Shikai (1)

Unconscious, Liu Ziyun felt as though he were floating among the clouds.

No, not among the clouds—he was floating in a warm, soft ocean. The water was pleasantly warm, like the finest hot spring, enveloping every inch of his skin, every pore.

So comfortable...

So comfortable...

If this is the afterlife, I'm willing to stay here forever...

Deep in his consciousness, he rolled over contentedly, like a cat basking in the sun, ready to sink back into this realm of comfort.

But then—

"Ziyun, Ziyun..." A gentle voice sounded in his ear, like a spring breeze brushing past.

Don't bother me... Let me sleep a little longer...

"It's time to wake up. You should go back to the academy now." The voice was gentle but firm, with a note that brooked no refusal.

Academy? What academy? Shin'ō Academy? What's that? Can you eat it?

I just want to sleep...

Then he felt something soft patting his cheek—once, twice, three times.

It didn't hurt, but it was annoying.

Like a fly buzzing in his ear.

Who is it... How inconsiderate... disturbing my peaceful sleep...

At last, he reluctantly opened his eyes.

And froze.

He found himself lying in someone's... embrace.

A gentle, soft embrace that carried a faint fragrance.

He looked up into a pair of smiling eyes—clear as spring water, bright as stars, and gentle enough to melt a person.

Even with most of her face hidden behind a veil, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

"Life... Life-Taker?" Liu Ziyun said blankly, his voice still a little hoarse.

"Awake?" Life-Taker looked down at him, her eyes full of amusement. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah..." Liu Ziyun answered instinctively, then suddenly came to his senses. "Wait! Why am I lying in your arms?! Weren't we fighting?! Did I win or lose?! Where's Tulu?!"

The questions came spilling out of him in a rapid-fire barrage.

Life-Taker chuckled. "So many questions. Get up first. The ground is cold."

She helped Liu Ziyun sit up. Only then did he realize he was sitting on that familiar street in his inner world, and his badly damaged Shihakusho had been restored to its original condition. Apparently, Life-Taker had repaired his clothes while healing him.

What attentive service... he muttered to himself. If hospitals in the real world offered this kind of service, I'd book an appointment every day.

"Where's Tulu?" He looked around but didn't see the black-clad Tulu.

"Him?" Life-Taker covered her mouth and chuckled. "He thought you were too weak and went somewhere else to clear his head."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

Do you have to be so blunt, lady?! At least let me save a little face!

He took a deep breath and looked seriously at Life-Taker. "Life-Taker, thank you."

His tone was solemn. "Thank you for healing me, and thank you... for being willing to give me a chance."

Life-Taker tilted her head. "A chance?"

"Yeah." Liu Ziyun nodded. "Although I lost this time—or rather, only barely managed a draw—at least I took the first step."

He clenched his fists, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll keep working hard and getting stronger. One day, I'll make Tulu acknowledge me, and I'll make you acknowledge me. Then we can truly fight side by side and rely on each other."

The more he spoke, the more excited he became. "Just picture it—I'll have a blade in each hand, with you on my left and Tulu on my right, and the three of us will cut our way through Soul Society! Hollows, Arrancar, Quincy—one comes, we cut one down; two come, we cut them both down! Now that's what I call exhilarating!"

Seeing him so fired up, Life-Taker couldn't help bursting out laughing. "You certainly seem confident."

She paused, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "But you didn't exactly fail completely."

Liu Ziyun stared at her. "What do you mean?"

Life-Taker leaned closer and lowered her voice, as if sharing a little secret. "Tulu took pity on you and agreed to lend you a tiny bit of his power for now—to use in battle."

She blinked. "After all, even if you did resort to a trick, you still came out slightly ahead."

Liu Ziyun's eyes lit up. "Really?!"

"She's lying." An icy voice came from beside them.

Liu Ziyun turned to see Tulu at the street corner. He had appeared there at some point and was leaning against the wall of a building with his arms folded, an expression on his face that said, "I don't want to see you at all."

"You call that coming out ahead?" Tulu sneered. "He just passed out faster. If he hadn't, I'd already be deciding what kind of urn to get him."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

Do you have to be so vicious?! I'm your master, at least... your prospective master... your future master... right?

Tulu walked over and looked down at him. "But your performance before you passed out... was somewhat interesting."

His tone could barely be considered... praise?

"So I've decided to lend you some power for now."

She paused, then added, "Remember—I'm 'lending' it to you, not 'giving' it to you. And it's only 'some,' not 'all.'"

Liu Ziyun nodded repeatedly. "Got it, got it! It's a loan! I'll be sure to pay the interest on time... No, I mean, I'll work hard to get stronger and make you willing to 'give' me your power as soon as possible!"

Tulu rolled his eyes. "One more thing—don't you dare die before you've earned my full approval."

His tone suddenly turned serious. "Because I hope that one day, I can have a truly exhilarating battle with you."

A flash of excitement appeared in his eyes. "And then—cut you down."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

What kind of thing is that to look forward to?! Who looks forward to cutting down their own master?!

But he still forced himself to nod. "O-okay! I'll do my best to stay alive, do my best to get stronger, and do my best... to let you have your fill of cutting me down?"

Tulu nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it."

He waved a hand as though shooing away a fly. "All right, you can go back now. You've accomplished what you came for, so don't stick around getting in my way. Just looking at you annoys me."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

Any gratitude I felt just now vanished in an instant!

Life-Taker covered her mouth and chuckled beside them. "All right, Ziyun, go back. It's getting late. I expect you'll be late for class at the academy."

"Ah! Right!" Liu Ziyun suddenly remembered. "I have class today! And it's Old Yamamoto's... Headmaster Yamamoto's Hakuda class!"

He hurriedly stood up and dusted himself off. "Then... I'll head back first. I'll come find you again next time... to train?"

He looked at Tulu and asked cautiously, "Can I?"

Tulu curled his lip. "Whatever. But before you come next time, eat a few more pounds of meat. It's no fun if you pass out at the slightest touch."

Liu Ziyun: "...Okay."

He turned to Life-Taker. "Life-Taker, then I'll..."

"Go on." Life-Taker smiled gently. "Remember, we're always here."

"Yeah!" Liu Ziyun nodded hard. "Then I'll..."

Before he could finish speaking,

Tulu suddenly waved his hand—

A violent whirlwind appeared out of nowhere, instantly sweeping Liu Ziyun up and hurling him into the sky like a piece of garbage!

"Aaaaaah—!!!"

Liu Ziyun's scream echoed through the air as he grew smaller and smaller, finally vanishing at the edge of the sky.