Soul Suicide

Liu Ziyun stood in the center of the Barrier, looking at Shinji Hirako's face, half of which was covered by a Hollow mask, and a playful smile appeared on his lips. The exchange just now, though brief, had allowed him to clearly feel Shinji Hirako's progress over the years—not only the increase in Reiatsu, but more importantly, his control and understanding of power.

"Are you planning to make me experience repeated hallucinations in the way I suggested?" Liu Ziyun asked, his tone slightly teasing.

Shinji Hirako nodded, his eyes gleaming with eager anticipation. "Yes. How are you going to respond?"

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "What if I close my eyes and use my intuition to sense it directly?"

Shinji Hirako was stunned. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end could only sigh helplessly, "Then let's not fight. I can't use the method of spiritual perception right now."

Liu Ziyun laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, shall we still fight?"

Shinji Hirako rolled his eyes, turned and walked out of the Barrier: "Fight my ass! Let them fight you!"

He pointed to the crowd of onlookers, only to find that they all shook their heads in unison, their movements so synchronized as if they had rehearsed beforehand.

"We won't fight!"

Shinji Hirako: "..."

Liu Ziyun heartily, his laughter echoing within the Barrier: "Since that's the case, then we won't fight."

He sheathed his Zanpakuto, stepped out of the Barrier, and approached Shinji Hirako. His expression turned serious as he scrutinized Shinji Hirako's half-Hollow, half- Soul Reaper state. "Hirako, did your Hollowfication happen simultaneously with the release of your Zanpakuto?"

Shinji Hirako nodded and removed his Hollow mask as well. "Yes. The Hollow within me doesn't possess independent intelligence; it's directly fused with my Zanpakuto."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "However, even now that I've unleashed my Zanpakuto, I still feel somewhat powerless. I always feel like my control isn't precise enough, and sometimes the power gets out of control."

Liu Ziyun nodded thoughtfully. "Then you need to fight and communicate with your Zanpakuto more. That way, your strength will definitely continue to grow."

Shinji Hirako's eyes lit up. "Yes, that's right. Ever since my Zanpakuto fused with the power of a Hollow, my Zanpakuto itself has also shown some Hollowfication characteristics. Moreover, my Reiatsu has also increased. However..."

He hesitated for a moment. "My Reiatsu has also developed some ethereal qualities. Is this really okay?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a deep glint in his eyes. "What's the problem? As long as it's power you can control, what's there to be afraid of?"

He patted Shinji Hirako on the shoulder, his tone resolute. "As long as you don't lose your hearts, there's nothing to fear. If you lose your hearts, you'll become Hollowfication, just like before. So, the key isn't what the power is, but how you use it."

Shinji Hirako fell silent. He lowered his head, looking at his hands, hands that had once held Zanpakuto, worn a Hollow mask, and protected himself and his comrades in countless battles.

"I understand." He looked up, his eyes shining with determination. "Thank you, Ziyun."

Liu Ziyun his hand. "Alright, you guys continue your cultivation. I'm going out for a stroll."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the base. When he reached the door, he glanced back at everyone, waved, and disappeared outside.

In the World of the Living, Karakura Town.

Liu Ziyun two days wandering around the city. As he walked along the bustling streets, watching the crowds of people coming and going, and observing those ordinary humans who knew nothing about the Reishi World, a strange sense of peace welled up within him.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

Two days later, he returned to the vicinity of the school where Masaki Kurosaki attended. He easily found the rooftop and saw Yoruichi Shihōin, who had transformed into a black cat, sleeping soundly on the roof.

Liu Ziyun stepped forward, squatted down, and poked her cat's head. "Yoruichi, you're sleeping very comfortably."

Yoruichi Shihōin groggily opened her eyes, saw it was Liu Ziyun, and lazily rolled over. "It's just keeping an eye on someone, right? As long as the Reiatsu is there, it's fine. You don't have to keep your eyes open the whole time."

Liu Ziyun shook his head helplessly. "Have you noticed anything unusual about Masaki Kurosaki these past two days?"

