An Unexpected Change: Renji's Hollowfication

Upon hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's affirmative answer, Renji Abarai released his grip, swayed slightly, and then collapsed heavily to the ground. The exhaustion from the battle, excessive blood loss, and the intense emotional turmoil gradually blurred his consciousness.

Ichigo Kurosaki stared silently at Renji lying on the ground. Though he had won the battle, he felt no joy. Renji's final words and pleas weighed heavily on his mind, making him feel a profound sense of responsibility.

Liu Hao observed everything from the shadows, a sense of relief washing over him. Although Renji was seriously injured, with the Soul Reaper's regenerative abilities and the Fourth Division's treatment, his life was not in danger. However, just as he was about to leave quietly, an unexpected event occurred.

A strange white substance appeared on Renji Abarai, who was lying on the ground, without warning—the texture, the color, the aura were all too familiar to Liu Hao.

That's the material of a fake mask.

The white substance spread rapidly, as if it were alive, and in the blink of an eye, it covered half of Renji's face, forming an incomplete bone mask. Even more terrifying, the part beneath the mask began to twist and deform, as if something was about to tear out from the inside.

Hollowfication —this is a taboo for the Soul Reaper, a phenomenon that is absolutely forbidden and feared.

"Renji!" Liu Hao exclaimed in shock and anger, his voice filled with disbelief and fury. His reaction was almost simultaneous with the shout; his body shot out from his hiding place like an arrow, heading straight for Renji.

Ichigo Kurosaki, Ganju Shiba, and Hanatarō Yamada were all stunned by this sudden turn of events. They reacted instinctively when they saw a stranger suddenly appear, wielding a long sword and rushing towards Renji, who was lying on the ground.

Ichigo Kurosaki shouted, "What are you doing?!" He reached out to grab Liu Hao, trying to stop the stranger's actions.

But Liu Hao had no time to explain or hide his identity. His anger erupted like a volcano, and he roared at Ichigo Kurosaki, "Get out!"

With a roar, an immense, suffocating spiritual pressure erupted from Liu Hao. It was no ordinary Shinigami's spiritual pressure, but rather contained the majesty of a king, the flames of rage, and the power of some higher-level being.

The Reiatsu, like a tangible shockwave, simultaneously blasted Ichigo Kurosaki, Ganju Shiba, and Hanatarō Yamada away. They didn't even have time to make any defensive moves; it was as if they had been slapped away by an invisible giant hand, crashing heavily against a wall in the distance.

But this is just the beginning.

Liu Hao's Reiatsu continued to rise, spreading throughout the entire Seireitei like a beast breaking free from its restraints. This power was so strong, so pure, and so unfamiliar that every Soul Reaper who sensed it involuntarily stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of the Reiatsu bursting forth.

In the First Division Barracks, Chōjirō Sasakibe strode into the Captain-Commander's office, his face unusually tense. "Genryūsai, that Reiatsu just now... it was unfamiliar, yet terrifyingly powerful. Was it that person's?"

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai sat calmly behind his massive desk, his hands clasped on his cane. "It's probably his. Renji Abarai's Reiatsu just changed; as a close friend, his anger is understandable."

"Should we send someone to check it out?" Sasakibe asked.

"No need," Captain-Commander Yamamoto shook his head slightly, "He'll handle it. Besides... this force has shown us even more possibilities."

In the Fourth Division Barracks, the medical report in Isane Kotetsu's hand fell to the ground. She stared out the window in shock. "Captain, this Reiatsu... it's so unfamiliar, yet so strong! Is it Ryoka? This is too powerful!"

Retsu Unohana stood by the window, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It should be Liu Hao's. What a surprising power... even stronger than I expected."

"But this Reiatsu feels completely different from Liu Hao's previous Reiatsu," Isane Kotetsu said in confusion.

