Preparing to Split Up

Nel clung tightly to Ichigo Kurosaki's clothes, her small body trembling slightly. Her large eyes were wide open in the darkness, trying hard to see everything around her, but she could only see endless darkness and swaying shadows. Pesche and Dondochakka stood guard on either side of her, and although they were trembling themselves, they never left Nel's side.

The corridor was longer than anyone had anticipated.

One minute, five minutes, ten minutes—the darkness seemed endless, the corridor seemed without end. Time became blurred and distorted in this darkness; no one knew how long they had walked, nor how much longer they would have to go. They could only move forward step by step, into the unknown depths.

Finally, a change appeared in the darkness ahead.

That wasn't light, but a deeper darkness, different from pure darkness—five parallel, square outlines, appearing and disappearing in the gloom. As the distance closed, the outlines became clearer, eventually revealing their true form—

Five gates.

Five identical doors stood side by side at the end of the corridor. They were exactly the same size, shape, and material, even the patterns and wear on the doors were identical. Each door was tightly closed, without handles, keyholes, or any mechanism to open it. They stood there quietly, like five silent sentinels, awaiting the choice of visitors.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned to look at Liu Ziyun was walking at the very back.

Liu Ziyun emerged from the darkness, his gaze sweeping over the five doors, a faint smile appearing on his lips. That smile carried a hint of mystery and a profound meaning, making it impossible to fathom.

"You decide." His voice was calm as still water, as if choosing between the five doors was nothing more than a trivial matter to him. "I don't care. It's the same for me whichever path I take."

Ichigo Kurosaki stared at the five doors, his brow furrowed. He stepped forward, pausing before each door for a moment, trying to discern the differences between them. But no matter how closely he observed, he couldn't find any distinction—they were as if they had been cast from the same mold, perfectly replicating every feature of each other.

"Then let's each choose a path." He turned to his companions, his eyes shining with determination. "That way, at least one of them will lead to the right place. Even if we go the wrong way, we'll definitely find a way to reunite."

Renji Abarai grinned, his smile brimming with a thirst for battle, "Great idea! I've been wanting to test my strength for a while now. Traveling with you guys always means having to worry about this and that; it's much more comfortable traveling alone!"

Rukia Kuchiki nodded, her expression calm as still water, but a defiant flame burned in her large purple eyes. "I agree. Splitting up will increase our chances of finding Inoue. And—" She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, "We are no longer children who need protection."

Yasutora Sado was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. He didn't speak, but his silence was the best answer—he would continue, no matter what lay ahead.

Liu Ziyun looked at the four young men, his gaze sweeping over their faces one by one. He saw the determination in Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes, the fighting spirit in Renji Abarai Rukia Kuchiki's eyes, the calmness in Yasutora Sado's eyes—qualities honed through countless battles, the eyes of those who have teetered on the edge of life and death.

"Can you guarantee you'll survive?" His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a boulder thrown into the heart of everyone present, creating ripples.

This question silenced everyone.

Survival—these three words sound so simple, but in Hueco Mundo, a land of the dead, in the face of the Espada, surviving is perhaps the most extravagant wish.

Ichigo Kurosaki raised his head and looked directly at Liu Ziyun. There was no hesitation or fear in his eyes, only an almost stubborn determination.

"We will survive." His voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resolute. "We promised Inoue we would save her. We promised each other we would go back together. We promised so many people—so we won't die."

Renji Abarai nodded vigorously, his red hair burning like a flame in the darkness. "You're right! I haven't lived enough yet, how can I die in a godforsaken place!"

Rukia Kuchiki smiled slightly, a smile as cool and beautiful as moonlight in the darkness, "I still have many things to do, many people to see. Therefore, I will not die."

Yasutora Sado was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I will return alive. This is my promise to myself."

Liu Ziyun looked at them, remaining silent for a long time. His gaze lingered on their faces, as if trying to etch each one's features into the depths of his memory. Then, he slowly nodded, a relieved smile appearing on his lips.

"Alright, if that's the case, then you can choose." He stepped aside to make room, pointing to the five doors. "Leave the last one for me."

His tone was casual, as if he were merely deciding where to have dinner tonight, rather than deciding who would face the unknown dangers deep within Hueco Mundo.

Ichigo Kurosaki stepped forward and stood before the five doors. He didn't hesitate or waver—he trusted his intuition and believed that fate would lead him where he was meant to be. He reached out and pushed open the second door on the left.

Behind the door lay a deep darkness, its destination unclear. But he did not back down; he stepped inside, his figure disappearing into the darkness.

Renji Abarai chose the rightmost door. He glanced back at his companions, grinned, and gave them a thumbs up. "Wait for my good news!" Then he turned and strode into the darkness behind the door, his red hair flashing briefly against the edge of the doorframe.

Rukia Kuchiki chose the first door on the left. She paused before the door, glanced back at Liu Ziyun, and whispered, "Mr. Liu, take care." Then she turned, her skirt tracing an elegant arc in the darkness, and disappeared behind the door.

Yasutora Sado chose the second door on the right. He didn't speak, but Liu Ziyun, then walked steadily into the darkness behind the door.

Of the five doors, four had already been pushed open, and the darkness behind them swallowed the figures of four young people. Only the middle door remained, quietly awaiting the last person.