasn't really considered suicide.

Who knows whether plotrock (or whatever) is keeping us alive or killing us.

>>40859237
"I've heard from Naoko. If you have something of yours on me, tell me what it is and I'll give you back."

No skin off our nose, we have our own power as it stands.

>>40859359
Wait, what if Gil is Plot Rock?

>>40859237
Voting over, writing!

>>40859489
Seems fairly likely to me.
At the very least I sure am not about to trust him yet.

>>40859359
It seems like it must have gotten inside Clarissa back when she was still a human. Which raises a shitload of questions.

Of course, it's entirely possible that the orb of plot isn't even inside Clarissa at all, and Urahara just wants to yank out whatever strange hybrid of the Gate of Babylon/Unlimited Blade Works she has in our soul.

>>40859593
Well whether it's literally plotrock or not isn't that important. How and more importantly when Urahara lost some powerful thingamabob inside a schoolgirl is the question.

>>40859672
How long has Clarissa been living in Japan anyway?

>>40859739
Probably a while if she speaks fluent Japanese and isn't a novelty at school. Someone western AND good looking would take a while to fit in, as it were.

>>40859807
I thought she was half japanese. Our mom's name is Keiko.

>>40860261
I thought so until last thread, but wasn't she described as blonde there? Doubt she'd be full Japanese at least. And the second part at least stands either way.

>>40859261
>>40859286
>>40859289
"Why did you wait until now? Had trouble finding me?"

"I didn't want to approach you on my own, and I didn't want you to be alone, either. Did your friend talk about my concerns? I think my worries are less likely to come true when you're with your friends."

So he's basically saying that you might feel bad about going berserk around your friends, is that it?

"...Alright. Either way, 'have I been told everything'? If by 'everything' you mean the scraps you gave to Naoko, then, well, yeah," You say, and Urahara smiles. "But I'd like some more information than that. I'm getting pretty pissed off about people being vague as hell to me and then expecting me to just go along with whatever they say."

"I guess it can't be helped. I suppose it's only fair that you know all there is to it, considering how directly you are involved. Well, it's a bit of a long story..." He begins, or at least tries to. The girl he's leaning on lets out an annoyed groan.

"Sit down on a friggin' bench if it'll be a long story!" She yells at him.

"...Very well. Oh, I see one right there. Please drag me over."

"Did something happen to you? You were standing up just fine when we talked." Naoko speaks up, her words spiking up a surprised reaction from the short girl.

"Is she serious? You told me you couldn't walk at all, you fucking dickhead!" She shouts, and as Urahara opens his mouth to explain himself, throws him over her shoulder. The much larger man harshly collides with the pavement, and then limply lies there.

You're surprisingly concerned about that. "...Did you kill him? Hey, he was about to explain shit to me. Are you kidding me?"

(1/3)

>>40860922
"If only it were that easy." The aggressive girl mutters as she rolls her strained shoulders. True to her words, Urahara starts moving again after a few seconds. Sluggishly, he gets back up to his feet, quite clearly relying a lot more on his right leg than on his left one to do so.

"It really is hard on my own, Hiyori! The poison still didn't wear off completely, you know!" He's about to go on with the argument, but noticing your glare, Urahara drops it with a cough. "Right... excuse me."

He starts his story. "...About a hundred years ago, I've created an object that was meant to remove the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollows; or so I thought. The object - one that I named the Hogyoku - was not actually meant for such a thing; its one and only power was to grant wishes. The removal of those boundaries was simply something that I wished for, and the Hogyoku merely carried that out."

...Carrying out desires, huh? That sounds awfully familiar.

Urahara continues. "Unfortunately... there was someone else who created that very same thing. Our Hogyoku were both incomplete. To change that, that man sought to fuse his orb with mine. Of course, he wasn't intending to share it or use it for the good of anyone other than himself. Our conflict was inevitable - and in the end, I was the one to lose. Under the influence of his ability, I did as he wanted, and our incomplete projects obtained their true form." He pauses to let off a regretful sigh, as if still scolding himself for letting that happen.

"It really was a close call," He lightens up a bit and smiles. "At the very end, it granted my wish; and at that moment, I wished for nothing more but for it to disappear."

