Intervening in Uryū Ishida vs. Mayuri Kurotsuchi

After leaving Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara's Base, Liu Ziyun did not stop for a moment and immediately sped off in the direction of Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue.

Seireitei in the night resembled a sleeping behemoth. The streets were deserted, with only moonlight casting dappled shadows on the cobblestones. Liu Ziyun's figure darted swiftly between the rooftops, like a true ghost, silent yet lightning fast.

[Damn it, I must have remembered the timeline wrong!] He cursed inwardly, [I've been running around so much that I haven't even had time to get together with my Xiao Lielie Lie!]

He recalled Retsu Unohana's cool and aloof face, and the gentle smile she occasionally gave him, and a warm feeling welled up inside him. But then, he shook his head, banishing these thoughts from his mind—now was not the time to think about such things.

When Liu Ziyun arrived near Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue, the scene before him made him stop in his tracks.

A drunken member of the 11th Division staggered toward the two, mumbling incoherently.

Uryū Ishida warily stood in front of Orihime Inoue, his hand already poised to draw the Quincy Bow. Just then, several members of the Twelfth Division suddenly appeared, blocking the drunkard and seemingly coming to the rescue of Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue.

Liu Ziyun, hiding in the shadows of a rooftop, witnessed this scene and instantly understood what was happening.

[Mayuri Kurotsuchi is going to cause trouble, isn't he?]

The thought had barely crossed their minds when the bodies of those members of the Twelfth Division suddenly began to swell, and then—"Boom!"

A violent explosion rang out, sending blood and flesh flying everywhere. Orihime Inoue reacted extremely quickly, instantly activating her Santen Kesshun, a transparent barrier appearing in front of her and Uryū Ishida. The shockwave from the explosion was blocked by the barrier, and Uryū Ishida was unharmed.

Liu Ziyun slowly lowered his raised hand—he had almost made a move.

[Thank goodness I wasn't forced to take action.] He breathed a sigh of relief, then thought resentfully, [Uryū, you really deserve a beating. If it weren't for the fact that you're my disciple, I wouldn't bother with you.]

At that moment, Mayuri Kurotsuchi emerged from the shadows. He wore that signature, chilling smile as he looked at Uryū Ishida, as if he were an amusing experiment.

"Interesting, very interesting." Mayuri Kurotsuchi's voice was sharp and piercing. "Quincy brat, let me see what you've got."

Uryū Ishida gritted his teeth and released Orihime Inoue's hand. "Orihime, you have to go!"

Orihime Inoue tried to say something, but Uryū Ishida shoved her. A member of the 11th Division seized the opportunity to rush forward, hoisted Orihime Inoue, and ran away.

Uryū Ishida turned around to face Mayuri Kurotsuchi and drew his Quincy Bow.

Battle is imminent.

Bored, Liu Ziyun squatted on the rooftop, watching the battle below. Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Uryū Ishida were exchanging blows, locked in a fierce fight. But it was clear to anyone with eyes that Uryū Ishida was completely at a disadvantage.

Time ticked by, and Uryū Ishida's wounds multiplied, staining his clothes crimson with blood. Finally, after being repelled once again by Mayuri Kurotsuchi, he made a resolute decision—

He reached out and grasped the thing he had never dared to touch.

Sanrei Gloves.

"It's come to this after all," Liu Ziyun thought to himself, but he did not intervene.

Because he knew that this was something Uryū Ishida had to go through.

With a forceful tug, Uryū Ishida shattered the Sanrei Gloves instantly. A terrifying power surged from his body, and the surrounding Reishi frantically converged towards his arrow. That was the Quincy's incomplete "Vollständig," a forbidden technique that sacrificed oneself to gain immense power.

A flicker of surprise crossed Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eyes, but it quickly turned into excitement. "Interesting! Very interesting!"

He raised his hand and unleashed his Zanpakuto: "Bankai... Ashisogi Jizō!"

A huge, ugly, caterpillar-like monster appeared on the battlefield, opening its massive mouth full of sharp teeth and emitting a piercing screech.

Uryū Ishida gritted his teeth and, with all his might, shot the arrow that contained all his strength.

