The Boss Arrives (2)

He did not risk further investigation. Sōsuke Aizen's sensitivity far exceeded that of ordinary people; any excessive attention could arouse his suspicion.

After confirming the target's presence, Liu Ziyun changed direction and slipped into the Fifth Division Barracks like a ghost. He knew the layout of the place like the back of his hand—after all, long ago, he had enjoyed drinks and conversations here countless times with Shinji Hirako and others.

The Captain's Office was located on the top floor of the team's quarters and was brightly lit.

Liu Ziyun slipped in silently through the window, landing without a sound.

Shinji Hirako was sitting at his desk reviewing documents, his long golden hair gleaming softly under the lamplight. Hearing the noise, he didn't even look up. "There aren't many in the entire Seireitei who would dare barge into the Captain's Office this late. Let me guess... is it Liu Ziyun?"

"Your intuition is as sharp as ever." Liu Ziyun emerged from the shadows, a long-lost smile on his face. "Excuse me, Captain Hirako."

Shinji Hirako put down his pen, looked up at him, his gaze complex. "You haven't contacted us for decades. What, did the sun rise in the west today?"

"I wouldn't come here without a reason." Liu Ziyun's smile faded, and his tone became serious. "For the next few decades, I may continue to treat you all as strangers. I'm here today mainly to give you a few final instructions."

Shinji Hirako raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That sounds serious."

"It's very serious." Liu Ziyun to the window, his back to Shinji Hirako. "From today onwards, I will have no further contact with you. And you must not mention our relationship to anyone. If anyone asks, just say that our friendship was completely severed because of the noble incident years ago."

A brief silence fell over the room.

Shinji Hirako stood up and walked to Liu Ziyun's side. "What's going on that makes you so cautious? What 'thing' in our team could scare you like this?"

"It's not to scare you, it's necessary precaution." Liu Ziyun to look at him, her eyes unusually serious. "Hirako, there are some things I can't explain right now. But please believe me, I'm doing this for your own good."

"For our own good?" Shinji Hirako scoffed. "Liu Ziyun, ever since our academy days, you've always acted like you know everything. You were like that during the noble incident, and you're doing it again now. Can't you at least give us a heads-up? So we can be prepared."

Liu Ziyun's gaze lingered on Shinji Hirako's face for a moment, then he slowly shook his head. "No. Because you're a chatterbox."

Shinji Hirako was momentarily speechless, but couldn't refute it. He was indeed not the kind of person who could keep a secret—at least not in certain situations.

"Listen," Liu Ziyun lowered his voice, "I've been hiding myself ever since I arrived in Soul Society. I only intervened to save you last time because I had no other choice. If my intervention causes certain key moments in the future to go astray, the consequences could be unimaginable. So I must minimize my 'presence' as much as possible."

"As for that 'thing' in your team..." Liu Ziyun paused, "He will reveal himself at the right time. Until then, you only need to remember one thing: never completely trust anyone, especially those who seem too perfect to be real."

Shinji Hirako frowned. "Who are you talking about?"

"I can't say my name," Liu Ziyun his head, "But you'll understand soon enough. Now, I need you to do one thing: inform Love, Kensei, and Rōjūrō. Tell them the same thing—from this day forward, I am no longer a part of their lives. Any memories or connections to me must be buried deep in their hearts."

He walked to the door, placed his hand on the doorknob, and glanced back at Shinji Hirako one last time. "That's all I have to say. Remember, this is not a joke, nor is it alarmist. If you leak my information, it could trigger a chain reaction, ultimately leading to consequences that none of us can bear."

After saying that, he opened the door and his figure quickly disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.

Shinji Hirako stood still for a long time.

The moonlight outside the window was hazy, and the night in Seireitei was as tranquil as ever. But he could sense that there was some unsettling premonition hidden in Liu Ziyun's words.

[What on earth is going to happen?] Shinji Hirako walked to the window, gazing in the direction where Liu Ziyun disappeared. [Who could possibly be so vigilant as to make him so wary? Are we... perhaps at the center of some kind of vortex?]

He recalled Liu Ziyun over the years—he clearly possessed strength no less than Seated Officer's, yet he was willing to be an ordinary team member; he clearly had deep friendships with them, yet he deliberately distanced himself; he clearly knew many secrets, yet he kept them to himself.

It seems it's time to gather them together for a talk.

Shinji Hirako returned to his desk and began writing several short letters. The contents of the letters were cryptic, only agreeing on a time and place to meet, but the recipients understood their meaning—it was a code only their small group knew.

After leaving the Fifth Division Barracks, Liu Ziyun did not return directly to the Fourth Division. Instead, he circled the streets of Seireitei several times to ensure he was not being followed. His Reiatsu perception remained at a delicate balance—able to detect the surrounding movements without attracting the attention of powerful individuals.

When he finally returned to the vicinity of the Fourth Division Barracks, a figure was already waiting at the door of his dormitory.

Retsu Unohana, dressed in Captain's Haori, stood quietly in the moonlight with her hands tucked into her sleeves. Her expression was calm and serene, but Liu Ziyun could sense a faint Reiatsu locking onto her—not hostility, but scrutiny.

"Captain Unohana." Liu Ziyun stopped and bowed respectfully.

"Come on, come with me to the Captain's Office." Unohana turned around, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Liu Ziyun sighed inwardly, knowing that tonight's conversation was unavoidable. He nodded and followed her toward the Fourth Division Captain's office.