Finding the Expeditionary Force

With the Imperial Princess's appearance and explanation, Pesche and Dondochakka gradually lowered their guard. They sat back down against the wall, but their eyes remained warily fixed on the mysterious materialized form of the Zanpakuto.

Nel's curiosity was completely ignited. She opened her eyes wide and leaned closer to the Imperial Princess to observe carefully. "Ah, can his Zanpakuto transform into a person?"

"I haven't become human," the Imperial Princess gracefully smoothed her skirt and sat down beside Nel. "I've merely materialized. The essence of the Imperial Sword remains a sword, and I am merely the embodiment of its will."

"Then why didn't you come out before?" Nel asked, like any curious child.

A hint of tenderness flashed in the Imperial Princess's eyes. "I've been by his side the whole time, you just couldn't see me. He's resting now, and I noticed you seemed a little bored, so I came out to chat with you."

She reached out and gently smoothed Nel's slightly disheveled hair, her gesture natural and intimate. Nel didn't flinch; instead, she enjoyed the feeling of being cared for. In Hueco Mundo, a world where the strong prey on the weak, pure kindness is as precious as an oasis in the Desert.

Then, the two, one big and one small, began to chat. The Imperial Princess described the World of the Living seasons to Nel —the cherry blossoms blooming in spring, the fireworks of summer festivals, the red leaves covering the mountains in autumn, and the silent snowscape in winter. Nel listened intently; these scenes, which were completely unfamiliar to her, became vividly real under the Imperial Princess's description.

"Is the World of the Living really that beautiful?" Nel, resting her chin on her hands, her eyes sparkling with longing.

The Imperial Princess nodded. "Every world has its unique beauty, Hueco Mundo is no exception. Look at this Desert under the moonlight, doesn't it also have a desolate and magnificent beauty?"

Following the Imperial Princess's gaze, Nel looked out of the cave, examining for the first time the land she had lived on for so long. The moonlight poured down like mercury onto the undulating sand dunes, creating ripples of light and shadow, a beauty she had never noticed before.

Pesche and Dondochakka watched this scene silently, their hearts filled with complex emotions. Over the years, they had carefully protected Nel, who had lost her memories and powers, watching her regress from a powerful Vasto Lorde to the innocent child she was today. Seeing the renewed light in Nel's eyes now, they both thought in unison: how wonderful it would be if time could stand still at this moment.

Time slipped by unnoticed during their conversation. About half a day later, Liu Hao suddenly emanated a strong Reiatsu. This power was powerful and pure, like an undercurrent surging beneath a calm sea. But unlike the oppressive Reiatsu they felt before, this power gave Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka a strange sense of comfort, as if they were in a warm spring.

The fluctuations in Reiatsu lasted for a moment, then quickly subsided, returning to Liu Hao's body like a receding tide. When the last fluctuation disappeared, the three were surprised to find that the Reiatsu on Liu Hao had completely vanished—not weakened, but completely subdued. At this moment, he looked like an ordinary person without any power.

As his Reiatsu completely subsided, Liu Hao slowly opened his eyes. His gaze first fell on Nel, then turned to the Imperial Princess, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Imperial Princess, why are you out here too?"

The Imperial Princess rose gracefully, smiling as she replied, "While you were recovering there, I noticed Nel seemed a bit bored, so I came out to chat with her."

Nel nodded quickly a few times to confirm that the Imperial Princess was telling the truth, then asked curiously, "Why has your Reiatsu disappeared?"

"I merely contained my Reiatsu; it didn't disappear." Liu Hao stood up, stretching his somewhat stiff body. "To completely control one's own Reiatsu, preventing even the slightest leakage, is a higher level of Reiatsu control technique."

Upon hearing this, Pesche and Dondochakka were even more shocked. In Hueco Mundo, powerful Reiatsu often signifies higher status and greater power, and almost all Hollows unconsciously release Reiatsu to demonstrate their strength or intimidate their opponents. They had never seen anyone who could completely conceal their Reiatsu —this meant that Liu Hao's control over his own power had reached an unbelievable level.

