Clearly, Someone Was Green with Jealousy

Just as he was focusing all his efforts on dealing with Retsu Unohana's attack, he suddenly heard a whisper, "Bankai - Minazuki."

In an instant, the entire space was enveloped in blood. It wasn't real blood, but a sea of blood formed by Retsu Unohana's Reiatsu, almost tangible. Within the sea of blood, countless crimson Flying Blades shot towards Liu Ziyun from all directions.

Liu Ziyun instinctively wanted to increase his Reiatsu resistance, but Retsu Unohana's voice rang out again. "You are not allowed to use Reiatsu."

The Reiatsu that Liu Ziyun had just raised was instantly interrupted. He could only rely on Pure Swordsmanship to resist the overwhelming blood blades.

But a single knife is no longer sufficient to deal with an attack of this magnitude.

Left with no other choice, Liu Ziyun his right hand. The Wristguards carved with a five-clawed Golden Dragon on his wrist also burst into light, and another Tang Dao condensed in his hand—it was the Slay God.

With twin swords in hand, Liu Ziyun to withstand the onslaught of blood-red blades. But Retsu Unohana's attacks did not cease. She weaved through the sea of blood, launching surprise attacks whenever Liu Ziyun parry the blades.

One cut, two cuts, three cuts...

Wounds began to appear on Liu Ziyun's body. The wounds were not deep, but they were enough to make him feel pain.

"Captain!" Liu Ziyun shouted while defending, "Can you please stop attacking my lower body? I can't hold on much longer!"

The moment he spoke, Retsu Unohana appeared behind him and slashed down with her sword.

Liu Ziyun staggered, barely managing to deflect the surrounding bloody blades, but the central gate was already wide open.

Retsu Unohana reappeared in front of him, slashing down with her sword.

"Puff--"

Blood splattered.

Liu Ziyun collapsed heavily to the ground, covered in injuries and unable to move.

Retsu Unohana sheathed her Bankai and returned her Zanpakuto to its sheath. She walked up to Liu Ziyun, looked down at him, and said softly, "Ziyun, you are indeed very strong. You almost defeated my Bankai without even using your Shikai."

Liu Ziyun sprawled on the ground, mentally ranting: [I have a few "MMP"s to say, but I don't know if I should! I was practically being tortured to death, and you say "almost defeated your Bankai"? Are you praising me or insulting me?]

But all he could say was, "Captain... have I offended you? If you want to teach me a lesson, you don't have to do it this way..."

Retsu Unohana's lips curled into a satisfied smile. That smile carried a sense of vengeful pleasure, a cathartic release.

"You haven't offended me." Her voice was soft, yet it sent a chill down Liu Ziyun: "Look, to thank you for the gift you gave me before, I even wore the underwear you bought me in the World of the Living. If you had slashed my clothes just now, you would have seen it."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

Countless images flashed through his mind in an instant, but reason told him that now was not the time to think about these things.

"Um... Captain..." he said with difficulty, "You wouldn't let me use my Reiatsu. I felt like you were about to cut my sword in half, how could I possibly tear your clothes? And we agreed to practice Zanjutsu, but you're using throwing Hidden Weapons and Bankai, what kind of Zanjutsu is this?"

Retsu Unohana looked at him innocently, but her eyes clearly conveyed a sense of "I'm talking nonsense": "But, I feel like I can't beat you if I don't use it."

Liu Ziyun almost spat out a mouthful of blood. "Captain, I was wrong! Please forgive me! I was completely flustered by your initial Zanjutsu, you could tell that, right?"

Retsu Unohana gently shook her head. "But you only used one Zanpakuto. You have two, and you still didn't use your full strength."

Liu Ziyun helplessly, "I'm just... not used to fighting with two swords."

Retsu Unohana raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? I see you're quite skilled with dual swords."

Liu Ziyun sighed, "Captain, I'm really not used to it. This is my first time using dual swords in battle. I used to fight with dual swords only in my Inner World with my Zanpakuto. That's why I didn't draw them directly at first."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Then she nodded. "Okay, I understand. I'm quite satisfied with today's practice. That's all for now. I'm going back."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Liu Ziyun lay on the ground, his mind a jumble of questions. Watching Retsu Unohana's departing figure, he finally couldn't help but shout, "Captain! I'm still here! Come and heal me! You practically turned my legs into bones! And I have such serious injuries! Don't leave me here alone!"

Without turning her head, Retsu Unohana's voice drifted from afar. "Your Reiatsu isn't diminished. Heal yourself. After all, your Kaidō is no worse than mine."

Liu Ziyun panicked. "Captain! I can't move right now!"

But Retsu Unohana had already disappeared into the darkness, leaving him alone lying on the ground.

Liu Ziyun stared in the direction she had disappeared, a look of helplessness on his face: [What happened? She hacked me to pieces like this, and then kept trying to flatter me to death...]

He looked around. This Underground Space had no Barrier. If he used his Zanpakuto's power to heal, his Reiatsu would inevitably leak out, attracting the attention of those with ulterior motives. But if he didn't use his Zanpakuto, Kaidō solely on his spiritual power...

He struggled to raise his hand and cast Kaidō Barrier. A pale green light enveloped him and began to slowly heal his injuries.

[Xiao Lielie... you're being way too jealous...]

He wailed inwardly.

But a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

That smile contained helplessness, doting affection, and a hint of... sweetness.

Fourth Division, Captain's Office.

Retsu Unohana sat at the tea table, picked up a cup of tea that had gone cold, and took a small sip.

A faint smile played on her lips.

That brat... he's probably still lying there, right?

She recalled the sight of Liu Ziyun covered in wounds, and a surge of indescribable pleasure welled up within her.

[You dared to seduce my Lieutenant. You dared to flirt with me right under my nose.]

She put down her teacup and looked out at the moonlight.

[However... he is indeed very strong. In that situation, anyone else would have died long ago. Yet he was able to hold on for so long...]

A hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.

[Furthermore, he never used his true power. Even when I pushed him to that point, he didn't use his Reiatsu or the abilities of his Zanpakuto...]

She recalled Liu Ziyun's last words—"I really haven't gotten used to it."

[Aren't you used to it?]

She smiled softly.

[Then... practice more.]

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Meanwhile, in that distant Underground Space, Liu Ziyun struggling to heal his wounds, while simultaneously planning for tomorrow.

[Tomorrow... I must find a chance to see Isane.]

[Then... we'll deal with this Xiao Lielie Lie slowly.]

The smile on his lips grew even brighter.

Despite being covered in injuries, his heart was filled with anticipation.