Parting Instructions

"Thank you, Liu Ziyun, Fifth Seat." Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was deep and sincere, every word coming from the bottom of his heart. "The Kuchiki Clan owes you a favor. No matter when or where, as long as you ask, the Kuchiki Clan will definitely do everything in its power to help."

Liu Ziyun his hand gently, a rare seriousness appearing on his usually nonchalant face. "Captain Kuchiki, you flatter me. However..."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "Next, I have a few things to instruct you all on. I hope you won't find it troublesome."

Kuchiki Ginrei stepped forward, her eyes, weathered by time, gleaming with wisdom. "No, please, Fifth Seat Liu Ziyun, speak plainly."

Liu Ziyun remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. His gaze—those empty yet all-seeing eyes—slowly swept over the people present, finally settling on Hisana Kuchiki.

"First, there's Kuchiki, Mrs. Rukia's sister."

Hisana Kuchiki's body trembled slightly. This name was a pain that would forever remain in her heart. Her sister, whom she had abandoned in Rukongai, the sister she longed for day and night but dared not search for.

Liu Ziyun's voice was calm and clear. "The mastermind won't show up for many years. At that time, he might throw the Seireitei into chaos. But it's not a big problem—as long as we follow the established path."

He paused, then continued, "In the meantime, I hope Lady Kuchiki won't rush to find your sister Rukia."

A hint of urgency flashed across Hisana Kuchiki's face, but Liu Ziyun raised his hand to stop her. "Let me finish."

His voice softened, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "Please patiently train at the Kuchiki Clan and improve your strength. There are three reasons for doing so."

He held up one finger. "First, to protect yourself. Although I have healed your body, your strength is still far from sufficient. In this world, only the strong can protect themselves and their loved ones."

He then raised a second finger. "Secondly, to prevent my information from being leaked, the mastermind has been observing from the shadows. Any unusual activity could attract his attention. If you go looking for Rukia too soon, it could disrupt the entire plan."

Finally, he raised his third finger. "Thirdly, to give Rukia the opportunity to grow. She needs to experience hardships in Rukongai and make reliable companions in order to truly mature. If she is taken in by the Kuchiki Clan too early, she will lose these valuable experiences."

Hisana Kuchiki fell silent. Her eyes flickered with complex emotions—reluctance, guilt, and understanding.

Liu Ziyun continued, "During this time, Rukia will awaken her powers and make a group of reliable companions. After she enters the Shin'ō Academy, she will be brought in by the Kuchiki Clan for further training."

He turned to Byakuya Kuchiki: "Then, send her to the Thirteenth Division. But don't make her a Seated Officer yet."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly. He keenly caught the deeper meaning in Liu Ziyun's words. "Liu Ziyun, the Fifth Seat... Is there anything else you need her to do?"

Liu Ziyun gently shook his head. "Actually, it's not about letting her do it, but about letting her grow up normally according to her own destiny."

His voice grew deeper, carrying an indescribable weight. "I haven't told you this, but when I awakened my Zanpakuto, I saw the fate of Soul Society —a fate without me."

These words stunned everyone present.

Liu Ziyun continued, "In that destiny, Rukia was the one who guided the 'Child of Destiny.' Therefore, I do not wish to change any of that."

He looked at Hisana Kuchiki, a hint of barely perceptible pity in his voice. "I remember, in the destiny I saw, Mrs. Kuchiki would pass away from illness in a few years."

Byakuya Kuchiki's body jolted. He instinctively gripped Hisana's hand tightly; that hand was warm and strong, no longer the cold and weak one it once was.

Liu Ziyun continued calmly, "And in the second year after Mrs. Kuchiki's death, Captain Kuchiki will find Rukia at the Shin'ō Academy. He will defy his family's objections and take Rukia back, recognizing her as his adopted sister—this is to fulfill the promise he made to Mrs. Kuchiki on her deathbed."

Tears welled up in Hisana Kuchiki's eyes. She looked at Byakuya Kuchiki, at the man who had risked his entire clan for her sake, and felt an overwhelming surge of love and guilt.

Byakuya Kuchiki remained silent, only gripping her hand even tighter.

Kuchiki Kōga spoke up then, his voice tinged with nervousness and anticipation. "And what about me? My previous situation... was it also because Mr. Ziyun foresaw my destiny that he helped me?"

Liu Ziyun to him and nodded. "Yes. I foresaw your fate."

