VS Kenpachi Zaraki (3)

Liu Ziyun looked down at the wound on his arm, then looked up at Kenpachi Zaraki. A hint of relief, a hint of approval, and a deep, almost teacher-like pride flashed in his eyes.

"Very good," his voice was calm yet firm, "Keep pushing your limits!"

He charged at Kenpachi Zaraki again, his Life-Taker Tulu tracing eerie arcs through the air. A new round of fierce fighting began, the two figures moving swiftly through the Muken, sparks flying as they collided.

The battle continued, and under Liu Ziyun's deliberate guidance, Kenpachi Zaraki's power steadily increased. His Reiatsu grew stronger, his aura became more imposing, and his swordsmanship became increasingly ferocious. Every swing of his sword carried an unstoppable killing intent, and every attack aimed to cleave his opponent in two.

Liu Ziyun could sense that Kenpachi Zaraki's strength was approaching his expected level. But he didn't stop; instead, he accelerated the pace of his attacks, squeezing Kenpachi Zaraki's potential even more frantically.

His blade sliced through Kenpachi Zaraki's body again and again, leaving more wounds; his Heal healed those wounds time and again, allowing Kenpachi Zaraki's body to continuously strengthen itself through the cycle of injury and healing.

Just as Kenpachi Zaraki unleashed another full-force attack, Liu Ziyun made a move that surprised everyone—he stopped defending and instead abandoned his Life-Taker Tulu, letting the sharp blade wind slash towards him.

Kenpachi Zaraki's pupils contracted sharply, a strong sense of unease rising within him. He wanted to sheathe his sword, but the strike had already been delivered, carrying all his power and will, and could not be retracted or altered.

The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistling sound, aiming straight for Liu Ziyun's chest.

However, just as the blade was about to touch Liu Ziyun's body, a strange light suddenly emanated from him. The light was soft and warm, like the spring sunshine, like a mother's embrace. Kenpachi Zaraki's sword, powerful enough to cleave mountains, was rendered useless by that light, disappearing without a trace.

The blade stopped before Liu Ziyun's chest, unable to advance an inch. The violent power dissipated in the light, turning into countless tiny specks of light that danced in the air before disappearing.

Kenpachi Zaraki froze. He remained in his sword-wielding stance, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, his face filled with shock and confusion. He didn't understand what had happened—he had clearly used his full strength, that strike was clearly enough to cleave anyone in two, so why was it so easily neutralized by Liu Ziyun?

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a relieved smile appearing on his lips. The smile carried a hint of approval, a hint of satisfaction, and a deep, almost teacher-like pride.

"This is the final test I've set for you." His voice was calm yet powerful, echoing through the Muken. "You've reached the level I expected."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto suddenly emitted a deep hum. The hum grew louder and stronger, like an ancient call, like a sleeping soul awakening. The blade began to radiate a dazzling light, so bright and dazzling that it was as blinding as the sun and impossible to look directly at.

A powerful yet familiar force surged from the blade, flowing into Kenpachi Zaraki's body, into his soul, into every cell of his body. It was his Zanpakuto —the sword that had always been with him but had never truly communicated with him—finally opening its heart to him, finally acknowledging him, finally achieving true communication with him.

Kenpachi Zaraki's body trembled slightly, and an incredulous glint flashed in his eyes. He could feel that the power was of the same origin as the power within him, yet it was purer, more profound, and more ancient. It was his power, the power he had always sealed away, the power he dared not touch, his true, complete, and total power.

His power was sublimated once again at this moment, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. His Reiatsu suddenly surged, and that power was so strong that the Muken stone walls began to tremble and the patterns of the seal began to flicker.

Yachiru Kusajishi leaped up from the edge of the Muken, her hands raised high, her small face filled with excitement and pride. Her eyes sparkled, as if two stars were twinkling within them.

"Little Kenpachi! You're amazing!" Her clear and melodious voice echoed through the Muken. "I knew you could do it!"

Liu Ziyun looked at Kenpachi Zaraki and nodded in satisfaction. A hint of relief, a hint of approval, and a deep, almost teacher-like pride flashed in his eyes.

"Your growth has exceeded my expectations." His voice was calm yet powerful. "Now, use this power—to protect everything you want to protect."