In the following days, Liu Hao wandered aimlessly through Hueco Mundo with Nel and the other two. At Nel's request, the Imperial Princess remained in her materialized form, often carrying Nel on her shoulders, the two chatting and laughing as they walked at the head of the group. The Imperial Princess's presence seemed to soften the barrier between Soul Reaper and Hollows, making this peculiar group look more like a group of travelers.

During their journey, they occasionally encountered other Hollows. Most Hollows sensed the powerful Reiatsu emanating from the group—especially from Pesche, Dondochakka, Imperial Princess —and would avoid them in advance. However, a few arrogant Adjuchas- class Hollows, unaware of their own limitations, attempted to attack them, wanting to devour these "prey" to enhance their own power.

Whenever this happened, Liu Hao was always the first to strike. His fighting style was simple and efficient: usually just one strike, sometimes even just releasing a portion of his Reiatsu to intimidate, was enough to make the attacker back down. Only once, when a particularly stubborn Hollow refused to retreat, did Liu Hao have to take it seriously and leave a deep mark on the Hollow's mask with his Imperial Sword as a warning.

"Why not eliminate them?" Pesche once asked.

Liu Hao sheathed his sword and looked at the Hollow that was fleeing in panic. "Killing is not the only way to solve problems. In Hueco Mundo, every Hollow's existence has its meaning."

On the evening of the third day, the group found a relatively safe cave to rest in. Nel leaned against the Imperial Princess, watching Liu Hao ignite a small pile of Reishi flames—a common method of lighting and warmth used by Soul Reaper in Hueco Mundo.

The Flame Jump cast a warm glow on everyone's faces, creating a rare atmosphere of tranquility. Just then, Liu Hao suddenly spoke up, "Alright, I should leave too."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, shattering the harmony of the past few days. Nel abruptly looked up, her eyes instantly filling with tears. "Can't you stay? Aren't we happy together?"

Her voice, filled with the unique grievance and reluctance of a child, moved both Pesche and Dondochakka.

Liu Hao crouched down to be at eye level with Nel: "I still have a lot to do, so I can't stay in Hueco Mundo forever. But please believe me, we will definitely meet again in the future."

His tone was gentle yet firm, attempting to offer hope in the farewell. Pesche and Dondochakka also showed reluctance in their eyes, but they said nothing, simply standing silently behind Nel, demonstrating through their actions that no matter what happened, they would protect her.

Nel's tears finally fell. "Then it's a deal. You must come to Hueco Mundo to find me in the future."

"Okay, I'll come see you," Liu Hao promised with a smile. "If you need anything, you can also come to the World of the Living to find me."

He took out an exquisite bracelet from his pocket. The bracelet was made of a semi-transparent material, with a faint blue halo flowing inside, which was the manifestation of Liu Hao's own Reiatsu.

"What's this for?" Nel took the bracelet and examined it curiously.

"This is for finding me. It has my Reiatsu mark on it. Wear it in the World of the Living so I can quickly sense your location and we can meet sooner," Liu Hao explained patiently, while helping Nel put the bracelet on her slender wrist.

The bracelet automatically adjusted its size, fitting Nel's wrist perfectly. After putting it on, Nel felt a warm Reiatsu slowly emanating from the bracelet, exactly the same as the aura emanating from Liu Hao.

In his final words of advice, Liu Hao's expression turned serious. "Remember, do not approach Las Noches, and try to avoid the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Forces. Most importantly, be wary of the Espada and Sōsuke Aizen, among others."

In their final farewell, Nel clung tightly to Liu Hao's clothes, her eyes filled with reluctance. The Imperial Princess gently patted her shoulder, then transformed into a beam of light and returned to the Imperial Sword. Liu Hao nodded to Pesche and Dondochakka one last time, then turned and stepped into the night of Hueco Mundo.

Nel kept watching the direction he had left in until the black figure completely disappeared behind the dunes. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist; its blue halo shimmered faintly in the moonlight of the Hueco Mundo, as if silently telling a promise.

