Revealing Part of the Truth (2)

He sighed, a sigh filled with helplessness and weariness, as if carrying the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. "I believe you should know about the four captains, three Lieutenant, and one Assistant Kidō Chief of the Hollowfication Experiment, right? Four of the captains are my friends. I had no choice but to use them as experimental subjects."

Isshin Shiba was stunned. He thought of those people: Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Kensei Muguruma... They were once elites of the Gotei 13, his colleagues, his comrades-in-arms. Now, they had become wanted traitors, living in World of the Living and hiding their identities.

"Why?" His voice trembled slightly, tinged with anger. "What could possibly make you stand by and watch your best friend be used as a test subject?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze deepened, as if piercing through time and space to see the distant future.

In that gaze, there was compassion, determination, and an indescribable awareness. "Compared to the destruction of the world, they were merely used as experimental subjects, yet they are still alive and well. I think that's acceptable."

He looked at Isshin Shiba, his eyes filled with an indescribable heaviness. "Just like the Kaien couple, they are destined to die, that's why I'll take action. But I can't reveal myself."

Isshin Shiba's brows furrowed deeply, the wrinkles so deep they could trap a fly. "What could possibly be so important as to affect the world, or even... destroy it?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head, his gesture carrying an undeniable firmness. "You don't need to know."

His tone was firm yet tinged with apology. "Just stay in the World of the Living and live your life. Strictly speaking, I can't contact you this time. But considering we might need to interact in the future, I've come to say hello first."

Isshin Shiba wanted to say something more, but Liu Ziyun interrupted him.

"Don't even think about asking your nephew." Liu Ziyun's voice turned cold, carrying a warning and an undeniable authority. "If they dare to leak anything, I will personally take care of them."

Isshin Shiba turned to look at Kaien Shiba, then at Kisuke Urahara. His eyes held a mixture of pleading, questions, and curiosity.

Kisuke Urahara pushed up his hat brim, a gesture tinged with helplessness. He looked up, a wry smile on his face, "There's nothing I can do. I can't beat him."

Isshin Shiba was startled, as if struck by lightning.

[This guy is the former captain of the Twelfth Division! The founder of the Technology Development Bureau! The smartest genius in Soul Society! He actually said he can't beat a Fifth Seat? Really?!]

Liu Ziyun looked at him, seemingly seeing through his doubts. But he didn't explain, only continuing, his voice carrying a profound meaning. "You've lost your power. So, from now on, just live your life well in this World of the Living."

In his heart, however, he was thinking: [The time will come when you know everything, and it won't be long. At that time, you will regain your power as the Soul Reaper. Because you are an indispensable fighting force for us.]

Isshin Shiba silent. He lowered his head, lost in thought. Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating his face, revealing a look of confusion and contemplation.

Just then, a gentle voice broke the silence.

"Um..." Masaki Kurosaki timidly raised her hand, her face still flushed, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Liu Ziyun looked at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. That glint carried a hint of teasing, a touch of amusement, and an unspoken deeper meaning. "You'll be responsible for filling the void in Captain Shiba's heart filled with self-reproach."

Masaki Kurosaki was completely bewildered, not understanding what those words meant at all. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask for clarification, but Isshin Shiba spoke first.

"What does this have to do with her?" Isshin Shiba's voice was tinged with urgency and panic. "Don't drag her into this!"

Liu Ziyun a "look, look, you still say that's not what you meant" kind of look, a look that was mischievous, teasing, and implying "keep pretending": "You're powerless now, what's wrong with letting her take care of you? You're not some important person, you won't get involved."

But in his heart he was thinking: [Without her, how will your family's "Cheat B") emerge in the future?]

Masaki Kurosaki was completely bewildered, not understanding what they were talking about at all. But looking at Isshin Shiba's anxious expression, a strange feeling welled up inside her. That feeling was somewhat sweet, somewhat warm, and somewhat... indescribable.

Kisuke Urahara then spoke, his voice tinged with amusement, breaking the delicate atmosphere. "So, from now on, we'll help Captain Shiba survive in the World of the Living, won't we, Kaien?"

