Return to Soul Society

As Liu Ziyun's figure completely disappeared behind the gates of the Visored base, the twilight in Karakura Town was bathing the entire city in a gentle golden-red hue. He stood on the street, feeling the unique flow of Reishi energy in the World of the Living, mixed with the scent of everyday life. He paused for a moment in front of the convenience store window, then pushed open the door and went inside.

This was the first time he had entered a shop in the World of the Living as a "normal person" since leaving Soul Society. Without the complete concealment of the Black Cloak, he was now wearing an ordinary Gigai —the most basic and common style from Kisuke Urahara, which could barely hide his Reiatsu but was not enough to completely eliminate his presence. But for something as trivial as buying a gift, it was sufficient.

Liu Ziyun slowly wandered among the shelves, selecting items based on his remaining visual memory and tactile senses. He picked up a beautifully packaged hand cream— Retsu Unohana, who worked in the medical field year-round, certainly needed to take care of her hands; then she picked up an elegantly packaged box of tea— the Fourth Division Captain's office was always filled with the aroma of tea, and perhaps she would appreciate the new varieties from the World of the Living; finally, after searching for a long time in a small jewelry section, she picked up a finely crafted wooden hairpin, the top of which was carved with a blooming Retsu Orchid.

[This... would suit her perfectly.] Liu Ziyun thought to himself, [Although I don't know if she'll actually use it, at least it's the thought that counts.]

He carefully wrapped the three items, placed them in a plain-colored wooden box, then paid and left.

As night completely enveloped Karakura Town, Liu Ziyun once again stepped into Urahara Shop.

The shop was dimly lit and warm. Kisuke Urahara sat behind the counter, holding an unidentified research report, his signature fisherman's hat still completely obscuring most of his face. Hearing the doorbell ring, he looked up, his face immediately plastered with a professional smile, "Welcome—oh, it's Mr. Liu. What brings you here again?"

Liu Ziyun straight to the counter and got straight to the point. "Kisuke, what have you been up to lately? I haven't seen Yoruichi in so long. Where did she go?"

Kisuke Urahara's smile froze slightly.

[You came in and started petting Yoruichi like a cat, how dare she show her face in front of you again...]

He inwardly grumbled, but maintained a polite smile on his face, "Miss Yoruichi has been out recently, taking care of some personal matters. Mr. Liu, what brings you here so suddenly? Your Bankai training should be complete by now, so you shouldn't need our help to cast Barrier anymore, right?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "I'm preparing to return to Soul Society."

He paused, then asked, "Is there anything you need me to take back?"

Kisuke Urahara paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No, Mr. Liu. Is there anything you need to prepare for this trip back? I have some newly developed gadgets here; if you need them..."

"Yes, I need to." Liu Ziyun interrupted him without any politeness. "When I get back this time, I'll have to continue to play it safe. But I might need to rescue someone soon, so could you help me upgrade my Black Cloak and Gigai —I need the version that can perfectly conceal my Reiatsu and whereabouts, so it'll be useful when I need to rescue someone in the future?"

He thought for a moment and added, "Oh, right, I'll go back first. You can give the things to Yoruichi and have her deliver them to me."

Kisuke Urahara was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "That's fine. But Mr. Liu, these all require payment."

His tone was calm, but a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes.

Liu Ziyun nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I know. I've saved up some money in the Fourth Division over the years. Don't worry, I won't renege on my debts."

He paused, a playful smile suddenly appearing on his lips, "However... from now on, if you want to know any more information, you'll have to pay for it. After all, I don't have much savings, so I need to find another way to make money."

Kisuke Urahara: "..."

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end only let out a helpless sigh, "Alright. When does Mr. Liu plan to go back?"

"I'll be back in a bit." Liu Ziyun's tone was as relaxed as if he were talking about going for a walk later. "I've already found a place, don't worry, I'll walk far away from here so no one will notice you."

Kisuke Urahara nodded silently.

Liu Ziyun and walked towards the door, raising her hand to wave gently. "Then I'll be going, bye-bye."

The doorbell rang.

His figure disappeared into the night.

An hour later, on the outskirts of Karakura Town, in an abandoned industrial area.

Standing in the shadows of an abandoned warehouse, Liu Ziyun confirmed that there were no Reiatsu fluctuations around him before taking out the silver-white Senkaimon Badge from his pocket.

But he didn't activate it immediately.

He looked down at his hands. His eyes, which had been blind for nearly a century, could not see any light at this moment, but they could clearly "perceive" the touch under his fingertips—the eyelids, the eyelashes, and the eye sockets that had been empty for a whole century.

"[It's coming again.]" he thought calmly to himself. "[This is the umpteenth time in the last hundred years.]"

He did not hesitate.

He raised his right hand and precisely pierced his eye socket with two fingers.

There were no screams, no tremors. Only a very faint, almost inaudible "plop."

Blood gushed from his eyes and streamed down his cheeks, shimmering with an eerie dark red glow in the moonlight.

Liu Ziyun took out the medical kit she carried with her and began to skillfully treat the wound. Stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound, bandaging—the whole process was as smooth as flowing water, without a single superfluous movement, as if this were just a normal medical training exercise, rather than destroying her own recently recovered vision with her own hands.

[You'll get used to it.] He thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, [Anyway, I can't see anything beautiful, so being blind is actually more peaceful.]

After bandaging himself, he took out the Black Cloak specially made by Kisuke Urahara from his pocket and draped it over his shoulders. The silver patterns on the cloak shimmered in the moonlight, completely concealing his Reiatsu, aura, and even his presence.

Then, he activated the Senkaimon Badge.

A dark blue vortex slowly unfolded in the darkness. On the other side of the door lay the North District 80 of Soul Society —the chaotic, dilapidated edge of the Rukongai, a place no Soul Reaper dared to set foot in.

Liu Ziyun glanced back at the night sky one World of the Living time before stepping into the vortex.

Late at night in the Fourth Division Barracks.

Liu Ziyun's figure, like a true ghost, silently passed through layers of Barriers and patrols, returning to the dormitory where he had lived for nearly a hundred years.

Pushing open the door, the familiar Reishi energy rushed towards him. Everything here was exactly the same as when he left—the simple bed, the desk piled high with medical literature, and the cup that always held iced tea.

He carefully examined every corner of the room, confirming that there were no signs of tampering or any remnants of the Kidō surveillance system.

Then, he took out the wooden box and gently stroked the carved Retsu Orchid pattern on the lid.

[Tomorrow... go see the captain.]

He lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

Although he couldn't see any light to begin with, at this moment, there seemed to be something warm and reassuring in the darkness.

That felt like "coming home".