Liu Ziyun's Harem Dream Laid Bare (2)

Isane Kotetsu stood aside, watching the fight between the two. She could see that Liu Ziyun was completely on the defensive, with almost no power to fight back. But strangely, he always seemed to narrowly avoid Retsu Unohana's fatal blow at the most crucial moment.

[What... what's going on?] Isane Kotetsu wondered, [Shouldn't Ziyun's strength be more than this? Why isn't he fighting back at all?]

While defending himself, Liu Ziyun shouted, "Captain! Can you stop attacking my lower body? I can't handle it!"

Retsu Unohana's lips curled into a dangerous smile, "Then you'd better watch out. If you can't resist, your harem dream will be shattered. I promise, I'll make sure you can't be cured."

Liu Ziyun sweating profusely and became even more cautious in his defense.

Finally, he found an opportunity, leaped backward, planted his twin swords in the ground, and plopped down on his backside. "Captain! I'm not training anymore!"

Retsu Unohana stopped attacking, raised an eyebrow at him, and asked, "Oh? Why?"

Liu Ziyun pointed to his legs. "Captain, look at my legs! From the beginning until now, all my injuries are on my legs! You came here to cripple me!"

Retsu Unohana chuckled and said, "How could that be? Liu Ziyun, you're planning to build a harem, aren't you? Don't forget, you want me to be your empress. I'm only doing this so you can protect yourself in future battles. Otherwise, if you get injured, wouldn't your harem members be left to live like widows?"

Liu Ziyun was speechless for a moment.

Just then, Isane Kotetsu walked over. Her face held an indescribable expression.

"Captain, let me do it." She slowly drew her Zanpakuto and whispered, "Ride, Tōun."

The blade was instantly covered in frost, emanating a chilling aura.

Then, she rushed towards Liu Ziyun.

Upon Liu Ziyun suddenly jumped up, drew his Zanpakuto, and began to run away. As he ran, he healed himself, trying to repair the wounds on his legs inflicted by Retsu Unohana.

Isane Kotetsu pursued closely behind, constantly waving his Tōun sword, each swing creating a cloud of icy mist. "You stop right there! Liu Ziyun, Fifth Seat!"

As Liu Ziyun ran, he turned back and shouted, "Isane! Don't be angry! Listen to me!"

Isane Kotetsu brandished his Zanpakuto, his voice laced with suppressed rage. "You can talk while you're getting beaten up! You want to build a harem?! The captain is the empress?! What about me?! Am I... a concubine or a royal consort?! Do you want to be the king?!"

Liu Ziyun nearly choked on his own saliva: [What... what kind of logic is this?]

Retsu Unohana stood to the side, watching the two chase each other, and silently sheathed her Zanpakuto. A mischievous smile played on her lips, "You two really have a good relationship."

Hearing this, Isane Kotetsu became even angrier. Her attacks grew increasingly fierce, and each swing of her Tōun left a patch of frost on the ground.

Liu Ziyun was being chased all over the place when he suddenly had a bright idea and ran behind Retsu Unohana to hide.

Isane Kotetsu caught up with Retsu Unohana and had no choice but to stop. "Don't hide behind the captain! Come out here!"

Liu Ziyun poked his head out. "Don't hit me, or I'll come out!"

Isane Kotetsu was so angry that he stomped his feet.

Retsu Unohana glanced at Liu Ziyun hiding behind her, then at Isane Kotetsu, whose face was full of anger, and then in a flash, she stood directly next to Isane Kotetsu.

Liu Ziyun was stunned.

Retsu Unohana looked at him and said with a smile, "Liu Ziyun, I don't object to you starting a harem. But..."

She glanced at Isane Kotetsu beside her. "It seems Isane disagrees."

Isane Kotetsu was stunned when she heard this. "Captain, how can you not object?!"

Retsu Unohana gently shook her head. "I've known Liu Ziyun for almost a hundred years. He wanted to have a harem from the very beginning. But..."

A mischievous smile curled at the corner of her lips, "I never expected him to set his sights on you. Besides, I never said I was part of his harem."

Isane Kotetsu's face instantly turned bright red. "I... I could never be a member of his harem!"

Liu Ziyun stood on the opposite side, looking at the chaotic scene, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

[What am I going to do?] He racked his brains. [I used to be a complete loser, this is the first time I've encountered a situation like this, how do I solve it? I should have studied more!]

Retsu Unohana found his bewildered expression amusing. She took Isane Kotetsu's hand. "Liu Ziyun, since we're not going to practice Zanjutsu anymore, Isane and I are going back."

After saying that, she turned and left with Isane Kotetsu.

Before leaving, Isane Kotetsu turned back and glared fiercely at Liu Ziyun.

In those eyes, there was anger, grievance, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Liu Ziyun stood there, watching the two figures leave, a helpless expression on his face.

[Destroy it...]

He wailed inwardly.

[This harem is already on the verge of collapse before it even gets started...]

He lowered his head, looking at the Zanpakuto in his hand, and shook his head with a bitter smile: [Life-Taker, Tulu... What do you suggest I do?]

The blade trembled slightly, as if in response to his question.

But Liu Ziyun couldn't understand the meaning of that tremor.

All he knew was that the days to come would likely be even more "exciting".

Fourth Division, Captain's Office.

Retsu Unohana sat at the tea table, holding a cup of hot tea, and took a small sip. A faint smile played on her lips.

Isane Kotetsu sat opposite her, head down, without saying a word.

"Isane," Retsu Unohana said softly, "Do you really not like Liu Ziyun?"

Isane Kotetsu's body trembled slightly. She didn't look up, but said softly, "Captain... I don't know."

Retsu Unohana looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Don't know? That means... it's possible you like her?"

Isane Kotetsu remained silent.

After a long while, she finally raised her head and looked at Retsu Unohana: "Captain, what about you? Do you like Ziyun?"

Retsu Unohana paused for a moment.

Then she smiled. In that smile, there was an indescribable tenderness. "Me... I don't know either."

She picked up her teacup and looked out the window. "I've known him for almost a century. I've been following him since he was just an ordinary team member. I've watched him grow step by step, become stronger step by step, and step by step... enter my heart."

She put down her teacup and turned to Isane Kotetsu: "So, Isane, if you like him too, I won't stop you. But you need to think carefully, that guy..."

A mischievous smile curled at the corner of her lips, "He's quite the womanizer, isn't he?"

Isane Kotetsu's face flushed again, but she didn't deny it. She just lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.