After parting ways with Nel and the other two, Liu Hao put his hood back on, concealing himself under his large black cloak. He took out the Reiatsu detector issued to the support troops by the Twelfth Division from his pocket—a palm-sized circular device with complex Reishi particle patterns floating on its surface.

The search engine quickly located the target: a sizable Soul Reaper team was active somewhere in Hueco Mundo, and judging from the Reiatsu characteristics, it was the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force led by Shūsuke Amagai.

Liu Hao adjusted his direction and stealthily moved towards the location indicated by the search device. Two days later, he finally sensed the dense spiritual pressure of the Grim Reaper ahead. He cautiously approached and hid behind a tall sand dune to observe.

Below, on the open ground, about thirty Soul Reaper were setting up a temporary camp. Standing in the center, directing the operation, was the Third Division Captain, Shūsuke Amagai. He looked serious and was discussing something with several Seated Officers. Kifune Ri, as his adjutant, stood beside him, nodding and taking notes from time to time.

In the days that followed, Liu Hao remained hidden near the Expeditionary Force, seeking an opportunity to make contact with Shūsuke Amagai alone. However, the Third Division Captain was cautious and rarely strayed from the main force. Even when he occasionally went out on patrol, he always took at least two team members with him.

Liu Hao had no choice but to wait patiently. He followed the Expeditionary Force like a shadow, observing their patterns of action, fighting style, and even Shūsuke Amagai's personal habits. The team's objective in Hueco Mundo was clear: to eliminate Hollows that posed a threat to the World of the Living, especially those Adjuchas- class Hollows with evolutionary potential.

One day, Liu Hao sensed a powerful Adjuchas approaching the patrol route of the Expeditionary Force. He lay in ambush near the battlefield, waiting for his opportunity.

The battle erupted quickly. Shūsuke Amagai personally confronted the Hollow, his Zanpakuto Raika unleashing scorching flames and lightning, forcing his opponent into a retreating stance. Just as Shūsuke Amagai was preparing to deliver the final blow, Liu Hao intervened.

A precise burst of Reiatsu disrupted Shūsuke Amagai's attack rhythm, and the Hollow seized the opportunity to quickly escape the battlefield. Liu Hao deliberately revealed a trace of his aura, allowing Shūsuke Amagai become aware of his presence.

"Who's there!" Shūsuke Amagai shouted sharply, his gaze sweeping sharply in the direction where Liu Hao was hiding.

Liu Hao stopped hiding and emerged from behind the sand dune, then turned and retreated in a direction away from the Expeditionary Force. He controlled his speed perfectly—sufficient for Shūsuke Amagai to keep up, but not too fast to be easily overtaken.

As expected, Shūsuke Amagai caught up. But to Liu Hao's surprise, the Captain only chased for a short distance before stopping, cautiously observing his surroundings, and then decisively returning to the Expeditionary Force.

Liu Hao wanted to call out to him, but seeing that other Soul Reaper were already rushing in this direction, he had no choice but to abandon his plan and hide himself again.

After this failed attempt, Liu Hao looked for several more opportunities. Whenever Shūsuke Amagai was a little far from the troops, Liu Hao would appear to disrupt his battle, and then retreat at a speed that the opponent could keep up with.

However, Shūsuke Amagai's response remained consistent: he would pursue the enemy a few times at first, but always gave up after chasing for a distance; later, he even abandoned the battle with the Hollow and instead attacked the suddenly appearing Liu Hao, but as long as Liu Hao retreated, he would never pursue him further.

This extremely cautious reaction left Liu Hao feeling rather helpless. He realized that Shūsuke Amagai might have already sensed that this was some kind of trap to lure him away alone.

In the end, Liu Hao had no choice but to change his strategy, silently following the Expeditionary Force and no longer actively interfering. He acted as a silent observer, recording the force's every move in Hueco Mundo.

This state lasted for about half a month. Until one morning, something unexpected happened.

Several Adjuchas- class Void beings, leading a large number of Gillian, surged towards the Expeditionary Force's camp from all directions as if it had been planned in advance. This was clearly not a chance encounter, but a meticulously planned ambush.

