The Visored Theory

As Liu Ziyun's words fell into the Captain's Office, Retsu Unohana fell into deep thought. She picked up her now-cold tea, took a small sip, and her usually calm eyes now gleamed with contemplation.

"Those Visored like Hirako," Liu Ziyun continued, his tone earnest like that of an academic discussion, "Are actually having external Hollow power injected into their bodies. Normally, this external Hollow power can fuse with their Soul Reaper power."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "Once the fusion is successful, their Zanpakuto release will have Hollow characteristics—for example, attacks will be mixed with Cero, or the released state will manifest as a Hollow mask. If the fusion fails, they will be like they are now, wielding their original Zanpakuto while wearing an additional Hollow mask, the two powers operating independently, unable to truly unify."

Retsu Unohana put down her teacup and looked at him. "It seems you've learned quite a bit from the future you saw."

Liu Ziyun gently shook his head. "I suppose so. These are all analyses I made from the future I saw. Whether it's really as I explained it, I don't know."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Retsu Unohana's eyes. "Then why do you analyze it this way? There must be some basis for it, right?"

Liu Ziyun was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "It's that future 'Child of Destiny.' He possesses the powers of Soul Reaper, a human, a Hollow, Quincy —an unprecedented existence."

His tone became serious. "After he awakened his Soul Reaper powers, they were suppressed by the Quincy power within him. Therefore, his Soul Reaper powers gradually transformed into Hollow powers. Later, through Ōetsu Nimaiya's reforging of his Zanpakuto, the Quincy power within him was transformed into one Zanpakuto, while the Hollow and Soul Reaper powers were transformed Zanpakuto another."

He looked at Retsu Unohana and continued, "When the Zanpakuto of the Soul Reaper and Hollow awakened, his body showed Hollow characteristics—a Hollow mask would appear on his face, and his attacks would include Cero —but he wouldn't lose his mind. That's why I made this analysis."

Retsu Unohana frowned slightly. "How did the Hollow power within his body merge with the Soul Reaper power? Do you know about this process?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "I don't know about that. After all, I haven't personally experienced that state."

He thought for a moment and added, "However, what I do know is that the Soul Reaper Power that has fused with Hollow power becomes extremely violent, but it will also protect itself. Just for self-preservation, they can force themselves into Hollowfication to gain combat power."

His tone deepened. "Of course, this temporary, forced state only occurs when you haven't gained its true recognition and can't fully utilize it. Otherwise, since your normal combat power after fusion is strong enough, why risk becoming a Hollow?"

Retsu Unohana nodded thoughtfully. As the First Kenpachi, she possessed an insight into the essence of combat and power that was beyond the reach of ordinary people. Liu Ziyun's analysis opened up a completely new perspective for her.

She looked at Liu Ziyun and suddenly asked, "So how did you improve your strength? I feel like you're even stronger than me now."

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then smiled. There was no smugness in his smile, only an almost humble calm. "It's alright, certainly not as powerful as you."

He paused, then continued, "I simply hone my skills by communicating with my Zanpakuto and constantly battling them. Day after day, year after year, that's how it is."

A flicker of interest flashed in Retsu Unohana's eyes. "Then I want to become stronger, what suggestions do you have?"

Liu Ziyun, then slowly said, "Try using your Shikai to fight against the Bankai of your Zanpakuto."

He had barely finished speaking when he shook his head again, "Um... never mind. Your Shikai isn't suited for combat. Let's not unleash our Zanpakuto and Bankai using its Zanpakuto."

Retsu Unohana raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is this any good? Fighting against Bankai without releasing your Zanpakuto?"

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "I don't know. I've tried it with my Zanpakuto before, fighting against Zanpakuto Shikai releasing the Zanpakuto. Anyway, I can never last even one round."

A hint of surprise flashed in Retsu Unohana's eyes. "Then your Zanpakuto is really strong."

Liu Ziyun shook his head slightly. "It's alright. My Zanpakuto is for two people. If it were just one, I could last a few rounds. However, because of my request, they feel that I look down on them, so every time I want to fight like this, they beat me half to death first."

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but more so a kind of indulgent pampering.

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Is that so? It seems you have two Zanpakuto. Show them to me when you have the chance."

Liu Ziyun smiled, a hint of anticipation in his smile, "Yes, I will. In the future, I will invite them out to meet you. After all..."

His smile widened, even taking on a mischievous glint. "You are the mistress of my harem, after all."

Retsu Unohana's eyes instantly turned dangerous. She narrowed her eyes, and a cold, icy light flashed in those usually calm eyes. "Get out."

Liu Ziyun's smile froze on his face. He immediately realized he had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly took out the carefully prepared gift box from his pocket, presenting it to Retsu Unohana with both hands. "Captain, this is a gift I brought back for you from the World of the Living. Please accept it, I'm leaving now!"

After saying that, he didn't wait for Retsu Unohana's response at all, turned around and rushed out of the Captain's Office, so fast that he almost left a blur.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Retsu Unohana watched his disheveled retreating figure, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

She lowered her head and opened the gift box.

Inside the box, several items were neatly arranged: a set of exquisitely made clothes, a few small and unique accessories, and several packets of snacks from the World of the Living.

Retsu Unohana picked up the garment and gently unfolded it. The fabric was soft and comfortable, the color was her favorite understated elegance, and the design was simple yet graceful.

She then picked up the jewelry—a hairpin, a pair of earrings, and a necklace. Each piece was exquisitely crafted and clearly carefully selected.