(2/3)

>>40860946
Urahara looks at you. "I survived that encounter, but as a result, I was out of the action for many years. Fortunately, that man did not manage to find it during that period. When I recovered, I neutralized him as a threat. All that remained was finding the Hogyoku. I did suspect that it found itself a new master and resided within a human, but the Hogyoku doesn't grant spiritual powers. As a result, it was impossible to find the human possessing it."

"...I think I get it," You say, nodding. "But what makes you think that I have your... Hogyoku?"

"Your surge of power. I simply don't have a better explanation for it than that. The Hogyoku may not be able to grant spiritual power by itself, but... you can never know what could have led to it. Of course, I could be wrong - but there's only one way for me to find out. I wish to ask you for your cooperation in this, if at all possible. And if it is there, I'd like to have it back."

You let out a sigh and glance at your friends. They can't really tell you much, and simply shrug.

It seems like the Shinigami's done with his story.

...

>"Well... alright. I guess you can take it."
>"...I don't think I can give it up just like that. Not without something in return, at least."
>"Sorry, but I don't trust you."
>Ask Urahara a question. (Write-in).
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40860989
>"Sounds bad, but I got a question for ya. What happens if you take it out? Will I still have spiritual powers? Can you even remove it safely?"

>>40861031
Second

>>40861031
Third.

Also I want to ask the above first, but it's reasonable for Clarissa not to entirety trust him, and as it happens he does indeed have something he can do to win our trust/cooperation. What if we trade letting him grab this thing for info on Kimiko and a way to see her?

>>40860989
>>"Sorry, but I don't trust you."

>>40860989
>>40861031
Yeah, let's clear things up.

>>40860989
Voting over, writing!

>>40860989
Address the short lady
"So hey, this guy's your boss right? Can he really be trusted with with something something that can grant wishes?"

>>40861265
Other issues are while we admit that we have something like what he's talking about, it seems to currently be sapient.

>>40861329
Well it's not guaranteed to be Gil, just likely. Need to bring him up though yeah.

>>40861279
Like I don't know, I barely trust Clarissa with it, Urahara seems a lot dodgier. Who knows what kind of stuff he wants, especially no one is left to stand in Urahara's way.

>>40861407
It's a point anon, I'm sure anons are biased by canon Urahara. But the way I see it he didn't have to be open about its powers, could have just said it was powerful and dangerous. Since it is probably what's making Clarissa unstable, I'd say it's not an unreasonable risk to take. Or maybe there are alternate ways to deal with it.

>>40861447
I don't know, it probably isn't why she killed Aiko if it was ineffective.

>>40861031
>>40861045
You place a hand on your hip and shake your head a bit. "Sounds bad, but I got a question for ya. What happens if you take it out? Will I still have spiritual powers? Can you even remove it safely?"

"The removal will be quick and harmless, and nothing should happen to your natural spiritual powers - you'll remain a Shinigami, that much I can guarantee. Of course, I don't really see why you would want that - your existence as a Human-Shinigami hybrid is illicit, and if Soul Society finds out about you, not only will you be in danger, but the Shinigami responsible for you transformation," He briefly pauses, thinking. "As for your strange ability, the one with the swords, that is... I really can't say. I don't know whether it's caused by the Hogyoku or by your own abilities."

Well, the goldie in your head - if he really is somehow the item Urahara is talking about - did pride himself on being able to make all of those swords. There's that, and then there's the mind controlling abilities. You think that will most certainly be gone; again, assuming if that guy is the Hogyoku.

You nod to confirm that you understand. You also notice that the short blonde is angrily glaring at you, arms crossed. What, is her patience running out?

...

>"Alright, in that case, you can take it."
>"I'll give it to you, but I need you to give me something in return."
>"If it really is what you say, then I don't trust you to have it."
>Ask Urahara a question. (Write-in).
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40861627
>>"If it really is what you say, then I don't trust you to have it."

>>40861627
>"Look, I don't know you, right? I don't generally let strangers root around inside me, unless they're cute girls maybe. Point is, you're in a great position to help ME with something in return, as it happens. How about a trade?"
Info + help with Kimiko and his silence about it I figure. Any other ideas?

>>40861627
>"I'll give it to you, but I need you to give me something in return."

