VS Kenpachi Zaraki (1)

In the time that followed, in that dark and silent space of Muken, time seemed to lose its meaning. Liu Ziyun- legged on the black flat ground, his eyes closed, his breathing steady and deep, like an ancient statue sleeping in the long river of time.

A faint Reiatsu emanated from his body, weak yet solid, like a lamp that never goes out in the darkness, quietly burning and illuminating this sealed land.

The Life-Taker Tulu Blade lay across his lap, the dragon and phoenix on its blade gleaming faintly in the pale blue light, as if they too were asleep, or perhaps guarding their master.

Liu Ziyun knew that what he needed was not only the recovery of his Reiatsu, but also the calming of his mind. After the breathtaking battle with Aizen, and after his deep conversation with the mysterious woman inside the Giant Egg, his Inner World had undergone a tremendous change.

His power diminished, but his quality increased; his Bankai was sealed, but his resolve strengthened; his Zanpakuto was no longer his everything, but his connection with the sword became purer. It was a wondrous balance, a dialectic of gaining in loss and rising in decline.

His consciousness sank into the depths of his heart, into that scorched earth, into that sulfurous volcano. Inside the crater, the Giant Egg still lay there quietly, the patterns on its shell gleaming faintly in the pale blue light.

The golden dragon and the red phoenix coiled and intertwined on the eggshell, lifelike, as if guarding something precious. The clone that looked exactly like the woman inside the egg remained seated cross-legged before it, its hands forming a strange mudra, its eyes closed, as if in meditation.

A faint Reiatsu emanated from her body, which intertwined with Liu Ziyun's Reiatsu, forming a subtle resonance.

Liu Ziyun up to her, sat down cross-legged, placed his hands on the eggshell, and began to continuously channel his Reiatsu into the Giant Egg. The power surged from his palms, like two invisible rivers, flowing endlessly into that unknown ocean.

He could feel his power being greedily devoured by the egg, but at the same time, he could also feel his power becoming more solid, purer, and deeper—like steel that had been repeatedly forged, removing impurities and leaving behind the essence.

"Am I only able to continuously transmit Reiatsu to your true form?" Liu Ziyun's voice echoed in the volcano, tinged with helplessness and doubt. "Will this really awaken you? Also, what will your true form do after it emerges? Will it fight alongside me, or will it have other plans?"

His voice held a hint of expectation, hoping that the clone could give him an answer. However, the woman remained seated quietly, offering no response. Her eyes remained closed, her expression calm, as if she hadn't heard him, or perhaps she had heard but chose not to reply.

Liu Ziyun felt a pang of disappointment, but he did not give up. He continued to silently transmit his Reiatsu to the woman's true form, hoping for the Miracle.

He believed that as long as he persevered, one day the egg would hatch, the woman would awaken, and all the mysteries would be revealed. Until then, all he could do was wait, persevere, and keep giving.

While Liu Ziyun training, Kenpachi Zaraki constantly trying to connect with his Zanpakuto in the Muken. He sat cross-legged not far from Liu Ziyun, placed his Zanpakuto horizontally on his lap, pressed his hands on the blade, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness sink into the depths of his heart.

However, unlike Liu Ziyun's calmness, Kenpachi Zaraki's face was full of pain and struggle. His brows were furrowed, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his lips trembled slightly, as if he were engaged in a fierce battle with some unseen force.

His Zanpakuto —the sword that had always been with him but had never truly communicated with him—trembled slightly in his hand, emitting a low hum. The hum was like an ancient call, like a sleeping soul awakening, or like an existence that had been imprisoned for too long struggling to break free of its cage.

Kenpachi Zaraki could feel his Zanpakuto calling to him, waiting for him, and testing him. But he could never find the key, never open the door, never enter the world that only he and his Zanpakuto could enter.

Time flowed silently through the Muken. No one knew how much time had passed—perhaps days, weeks, or months— Liu Ziyun finally opened his eyes.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, sharp and bright, like a lamp suddenly lit in the darkness. The Reiatsu that had been weak yet solid emanating from him suddenly rose to a new level. Although it still couldn't match the strength of his prime, it was no longer the worryingly weak state he had been in before.

He stood up, stretching his somewhat stiff body, the cracking sounds of his bones echoing in the Muken, empty space. He gripped the Life-Taker Tulu tightly, the dragon and phoenix on its blade glowing faintly in the warmth of his palm, as if responding to his awakening.

"Captain Zaraki," his voice was calm yet powerful, echoing through the Muken, "Are you ready?"

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes snapped open. In those sharp eyes burned a fighting desire that had been suppressed for too long, like a wild beast that had been starving for too long finally spotting its prey.

He stood up, his Zanpakuto slipping from his knees, which he grabbed and slung over his shoulder. A near-mad smile spread across his face, a smile brimming with excitement, anticipation, and an almost devout thirst for battle.

"I've waited too long for this day," his voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed from the depths of his throat.

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a faint smile appearing on his lips. That smile carried a hint of approval, a hint of expectation, and a deep, almost comradely warmth.

"Then come on." His voice was calm and firm, like a warrior extending an invitation to another.

Their gazes clashed in mid-air, an invisible fighting spirit surging through the air as if it were tangible. Muken blue light flickered between them, as if it too was excited about the impending duel.

Yachiru Kusajishi jumped off Kenpachi Zaraki's back, ran to the edge of the Muken, and found a safe corner to sit down. Her hands were clenched into fists and placed on her knees. Her big eyes were fixed on the two people in the arena, her small face full of anticipation and excitement.

"Go, Little Kenpachi! Go Little Yun!" Her clear and melodious voice echoed in the Muken, empty space, bringing a glimmer of life to this desolate, sealed land.