Rukia Comes to the World of the Living

Through in-depth research by Liu Hao, Kisuke Urahara, and Ryūken Ishida, they discovered that the nature of Still Silver was far more complex than imagined. This substance, produced by the Auswählen, not only blocked the Quincy's channels for obtaining Reishi particles from the outside world, but more importantly, it had to be mixed with the blood of the producer to truly take effect.

This discovery explains why Quincy affected by Auswählen experienced slow power recovery even after the blood clots were removed—the residual effects of Still Silver continued to affect their bodies.

Based on this research, the three began exploring different applications. Ryūken Ishida used the refined Still Silver to create several special arrows. These arrows could interfere with the flow of Reishi in a target, potentially producing unexpected effects on Hollows and even Soul Reaper.

Kisuke Urahara, however, turned his attention in another direction. As a former Soul Reaper Captain and head of the Research and Development Institute, he keenly realized that Still Silver might have an effect on Zanpakuto. He began to try to use this material to modify Asauchi —the unawakened Zanpakuto Soul Reaper obtained.

"If Still Silver can interfere with the flow of Reishi," Kisuke Urahara in the laboratory, "Then weapons made from it might be able to break through certain defensive abilities, or even..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Liu Hao understood what he meant—it might even be able to counter special abilities like the Kyōka Suigetsu.

As for Liu Hao, he chose the simplest and most direct method. When Kisuke Urahara and Ryūken Ishida asked him what he planned to do with the portion of Still Silver allocated to him, he simply smiled and handed the materials to the Imperial Princess.

Imperial Princess – the materialized form of Liu Hao's Zanpakuto – received the Still Silver and attached it to the Imperial Sword. This process seemed simple, but when it was completed, an almost invisible silver glimmer appeared on the surface of the Imperial Sword, and the Reiatsu fluctuations of the sword became more restrained and profound.

"The Imperial Princess can perfectly integrate with this material," Liu Hao explained. "It has now become part of the Imperial Sword, neither interfering with the sword's normal function nor hindering its special role when necessary."

Several months later, all the Quincy affected by the Auswählen had received full treatment. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Liu Hao, Kisuke Urahara, and Ryūken Ishida, not only were the Still Silver blood clots removed from their bodies, but their soul damage was also repaired. Although the recovery of their powers would take time, at least their lives were safe, and their lives gradually returned to normal.

With the Auswählen incident subsiding, Liu Hao's life returned to its previous rhythm. He helped out at Kurosaki Clinic, occasionally teasing Ichigo Kurosaki and his two younger sisters; his days were peaceful and fulfilling. Only in the quiet of the night would he stand by the clinic window, gazing at the starry sky, contemplating the storms that might come.

Time flowed by quietly like water. Occasionally, Liu Hao would encounter some lost souls—ordinary spirits—following Ichigo Kurosaki back to the clinic. Whenever this happened, he would take advantage of the moment when no one was looking and gently perform Soul Burial, guiding these spirits to the Soul Society.

And so, year after year passed, Ichigo Kurosaki gradually grew from a lively and active child into a high school student. When Ichigo Kurosaki fifteen, a crucial moment quietly arrived.

On an ordinary weekend afternoon, Liu Hao went to the mall to buy daily necessities. Just as he was walking out of the supermarket with his shopping bags, he suddenly felt a familiar and faint Reiatsu.

He immediately stopped, activating his full spiritual senses to carefully perceive his surroundings. The spiritual pressure was unique—pure Shinigami spiritual pressure, carrying a certain elegant quality characteristic of nobility.

[Rukia has arrived.] Liu Hao's heart skipped a beat, knowing that his destiny's moment had finally come.

He followed the direction of the Reiatsu and sure enough, he saw Rukia Kuchiki. She was wearing an ordinary school uniform and looked like an ordinary high school girl, but Liu Hao recognized her at a glance— the Squad Six Vice-Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki's younger sister, and also his best friend who had grown up with Little Ichi.

Almost simultaneously, Liu Hao sensed a Hollow's Reiatsu approaching. He quickly pinpointed its location and discovered a low-level Hollow approaching Ichigo Kurosaki's direction. Beside Ichigo Kurosaki was a bewildered figure—an ordinary undead.

What followed unfolded exactly as Liu Hao had predicted: Rukia Kuchiki brushed past Ichigo Kurosaki and swiftly and discreetly dealt with the Hollow. The entire process took only a few seconds; ordinary humans wouldn't even be aware of what had happened. Only someone with a powerful spiritual sense like Liu Hao could capture all the details.

