Mastering the Complete Shikai (1)

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist above Seireitei and shone into the office of Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, Retsu Unohana was already kneeling on the guest seat.

The aroma of tea wafted through the room, but the atmosphere was heavy as lead.

"Captain-Commander," Unohana's voice was calm as still water, "There are some things I need to report to you regarding Liu Ziyun."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat upright in the main seat, leaning on his cane, and slowly opened his eyes, which had weathered a thousand years of storms. "Speak."

"He intends to continue hiding himself, and even more thoroughly than before." Unohana relayed her conversation with Liu Ziyun last night, as well as his explanation of the "Butterfly Effect," to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in detail. She omitted Liu Ziyun's frivolous jokes and teasing, retaining only the most crucial information.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's brows furrowed, deep lines etched between them. "How did he know what would happen in the future? What kind of crisis could it be that he feared so much that he dared not even mention it, and even elevated it to the level of the safety of the Three Worlds?"

Unohana gently shook her head. "He wouldn't go into details, only using the Butterfly Effect as a metaphor. He said he was the butterfly flapping its wings, and any excessive intervention could trigger unpredictable chain reactions."

"The Butterfly Effect..." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto repeated softly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes that seemed to see through illusion. "A butterfly flapping its wings can cause a tornado... That's a vivid metaphor. If that's true, then that kid's self-control is truly remarkable. To know the future, yet be able to resist the urge to change it, requires more courage than ignorance and recklessness."

He picked up his teacup but didn't drink; he just stared at the tea leaves floating in the cup. "He said the Fifth Division has a 'BOSS'?"

"Yes." Unohana. "I suspect it refers to that genius member who recently joined the Fifth Division — Sōsuke Aizen. Liu Ziyun's assessment of him is quite complex; he's both wary of him and believes he'll be of great use in the future."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained silent for a long time, with only the faint sound of tea cooling in the room.

"In that case, let's do as he says," the Captain-Commander finally spoke. "Let him continue to hide. But since he says the Fifth Division is a threat, the Gotei 13 can't be left unprepared. Observe them secretly, without alerting them."

"I suggest we obtain information through normal channels," Unohana added. "Since Liu Ziyun said that person will be of great use in the future, it means that although he is a hidden danger, he also has value to the Soul Society on some level. Sending extra people to monitor him might actually lead to our discovery. After all, even someone like Liu Ziyun had to hide for a hundred years, which means that the changes that are about to happen are by no means trivial."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked up at Unohana: "Judging from your tone, you seem to think that brat is quite strong now?"

Unohana's expression became subtle. "It's not just 'remarkable.' Captain-Commander, although Liu Ziyun's Reiatsu has always been suppressed to the Fifth-Class level, the aura that occasionally leaks out... makes my heart tremble. It's not just simple strength, but a qualitative difference. I can feel that there is a restless power within him, and once it is fully released, I'm afraid..."

She paused, then chose a cautious wording. "Perhaps beyond the Captain-level."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto tapped his fingers lightly on his cane, producing a rhythmic sound, "Beyond Captain-level? An ordinary member of the Fourth Division? Unohana, are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Unohana answered without hesitation. "It's not 'seems,' it's 'certain.' It's just that that power doesn't seem to be entirely under his control yet, otherwise it wouldn't occasionally leak out. But even if it's just the Ikkaku the iceberg, it's enough to make one wary."

Another long silence followed.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto closed his eyes, seemingly weighing something. His experience over a thousand years told him that such extraordinary existences were often a double-edged sword—they could be a powerful tool to protect the Soul Society, or they could become a calamity that overturned everything.

"Then let him continue to hide," the Captain-Commander finally decided. "His revealed intentions are for the future of Soul Society, and I'll tentatively believe that. But we can't be completely unprepared. Tell that brat I'll be keeping a close eye on him."

He opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them. "As for the matter of Kuchiki Kōga and Amagai Shūsuke... I will personally speak with Kuchiki Ginrei. Since that brat believes this is a 'minor issue' that can be changed, then we will cooperate with him. Let's see what kind of changes his so-called 'correction' will actually bring."

Unohana bowed respectfully. "Yes, Captain-Commander."

"Also," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto added, "Regarding Sōsuke Aizen... have each squad leader keep an eye on him during their routine meetings. No need for special attention, but report any unusual activity immediately."

"Understood."

After the conversation ended, Unohana left the Captain-Commander's Office. Walking down the corridor of Seireitei, her feelings were complex and indescribable. Liu Ziyun like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, the ripples he was creating were constantly expanding. And what was most unsettling was that no one knew what kind of wave these ripples would eventually turn into.

Meanwhile, in the Fourth Division's Underground Training Grounds.

Liu Ziyun sat cross-legged in the center of the space, his eyes closed, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Although his confrontation with Unohana last night ended in a humiliating escape, it made one thing even clearer to him—time was truly running out.

When he re-entered his Inner World, Life-Taker and Tulu had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Looks like we're running out of time," Liu Ziyun appeared. "Boss Aizen has already joined the team. With his abilities and cunning, he'll probably become Lieutenant very soon. We need to speed things up."

The Life-Taker figure slowly coalesced in the void, its voice remaining calm. "Your current strength should be no less than his, and you might even be able to crush him completely. Why are you still so afraid?"

A Tulu followed. "What can you do? Just be a coward."

Liu Ziyun rolled his eyes helplessly. "You all know he's crucial to the later plot. If I kill him now, Yhwach will be harder to deal with later. We need to let him bring out Ichigo Kurosaki. Besides, with his Rule-Type Zanpakuto, Kyouka Suigetsu, even if I'm blind, he'll still devise all sorts of schemes to get me. That's why I have to play it safe."

He suddenly changed his expression, a sly glint in his eyes. "Once the main characters and all that are out, I'll give him a good beating. Then I'll pin him to the ground and tell him, 'You only have the perspective of a mortal, so you can only see the so-called upper limit of Soul Reaper.' How about that, isn't that awesome?"

Life-Taker nodded slightly. "Hmm, quite domineering."

But Tulu interrupted mercilessly, "Stop smug, let's get started. You seem a bit off today, more impatient than usual."

Liu Ziyun's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Because I have a premonition... something is accelerating. Aizen's appearance is just the beginning; in the next few decades, Soul Society will undergo a dramatic upheaval. I must master my Complete Shikai before that happens."

"Then let's go." Life-Taker and Tulu exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned into dust, merging into one in the whirlwind.

When the fully formed version of the Life-Taker Tulu reappeared before him, Liu Ziyun could sense that this time its aura was different—more dangerous, more... urgent.

The battle began in silence.