The Arrival of the Supporting Cast

Retsu Unohana watched his disheveled retreating figure, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on her lips.

Her hand slowly released the hilt of the knife, and the blade returned to its sheath.

"This guy's obsession... is probably building a harem."

She murmured to herself, a gentleness she herself didn't realize. "If we don't let him have a harem in the future, will he go crazy?"

She picked up her teacup and took a small sip. "I'm really looking forward to it. I'll see if this guy will try to please me like that brat did."

The aroma of tea wafted gently in the afternoon sunlight.

In the following years, Liu Ziyun continued to maintain that near-perfect "low-key approach"—or, as he put it, "Playing it safe."

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.

But beneath this apparent calm, some subtle changes are quietly taking place.

First, there was the transfer of Kiyōnosuke Yamada.

This veteran member of the Fourth Division was transferred to the Shin'ō Institute of Medicines as its director. This is a very important position in Soul Society, responsible for the medical and pharmaceutical research of the entire Shin'ō Academy.

Before leaving, Liu Ziyun specifically asked Retsu Unohana to tell him to be careful of Tsunayashiro Tokinada.

Although Kiyōnosuke Yamada didn't understand the reason, he knew that someone who could attract the attention of both Captain Unohana and Fifth Seat Liu Ziyun was definitely not simple. So he nodded solemnly, keeping this instruction in mind.

The one who took over the position of Lieutenant from Kiyōnosuke Yamada was Isane Kotetsu.

This tall, gentle female Soul Reaper officially became the Third Seat of the Fourth Division —effectively the Lieutenant.

Liu Ziyun expressed great satisfaction with this.

Extremely satisfied.

From that day on, he began to "discuss the Kaidō" more frequently.

Of course, everyone knew the true nature of this "discussion."

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" show off his superb Kaidō skills in front of her.

He would ask her all sorts of questions about "Kaidō the Tao" in a gentle and sincere tone, and then nod earnestly as she explained—even though he couldn't see her at all.

He would "just happen" to bring her a cup of hot tea when she was busy; he would "just happen" to tell her a corny joke when she was tired; he would "just happen" to be the first to appear in front of her when she needed help.

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?

And what about Retsu Unohana?

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

She had warned Liu Ziyun several times. Each time it was a threat, each time a cold look, each time a dangerous gesture with her hand on the hilt of her knife.

But Liu Ziyun ignored him and continued his "harem plan".

He was used to being hunted by her anyway. And he knew she wouldn't actually kill him.

This tacit understanding became a peculiar game.

Years later, just as Liu Ziyun had predicted for the Kuchiki Clan, a series of events began to unfold according to the trajectory of fate.

A new batch of students entered the Shin'ō Academy.

Among them are Rukia and Renji Abarai, orphans from Rukongai; Izuru Kira, a nobleman; and Momo Hinamori, an ordinary girl from Rukongai.

They learned, grew, met, and parted ways in the academy, just like countless predecessors had walked the same path.

Behind them, pairs of eyes were watching in the shadows—some with expectation, some with calculation, and some with deep helplessness.

Rukia excelled at the academy. Her talent and hard work allowed her to quickly stand out. But what she didn't know was that in some corner of Seireitei, a woman longed for her every day, and a man watched her progress closely.

Finally, after several years of study, the Kuchiki Clan sent someone to the Shin'ō Academy.

They took Rukia away.

When Rukia first stepped into the Kuchiki Clan's gate, she saw a woman who was both strange and familiar— Hisana Kuchiki.

Hisana Kuchiki looked at her, tears welling up in her eyes. But she didn't go forward to hug her, nor did she express her longing. She just stood there quietly, looking at her sister, her heart filled with endless guilt and love.

"I have no right to adopt you as your sister," Hisana Kuchiki said softly, her voice trembling. "I abandoned you; I don't deserve to be your sister."

She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "So, let Byakuya- sama recognize you as his adopted sister."

Rukia was stunned. Looking at the woman in front of her, tears streaming down her face, she felt a complex mix of emotions—confusion, anger, resentment, and... a touch of indescribable warmth.

Ultimately, at Hisana Kuchiki's insistence, Rukia recognized Byakuya Kuchiki as her sworn brother and adopted Kuchiki surname.

From that day on, she was Rukia Kuchiki.

Byakuya Kuchiki fulfilled his promise to Hisana and also fulfilled Liu Ziyun's prophecy.

In the years that followed, more gears of fate began to turn.

Captain Wangtu Chuan Yuxufei of the Tenth Division has stepped down—this captain, who is rarely mentioned in the original work, has quietly left the stage of history. He has been succeeded by a man named Isshin Shiba. (Since no information was found about Isshin Shiba's predecessor, we will use the term "first captain" here.)

Meanwhile, Rukia completed her studies at the Shin'ō Academy and began her internship with the Thirteenth Division.

Her abilities have reached the level of Seated Officer. With her talent and hard work, she is fully capable of holding the position of Seated Officer.

But Byakuya Kuchiki was worried about her safety.

More importantly, he remembered Liu Ziyun's instructions—not to let her become Seated Officer.

So he personally went to find Jūshirō Ukitake, the captain of the Thirteenth Division.

"Captain Ukitake," Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was calm and sincere, "Rukia is new here and needs time to adjust. I hope... she can start as a regular member."

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at him, a thoughtful glint in his gentle eyes. He didn't press for a reason, but simply nodded. "Alright. Do as Captain Kuchiki says."

Thus, Rukia Kuchiki became an ordinary member of the Thirteenth Division.

No one knows what profound meaning lies behind this seemingly ordinary decision.

No one knew that, in some corner of Seireitei, a man was secretly watching all of this.

The man sat in the Fourth Division's Medical Room, a thick stack of medical documents spread out in front of him. Beside him was a cup of tea that had gone cold, and the Wristguards on his wrist gleamed faintly under the light.

He closed his eyes, sensing the familiar Reiatsu fluctuations within the Seireitei — the Kuchiki Clan's composure, the Thirteenth Division's gentleness, the Fifth Division's danger, and the newly awakened, tender, and promising rising stars.

"Soon..." he murmured to himself, a complex smile playing on his lips. "It'll be soon."

He opened his eyes, and in those empty sockets, a future that seemed infinitely distant appeared. "Wait for that child to be born, wait for Aizen to be exposed, wait for everything to settle down..."

He gently grasped the Golden Dragon Bracer on his right wrist. "I don't need to wait any longer."

Outside the window, the setting sun was slowly sinking below the horizon.

On the streets of Seireitei, the soldiers hurried by, each busy with their own affairs. No one noticed that in a corner of the Fourth Division, a man was quietly waiting.

We await the turning of the gears of fate to reach that final moment.