Rescue at the Execution Ground

Liu Ziyun quietly arrived at Sōkyoku Hill, his figure like a true ghost, moving through the dense forest. He found a large tree with lush foliage, lightly leaped onto a branch, and completely concealed himself in the shadows. From this angle, he could clearly see the entirety of Sōkyoku Hill, yet remain unnoticed by anyone.

His gaze fell on the enormous spear in the center of the Sōkyoku Hill —the legendary "Sōkyoku," the most terrifying execution tool in Soul Society. The spear was entirely silver-white, its surface shimmering with an eerie light, and even when still, it exuded a chilling pressure.

[I wonder if my knife can cut through this Sōkyoku in one go?] Liu Ziyun thought to himself, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

He withdrew his gaze and scanned the crowd that had already arrived.

First Division Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai leaned on his cane, his unchanging eyes calmly gazing ahead. Behind him, Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe stood respectfully.

Second Division Captain Soi Fon her arms, her face bearing her usual indifference. Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda, on the other hand, looked languid, seemingly unconcerned about what was about to happen.

Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana had a kind expression and was as composed as ever. Beside her, Isane Kotetsu stood quietly, but her gaze inadvertently swept towards the direction where Liu Ziyun hiding.

Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki was expressionless, like a thousand-year-old iceberg. His eyes were empty, as if he didn't care about his sister who was about to be executed, but if you looked closely, you could see that his hand holding the sword was trembling slightly.

Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku leaned lazily to one side, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. Lieutenant Nanao Ise, on the other hand, wore a serious expression, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Liu Ziyun quietly sent a signal to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana. The moment they received the signal, both of them glanced at the place where Liu Ziyun hiding, intentionally or unintentionally, and then looked away as if nothing had happened.

Just then, four masked men slowly approached, escorting Rukia Kuchiki. Their hands were on the Reiatsu Suppressors that controlled Reiatsu, and every movement revealed their vigilance.

Renji Abarai arrived at Sōkyoku Hill at that moment. He was panting heavily, covered in wounds, but his eyes still burned with a determined flame. However, before he could rush out, a hand reached out from the woods and dragged him into the shadows.

Liu Ziyun covered his mouth and said in a low voice, "Don't rush, you'll have your chance to shine later."

Renji Abarai, but quickly gave up. Liu Ziyun's strength was astonishing, and he couldn't break free at all.

In the center of Sōkyoku Hill, all eyes were fixed on Rukia Kuchiki was being escorted away. Whispers rose and fell, but were quickly silenced by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's stern gaze.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at Rukia Kuchiki kneeling on the ground, his voice low and authoritative. "Is there anything else you'd like to say Rukia Kuchiki?"

Rukia Kuchiki raised her head, a calm expression on her pale face. "Yes. There's only one thing. I hope that after the execution, those who came to save me can be released."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Alright. As you said, after the execution, those Ryoka will be released and allowed to leave."

Rukia Kuchiki bowed her head deeply, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much... really."

In the crowd, Isane Kotetsu lowered his voice and said to Retsu Unohana beside him, "What a smooth talker. If it weren't for Ziyun, they clearly never intended for them to return alive."

Retsu Unohana gently shook her head, her eyes filled with profound meaning. "Isane, even without Ziyun, this isn't deception, it's compassion. Since the ending is already predetermined, let's at least let her have no regrets and try our best to let her leave in peace."

Isane Kotetsu remained silent.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice rang out again. "Liberate the Sōkyoku!"

Several Kidō Corps responded and stepped forward, surrounding the Sōkyoku Spears. They simultaneously formed hand seals and chanted incantations.

The rope wrapped around the Sōkyoku spear began to loosen. The rope, which had been tightly wrapped around the spear, was now unraveling at an astonishing speed, generating high-speed centrifugal force. The end of the rope swung far away and plunged deep into the ground with a dull thud.

Rukia Kuchiki looked at Byakuya Kuchiki. The man never glanced at her, simply standing there silently, like a statue.

"Thank you for taking care of me all these years, elder brother," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Byakuya Kuchiki still did not respond.

Three Fixation Modules suddenly rose beneath Rukia Kuchiki's feet, firmly locking her hands and feet in place. Then, the entire execution platform began to slowly rise, lifting her into the air.

Nanao Ise watched this scene with a sorrowful and astonished expression on her face.

Shunsui Kyōraku noticed her expression and said softly, "Don't look so sad. Otherwise, I'll feel sad too."

Nanao Ise looked away, a hint of stubbornness in her voice. "If it's about sorrow, then it's not like that."

As Rukia Kuchiki ascended to the designated position, scorching flames suddenly erupted from the base of the Sōkyoku. The flames instantly enveloped the entire spear, and then the spear soared into the air.

Everyone watched this scene in astonishment.

"Ah! What's going on?! What happened?!" cried out in Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

Isane Kotetsu couldn't help but exclaim, "That spear, surrounded by flames, is gradually changing its shape!"

Shunsui Kyōraku looked up at the giant bird in the sky, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes. "Truly astonishing."

