A Brief Conversation Outside the Senzaikyū

"Little Deer, they've finished fighting. Let's go down and take a look," Liu Ziyun said softly.

Yachiru Kusajishi nodded, her small figure leaping lightly like a nimble cat, and landed in the ruins with Liu Ziyun.

Under the moonlight, Kenpachi Zaraki lay on the pile of rubble, one hand clutching a broken sword, the other covering his face, blood seeping from between his fingers, a particularly gruesome sight in the moonlight.

Liu Ziyun to his side, squatted down, and said calmly but with a hint of concern, "Little Deer, if you don't get treatment soon, Little Kenpachi will die."

Upon hearing this, Kenpachi Zaraki removed his hand from his face, revealing a face covered in blood. When he saw who it was, his beast-like eyes narrowed instantly, a hint of wariness flashing across them.

"Are you here to take my life?" His voice was hoarse and deep, yet carried his usual arrogance. "However, you'd better not harm Yachiru."

Yachiru Kusajishi quickly waved her little hand, her gesture meant to reassure. "Little Kenpachi, no! Little Yun is here to watch. He agreed to fight you sometime."

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes lit up with the excitement of a hunter spotting his prey. "Is that so? I'm looking forward to it."

Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with a deep meaning and a complex emotion. "Perhaps... you don't expect it."

Kenpachi Zaraki frowned. "Why?"

Liu Ziyun didn't answer directly, but simply said, "I'll tell you when you're ready to fight me."

He paused, then extended his hand, a pale green Kaidō gathering in his palm. "Let me give you some basic treatment first."

Yachiru Kusajishi nodded repeatedly, her small face full of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Little Yun!"

Liu Ziyun his Kaidō, and a pale green light enveloped Kenpachi Zaraki and the unconscious Ichigo Kurosaki beside him. Their wounds slowly healed in the light, the bleeding stopped, and their breathing became steady.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand and stood up. "Little Deer, take Little Kenpachi back to continue his treatment. Remember, don't tell anyone you saw me."

Yachiru Kusajishi nodded earnestly, her small face full of solemnity. "Okay, I understand. Little Yun- bye, Yun!"

She bent down and easily hoisted the much taller Kenpachi Zaraki onto her back; his small figure looked particularly magical in the moonlight. She walked to Ichigo Kurosaki's side and bowed deeply to him, her gesture filled with sincere gratitude. "Little Ichigo, thank you for letting Little Kenpachi have a good fight."

After saying that, she carried Kenpachi Zaraki on her back and disappeared into the night.

Under the moonlight, only Liu Ziyun and the ruins remained.

Liu Ziyun stood quietly for a moment, then whispered into the surrounding darkness, "Yoruichi- san, come out."

A black cat gracefully emerged from the shadows. Yoruichi Shihōin walked up to Liu Ziyun with feline steps, a hint of teasing in her cat-like eyes. "Ziyun, why are you talking like a little child?"

Liu Ziyun smiled and said, "When talking to children, of course you have to learn their way of speaking. Otherwise, how can you communicate?"

Yoruichi Shihōin her eyes. "Tch. Why did you call me out?"

Liu Ziyun pointed to Ichigo Kurosaki lying on the ground. "Take Ichigo to learn Bankai. I know you have the Tenshintai."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yoruichi Shihōin's cat-like eyes. "Don't you know the dangers of Tenshintai?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "I know. However, Ichigo can do it."

Yoruichi Shihōin looked at the shocking wounds on Ichigo Kurosaki's body. "Aren't you going to heal him again?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "It's not the right time yet. I'll step in when the time is right."

Yoruichi Shihōin patted the ground with her paw. "Alright. You can leave now, I'll take Ichigo with me."

Liu Ziyun didn't leave immediately, but looked at her with a mischievous look. "Tch, afraid I'll see you transform? With your flat chest like that."

Yoruichi Shihōin's cat fur instantly bristled, her cat eyes filled with rage. "Get lost! I'm not flat-chested!"

