Orihime Inoue Captured Again

"I'm sorry," Coyote Starrk's voice was languid, as if he had no interest whatsoever, "You'll have to come with me."

Orihime Inoue's body stiffened instantly. She could feel the strength in that hand—a strength that wasn't great, even gentle, but she knew that if she tried to struggle, that hand would instantly become a deadly weapon.

Liu Ziyun's figure moved in that instant.

His speed was like lightning traversing space; one moment he was dozens of meters away, and the next he was beside Koyatai Coyote Starrk. He reached out and firmly pressed down on Koyatai Coyote Starrk's arm that was resting on Orihime Inoue's shoulder.

"The Number One Espada, Koyatai Coyote Starrk." Liu Ziyun's voice was calm as still water, yet carried an undeniable power. "I want you to let go."

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Liu Ziyun's eyes were deep and calm, like a bottomless pool of water. Koyatai Coyote Starrk's eyes were languid and indifferent, like a cat basking in the sun. But beneath that languidness and indifference lay an extremely dangerous power, like a dormant volcano.

Their Reiatsu erupted simultaneously.

Two incredibly powerful forces collided between the two, distorting the air and cracking the ground. Sand particles were blown into the air, forming a small sandstorm. Kenpachi Zaraki, Orihime Inoue, Nelliel, Ichigo Kurosaki —everyone was forced to retreat by this force.

Then, they both let go at the same time.

Liu Ziyun jerked his arm, knocking Koyatai Coyote Starrk's hand away. At the same time, his other hand had already wrapped around Orihime Inoue's waist, pulling her away from Koyatai Coyote Starrk. His figure drew an arc in the air, landing steadily several meters away, placing Orihime Inoue behind him and using his body to shield her.

Koyatai Coyote Starrk looked down at his hand that had been knocked away, then looked up at Liu Ziyun. There was a change in his eyes—no longer completely lazy and indifferent, but with a hint of seriousness and scrutiny.

"Who are you?" His voice was still languid, but with a hint of curiosity. "Why do you know me?"

Liu Ziyun stood before Orihime Inoue, arms crossed, his gaze calmly fixed on Koyatai Coyote Starrk. A faint smile played on his lips, "I am Liu Ziyun, the Fifth Seat of the former Fourth Division. Just a nobody."

He paused, then continued, "Last time, wasn't it you who brought Orihime Inoue to Hueco Mundo?"

Koyatai Coyote Starrk did not deny it, but nodded slightly. "It was me."

"You seem very strong." His gaze lingered on Liu Ziyun for a moment, a hint of approval in his voice. "Stronger than I expected."

Liu Ziyun smiled slightly, "I'm alright. Although I might not be able to defeat Aizen for the time being, but..." His gaze sharpened, "I can still deal with you. Especially your Fracción... You don't want anything to happen to her, do you?"

Koyatai Coyote Starrk's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his languid gaze. "What do you mean?"

Liu Ziyun's smile remained unchanged, but his tone became more serious. "I hope you won't attack the World of the Living with Aizen. Otherwise, you two might both die. This is something I truly don't want to happen, after all..." He paused, "... you're not bad people."

Koyatai Coyote Starrk was silent for a moment. His gaze lingered on Liu Ziyun's face, as if judging the truth of his words and considering how much this man actually knew.

"Since you know about me," he finally spoke, his voice still languid but now tinged with heaviness, "You should know that your request is probably impossible. We owe Aizen a debt we must repay. He is the one who gave us companions... companions to stand shoulder to shoulder in this lonely Hueco Mundo."

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He understood this feeling, this longing for companionship, this yearning for belonging. It was precisely because he understood that he didn't want to see Koyatai Coyote Starrk walk down that path of no return.

"Yes," he said softly, "Representing your loneliness, you split your souls in two to have companions. And that big oaf over there..." He gestured Kenpachi Zaraki, "Very similar."

Yachiru Kusajishi was clinging to Liu Ziyun's back, her little hands wrapped around his neck, her small body swaying gently with his movements. When she heard Liu Ziyun's words, she paused slightly, then reached out and gently patted Liu Ziyun head.

"Little Yun," her voice was clear and earnest, "Don't talk about Little Kenpachi like that. He's not a big, dumb oaf."

Liu Ziyun immediately put on an "I know I was wrong" expression, his tone somewhat ingratiating. "Okay, okay, I was wrong, Little Deer. Little Kenpachi isn't a big, dumb guy, he's... well, he's a combat genius, the strongest man in Soul Society."

Yachiru Kusajishi nodded in satisfaction, rested his chin on Liu Ziyun's shoulder again, and gazed at Koyatai Coyote Starrk with his large eyes.

Koyatai Coyote Starrk watched this scene, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He could sense that the affection between Liu Ziyun and the little girl was genuine and pure, without any ulterior motives or calculations. This kind of affection was a luxury in Hueco Mundo, something that he and his companions could never truly possess, no matter how hard they tried.

"It seems," he said softly, his tone tinged with a mixture of helplessness and relief, "That my mission cannot be completed."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes. What should we do?"

The two stared at each other for a moment. Koyatai Coyote Starrk gave Liu Ziyun a deep look, then slowly turned and walked into the depths of Hueco Mundo. His figure gradually disappeared into the white wasteland, finally vanishing into the dim light and the swirling dust.

Liu Ziyun watched the direction he left in, remained silent for a moment, then turned to Orihime Inoue and said, "Continue healing them."

Orihime Inoue nodded, quickly walked to Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki, and continued her treatment.

Liu Ziyun stood still, his gaze sweeping over everyone on the battlefield— Ichigo Kurosaki's complexion was gradually regaining its rosy hue under Orihime Inoue's healing, Kenpachi Zaraki's wounds were slowly healing in the light of the Santen Kesshun, Nelliel stood quietly to the side, protecting them, and Yachiru Kusajishi was still lying on his back, breathing evenly and steadily.

Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

Then, his expression changed.

His eyes widened abruptly, his pupils contracted slightly, and his body stiffened for a moment as if struck by lightning. In his perception, two unfamiliar, powerful, and hostile Reiatsu suddenly appeared in the direction of Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu. Those two Reiatsu were so powerful that they were chilling, carrying an eerie aura that was completely out of place in this Hueco Mundo.

"Not good--"

He muttered something under his breath, his body transforming into a blur as he rushed in that direction. He pushed his Shunpo to its limit, each step covering hundreds of meters, the white wasteland rushing past beneath his feet.

But the moment he left—

Koyatai Coyote Starrk reappeared beside Orihime Inoue.

His speed was as fast as a ghost, silent and stealthy, without even disturbing the air. He reached out and gently, steadily, wrapped his arm around Orihime Inoue's waist. Before Orihime Inoue could even utter a cry of surprise, she was already lifted off the ground.

"I'm sorry," Koyatai Coyote Starrk's voice remained languid, but with a hint of apology, "But this is my duty."

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared into the dim light of Hueco Mundo, along with Orihime Inoue.

At the same time, the two unfamiliar Reiatsu that appeared around Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu vanished without a trace in an instant, as if they had never existed.

Liu Ziyun stopped in his tracks.

He stood on the white wasteland of the Hueco Mundo, the wind blowing past him, lifting the hem of his clothes. His face was expressionless, but in his eyes burned a cold, suppressed rage.

"Aizen," he said in a low voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between clenched teeth, "That guy... he actually tried to lure me away from the situation."

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. Then he turned and walked towards Ichigo Kurosaki and the others. Now that Orihime Inoue had been taken away, all they could do was regroup, plan again, and then go to Las Noches, to Aizen's lair, to bring her back.