A Letter to Byakuya Kuchiki

Kuchiki Ginrei and Kuchiki Kōga a glance.

Kuchiki Ginrei was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Byakuya, he's hiding himself like this to wait for a mastermind to appear."

His voice was low and serious. "There are many things here that your uncle and I don't know much about either. You shouldn't pry into his affairs. Captain Unohana and the Captain-Commander both value him highly, so we should try to avoid contact with him for now."

He paused, then suddenly remembered something. "He said back then that he might come to our house again when you get married..."

Before she could finish speaking, Kuchiki Ginrei was stunned.

He turned to look at Kuchiki Kōga and found that the other man was also staring at him in astonishment.

The two said in unison, "He wouldn't... know that Byakuya would marry a girl from Rukongai, that's why he said that, would he?!"

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly. "How could that be? He said he'd come to my wedding, it should just be a simple congratulatory message, right? If he knew about this a long time ago, wouldn't he be able to predict the future?"

Kuchiki Kōga gently shook his head, his tone carrying an indescribable complexity. "Byakuya, you haven't met him, so you don't understand. In your interactions with him, you'll discover that his wisdom is truly unfathomable."

His gaze deepened, as if recalling something. "He could predict your future by analyzing your personality, your surroundings, and the current situation of each family. I didn't believe it at first, but when the Captain-Commander was purging the First Division, we realized—if we hadn't listened to his advice, we really would have gone down the path he predicted."

Kuchiki Ginrei nodded, her tone serious. "Let's leave it at that. We'll see if he comes to the wedding. But even if he doesn't, he'll contact us through Captain Unohana, or separately. There might be some things we don't know about. So... let's just wait and see."

A few days later, the Kuchiki Clan's wedding took place as scheduled.

Despite causing a great uproar in aristocratic circles, the wedding itself was simple and solemn. Byakuya Kuchiki led the girl from Rukongai through the ceremony in the Kuchiki Clan shrine. Hisana wore a white wedding dress, her face delicate and pale, her eyes filled with an indescribable complex emotion—happiness, trepidation, and a deep sense of guilt.

Among the many guests who came to offer their congratulations, Retsu Unohana stood out. As the Fourth Division Captain, she came in person to offer her congratulations and presented a gift—a beautifully packaged box.

No one noticed that hidden in a compartment of the gift box was an unsigned letter.

After the wedding, when the guests had left, Kuchiki Ginrei opened the letter.

The handwriting in the letter was neat and clear, each word seemingly carefully considered:

Kuchiki Ginrei Ginrin, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki:

Congratulations to the Kuchiki Clan on the wedding of their new bride. I should have come in person to offer my congratulations, but due to certain reasons that are not easy to say, I can only do so by writing a letter. I hope you understand.

This letter contains three things to tell you:

First, please pay close attention to Hisana Kuchiki's health. She is frail and sickly, and the high Reiatsu around her after marrying into the Kuchiki Clan may accelerate her spiritual decline. If you find that she is unwell, please have Captain Kuchiki come to the Fourth Division to find Captain Unohana as soon as possible. I will accompany her.

Secondly, please tell Hisana Kuchiki that there's no need to rush to find her sister Rukia. She is destined to come to the Kuchiki Clan at the right time, and searching for her too early will only cause more trouble.

Thirdly, all of the above is due to certain reasons that cannot be explained. I hope that you members of the Kuchiki Clan will believe in my sincerity and act accordingly.

Respectfully submitted by Liu Ziyun

After reading the letter, Kuchiki Ginrei frowned. He handed the letter to Byakuya Kuchiki and Kuchiki Kōga, and the three of them looked at each other in bewilderment.

Byakuya Kuchiki's expression turned serious. "Hisana... she is indeed frail. I initially thought it was just because she was new here and not used to it, but now it seems..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the worry in his eyes was already evident.

Kuchiki Ginrei said in a deep voice, "Regardless, since Liu Ziyun, the Fifth Seat holder, specifically reminded us, we must take it seriously. Byakuya, from today onwards, you must keep a close eye on Hisana's physical condition. If there are any abnormalities, immediately go to Captain Unohana."

Byakuya Kuchiki nodded solemnly.

In the days that followed, Byakuya Kuchiki began to pay attention to Hisana's physical condition.

Just as Liu Ziyun letter, Hisana's body was indeed growing weaker day by day. At first, it was just occasional fatigue, but it gradually developed into persistent dizziness and weakness. Her face became paler and paler, and her breathing became weaker and weaker, as if an invisible hand was slowly draining her life force.

Byakuya Kuchiki was frantic with worry, but helpless. He tried various methods—asking the family physicians to treat her, using Reiatsu to nourish her body, and even seeking spiritual medicine from other nobles... but none of them worked.

Finally, a year after Hisana married into the Kuchiki Clan, her health deteriorated to the point that she was almost unable to get out of bed.

Byakuya Kuchiki could wait no longer. With Kuchiki Ginrei's approval, he went to the Fourth Division alone and found Retsu Unohana.

"Captain Unohana, I beg you to save Hisana." Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was filled with an unprecedented pleading. "Her health is deteriorating, and I'm at my wit's end."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Captain Kuchiki, there's no need to rush. Tonight... I'll go to the Kuchiki Clan."

That night, the moon was hidden and the stars were few.

The streets of Seireitei were silent, save for the occasional patrolling Soul Reaper hurrying by. Two figures, like true ghosts, silently passed through layers of Barriers and arrived at the Kuchiki Clan mansion.

Retsu Unohana, wearing Captain's Haori, walked in front. Behind her, a figure draped in Black Cloak followed closely.

Kuchiki Ginrei and Kuchiki Kōga had been waiting at the entrance for some time. Upon seeing the two arrive, Kuchiki Ginrei bowed slightly. "Captain Unohana, Fifth Seat Liu Ziyun, please come in."

Upon entering the Kuchiki Clan, Retsu Unohana removed her cloak and explained, "It's a bit inconvenient during the day, so I arrived at night. Please forgive me, Kuchiki Ginrei- sama."

Kuchiki Ginrei gently shook her head. "It's alright. We also know that Liu Ziyun, the Fifth Seat holder, is currently unable to make many moves, we understand."

Liu Ziyun peeked out from under the Black Cloak, his ever-present nonchalant smile now appearing somewhat complicated, "I originally wanted to come to the wedding and ask for a drink of congratulations."

He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "But now that dark hand has noticed me, so I have no choice but to continue to lie low to avoid causing unnecessary trouble and sacrificing unnecessary people."

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him, his eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of curiosity. "It's alright. It's also thanks to Liu Ziyun 'Fifth Seat reminder earlier that I was able to notice Hisana's body was weakening."

His voice was earnest. "Therefore, I hope that Liu Ziyun, the Fifth Seat holder, will intervene to save him."

Liu Ziyun nodded, his expression turning serious. "Leave it to me with confidence."

He looked at Kuchiki Ginrei and Kuchiki Kōga: "However, I need you to seal off the surrounding area to prevent my Reiatsu from leaking out and attracting that dark hand."