Taking Momo Hinamori Away

The night was as Seireitei cast long shadows under the moonlight. Liu Hao silently glided over the rubble, speeding towards the familiar Reiatsu.

When he arrived, the sight before him made him stop on the roof.

Fifth Division Vice-Captain Momo Hinamori stood in the center of the courtyard, her hands gripping her Zanpakuto tightly, the tip of the blade trembling as it pointed at Tenth Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Her face was streaked with tears, and her lips were pale from the intense emotions she was experiencing.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya stood frozen in place, his icy blue eyes filled with disbelief, confusion, and pain.

"Why?!" His voice was suppressed, each word seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his chest.

Momo Hinamori's tears flowed even more freely. "Captain Aizen's letter... He said you, along with Liu Hao, killed him..." She choked back sobs, barely able to finish a sentence, "He asked me, in his personal capacity... to avenge him... Tōshirō, I don't know what to do!"

Before she finished speaking, she suddenly rushed forward. Her Zanpakuto drew an arc, aiming straight for Tōshirō Hitsugaya's heart. This attack was completely unpredictable, filled with despair and chaos.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya dodged to the side, the blade grazing his Shihakushō and leaving a shallow scratch. He dared not retaliate, and could only retreat and dodge, his eyes never leaving Momo Hinamori's face.

"Hinamori, calm down!" he tried to call out, but his voice was drowned out by her sobs.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Tōshirō Hitsugaya caught a glimpse of the third person standing in the shadows— Gin Ichimaru, the Third Division Captain. His fox-like face wore his signature smile, as if the tragedy before him was nothing more than an amusing drama.

Anger instantly consumed his reason. Tōshirō Hitsugaya drew his sword abruptly, and the moment Hyōrinmaru was unsheathed, a chilling aura emanated from it.

But Momo Hinamori charged again. This time, her movements were even more resolute, almost recklessly lunging at him. Tōshirō Hitsugaya had no time to dodge and could only parry with his sword. The immense force of the collision sent Momo Hinamori flying, her petite body arcing through the air before crashing to the hard ground.

Just then, a figure flashed by like a ghost.

Liu Hao appeared in the courtyard and reached out to catch Momo Hinamori was about to fall. His movements were gentle and precise, as if he were catching not a Soul Reaper Vice-Captain, but a falling feather.

Momo Hinamori opened her eyes and saw the person who caught her; her pupils suddenly contracted.

"Liu..." She instinctively wanted to say something, but the next moment, the words from Aizen's last letter darted into her mind like a venomous snake. Anger reignited, and she Zanpakuto tightly, ready to slash at Liu Hao.

"Vice-Captain Hinamori," Liu Hao's voice was as calm as a deep pool, "You've lost your mind. Don't do anything to hurt yourself."

The blade froze in mid-air. Momo Hinamori's hand trembled.

Liu Hao gently set her down and continued, "Anger has clouded your judgment. So what you need now is to calm down. Even if Captain Hitsugaya and I really are the murderers of Captain Aizen, you should focus on your training and wait until you have the strength to consider revenge."

Momo Hinamori stared at him, tears welling up again. "You... how can you... still be so... calm in analyzing... these things for me..." Her voice was broken, "Aizen... Captain Aizen is dead... His letter said... it said it was you... and... Tōshirō did it!!"

"Deep down, you don't really believe it, do you?" Liu Hao looked directly into her eyes. "If you truly believed it, you wouldn't be in so much pain."

These words were like a key, unlocking the deepest turmoil in Momo Hinamori's heart. She collapsed to her knees, her Zanpakuto slipping from her hand.

"I... I... I don't know what to do!!"

At that moment, Gin Ichimaru slowly stepped out from the shadows, clapping his hands and making a crisp applause.

"Yo... yo... isn't this Lieutenant Liu Hao!" His voice carried a teasing laugh. "Long time no see."

Liu Hao turned around, a smile also appearing on his face, "Alright, Captain Ichimaru, stop putting on that nonchalant act in front of me."

"Liu Hao!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya's voice was as cold as winter, "You actually dare to show your face in Soul Society!!"

His Hyōrinmaru was pointed at Liu Hao, and the cold aura emanating from the blade caused the surrounding air to freeze.

Liu Hao, however, remained unperturbed, still smiling, "Alright, Captain Hitsugaya, I didn't come here for you guys."

"Then what is your purpose?!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Reiatsu began to rise, the temperature in the courtyard dropped sharply, and a thin layer of frost began to appear on the ground.

Liu Hao spread his hands, making a harmless gesture. "I'm here to discuss some things with Vice-Captain Hinamori. I hope the two Captains won't make things difficult for me?"

