more a friend than a foe. Urahara trained ichigo prior to the rescue of rukia. and even before that he stated that he intentionally did not interfere when byakuya and renji fought ichigo on the grounds that ichigo had to learn that lesson on his own. Urahara is always helping ichigo and company out with medicines, merchandise, and helpful information. Urahara has his secrets but he keeps them for his own reasons and reveals them when he deems necessary.