The battle erupted instantly. The Soul Reaper quickly formed ranks to meet the enemy, but the number of Hollows far exceeded expectations, and Soul Reaper were soon injured. Seeing this, Liu Hao drew his Imperial Sword without hesitation, ready to intervene at any moment.

The battle reached its climax. Shūsuke Amagai the three-headed Adjuchas, unleashing a torrent of flames and lightning from his Raika Zanpakuto. However, facing a well-coordinated opponent, he gradually found himself on the defensive. Kifune Ri and the other Seated Officers were also fighting fiercely; the sheer number of Gillian overwhelmed the Soul Reaper.

Liu Hao made his move from the shadows. He moved across the battlefield like a ghost, always saving Soul Reaper from danger at crucial moments: a precise Reiatsu shock repelled a Hollow's sneak attack; a swift sword light severed the tentacles that were about to grab Soul Reaper; and once, he even used his body to block a fatal Cero.

After each attack, Liu Hao would quickly conceal himself, trying to avoid being recognized. However, the battle was too chaotic, and some people still noticed this mysterious helper. Especially Kifune Ri, whose gaze swept over the possible hiding places of Liu Hao several times, her eyes filled with vigilance.

As the battle worsened, Liu Hao had to make a choice. Just as an Adjuchas broke through the defenses and was about to kill the heavily wounded Soul Reaper, Liu Hao finally revealed himself completely.

The cold light of the unsheathed Imperial Sword attracted everyone's attention. Liu Hao severed the Hollow's attacking tentacles with a single sword strike, then stood between Shūsuke Amagai and the other two Adjuchas.

"You..." Shūsuke Amagai looked at Liu Hao in surprise, but the situation was critical and he didn't have time to ask any questions.

"Take care of the enemy in front of us first," Liu Hao said succinctly, his Imperial Sword already aimed at the onrushing Void.

The two worked together with remarkable coordination. Shūsuke Amagai Raika attacks, while Liu Hao's Imperial Sword provided defense and finishing blows. After jointly killing an Adjuchas, the remaining Hollows, seeing the situation was unfavorable, began to direct the Gillian to cover their retreat.

With the crisis averted, Liu Hao immediately prepared to retreat. However, Kifune Ri blocked his retreat, her Zanpakuto pointed directly at his throat.

"Who are you? Why are you helping us while hiding your identity?" Kifune Ri questioned.

Liu Hao did not answer, nor did he draw his sword. The instant Kifune Ri made her move, he dodged the blade and struck her in the abdomen with a punch. The force of the blow was perfectly controlled—enough to temporarily incapacitate her, but not to cause serious injury.

Kifune Ri a muffled groan and was sent flying backward. Seeing this, Shūsuke Amagai immediately chased after Liu Hao, who had already turned and left.

This time, Liu Hao didn't flee at full speed. He moved at a pace that Shūsuke Amagai could keep up with, the two of them one after the other, gradually moving away from the battlefield. Only when he was sure there were no other Soul Reaper around did Liu Hao stop in a relatively secluded rocky valley.

Shūsuke Amagai stopped a short distance away, maintaining a safe distance. His Raika Zanpakuto was fully unleashed, with blazing flames coiling around its blade.

"Who are you? Why did you lead me here?" Shūsuke Amagai's voice was cold and wary.

Liu Hao slowly removed his hood, revealing his full face. "There are some things I can't say to Captain Amagai in front of a lot of people."

Upon seeing Liu Hao's face, Shūsuke Amagai's pupils constricted slightly. "It's you, Liu Hao, the Medical Guard Team Lieutenant. No, now it should be said that you are Liu Hao, the wanted criminal of Soul Society."

His tone was filled with hostility, Zanpakuto was pointed directly at Liu Hao: "What is your purpose in helping the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force? If you don't provide a reasonable explanation, I don't mind arresting you right here."

Liu Hao faced the blade pointing at him with a calm expression. He glanced at the desolate sky of Hueco Mundo in the distance, then turned his gaze back to Shūsuke Amagai.