Renji vs. Byakuya

After parting ways with Renji Abarai, Liu Ziyun didn't linger for a moment and sped directly towards his Underground Space.

The Seireitei was silent in the night, with only moonlight casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path. His figure moved swiftly between the rooftops, like a true ghost, silent yet as fast as lightning.

The door to the Underground Space slowly opened, Isane Kotetsu and Uryū Ishida were waiting inside. Seeing Liu Ziyun enter, the two stood up at the same time.

Liu Ziyun up to them, his expression serious. "Isane, Uryū, Rukia's final sentence is tomorrow at noon. Now, let's go to the Fourth Division and wait."

He turned to Isane Kotetsu: "Isane, you'll go with the captain to witness the execution."

Then he looked at Uryū Ishida: "Uryū, go find your friends. Someone will take you there tomorrow."

Isane Kotetsu and Uryū Ishida nodded simultaneously. "Okay."

The three left the Underground Space and stealthily headed towards the Fourth Division.

Fourth Division, Captain's Office.

Liu Ziyun left Isane Kotetsu in the Captain's Office, and then took Uryū Ishida to the place where Yasutora Sado and Ganju Shiba were being held.

Inside the cell, the two men were lying on the hospital bed. When they saw Liu Ziyun enter, they both looked up at the same time.

Liu Ziyun to their side and used his Kaidō to treat them. A pale green light enveloped the two of them, and their injuries healed at a visible speed.

After the treatment, Liu Ziyun instructed, "Wait here tomorrow. Someone will come to pick you up. Don't wander off."

Yasutora Sado and Ganju Shiba nodded simultaneously.

Liu Ziyun led Uryū Ishida out of the cell and then took him to the place where he had arranged to meet his friends.

"Go," Liu Ziyun said. "Remember, proceed according to plan."

Uryū Ishida looked at him, his eyes filled with determination. "Yes, teacher."

He turned and left, disappearing into the night.

11th Division.

Liu Ziyun quietly sneaked into the barracks and found Kenpachi Zaraki. The tall man with a scar on his face was sitting in the room, resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the noise, he opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.

"Captain Zaraki," Liu Ziyun up to him, "How are your injuries these past few days?"

Kenpachi Zaraki grinned, a smile tinged with the ferocity of a wild beast, "You've almost recovered. What brings you here?"

Liu Ziyun sat down opposite him, his expression serious. "I'd like to know, what are Captain Zaraki's plans for tomorrow?"

Kenpachi Zaraki scoffed dismissively, "I don't care about those things. What do you want?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with meaning. "I hope Captain Zaraki can help Orihime Inoue."

Kenpachi Zaraki frowned slightly. "Oh? Why would you help her?"

A meaningful smile appeared on Liu Ziyun's lips, "At that time, there will be a battle that Captain Zaraki likes."

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes lit up instantly. He grinned, revealing an excited smile, "Is that so? But before that, I'd like to have a match with you first."

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "I will fulfill your request after this matter is completed, Captain Zaraki."

Kenpachi Zaraki stood up and slowly drew his Zanpakuto: "That would be too troublesome. How about we have a match first?"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with helplessness and seriousness. "It's not time yet. Can you rein in your belligerent nature? Reckless fighting isn't what you should be doing. Strength doesn't equate to power. That's all I have to say."

After saying that, he didn't give Kenpachi Zaraki, and immediately used Shunpo to leave the 11th Division.

Kenpachi Zaraki stood there, gazing in the direction where Liu Ziyun disappeared. He raised his Zanpakuto, placed it before him, and murmured, "I also want to become stronger. Only by becoming stronger can I enjoy the thrill of battle. You... can you tell me, do you think the same way I do?"

The Zanpakuto remained silent, offering no response.

Kenpachi Zaraki waited for a moment, then finally sighed and sheathed his Zanpakuto.

After leaving the 11th Division, Liu Ziyun found Renji Abarai's location. However, he did not show himself, but instead found a secluded spot nearby and lay down to rest.

