Nnoitra

Half a step behind Unohana, Isane Kotetsu followed closely. Her hand rested on the hilt of her Zanpakuto, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily, ready to deal with any potential danger. But when she saw the tall figure ahead— Yasutora Sado —fighting fiercely with an enemy, a hint of urgency flashed in her eyes.

"Captain—" she called softly.

Retsu Unohana smiled gently, a smile as soft as moonlight, "Go."

Isane Kotetsu nodded, and his figure rushed out.

Liu Ziyun carried Rukia Kuchiki at Hueco Mundo speed across the wasteland of Hueco Mundo. He sensed those familiar Reiatsu — Byakuya's chilling aura, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eeriness, and...

He paused slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Huajie is here.

Relieved, he adjusted his course and sped towards where Ichigo Kurosaki was. With Retsu Unohana around, Yasutora Sado would be in no danger. With Byakuya Kuchiki around, Zomari Lulu was nothing but a clown. With Mayuri Kurotsuchi around, Szayelaporro Granz would soon understand what true madness was.

When Liu Ziyun's figure appeared at the edge of the battlefield between Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the dim yellow light of Hueco Mundo was falling on the white wasteland in an almost solidified way.

The distant Stone Pillars, like silent behemoths, cast long, twisted shadows on the ground. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder from a battle, mixed with the unsettling Reiatsu unique to Hollows, and a faint stench of blood.

Liu Ziyun did not rush to approach. He stood on a protruding rock, arms crossed, his gaze piercing through the dust and smoke of the battlefield, quietly watching the battle that was nearing its end.

His expression was calm and composed, revealing no emotional fluctuations, but his deep eyes reflected every subtle change on the battlefield—every clash of blades, every fluctuation of Reiatsu, every movement of a figure.

The battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez had been going on for quite some time. Both of them were covered in wounds, their Shihakusho and Arrancar robes soaked in blood, appearing as a dark red, almost black, in the dim light of Hueco Mundo.

Ichigo Kurosaki's breathing was rapid and erratic, and the Tensa Zangetsu in his hand trembled slightly, but his eyes remained sharp, still burning with an indomitable flame. Grimmjow was in no better condition, with a deep, bone-revealing wound on his chest.

But in Liu Ziyun's view, the outcome of this battle was already decided. Although Ichigo Kurosaki was no less powerful than Grimmjow, and even slightly superior in some aspects, his inherent naivety and hesitation remained his greatest weakness.

Every time he had the chance to deliver the fatal blow, he would instinctively hold back, he would hesitate at the last moment. Grimmjow was different—he was a beast, a true, pure warrior. In his dictionary, there was no such word as "show mercy." So, he won.

Liu Ziyun had anticipated this outcome before he arrived. He wasn't surprised; in fact, it was exactly what he wanted. Ichigo Kurosaki needed this kind of defeat, this kind of lesson, someone to teach him with a blade—that on a real battlefield, naivety is death.

At the edge of the battlefield, atop a tall Stone Pillar, two figures sat side by side, silently watching the battle below. Orihime Inoue's hands were clasped together in front of her chest, her knuckles white from the force.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she were whispering a prayer, and her large brown eyes were filled with worry and anxiety. Every time Ichigo Kurosaki was hit, her body would involuntarily shudder, as if the sword were striking her own body.

Beside her, Nel —the little girl whose mask Liu Ziyun —was swinging her legs, gazing at the battlefield with her big green eyes.

Unlike Orihime Inoue's tension, Nel's expression was more one of curiosity and excitement. Occasionally, she would clap and cheer at Ichigo Kurosaki's counterattacks, letting out a crisp laugh. On her head, the two newly repaired round ram horns gleamed faintly in the light of Hueco Mundo, like a small crown.

Liu Ziyun shifted his gaze from the battlefield to a more distant direction. In his perception, another Reiatsu was approaching.

Liu Ziyun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. He knew who the person who had come was.

Espada – Nnoitra Gilga.

On the battlefield, the final blow finally arrived.

At that moment, Ichigo Kurosaki wielded Tensa Zangetsu and shattered Grimmjow's strongest attack— Pantera's Claw.

A knife plunged into Grimmjow's chest, blood dripping down his clothes and blooming into shocking red flowers on the white sand. His breathing was rapid and painful, but his eyes remained open, still looking at Ichigo Kurosaki.

He then fainted and fell to the ground. Ichigo Kurosaki drew Tensa Zangetsu, grabbed Grimmjow's arm, and slowly landed on the ground.

Just as Ichigo Kurosaki noticed someone else approaching, he turned around to look.

"Ichigo Kurosaki," Grimmjow struggled to his feet, "I haven't lost yet..."

Just then--

A massive crescent- Zanpakuto flew from afar, heading straight for Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow.

"Ichigo!" Orihime Inoue screamed from the top of the Stone Pillar, filled with fear and despair. She stood up abruptly, stretching her arms forward. A shield of light Santen Kesshun, appeared around her, but the distance was too far and the time too short; she could do nothing.

Nel stood up too, her small body trembling with anger, the ram's horns on her head beginning to glow faintly. Something was awakening in her eyes, something was breaking free from its restraints—

But some people are faster than them.

A hand reached out from the side and firmly grasped the incoming crescent-shaped Zanpakuto.

Nnoitra's pupils contracted sharply. He forcefully pulled on the chain at the end of the crescent-shaped Zanpakuto back into his hand.

"Who are you?" Nnoitra's voice carried a hint of disbelief, as well as a subtle sense of apprehension.

Liu Ziyun did not answer. He then stepped aside, blocking between Ichigo Kurosaki and Nnoitra. His gaze calmly fixed on the man with pale skin, long black hair, and crazed eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Your opponents," his voice wasn't loud, but every word was as clear as if etched into the air, "Are not them."

Nnoitra's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within them. He sized up Liu Ziyun, seemingly assessing the strength of this suddenly appearing opponent. But he ultimately refrained from attacking—not because he didn't want to, but because he sensed something about Liu Ziyun that instinctively made him feel dangerous.

"Tch." He spat and took a few steps back, but his eyes remained fixed on Liu Ziyun, like a mantis eyeing its prey, ready to pounce at any moment.

Just then, another figure emerged from behind Liu Ziyun.

He was a tall man dressed in Shihakusho, with a long scar on his face that ran from his forehead to his chin, dividing his face in two. His hair was black and stood on end like the quills of a hedgehog. His eyes were sharp and wild, and a bloodthirsty smile played on his lips. He exuded a chilling fighting spirit.