The gears of fate begin to turn

After Liu Ziyun and Isane Kotetsu disappeared from the Captain's Office, the two, cloaked in Black Cloak, moved silently through the night. The streets of Seireitei were silent, with only moonlight casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone streets.

Isane Kotetsu would occasionally reach out and pinch Liu Ziyun's waist hard. The force and frequency made Liu Ziyun grimace, but he dared not resist. "Isane-chan," Liu Ziyun pleaded helplessly, his face showing a pained expression, "My back has been a little sore these past few days, please be gentle..."

Isane Kotetsu said bitterly, her eyes filled with anger, grievance, and an indescribable complexity. "You dare to say that!"

Liu Ziyun looked utterly innocent, his expression as sincere as could be. "I was forced! Please spare me..."

Isane Kotetsu glared at him, his eyes seeming to pierce through him. "If you don't want to, who can force you? You womanizing bastard!"

Liu Ziyun suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at her earnestly. In the moonlight, his eyes became deep and tender. "Isane, you and the captain are people I can't let go of. For you, I would do anything."

Isane Kotetsu blushed deeply at this sudden, serious confession. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible, "Well, you're a womanizer too. You've been trying to seduce me since I joined the team. Back then, you already had the captain..."

Liu Ziyun out and gently pulled her into his arms. The gesture was tender and natural, as if he had done it countless times before. "Don't worry, I'll never flirt with other women again. I'll only be good to you and the captain."

Isane Kotetsu gave a shy hum, her voice sweet and satisfied. "Hmph... you got off easy."

The two passed through the Senkaimon and arrived in the World of the Living.

When the lights of the World of the Living came into view, Isane Kotetsu looked around curiously. Although she had heard of the prosperity of the World of the Living, she was still shocked to see it with her own eyes.

Liu Ziyun led her to Urahara Shop. Pushing open the door, they found Kisuke Urahara sitting behind the counter, holding an unidentified research report. Seeing the two enter, he looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Mr. Liu?" Kisuke Urahara's gaze fell on Isane Kotetsu. "And this is..."

Liu Ziyun to the counter and got straight to the point. "Kisuke, please help me make a Gigai."

Kisuke Urahara's gaze swept over Isane Kotetsu, and he instantly understood. "Oh, are you helping this lady?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes, yes."

Kisuke Urahara rubbed his hands together, a signature sly smile spreading across his face, "What about the cost?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him with disdain. "Keep it in the books."

Isane Kotetsu quickly replied, "I have money here."

Liu Ziyun looked at her, his eyes instantly softening. "Isane-chan, ignore that swindler. He didn't even pay me for the information he got from me."

Kisuke Urahara covered the lower half of his face with his fan, his smile becoming even more cunning, "Mr. Liu, I have never asked you for information on my own initiative."

Liu Ziyun's face darkened. "Then what do you listen to every time you come over?"

Kisuke Urahara smiled but remained silent.

Liu Ziyun sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright. Isane-chan, give it to him."

He paused, then added, "Like me, make it slightly inconspicuous to avoid being discovered by others."

Kisuke Urahara nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Liu, I know."

And so, Isane Kotetsu settled down in the World of the Living.

The following morning, Masaki Kurosaki and Kanae Ishida brought their child to the Martial Arts Hall. When they saw Isane Kotetsu, a hint of amazement flashed in their eyes.

Liu Ziyun introduced, "This is Isane Kotetsu, my fiancée."

Masaki Kurosaki quickly stepped forward, a genuine smile on her face, "Miss Isane is really beautiful, she and Mr. Liu are a match made in heaven."

Isane Kotetsu sighed, a hint of resentment in his expression. "Alas, I'm just a concubine."

Liu Ziyun stared at her in astonishment, completely unexpected that she would say such a thing.

Upon hearing this, both Masaki Kurosaki and Kanae Ishida looked at Liu Ziyun with strange expressions. Their eyes held surprise, mockery, and a hint of "So this is the kind of person you are."

Seeing their expressions, Isane Kotetsu couldn't help but laugh, "Just kidding. Ladies, please keep an eye on Ziyun for me from now on, and don't let him attract any other women."

Masaki Kurosaki and Kanae Ishida readily agreed.

In the days that followed, Liu Ziyun and Isane Kotetsu lived a quiet World of the Living together in the real world.

During the day, he taught the children martial arts and swordsmanship; at night, he accompanied Isane Kotetsu on a walk through the streets of Karakura Town, watching the lights dim and the people come and go.

During this time, Liu Ziyun would also secretly return to Soul Society to see Retsu Unohana. Of course, each time he returned, he would be clutching his waist, and then Isane Kotetsu would pinch the flesh on his waist until it was bruised and purple.

The days passed by peacefully and warmly.

As the two children grew up, they began to attend school. Uryū Ishida began receiving instruction from the Quincy in his family, while Ichigo Kurosaki would occasionally visit the Martial Arts Hall to learn kendo from Liu Ziyun.

That evening.

Liu Ziyun was meditating in the Martial Arts Hall when suddenly, his spiritual sense detected a familiar Reiatsu.