The spear transformed in mid-air, eventually becoming a giant bird enveloped in flames— the Kokuto. It spread its enormous wings, blotting out the sky, and aimed its sharp beak at Rukia Kuchiki.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice slowly rang out. "Kokuto, the Sōkyoku Spears reveal their true form. As the final executor of extreme punishment, when it pierces through the sinner's body, the extreme punishment will end."

Rukia Kuchiki looked up at the terrifying giant bird, tears silently streaming down her face. "Farewell."

The Kokuto swooped down, carrying the momentum to destroy everything.

Just then--

A figure suddenly appeared in front of the Kokuto, blocking the fatal beak with a huge Zanpakuto.

"Hi."

Ichigo Kurosaki's voice carried a hint of teasing.

Rukia Kuchiki stared in shock, her eyes wide. "Ichigo... Ichigo?! Idiot! What are you doing here again?!"

Ichigo Kurosaki turned to look at her, his smile as bright as ever, "I came to save you. What else could I be doing?"

The two actually started arguing at this moment, as if they had completely forgotten the danger at hand.

Everyone present watched in shock—that boy had actually blocked the Kokuto with a Zanpakuto!

The Kokuto retreated, preparing for a second attack. This retreat caused Ichigo Kurosaki to sway slightly.

He turned to look at the Kokuto, his eyes filled with wariness. "Oh? Maintaining a certain distance, preparing for a second attack?"

He was about to rush forward when Rukia Kuchiki shouted desperately, "Ichigo! No! The Kokuto's power is equivalent to a million Zanpakuto! You can't withstand it!"

Ichigo Kurosaki didn't turn around; he simply gripped Zangetsu tightly in his hand.

Just as the Kokuto about to dive again, a rope suddenly flew from the side and precisely wrapped around its neck. The other end of the rope plunged deep into the ground.

Jūshirō Ukitake held a shield bearing the Shihoin Family Crest and planted it into the ground.

Shunsui Kyōraku pressed down on one end of the spear stuck in the ground and said with a smile, "Handsome, you've kept me waiting."

Jūshirō Ukitake said apologetically, "Sorry, it took me a little time to release it."

Seeing this, Soi Fon's expression changed drastically, and she shouted to the surrounding Soul Reaper, "Stop them! They're going to destroy the Sōkyoku!"

But it was too late.

Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku simultaneously Zanpakuto into the shield bearing the Shihoin Family Crest. A terrifying Reiatsu surged from the rope, soaring into the sky and instantly blasting the Kokuto into pieces.

Flames scattered like dazzling fireworks.

Ichigo Kurosaki seized the opportunity, flipping himself onto the execution rack. He grabbed the white bandage at the end of Zangetsu and began to spin it.

Rukia Kuchiki asked in surprise, "What do you want to do?!"

Ichigo Kurosaki's voice was resolute. "Of course, we should destroy this execution platform!"

Rukia Kuchiki screamed, "No! Ichigo! You'll...!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ichigo Kurosaki had already gripped the hilt of his sword and plunged it fiercely into the execution rack.

A terrifying Reiatsu surged from his body, instantly penetrating the entire execution platform.

A loud bang.

The execution platform collapsed with a crash.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Ichigo Kurosaki, carrying Rukia Kuchiki in one arm, slowly emerged. His voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear. "Just watch quietly. I will definitely rescue you."

The crowd below the execution rack stared in shock at the boy standing on the ruins.

The boy who could withstand the destructive Zanpakuto of a million Kokuto with just one Zanpakuto, the boy who could destroy the Sōkyoku Execution Platform—

Who exactly is he?

In the woods, Liu Ziyun watched everything unfold before him, a relieved smile playing on his lips.

[He's grown quite well. He should be stronger than in the original story.]

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's gaze fell on Ichigo Kurosaki, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes: [Is this Isshin Shiba's son? The 'Child of Destiny' that Liu Ziyun of? But if this is all he's capable of, he's still lacking.]

Retsu Unohana smiled slightly and said to Isane Kotetsu beside her, "This child is quite strong."

Isane Kotetsu nodded, but his tone carried a hint of objectivity. "Yes, he's grown a lot. However, according to Ziyun, he's only impressive to look at now. In a real fight, he wouldn't be up to par."

Liu Ziyun turned around and looked at Renji Abarai beside her. That guy was still staring wide-eyed at Ichigo Kurosaki in the distance, his face full of disbelief.

Liu Ziyun patted him on the shoulder. "It's your turn. Remember, don't give me away."

Before Renji Abarai could react, Liu Ziyun had already kicked him in the butt.

"Ah--!"

Renji Abarai staggered out of the woods and appeared disheveled before the crowd.

When Ichigo Kurosaki saw his expression, he instantly understood—it must have been Liu Ziyun it! He couldn't help but laugh.

Then, ignoring the panic of Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki, he threw Rukia Kuchiki directly at Renji Abarai.

"Renji! Take her away!" Ichigo Kurosaki's voice carried a command, "This is your mission! Even if it means death, you cannot let her go!"

Renji Abarai instinctively caught Rukia Kuchiki as she flew towards him, paused for a moment, and then nodded firmly.

He carried Rukia Kuchiki and rushed away into the distance without looking back.