>>40861676
I get the logic anon, but this is our only actual lead for Kimiko and a real chance to fix Clarissa from an only mildly shady source. I can get not outright agreeing but is there really any good reason to abandon plot entirely instead of maintaining dialogue at least? Even if he were a bad guy we're better off keeping track of him and trying to feel him out I figure.

>>40861627
The look on her face when it probably isn't with Clarissa...

>>40861677
Second

>>40861735
That would be humorously anticlimactic for sure.

>>40861627
Voting over, writing!

>>40861842
Guess it's time for Urahara to give back!
Speaking of, would Kimiko actually be THAT responsible for Clarissa being a shinigami now? Given her spiritual powers, potentially plotrock and definitely Gil, it seems kinda inevitable that she'd become some kinda powerful spiritual being at least.

>>40861900
It seems like even if all the fuel was there, there still needed to be a spark.

Though who knows, it might not even be the plotrock since that wouldn't explain our brother.

>>40861677
>>40861724
"Look, I don't know you, right? I don't generally let strangers root around inside me, unless they're cute girls maybe..." You briefly stop yourself, thinking that part may have been unnecessary. It makes the short girl lift a brow, her scowl souring up a bit. Urahara seems to pay it no heed, listening carefully. "...Point is, you're in a great position to help ME with something in return, as it happens. How about a trade?"

"What the hell are you saying? Do we really look like we're here to cut you a fucking deal? You think this is somethin' you've got a choice in?" The girl suddenly barks out, fed up with the conversation. "You should be thankful we're even talkin' to you right now, lettin' you fuckin' know that we're gonna do something. Instead we're wasting our time on this bullshit."

She sets her hand on the hilt of her sheathed sword. You tense up, expecting her to do something rash.

"Hiyori, stay silent for a while," Urahara tries to hush his companion. The blonde directs her glare at him, probably about to lay down some verbal abuse, but at the very last moment, grits her teeth and decides against it. "Then, before we continue, I would like to first make sure that you really do have the item in question. And on the contrary, in the case that it isn't there, I won't force you to reveal your demands to me. Is that fine? May I?"

He'll just snatch it and leave you in the dust. Don't trust him. Don't do it. Don't let him touch you. Don't let him even come close to you. You're considering it, aren't you? You think it's your only choice, don't you? He's not going to do anything for you. Why would he do anything for you after he has what he needs? And you'll just hand it over to him like this. Don't do it. Don't trust him.

...

>"...I suppose you can have a peek."
>"No way. I don't trust you."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40862145
>...I suppose you can have a peek
>Naoko, please defend my chastity if things look like they aren't on the level. *joke

>>40862191
Second

>>40862145
>"...I suppose you can have a peek."
Guess we've got to take a risk eventually. Doesn't mean I gotta like it!

>>40862145
>>"No way. I don't trust you."

Sucks, even beyond the possibility of him not being on the level, this is gonna screw us over if plotrock isn't inside Clarissa. At least we won't get set back much, but our only lead for Kimiko and our problems will be lost.

>>40862145
"Fair warning, whether it is what you're talking about or not, whatever is in me is definitely getting riled up. And while I don't think it can possess me, it's never been in danger like this before. But if you want to risk it, be my guest."

>>40862259
Second

>>40862256
The alternative is making an enemy of the most dangerous man in Bleach.

>>40862289
Old Man Genocide would like to have a word with you.....

>>40862191
>>40862210
That was stupid and autistic the last time you made a write-in like that and it's dumb this time as well.

>>40862259
Actually, we probably should mention this. If something were to happen and we don't it might be taken the wrong way, and if it's not plotrock it could keep his interest and a chance to still get Kimiko info. Admittedly also a little risky if he takes it as us being dangerous but oh well, he already thinks that.

>>40862325
Someone sounds fucking salty

>>40862322
Yamamoto stands at the top, true. But that doesn't mean he's the most dangerous.

>>40862375
When the QM points out a line was unnecessary and accomplished nothing positive, it means you shut the fuck up

>>40862401
Oh i'm sorry i didn't know you were the QM asshole

>>40862145
Voting over, writing!

>>40862347
Well I feel like the last shitty write in may have impeded our negotiating abilities. But really we've kind of backed ourselves into a corner right now, since we don't have any other plot hooks but dealing with this jackass.

