Back to Soul Society
After Liu Ziyun's figure disappeared into the darkness, Renji Abarai struggled to his feet. His face still bore the terror of being suppressed by Reiatsu, and his eyes were filled with disbelief. He turned to Byakuya Kuchiki, his voice trembling, "Captain, what... what happened? That person... who is he?"
Byakuya Kuchiki stared expressionlessly in the direction where Liu Ziyun disappeared, a complex emotion flickering in his perpetually cold eyes. He didn't directly answer Renji Abarai's question, but simply said, "Renji, don't concern yourself with his affairs. We... are no match for him."
Renji Abarai froze. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Byakuya Kuchiki's solemn expression, he ultimately kept quiet.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.
Ichigo Kurosaki arrived at the scene, panting. His gaze swept across the area, landing on Uryū Ishida, who had been knocked to the ground, and Rukia Kuchiki, whose face was streaked with tears. A surge of rage instantly ignited in his eyes.
Rukia Kuchiki saw him and exclaimed, "Ichigo! What are you doing here? Didn't I leave you a note telling you not to come?!"
Ichigo Kurosaki ignored her. His gaze was fixed on Renji Abarai, his voice filled with suppressed anger. "Did you injure Rukia and Uryū?"
Renji Abarai stood up, staring back at him. "So it was you who stole Rukia's Soul Reaper Powers?"
Before the words were even finished, the two charged at each other simultaneously.
Swords clashed and flashed under the moonlight, the clanging of metal echoing through the night. Ichigo Kurosaki's swordsmanship was sharp and direct, each strike carrying an indomitable spirit; Renji Abarai's swordsmanship was ferocious and swift, each strike seemingly intent on cleaving his opponent in two.
But as the battle continued, Renji Abarai gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. Ichigo Kurosaki's attacks became more and more fierce, and his swordsmanship became more and more skillful, as if each strike had been honed through countless trials.
Rukia Kuchiki tried to stop him, but Byakuya Kuchiki raised his hand to block her.
"This kid... who did he learn swordsmanship from?" Byakuya Kuchiki asked.
Rukia Kuchiki paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I heard Ichigo say that his swordsmanship... seems to have been learned from that person just now."
Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils contracted slightly. "Is that so?"
Just then, in despair, Renji Abarai unleashed his Zanpakuto Zabimaru, which roared out and, while Ichigo Kurosaki was still in a daze, severely wounded him.
Renji Abarai was about to speak arrogantly, he suddenly felt a terrifying Reiatsu rushing towards him.
Ichigo Kurosaki's Reiatsu began to rise wildly, so much so that it was almost tangible, forcing Renji Abarai knee. Then, he charged towards Renji Abarai.
Byakuya Kuchiki moved.
His figure appeared between the two in an instant, breaking Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakuto in one hand. In the moment Ichigo Kurosaki was stunned, he used "Senka" to stab twice, accurately destroying his Saketsu and Hakusui.
Ichigo Kurosaki's body slumped to the ground.
Byakuya Kuchiki turned around and said to Renji Abarai, "Renji, how much longer are you going to kneel there? Open the Senkaimon, let's go back."
Renji Abarai quickly got up and opened the Senkaimon.
Ichigo Kurosaki lay on the ground, using his last bit of strength to reach out and grab Byakuya Kuchiki's ankle.
Byakuya Kuchiki looked down at him, a complex expression in his eyes. "For that person's sake, this will be the only time."
He broke free from Ichigo Kurosaki's grasp and, with Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki, stepped through the Senkaimon.
Under the moonlight, only Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida remained lying on the ground.
Just then, two figures emerged from the shadows.
Liu Ziyun stood before Ichigo Kurosaki, looking down at his unconscious disciple with a mixture of heartache and relief in his eyes. He raised his head and called out into the void, "Kisuke, why aren't you coming out? What are you doing?"
Kisuke Urahara, covering his face with his hat, emerged from the shadows. His signature smile lingered on his lips, but his eyes were earnest. "Mr. Liu, you really are... nothing escapes your notice."
Liu Ziyun pointed at Ichigo Kurosaki: "Ichigo, take him back and restore his Soul Reaper Powers. Uryū, I'm taking him with me."
Kisuke Urahara sighed helplessly, "Alright, Mr. Liu. You're really quite willful."
Liu Ziyun picked up Uryū Ishida, and with Isane Kotetsu, they disappeared into the night.
Martial Arts Hall.
Liu Ziyun placed Uryū Ishida on the couch and used the Kaidō to heal his injuries. A moment later, Uryū Ishida slowly woke up.
He looked at Liu Ziyun, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Teacher, with your strength, they shouldn't be a match for you. Why... did you let them take Kuchiki away?"
Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with meaning. "There's no other way. In order to lure out the mastermind, we have to do this."
He paused, then continued, "The reason I'm having you face this one-on-one is to let you see your own strength clearly."
Uryū Ishida fell silent. He lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, he finally looked up and asked, "Who... is the mastermind behind this?"
