Isane Kotetsu Arrives

Liu Ziyun's words came to an abrupt end.

He could feel the chilling killing intent emanating from Retsu Unohana —it wasn't a joke, it wasn't a threat, but a real killing intent that could erupt at any moment.

Without a word, he immediately stood up and rushed towards the door at top speed. His movements were so fast that they almost left afterimages, as if he was afraid that if he was a step slower, he would be Zanpakuto pieces by the Zanpakuto called "Minazuki".

The door slammed shut behind him.

Retsu Unohana sat alone in the Captain's Office, watching the direction in which he had fled in a disheveled state, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on her lips.

"What a... lecherous coward."

She murmured softly, a hint of tenderness in her voice that she herself didn't even realize. "He wants to build a harem... and even wants to include me in it. What an audacious lecher."

She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

The aroma of tea wafted gently in the afternoon sunlight.

In the following years, Liu Ziyun's life returned to that near-perfect "two-point line" pattern.

He remained the same taciturn, work-focused Fifth Seat Fourth Division. He appeared in the Medical Room on time every morning and returned to his dormitory on time every evening, never participating in any social activities and never talking much with anyone.

After monitoring Sōsuke Aizen for some time, his men finally gave up on him completely.

What's so interesting about someone so dull and predictable?

And so, Liu Ziyun continued to remain in the Fourth Division, waiting for that destined moment.

Until that day—two pieces of news arrived.

The first message came from the Thirteenth Division.

Kaien Shiba officially joined the Thirteenth Division and was appointed as its Lieutenant.

When Liu Ziyun heard this news in the Medical Room, his pen paused slightly.

[Kaien Shiba... that unlucky guy, he finally showed up.]

He thought to himself silently.

[Never mind him. There are still a few years left.]

He continued writing the medical documents in his hands as if nothing had happened.

But deep in his heart, a thought was quietly growing: [Kaien Shiba... Shiba Miyako... should I save him? If I save him, will it affect my future? If I don't save him... I can't bear to. Sigh... this is such a dilemma.]

The second piece of news came from within the Fourth Division.

Isane Kotetsu has officially taken over as the Third Seat the Fourth Division.

When this tall, gentle female Soul Reaper appeared in the corridor of the Fourth Division, Liu Ziyun's "spiritual sense" instantly detected her presence.

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

[Isane's here...] he thought to himself, a hint of something indescribable in his smile: [My harem members are here. I need to find a way... to seduce them.]

From that day on, the members of the Fourth Division were surprised to find that the usually taciturn and unsociable Fifth Seat, Ryuu, had begun to actively approach the new Third Seat Isane Kotetsu.

His excuse was plausible—"discussing the Kaidō."

But everyone could see that it wasn't a "discussion" at all, but rather... something more ambiguous.

Liu Ziyun "coincidentally" appear in the Medical Room when Isane Kotetsu was on duty, and would "casually" help her organize her documents, and would "inadvertently" demonstrate his superb Kaidō skills in front of her. He would ask her some "Kaidō- related questions" in a gentle and sincere tone, and then nod earnestly as she explained—even though he couldn't see her at all.

What's even more outrageous is that he "accidentally" gave her gifts a few times—all small trinkets he brought back from the World of the Living, beautifully packaged, clearly not bought on a whim.

Isane Kotetsu seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of this "senior." She was a gentle yet earnest Soul Reaper, meticulous in her work and extremely respectful to her seniors. Liu Ziyun's "guidance" was indeed helpful to her work, and she felt embarrassed to refuse.

But she always felt... the way this Fifth Seat Liu looked at her—though he couldn't see it—seemed somewhat... strange?

Retsu Unohana watched all this from the Captain's Office, her teeth itching with hatred.

But she couldn't interfere too much.

After all, Liu Ziyun's excuse was plausible but lacked any real basis. And... what right did she have to interfere? What was her status in interfering?

So, she could only watch as that sleazy guy approached her Third Seat step by step, secretly grinding her teeth: [Liu Ziyun... you just wait. After this is over... see how I deal with you.]

And what about Liu Ziyun?

He could sense a faint killing intent emanating from the direction of the Captain's Office. But he didn't care at all; instead, his smile grew even brighter.

[Jealous? Hehe...] He thought smugly to himself: [Take it slow, none of them will escape. Harem Plan, officially launched.]

The Seireitei bathed the Fourth Division's barracks in a warm golden-red hue.

Liu Ziyun stood by the window of the Medical Room, gazing at the sunset he couldn't see but could "feel" outside.

His left hand gently stroked the Golden Dragon Bracer on his right wrist, Wristguards shimmered faintly in the setting sun.

"Kaien Shiba... Isane Kotetsu..."

He murmured the two names softly, a complex smile playing on his lips, "The gears of fate are turning faster and faster."

He closed his eyes, feeling the vast yet calm power within him. "It's almost here... almost there. When that child is born, when Aizen is exposed, when everything settles down..."

He opened his eyes, and in those empty sockets, it seemed as if an infinitely distant future was reflected. "I don't need to wait any longer."