Changing Zaraki and Yachiru's Fate (2)

Kenpachi Zaraki more. His gaze fell on Yachiru Kusajishi, and a complex light flashed in his sharp eyes—a light of memories, contemplation, and a deep, almost fatherly tenderness.

He remembered the baby girl he found in the wilderness of Kusajishi District, how he picked her up, how he named her "Yachiru," and how he kept her by his side, day after day, year after year. He never imagined that her existence was actually a manifestation of his own power.

"Captain Zaraki," Liu Ziyun continued, his voice now more solemn, "As long as you awaken your Zanpakuto, the Little Deer will return to your body. This will allow you to fully master Shikai and Bankai."

Kenpachi Zaraki's pupils contracted slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed across Yachiru Kusajishi's small face.

"However..." Liu Ziyun's voice grew heavier, "the Little Deer will also disappear forever. After you use Bankai, you will be controlled by the wildness of the power. The Little Deer will assist you in controlling the power within your consciousness, but..."

He paused, his gaze deepening. "Your power is too immense; your body cannot withstand it. It will harm you."

A Muken silence fell over the three. A ghostly blue light flickered between them, and the sealing patterns on the stone wall emitted a low hum, like countless bees dancing in the darkness. A heavy, almost solidified atmosphere filled the air, a heaviness that made it hard to breathe.

Kenpachi Zaraki remained silent for a long time. His gaze shifted from Liu Ziyun to Yachiru Kusajishi. Something was churning in his sharp eyes—shock, heartache, and a deep, almost resolute determination.

"If that's the case," his voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed from the depths of his throat, "I'd rather not unleash my Zanpakuto."

Yachiru Kusajishi looked at him, a hint of emotion, warmth, and an indescribable, almost heart-wrenching feeling flashing in her large eyes.

She reached out her small hand and gently touched Kenpachi Zaraki's face, her voice clear and soft. "How can that be? We'll have even stronger opponents in the future, and Little Kenpachi needs even greater power. Is there any way for Little Kenpachi to master his power?"

She turned her head and looked at Liu Ziyun, her large eyes filled with pleading and expectation.

Liu Ziyun looked at her, a hint of helplessness, a touch of heartache, and a deep, almost sorrowful sigh flashing in his eyes, "I don't know how to get Captain Zaraki to master this power. At most..." He paused, his gaze hardening, "I can prevent you from merging again."

Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi both looked at him, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

"That's enough." Kenpachi Zaraki's voice was deep and firm, each word carrying undeniable power. "As long as Yachiru can exist forever, that's enough. Nothing else matters to me. Even if I can't continue to grow stronger—I don't care."

His gaze fell on Yachiru Kusajishi, and a rare tenderness flashed in his sharp eyes. It was an emotion he had never shown to anyone, the deepest softness hidden beneath his cold exterior.

Yachiru Kusajishi looked at him, tears welling up in her large eyes. She reached out her small hands, hugged Kenpachi Zaraki's neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and choked out, "Little Kenpachi..."

Liu Ziyun watched this scene, a warm light flashed in his eyes. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Alright," his voice was calm and firm, "It's settled then. From now on, the three of us need to get ourselves into top condition."

Kenpachi Zaraki nodded, closed his eyes, and re-entered a meditative state. Yachiru Kusajishi slid off his shoulder, sat beside him, and also closed her eyes, her small face full of seriousness and focus. Liu Ziyun a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and then closed his eyes, letting his consciousness sink into the depths of his heart.

Inside the crater, the Giant Egg still lay there quietly. The clone remained seated cross-legged before the egg, hands in a mudra, eyes closed, as if meditating. Liu Ziyun up to it, sat down cross-legged, placed his hands on the eggshell, and began to continuously channel his Reiatsu into the Giant Egg.

"I used to," his voice echoed in the crater, tinged with a mixture of inquiry and expectation, "Sever the connection between Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi by altering the fates of others. Can I still use that ability now?"

The clone slowly opened its eyes, those clear and deep eyes looking at Liu Ziyun, a thoughtful glint in them. Her voice was calm and gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority. "It's possible. However, that method would cause them to lose their essence. It's not the best solution."

Liu Ziyun frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "Could I use the Creation Power to sever their connection and repair their missing essence?"

The clone nodded, a hint of approval flashing in its clear eyes. "That's acceptable. However... it's not the best way. After all, the origin you're repairing isn't their own."

She paused, then continued, "Besides, Kenpachi Zaraki's power is too immense. Without the corresponding mental state, he simply cannot control that power. Even his body cannot withstand his own power."

Liu Ziyun frowned even more, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Then what should I do?"

The clone looked at him, a mysterious glint in its clear eyes. "You can change their fate, allowing them to merge when needed and separate when not. Just like... Koyatai Coyote Starrk."

A flicker of realization crossed Liu Ziyun's eyes. He remembered the Number One Espada, how he split his soul in two, how they could merge when needed and separate when not. It was a perfect balance, a way to gain greater power without losing oneself.

"Then what should I do?" His voice held a mixture of urgency and anticipation.

The clone looked at him, a faint smile appearing on its lips, "Recover now. When needed, let me take over your body. Watch how I do it... Learn by yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Ziyun felt a gentle force envelop him, and then—he was kicked out of his Inner World.

His consciousness returned to the Muken, he opened his eyes, and looked at the pale blue light before him. He took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, then closed his eyes and continued to recover.

Time flowed silently through the Muken. After an unknown period of time—perhaps days, perhaps weeks— Liu Ziyun, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Yachiru Kusajishi finally returned to their peak condition.