Liu Ziyun shook his head. "You don't need to know right now."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night sky. "Next, go back to your grandfather, get the 'Sanrei Gloves,' and begin your special training."
Uryū Ishida was taken aback. "What's that?"
Liu Ziyun turned around and looked at him. "Go back and ask your grandfather. Once you're ready, meet at Urahara Shop; we'll head to Soul Society to rescue people."
Uryū Ishida was about to ask another question, but Liu Ziyun a raised hand. Liu Ziyun up to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Go. Everything will become clear in time."
Uryū Ishida looked at him, finally nodded, and turned to leave.
Back home, Uryū Ishida found his father and asked bluntly, "Father, who exactly is our teacher?"
Ryūken Ishida looked at him, his eyes filled with meaning. "Didn't you see it?"
Uryū Ishida became agitated. "You know he's Soul Reaper, so why did you let him teach me?"
Ryūken Ishida put down his book and looked at him calmly. "So what if he's Soul Reaper?"
Uryū Ishida was stunned. "Don't you... hate the Soul Reaper?"
Ryūken Ishida stood up and walked to the window. "He's different from other Soul Reaper. There are some things you shouldn't know right now."
Uryū Ishida fell silent. After a while, he asked again, "He told me to find my grandfather and retrieve the 'Sanrei Gloves'."
Ryūken Ishida turned around and looked at him, his eyes serious. "You can trust your teacher unconditionally. He... won't harm you."
Uryū Ishida looked at him and finally nodded. "Okay, I understand."
He turned and left.
Kanae Ishida came out of the inner room and looked at her husband. "Aren't you going to tell him now?"
Ryūken Ishida shook his head. "Mr. Liu will tell him then. We don't need to worry."
Soul Society, Fourth Division Captain's Office.
When Liu Ziyun and Isane Kotetsu pushed open the door, Retsu Unohana was sitting at the tea table, holding a cup of hot tea. A flicker of joy flashed in her eyes upon seeing the two, but her face remained calm. "Rukia Kuchiki was brought back last night, and you two came back together tonight. Is that matter about to begin?"
Liu Ziyun nodded and sat down opposite her. "Yes. In a few days, Ichigo Kurosaki and the others will come to Soul Society as 'Ryoka' to rescue Rukia."
Retsu Unohana frowned slightly. "What do we need to do?"
Liu Ziyun shook his head. "Don't worry about anything. Let things develop naturally. Aizen will also prepare to defect."
Retsu Unohana looked at him with concern in her eyes. "So what's next? Are you just going to watch those kids force their way in? Won't someone die?"
Liu Ziyun smiled, a smile brimming with confidence and composure, "Just keep an eye on them from the shadows. They shouldn't... die."
Retsu Unohana nodded. "Alright. Then you and Isane can stay here with me from now on."
Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes. We were originally planning to stay with the captain as well. After all, the moment we showed our faces, the other side would notice."
Retsu Unohana glanced at Isane Kotetsu, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Alright. Isane, you stay here and don't let anyone in. Ziyun, come with me."
Liu Ziyun paused for a moment. "Isn't this a bad idea? What if someone comes looking for us and sees Isane? It'll give us away."
Retsu Unohana blinked. "Oh yeah. Then... shall we come in together?"
Seeing her mischievous expression, Liu Ziyun instantly understood. He said with a smile, "Captain, there's no rush. Once Aizen defectes, the three of us will have plenty of time."
Retsu Unohana winked at Isane Kotetsu: "Isane, Ziyun means he wants us to go into the bedroom with him."
Isane Kotetsu's face flushed instantly, and she glared fiercely at Liu Ziyun: "If he wants to be crippled, we can grant his wish."
Liu Ziyun looked at the two of them, knowing that he had been tricked into revealing information by Retsu Unohana again. He sighed helplessly, "How about... you two beat me up every day from now on to vent your anger?"
Retsu Unohana laughed, a dangerous smile playing on her lips, "Alright. I hope you'll still be able to laugh then."
Liu Ziyun his head down and didn't say anything, but in his heart he was thinking: [Hey, what's with the laughter? If all else fails, I'll just suppress them and see if they'll behave then!]
Retsu Unohana stood up and straightened her robes. "You two rest in the bedroom now. I'm going to see the Captain-Commander."
After saying that, she pushed open the door and disappeared into the night.
Inside the bedroom, Liu Ziyun sat on the edge of the bed, Isane Kotetsu stood in front of him, arms crossed, looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Speak," Isane Kotetsu said coldly, "Are you plotting something again?"
Liu Ziyun looked up, his face completely innocent. "No, what bad ideas could I possibly have?"
Isane Kotetsu snorted, "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? You're thinking of suppressing me and the captain in the future, aren't you?"
Liu Ziyun broke out in a cold sweat instantly. "No, no! Absolutely not!"
Isane Kotetsu walked up to him, reached out, and gently pinched his ear. "You better behave yourself. If I find out you have such thoughts, I'll..."
She leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.
Liu Ziyun's face turned deathly pale instantly.