That's Rukia Kuchiki.

Liu Ziyun opened his eyes and said to Isane Kotetsu beside him, "Isane, the story is about to begin."

Isane Kotetsu paused for a moment. "What plot?"

Liu Ziyun stood up and put on his Black Cloak: "Ichigo is going to become Soul Reaper."

Isane Kotetsu quickly donned her Black Cloak, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Shall we go take a look?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Go. However, we cannot reveal ourselves. We can only intervene if there is a life-or-death crisis."

The two silently arrived at the rooftop opposite the Kurosaki Family's house and lay in ambush in the shadows.

Under the moonlight, they saw Rukia Kuchiki arrive at the window on the second floor of the Kurosaki Family. Just then, Ichigo Kurosaki opened the window, Rukia Kuchiki took the opportunity to enter the house.

Liu Ziyun said to Isane Kotetsu, "Let's go see Isshin and Masaki."

The two arrived at the window of Isshin Kurosaki's bedroom and gently knocked on it.

Isshin Kurosaki opened the window, saw who it was, and exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Liu? Why are you here so late?"

Liu Ziyun lowered his voice and said, "Don't go out tonight with Masaki. There will be a Void attack on your house later. The children might be affected, but there won't be any serious problems."

A hint of seriousness flashed in Isshin Kurosaki's eyes. "Is that thing you mentioned about to begin?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "It'll be soon. Today, someone simply guided Rukia Kuchiki here so that Ichigo could begin to awaken his powers."

Isshin Kurosaki nodded solemnly. "Okay, I understand."

Liu Ziyun concluded by saying, "We're going to see the play now. You two be careful too."

After saying that, he led Isane Kotetsu back to the rooftop opposite.

On the rooftop, the two lay in silent lurking.

A moment later, a gigantic Hollow appeared near the Kurosaki Family. It smashed the house with a single punch, grabbed Karin Kurosaki with one hand, and dragged her out of the house.

Isane Kotetsu hurriedly asked, "Aren't we going to do anything about it?"

Liu Ziyun pressed her hand down, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "No need."

Just then, the door to the Kurosaki Family opened. Rukia Kuchiki stood in the doorway, while Ichigo Kurosaki on his head. He forcefully broke free of his hands that were behind his back, picked up a folding chair from the ground, and rushed towards the Hollow.

Isane Kotetsu exclaimed in surprise, "Did I see that right? He just broke free from the Kidō like that? And he just rushed straight towards the Hollow?"

Liu Ziyun sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness, relief, and an indescribable complexity. "Yeah, he's just a silly boy. He's forgotten everything I taught him. Sigh..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ichigo Kurosaki.

Rukia Kuchiki rushed forward and slashed the Hollow's arm. The Hollow, in pain, threw Karin Kurosaki aside, while Ichigo Kurosaki rushed forward and hugged his sister tightly.

Rukia Kuchiki, sword in hand, stood in front of Ichigo Kurosaki. She told him that it was because his Reiatsu was too high that he had attracted Hollows.

Upon hearing this, Ichigo Kurosaki rushed towards the Hollow and roared at it. The Hollow stretched its head towards Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki shielded him, but was severely injured by the Hollow.

Isane Kotetsu couldn't help but say, "This child really is reckless."

Liu Ziyun, his tone filled with deep helplessness. "Sigh, I feel like I've wasted so many years in this World of the Living. I've taught for so long, and this is still the result."

Upon hearing Isane Kotetsu covered his mouth and laughed.

Just then, Ichigo Kurosaki grabbed Rukia Kuchiki's Zanpakuto and plunged it into his abdomen. The next second, he transformed into Soul Reaper, unleashing an astonishing Reiatsu.

Isane Kotetsu exclaimed in surprise, "How come Ichigo's Zanpakuto is so big?"

Liu Ziyun explained, "He himself doesn't know how to control his Reiatsu, so the expansion of his Reiatsu formed a gigantic Zanpakuto."

Isane Kotetsu chuckled, "I remember you taught him how to control his own power and what's called 'ki.' You told me back then that these things are actually connected to controlling Reiatsu. It seems he's forgotten that too."

She paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hopefully he hasn't forgotten the swordsmanship you taught him either."

Liu Ziyun looked at her, his eyes filled with helplessness and doting. "Sigh, she's probably forgotten everything. This child, it seems she won't remember unless she gets a good beating."

At that moment, Ichigo Kurosaki cleaved the Hollow in two with a vertical slash.

Liu Ziyun stood up. "Alright, let's go. Let them handle the rest themselves."

Isane Kotetsu nodded, taking one last look at the orange-haired boy. "Alright. But this kid is quite interesting."

The two turned and disappeared into the night.

Martial Arts Hall.

Liu Ziyun sat in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky, remaining silent for a long time.

Isane Kotetsu walked to his side and gently sat down. "What are you thinking about?"

Liu Ziyun looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and expectation. "I'm thinking about the future."

He reached out and took her hand. "With you, with the captain, that's enough."

Isane Kotetsu blushed slightly and leaned on his shoulder.

The moonlight shone on the two of them, creating a warm and tender scene.