"He must have altered the characteristics of his Reiatsu through some special method," Unohana analyzed. "Otherwise, he couldn't have safely evaded the Soul Society's search in the World of the Living. This change isn't a simple disguise, but a fundamental adjustment."

"Then why did he suddenly unleash such immense power? He's never done this before," Isane Kotetsu continued to ask.

Unohana's eyes sharpened. "Renji Abarai's Reiatsu has weakened, but Liu Hao should be able to heal him. However, Renji's Reiatsu just now underwent a change, seemingly mixed with Hollow power... which is why he angrily unleashed such power. He is fearful, and also angry—fearful of losing his friend, and angry that someone has harmed his friend."

In the Squad Six barracks, Byakuya Kuchiki stood in the courtyard, gazing in the direction of the erupting Reiatsu. His expression remained calm, but a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. "This Reiatsu feels unfamiliar, yet it erupted due to Renji's unusual Reiatsu... Is it Liu Hao?"

He didn't act immediately; he just stood there quietly, as if deep in thought.

In the Second Division, Soi Fon and Marechiyo Ōmaeda were discussing patrol arrangements when they suddenly sensed this powerful Reiatsu fluctuation.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda asked in surprise, "Captain, who is this Reiatsu? It's unfamiliar! And it suddenly erupted near Renji Abarai!"

Soi Fon's expression turned serious. "I don't know. Renji Abarai was supposed to be fighting Ryoka just now, but his Reiatsu suddenly weakened, and it seems like something unusual happened."

"Shall we go take a look?" Ōmaeda asked.

"Then what are you waiting for here?!" Soi Fon shouted, disappearing from her spot in a flash. Ōmaeda hurriedly followed.

Seventh Division, Tetsuzaemon Iba strode into the Captain’s Office: "Captain, this sudden burst of Reiatsu is unfamiliar; it seems to be from the place where Renji Abarai fought the Ryoka."

Sajin Komamura stood up, his massive frame casting a long shadow. "Saemon, let's go take a look. This power... is very unusual."

In the Eighth Division, Nanao Ise looked at Shunsui Kyōraku with a serious expression. "Captain, this Reiatsu is incredibly strong. Should we go check it out?"

Shunsui Kyōraku leaned against the window, his hat pulled low, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Little Nanao, don't worry. I think the other Captains have already gone. Besides... some things are better left for them to handle themselves."

When Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division sensed the fluctuation of Reiatsu, he immediately looked at Kaien Shiba beside him. He noticed that Kaien Shiba had seemed uneasy ever since that unfamiliar Reiatsu erupted.

"Kaien, do you know the owner of this Reiatsu?" Ukitake asked gently. "Ever since that burst of Reiatsu, you've seemed quite unsettled."

"Ah, Captain," Kaien Shiba, somewhat flustered, "I just feel this Reiatsu is so unfamiliar, and so powerful. I wonder how Renji is doing."

He wondered to himself, "Why did Liu Hao suddenly go berserk? He's usually so calm and collected. What happened?"

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at his Vice-Captain, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. "Kaien, I know there are some things you might not be comfortable telling me. But if you want to help, you can come over. Don't worry about my health."

"Ah... Captain, there's nothing inconvenient to say, it's just..." Kaien Shiba tried to explain, but was interrupted by Ukitake.

"Kaien, there's no need to explain," Ukitake's voice was gentle yet firm, "I know you mean no harm. I think you'll tell me when the time is right."

"I'm sorry, Captain." Kaien Shiba lowered his head, his heart filled with guilt and inner conflict.

Tenth Division, Tōshirō Hitsugaya stood up, his expression serious. "Rangiku, let's go take a look."

"Yes, Captain," Rangiku Matsumoto responded immediately, "Have you noticed anything?"

Hitsugaya frowned in thought, "Although the Reiatsu feels unfamiliar, I feel like I've seen this power somewhere before... I can't remember exactly when, but there's a sense of familiarity."

"Can you recall when we last met?" Rangiku Matsumoto asked.

