The Arrancar Attack (End)

Yumichika Ayasegawa was in no better condition. Although not as badly injured Ikkaku Madarame, he was covered in wounds. He supported Ikkaku Madarame, and the two of them looked particularly disheveled in the moonlight.

Liu Ziyun up to them, looked Ikkaku Madarame up and down, and then said, "Luckily, you survived."

Ikkaku Madarame grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Of course, I'm the luckiest man in Soul Society."

Liu Ziyun couldn't help but laugh out loud. This bald soldier, even injured like this, still had the mind to joke. He really didn't know if he was just carefree or genuinely didn't care.

"How is it? Is your Bankai damaged?" Liu Ziyun asked, his smile fading.

Ikkaku Madarame's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his nonchalant expression. "It's not a big problem, it can be fixed with some repairs."

Liu Ziyun shook his head, his gaze turning serious. "Will it really be fixed? It's just wishful thinking."

He stepped forward, looking directly into Ikkaku Madarame's eyes, and said, word by word, "Your Bankai is a power-type Zanpakuto. It's inevitable that this type of Zanpakuto will be damaged in battle. But there must be other ways to restore it; you just haven't found them yet."

Ikkaku Madarame paused for a moment, then asked, "Oh? Why would you say that?"

Liu Ziyun patiently explained, "Bankai, as the ultimate technique of Soul Reaper's Zanpakuto, cannot be damaged so easily. Especially a power-attack type Zanpakuto like yours, it is even less likely to be easily destroyed. Otherwise, if it cannot even withstand a battle where its Reiatsu is raised to the limit, how can it be worthy of the title 'ultimate technique'?"

He paused, then continued, "This time, let me fix it for you. But I hope you can find a way to repair it yourself, or learn how to prevent it from being easily destroyed."

Having said that, Liu Ziyun drew his Zanpakuto and softly murmured, " To Existence Is to Change Fate, to Life-Taker."

A faint glow appeared on the blade. He took a deep breath, aimed the Ikkaku Madarame, and then plunged it into his body.

This time, however, the blade did not pierce through Ikkaku Madarame's body. After the tip of the blade entered his chest, the entire sword seemed to merge into his body and disappear without a trace.

Yumichika Ayasegawa took a step back and almost fell. His eyes widened as he stared at the scene in disbelief. Ikkaku Madarame was also stunned. He felt a strange power flowing through his body, warm and comfortable, as if he were soaking in Hot Spring.

Liu Ziyun closed his eyes and murmured, "Change Fate."

As he Spirit Speech, the hilt of the sword in his hand suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light. The light was so brilliant that it illuminated the entire battlefield as if it were daytime. Ikkaku Madarame's body also began to glow, as if it had been ignited from within by that light.

The light lasted for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, then began to slowly diminish. Liu Ziyun slowly drew his Zanpakuto, the blade still shimmering with a faint light. As the blade was withdrawn, the light emanating from Ikkaku Madarame gradually dissipated.

When the blade was fully drawn, Ikkaku Madarame was completely transformed. All the wounds on his body had vanished, leaving not a single scar. His Shihakusho was also restored to its original state, looking brand new as if it had just been taken out of a warehouse. Even more miraculously, the Reiatsu within his body had become more solid and profound.

Ikkaku Madarame looked down at his hands, feeling the renewed power within him, his eyes filled with disbelief. He moved his limbs and found that not only were his injuries completely healed, but his Bankai had also returned to normal, even stronger than before.

"This... this is too amazing!" he murmured to himself, his voice full of amazement.

Liu Ziyun sheathed his Zanpakuto, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, and said calmly, "Alright, Ikkaku. I've healed your injuries and Bankai. However, you'll need to recover your Reiatsu yourself; I can't help you with that."

He turned and walked away without looking back, saying, "Let's go meet up with Tōshirō. Let's analyze the lessons learned from this battle and see what areas need improvement."

Ikkaku Madarame nodded and followed him along with Yumichika Ayasegawa. The three walked along the street shrouded in night, the moonlight casting long shadows of them.

When the three returned to the place where Tōshirō Hitsugaya was recuperating, Orihime Inoue's treatment was nearing its end. Tōshirō Hitsugaya's wounds had mostly healed, with only a few deeper scars still slowly healing. He leaned against the wall, looking much more energetic.

Rangiku Matsumoto and Renji Abarai Ichigo Kurosaki stood next to Orihime Inoue, occasionally handing her towels and water. Everyone looked up when they saw Liu Ziyun and the others return.

Liu Ziyun sat down in the middle of the group, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and then he said, "Alright, everyone, tell me. What did you learn from today's battle?"

The group looked at each other, and for a moment no one spoke.

After a moment, Tōshirō Hitsugaya spoke first, "My speed isn't fast enough. That Arrancar's speed far exceeded my expectations. If I hadn't sparred with you before, I might have really lost this time."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Anything else?"

Ichigo Kurosaki was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "My control over my power isn't good enough. That last strike... I almost lost control."

Liu Ziyun glanced at him, his gaze carrying a hint of approval, but also a touch of warning. "Good that you understand. No matter how powerful you are, if you can't control it, it's a double-edged sword, hurting both yourself and others."

Ikkaku Madarame scratched his bald head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "My Bankai... is still not stable enough. If I could practice it more, it shouldn't be damaged so easily."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "It's good that you know where the problem lies. The next step is to train to address these problems."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone turning serious. "Today's battle is merely an appetizer. Aizen's true offensive will soon arrive. At that time, we will not be facing a few Arrancars, but an entire army."

He paused, then continued, "Therefore, from now on, everyone must cultivate even harder. I don't want to see anyone fall in the battles to come."

Everyone nodded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Liu Ziyun looked up at the night sky, where dark clouds were gathering and a storm was brewing. He knew that the real test was yet to come, and they had to be fully prepared.

He withdrew his gaze, a faint smile appearing on his lips, "Alright, everyone go back and rest. Training will continue tomorrow."

Everyone rose and left. Moonlight bathed every corner of Karakura Town, enveloping the town, which had just experienced the ravages of war, in a serene atmosphere.

In the distance, in the royal palace of Hueco Mundo, Sōsuke Aizen stood by the window, gazing at the moon in the void, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. Behind him, Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru stood quietly.

"Interesting," Aizen said softly. "It seems the World of the Living is far more interesting than I imagined."

He looked out the window again, his smile deepening, "Ichigo Kurosaki... Liu Ziyun... let me see just how far you can go."