The stationed Soul Reapers go missing (2)

Isane Kotetsu fell silent. She lowered her head, her hands clenched tightly together, her knuckles turning white from the force.

After a long while, she finally raised her head, as if to say something, "That Ziyun..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Retsu Unohana.

Retsu Unohana's gaze deepened, as if she had traveled through time back to those years. "Ziyun, you've been under immense pressure regarding this matter."

Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear. "Back then, because of a brat from the Tsunayashiro Branch Family, Ziyun's plans were disrupted—or rather, not really plans, since he wanted to keep a low profile and didn't reveal his strength. As a result, that brat, in order to get revenge on Ziyun, targeted Shinji Hirako and his group, shattering the destiny that Ziyun had foreseen. Ziyun had no choice but to take action."

She paused, then continued, "It was around that time that I realized Ziyun's strength had reached a level where he was arguably the strongest person below the captain. At first, the Captain-Commander and I thought this kid was hiding some other intention."

Afterwards, Ziyun had no choice but to tell me and the Captain-Commander about the fate he had seen. At first, the Captain-Commander and I didn't believe him, but later some things happened that confirmed his words. So we had no choice but to listen to him, because we couldn't afford to gamble either.

Hearing these words, Isane Kotetsu was overwhelmed with shock. She had never imagined that the always carefree and irresponsible guy was carrying such a heavy secret.

She asked cautiously, "Then... Captain, aren't you and the Captain-Commander worried that he might have some other intentions?"

Retsu Unohana smiled softly. In that smile was relief, trust, and a touch of tenderness. "We were afraid at first too. But with the facts unfolding before our eyes, we had no choice but to believe it. And since Ziyun didn't make any further moves, we're temporarily at ease."

She paused, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "Now Ziyun's strength is probably comparable to the Captain-Commander's, so there's nothing I can do. I don't dare to tell the Captain-Commander either, for fear of causing further trouble. But after this matter is over, let him Captain-Commander himself."

Isane Kotetsu fell silent. She lowered her head, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she looked up and asked a pointed question, "So, if Ziyun really has other ideas... what would you do, Captain?"

Retsu Unohana looked at her, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. Her gaze held a mixture of teasing, tenderness, and a deeper meaning. "What, starting to protect your lover now?"

Isane Kotetsu's face flushed bright red instantly, and she quickly waved her hands, "Captain! He's not some lover!"

Retsu Unohana smiled and shook her head, then her expression turned serious. "If Ziyun day really comes... I don't know what to choose."

Her gaze drifted out the window, as if looking towards the distant future. "As long as it doesn't harm Soul Society, I think I'll support it. If not..."

She paused, her voice softening further. "Then I might choose... to die with him."

Isane Kotetsu was stunned. Looking at Retsu Unohana's calm face and hearing her speak such resolute words in such a calm tone, an indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.

She took a deep breath and said firmly, "Captain, I will make the same choice as you. If he tries to harm Soul Society, I will take him down with me!"

Retsu Unohana turned to look at her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Before you die together with him, aren't you going to leave him an heir?"

Isane Kotetsu's face turned bright red at a visible speed, the red spreading from her cheeks all the way down her neck, even her ears were bright red. "Captain! What are you saying! Why would I leave him an heir?!"

Retsu Unohana laughed even harder, "You really don't want to? But I think you really do."

Isane Kotetsu was getting a little exasperated, her voice tinged with panic. "I don't want to! Captain, you're the one who wants to! He's even offered you the position of head of the harem!"

Retsu Unohana raised an eyebrow, her eyes brimming with teasing. "Oh dear, getting impatient. What, you want the position of harem leader? Fine, I'll go talk to him, he should agree, right?"

Isane Kotetsu was so anxious she could barely speak. After a long pause, she finally managed to utter, "Hmph! Captain, you can be the empress of his harem! I don't care! I'll wait until you have a child for him, then I'll take him down with me!"

Retsu Unohana laughed so hard she nearly fell over, and it took her a while to calm down. Looking at Isane Kotetsu's sulky expression, a warm feeling welled up inside her. "Fine. If you don't want to be the head of the harem, I'll have him arrange a concubine for you. He said the harem will have three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines."

Isane Kotetsu's eyes widened, her expression shifting from shyness to shock, then to anger. "Does he think he can turn the world upside down? Seventy-two concubines? Does he think he's the king? No, even a king doesn't have this kind of harem!"

Retsu Unohana nodded, her tone serious. "It's definitely not the harem setup of a king. He said it was the harem setup of an ancient emperor called 'Huaxia'."

Isane Kotetsu said angrily, "What? Does he want to be emperor?"

Looking at her angry expression, Retsu Unohana found it amusing. "Who knows? You can go ask him."

Isane Kotetsu took a deep breath and stood up. "Hmph! I'll go ask him right now! I'm going downstairs first, Captain!"

After saying that, she turned and left the Captain's Office, her steps so fast she almost flew.

In the Captain's Office, only Retsu Unohana remained.

She watched Isane Kotetsu's hurried departure, a gentle smile playing on her lips. In that smile were relief, anticipation, and a hint of indescribable happiness.

She murmured softly, her voice so low that only she could hear, "Sigh... it seems Isane has fallen for her."

She picked up her teacup and took a small sip. The tea had gone cold, but a warm feeling welled up inside her.

"Yes, even I've fallen for her without realizing it... let alone Isane."

She put down her teacup and looked out the window. There, the sunlight was just right, casting a warm golden glow on the Fourth Division's courtyard.

"Sigh... Ziyun, what will you choose in the future? Do you want to be an emperor, or simply want to build a harem?" Her gaze deepened, as if looking into the distant future. "I hope, as you said, you only want to give us a home, not destroy this world."

Outside the window, a gentle breeze stirs, carrying a fallen leaf that twirls in the air and drifts into the distance.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the Fourth Division, Liu Ziyun engrossed in handling the handover work, completely unaware of everything happening outside.

A silly grin played on his lips.

In that silly grin, there was anticipation, longing, and a hint of... happiness.