"Oh?" Gin Ichimaru's eyes narrowed to slits. "You're a wanted criminal in Soul Society. You think you can just walk right past us like that? You're not so lucky."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya stepped forward, Hyōrinmaru's sword tip only a few feet from Liu Hao: "Liu Hao, although I don't know why you betrayed Soul Society, it seems you're looking down on us by just showing up in front of us like this!"

"Oh dear, Captain Hitsugaya," Liu Hao shook his head helplessly, "I did manage to save your childhood friend, don't be so heartless."

He suddenly turned to Gin Ichimaru and winked.

Gin Ichimaru's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal. "So, what reason do you have to convince me not to intervene?"

Liu Hao turned to Tōshirō Hitsugaya: "Captain Ichimaru, you don't want your adjutant and the people who are about to arrive to be caught in the crossfire of our battle, do you?"

For the first time Gin Ichimaru's expression subtly changed. He closed his eyes, as if sensing something. A few seconds later, he reopened his eyes, a look of understanding flashing within them.

"Kira," he turned to the Third Division Vice-Captain who had been standing in the shadows, and said, "Let's go."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya was stunned. "Captain Ichimaru! You're just going to give up like this? Liu Hao is a wanted criminal in Soul Society, and he even attacked you before!!"

Gin Ichimaru stopped in his tracks without turning around, but his voice was unusually serious. "You should take good care of your adjutant and Vice-Captain Hinamori."

After saying that, he disappeared into the night with Izuru Kira, leaving Tōshirō Hitsugaya in the courtyard in a daze.

After confirming that Gin Ichimaru had left, Tōshirō Hitsugaya refocused his attention on Liu Hao. Hyōrinmaru's chill intensified, and the moisture in the air condensed into tiny ice crystals that shimmered in the moonlight.

"Liu Hao, don't think that just because Gin Ichimaru has left, I'll let you go so easily."

Liu Hao sighed, "Captain Hitsugaya, why are you so stubborn? Oh well, didn't you notice that Vice-Captain Matsumoto is on his way? Do you really want our battle to affect Vice-Captains Hinamori and Vice-Captain Matsumoto?"

As soon as the words left her lips, an orange figure leaped down from the rooftop and landed in the courtyard. Rangiku Matsumoto, the Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division, her golden hair gleaming in the moonlight. The moment she saw Liu Hao, her pupils contracted sharply, and her hand immediately went to her Zanpakuto.

"Liu Hao! What are you doing here?!"

"Hey, Vice-Captain Matsumoto, long time no see," Liu Hao greeted with a smile, as if it were just a chance encounter with an old friend.

Rangiku Matsumoto remained vigilant, her Zanpakuto half-drawn. "Liu Hao, what brings you here?"

"Alright, don't be so tense," Liu Hao said casually. "I'm not here to fight you. After all, we're not enemies."

"So what exactly do you want to say to Hinamori?!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya pressed, while Hyōrinmaru kept pointing at Liu Hao.

Liu Hao's gaze fell on Momo Hinamori was still kneeling on the ground crying, "It's just letting her see the truth. So you don't need to be nervous."

"The truth?!" Momo Hinamori suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope rekindling in her eyes. "Do you know who killed Captain Aizen?!"

"Vice-Captain Hinamori," Liu Hao's voice turned serious, "What you need right now is to stay calm. You can't listen to anyone right now, especially since I'm a suspect in Captain Aizen's murder."

"I've calmed down!" Momo Hinamori said urgently. "Tell me, please tell me!"

Liu Hao shook his head. "Then you should go back to where you belong with Captain Hitsugaya first. Otherwise, I can't tell if you're truly calm."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya frowned. "Liu Hao, where are you planning to go?"

"Captain Hitsugaya, stop chasing after me. After all, I've already said we're not enemies. You'll understand in a few days." Liu Hao's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

"Then you'll come back with me," Tōshirō Hitsugaya insisted. "We'll investigate your situation thoroughly."

"What a stubborn person." Liu Hao shook his head helplessly.

The next moment, his figure suddenly blurred. Tōshirō Hitsugaya immediately realized that he was trying to escape, and he swung Hyōrinmaru, causing an ice pillar to rise from the ground and block Liu Hao's retreat.

But Liu Hao was faster. The instant the icicle formed, he leaped onto the roof and turned back to say, "Don't chase me, you can't catch me. Also, take good care of your adjutant and your childhood sweetheart."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared completely into the night.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya wanted to give chase, but seeing Momo Hinamori still crying in the courtyard and Rangiku Matsumoto looking worried, he ultimately gave up.

He put away Hyōrinmaru, walked to Momo Hinamori's side, squatted down, and softened his voice. "Hinamori, I don't know what Captain Aizen wrote in his letter, but I am not the murderer of Captain Aizen. I hope you believe that."