>>40862568
How did it impede anything anon?

>>40862191
"...I suppose you can have a peek," You tell him, and briefly turn to Naoko. "Make sure he... doesn't do anything weird."

She nods. Urahara sheepishly chuckles. "Come on, do I really seem like that kind of person?"

"What?" You ask, and the Shinigami, apparently a little surprised by your question, shakes his head.

"Nevermind. Well, let us begin. Hiyori, I need a little help getting over there, please." At his request, the girl scoffs.

"I'm not draggin' you anywhere, dickhead. You can walk just fine." She tells him off, and, with a bitter frown, Urahara limps his way towards you. It appears that his left leg is completely useless.

What are you doing? Are you mad? You can't do this. YOU CAN'T DO THIS. HE'S TRYING TO TRICK YOU, DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?

You try to discard those paranoid thoughts with a prolonged blink; when you open your eyes, the Shinigami is still only halfway there.

He's the same as Mayuri. He holds the same position. That means they share the same qualities that make them viable for their position. Don't you understand? JUST BECAUSE HE'S NOT AS OPEN ABOUT IT, DOESN'T MEAN THAT HE'S ANY BETTER.

...Truth be told, you're starting to feel a little worried. If he really does trick you and take off without holding true to his part of the deal, you'll be left with absolutely nothing. Well, this is your only chance at finding out something about Kimiko. You just need to take this risk. If it pays off, then it'll be well worth it.

(1/2)

>>40863124
YOU'RE A FOOL. A FOOL. A FOOL FOR LETTING HIM TRICK YOU SO EASILY. AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMETHING? I AM YOU. I AM YOU, AND THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE INSEPARABLE. WE'RE THE SAME. EVEN IF HE DOES HAVE A WAY TO EXTRACT ME, IT'LL KILL YOU, DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? STOP HIM. YOU CAN'T LET HIM TOUCH YOU.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PROTECT YOUR BELOVED KIMIKO WITHOUT ME? YOU THINK THIS MAN WILL PROTECT YOU? HOW NAIVE CAN YOU BE? ONCE HE HAS WHAT YOU WANT, HE'LL DITCH YOU. HE DOESN'T NEED YOU FOR ANYTHING ELSE, YOU ARE NOTHING TO HIM BUT JUST A VESSEL TO CARRY HIS EXPERIMENT IN, AND ONCE YOU OUTLIVE YOUR USEFULNESS, HE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU AS AN ILLICIT SHINIGAMI. EVEN IF YOU SURVIVE, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE'LL LET AN UNNEEDED SHINIGAMI LIKE YOU LIVE? WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?

"...Is everything okay, young lady?" Urahara asks, stopping his hand midway towards your chest. "I'm not about to do anything strange. You should relax."

Rivulets of cold sweat are running down your face. As you look around, you realize that the tension isn't only on your side - Hiyori is glancing slightly upwards, her sword already drawn and ready.

It seems that you drew your own swords, too. Above you and to your sides, the air ripples, the sharp tips of many black bladed swords laid bare. No, you're not being controlled. Just nervous.

"...Shit," You mutter. "Look, it's just..."

...Sure, that guy seems to be trying to ignite your paranoia, but it's not that you disagree with or find unreasonable any of the possibilities that have been pointed out. You take a deep breath, shoving your panic aside.

...

>"...It's nothing. Continue."
>"Look... I don't trust you. You'll just snatch it and run, won't you?"
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40863169
>>"Look... I don't trust you. You'll just snatch it and run, won't you?"

>>40863169
>"Look... I don't trust you. You'll just snatch it and run, won't you?"

>>40863169
>"It won't shut up..."

>>40863169
"Yeah no, I don't think I can do this right now. Please don't follow me."

Then run.

>>40863169
>"Sorry, this guy in my head is being very insistent that this is a terrible idea. You know how it is!"
Alright seriously, for all the good points he may or may not be making, he's not any better. Do we have anything but his word that he's a part of us, that our inner desert is anything but random bullshit, etc?

>>40863307
While he's acting furious, Gilgamesh seems to be terrified right now. If he wasn't fused with us intrinsically, he wouldn't be so invested in keeping Clarissa alive and happy. Indeed, he'd probably want to leave us and try to corrupt Urahara, who surely has more lofty wishes than Clarissa.

