Preparing to Face Kenpachi Zaraki
After Ichibē Hyōsube finished speaking, everyone prepared to disperse.
"Captain-Commander." Liu Hao's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone who hadn't gone far. His voice carried a solemnity, a determination, and an unwavering resolve that couldn't be ignored.
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai stopped in his tracks as he was about to turn around. The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 slowly turned his head, his eyes, hidden by his eyebrows, looking at Liu Hao with a hint of inquiry in them. His expression remained dignified and composed, but there was an indescribable depth in his eyes. He nodded slightly, signaling Liu Hao to continue.
"What is it?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice was deep and powerful, like the sound of an ancient bell echoing in the air. His tone was calm and indifferent, as if he were asking about something extremely ordinary. But everyone could sense that this old man, who had lived for thousands of years, had already discerned something from Liu Hao's tone.
Liu Hao took a deep breath and straightened his back. His gaze was firm and clear, without flinching or hesitation, only a resolute determination born of careful consideration. He looked at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and said, each word resounding and carrying undeniable weight, "I will have a duel with Captain Zaraki within the next two days!"
The moment those words were spoken, the entire scene seemed to freeze. Those who were about to leave stopped in their tracks, those who were whispering fell silent, and those who were still pondering looked up. All eyes were fixed on Liu Hao, their gazes filled with surprise, confusion, and a certain inexplicable expectation.
Is Liu Hao going to have a duel with Kenpachi Zaraki?
Upon hearing Liu Hao's words, everyone's gaze turned to Kenpachi Zaraki. The Captain of the 11th Division was standing there, with Yachiru Kusajishi on his back. His face had initially shown a bored expression, as if this meeting was nothing more than a pointless farce to him. But when he heard Liu Hao's words, his expression instantly changed.
Kenpachi Zaraki's gaze froze. It was the look of a predator spotting its prey, sharp and dangerous, filled with primal wildness. His pupils contracted slightly, then slowly dilated, a flame igniting in his eyes—a thirst for battle, a pursuit of strength, a yearning for power. His lips slowly parted, revealing a chilling smile. That smile carried excitement, anticipation, and an almost manic fighting spirit.
Upon hearing Liu Hao's words, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's eyes, which were hidden by his eyebrows, widened slightly. His expression became serious, and his gaze lingered on Liu Hao for a moment before turning to Ichibē Hyōsube.
However, when Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's gaze fell on Ichibē Hyōsube, the leader of the Zero Division simply stood there with his arms crossed, his face still bearing that kind of amiable smile.
His smile was gentle and calm, as if all of this was within his expectations, as if this duel was nothing more than a trivial matter to him. He made no comment, neither nodding nor shaking his head, but simply stood there quietly, watching it all unfold.
Seeing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto Ichibē Hyōsube seven or eight parts of the situation. The leader of the Zero Division clearly did not intend to interfere in this matter, or rather, the matter itself was within a certain permissible range. The Captain-Commander withdrew his gaze and looked at Liu Hao again. His expression remained dignified, but there was a complex light in his eyes.
"Have you thought it through?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked, his voice low and solemn. This was not an ordinary inquiry, but a confirmation of his subordinate's feelings. He needed to know whether Liu Hao was truly prepared and whether he truly understood what this duel meant.
Liu Hao raised his head, his gaze fixed on Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. There was no wavering in his eyes, only a resolute determination born of deep thought. He nodded, the movement slow and solemn, as if making a promise that could change his destiny.
"Yes." Liu Hao's voice wasn't loud, but it was as firm as a rock. Every word he spoke was clear, every syllable carrying undeniable weight. "I don't know what will happen after we go to the Soul King Palace. Perhaps everything will go smoothly, or perhaps something unexpected will happen. So I want to finish their duel for our Captain ahead of time!"
Liu Hao's gaze passed over Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and landed on Retsu Unohana, who was standing not far away. The Fourth Division Captain maintained her calm expression, but after hearing Liu Hao's words, a barely perceptible fluctuation flashed in her eyes. The fluctuation was so subtle that almost no one could detect it, but Liu Hao saw it.
"Between Captain Unohana and Captain Zaraki," Liu Hao continued, his voice calm and composed, "There was an unfinished duel. But for various reasons, that duel was never completed. And now, I'm going to the Soul King Palace. I don't know if I'll be able to return, so I want to finish that duel for Captain Unohana before I leave."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at Liu Hao, his eyes holding an indescribable light. He remained silent for a moment, his eyes, hidden by his eyebrows, seemingly deep in thought. Then, he lowered his head and fell into contemplation. Everything around him quieted down; no one dared to disturb the Captain-Commander. Even Kenpachi Zaraki temporarily suppressed his wild fighting spirit and quietly awaited the Captain-Commander's decision.
Time ticked by. A tense atmosphere filled the air, and everyone's hearts were in their throats. Finally, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto raised his head, his gaze returning to Liu Hao. His expression remained serious, but there was a rare hint of gentleness in his eyes.
"Alright." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the air like an ancient vow. "What else do you require?"
Liu Hao seemed to have already thought of his answer, and spoke almost without hesitation, his voice clear and decisive. "I hope that you, Captain Unohana, and Yachiru Kusajishi watch the match."
"Yes." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded, his voice carrying an undeniable decisiveness. These two words meant that the duel had been officially approved.
Upon hearing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's agreement, Kenpachi Zaraki could no longer suppress his excitement. His laughter erupted once more, wild and unrestrained, like thunder exploding in the sky or waves crashing against rocks. His body trembled slightly with excitement, and his eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit.
"Hahaha..." Kenpachi Zaraki laughed heartily, his voice filled with joy and anticipation, "Liu Hao! We can finally have a battle!"
His voice grew louder and more excited, as if he couldn't wait to draw his sword and fight. His hands gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. His body leaned slightly forward, like a beast about to pounce on its prey, radiating a suffocating Reiatsu.
Liu Hao looked at the excited Kenpachi Zaraki, a faint smile playing on his lips. That smile held composure, confidence, and an indescribable gentleness. He looked at Kenpachi Zaraki and spoke slowly, his voice calm and composed. "Yes. But after we've fought, don't even think about fighting Captain Unohana again."
Upon hearing Liu Hao's words, Kenpachi Zaraki's smile froze for a moment. His eyes sharpened, his gaze lingering on Liu Hao for a brief instant before he grinned, revealing an even more unrestrained smile. That smile contained excitement, fighting spirit, and a rare hint of respect.
"Defeat me first!" Kenpachi Zaraki's voice carried a hint of provocation and expectation. His words were both a challenge to Liu Hao and an encouragement to himself. He knew that Liu Hao was no ordinary person.
Their gazes met in mid-air, sparking an invisible flame. A tense yet exciting atmosphere filled the air; everyone could sense that an earth-shattering battle was about to unfold.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto watched this scene, a complex emotion welled up within him. He knew that the significance of this duel went far beyond a simple battle. This was Liu Hao's promise to Retsu Unohana; this young man, on the eve of embarking on his journey to the Soul King Palace, had chosen this way to protect the person he wanted to protect.
"Alright!!" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice suddenly rang out, deep and powerful, like a heavy hammer shattering the tense atmosphere in the air. His voice carried an undeniable authority, as well as a rare gentleness.