Against Kenpachi Zaraki (XI)

The seven-colored light instantly engulfed the Hōgyoku, completely enveloping the purple bead. The Hōgyoku began to change within the light; cracks appeared on its surface, as dense as a spiderweb, as fine as ice cracks, and as alarming as cracked earth. The cracks multiplied, deepened, and became increasingly dense until finally, enveloped in the seven-colored light, the Hōgyoku gradually melted into a liquid.

The liquid was colorful, like a melting rainbow, like liquid aurora, like a substance from a dream. It flowed slowly in Liu Hao's palm, radiating a soft light and exuding an indescribable aura—an aura containing the fluctuations of the soul, the pulse of power, and the rhythm of life.

As the Hōgyoku melted, everyone seemed to hear a mournful cry. The sound came from the Hōgyoku itself, from the souls that Aizen had infused into Hōgyoku, and from the power that the Hōgyoku had devoured.

The voice carried pain, resentment, and despair, but also a sense of relief at finally being free. It echoed in the empty space like the distant tolling of a bell, like a valley's echo, like a whisper in a dream.

Liu Hao raised his hand and held the colorful liquid in his palm. He looked at the liquid, a complex light flashing in his eyes, then turned his head to look at Yachiru Kusajishi standing in front of him.

He placed his hand on Yachiru Kusajishi's head, the movement gentle and warm, like a father stroking his daughter's head, like an older brother comforting his younger sister, like an elder blessing a younger generation. His large, warm palm covered Yachiru's small head, pressing her soft golden hair slightly indented.

The instant Liu Hao's palm touched the top of Yachiru's head, a burst of multicolored light shone brightly from his hand. The light was so dazzling, so radiant, so blinding, that it was as if the sun were rising in his palm, as if stars were being born on his fingertips. The seven-colored light surged from Liu Hao's palm, enveloping Yachiru's entire body.

The colorful liquid, following the colorful light in Liu Hao's hand, slowly and gradually merged into Yachiru Kusajishi's body. The liquid seeped in from the top of her head, through her skin, through her skull, through her meninges, and into her soul.

Wherever the liquid touched, Yachiru's body began to radiate a seven-colored light. The light emanated from within her body, passing through her skin and clothes, and spreading in all directions.

Under the glow of the seven-colored light, Yachiru Kusajishi's body began to undergo subtle changes. Her form became more stable, her breath more peaceful, and her soul more complete.

The colorful liquid flowed within her, merging with her soul, her power, and her very being. She felt a warm power surge into her from the top of her head, flowing throughout her entire body—a feeling like soaking in a hot spring, basking in the sunlight, or being held in her mother's arms.

A peaceful and happy expression appeared on Yachiru Kusajishi's face. Her eyes were slightly closed, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a faint smile. That smile was innocent and pure, like the smile of an angel, like the smile of a saint, like the murmur of a child.

Just as Liu Hao placed his hand on Yachiru Kusajishi's head, he slightly raised his head and looked at Kenpachi Zaraki, who was fighting fiercely with the Six Paths Imperial Guards, with a playful gaze.

There was an indescribable meaning in his gaze—a provocation, as if to say: Watch closely, Captain Zaraki, what I'm doing. As if to say: Don't worry, it'll be over soon. As if to say: If you want to stop me, come on over there.

Kenpachi Zaraki's anxiety intensified upon seeing Liu Hao's gaze. He didn't know what Liu Hao was doing to Yachiru, what the seven-colored light was, or what the liquid merging into Yachiru's body was.

But he saw Yachiru's body glowing, saw her expression changing, saw her existence being altered by some force. An unprecedented fear surged within him—he was afraid of losing Yachiru, afraid of her disappearing.

A violent power erupted from Kenpachi Zaraki's body once again, even stronger, more terrifying, and more frenzied than before. His Reiatsu soared to an unprecedented height in that instant. The intensity of that Reiatsu caused the entire Muken to tremble, the sealing runes on the walls to flicker wildly, and forced everyone on the sidelines to release their Reiatsu to resist this oppressive feeling.

Kenpachi Zaraki Zanpakuto, slashing fiercely at the two Imperial Guards blocking his way. The power of this strike surpassed any of his previous attacks. It was like the creation of the heavens and the earth, like the explosion of stars, like the birth of the universe.

The blade drew a huge silver arc in the air, like a comet streaking across the night sky, like a giant wave crashing on the sea, like a bolt of lightning striking down from the heavens.

"Clang--"

A deafening metallic clang exploded in the air. The two Imperial Guards were sent flying by the blow, their bodies tumbling through the air before crashing heavily to the ground, creating two large craters.

But just as Kenpachi Zaraki cleaved away two Imperial Guards, the remaining four Imperial Guards attacked simultaneously. Four Tang Dao thrust at Kenpachi Zaraki from four different directions and at four different angles.

Kenpachi Zaraki only wanted to rush to Liu Hao's side to save Yachiru Kusajishi, and didn't bother to dodge at all.

But the Imperial Guards showed no mercy, and four Tang Dao simultaneously pierced Kenpachi Zaraki's body. One pierced his left shoulder, one his right rib, one his back, and one his thigh.

Blood gushed from all four wounds simultaneously, tracing four red arcs in the air before splashing onto the ground, creating tiny blood flowers. The intense pain emanating from the four wounds caused Kenpachi Zaraki's body to tremble violently, but his face remained expressionless, displaying only an almost frenzied determination.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring his wounds, the four Tang Dao still embedded in his body, and the blood still gushing out, and charged towards Liu Hao.

Although his injuries healed quickly, his physical strength was nearing its limit and his Reiatsu was beginning to decline. Yet, his steps were unsteady but firm, his body swayed but tenacious, and his will burned unstoppably. He raised his Zanpakuto high, its blade gleaming with a cold light, the tip pointing directly at Liu Hao, who sat on the Imperial Throne.