Liu Ziyun's Zanpakuto

Liu Ziyun's smile grew even brighter, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes, like a riddle teller whose riddle has been solved, finally waiting for the moment when the audience suddenly realized the answer.

"Hehe, that's true." His voice carried a hint of emotion and reminiscence. "At first, I just wanted to avoid you and observe everything. But later, that piece of trash from the Tsunayashiro Clan pushed me into the limelight, so I had no choice but to reveal some things."

He paused, then continued, "However, as my strength has grown, I've gradually become more at ease. Especially after Captain Aizen stopped me and asked me to investigate Captain Hirako and the others' Hollowfication with you—since then, I can say I can rest easy."

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his brown pupils. He certainly remembered that conversation—he had stopped Liu Ziyun in the World of the Living, wanting to test his stance and determine if he knew the truth about the Hollowfication Incident. The outcome of that conversation led him to believe that Liu Ziyun was someone he could win over, someone who wouldn't hinder his plans.

"Of course, I wasn't sure at first either," Liu Ziyun said with a hint of candor. "So, after I stayed in Soul Society finished what I wanted to do, I made an excuse to leave, hoping to avoid you. But as it turns out—I was overthinking it."

Aizen was silent for a moment. His gaze lingered on Liu Ziyun's face, and something was churning in his eyes—not anger, not regret, but a kind of appreciation, an acknowledgment of his opponent.

"Oh?" His voice remained calm, but with a hint of inquiry. "So, what did you do when you met me that time?"

Liu Ziyun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sly smile that carried a hint of smugness, a touch of mystery, and a chilling depth.

"You should have noticed it by now," he said with a certainty in his voice, "otherwise you wouldn't have made arrangements specifically targeting me each time you made your moves. It's just—" He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, ""that you yourself can't be sure."

Aizen's smile froze for a moment. He knew that what Liu Ziyun said was true—in every operation, he would subconsciously leave room for Liu Ziyun's appearance and would take the man's existence into account in his plans. But he could never be sure whether this "consideration" stemmed from respect for the man's strength or from some deeper reason that he could not explain.

"So," Aizen's voice remained calm, but with a hint of urgency, "How did you do it?"

Liu Ziyun did not answer directly. He lowered his head and looked at the Zanpakuto in his hand—the Zanpakuto named "Life-Taker- Zanpakuto" that had always been with him. His fingers gently stroked the blade, a gesture as tender as stroking a lover's cheek.

"My Zanpakuto is called 'Life-Taker Sword'," his voice became deep and mysterious, each word seemingly echoing from ancient times, "The Release Phrase is—'Existence Is to Change Fate.' Do you understand now?"

Aizen's pupils contracted slightly.

Change your destiny.

These four words were like a key, unlocking the door that had been tightly locked in his mind. Everything became clear—why he had ignored Liu Ziyun's existence, why this man always appeared in his plans, and why he always chose to let this threat go at the last moment, even though he should have killed him.

"To change fate..." Aizen murmured to himself, his voice tinged with a mixture of emotion and admiration, "It truly is a terrifying ability."

Liu Ziyun nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, to change fate. So when we met that time, we didn't actually say anything. I just used an ability on you—to let you see a conversation between us. That's all."

With a flick of his wrists, two Zanpakuto appeared out of thin air in his hands. One was slender and elegant, radiating a ghostly blue light; the other was heavy and steady, radiating a dark red light. The two swords spun gently in his hands, the light on their blades intertwining in the dim yellow light of Hueco Mundo to create an eerie scene.

"Let me show you," Liu Ziyun's voice carried a hint of pride and confidence, "The true form of my Zanpakuto."

"Existence Is to Change Fate, to Life-Taker. Killing is nothing but an impromptu game, Tulu."

As he uttered his Spirit Speech, the forms of the two Zanpakuto began to change. The blades became longer and more slender, the edges sharper, and exquisite patterns appeared on the hilts.

They were no longer in their ordinary Zanpakuto form, but had transformed into two Tang Dao. The two swords trembled gently in his hands, as if they were alive and yearning for battle.

Aizen looked at the two Tang Dao, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Are these your Zanpakuto?"

Leng Xiaoyan shook his head, his smile growing even more enigmatic, "Ah, yes and no. This current state is merely the partial Shikai my Zanpakuto is showing me before it fully acknowledges me."

He clasped his hands together, bringing the two Tang Dao side by side. The moment the blades collided, a clear metallic clang rang out, echoing in the air for a long time.

Fate Is but a Plaything in the Palm, Life-Taker Tulu.

With the new Spirit Speech emanating from the sword, the two Tang Dao began to merge. Black and white light intertwined, swirling and entwining, ultimately transforming into a brand new Tang Dao.

The blade was long and elegant, radiating a faint, moonlight-like glow. Intricate patterns appeared on the blade, like threads of fate intertwined to form a strange and eerie design.

"This is the true Shikai of my Zanpakuto— " Liu Ziyun raised the Tang Dao, its tip pointing to the sky, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity and holiness, "Life-Taker Tulu."

Aizen stared at the sword, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes. He could sense the power contained within it—not just Reiatsu, but a deeper, almost law-like power. That power made him feel an unprecedented threat, a threat from fate itself.

"Present it," Liu Ziyun's voice became low and mysterious, each word seemingly coming from ancient times, "Manipulated Fate."

As he spoke, a screen of light slowly unfolded in the air. The screen of light was like a giant mirror, reflecting images of the past—those destinies that had already happened and Liu Ziyun.

The scene displayed on the light screen was Liu Ziyun Aizen.

It was in a quiet corridor in Soul Society, where Sōsuke Aizen Liu Ziyun's way back to the barracks. Their figures were clearly visible in the light screen, even the expressions on their faces were clearly visible.

Aizen frowned slightly upon seeing this. He remembered this encounter—it was shortly after he joined the Gotei 13, when he stopped Liu Ziyun, wanting to test this man who had caught his attention. But the scene that followed on the screen made his frown deepen.

Because it was completely different from what he remembered.