Yoruichi Shihōin flicked her tail, a thoughtful expression appearing on her cat-like face. "It is a bit strange. There seems to be a Hollow-like Reiatsu hidden within her, but it is very weak. If you don't sense it carefully, you can't detect it at all."

Liu Ziyun nodded, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. "That's it. That Hollow has merged its power into her body. She's probably... about to become Hollowfication."

Yoruichi Shihōin stiffened slightly. "Should I keep an eye on him? Isshin Shiba knows me. If he sees me, won't our plan be exposed?"

Liu Ziyun pondered for a moment, "Go with her to her residence. Then notify me and Kisuke; we'll wait nearby beforehand. If anything goes wrong and she doesn't come out, we'll have to prepare to abduct her."

Yoruichi Shihōin nodded. "Okay."

Liu Ziyun smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile, "But don't worry. Everything has happened exactly as I predicted before, so there shouldn't be any surprises this time either. It's just to be on the safe side."

He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Sigh, I don't even put in this much effort to pick up girls myself, and now I have to help Captain Shiba take care of his girl."

Yoruichi Shihōin: "..."

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end said nothing, only giving him a disdainful look with her emerald-green cat eyes.

Liu Ziyun stood up. "Alright, I'm leaving now. You keep an eye on things. Call us if there's any movement."

After saying that, his figure disappeared into the night.

Evening.

Liu Ziyun was chatting and joking with Kisuke Urahara at Urahara Shop. The two talked about everything from snacks in the World of the Living to food in Soul Society, from the history of Quincy to the future of Soul Reaper.

Just then, a surge of Reiatsu suddenly entered their senses—it was an emergency signal from Yoruichi Shihōin.

Liu Ziyun and Kisuke Urahara exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time.

"Walk!"

Liu Ziyun Black Cloak and, together with Kisuke Urahara, rushed out of the general store, sprinting towards the address provided by Yoruichi Shihōin.

In the darkness, two figures, like true ghosts, leaped and darted swiftly between rooftops.

As they neared their destination, Liu Ziyun suddenly stopped. He gave Kisuke Urahara a wink, then vanished into the shadows.

Kisuke Urahara nodded and continued charging forward.

Liu Ziyun hid in the shadows, his gaze fixed intently ahead through the darkness.

He saw Ryūken Ishida carrying Masaki Kurosaki, running at high speed through the air using the Quincy's "Hirenkyaku." It was a high-speed movement technique that made them incredibly fast.

Two figures were hot on their heels.

One of them was Menos Grande, clearly drawn by the Hollowfication power within Masaki Kurosaki's body.

The other one is Isshin Shiba, the captain of the Tenth Division.

The Menos Grande was even faster; it accelerated suddenly and appeared instantly beside Ryūken Ishida, raising its claws to attack.

At that critical moment, a flash of light appeared.

Isshin Shiba unleashed a single slash, instantly slaying the Menos Grande. The blade flashed like snow, clean and swift.

"Oops..." Isshin Shiba sheathed his sword, a sly smile playing on his lips. "That was close, a real hair's breadth. No need for thanks, I refuse to accept thanks from slovenly men all year round."

Ryūken Ishida looked at the man before him, a flash of anger in his eyes. He recognized him—the Soul Reaper captain who had put Masaki in danger.

"You...!"

Ignoring his anger, Isshin Shiba's gaze fell on Masaki Kurosaki in Ryūken Ishida's arms. Below her neck, a Hollow Hole filled with bulging veins was slowly forming, its grotesque appearance shocking to behold.

"She..." Isshin Shiba's expression changed instantly.

Ryūken Ishida didn't want to look at him anymore and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Isshin Shiba rushed forward, "Let me see!"

Ryūken Ishida roared angrily, "Don't touch her! Why do you think she's like this? It's all because of you! She became like this to save you, to protect you!"

His eyes burned with rage, and his voice trembled. "I'm going to kill you-!"

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from behind them. "Gentlemen, now is not the time for your argument."