Liu Ziyun shook his head regretfully. "Alright, alright, I'm leaving. Really, taking a look won't hurt."

Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly thought of something, and a sinister smile appeared on her face—if cats could smile, "Should I call Captain Unohana over, and I'll transform in front of you and her?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ziyun didn't hesitate and immediately used his Shunpo technique, disappearing into the night with astonishing speed, as if a ghost were chasing him.

Yoruichi Shihōin watched his retreating figure and muttered smugly, "Hmph, you think I can't handle you?"

She turned to look at the unconscious Ichigo Kurosaki, a hint of tenderness flashing in her cat-like eyes. "Don't worry, Ichigo. Even though your unreliable teacher is gone, I won't let you die."

After saying that, she transformed into her cat form, easily hoisted Ichigo Kurosaki, and disappeared into the night.

Near the Senzaikyū.

Liu Ziyun hid in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the towering building. Under the moonlight, the Senzaikyū appeared particularly eerie, like a sleeping behemoth.

Not long after, several figures quietly slipped out of the Senzaikyū.

Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada helped Rukia Kuchiki move carefully outwards. All three wore expressions of tension and anticipation, taking each step with extreme caution.

Liu Ziyun watched this scene quietly, nodding inwardly. These young people were willing to take such a great risk to rescue their comrade; their camaraderie was truly admirable.

The three had not gone far when a white figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

Under the moonlight, he stood there, expressionless, like an emotionless statue. His cold eyes swept over the three of them, finally settling on Rukia Kuchiki.

Ganju Shiba gritted his teeth, then suddenly rushed forward, blocking Byakuya Kuchiki's path.

But Byakuya Kuchiki didn't unleash his Zanpakuto to attack him like in the anime. He simply flashed and instantly appeared beside Ganju Shiba, knocking him unconscious with a single palm strike.

Ganju Shiba's body slumped to the ground.

Rukia Kuchiki and Hanatarō Yamada tried to move, but found that a powerful Reiatsu had immobilized them, preventing them from moving.

Just then, a cough was heard.

Jūshirō Ukitake emerged from the shadows. His face was still pale, and his body still looked weak, but his eyes shone with a resolute light.

"Captain Kuchiki," he said softly, "Leave these men to me."

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him, a complex expression in his eyes. "Okay. But, is Captain Ukitake alright? It's not safe for you to come out like this."

Jūshirō Ukitake was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

Byakuya Kuchiki's voice remained cold, yet carried a hint of deeper meaning. "Captain Aizen was murdered today. We suspect it was Ryoka (a type of Japanese NPC)."

Hiding in the shadows, Liu Ziyun overheard the conversation and thought to himself, "As expected, things have changed because of me. I hope... things won't change too much afterward."

Jūshirō Ukitake's face was filled with shock. "How is this possible?!"

Just then, a figure flew down from the sky and landed next to Rukia Kuchiki.

Ichigo Kurosaki.

He first walked past Rukia Kuchiki, then came up to Hanatarō Yamada and asked with concern, "Hanatarō, are you alright?"

Hanatarō Yamada nodded quickly, "I'm fine."

Ichigo Kurosaki then turned around and looked at Rukia Kuchiki. A big smile spread across his face, "Rukia, I've come to save you."

Rukia Kuchiki looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions—gratitude, worry, and a hint of helplessness.

Ichigo, you...

The two started bickering, and the familiar scene felt like stepping back into the World of the Living.

Seeing this, Jūshirō Ukitake turned to Byakuya Kuchiki and asked softly, "Captain Kuchiki, who is this person?"

Byakuya Kuchiki gave Ichigo Kurosaki a cold look. "Just a Ryoka. I can take care of him easily."

After exchanging Ichigo Kurosaki verbal sparring match with Rukia Kuchiki turned to Byakuya Kuchiki, his face bearing that smug, arrogant expression. "You didn't even attack while we were talking?"

Byakuya Kuchiki stepped forward, his eyes filled with disdain. "Who do you think you are, daring to ask me to ambush you?"

