While Kisuke was muttering about the specifics of how they'd acquire the aura detection and reading skills and Nyx and Seekvaira were speaking up, trying to reduce their 'punishment', a group of people arrived at the room where they are staying.
"Kisuke! Why didn't you tell me that you've been here for a while now?" Issei came walking in excitedly.
Seeing his childhood friend who had become visibly taller and more muscular for the first time in a while, Kisuke smiled, "Did I ever become a person who goes to someone just to greet them?"
Issei chuckled and affirmed, "Right. You never really go to someone unless you need them for something. But couldn't you at least have given me a heads up?"
"Well, since I figured that the news of me participating in the Azazel Cup would surely rile up some people, I believed I didn't need to inconvenience myself to inform everyone."
Issei lightly punched his shoulder as soon as he got closer as a form of greeting, "You still like delegating work to others, huh."
"And it seems like you're doing all the work that can be done. You should take it easy." Kisuke commented after seeing him up close.
Rias then suddenly came up to Issei with a strict expression, "Are you still pulling all-nighters with your studies?"
Issei scratched his head with an awkward expression and said, "It's the least that I can do if I want a smooth sailing future. I know that I'm not going to be fighting forever and I don't want that to be my only skill."
Of course, Issei wasn't referring to just school studies, but actual management studies. Before even proposing to anyone, Issei knew that he couldn't just offer his fighting ability on the table as he believed that peaceful times would come eventually. This became even more apparent when Sirzechs revealed his intentions for him to succeed as one of the Devil Kings.
Rias sighed while placing her hand on her forehead, "That's so Human of you. I know this still doesn't strike you as normal, but you're a Devil now with a lifespan surpassing a Human's many times over. You don't have to cram everything and I'll always be beside you."
"She's right. Your mindset is admirable, but for now, just leave the things you want to do with those who can do it. Take your time to learn their trade and you won't need to sacrifice what you have right now for the things you'll eventually get anyways.", Kisuke added in.
Smiling wryly, Issei replied, "I don't really want to hear that from you."
But Kisuke just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Too bad for me. Not just anyone can do what I can and I have to pioneer most of the things that I want to do. As you've said, I like delegating work to others, but that's because I actually can."
"If that came from anyone else, you would have sounded arrogant. But Azazel already told me what you're capable of, at least, the things he knew that you're capable of.", Vali joined in their conversation.
"I'm glad to see that you're also doing great, Vali-san." From Kisuke's perspective, there's also a massive change in his aura compared to when he met him in the past, 'He already had a massive amount of Demonic Power in the past, though it seems to have increased, that's just secondary seeing how stable his footing is now.'
"Are you done appraising me?", Vali suddenly asked.
"Ah, forgive me. Force of habit."
Vali shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I'd do the same if I could. But as you can see, all of us have become considerably stronger. I don't really have to ask how you're doing because I can sense something terrifying from you, but what about those who are with you? I hope they're not slacking off." It's his round-about way of asking how Kuroka is doing.
"They have been working hard. Too much in fact that I wished they'd slack off a little." Which is something Kisuke was already regretting since he's the one who created an environment and habit like this on them, "But if we're talking about raw power, they wouldn't be able to match your lot. After all, the place we have been staying in is mostly peaceful."
"Hmph. Don't make it sound like that's a bad thing. I like fighting, but too much of it gets tiring too, especially if it's for nonsensical reasons. I'd like a bit of peacefulness too."
And that's the truth. Those who had participated in the war, especially those who lost their loved ones, would never wish for power if it was in exchange for peaceful times. The fact that they'd been living a relatively peaceful life would induce envy to many people and some might even hold a grudge against them. That's how terrible the war was.
Seeing an opening, the last person from the group came forward and faced Kisuke, "It's nice to finally meet you, Kisuke Urahara. I'm Sairaorg Bael. I hope we can get along." Sairaog offered his hand while introducing himself.
Kisuke took his hand, "The honor is mine~ I've also heard a lot of things about you. The strange yet admirable young Devil trained his body to the limits and defeated all of his adversaries with unmatched willpower and determination. I've always wanted to meet you."
Sairaorg crowed a little and said, "Those are exaggerations that came because I was able to cement my position as the heir of the highest-ranked house. There are many people who are as great and even better than me."
But as Sairaorg took back his hand, his expression became serious before continuing, "But before anything else, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, my mother was able to safely wake up from her sleeping disease. Although it's the House of Sitri who employed the medications, I heard the cure came from you directly. If there's anything you need, please tell me and I'll do my best to fulfill it, even if it means utilizing my position as the heir of Bael."
Of course, Kisuke was not someone who'd refuse an offer that was given so sincerely, "If you're asking me now, I really have nothing in mind, so I'll save it for later."
This would have come up as rude if there were old-fashioned Devils in the room but Sairaorg just smiled and was glad that it's easy to talk to him, "I'll wait for it then."
Issei then approached Kisuke from the side and softly said, "Kisuke, follow me for a moment."
The sharp glint within his eyes indicated that he wanted to talk alone about something very serious. Kisuke nodded and silently followed him outside of the room. The others didn't mind this and just started talking with each other.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached a quiet corner and Kisuke immediately cast multiple layers of complex barriers that resulted in a black box that didn't allow a single bit of information from the inside to leak.
Conjuring a light source, Kisuke asked, "Are they coming?"
Issei's eyes went wide open in surprise but he sighed immediately after, "I don't know how you've guessed it, but you're right. They are coming and she said that there's nothing Great Red could do aside from slowing down their invasion."