Soul Society's Pursuers
After leaving Urahara Shop, Liu Hao did not return directly to Kurosaki Clinic, but instead wandered aimlessly through the streets of Karakura Town. The city at night shed its daytime hustle and bustle, and neon lights flickered in the distance, casting a dreamlike glow over the metropolis.
Just as he was passing through a secluded alley, the Imperial Princess's figure quietly appeared beside him, like a phantom in the moonlight.
"Since you're afraid that changing too many things will affect the world, and might even be corrected by the World Will," the Imperial Princess's voice was gentle yet direct, "Why did you ultimately have to kill that Grand Fisher?"
Liu Hao didn't stop, but merely glanced at the Imperial Princess: "Because it annoyed me. Besides, I also want to see if, now that I've killed this guy, a new Hollowfication Arrancar will come looking for Ichigo Kurosaki, only to be killed by Isshin Kurosaki in the end—just as it was supposed to happen."
The Imperial Princess floated in front of Liu Hao, turned to face him, and her bright eyes seemed to see right through him. "Are you trying to test whether there really is World Will will correcting these things that have changed because of you?"
"I guess so," Liu Hao admitted, his face expressionless. "This way, I can prepare in advance. If it keeps correcting what I've changed, then I need to be even more careful; otherwise, it might just be a coincidence."
He stopped and looked up at the stars in the night sky. "I believe the World Will must exist. But in what form or manner does it exist? And what is its attitude towards me, an 'outsider'? I don't know any of these things. Therefore, necessary probing and precautions are still necessary."
The Imperial Princess carefully observed Liu Hao's expression and keenly sensed a change. "You seem different now than before. In front of Kisuke Urahara, you were full of worry and uncertainty; but now, you don't seem to care at all. Why?"
Liu Hao smiled, a hint of slyness in his smile, "Sigh, it's necessary to be worried in front of him. Otherwise, he'll suspect I have some special means to defy the World Will, and I'll become an 'unstable factor' in this world. No one can guarantee that I won't directly destroy this world in the future—after all, I'm just an 'outsider.' So, to reduce his wariness, a proper performance is still necessary."
These words made the Imperial Princess understand Liu Hao's considerations. In front of Kisuke Urahara, the worry and uncertainty he showed were both a sincere exchange and a necessary disguise—to make the wise man lower his guard and build deeper trust.
"Then are you confident in defying the World Will?" the Imperial Princess asked the crucial question.
Liu Hao shrugged, his tone relaxed. "Surviving shouldn't be a problem. After all, don't you know what abilities I have? Besides, if the World Will really wanted to eliminate this 'outlier,' it should have taken more direct action long ago."
"Alright." The Imperial Princess seemed to accept this explanation, her figure gradually becoming transparent before finally disappearing into the night.
Liu Hao continued his journey alone, but his heart was far from as light as it appeared. He looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and sighed softly, "Ah, all I ever wanted was to live a peaceful life in this world and perhaps reduce some tragedies. Of course, if I could go back, it would be best to take the people I care about with me... So, I hope this world won't harbor any ill will towards me."
These whispers were both a wish and a prayer. He knew he had taken root in this world, forging unbreakable bonds. But at the same time, he had never forgotten his roots, that distant and vague homeland.
After adjusting his mood, Liu Hao continued to stroll around the streets. At the same time, his spiritual sense, like an invisible net, captured the Reiatsu fluctuations throughout Karakura Town. He could clearly feel Ichigo Kurosaki's Reiatsu; that kid was chasing Hollows around with Rukia Kuchiki, busy as a tireless puppy.
[Judging by the days, the pursuers from Soul Society should be arriving soon.] Liu Hao pondered in his heart, [Who will Aizen send this time?]
According to the "plot" he remembered, it should be Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. But since he had already changed so many things, who knew if there might be any unexpected changes?
As dusk fell and the afterglow of the setting sun painted the sky golden red, Liu Hao's spiritual sense detected an anomaly— Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu was rapidly leaving Kurosaki Clinic, and at the same time, two familiar yet powerful Reiatsu appeared on the edge of Karakura Town.
[Is it still Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji?] Liu Hao confirmed the identities of the visitors. [Let's go check it out. We don't want Big White accidentally getting killed by Ichigo Kurosaki —that kid can't withstand Senbonzakura's attacks right now.]
He quickly moved towards Rukia Kuchiki, completely concealing his Reiatsu, becoming like a shadow blending into the night.
In an abandoned construction site on the outskirts of Karakura Town, Rukia Kuchiki stopped. Standing before her were two people— Squad Six Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Vice-Captain Renji Abarai.
The atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable. Rukia lowered her head, unable to meet her brother's cold eyes.
"Rukia," Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was calm and devoid of any emotion, "Do you know what you've done?"
"I..." Rukia wanted to explain, but the words wouldn't come out. She had indeed violated the ironclad rules of Soul Society by passing on the Soul Reaper Powers to an ordinary human.
Renji Abarai looked at the scene before him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He gripped his Zanpakuto at his waist, awaiting his Captain's command.
"Renji," Byakuya Kuchiki without even looking at his Vice-Captain, "Carry out the mission."
"Yes!" Renji drew his Zanpakuto, the tip pointing at Rukia. "I'm sorry, Rukia. But I must carry out the Captain's orders."