The two instantly clashed.

Swords flashed and clashed under the moonlight as the two figures moved through the ruins. Byakuya Kuchiki initially didn't intend to unleash his Zanpakuto, opting instead for Pure Swordsmanship. However, Ichigo Kurosaki's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and his arrogant demeanor became more and more infuriating.

Finally, Byakuya Kuchiki could no longer restrain himself. He raised his Zanpakuto, preparing to unleash it—

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared.

Yoruichi Shihōin

She wrapped Byakuya Kuchiki's Zanpakuto with bandages, then quickly injected anesthetic into Ichigo Kurosaki. Before Ichigo Kurosaki could react, he was hoisted up.

Yoruichi Shihōin looked at Byakuya Kuchiki, her cat-like eyes filled with provocation. "Three days, and I'll give this kid the strength to defeat you."

After saying that, she carried Ichigo Kurosaki and disappeared into the night.

Under the moonlight, only Byakuya Kuchiki, Jūshirō Ukitake, Rukia Kuchiki, and the unconscious Ganju Shiba remained.

Byakuya Kuchiki remained silent for a moment, then turned to leave.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

Liu Ziyun.

He stood in the moonlight, draped in Black Cloak, his face bearing his signature, somewhat cynical smile, "Long time no see, Captain Big White, Captain Ukitake."

Everyone was taken aback.

Byakuya Kuchiki's face instantly darkened, his eyes filled with anger. "Who did you call Captain Big White?"

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "It's been a long time, Liu Ziyun."

Liu Ziyun waved his hand casually, "Don't take it so seriously. Actually, I just wanted to call you Big White. But with Captain Ukitake here, it wouldn't be right not to call you Captain."

Jūshirō Ukitake glanced at Byakuya Kuchiki, then at Liu Ziyun: "It seems you're quite familiar with Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya Kuchiki drew his Zanpakuto, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. "So what if we're familiar? He's a wanted criminal."

Liu Ziyun looked at him with a grin, his expression as innocent as could be. "Hey, don't go around brandishing knives and guns."

His expression suddenly turned serious, a seriousness tinged with earnestness. "I came out to tell you, Byakuya, don't underestimate Ichigo. In a few days, if you don't use your full strength, you'll lose badly. Of course, even with your full strength, you might still lose."

A flicker of surprise crossed Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes. "Really? But I don't believe it."

Jūshirō Ukitake stepped forward, his eyes scrutinizing. "Liu Ziyun, what is your purpose?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head, his gesture conveying a sense of composure. "I'm just giving Byakuya a warning, lest he underestimate me."

Jūshirō Ukitake's gaze sharpened further. "Did you kill Captain Aizen?"

Liu Ziyun sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Do whatever you want. But don't try to pin the blame on me. Aizen's death, and the destruction of the Tsunayashiro Branch Family before, were not my doing."

Jūshirō Ukitake pressed further, "Then why didn't you show up and prove yourself?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze deepened, as if piercing through time and space. "It wasn't the right time before. Now it's almost here."

He looked at the two of them, his eyes filled with pleading. "However, I hope you two won't tell anyone that I was here. After all, our opponent is an extremely intelligent being."

After saying that, he turned to Rukia Kuchiki, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Rukia, wait a few days. Ichigo will rescue you. I'm leaving now."

Rukia Kuchiki stared at him in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. "You... you're Ichigo's teacher in the World of the Living, right? Even though your appearance has changed, I can sense that you are that person."

Liu Ziyun grinned mischievously, "Oh dear, you've been found out. But that kid Ichigo has forgotten everything I taught him over the past ten years. After this is over, I'll give him a proper re-education."

After saying that, he vanished into the night in a flash.

Byakuya Kuchiki stood there, silently watching the direction he had left in. After a long while, he slowly Zanpakuto, turned around, and left.

Only Jūshirō Ukitake, Rukia Kuchiki, and the unconscious Ganju Shiba remained.