>>40863169
>"...It's nothing. Continue."

>>40863169
"I'm getting a pretty clear vibe that trying to separate it from me will result in both of us being destroyed. You'll excuse me if I'm not comfortable with the that."

>>40863393
Or, you know, Urahara is actually being straight with us and would seal/destroy the plotrock if he got his hands on it, hence it desperately not wanting to fall into his hands. Which makes way more sense to me because if Gil isn't plotrock, why so scared? Urahara shouldn't care about him at all even if he was evil and only out to use the plotrock for his own gains.

>>40863169
Voting over, writing!

>>40863467
No yeah I agree that Gil at minimum believes himself to be the plotrock, I'm just saying that when Urahara wished it away, it may have fused with Clarissa on an intrinsic level.

>>40863569
It's possible but it probably would only harm Clarissa to remove it. Either way it's impossible to know which is going on.

>>40863622
I don't know, even though ol' Gil doesn't seem quite able to relate to humans, he seems invested in Clarissa being alive, healthy, and happy.

>>40863243
>>40863246
>>40863272
"...It won't shut up."

"...What won't shut up?" Urahara asks. He doesn't know?

"...I think it's the Hogyoku or whatever. Look, I don't really know about this. He's saying that what you're about to do will kill me."

"...The Hogyoku is... talking to you?" He looks at you strangely. "...Well, what I'm about to do wouldn't cause you any harm. Can you keep it under control? Do you think you're in danger of losing yourself?"

You shake your head. You're nervous, but you're still you.

"Then there should be no issue."

...And yet...

"...It seems that you still don't quite trust me. Is there nothing I can do to remedy that?"

You can't retract your weapons, still gripped with uncertainty. Urahara's hand still doesn't dare to move any closer, lest you let loose the bladed barrage quite literally hanging over his head.

...

>"...Nevermind, just do it already."
>"...Take care of my request first."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40864065
>"No."

>>40864065
>"Wouldn't say this is me, exactly...I dunno if there is anything that'll prevent this, it's more like a subconscious reaction than anything. "

>>40864065
>It wants to live, it wants to keep living.

>>40864065
Adding to >>40864126
>It REEEEALLY doesn't want you anywhere near it.

>>40864065
"You must have realized by now that when I told you about Mayuri, I was leaving some things out. Do you know who did this to me, and what happened to them?"

>>40864126
>>40864171
Second

>>40864065
"Give your word that if it is what you're looking for, which it seems to think it is, you won't just try and rip it out right away."

>>40864065
Tell him to just do it, but maybe ask the minion to back off, and Naoko be ready to move if he tries to pull something

>>40864386
Like I don't know, allegedly Urahara is only checking if we have the hog inside us, but Gilgamesh's reactions don't make sense if he thought it wasn't the case.

The real problem is that after you killed your girlfriend over a minor argument, you don't get to trust your own judgment anymore.

>>40864537
To be honest I'd rather bail for now, since this impasse is going nowhere.

>>40864126
That's contradicted by the content of the post isn't it?>>40864126

>>40864171
>>40864142
>>40864126
"It really doesn't want you to try it."

"...The Hogyoku doesn't 'want' something?" His eyes widen in what appears to be disbelief.

"Well... no matter what 'it' thinks, whatever it may be, it shouldn't be important as long as 'you' don't want to hurt me. If it is the Hogyoku, then it must respond to your wishes, and no one else's," Urahara smiles. "If you're worried that you'll hurt me by accident, then I assure you it won't happen unless you were to want something like that."

His rowdy partner barks out, still brandishing that sword of hers. "Quit fuckin' around already! 'Course she doesn't wanna give up something like the Hogyoku - who would? So quit wasting our time and just take it."

Urahara ignores her, though. "Don't worry about her. She won't do anything to you. And you won't do anything to me, not by accident. So, may I continue?"

...

>"...Alright."
>"I can't trust you. The answer is no."
>"Carry out my request first."

>>40864739
>"...Alright."
Man I'm sick of being stuck on this choice.

>>40864739
>>"I can't trust you. The answer is no."

>>40864739
>"...Alright."
This is taking too long.

