Invasion of Soul Society

In the end, Liu Hao could only come to that familiar Training Ground, where he and Unohana had sparred countless times.

He found a relatively clean corner and sat down on the ground. The Seireitei at night, with only the occasional sound of patrolling footsteps breaking the silence. Liu Hao closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and put himself into a light sleep. Even in his sleep, his spiritual sense remained alert, covering a range of several hundred meters around him.

The next morning, he slowly opened his eyes. Then, he froze—two people were standing in front of him, leaning down and looking at him.

Liu Hao blinked, making sure he wasn't dreaming, then rubbed his eyes. "Captain, Vice-Captain, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing Liu Hao's words, Isane Kotetsu snorted softly and turned his head to the side, clearly not wanting to look at him.

Unohana maintained her usual gentle smile, "I just came to check on you. I didn't expect you to be asleep here. You're not planning to stay here for the next few days, are you?"

"Well..." Liu Hao scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, "I don't know where I can go. Anyway, it's quiet here, and I remember the Training Ground has a special Reishi barrier that can interfere with external monitoring."

Unohana nodded thoughtfully. "Didn't you come here to set up something? Like, to prepare for the impending chaos?"

"What's there to arrange?" Liu Hao stood up, dusting himself off. "It's just about providing covert protection when they arrive. At most, we'll step in to rescue them if necessary, preventing unnecessary casualties."

"So you came back early just to hide here?" Unohana continued to press, her tone slightly mischievous.

Liu Hao smiled helplessly, "Isn't it because their arrival will cause quite a commotion? Then the Seireitei's security level will be raised, and it won't be easy for them to get in. So I came in early, found a place to lie low, and will act when the time is right."

Unohana nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "Then you can stay here."

After saying that, she turned to leave, with Isane Kotetsu following closely behind. Liu Hao hurriedly called out to the two of them, "Captain! Wait!"

Unohana stopped and turned to look at him. "Is there anything else?"

Liu Hao forced a smile, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Captain, you see, I'm all alone here, and I don't have much to eat. How about... you ask the Vice-Captain to bring me some food? It doesn't have to be too much trouble, just simple meals will do."

Unohana raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. "Well, that depends on Isane. It depends on whether your concubine is willing."

"Captain!" Isane Kotetsu exclaimed in embarrassment and anger, her face turning bright red to her ears, "What nonsense are you talking about! Who is his concubine!"

She turned to Liu Hao, glaring at him fiercely. "Liu Hao, don't you dare go around talking about our relationship! If you do, I'll kill you! Don't think I wouldn't dare!"

"This... that..." Liu Hao quickly waved his hands to explain, "I was drunk last time, that's why I said it nonsense. I haven't said it since, I promise! Really!"

Unohana seemed to enjoy seeing the two of them embarrassed, and continued to press with a smile, "Is that so? So, do you actually have any intention of making Isane a member of your harem?"

Liu Hao sensed this question was a trap, but looking at Unohana's seemingly gentle yet sharp eyes, he knew he had to answer honestly, "Well... of course I did have that thought. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said that while drunk, right? But that was all I thought; I didn't go out and say anything reckless. Last time, they accidentally got me drunk, and I haven't touched a drop of alcohol since, just to avoid talking nonsense again."

Isane Kotetsu glared at Liu Hao and said, enunciating each word clearly, "You're not allowed to have any thoughts about him!"

Unohana chuckled and patted Isane on the shoulder, "Isane, don't be like that. Men, you know, it's normal to have a few little thoughts. Just like women have all sorts of little thoughts, right?"

Hearing Unohana's words, Liu Hao thought to himself: [It's normal for men to have some thoughts, but women don't? Captain, what you're saying is...]

Unohana keenly noticed the change in his expression. Unohana smile remained unchanged, but a hint of scrutiny flickered in her eyes. "What, do you think what I said is wrong?"

"No, no!" Liu Hao quickly shook his head, forcing an awkward smile. "The Captain is right. Everyone has their little schemes, hehe... It's normal, it's normal."

Isane Kotetsu snorted coldly and stopped speaking, but the blush on her face had not completely faded.

Unohana seemed satisfied and nodded. "Then we'll be going now. Isane, let's go back to the barracks."

The two turned to leave again. Liu Hao hurriedly called out, "Captain! About delivering the food..."

"Alright, I'll take care of it." Unohana didn't turn around, she just waved her hand.

Watching the two leave the Training Ground, Liu Hao breathed a sigh of relief and sat down again. He rubbed his stomach; he was indeed a little hungry. He hadn't eaten anything since last night.

On the way back to the Fourth Division Barracks, Isane Kotetsu finally couldn't help but speak up, "Captain, you really spoil him. Just let him go out to eat by himself; he's familiar with the Seireitei."