Hitsugaya shook his head. "I can't remember. So let's go check it out. This sudden outburst of power is definitely not a small matter."

In the 11th Division, Yachiru Kusajishi, perched on Kenpachi Zaraki's back, happily called out, "Little Kenpachi, Little Kenpachi, can you feel it?!"

Kenpachi Zaraki grinned, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for battle. "I can feel it. It's a very strong power. I really look forward to fighting the owner of this power."

"Should we go find him?" Yachiru asked.

Kenpachi Zaraki shook his head. "No need. If they were Ryoka, they would definitely find us. If we go now, they'll probably have already left. Besides... I have a feeling we'll meet again soon."

At the Fifth Division's secret base, Gin Ichimaru squinted, his signature smile on his face, "Oh, Lord Aizen, it seems we've messed with a monster."

Sōsuke Aizen stood before the monitor screen, looking at the chart displaying Liu Hao's Reiatsu data, his smile unchanged, "Truly a terrifying power. I didn't expect his strength to have increased so much, and... the nature of this Reiatsu seems to be different from what we know of Soul Reaper."

Kaname Tōsen turned to Aizen: "To be able to completely alter the feeling of Reiatsu, this guy is truly remarkable. And judging from his reaction to Renji Abarai Hollowfication, he values this friend highly."

"Don't worry," Aizen said calmly. "This level of power is not an obstacle for us. Moreover... his anger and exposure have actually shown us more interesting possibilities."

On the scene, Liu Hao's outburst continued.

After sending Ichigo Kurosaki and the others flying, he flew to Renji's side and plunged the Imperial Sword in his hand into Renji's back without hesitation—not to kill him, but to stop the Hollowfication process.

The sword tip pierced precisely into the Reiatsu point, and the special power of the Imperial Sword began to take effect. Milky white light surged from the sword, seeping into Renji's body and fighting against the Hollowfication power.

At the same time, Liu Hao turned to look at the Imperial Princess who had appeared beside him, his voice urgent. "Imperial Princess!"

"I will heal you," the Imperial Princess responded immediately, placing her hands on the hilt of the Imperial Sword.

Her arrival amplified the healing power. The light emitted by the Imperial Sword grew even brighter, forming a cocoon of light centered on Renji. Within the cocoon, the white matter began to fade, and cracks appeared in the already formed illusory mask before it gradually disintegrated.

Liu Hao could sense that the abnormal power within Renji that had triggered his Hollowfication was being neutralized and purified by the power of the Imperial Sword Imperial Princess. Although the process was slow, it was indeed working.

As time passed, the Hollowfication process completely stopped. The white substance faded away, Renji's face returned to normal. Although still pale and weak, it was no longer in that inhumanly distorted state.

Liu Hao breathed a long sigh of relief, but his anger remained undiminished. He sheathed his Imperial Sword and checked Renji's condition—his vital signs were stable, the threat of Hollowfication had been eliminated, but he needed further treatment to fully recover.

"Aizen..." Liu Hao murmured the name, his voice filled with icy killing intent, "You're courting death, daring to lay a hand on Renji. It seems my plan to deal with you was too lenient."

He had originally planned to let Soul Society judge the traitor according to its own rules after revealing Aizen's true colors. But now, seeing Renji almost become Hollowfication, Liu Hao changed his mind.

Some bottom lines, once crossed, offer no room for forgiveness.

Liu Hao stood up and looked in the direction of the Fifth Division. Although the distance was far, he could sense that Aizen must be observing all of this from somewhere, perhaps still satisfied with the results of his "experiment".

"Just you wait, Aizen," Liu Hao said softly, his voice filled with an unprecedented determination. "You will pay the price for everything you've done. I promise."

He glanced one last Renji, then turned to Ichigo Kurosaki and the others who had just gotten up from the ground. Their faces were filled with shock and wariness; they clearly hadn't figured out what had happened.