Kaien Shiba nodded, a sincere smile on his face, "Don't worry, we'll help. After all, we've lived in the World of the Living for a long time. We're very familiar with everything here."

Liu Ziyun shook his head, a serious expression in his gesture. "It's best if the two of you don't appear in their lives, lest they attract unwanted attention. Just help them out secretly."

Kaien Shiba nodded respectfully, his attitude filled with respect and gratitude. "Yes, we understand, Mr. Liu."

Liu Ziyun glanced out the window; the night was deep, the moonlight like water. He stood up, donned the Black Cloak that concealed everything, and said, "Alright. The matter is settled. I need to return to Soul Society to report."

After saying that, he ignored everyone and turned to leave Urahara Shop. His figure blended into the night and disappeared without a trace, as if he had never existed.

Inside Urahara Shop, the atmosphere became subtle.

Isshin Shiba in the direction where Liu Ziyun disappeared, remaining silent for a long while. His brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with contemplation. Then, he turned to Kisuke Urahara, his eyes filled with inquiry, questioning, and a hint of indescribable complexity. "Mr. Urahara... just who exactly is this Liu Ziyun?"

Kisuke Urahara pushed up his hat brim, a gesture tinged with helplessness. He looked up, a wry smile on his face, "If I dared to say it, he really would kill me. His current strength is probably comparable to the Captain-Commander."

Isshin Shiba's eyes widened again, his expression of surprise almost frozen on his face. "Is he really that strong? But why... is he only the Fifth Seat?"

Kaien Shiba stepped forward, looking at his uncle with earnestness and respect in his eyes. "Uncle, Mr. Liu's strength is unfathomable. If it weren't for him, both Miyako and I would really be dead."

He paused, his tone filled with gratitude and an indescribable admiration. "Moreover, he's very kind-hearted. We had no connection whatsoever, yet he was willing to save us. And he suffered greatly in doing so. I heard from Mr. Urahara that he almost lost his life saving us."

Kisuke Urahara nodded, adding with a hint of seriousness in his voice, "Yes. When he saved people, he used some uncontrollable power. His spirit was also corrupted by that power and almost completely collapsed. But later, I don't know how he controlled that power. Since then, I've never been able to read his Reiatsu again."

He paused, his voice deepening, "Compared to us, he seems to have... transcended to a higher dimension. Just as two-dimensional beings cannot comprehend the existence of three-dimensional beings, we cannot comprehend his current state."

Isshin Shiba shocked he couldn't speak. His mouth was agape, his eyes were wide, and he seemed frozen in place.

A higher dimension? What kind of existence is that?

Kisuke Urahara looked at him, his tone becoming lighter, breaking the heavy atmosphere. "Alright, Captain Shiba, don't worry about these things. The important thing now is how you're going to survive in this World of the Living."

Isshin Shiba, regaining his composure, sighed. In that sigh were a mixture of relief, helplessness, and a hint of indescribable emotion. "Alright. So what can I do in this World of the Living?"

Shiba Miyako stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face. That smile held kindness, sincerity, and a hint of expectation. "How about... Uncle opens a clinic? We've both studied Kaidō; opening a clinic in the World of the Living should be possible. Besides, Kaien and I can help out in some way. We can secretly provide some medical support."

Kisuke Urahara nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Hmm, that's good. If you're lacking anything, I can help. Whether it's medical equipment or medicine, I can find a way to get it."

Isshin Shiba, his gaze unconsciously falling on Masaki Kurosaki.

The girl was looking down, lost in thought. Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft glow on her face. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows on her eyelids. Her lips were slightly pursed, with a faint smile playing on them.

A strange feeling welled up in Isshin Shiba's heart.

He didn't know what role this girl would play in his life.

He had no idea what the mysterious Fifth Seat named Liu Ziyun was plotting.

All he knew was that from this day forward, his life would be completely different.

"Alright." He finally nodded, a hint of determination in his voice. "Then... let's open a clinic."