>>40864739
>alright

>>40864739
>"...Alright."

>>40864739
"Alright, but this is just an examination."

>>40864782
Unfortunately that choice means either Hiyori tries to fight us, or they retreat and Urahara starts revving up his keikakus

>>40864887
Really we're kind of trapped here. Even if he's still weakened from his fight with Mayuri, Urahara is too smart for us. And in character we have no real motive to kill him.

>>40865063
Unfortunately this comes from anons not being able to come up with a course of action when we met Gilgamesh. Which I'm still blaming on the guy who wanted to go to therapy in a huge act of genre blindness.

>>40865290
What course of action would you have gone with?
Anyway, Gil is a terrible person in TM and his lookalike has been nothing but trouble here, unless he shows a different side I can't wait to be rid of him.

>>40865417
He's still clearly a part of Clarissa though. Specifically the only thing keeping her from being useless? Do you want this question to just be alive of life you toolbox?

>>40865472
We have only his word on any of that and I don't trust him at all. Especially now that we have some reason to believe he's plotrock and not a natural part of Clarissa. Sure we'll be weaker, but I don't mind that tradeoff one bit. Clarissa will still have powers, and frankly non-OP-as-shit powers sounds more appealing and safe too.

>>40864781
>>40864831
"Alright. Just do it already."

NOOO STOP HIM STOP HIM STOP HIM

After finally receiving a firm go-ahead, his hand reaches towards your chest. He doesn't touch you, keeping a few inches away. You haven't noticed until now, but there's a small object in his hand; with a slight flick, it shatters. The insides spill out and a bolt of lightning-shaped energy surrounds his arm. You twitch back, startled.

"Do not worry." He reassures you. The burst of energy quickly fades and transforms his arm: the fingers of his hand resemble long razors, while the skin of the limb took on a texture resembling the bark of a tree. With a sudden thrust, his hand goes straight through your spiritual flesh, coming out cleanly through the other side. Urahara pulls it out quickly; his firm expression hasn't softened whatsoever.

It doesn't really hurt, but it seems that the fist-sized hole is still present in your body. ...No, it's healing. The gap slowly stitches itself together. The sensation is disgusting, causing you to cringe.

"...It's not there," He proclaims. "Was I wrong?"

...What? What does he mean?

"So we went through all that for fuckin' nothing. Great job. And you, too, for being such a fucking coward and wastin' everyone's time." Hiyori doesn't shy from making her dissatisfaction audible, directing the last part at you in particular.

"...Shut the fuck up," You snap back at her. This whole ordeal is frustrating not only because the deal is now off - not only because you might have missed up on the one chance to see Kimiko again - but because you were lied to. "That wasn't a motion to fucking check up on it. You were trying to trick me after all, weren't you?"

"No..." Urahara denies it. "I wouldn't have done that. But it doesn't really matter anymore"

"Of course it matters! You fucking lied to me!" You shout at him, and yet the Shinigami remains impassive.

"I can prove that I was intending to carry out your request." He says.

(1/2)

>>40865867
"Oh yeah? And how the hell are you going to do that?"

"Tell me what it is, and I'll give it my all." Urahara kindly smiles as he declares that with pride.

"...Why? Why the hell would you do that? Why would I even believe you?"

"While you may not have the Hogyoku, you still possess an absolutely incredible ability. Those Zanpakuto were genuine. I managed to recognize one of them. There is nothing like this anywhere in Soul Society. You may not have what I wanted, but you are still someone of immense value," He steps back a bit; his clumsy state made even that slight movement visibly straining. "So I'm still willing to do you a favor, as long as you also promise me something."

"And what would that be? 'Please let me dissect you'?" You remark with a scowl.

"Of course not. As if it's ever that simple," He jokes around, though you don't find it funny at all. "...I would like you to join my Division and become a full-blown Shinigami under my lead," He makes his demand with a fairly casual tone; you don't actually know how important what he just said is, but it... well, it seems like a big deal, and it looks like he's taking it too lightly. "Of course, this is a long-term favor that I'm asking of you, and I by no means wish you to hasten your own death. But, on the contrary, I am willing to carry out your request as soon as I am able to."

