The Battle at Sōkyoku Begins

As Renji Abarai carrying Rukia Kuchiki disappeared into the distance, a sharp glint flashed in Soi Fon's eyes. She whirled around and shouted at the Lieutenant who were still watching, "What are you all standing there for?! All Lieutenant, go after them!"

Chōjirō Sasakibe did not act immediately, but instead turned his head slightly to look at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. The Captain-Commander nodded gently, a deep meaning flashing in his unchanging eyes.

Retsu Unohana glanced at Isane Kotetsu beside her, who had a look of schadenfreude on her face, and gave a faint smile, "You should go too."

Isane Kotetsu paused for a moment, then pointed to himself. "Me too?"

Retsu Unohana nodded slightly. "Mm."

Chōjirō Sasakibe, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, Isane Kotetsu set off simultaneously, speeding towards the direction Renji Abarai had fled.

However, just as they took their first step, a figure appeared like a ghost blocking their way.

Ichigo Kurosaki, carrying Zangetsu, deftly plunged the massive blade into the ground, a provocative smile playing on his lips.

Isane Kotetsu saw him, blinked slightly, and then--

"Oops!"

She stumbled and fell straight to the ground, lying there motionless.

Ichigo Kurosaki at Isane Kotetsu's terrible acting.

[Teacher's wife, your acting is so fake...]

However, it must be said that Isane Kotetsu's fall did disrupt the rhythm of Chōjirō Sasakibe and Marechiyo Ōmaeda. The two were stunned at the same time and subconsciously looked at Isane Kotetsu lying on the ground.

Chōjirō Sasakibe stopped in his tracks.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda then unleashed her Zanpakuto — Gegetsuburi. The enormous iron ball hurtled towards Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki didn't even use Zangetsu; he simply raised his fist and threw a punch.

"Bang!"

The Gegetsuburi creature shattered instantly, and Marechiyo Ōmaeda was knocked to the ground unconscious by the punch.

Seeing this, Chōjirō Sasakibe knew he could no longer hold back. He drew his Zanpakuto and whispered, "Slash, Gonryōmaru."

Lightning crackled across the blade, transforming it into a bolt of lightning that pierced straight at Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki grabbed Chōjirō Sasakibe's sword-wielding hand with one hand, and with the other hand, he elbowed him hard in the stomach.

Chōjirō Sasakibe let out a muffled groan and slowly collapsed to the ground.

From the distant woods, Liu Ziyun watched this scene, inwardly admiring. "Ah, they're truly shrewd with age. They seized the opportunity and made their quick exit."

Chōjirō Sasakibe lay motionless on the ground, but Liu Ziyun knew that the old man was definitely faking his death.

Seeing the three Lieutenant fall to the ground one after another, Byakuya Kuchiki finally moved.

He slowly drew his Zanpakuto and walked towards Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki turned around, using Zangetsu to block the attack, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "I told you, I saw it all, Byakuya Kuchiki!"

Byakuya Kuchiki stared at him expressionlessly, his voice as cold as ever. "Why are you so determined to save Rukia?"

A flash of anger crossed Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes. "Aren't you her older brother? Why didn't you save Rukia?!"

The two clashed, their swords flashing and clashing on Sōkyoku Hill.

Watching this scene, Liu Ziyun couldn't help but think to himself, "[Just fight, why all the dialogue?]"

At that moment, Soi Fon's gaze fell on Jūshirō Ukitake's subordinates— Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu. A hint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.

Jūshirō Ukitake sensed something and wanted to rush forward to rescue him, but was stopped by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Seeing this, Shunsui Kyōraku grabbed Jūshirō Ukitake and quickly retreated to a distance.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto watched their departing figures, then slightly tilted his head to look in the direction where Liu Ziyun hiding.

Liu Ziyun nodded subtly.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto withdrew his gaze, turned around, and followed Shunsui Kyōraku and the others away from Sōkyoku.

Soi Fon kicked Sentarō Kotsubaki away, then walked towards Kiyone Kotetsu.

Just as she was about to strike, a figure rose from the ground and rushed over, blocking Kiyone Kotetsu's path.

It's Isane Kotetsu.

Her face was resolute, and although she was still covered in mud, her eyes showed no sign of backing down. "Captain Soi Fon, please have mercy."

Soi Fon looked at her, a disdainful smile playing on her lips, "Why should I show mercy? Just because you're a Lieutenant? Or is it that the legendary, powerful lover hiding behind you... the wanted criminal Liu Ziyun?"

Isane Kotetsu's expression changed slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Captain Soi Fon, please don't talk nonsense. If Ziyun angry, I can't stop him, and you'll die."

A hint of disdain flashed in Soi Fon's eyes. "Is that so? Then I'll kill you all right now. I want to see how I die."

She raised her foot, about to kick Isane Kotetsu.

Just then, a figure appeared before her like a ghost.

Liu Ziyun reached out and firmly grasped Soi Fon's ankle. A faint smile graced his face, but a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "Captain Soi Fon, I won't kill you. I'll torture Yoruichi Shihōin."

Soi Fon's expression froze. "You're actually threatening me with a traitor? Hah..."

Before she could finish speaking, Liu Ziyun turned and shouted at the cliff face, "Yoruichi, if you don't come out soon, I'm going to kill your little fangirl. You know my Achilles' heel."

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure shot into the sky from the other end of the cliff.