Unohana continued walking, her voice calm. "It's not that I'm spoiling him. With his current identity, it's very inconvenient for him to go out. If he's recognized, it'll be very troublesome. Aizen has been keeping a close eye on him."

Mentioning Aizen, Isane Kotetsu's expression turned serious. "This time... can we really clear Liu Hao of suspicion? After all, the Central 46 has already officially issued an arrest warrant."

"Yes, it's possible," Unohana said confidently. "Trust him. And trust the Captain-Commander. This charade has come to an end."

Looking at the faint smile on Unohana's face, Isane Kotetsu suddenly realized that the occasional sorrow that Unohana used to show after Liu Hao's return had disappeared. A thought flashed through her mind: [Could the Captain really want to become Empress? Pah, pah, pah, what am I thinking! How could the Captain possibly think like that!]

But once the thought took hold, it was hard to completely erase. Isane Kotetsu secretly observed Unohana's profile, trying to find the answer in that perpetually gentle face. However, she couldn't see anything— Unohana's expression control was impeccable; she never easily revealed her true emotions.

Over the next few days, Isane Kotetsu took the initiative to deliver meals to Liu Hao. Three times a day, she would bring a carefully prepared food box to the Training Ground. At first, she was a little reluctant, but as time went by, it seemed to become a habit.

Every time Liu Hao saw Isane Kotetsu, he would tease her in various ways.

"Isane, what delicious food did you bring today?"

"Isane- chan, you look so good in the Vice-Captain's haori."

"Isane- chan, have you missed me?"

Every time she heard these words, Isane Kotetsu would chase after Liu Hao in embarrassment and anger. The two could often be seen chasing each other on the Training Ground — Isane Kotetsu chasing Liu Hao with her Zanpakuto (not yet released), while Liu Hao ran and laughed, nimbly dodging the attacks.

This interaction, seemingly playful, is actually a special form of training. While dodging, Liu Hao deliberately exposes some openings to guide Isane Kotetsu to improve her attack angles and timing. After a few days, Isane Kotetsu's swordsmanship has clearly improved, although she herself may not have realized it.

One midday, Isane Kotetsu arrived at the Training Ground as usual with food. Liu Hao was sitting under a tree, meditating with his eyes closed. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and smiled, "You're here, Isane- chan."

Isane Kotetsu placed the food box in front of him, saying calmly, "Here you go, eat."

"Isane- chan." Liu Hao took the food box and said with a grin.

Isane Kotetsu didn't leave immediately. Instead, she sat down opposite him, hugged her knees, and watched him eat. After a while, she suddenly said, "I've noticed that you've completely changed since you came back from the World of the Living."

Liu Hao looked up, still chewing food, and asked indistinctly, "Oh? What's changed?"

"You used to always have a stern face, and you were always so businesslike with everyone," Isane Kotetsu recalled. "You were always very measured in your words and actions, never overstepping boundaries. But now... you've become very casual. You smile no matter what you say, and you even make those kinds of jokes."

Liu Hao swallowed his food, took a sip of water, and then smiled, "Sigh, I used to be afraid of being targeted by Aizen. If I exposed anything or did anything unusual, he might notice. And if I ended up escaping, it would implicate many people—including you and the Captain. So I had to keep my distance and act 'normal'."

He paused, then continued, "But things are different now. Aizen's affair is about to be exposed, so naturally I don't need to be as careful as before. Moreover, during my time in the World of the Living, I've learned a lesson—sometimes, deliberately keeping your distance can actually hurt those who care about you."

These words silenced Isane Kotetsu. She recalled that when Liu Hao was in the Fourth Division, he always kept his distance from others, even from her and Captain Unohana, always polite but distant. At the time, she thought he was hard to approach, but now she understood the reason behind it.

"Then how can you be sure Aizen will expose himself as you think?" Isane Kotetsu asked. "What if he chooses to continue hiding, or changes his plans at a crucial moment?"

Liu Hao put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious. "You're right, that's certainly possible. But this time, to get that thing, he'll definitely expose himself. As long as we disrupt his normal methods of obtaining it, he'll definitely resort to more direct and riskier means. And once he takes action, he'll leave a loophole."

"That thing... does it refer to the Hōgyoku?" Isane Kotetsu asked in a low voice.

Liu Hao nodded. "Yes. The Hōgyoku is the key to realizing his plan. Originally, he planned to obtain the Hōgyoku through Rukia's execution, but now that plan has been disrupted. Ichigo Kurosaki have stormed into Soul Society to try to rescue Rukia, which will completely disrupt Aizen's plans."

