Adapting to Surging Power

After Unohana left, Liu Ziyun looked down at his hands. Those seemingly ordinary hands now contained unimaginable power. He picked up a small stone from the ground and gently squeezed it—

The stone instantly turned to powder, which dripped through his fingers.

Liu Ziyun smiled wryly: [It seems... I still have a long way to go to get used to it.]

For the next month or so, Liu Ziyun remained in the Underground Space, cautiously adapting to his rapidly increasing power.

This process was more difficult than imagined. Every attempt brought unexpected consequences—picking up a cup, the cup shattered; taking a step, the ground cracked; even a gentle breath caused visible fluctuations in the surrounding air.

Liu Ziyun had to start from the most basic movements, relearning how to control his body little by little. Like a baby learning to walk, he moved slowly on the ground, feeling the magnitude and direction of every bit of force; like a beginner, he repeatedly practiced the most basic clenching and extending of his fist until he could precisely control the force of each finger.

Time passed day by day in this tedious but necessary practice.

Finally, one day more than a month later, Liu Ziyun was able to control his body freely. He could pick up the most fragile objects without breaking them, take the lightest steps without disturbing the ground, and breathe like a normal person without causing any disturbance.

He stood in the center of the Underground Space, feeling the vast yet calm power within him, a satisfied smile playing on his lips: [That's about enough. Time to go out and take a look.]

Before leaving, Liu Ziyun once again entered his Inner World.

This time, he finally saw clearly the strangeness he had sensed before.

Life-Taker and Tulu still stood atop that tall building, but their changes were more pronounced than before. On Life-Taker's platinum robe, dark red patterns were now clearly visible, spreading across her entire body like veins; on Tulu's dark red armor, the platinum light shone even brighter, as if it might burst forth at any moment. Their auras intertwined, creating a peculiar feeling that was both contradictory and harmonious—they remained independent, yet seemed to be one.

"What kind of changes are these?" Liu Ziyun asked curiously.

Life-Taker smiled slightly, a smile tinged with relief and anticipation, "The two of us are manifestations of your two powers. As you attempt to merge and mutually restrain each other's strengths, our powers will naturally undergo similar changes."

She paused, then continued, "Once you've fully grown to the point where you can completely fuse your powers, that's when you can begin training for Complete Bankai. So, don't be alarmed."

Liu Ziyun suddenly realized. "Oh... I see."

Tulu coldly said, "Alright, you've finished your cultivation. Get out of here now."

Liu Ziyun speechless for a moment. "I... I just came in..."

Tulu glanced at him. "You stayed outside for almost three months. What are you trying to do now? Continue fighting and training with us?"

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then nodded subconsciously. "Um... I'd like to give it a try."

He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth.

Because the figure of the Tulu had already disappeared from the spot.

The next second, Liu Ziyun felt a tremendous force strike his chest, and he was sent flying like a cannonball, kicked out of his Inner World.

The Real World.

Liu Ziyun sat on the ground, staring blankly ahead. It took him a while to realize what had happened.

He sat down on the floor, feeling helpless, and began to think: [How did they just produce this for me? And they seem... unhappy? Why?]

He thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out. In the end, he could only attribute it to the "temperament" of the Zanpakuto.

[Never mind, I'll just leave it at that. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.]

He stood up, straightened his robes, and then left the Underground Space where he had stayed for nearly three months.

Fourth Division, Captain's Office.

When Liu Ziyun open the door, he saw Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu sitting at the tea table. Retsu Unohana held a cup of tea, her expression calm as still water; Isane Kotetsu had her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing Liu Ziyun enter, Retsu Unohana's gaze swept over him, and she said coldly, "You've finished your training?"

There was a hint of... dissatisfaction in that tone? Liu Ziyun keenly caught this emotion and inwardly groaned.

Isane Kotetsu was taken aback. She looked at Retsu Unohana, then at Liu Ziyun, her mind filled with confusion: [The captain seemed quite happy before, why did he suddenly get angry?]

She subtly winked at Liu Ziyun, as if asking, "How did you manage to anger the captain?"

Liu Ziyun immediately put on his usual playful expression and stepped forward. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Captain! I lost track of time while I was cultivating. I'm so sorry for making you worry, I deserve to die!"

He even winked at Isane Kotetsu, as if to say, "Don't worry, I have a plan."

Isane Kotetsu and Liu Ziyun's Retsu Unohana. A strange unease welled up inside her—did these two think she was blind, exchanging glances right in front of her?

She put down her teacup, her tone calm but authoritative. "Alright, now that you've finished your training, get back to work. You've caused a lot of work to fall behind while you were gone."

Liu Ziyun nodded quickly. "Okay, Captain! I'll go right away!"

He turned to leave, but before he did, he winked at Isane Kotetsu, as if to say, "Come find me later."

Isane Kotetsu nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

Retsu Unohana witnessed everything, but said nothing.

After Liu Ziyun left, Isane Kotetsu stood up and respectfully said, "Captain, I'm going to work now too."

Retsu Unohana looked at her, a gentle smile playing on her lips, "Isane, don't go today. Just stay here with me."

Isane Kotetsu was stunned. "But... what about the work in the team?"

Retsu Unohana's smile softened further, but there was an undeniable air of authority in it. "What about the team's work, or... what about that guy Liu Ziyun?"

Isane Kotetsu's face instantly turned bright red. She stammered, "Captain... what are you talking about? Of course it's... of course it's work!"

Retsu Unohana smiled and shook her head, her tone firm. "Alright, it's settled then. You'll stay here with me today."

Isane Kotetsu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Retsu Unohana's unwavering gaze, she ultimately gave up. She could only silently pray in her heart: [Ziyun, I'm sorry... the captain won't let me leave. It seems I'll have to find a chance to explain to you tomorrow. I hope you won't be angry...]

Retsu Unohana picked up her teacup and took a small sip. Through the rising aroma of the tea, she looked at Isane Kotetsu's restless posture, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart.

[This brat... does he really want to recruit my Lieutenant too?]

She put down her teacup and looked out the window.

[However... Isane is indeed a good child. If...]

She shook her head, not wanting to think about it any further.

Outside the window, the setting sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, bathing the entire Seireitei in a warm golden-red hue.

Meanwhile, in the Fourth Division's Medical Room, Liu Ziyun sat at his desk, processing a mountain of medical documents. A faint smile played on his lips, but in his mind he was thinking: [Is the captain... jealous? Hehe... interesting.]

His pen moved across the paper, leaving behind neat handwriting.

But there was an indescribable light shining in those eyes.