The arrow whistled out, aimed straight at Mayuri Kurotsuchi's head.

Liu Ziyun's pupils suddenly contracted.

[As expected, things have changed. It's not Mayuri Kurotsuchi Uryū now, but Uryū trying to shoot Mayuri Kurotsuchi!]

He slightly raised his right hand, and an invisible force shot out from his fingertips, accurately striking the tail of the arrow. The arrow deviated slightly, grazing Mayuri Kurotsuchi's shoulder and leaving only a deep wound, but it did not hit any vital organs.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi by the arrow and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground. But he did not die.

He struggled to his feet, a flicker of doubt in his eyes, quickly turning to understanding. He looked up and called out to the dark night sky, "Liu Ziyun! You're nearby, aren't you? Thank you for saving my life!"

Liu Ziyun reluctantly revealed himself. He lightly leaped down from the rooftop, landing in front of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, his face bearing that signature, cynical smile, "Oh, Captain Kurotsuchi, your ears are really sharp. I only made a slight move, and you noticed."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked at him, her eyes filled with wariness, curiosity, and an indescribable complexity. "Liu Ziyun, the wanted villain, what are you doing here?"

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "Well, there are a few kids who don't know any better, and I was worried something might happen to them, so I came to check on them."

He paused, then his smile widened, "Captain Kurotsuchi, could you please be lenient and not report my matter to others?"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi sneered, "I'm afraid that won't work. After all, you're a wanted criminal."

Liu Ziyun's smile remained unchanged, but a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "Then I'm afraid... it's not up to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying Reiatsu surged from his body, pressing down on Mayuri Kurotsuchi as if it were a physical object. Mayuri Kurotsuchi felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, and he couldn't even move a finger. Terror flashed in his eyes—he had never felt Reiatsu of this magnitude before.

Liu Ziyun up to him, looking down at him. "I know Captain Kurotsuchi's backup plan. I also know exactly what's hidden in your Zanpakuto. If I wanted you to die here, it would be very easy."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi gritted her teeth and said, "You... what exactly do you want to do?"

Liu Ziyun withdrew his Reiatsu, his expression turning serious. "You can report today's events to the Captain-Commander. However, you can only report it privately. I believe you can understand. I really... don't want to kill someone who is Isshin to the Soul Society."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi paused for a moment. He looked at Liu Ziyun, his eyes filled with contemplation, doubt, and a hint of... understanding?

"So," he said slowly, "You just stopped that arrow that was aimed at my head?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes. I believe you've already witnessed my strength. If you insist on revealing it, I will kill you without hesitation."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'd like to see what you're really up to."

Liu Ziyun withdrew the Reiatsu that had been pressing down on him.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi immediately raised his hand and plunged the broken sword in his hand into his own neck. His body instantly turned into a pool of green liquid, writhing on the ground. From within that liquid came his shrill voice. "I won't reveal your affairs. However, I will be watching you."

After he finished speaking, the pool of liquid seeped into the ground and disappeared without a trace.

Liu Ziyun around and saw Uryū Ishida walking towards him shakily. His face was as pale as paper, and his body was covered in wounds, but his eyes were flashing with a complex light.

"Teacher..." His voice was hoarse and weak, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Ziyun up to him, looking at his disciple covered in wounds, a complex emotion welling up inside him. He sighed, "I came to keep an eye on you kids so you don't get into trouble."

He paused, his tone becoming serious. "Alright, we can talk about this later. Giving you the antidote is the priority."

He led Uryū Ishida to Nemu Kurotsuchi, who had been standing to the side, and said, "Lieutenant, could you please give me the antidote?"

Nemu Kurotsuchi looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude, wariness, and an indescribable complexity. "You saved the captain's life, so naturally I will offer you the antidote."

She took a small bottle from behind the Lieutenant's armband and handed it to Liu Ziyun.

Liu Ziyun the antidote and tossed it to Uryū Ishida. Uryū Ishida caught the antidote, tilted his head back, and poured it into his mouth.

Liu Ziyun looked at Nemu Kurotsuchi with concern in his eyes. "Does the Lieutenant need my help with her injuries?"