Momo Hinamori raised her tear-filled face. "Shiro-chan, but it's Captain Aizen's letter... it's his handwriting. When I saw the letter, I completely lost my composure... I can't believe you're the murderer of Captain Aizen, so I don't know what to do now."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya sighed, "Hinamori, let's go back first. We'll investigate Captain Aizen's matter. You need to rest now. Also, Liu Hao seems to know something; since he came to see you, it's probably because of this."

Rangiku Matsumoto stepped forward and gently helped Momo Hinamori up. "Vice-Captain Hinamori, let's go back first. The Captain will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly, don't you trust him?"

Momo Hinamori nodded, letting Rangiku Matsumoto support her, and followed Tōshirō Hitsugaya as they slowly left the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, the courtyard returned to silence. Only the partially melted ice crystals on the ground testified to what had just happened.

It's late at night.

Inside the Tenth Division's temporary quarters, Momo Hinamori lay on a simple bed, unable to sleep. Everything that had happened during the day kept replaying in her mind— Captain Aizen's last letter, the conflict with Tōshirō, Liu Hao's appearance, and those perplexing words.

[The truth... what exactly is the truth he's talking about?]

Suddenly, a soft thud came from outside the door, as if something had fallen to the ground.

Momo Hinamori immediately sat up, her hand resting on her Zanpakuto. She quietly walked to the door, took a deep breath, and suddenly flung it open.

Liu Hao stood outside the door, smiling at her. At his feet lay the unconscious guard from the Tenth Division.

"You... how did you get here?!" Momo Hinamori whispered, her eyes filled with wariness. "What was that voice just now?!"

"To prevent anyone from knowing I came to see you, I knocked out your guards." Liu Hao's tone was as casual as if he were remarking on the nice weather.

Momo Hinamori frowned. "But then people will know you came to see me?!"

"It's alright, we can just say you knocked him out." Liu Hao said with a smile.

"Why did I knock him out?!" Momo Hinamori asked, puzzled.

"Shiro-chan will definitely investigate Captain Aizen's matter. You'll go with him then, and naturally you'll have to leave this place. Isn't knocking out a guard a normal thing?" Liu Hao shrugged.

Momo Hinamori was speechless for a moment. The man in front of her had an unpredictable mind and acted strangely, but for some reason, she didn't feel much hostility towards him. Perhaps it was because he had caught her when she fell during the day, or perhaps it was because of the inexplicable sincerity in his words.

"You said you had something to say to me," she finally asked, "So what exactly do you want to say?"

"This isn't the place to talk," Liu Hao's expression turned serious. "I'll get you a Substitute and put him here."

"What exactly do you want?!" Momo Hinamori's vigilance rose again.

Liu Hao looked directly into her eyes and said, slowly and deliberately, "I'll let you see the truth."

These words made Momo Hinamori's heart skip a beat. She Zanpakuto tightly, her voice trembling slightly. "Could you tell me who killed Captain Aizen?"

"Yes," Liu Hao answered without hesitation, "I will not only let you know who the murderer is, but also let you see clearly everything that has happened from beginning to end, and the reasons why you are confused."

Their eyes met. Moonlight from the courtyard streamed through the corridor windows, illuminating the space between them. Momo Hinamori saw the determination in Liu Hao's eyes, the unwavering resolve.

Finally, she nodded, her voice soft but unusually firm. "Okay, I'll go with you."

Liu Hao took out a small, transparent bead from his pocket. The bead had fine patterns inside and shimmered faintly in the moonlight.

"Infuse your Reiatsu into this thing," he explained, "And it will transform into a Doll to take your place in the next action."

Momo Hinamori took the bead, hesitated for a moment, then slowly poured her Reiatsu into it. The bead began to glow, the light growing stronger and stronger until it finally left her palm and fell to the ground. Within the light, a humanoid figure identical to herself slowly took shape, eventually becoming an expressionless "Momo Hinamori".

"You stay here," Liu Hao said to his Substitute. "When the time is right, go out and follow Tōshirō Hitsugaya, but don't let them find you."

"Okay, I understand." The Substitute replied expressionlessly, its voice perfectly matching Momo Hinamori's.

Liu Hao turned to the real Momo Hinamori: "Let's leave here first."

Momo Hinamori took one last look at her Substitute, took a deep breath, and followed behind Liu Hao, quietly leaving the Tenth Division's temporary residence.

The two figures moved through the darkness of Seireitei, avoiding patrols and traversing quiet streets. Finally, they arrived at a secluded building—the former Training Base, now abandoned.

Liu Hao pushed open the heavy iron door, the hinges making a harsh scraping sound. Inside was an empty Training Ground, moonlight streaming through the broken roof and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

"It's safe here," Liu Hao turned to face Momo Hinamori, "At least for now."