[It seems it will be in the next few days.] Liu Hao thought to himself, knowing that the whole story was about to officially begin.

Without lingering, he immediately returned to Kurosaki Clinic. When he hurriedly entered the clinic, Isshin Kurosaki was sitting behind the reception desk organizing medical records.

"Why are you in such a hurry to come back?" Isshin Kurosaki looked up, somewhat surprised. "Didn't you say you were going to stay out for a day?"

"Rukia's here," Liu Hao said briefly. "They're about to meet. We need to leave for a bit."

Masaki Kurosaki came out from the inner room and, upon hearing these words, a worried expression appeared on her face. "Does Ichigo really have to get involved? He's still just a child."

Liu Hao sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "There's no other way. Since he possesses power, we must guide him to learn how to use it. Otherwise, he might be exploited by those with ulterior motives, and could even harm himself or others."

Isshin Kurosaki pondered for a moment, then asked, "How should we avoid it? We can't just keep hiding and never see anyone."

"Try not to show yourself in front of Rukia," Liu Hao advised, "Especially in the early stages. If she recognizes us, the whole thing might go off track."

Masaki Kurosaki was still worried. "I'm concerned about the Hollow inside Ichigo. Once he awakens the power of Soul Reaper, that Hollow will awaken along with him."

"Don't worry," Liu Hao reassured him, "That Hollow has already fused with his Soul Reaper power. Although his Zanpakuto will be a bit... volatile, at least it won't go out of control."

Even so, Isshin Kurosaki was still full of worry. As a father, he naturally hoped that his son could live an ordinary life. But as a former Captain of the Soul Reaper, he also knew how dangerous it was to have power but not be able to control it.

In the end, Isshin Kurosaki relented. "Alright, then let's prepare ourselves. Let's try to avoid direct contact with Rukia."

Liu Hao smiled wryly, "You guys aren't a big problem, the main issue is me. If Rukia sees me, she'll definitely recognize me. After all, we knew each other back in Soul Society, and..."

"Besides, you two grew up Little Ichi," Isshin Kurosaki chimed in, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "She knows you too well; she can easily recognize you from every little detail."

Liu Hao shook his head helplessly. "Ugh, this is so troublesome. Fine, I'll just avoid them from now on."

After saying that, he left the clinic, but didn't go far. Instead, he found a secluded spot nearby to continue observing how things were developing.

As evening fell, Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu reappeared near the clinic. Liu Hao, hiding on the roof of a building, watched as Rukia quietly slipped into Ichigo Kurosaki's room.

[Am I watching anime up close?] Liu Hao thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, feeling that his current situation was somewhat absurd.

What followed was almost exactly the same "plot" in Liu Hao's memory: a Hollow attacked the clinic, Ichigo Kurosaki wanted to fight it head-on to protect his sister, Rukia was injured by the Hollow while protecting Ichigo Kurosaki, and in the end she could only pass on her Soul Reaper Powers to him.

Having obtained the Soul Reaper Powers, Ichigo Kurosaki easily defeated the Hollow, while Rukia fell into weakness due to exhaustion of her power.

That evening, Liu Hao sensed Rukia heading to Urahara Shop. He knew that Kisuke Urahara would provide her with a specially made Gigai —a Gigai containing fragments of the Hōgyoku, which would also be the trigger for a series of future events.

The next day, Rukia transferred to Ichigo Kurosaki's school as planned, beginning her life as a "transfer student".

After witnessing all of this, Liu Hao returned to the clinic and offered Isshin Kurosaki a new suggestion. "Why don't you and your wife go away for a while?"

"Why?" Isshin Kurosaki, puzzled.

Liu Hao explained, "If this goes on for too long, I'm afraid you'll give yourselves away. Ichigo is too oblivious to notice anything amiss, but Rukia is different. She's observant and knows you. If we keep in close contact, she'll eventually realize something's wrong."

Masaki Kurosaki asked worriedly, "Is this really okay? Leaving Ichigo alone at home...?"

"Don't worry," Liu Hao reassured him, "I'll keep an eye on him secretly. Besides, this is a necessary step in his growth."

After some discussion, the Isshin Kurosaki couple finally agreed to Liu Hao's suggestion. The next day, they left home under the pretext of "going on a trip." Liu Hao also took the opportunity to "rest for a while" and left the Kurosaki Clinic together.