The moonlight shone on him, illuminating his thoughtful face.

Tomorrow, everything will come to a conclusion.

He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

The following morning.

As the first rays of sunlight touched Seireitei, Renji Abarai had already embarked on his journey to the Sōkyoku. His steps were firm and swift, his eyes burning with an indomitable flame.

Along the way, Soul Reapers constantly appeared to block his path. But Renji Abarai, drawing his Zanpakuto and defeating them one by one with lightning speed. His sword grew faster and faster, his steps became more and more steady, and his belief became more and more steadfast.

Liu Ziyun quietly followed behind him, without revealing himself, simply watching silently.

Suddenly, his spiritual senses detected two powerful Reiatsu colliding violently—it was Kenpachi Zaraki and Kaname Tōsen.

[Has it begun? The battle between Kenpachi Zaraki and Kaname Tōsen.]

He sensed that Uryū Ishida and the other kids were following Yachiru Kusajishi, leaving the battlefield between Kenpachi Zaraki and Kaname Tōsen.

[Good, everything is going according to plan.] His gaze returned to Renji Abarai: [However, I'll stay here and keep watch. I'll treat Renji, in case he dies.]

Just then, a white figure suddenly appeared in front of Renji Abarai, blocking his way.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

He remained aloof, expressionless, with indifferent eyes.

Renji Abarai stopped and looked at him. "Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was icy. "Renji, where are you going?"

Renji Abarai gripped his Zanpakuto: "I'm going to rescue Rukia."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly. "You're not allowed to go."

Renji Abarai looked at him, his eyes filled with determination. "No matter what, you won't let me through here, will you?"

Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was completely flat. "I don't want to repeat myself."

Before he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

The next second, he appeared behind Renji Abarai, drew his Zanpakuto, and slashed.

Renji Abarai was prepared; he turned around instantly and raised his sword to parry.

"Clang--!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed in the air.

Renji Abarai looked at him, his eyes gleaming. "Senka. Using spins and your unique Shunpo, you circle behind your opponent and use a thrust to break their Saketsu and Hakusui. That's your specialty, isn't it?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes.

Renji Abarai continued, "I've seen it several times. My brain can now predict your actions based on principles, and my body has finally adapted to your pace. Captain Kuchiki, your methods are no longer effective against me."

Byakuya Kuchiki's expression remained indifferent, but a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. "Renji, you've become more talkative. What makes you so arrogant? With your paltry skills, you think you can suppress my swordsmanship?"

He hissed, "Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

Renji Abarai didn't utter the Release Phrase; he directly Shikai Zabimaru, extending his blade to attack Byakuya Kuchiki.

Byakuya Kuchiki had no choice but to abandon his release and dodge the attack by turning to the side.

Renji Abarai looked at him, a smile playing on his lips, "I've said it before, your methods no longer work on me. Not after I became Lieutenant, but long before I joined the Gotei 13. The only person I Isshin to surpass was you— Captain Kuchiki!"

A hint of shock flashed in Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes.

Renji Abarai brandished the Zabimaru in his hand and roared, "I will definitely defeat you, Captain Kuchiki!"

His Reiatsu surged instantly, and the surrounding air began to distort.

Bankai... Baboon King Zabimaru!

A massive whirlwind whipped up dust, engulfing Renji Abarai. When the dust settled, a serpentine spine skeleton made of dozens of wooden pieces surrounded him, with a white serpentine skull at the head and the tail tightly held in his hand.

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him, his eyes filled with surprise. "When did you master Bankai?"

Renji Abarai looked at him coldly. "Someone as self-possessed as you wouldn't even notice. I'll repeat myself, I'm going to rescue Rukia."

Byakuya Kuchiki's voice remained cold. "I've told you before, I don't want to repeat myself."

Renji Abarai gripped the blade tightly. "It seems you won't let me pass no matter what. Well then, don't blame me for being impolite."

Byakuya Kuchiki's lips curled into a cold smile, "You're joking. You wouldn't be able to hurt a single hair on my head."

