Awakening

On his way back to Seireitei from Muken, Liu Hao's pace was much slower than on the way there. The fierce battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, coupled with the enormous physical strain of maintaining Bankai for so long, left him visibly exhausted.

Back at the Fourth Division Barracks, Retsu Unohana personally settled Liu Hao into the bedroom he knew so well. It was Unohana's own bedroom, and ever since Liu Hao had been unconscious there for two days, it seemed to have become his private space.

The bedding on the bed was newly changed, exuding a faint scent of sunshine; the wildflowers on the windowsill were freshly picked, their petals still glistening with morning dew; the air was filled with a faint herbal fragrance, a calming incense specially blended for him by Unohana, to help him recover his strength and spirit more quickly.

Liu Hao fell asleep almost the instant he lay down. His body was too tired, his mind was too exhausted, and his soul desperately needed rest.

He slept for a whole day, during which Retsu Unohana came to his bedroom several times to check on him.

She would gently lift Ikkaku of the blanket and place her fingers on his wrist to feel if his pulse was steady; she would place her palm on his forehead to feel if his body temperature was normal; she would use her Reiatsu to sense the inside of his body to check if his meridians were damaged and if his Reiryoku was recovering normally.

Each checkup result reassured her somewhat— Liu Hao's body was fine; he was just too tired and needed rest. His pulse was steady and strong, his body temperature was normal and constant, and his Reiryoku was slowly and steadily recovering.

Many people came to visit him that day. Isane Kotetsu came several times, each time bringing various foods and supplements, but each time she saw that Liu Hao was still asleep, she would put the things on the bedside table and then leave quietly.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sent members of the First Division to inquire about Liu Hao's condition. After learning that he was resting, he instructed the members of the Fourth Division to take good care of him.

Kenpachi Zaraki also came once. He stood at the door, glanced at the sleeping Liu Hao, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Yachiru Kusajishi did not come. Since experiencing the ritual that changed her fate in the Muken, her body and soul were still adapting to the new state. Liu Hao used the power of the Hōgyoku to change her way of being, and this change was a huge transformation for her, which required time to adapt to and digest.

Ichigo Kurosaki didn't come either. He returned to his temporary residence in Soul Society, sat alone by the window, and stared Seireitei.

His mind replayed everything he had seen in the Muken — Liu Hao's Bankai, the battle between the Imperial Guards and Kenpachi Zaraki, the power of the Hōgyoku, Yachiru's transformation... These images kept replaying in his mind, leaving him unable to calm down for a long time.

He sensed the gap between himself and Liu Hao, a gap that wasn't just in strength, but also in realm, cognition, and understanding of the essence of power. He didn't know when he could catch up with Liu Hao, but he knew he had to work even harder.

A day later, Liu Hao woke up.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the wildflowers that Retsu Unohana had placed on his bedside table. The small white flowers swayed gently in the morning light, the dewdrops on their petals sparkling with a crystalline light, emitting a faint fragrance.

He took a deep breath and felt that most of the fatigue in his body had dissipated, and his Reiryoku had also recovered considerably. Although it was far from its peak, it was enough to handle daily activities and simple battles.

He sat up and stretched his somewhat stiff body. Every joint in his shoulders, arms, waist, and legs made a soft "clicking" sound, a normal reaction after maintaining the same posture for a long time.

After a quick wash, Liu Hao changed into a clean Shihakushō and hung the Imperial Sword at his waist. Looking at himself in the mirror, his young face still bore traces of fatigue, but his spirits had improved considerably. He smiled at himself in the mirror, then turned and walked out of the bedroom.

He didn't linger at the Fourth Division, but went straight to find Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. He knew the Zero Division was still waiting for them, and the journey to the Soul King Palace couldn't be delayed any longer.

Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and Ichigo Kurosaki were already waiting for him at the entrance of the Squad Six barracks.

Liu Hao walked up to the three of them and stopped. His gaze swept over their faces, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips. That smile carried a reassuring power, as if saying: Don't worry, everything will be alright.

"Rukia, Renji, Ichigo," Liu Hao's voice was calm and composed, as if he were stating something perfectly ordinary, "Let's go see Zero Division."

He paused, then turned to look at Rukia Kuchiki, a mischievous glint in his eyes, his smile deepening. His tone became relaxed and casual, carrying the teasing and warmth of friends. "By the way, Rukia, Captain Big White going?"

The moment the words "Captain Big White" were uttered, Rukia Kuchiki's expression changed immediately. Her brows furrowed, a hint of helplessness and reproach flashed in her eyes, and her lips pursed slightly, making her look both angry and amused.

Of course she knew who Liu Hao meant by "Captain Big White"—it was her sworn brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, the Captain of the Squad Six.

This wasn't the first time Liu Hao had addressed Byakuya in such an intimate and teasing way, but every time Rukia heard it, she felt an indescribable complex emotion—a mixture of respect for her brother, helplessness towards Liu Hao, and a warmth that she herself didn't even realize.

"Ugh, stop calling my brother 'Captain Big White' all the time!" Rukia Kuchiki's voice carried a hint of annoyance and helplessness.

Renji Abarai stood to the side, watching Rukia's angry yet helpless expression, and a slight smile crept onto his lips.

He cleared his throat and answered Liu Hao's question for Rukia, his voice carrying both the respect of a subordinate and the sincerity of a friend. "The Captain said he's not going. However, he will heed the advice you gave him before and re-understand the essence of Senbonzakura, so you don't need to worry."

Upon hearing Renji's words, Liu Hao nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. He knew, of course, about Byakuya Kuchiki's strength and that the man's potential was far from being fully realized.

"In that case," Liu Hao's voice was calm and composed, carrying a nonchalant "that's how it is" attitude, "Let's go then."

After saying this, he turned around and walked towards Rukongai. His steps were firm and composed, without hesitation or doubt, only a resolute "since I've decided, I'll do it" attitude. Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and Ichigo Kurosaki exchanged glances and then followed in his footsteps.