His voice was calm, yet it made Kuchiki Kōga's heart leap into his throat. "You've worked tirelessly and strived relentlessly to gain your father-in-law's approval. That's a good thing—but your impulsive and overly assertive nature has made you a target for some scoundrels."

He paused, then continued, "They set a trap to frame you. Lacking patience, you did many wrong things in a fit of anger. To save your life, your father-in-law had no choice but to join forces with the Captain-Commander to seal you away."

Kuchiki Kōga's breathing became rapid. Those images floated into his mind, as if they had actually happened.

Liu Ziyun's voice continued, "And your Zanpakuto, because of your anger, devoured many Menos Grande decades later, freeing you. But at that time, because of your experience of being sealed, your personality became extreme; you no longer trusted anyone, not even your Zanpakuto. In the end..."

He sighed softly, "I'll only lose my life."

A deathly silence fell over the room.

A complex expression appeared on Kuchiki Kōga's face—fear, relief, and deep gratitude.

He bowed deeply to Liu Ziyun: "Thank you, Mr. Ziyun, for saving my life."

Liu Ziyun gently shook his head. "Actually, this is a tragedy. I don't want this tragedy to happen either. After all, you're not a bad person at heart; you're just trying to gain approval."

Kuchiki Ginrei stepped forward and solemnly Liu Ziyun: "We still have to thank Mr. Ziyun. It was you who let us know about these things and changed the tragic fate of Kōga."

Liu Ziyun smiled. There was no pride, no arrogance in his smile, only a calm acceptance. "It's nothing. For me, it was just a small favor."

He paused, his tone becoming more candid. "Moreover, it was your trust in me that changed your fate. So, it's not entirely my doing."

He looked at the group of people present, a profound light flashing in his eyes. "The Soul Society will face some crises in the future. At that time, we will need your help to protect it. So... this is also a way of using you."

Byakuya Kuchiki gently shook his head. "This doesn't count as exploitation. Protecting the Soul Society is simply the duty of the Kuchiki Clan."

His voice was calm yet firm, carrying an unquestionable solemnity.

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a relieved smile playing on his lips, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I hope everything I've done can give the Soul Society more strength to deal with future crises."

He turned and walked towards the door. "Let's also look forward to a different future."

He stopped at the doorway, turned back to "look" at the group. "Captain Unohana and I are leaving. Well then... see you later, everyone."

Kuchiki Ginrei, Kuchiki Kōga, Byakuya Kuchiki, Hisana Kuchiki bowed in unison. "Thank you both for your help. You are welcome to visit us anytime when it is convenient for you."

Liu Ziyun nodded, put on Black Cloak, and disappeared into the night with Retsu Unohana.

Back in the Fourth Division, Retsu Unohana removed her cloak and sat down at the tea table. She looked at Liu Ziyun, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Ziyun, you said Rukia would be the one to guide the 'Child of Destiny' in the future. So, who exactly is this Child of Destiny?"

Liu Ziyun sat down opposite her, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip. A complicated smile appeared on his lips, "It's that... 'Cheat B' I told you about before."

Retsu Unohana raised an eyebrow slightly. "You mean that guy who just won't die no matter how you fight him, and gets stronger the more you fight him?"

"Yes." Liu Ziyun, a hint of envy in his voice. "Thinking about that guy's growth, I'm still a little envious. Surrounded by beautiful girls, and an unkillable cockroach. He gets stronger every time he gets beaten, and finally takes down the Major Boss with a single blow..."

He sighed, "Sigh, I'm so envious."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Oh? That guy has a harem too?"

Liu Ziyun waved his hand. "No, that's not true. That guy's a blockhead; he's surrounded by so many beautiful women, and he hasn't managed to win over a single one."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "However, I plan to add all the girls he's wronged to my harem. There's even a gay one among them; I'll find a way to 'straighten' her."

As he spoke, that signature, lewd, fantasizing expression appeared on his face, as if he could already see the future "harem extravagance."

Retsu Unohana narrowed her eyes at him, a dangerous glint in them. "Is that so?"

Her hand slowly rested on the hilt of her Zanpakuto at her waist, and the blade slowly emerged from its sheath, emitting a cold metallic scraping sound.

Liu Ziyun's fantasy was instantly shattered. He could feel that familiar, chilling killing intent emanating from Retsu Unohana.

He whirled around, looking at Retsu Unohana with a terrified expression. "Captain, I'm a little tired today! I'm leaving now! Bye!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already dashed towards the door like a bolt of lightning, so fast that he almost left a blur.

The door slammed shut behind him.