They both moved at the same time.

Swords flashed and shadows danced in the air, each collision unleashing astonishing Reiatsu fluctuations.

In the distance, Liu Ziyun watched the battle quietly. In his eyes, this battle was really a trivial matter. Byakuya Kuchiki had been holding back Renji Abarai seemed to have become somewhat arrogant because he had mastered Bankai.

The battle continued.

As in the original story, Byakuya Kuchiki used Senbonzakura to try and destroy the Baboon King Zabimaru. However, Renji Abarai withdrew his Reiatsu, causing the sword fragments to scatter, thus avoiding Senbonzakura's attack.

Renji Abarai arrogantly declared, "My swords are sustained by my Reiatsu. Just now, I severed my Reiatsu, scattering the blades to evade your attack of a thousand swords."

He looked at the somewhat surprised Byakuya Kuchiki and laughed even more arrogantly, "What's there to be so surprised about? I'm just stating the facts. I've seen through your act!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a blade suddenly shot out from under Byakuya Kuchiki's feet; it was a Renji Abarai had hidden in the ground beforehand.

Byakuya Kuchiki knelt on one knee.

Renji Abarai looked down at him, his eyes filled with excitement. "You're on one knee. I'm going to defeat you. It's time to end this, Byakuya Kuchiki. This duel between us is over!"

Byakuya Kuchiki slowly stood up, brushing the dust off his knees. "It's time to end this, isn't it? Fine, I'll end this battle with my sword."

Renji Abarai angrily brandished his blade, shouting that he would end the fight with his own sword.

However, Byakuya Kuchiki easily disrupted his attack rhythm simply by using Kidō and Shunpo. Renji Abarai suffered an accident while controlling the Baboon King Zabimaru, resulting in damage to his blade.

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him and began his lecture. "Renji, using Bankai in battle has its drawbacks. Your blade is damaged because you haven't truly mastered it..."

Renji Abarai wouldn't listen to a word, angrily shouting, "My blade is dull, so losing a section or two won't bother me!"

He swung the blade again.

Just then, Byakuya Kuchiki seized the opening when he swung his blade and shouted, "Bakudō Sixty-One, Six Rods Prison of Light!"

The six beams of light instantly locked onto Renji Abarai's movements.

Renji Abarai's expression changed drastically; he realized something was wrong.

In the distance, Liu Ziyun had already drawn his Zanpakuto, ready to strike at any moment.

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him and slowly said, "You seem to have forgotten that you're not the only one who can use Bankai. Actually, I can too."

He turned the blade upside down, with the tip pointing towards the ground, and then slowly released his grip.

The blades slowly fell to the ground, Zanpakuto gradually merged into them. Huge blades rose up on either side of Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai.

"Bankai... Scatter, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

As the Release Phrase was uttered, the enormous blades instantly transformed into cherry blossom-petal-like blades, dancing in the air. Then, they swept towards Renji Abarai.

"Boom--!"

Amidst the deafening explosion, Renji Abarai injured and collapsed to the ground, while the Baboon King, Zabimaru, was also shattered beyond recognition.

Liu Ziyun sheathed his Zanpakuto, thinking to himself, "[Hmm, I held back. Otherwise, Renji might have been cut to pieces. As expected, his aloofness is just a persona; he's actually quite warm-hearted.]"

Renji Abarai collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. His Zanpakuto had deactivated its Bankai and reverted to its normal form.

Byakuya Kuchiki walked up to him and began to lecture him. "Renji, your fangs can never touch me."

Renji Abarai struggled to his feet, raised his Zanpakuto again, and charged at him.

Byakuya Kuchiki used Senbonzakura Blossoms) to condense several blades, binding him to the ground. "The disappearance of your Bankai against your master's will proves that your death is imminent."

He looked down at Renji Abarai: "I'll ask you one more time, even so, do you still dare to shout about going to Rukia?"

Renji Abarai raised his head, his eyes filled with determination. "Of course. I swore an oath, I will definitely rescue Rukia."