Yoruichi Shihōin landed beside Liu Ziyun, a helpless expression on her face. "Ziyun, don't be impulsive."

Liu Ziyun raised his hand and threw Soi Fon towards Yoruichi Shihōin.

Soi Fon stared at Yoruichi Shihōin, completely stunned. She simply let Liu Ziyun throw her towards him without struggling or resisting.

Yoruichi Shihōin took Soi Fon, gave Liu Ziyun a deep look, and then carried her as they leaped off the other side of the cliff.

Liu Ziyun watched them leave, then turned and walked towards the fallen Chōjirō Sasakibe. He crouched down, looked at the "unconscious" old man, and a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his mouth, "Senior, as expected of someone who has lived for over a thousand years, your acting skills are truly impressive."

Chōjirō Sasakibe lay motionless on the ground.

Liu Ziyun sighed helplessly, hoisted him onto his shoulder, and dragged Marechiyo Ōmaeda with his other hand as they walked to Retsu Unohana.

He put the two men down and said to Retsu Unohana, "Captain, take these men with you for now. Then keep an eye on the Great Spirit Book Gallery in the Underground Council Hall to prevent Tōshirō from being killed."

Retsu Unohana nodded. "Okay. What are you going to do next?"

Liu Ziyun glanced back at Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki, who were still fighting. "I'll just wait here. Anyway, they'll all end up here eventually."

Retsu Unohana was about to leave, Chōjirō Sasakibe suddenly opened his eyes. "May I stay?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "No. You can continue pretending to be dead. I'm afraid leaving you here will scare people away. I'm still hiding my Reiatsu here, otherwise something unexpected might happen."

Chōjirō Sasakibe closed his eyes in resignation.

At that moment, Isane Kotetsu and Kiyone Kotetsu helped Sentarō Kotsubaki over.

Liu Ziyun looked at Isane Kotetsu: "Isane, you go with the captain."

Isane Kotetsu nodded.

Retsu Unohana unleashed her Zanpakuto — Minazuki. The enormous creature opened its maw and swallowed all the wounded men whole.

Then, Retsu Unohana, Isane Kotetsu, and Kiyone Kotetsu sat on the Minazuki and slowly rose into the air, leaving the Sōkyoku.

Liu Ziyun watched them leave, then turned and walked towards the steps connecting the Sōkyoku to the one below. He found a spot with a clear view and waited quietly.

He knew that Uryū Ishida and his group would arrive soon.

Just then, a clear voice came from above. "Little Yun!"

Liu Ziyun looked up and saw Yachiru Kusajishi sitting in a tree, swinging her little legs back and forth, a bright smile on her face, "Little Yun, come watch them fight!"

Liu Ziyun smiled, a smile full of affection, "Okay, Little Deer. Come down, let's watch together."

Yachiru Kusajishi jumped down from the tree and landed lightly on Liu Ziyun's shoulder. She sat there, holding Liu Ziyun's head in her hands, watching with great interest the battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki in the distance.

In the distance, the battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki continues.

The two exchanged blows, their swords flashing and clashing in the air. Ichigo Kurosaki grew stronger with each battle, clamoring for Byakuya Kuchiki to use his Bankai.

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly and subconsciously looked at Liu Ziyun in the distance.

Liu Ziyun made no comment, simply standing there quietly, with Yachiru Kusajishi perched on his shoulder. The two watched them from afar, occasionally exchanging pleasantries and laughter.

Byakuya Kuchiki withdrew his gaze and continued his battle with Ichigo Kurosaki.

He used his Shikai - Senbonzakura. Countless petal-like blades flew through the air, raining down on Ichigo Kurosaki.

Without hesitation, Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed Getsuga Tenshō, the black blade colliding with the flower petals and unleashing an astonishing impact.

The Getsuga Tenshō Byakuya Kuchiki's arm, leaving a wound.

Seeing this, Liu Ziyun finally spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached their ears. "Big White, Bankai. Let's teach this ignorant brat a lesson."

Byakuya Kuchiki's face darkened. "Don't call me Big White. Unless you want to fight me."

He said that, but he didn't hesitate to use Bankai.

The Senbonzakura Kageyoshi Unfurled, and countless enormous blades rose from the ground, enveloping the entire battlefield.

Hearing Liu Ziyun's words, Ichigo Kurosaki felt eager to try, but couldn't help asking, "Sensei, which side are you on?"

The two continued fighting, but both began to hold back because of Liu Ziyun's earlier words, making them fight more restrained.

Liu Ziyun looked at them, his face gradually darkening. His voice turned icy, carrying an undeniable authority. "If you don't want to fight, stop. What are you doing, playing house like this? Or, I'll just kill you both."

Byakuya Kuchiki felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. He remembered Liu Ziyun's earlier instructions—to do his best to guide him.

He held back no longer and went all out.

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression changed as well. He knew Liu Ziyun all too well—whenever the teacher spoke like this, it meant he was truly angry. If this continued, he really would get chopped up by the teacher.

He also began to exert all his efforts.

The battle between the two became more intense and dangerous. Amidst the flashing blades, there was a true killing intent.

Liu Ziyun looked at them, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

The Yachiru Kusajishi its little hands and shouted excitedly, "Little Yun! Little Yun! They played such a wonderful game!"

Liu Ziyun patted her head and said softly, "Hmm, that's more like it."