Kenpachi Zaraki lowered his head, looking at the Zanpakuto in his hand. The sword trembled gently in his hand, as if singing, as if celebrating its reunion with its master. He could feel an unprecedented power surging within the sword, the power shared by him and the Zanpakuto, the power after they had truly become one.

He raised his head and looked at Liu Ziyun, a complex light flashing in his sharp eyes—gratitude, admiration, and a deep, almost comradely bond.

"Liu Ziyun," his voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed from the depths of his throat, "Thank you."

Liu Ziyun smiled slightly, a smile carrying a hint of warmth and relief, "No need to thank me. You deserve it."

This battle in the Muken has now come to an end.

While Liu Ziyun cultivating, the Seireitei was not idle either. Under the personal command of Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the captains of the Gotei 13 performed their duties and, through a series of meticulous investigations and actions, successfully captured the First Substitute Soul Reaper, Kūgo Ginjō, and others.

Kūgo Ginjō —the man who was betrayed by Soul Society and framed by the Tsunayashiro Clan —is now standing in front of Jūshirō Ukitake, his hands bound by Bakudō chains, but his eyes are still sharp, still carrying a hint of wariness and distrust.

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at Kūgo Ginjō, his pale face filled with complex emotions. A trace of helplessness, a trace of guilt, and a deep, almost compassionate feeling flashed in his eyes.

"Ginjo, I know you've misunderstood me." Jūshirō Ukitake's voice held a hint of helplessness, anger, and barely suppressed agitation. "But all of this is a conspiracy by the Tsunayashiro Clan. I still don't know how they did it. I only learned about your disappearance because your companion was killed by the Soul Reaper from someone else."

Kūgo Ginjō and the others listened to Jūshirō Ukitake's explanation with surprised expressions. They had originally thought that Jūshirō Ukitake was a traitor, the one who betrayed them, one of their most hated enemies in the world. But now, listening to Jūshirō Ukitake's explanation and looking at his face full of guilt and helplessness, they began to doubt—perhaps they had really misunderstood something.

Kūgo Ginjō remained silent for a long time, his gaze lingering on Jūshirō Ukitake's face. Something was churning in those sharp eyes—doubt, hesitation, and an almost relieved emotion that even he himself couldn't understand.

"We have other matters to attend to right now," Jūshirō Ukitake's voice held a touch more seriousness, "So please bear with us for now. After this, we will conduct a thorough investigation into the Tsunayashiro Clan's affairs."

Kūgo Ginjō looked at him, his voice low and hoarse. "How did you know that the Tsunayashiro Clan killed my friend?"

Jūshirō Ukitake sighed, a hint of helplessness flashing across his pale face. "It was Liu Ziyun. He saw it through his ability. Sigh—I never knew why you suddenly disappeared, and why so many Soul Reaper disappearances were connected to you. I couldn't understand these things at all, until Ziyun told me, and that's how I found out everything."

Kūgo Ginjō was silent for a moment, his gaze becoming deep, as if he were recalling something, as if he were pondering something. Then, he raised his head, looked at Jūshirō Ukitake, and his voice carried a hint of earnestness and a hint of probing.

"Ukitake, please let us go." His voice was low and hoarse. "We won't cause you any trouble. Once you've finished your business, we'll cooperate with your investigation into the Tsunayashiro Clan... Is that alright?"

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at him and remained silent for a long time. His gaze lingered on Kūgo Ginjō's face, and something was churning in those pale eyes—hesitation, struggle, and a deep, almost pitying helplessness.

"Alright," his voice held a hint of decisiveness, "You Kisuke Urahara and the others first. They're also in the World of the Living, so they can look after you. This will also help you guard against the Tsunayashiro Clan, after all..." He paused, his gaze deepening, "... they are one of the Four Great Noble Clans of Soul Society."

Kūgo Ginjō remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. He knew this was the biggest concession Jūshirō Ukitake could make. He said nothing more, simply turning and following the Soul Reaper escorting him toward the exit of the Seireitei.

Jūshirō Ukitake watched his retreating figure and let out a long sigh. The sigh was full of weariness, helplessness, and a deep, almost compassionate sorrow.

"The Tsunayashiro Clan," he said in a low voice, his voice tinged with anger and resentment, "How many more people do you intend to harm?"

No one answered him. Only the wind blew across the roof of Seireitei, making a mournful sound like the weeping of the dead.