In fact, Liu Hao moved to Urahara Shop for temporary accommodation. There, he could more easily observe the development of events and exchange information with Kisuke Urahara in a timely manner.

Ichigo Kurosaki's life as a Soul Reaper has officially begun. By day he is an ordinary high school student, and by night he transforms into Soul Reaper, fighting alongside Rukia against the Hollows that have appeared in Karakura Town.

Soon after, Ichigo Kurosaki met Uryū Ishida. The two young men with very different personalities quickly clashed, eventually turning into a "contest"—to see who could eliminate more Hollows within a limited time.

Liu Hao stood on the roof of the Urahara Shop, observing the competition from afar. When he sensed a large number of Hollows being attracted by some kind of force, he couldn't help but frown.

"Did you set that bait?" He turned to Kisuke Urahara beside him. "Otherwise, how could it have attracted so many Hollows, and even Gillian?"

Kisuke Urahara covered half his face with his folding fan and shook his head in denial. "It wasn't me. Could it be Aizen?"

"Uncertain," Liu Hao pondered, "But highly likely. He's been keeping an eye on Ichigo Kurosaki; this kind of probing is very much in line with his style."

"This is a good opportunity to let him get a basic grasp of his own power," Kisuke Urahara said. "The pressure of facing a strong enemy is often the best catalyst for awakening."

Liu Hao nodded in agreement. "Alright. Besides, we might be able to use this opportunity to bring Aizen out of the shadows and into the open. That way, we won't have to hide ourselves wherever we go in the future."

Kisuke Urahara with some concern, "Don't you think something might go wrong? After all, as you said, we've already changed a lot of things."

"That's why I need to prepare in advance," Liu Hao replied. "I'll go to the Soul Society first, just in case these little guys cause any trouble or get killed."

"Yes, that's fine then." Kisuke Urahara agreed, then stood up. "Alright, it's my turn now."

He led Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, and Jinta Hanakari to provide support. Liu Hao continued to observe from a distance.

The ensuing battle unfolded just as Liu Hao remembered: Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida gradually shifted from initial competition to cooperation, working together to fight against an increasing number of Hollows. When the Gillian —a large Hollow that required multiple Soul Reaper to fight together—appeared, both of them felt unprecedented pressure.

Watching the two young people's behavior, Liu Hao couldn't help but shake his head with a smile and mutter, "They really are just two kids, their ideas are so naive."

But it was precisely this "naiveté" that proved useful at the crucial moment. Faced with Gillian's terrifying Cero, Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed an astonishing Reiatsu under immense pressure. However, unable to control this power, his Zanpakuto began to twist and deform, almost going out of control.

At a critical moment, Uryū Ishida provided crucial assistance. With his help, Ichigo Kurosaki successfully released the uncontrollable Reiatsu, creating a powerful shockwave that severely injured Gillian.

After the battle, Kisuke Urahara appeared just in time and used a special device to clear out the remaining Hollows. A crisis was thus averted, and Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida also established a preliminary trust during the battle.

Looking at all this, Liu Hao sighed deeply, "It really is exactly the same as the plot in the anime. I'm really watching a story in 3D without glasses."

His tone carried a hint of bitterness and Loneliness. In this familiar yet strange world, he sometimes felt a profound sense of alienation—knowing what would happen, yet unable to completely change it; having deep ties with these people, yet having to maintain a certain distance.

"I wonder if I'll ever be able to return to my world," Liu Hao murmured to himself.

Just then, the Imperial Princess appeared beside him. Sensing Liu Hao's loneliness, she said gently, "Who knows? Things are unfolding just like in the anime we used to watch, but how can you be sure everything will be the same in the future?"

Liu Hao turned to look at the Imperial Princess; her bright eyes seemed to see right through people. He paused for a moment, then smiled, "Yes, who knows what the future holds?"

The Imperial Princess continued, "Every choice we make changes the future. Like the Butterfly Effect, a tiny change can lead to completely different results. You have already changed many things—saving people who would have died, uncovering hidden threats ahead of time, and forging new alliances. No one can predict what kind of future these changes will ultimately lead to."

These words brought a sense of clarity to Liu Hao's mind. Yes, he was no longer just a bystander. His very existence was changing the story, and every choice he made was creating new possibilities.

"You're right, Imperial Princess." Liu Hao looked into the distance again, where Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida were conducting a post-war debriefing under Kisuke Urahara's guidance. "The future isn't fixed; it's woven from countless choices. And I am one of those weavers."