Kisuke Urahara appeared behind them, his signature fisherman's hat obscuring most of his face, revealing only his tightly pursed lips. "Now come with me. I'll tell you how to help that girl. The choice then is yours."

Isshin Shiba and Ryūken Ishida were both stunned.

Kisuke Urahara didn't say anything more and turned to walk forward.

The two exchanged a glance, and ultimately followed.

Urahara Shop.

When the group arrived at the general store, Kisuke Urahara them to sit down. Standing behind the counter, he glanced at Isshin Shiba and Ryūken Ishida, and slowly began to speak, "A Hundred Years Ago, someone experienced this situation. Someone told me a solution, so I've been researching this problem for nearly a century."

Isshin Shiba taken aback and asked, "Who exactly are you?"

Kisuke Urahara adjusted his hat brim. "I am Kisuke Urahara."

Isshin Shiba's pupils suddenly contracted.

[He is... Kisuke Urahara, the former captain of the Twelfth Division? The traitor wanted for his Hollowfication Experiments?]

Ryūken Ishida didn't react much to the name; he just asked urgently, "Your identity doesn't matter! Can you save Masaki? If you have a way, please restore her as soon as possible!"

Kisuke Urahara shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I can't restore her. To be precise, this girl is beyond restoration."

Ryūken Ishida's face turned pale instantly.

Kisuke Urahara continued, "Hollowfication is called that. It involves injecting the soul of a Hollow into another soul, attempting to evolve the soul to a higher level. This technique was originally intended to enhance the souls of Soul Reaper. However, this method has exceeded the control of Soul Reaper."

He paused, looking at the unconscious Masaki Kurosaki, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "And Masaki's condition is due to the Quincy who wasn't originally the target."

Ryūken Ishida looked at him with despair, his voice trembling. "Is... there really no other way?"

Kisuke Urahara nodded, then shook his head. "Recovery is impossible. However, his life can be saved."

He explained, "The side effect of this Hollowfication's is that as the symptoms worsen, the soul continuously moves closer to the ethereal. The person will then become a mad monster. The longer this goes on, the more their self-awareness will gradually disappear."

His voice grew even lower. "This phenomenon, I call it... 'Soul Suicide'."

Ryūken Ishida hurriedly asked, "Then... how do we stop the Soul Suicide?!"

Kisuke Urahara looked at him and slowly said, "A Hundred Years Ago, someone told me how to stop the suicide of Soul Reaper's Soul Suicide. Through research, I discovered that to prevent Soul Suicide, it is necessary to inject a soul of the opposite substance into a Hollowfication person."

Ryūken Ishida was greatly alarmed. A soul composed of opposite matter? That wouldn't be...

Isshin Shiba looked puzzled and asked, "Then what do I need to do?"

Kisuke Urahara explained, "If Soul Reaper Hollowfication, a vaccine made from Quincy's Reishi Arrow and human souls is needed to prevent Hollowfication."

He paused, his gaze falling on Masaki Kurosaki: "However, to ensure Masaki's life and allow her to continue living like a normal person, we need even greater power. A power strong enough to suppress Hollowfication and be able to accompany her at all times, inseparable until her death."

Ryūken Ishida was stunned.

He understood what Kisuke Urahara meant.

That power... that power of "always by your side, inseparable until death"...

That is...

Isshin Shiba was also stunned. He looked at the unconscious Masaki Kurosaki, then at Kisuke Urahara, and a feeling he couldn't quite describe welled up inside him.

Just then, Ryūken Ishida suddenly roared angrily, "Nonsense! This is utter nonsense! There must be another way, right?!"

His voice echoed in the cramped space, filled with despair, anger, and resentment.

Kisuke Urahara didn't speak. He just stood there quietly, letting Ryūken Ishida's roar dissipate in the air.

Because this is the only way.

In the shadows, Liu Ziyun stood quietly, his gaze piercing through the darkness as he watched this scene.

A complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

Is fate really this cruel?

He recalled the future he had envisioned, the orange-haired boy, the laughter and tears, the battles and sacrifices.

But perhaps... it is precisely because of this cruelty that such beauty exists.