Byakuya Kuchiki asked, "To whom did you swear?"

Renji Abarai shouted, "Not to anyone else, but to my own soul!"

Before he finished speaking, he smashed through the blades formed from the Senbonzakura blossoms around him, Zanpakuto, and thrust it towards Byakuya Kuchiki's chest.

However, he was severely injured, his Reiatsu dropped, and the blade broke immediately after piercing Byakuya Kuchiki.

He fell to the ground unwillingly, but his eyes still shone with determination.

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He removed the Silver-White Windflower Silk Gauze wrapped around his neck and tossed it to Renji Abarai lay sprawled on the ground. "Impressive. Your fangs have already touched me."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Ignoring whether Byakuya Kuchiki had truly left, Liu Ziyun appeared directly in front of Renji Abarai. He unleashed his Zanpakuto, Life-Taker, and plunged it into Renji Abarai's back.

"Your captain has acknowledged you." Liu Ziyun's voice was teasing. "Seriously, you two will be brothers-in-law in the future. No, I mean your brother-in-law. Is it really necessary to fight like this?"

Just as Renji Abarai was about to lose consciousness, he heard Liu Ziyun's voice. He tried to lift his head to see who it was, but he didn't have the strength.

Just then, a white figure appeared behind Liu Ziyun.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

Liu Ziyun didn't turn around and said, "I knew you hadn't left. You're such a siscon."

Byakuya Kuchiki said fiercely, "I'm asking you, what did you mean by what you just said?"

Liu Ziyun glanced back at him, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "Don't you understand? Their future child Abarai Ichika. A very cute little girl, you know."

Byakuya Kuchiki was stunned.

Then, he glared fiercely at Renji Abarai lying on the ground. "Damn it! I killed him!"

Renji Abarai, having regained some consciousness and minor injuries thanks to Liu Ziyun's Life-Taker healing, raised his head blankly at the two of them and managed to say with great effort, "What... are you talking about?"

Liu Ziyun glanced at him, his tone relaxed. "Oh no, he heard us. Should we kill him to silence him?"

Byakuya Kuchiki said fiercely, "Fine, I'll do it."

Renji Abarai stared at the two men, utterly bewildered. One was treating him while jokingly saying he wanted to kill him to silence him; the other had just been acknowledging him, but now was about to personally kill him to silence him.

"What... exactly do you want?"

Liu Ziyun ignored him and said to Byakuya Kuchiki, "Alright, Byakuya. Go to Sōkyoku now. You have another battle there. Remember, guide it with all your might, don't kill it outright, it'll cause a lot of trouble."

He patted Renji Abarai on the shoulder. "That brat, he'll come over on his own after I heal him."

Byakuya Kuchiki glared at Renji Abarai with a look that said, "You dare steal my cabbage!" Then, he used Shunpo and disappeared from the spot.

Renji Abarai looked at Byakuya Kuchiki's departing gaze with even greater confusion. "Liu Ziyun, do you know something? And why are you with Captain Kuchiki?"

While treating you, Liu Ziyun said, "I was afraid he might accidentally kill you. Although you were incredibly arrogant the whole time, Big White didn't intend to kill you. He held back the whole time, not bad."

Renji Abarai was stunned. "Why?"

Liu Ziyun smiled and said, "You'll find out later."

He drew his Life-Taker, stood up, and said, "I deliberately slowed down your treatment to avoid arriving at the Sōkyoku region at the same time as him. But I won't go with you. You can go by yourself later."

He looked down at Renji Abarai, his eyes serious. "Remember, don't be so arrogant. If a weakling is arrogant, he'll get cooked."

After saying that, he ignored Renji Abarai, used Shunpo, and sped off towards Sōkyoku.

Renji Abarai lay on the ground, feeling his injuries healing at a visible speed. After he had recovered most of his strength, the healing stopped.

He struggled to his feet, trying to find Liu Ziyun, but found that he had already disappeared.