The battle was about to begin. Renji brandished the Zabimaru, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. Rukia barely managed to dodge, but she had lost her Soul Reaper Powers; now she was just an ordinary human, her movements slow and clumsy.
Just then, a figure suddenly burst onto the battlefield— Uryū Ishida, Quincy from Karakura Town High School. He adjusted his glasses, his tone carrying a unique arrogance. "An infighting among the Soul Reaper? How interesting."
"Unauthorized personnel, step back," Renji warned, frowning.
But Uryū Ishida ignored him and instead raised his Spirit Bow: "I'm not interested in your Soul Reaper affairs, but if we're going to fight in this city, I need to make sure it doesn't affect ordinary people."
The events unfolded exactly as Liu Hao had predicted: Uryū Ishida clashed with Renji, but was quickly overwhelmed. Although the Quincy's power was formidable, they still appeared inexperienced against the experienced Soul Reaper Vice-Captain.
Just as Renji was about to deliver the fatal blow, Ichigo Kurosaki arrived.
"Stop!" Ichigo Kurosaki roared, his massive Zanpakuto pointing directly at Renji.
Hidden in the shadows, Liu Hao watched this scene, inwardly scoffing: [Are all kids these days so arrogant? They have a little strength and they're already insanely cocky. But thinking about it, it makes sense; after all, he hasn't even fought a real Soul Reaper yet, and he has no idea there are always stronger opponents out there.]
The ensuing battle fully demonstrated Renji Abarai's true nature as a "Sea King." At the beginning, he did indeed teach Ichigo Kurosaki a lesson, showcasing the fighting skills and power difference of Soul Reaper. However, when Rukia intervened, Renji's actions clearly began to "hold back"—especially after Ichigo Kurosaki unexpectedly unleashed an even stronger Reiatsu, this holding back became even more obvious.
Watching Renji Abarai's performance, Liu Hao couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Sigh, my future wife's words really carry weight. She dares to slack off in front of her own Captain; if she were in front of any other Captain, she would have been scolded long ago."
Just then, Byakuya Kuchiki had been standing still, suddenly moved.
Liu Hao immediately raised his spirit to its limit, his Reiatsu surging forth, ready to intervene at any moment. Although he knew that Byakuya Kuchiki was unlikely to kill Ichigo Kurosaki directly—after all, he was Rukia's friend and Isshin Shiba's son—he had to ensure Ichigo Kurosaki's safety should anything go wrong.
However, events unfolded exactly as he remembered the "plot": Byakuya Kuchiki did not kill him, but instead used Shunpo to appear behind Ichigo Kurosaki, and with a light tap of his finger, accurately left wounds on two vital points. Ichigo Kurosaki did not even have time to react before he felt the power recede like a tide, and he collapsed to the ground.
Liu Hao thought to himself, [Is this what a siscon is? No, it's more like a sister-in-law complex. After all, his wife didn't die this time, Rukia is like his deceased wife's sister to him... I just wonder how he'll react when he returns to Soul Society and learns that Rukia has been sentenced to death.]
Then, Liu Hao overheard Byakuya Kuchiki saying to Renji and Rukia, "I see. This person's desire to help you is similar to his—that traitor from Soul Society." Byakuya Kuchiki's voice remained calm, but the emotions within were complex and difficult to discern. "He is a special being to both of you, so one of you can't bear to see him harmed, and the other can't bring herself to kill him."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. "But remember this: when that person appears before you in the future, show no mercy. Kill him, that's what you must do. And he may not even mention any past ties with you. He might even kill you with his own hands to achieve his goal."
Byakuya Kuchiki's voice carried a world-weary air. "After all, a fallen person, for their own purposes, will choose to sever their own bonds. I've seen this many times."
Hearing this from the shadows, Liu Hao couldn't help but curse inwardly: [You're the Fallen! Your whole family are Fallen! Damn it, I was the one who saved your wife, and now you're here lecturing my friends, telling them to kill me on sight? Is that even possible?!]
Renji Abarai asked hesitantly, "Captain, is he... really a Fallen?"
"Renji, don't be so naive," Byakuya Kuchiki's voice turned stern, "Or I'll think you're an incompetent Vice-Captain. How could someone who can team up with a Hollow to target Captain of the Gotei 13 not be Fallen? Believe it or not, that's the truth."
These words fell silent for Renji and Rukia. Their thoughts drifted back to years ago, to the days when they made a living together in Rukongai.
[Back then, Liu Hao was someone they could entrust their lives to.] Rukia recalled in her heart, [I don't know when it started, but the distance between us gradually widened...]
[No, it's not that I didn't know.] Renji was also lost in memories. [It started when we joined the Gotei 13. From then on, that person changed, gradually distancing himself from us. In the last few years, he wouldn't contact us at all, and even when we went to him, he would make all sorts of excuses to avoid us.]
Looking at the two silent figures, Byakuya Kuchiki continued, "I believe you've both remembered that after joining the Gotei 13, he gradually severed ties with you. So, don't try to salvage a friend who has already abandoned you."
These words struck Renji like a hammer blow. He raised his head, his eyes hardening. "I understand, Captain."
But Rukia reacted differently. She raised her head, looked directly at Byakuya Kuchiki, and said in a soft but unusually firm voice, "I don't believe he would abandon us. I believe he has his reasons."