Curiosity He Couldn't Hide (2)

He looked into Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes, his tone becoming extremely serious. "So don't worry, things will clear up eventually. But I can tell you—you can secretly prepare to Senkaimon and get ready to escape to the World of the Living. Oh, and when you escape, make sure he takes the Hōgyoku with him, don't leave it in Soul Society. That's all I can say."

"The Hōgyoku?" Yoruichi Shihōin keenly grasped the word. "What is that?"

Liu Ziyun his head. "I can't say now. I can only tell you that it's very important, related to the fate of many people. Also, if special circumstances arise, I will intervene. If I can't, I will call on our captain and even the Captain-Commander to ensure your safe escape to the World of the Living."

He paused, his tone laced with warning. "Alright, I've said everything I can. If you push me any further, I'll go and kill your childhood sweetheart. Don't blame me for any consequences. I'll just do my own research and take matters into my own hands."

These words were so harsh that the atmosphere in the room instantly froze.

Yoruichi Shihōin looked at the enraged Liu Ziyun, then at the silent Unohana beside him, and suddenly laughed, "Are you sure a mere team member like you can kill Kisuke? You're not kidding me, are you?"

She initially thought it was just a joke, but when her gaze fell on Unohana, she noticed that the Fourth Division Captain had a "you're talking nonsense" expression on his face.

Yoruichi Shihōin's laughter stopped abruptly. The expression on her face changed from playful to astonished, and then from astonished to incredulous.

"Could it be... that he really can?" Her voice was filled with uncertainty.

Unohana spoke slowly, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. "If you two were tied together, you could probably only hit one of his hands."

"One hand?" Yoruichi Shihōin almost thought she had misheard. "Captain Unohana, are you kidding me? I know Kisuke's strength very well. Although he's not known for his fighting prowess, he's still a genuine Captain-level. Plus, I..."

She didn't finish speaking because she saw that Unohana's expression didn't change at all—it wasn't a joking expression, but an expression stating the facts.

Liu Ziyun interjected, his tone still tinged with anger. "They're all tied together; one hand could definitely take them down. But if they're separated, they probably couldn't win, though killing them is still possible. Tell him to behave himself. When we get to the World of the Living, I'll definitely come find you and explain everything to you."

He sighed, his voice weary. "Ugh... a bunch of useless teammates, how come they can't even contain their curiosity? I'm going back now. I'm sorry, Captain Yoruichi, I was a bit impatient and my attitude towards you wasn't very good, please forgive me."

After saying that, he turned and left the Captain's Office, leaving Yoruichi Shihōin standing there, her mind replaying the words she had just heard.

After a long while, Yoruichi Shihōin came to her senses and looked at Unohana: "Captain Unohana... what he just said... was it true? Kisuke and I, tied together, could only fight him with one hand?"

Unohana nodded gently. "You should know that I never exaggerate. Liu Ziyun's strength... far exceeds what it appears to be. He's hiding too much, and he has every reason to."

She paused, then added, "The Captain-Commander and I also mean that you shouldn't try to get close to him. He knows about some things that are about to happen, but in order not to affect the overall situation, he has kept a low profile for nearly a century, even going so far as to blind himself. So, Captain Shihoin, please don't investigate further."

Yoruichi Shihōin long time. As the Second Division Captain and the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, she had her own pride. But she also knew that Retsu Unohana, the First Kenpachi, was also a figure standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society. If even she spoke of Liu Ziyun in this way, then this matter was by no means a trivial matter.

"Alright, Captain Unohana, I understand." Yoruichi Shihōin finally made her decision. "I'll Kisuke stops harassing Liu Ziyun. But... I hope that by then, we'll really know everything."

"Don't worry," Unohana said confidently. "Since Liu Ziyun has said it, he will definitely tell you. It's just not time yet. He has his own plans and pace. What we need to do is trust him and give him space."

Yoruichi Shihōin nodded. "Alright, then I'll be leaving now. Sorry for troubling you, Captain Unohana."

"It's alright." Unohana stood up. "We're all doing this for Soul Society. I believe you'll make the necessary sacrifices for this as well."

"Yes, I will." Yoruichi Shihōin answered solemnly, then turned and left.

From that day on, Kisuke Urahara never appeared in the Fourth Division again, nor did he approach Liu Ziyun for any reason. The feeling of being watched disappeared, Liu Ziyun finally regained his long-lost peace.

He resumed his carefree life—working in the Fourth Division during the day, training in the Underground Training Grounds at night, occasionally chatting with Tazawa Kentarō, or being called to the Captain's Office by Unohana to hear the latest news from Seireitei.

The days flowed by peacefully, and several years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Liu Ziyun was assisting in the treatment of a member of the Ninth Division who had been injured during a mission in the Medical Room. The member's injury was serious; a Hollow's claw had pierced his abdomen. Although he survived, he would require a long period of treatment and recuperation.

Just as Liu Ziyun changing the bandages for that team member, he overheard some team members chatting.

"Have you heard? Something terrible has happened to the Tsunayashiro Clan."

"What's wrong?"

"Tsunayashiro Tokinada, the third young master who split off from the family, killed his wife!"

"What? Murdered your wife? Why?"

"Who knows? The affairs of the nobility are a mess. I heard that it was Captain Shunsui Kyōraku of the Eighth Division who discovered it himself, and he's already reported it to the Central 46..."

Liu Ziyun's hand paused slightly.

[Tsunayashiro Tokinada... murdered his wife... as expected, it happened.]

He continued treating the wounded without showing any emotion, but his mind was already racing. Tsunayashiro Tokinada, in the original story, was one of the major antagonists later on, a twisted character with cruel methods and immense ambition. His murder of his wife was the landmark event marking the beginning of his downfall.