Finally, she opened the bags of snacks, and a sweet aroma wafted out. It was a smell unique to the World of the Living, completely different from that of Soul Society.

Retsu Unohana sat at the tea table, gazing at the gifts, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up within her.

[This brat... he wouldn't really want to add me to his harem, would he?]

As she thought about it, the smile on her lips became even more pronounced.

[However, this kid has been flirting with Isane lately... Is he trying to recruit my Lieutenant as well?]

Her smile faded slightly, and a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes:

[Looks like I need to give him a good talking-to. I can't let him get too cocky.]

Meanwhile, Liu Ziyun had already escaped back to his dormitory.

He closed the door, leaned against it, and gasped for breath, his heart pounding.

[Thank goodness... I was almost killed.]

He calmed his breathing, walked to the bedside and sat down, taking out another carefully prepared box from his pocket—a gift for Isane Kotetsu.

He opened the box, inside were several small pieces of jewelry and a box of exquisite pastries.

[I've missed this little girl so much these past few days.]

A lewd smile curled at the corner of Liu Ziyun's mouth:

[I need to find an opportunity to give her the gift. And by the way... hehehe.]

He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind already wandering to his wonderful future life—a harem, marrying the captain, flirting with the Lieutenant, reaching the pinnacle of life...

Lost in thought, he drifted off to sleep.

It's late at night.

Retsu Unohana, cloaked in Black Cloak, silently arrived in front of Liu Ziyun's dormitory. She originally intended to "teach" this arrogant brat a lesson and make him stop harassing Isane.

But the moment she pushed open the door, she froze.

Liu Ziyun lay on the bed, fast asleep. But it wasn't ordinary sleep; it was a deep, almost comatose state, a complete loss of consciousness. His breathing was weak and drawn-out, his face was pale, and he exuded an aura of listlessness, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Retsu Unohana walked to the bedside and looked down at him. Based on her experience, she could tell that this was a state of extreme exhaustion—the depletion of his soul power was far more serious than physical fatigue.

She recalled what Liu Ziyun had said before—that saving Kaien Shiba and his wife had taken a huge toll.

[So what he said was true.]

Retsu Unohana stood by the bed and watched him quietly for a long time.

She didn't leave; she just stood there, gazing at the moonlight outside the window. The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor and also illuminating Liu Ziyun's pale face.

She stood there, motionless, like a statue.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Retsu Unohana sighed softly and turned to leave.

Just then, the person on the bed stirred.

Liu Ziyun opened his eyes, his empty eye sockets "looking" in the direction of Retsu Unohana. His voice was hoarse and weak. "Captain... why are you here?"

Retsu Unohana stopped and turned to look at him. "I came over last night. I noticed you weren't quite right."

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then understood what she meant. He struggled to sit up and leaned against the headboard. "It's because I used my ability to revive Kaien and her husband, which took a toll. But I'll be fine after resting for a while."

Retsu Unohana walked back to the bedside and sat down in the chair. "Oh? Is that ability of your Zanpakuto?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. "Explain."

Liu Ziyun was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "This ability actually involves preserving the pure spirit within a severely injured person to protect their consciousness. On this basis, it removes the will to die from the spirit."

He paused, then continued, "However, in order to avoid exposing myself, I extracted its power and imprinted it into the spirits of Kaien and her husband through Talisman. As they were about to die, I captured their spirits and wills, sealing them into the Life Pearl."

His voice grew even weaker; clearly, recalling this process had taken a toll on his energy.

"Then, through my Bankai, I awakened the will within the Life Pearl and repaired their spirits. Because their bodies had all disappeared, it consumed a great deal of power to restore them. That's why I'm so exhausted."

Retsu Unohana listened quietly, a hint of shock flashing in her eyes.

Retaining the spirit, removing the will to die, sealing the Life Pearl, Recreate Spiritual Body... this goes beyond the scope of ordinary healing and touches upon a more fundamental and forbidden realm.

"If their spirits were still alive," Retsu Unohana asked, "Wouldn't you feel much more at ease?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "It wasn't easy either. After all, this level of achievement is considered a change from an inevitable death."

Retsu Unohana remained silent.

She looked at Liu Ziyun with a complicated expression. This kid, who was always grinning and dreaming of having a harem, actually possessed such power and was willing to pay such a huge price to save two "insignificant" people.

"Then, you should rest for a while." Retsu Unohana stood up, her tone carrying an undeniable authority. "Return to work when you've fully recovered."

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then smiled, "Thank you, Captain. I'll take a break then."

Retsu Unohana turned and walked towards the door. She stopped at the doorway, but didn't turn back. "I'm leaving."

She paused, then added, "By the way, don't try to seduce Isane. Hurting a girl's heart is unforgivable."

Liu Ziyun's smile grew even brighter, even tinged with a hint of smugness. "How could I be sad? I just want to give those lovely girls a home. That will only make me happy, not sad."

Retsu Unohana's figure paused slightly. Her voice came from the doorway, calm yet carrying a hint of danger. "If you want to die, then continue."

After saying that, she pushed open the door and disappeared outside.

Liu Ziyun looked towards the door, a smile still playing on his lips.

[Is she jealous? Or just trying to protect her Lieutenant?] He wondered, his eyes growing more complicated. [Never mind her. If things get really bad... I'll just beat her into submission. Hehe.]

He lay back down and closed his eyes.

In my mind, two figures alternated – one gentle as water, the other aloof as frost.

[It'll be soon... almost there. Once this is over, I can start openly and honestly.]

His smile deepened.