Nemu Kurotsuchi shook her head. "Don't bother. The pursuers will be here soon, you should go first."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Okay."

He grabbed Uryū Ishida, used Shunpo), and vanished into the night in an instant.

Underground Space.

When Liu Ziyun led Uryū Ishida into this secret space, Isane Kotetsu was training inside. Seeing the heavily injured Uryū Ishida, she exclaimed in surprise, "Uryū? How did you get so badly injured?"

Liu Ziyun put him down on the ground, his tone tinged with helplessness. "He fought with Mayuri Kurotsuchi. I thought it was a good thing he didn't die, but I didn't expect him to almost kill Mayuri Kurotsuchi just now."

Isane Kotetsu glared at him. "You can't just watch him get so badly injured!"

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "He brought it on himself. He didn't even do any research, thinking he could just wander around the streets after changing his clothes."

Uryū Ishida lowered his head, his face full of guilt. "I'm sorry, teacher. I've let you down."

Liu Ziyun his hand. "Alright, Isane, you treat this kid. Then make him stay here obediently until the execution begins, then release him."

Isane Kotetsu nodded and began using the Kaidō to heal Uryū Ishida.

Uryū Ishida raised his head, looking at Liu Ziyun with expectant eyes. "Teacher, do you have the ability to rescue Kuchiki -kun?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes. With my strength, rescuing someone and then escaping from the Gotei 13's encirclement is quite simple."

Uryū Ishida's eyes lit up. "Then, teacher, why didn't you help?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with meaning. "And then? Hide and run in the World of the Living?"

Uryū Ishida was stunned.

Liu Ziyun continued, "The mastermind behind this will be revealed because of your commotion. Therefore, not only will Rukia Kuchiki be exonerated, but you will also be able to escape safely. Kisuke Urahara, I, and some others will also be able to appear openly in the public eye."

Uryū Ishida fell silent. After a long while, he finally raised his head, his eyes filled with doubt. "There's something else going on here, isn't there? So, you used us to wreak havoc in Soul Society?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a hint of approval in his eyes—this child had finally learned to think, "The first question, yes, exists. However, it's not something you can know right now."

He paused, then continued, "The second issue isn't about us using you; it's your own choice."

Uryū Ishida panicked. "They say it was our own choice! But if you had saved Kuchiki -kun in the first place, none of this would have happened!"

Liu Ziyun smiled. In that smile were helplessness, understanding, and an indescribable complexity. "She really is just a child. We have no connection with Rukia Kuchiki, so why should we save her?"

Uryū Ishida opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself unable to utter a word: "But... but..."

Seeing his stammering, Liu Ziyun continued, "Actually, it's also a form of exploitation. However, even if you hadn't gone through this incident, you would still have been targeted by the Soul Society."

Uryū Ishida looked up. "Why?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze deepened. "Because of your existence, you will affect the balance of souls in the World of the Living. Especially the Quincy."

Uryū Ishida's eyes widened. "So that's how it is?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Even wild Soul Reaper can be restricted. Your Reiatsu will affect those around you. This is not a good thing."

Uryū Ishida fell silent. He lowered his head, lost in thought. After a long while, he finally looked up, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Alright. But given my current situation, I'm afraid I can't be of any help."

Liu Ziyun looked at him with encouraging eyes. "It's just losing your Quincy powers. When you go back, someone will help you recover."

Uryū Ishida's eyes lit up again. "Who?"

Liu Ziyun glanced at him. "Go back and ask him yourself."

Uryū Ishida was speechless.

Liu Ziyun stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "Take a few days to recover from your injuries. In a few days, you can go with your companions to rescue Rukia Kuchiki."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

As he reached the door, he stopped and turned to look at Uryū Ishida: "Remember, Uryū. Sometimes, growth comes at a price. But as long as you keep going, you'll eventually see the light."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and disappeared into the darkness.

Uryū Ishida stared in the direction he had left, remaining silent for a long time.

Isane Kotetsu walked to his side and said softly, "Don't blame your teacher. He has his reasons."

Uryū Ishida lowered his head, his voice firm. "I know. I won't let him down."