Isane Kotetsu thought for a moment, then remembered something. "Oh right, news came today that the Ryoka have arrived and even fought with Captain Ichimaru. They're currently being held back outside the Seireitei."

Liu Hao's eyes lit up. "They've already arrived? A little faster than expected. It seems they'll have to find a way in tonight or tomorrow night. I need to go out and check it out too."

"Be careful," Isane Kotetsu unconsciously cautioned, "Captain Ichimaru... he might not be as simple as he seems."

Liu Hao smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Isane- chan. By the way, what has the Captain been busy with these past few days? I haven't seen her much."

"It's just team matters," Isane Kotetsu replied. "What's wrong?"

"Go back and tell the Captain to prepare to receive the wounded." Liu Hao's expression turned serious. "These kids will cause quite a stir after they arrive at Seireitei. There will be quite a few wounded, and possibly some seriously injured. The Fourth Division needs to be prepared for any emergencies."

Isane Kotetsu nodded understandingly. "I see. Okay, I'll talk to the Captain. I'll be going now."

After saying that, she stood up, preparing to leave. But when she reached the edge of the Training Ground, she turned back to look at Liu Hao, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything, turned around and quickly left.

Liu Hao watched her leave, then quickly finished the rest of his meal. He packed up the food box and placed it in its usual spot under the tree—this was their agreement, Isane Kotetsu would pick it up next time she came.

Then, he returned to the center of the Training Ground, took out the specially made black cloak from its hiding place, and carefully put it on. The cloak completely enveloped him, and his Reiatsu was absorbed and interfered with by the special material, making it difficult to be sensed.

As night deepened, Liu Hao left the Training Ground, disappearing silently through the buildings of the Seireitei like a shadow blending into the darkness.

He chose a tall building—an abandoned observation tower that had once been used to monitor the boundaries of Seireitei, but was now deserted. The top of the tower offered a wide view, overlooking most of Seireitei, especially the boundary area.

Liu Hao sat down in a secluded spot at the top of the tower, extending his spiritual senses to their maximum range, and waited patiently.

Time passed slowly, and the moon gradually rose to its zenith. In the quietest moment of the night, Liu Hao's spiritual sense detected an anomaly—a powerful Reiatsu was gathering outside the boundaries of the Seireitei.

He stood up and looked in that direction. He saw a dazzling ball of light rise from outside the Seireitei, drawing an arc in the night sky before accelerating sharply and crashing directly into the "Soul-Covering Membrane" Seireitei —the Reishi barrier that protected the Seireitei from being discovered by the outside world.

The moment the sphere of light collided with the Soul-Covering Membrane, it unleashed a blinding light and a tremendous Reiatsu impact. Even from a great distance, Liu Hao could feel the intensity of that power.

[Kūkaku Shiba's Spirit Pearl Core...] Liu Hao confirmed the source of the light orb in his mind. [It seems Ichigo Kurosaki chose the most direct and conspicuous way to enter the Seireitei.]

The Soul-Covering Membrane briefly broke under the powerful impact, allowing the sphere of light to pass through the gap and enter the Seireitei before beginning its descent.

Liu Hao quickly determined the direction of the light sphere's impact—approximately a residential area south of the Seireitei. Without further hesitation, he leaped from the top of the tower, using the air to propel himself rapidly in that direction.

The Seireitei was awakened by this sudden invasion. Alarms blared, and the Soul Reaper from each division began to assemble, rushing towards the direction where the invaders might land.

Liu Hao avoided main roads and patrols, choosing instead concealed paths and rooftop routes. He was incredibly fast, yet his movements were so light and agile that he made almost no sound.

About ten minutes later, he approached the area where the orb of light had landed. A number of Soul Reaper had already gathered there, searching for traces of the intruder. Liu Hao hid in the shadow of a building, his spiritual senses fully activated, capturing the surrounding Reiatsu fluctuations.

He quickly identified two familiar Reiatsu — Ichigo Kurosaki, and another relatively unfamiliar but somewhat familiar Reiatsu: Ganju Shiba, Kūkaku Shiba's younger brother and Kaien Shiba's cousin.

[It seems they've split into two groups,] Liu Hao analyzed in his mind. [Ichigo Kurosaki and Ganju Shiba will be in one group, and the rest of the group should be in another. That's good; splitting up makes it less likely they'll be caught in one fell swoop.]

He approached their location silently. It was a relatively secluded alley, where Ichigo Kurosaki and Ganju Shiba were hiding in an abandoned Warehouse, temporarily avoiding the search team's attention.

Liu Hao did not reveal himself immediately, but continued to observe from the shadows. He knew that the real test had just begun. Ichigo Kurosaki would soon face the pursuit of the entire Gotei 13.