Aizen Appears

The Hollowfication Ichigo Kurosaki was like a true monster, unleashing his terrifying power on the battlefield. His speed was astonishing, and each strike carried devastating force, leaving Byakuya Kuchiki struggling to keep up.

Beneath that half-white mask, only a black eye with a golden pupil was visible, its gaze flashing with a mad and dangerous light.

Byakuya Kuchiki's wounds multiplied. His robes were torn, and his skin was covered in bloodstains; his once composed demeanor was gone. He had to fight back with all his might, yet he was still overwhelmed by the ferocious attacks and could barely breathe.

[Is this what Liu Ziyun asked me to pay attention to? Was he telling me to guide him as much as possible so he could master this power?] Byakuya Kuchiki pondered. [However, this Reiatsu... why does it feel so much like a Hollow?]

Just then, Ichigo Kurosaki suddenly stopped.

He stood there, motionless, as if frozen in place.

Byakuya Kuchiki watched him warily and stopped attacking. He didn't know what had happened; he was just instinctively on guard.

Ichigo Kurosaki slowly raised his hand, reaching towards his face. His fingers touched the white mask, then pressed down hard—

He wanted to tear it off.

Seeing this, Byakuya Kuchiki suddenly understood. He finally realized—there seemed to be a Hollow inside Ichigo Kurosaki, and that Hollow was trying to control him. And now, Ichigo Kurosaki was desperately resisting, trying to take back his body.

As Ichigo Kurosaki finally tore off the Hollow's mask completely, Liu Ziyun's voice came from afar. "That's enough. Your battle is over."

Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki turned their heads at the same time to look at the man standing in the distance.

Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes were filled with deep doubt. "What... what is your purpose?"

Liu Ziyun walked over slowly, a faint smile on his face, "There's no particular purpose. I just want Ichigo to understand just how much potential he possesses and what kind of growth he needs in the future."

Ichigo Kurosaki looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions—confusion, anger, and a deep disappointment. "Sensei, you seem to know them quite well. Why did you insist on having us rescue them? You could have intervened and set Rukia free. But..."

Liu Ziyun raised his hand, interrupting him. His gaze deepened. "This is a necessary part of your growth, and also part of the course of events."

He looked at Byakuya Kuchiki: "Byakuya also loves his sister very much. However, his sister has violated the rules of Soul Society. No one can deny that. Therefore, someone needs to break these rules."

His voice grew even lower. "And I am not the one who can break this rule. The only ones who can break this rule are you. That's why I sent you to rescue me."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly. "Actually, I could also try to pull some strings..."

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "It's useless. Your efforts can only prolong Rukia's death a little longer."

Byakuya Kuchiki asked in confusion, "Why?"

Liu Ziyun didn't answer directly, but turned to look at Orihime Inoue in the distance. "Orihime, come here Ichigo Kurosaki."

Orihime Inoue rushed over and used her Santen Kesshun to begin healing Ichigo Kurosaki. Warm light enveloped Ichigo Kurosaki, and his wounds healed at a visible speed.

Liu Ziyun to Byakuya Kuchiki: "Byakuya, come with me."

Byakuya Kuchiki nodded and followed him away.

The two did not go far, but came to a dense forest on the edge of Sōkyoku Hill. The trees here were thick and the branches and leaves were lush, making it an excellent place to hide.

Liu Ziyun took out a Black Cloak from his robes and handed it to Byakuya Kuchiki: "Put this on first. Then use your concealment and Reiatsu to watch the show with me. We still need to rescue people later."

Byakuya Kuchiki took the Black Cloak and draped it over his shoulders. The cloak's special material instantly concealed his Reiatsu and aura, making him seem to blend into the surrounding air.

"Who should I save?" he asked.

A meaningful smile appeared on Liu Ziyun's lips, "To save your good sister."

Byakuya Kuchiki paused for a moment. "Wasn't Rukia already rescued by Renji?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "They'll be arrested soon. No rush."

He paused, his tone becoming serious. "Also, you can only act if I give you permission. Otherwise, Rukia will face endless trouble in the future."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned. "Why?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze drifted into the distance, his eyes carrying a deeper meaning. "You'll find out soon enough."

The two lay in ambush silently in the dense forest.

In the distance, Orihime Inoue had finished treating Ichigo Kurosaki. The group exchanged a few words and then prepared to leave.

Yachiru Kusajishi sat on Liu Ziyun's shoulders, swinging her legs as she asked, "Little Yun, should I leave with Ichigo and the Ichigo?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "No need for the Little Deer. They won't go far; they'll come back."

Yachiru Kusajishi tilted her head. "Alright. I wonder when Little Kenpachi will be able to come."

Liu Ziyun asked, "Did you let him come over?"

Yachiru Kusajishi waved her hand. "No, but he finished fighting a long time ago. However, it seems Little Kenpachi has no intention of coming over."

Liu Ziyun laughed, "Little Kenpachi doesn't bother to join in unless there's a really exciting fight. I don't think he'll come."

Yachiru Kusajishi laughed too, "That's true."

While the two were talking in hushed tones, Ichigo Kurosaki and the others had already left Sōkyoku.

However, shortly after they left, something unexpected happened.

Two enormous beams of light suddenly descended from the sky and landed on Sōkyoku Hill.

That's "Thousandfold White Serpent"—a high-level spatial teleportation Kidō.

Two figures emerged from a beam of light.

Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru.

Two figures emerged from another beam of light.

Kaname Tōsen, and Rukia Kuchiki, whom he held in his arms. In his other hand, he was dragging the heavily injured and unconscious Renji Abarai.

Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils contracted sharply. "Aizen?! Wasn't he dead?!"

Yachiru Kusajishi said softly, "Little Yun said before that Xiao Lan was faking her death. I didn't expect it to be true."

Liu Ziyun's gaze was fixed on Aizen in the distance, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Byakuya, Aizen is going to take something out of Rukia's body in a bit. After he takes it out, we'll go rescue them."

Byakuya Kuchiki gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. "What is that? Why can't we go save it now?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "That thing is not something we can keep. It's better to let him take it."

Byakuya Kuchiki fell silent. He knew that Liu Ziyun —something that could make Aizen to such lengths was no ordinary thing.

Just then, everyone felt the Reiatsu connection from Isane Kotetsu; it was Isane Kotetsu's "Bakudō Seventy-Seven, Tenteikūra".

Isane Kotetsu's voice came from the pillar of light, every word crystal clear. "Captain-Commander- in-Chief, fellow captains, I have important intelligence to report! Sōsuke Aizen faked his death! He is currently at Sōkyoku Hill! The Central 46 has been Tulu! Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Momo Hinamori are critically injured and on the verge of death!"

The news was like a bombshell, exploding in everyone's minds.

In the distance, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who was confronting Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, sheathed his Zanpakuto and said calmly, "Alright, the show's over. Come with me, old man."

Yoruichi Shihōin took Soi Fon's hand and whispered, "Soi Fon, let's go. Let's go to Sōkyoku."

On the Sōkyoku Hill, Aizen stood quietly, his face bearing his signature gentle yet confident smile.