Planning the Attack on the Wandenreich
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai frowned again, a hint of displeasure and rejection flashing in his eyes. "We still need to rely on the power of the Hollow?"
Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness, earnestness, and a resolute determination that bordered on pleading.
"Why not?" His voice held a mixture of excitement and urgency. "This matter concerns the Three Worlds. What's wrong with borrowing the power of the Void? Don't be so rigid, Old Man Yama. We are doing this to protect the world—borrowing all the power of the world is only right."
He paused, then continued, "Hollows aren't natural enemies. Some of them also have reason, emotions, and things they want to protect. If we can unite these forces, our chances of defeating the Quincy will be much greater."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai remained silent for a long time. His gaze lingered on Liu Ziyun's face, and something was churning in those aged eyes—a struggle, a hesitation, and a deep, almost helpless compromise.
For millennia, he has taught the Soul Reaper that Hollows are the enemy, Hollows must be purified, and the existence of Hollows is a threat to Soul Society. But now, in order to fight a greater threat and to protect the survival of the Three Worlds, he has to break the beliefs he has held for a thousand years.
"Alright," his voice held a hint of helplessness and compromise, "We'll do it your way."
Liu Ziyun a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He knew how difficult it was to get Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai to say those words. It was the collapse of a thousand-year-old belief, a compromise of a thousand-year-old principle, a sacrifice made by an old man to protect something more important.
"Yes, let's start preparing." Liu Ziyun's voice was hurried and urgent. "We're going back to Soul Society. I'm going into seclusion soon—after this Bankai, my power seems to be a bit out of control."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai frowned, a hint of worry flashing in his aged eyes. "Hmm? Bankai of control? How is that possible?"
Liu Ziyun sighed helplessly, his sigh filled with confusion, resignation, and a hint of unease. He looked down at the Life-Taker Tulu in his hand. The blade gleamed faintly in the dim light of the Hueco Mundo, and the dragon and phoenix on its blade were so lifelike that they seemed ready to fly off at any moment.
"Sigh, I don't know either." His voice held a hint of confusion and helplessness. "I need to find a place and ask my Zanpakuto properly."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded. He didn't ask any more questions, because he knew that the matter of the Zanpakuto could only be resolved between the Soul Reaper and the Zanpakuto itself. No matter how much concern or help outsiders offered, they could not reach that world deep within the soul.
The captains in Hueco Mundo returned to Soul Society one after another. Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki were severely reprimanded by Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai for losing their Captain's Haori.
Byakuya Kuchiki listened expressionlessly, without uttering a word. His eyes showed no emotion, as if he were the one being reprimanded, not him. Kenpachi Zaraki, scratched his head nonchalantly, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if losing his Captain's Haori was utterly insignificant to him.
The Visoreds and the Kaien Shiba couple also returned to Soul Society. Shinji Hirako led his companions back to their long-lost barracks. Looking at those familiar yet unfamiliar rooms, a complex light flickered in everyone's eyes.
Hiyori Sarugaki kicked open the door to her old room, looked at the dusty furniture inside, grimaced, muttered "So dirty," and started cleaning. Kensei Muguruma stood by the window, looking at the familiar sky outside, remained silent for a long time, and then let out a long sigh.
Love Aikawa and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi walked side by side down the corridor, talking in hushed tones, both with an indescribable ease on their faces.
Kaien Shiba returned to the Shiba Clan's old house with his wife. That once magnificent mansion had been abandoned for far too long since the Shiba Clan's decline. The weeds in the courtyard were taller than a person, several roof tiles were missing, and vines covered the walls.
But Kaien Shiba watched all this, his eyes were filled with tenderness and longing. He took his wife's hand and walked through every corridor, opening every door, telling her the story of each room. His wife listened quietly, a gentle smile on her lips, her eyes full of love.
Liu Ziyun spent a few days with Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu. Those days were peaceful and warm, without battle or gunpowder, only the tranquility and happiness of the three of them together.
Retsu Unohana cooks for Liu Ziyun every day, preparing his favorite dishes. Her hands, once wielding a knife, are just as dexterous when holding a kitchen knife. Isane Kotetsu is in charge of cleaning and tidying up, keeping Liu Ziyun's Martial Arts Hall spotless.
In the evening, the three of them sat together, drinking tea, chatting, and watching the moon. Occasionally, Retsu Unohana would play the shamisen, and the melodious sound of the instrument would drift in the night breeze, bringing an indescribable sense of peace to their hearts.
But Liu Ziyun knew that this peace would not last long. The shadow of the Wandenreich was approaching, Yhwach's eyes were opening, Quincy's army was gathering. They had to be prepared and strike first before the enemy could attack.
A few days later, Liu Ziyun found Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.
The Captain-Commander was in his office processing documents, a mountain of papers concerning the reorganization and training plans for the Gotei 13. Seeing Liu Ziyun enter, he put down his pen, looked up, and a questioning glint flashed in his aged eyes.
"Old Man Yama," Liu Ziyun's voice was earnest and earnest, "Find me a place to cultivate. I'm afraid my power will go berserk and I won't be able to control it. It would be best if you could also watch over me, to prevent anything from going wrong."