You don't think that goldie is doing anything to fuel your paranoia. You trust him even less than before... but this is still a chance you might not get again. Damn it, that only makes you only more unwilling to make up your mind. Not taking risks is easy if there's no payoff to them, but it gets harder and harder when it's the opposite.

...

>Tell him about Kimiko.
>Refuse the deal.

>>40865925
>>Refuse the deal.

>>40865925
Ask what happened to the shinigami who gave us our powers. Don't incriminate Kimiko directly. But really I'm just confused by all of this.

>>40865925
>I'll need to think about it. In the first place I'm still a regular person with a family and friends down here, how would that even work?

>>40866040
I think he's saying after we die? Also can we do a quick check and make sure we still have our powers, and try and ask Gil why he was being such a fucking baby.

>>40865925
It's funny how this feels like the kind of situation where the protagonist is meant to agree and start the real quest, yet at the same time it would feel really weird to actually do so. We don't trust him much, we like our life here, it'd be a big sacrifice, etc.

>>40866134
Read the fucking post. He didn't say we had to leave now

>>40866114
I wasn't sure if he meant we'd have to die first or if he'd make an exception to work around it since Clarissa is so strong. I guess the former would fit the tone of the quest so far.

Also, I guess Gil is just paranoid as fuck or really secretive? Careful is one thing, but he seemed really desperate.

>>40866040
Second

>>40866190
What the fuck I'd your problem anon? No fucking shit we wouldn't have to immediately leave, that doesn't change Shit about what I posted, so how about you give up your poisonous attitude and post normally instead of crying like a bitch about something constantly like everyone is obliged to agree with you?

>>40865925
Tell him about Kimiko I'm sick of spinning our wheels.

>>40866271
I'm saying "we like our life here" is irrelevant both because it's barely true, and he's not asking us to leave until after we pass on, which he isn't even gonna accelerate.

>>40865925
Tell him about Kimiko
We need Kimiko...
We love her

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>>40866288
>>40866407

>>40866201
He said "long-term favor" and "by no means wish you to hasten your own death."

What did you THINK he means?

>>40866401
Either his offer won't impact the quest at all if we live until old age, or we will end up leaving soonish, dead or alive, in which case the points are valid (unless it's an accidental death). Either way it's hugely different from how this kind of choice usually plays out.

>>40865925
Deleting my old vote here>>40865968 seconding>>40866040

>>40866461
Fine, don't mention Kimiko by name, but at least do SOMETHING. Like what do you want as an alternative?

>>40866494
Long-term as in working for him isn't exactly a quick, exchange favors thing, but a long-term commitment. No wish to hasten death is obviously not wanting to kill us to get up there, could still start while we're alive. Ichigo and friends show that.

>>40866561
This>>40866040 is a good IC way to start if you ask me, I deleted my vote and voted for it

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>>40865925
I believe the general consensus is to ask for more time to think. That's fine! We'll figure something out, don't worry!

I'd like to end the thread for tonight, it's getting really late!

Next thread will be announced on twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mushroomgami

If you have any questions or feedback, shoot them my way!

Thanks for reading!

>>40866663
Thanks for running, it was fun!

Kinda feel like we're painting ourselves into a corner where we don't trust anyone or have any allies (with connections or knowledge anyway) or plans, so we can't get anywhere and spend whole threads going back and forth on a single issue grinding things to a halt though. But it's not like the paranoia is unwarranted or out of character.

>>40866729
Well with the way the quest started, I feel like that was unavoidable

>>40866784
Perhaps, but not necessarily I think. We trust Naoko and Ren and Kimiko for example, even if Clarissa can't trust herself. Just that Kimiko's gone and the others don't have much to contribute. And we don't have an Urahara equivalent like Ichigo to help out with our damsel in potential distress, or even give us info.

>>40866899
I mean, we did throw Urahara under the bus.

>>40867015
By which I mean Mayuri.

>>40867015
>>40867045
Yeah, but it's Mayuri. Even without meta knowledge his actions made him impossible to trust, and he certainly wouldn't help from the goodness of his heart.
Do wonder how Mushroom had expected anons to act throughout all this.

>>40866663
Thanks for writing

>>40866663
I feel like we should challenge Hiyori to a fight, just for the fun of it. Also because she's been giving us attitude all night and it seems like she really shouldn't be so high and mighty?