The Truth About Kyouka Suigetsu (1)

"How did Aizen do that?" Unohana asked directly, skipping the pleasantries, her voice filled with barely concealed confusion and anger. "Captain Kyōraku and the others witnessed it themselves; more than one person testified. Even if Aizen has the ability to create illusions, it's virtually impossible for him to make multiple experienced captains and members experience the same illusion at the same time."

Liu Ziyun slowly turned around, his empty eye sockets "gazing" in the direction where Unohana was. He didn't answer immediately, but instead walked to the tea table, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Unohana.

"Captain, please have a seat." His voice was unsettlingly calm.

Unohana sat down opposite him, took the teacup, but didn't drink it; she just stared intently at Liu Ziyun.

Liu Ziyun remained silent for a moment, then finally uttered a single phrase. "Kyouka Suigetsu."

"Kyouka Suigetsu?" Unohana frowned. "As far as we know, Sōsuke Aizen's Zanpakuto is of the Water type, its ability being to use the chaotic reflection of mist and water to confuse enemies, causing them to kill each other. How do you explain his ability to affect multiple people simultaneously, and even create an alibi?"

Liu Ziyun up his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke with the composure of someone discussing the weather, "Captain, do you think a true schemer would reveal the full power of their Zanpakuto to everyone? Would they publicly display their true trump card?"

Unohana's fingers gently traced the rim of her teacup. "Even if it's not a water-based system, it's impossible to control it from two different locations. The scene of the incident in Rukongai is dozens of miles away from Seireitei, separated by Barriers and walls. To maintain illusions in two locations simultaneously, and to seamlessly blend those illusions with the real environment... isn't that a bit absurd?"

"To ordinary people, it is indeed outrageous." Liu Ziyun down his teacup. "But Aizen's Zanpakuto is no ordinary Zanpakuto. Kyouka Suigetsu is a Rule-Type Zanpakuto, and its ability is 'Complete Hypnosis.' The activation condition is to let someone see its Shikai process—once seen, each subsequent release allows the Shikai to make that person see everything he wants them to see and feel everything he wants them to feel."

He paused, then added, "Sight, hearing, smell, touch... all the senses can be controlled. So Captain Kyōraku and the others did 'see' Aizen carrying out his mission in the Seireitei, and they did 'sense' his Reiatsu and presence. But that was just what Aizen wanted them to see; it was a perfect illusion created by Kyouka Suigetsu."

Unohana's expression changed. As the First Kenpachi, she had experienced countless battles and witnessed all sorts of bizarre Zanpakuto abilities. But the ability of "Complete Hypnosis" had gone beyond the conventional realm and touched upon a more fundamental and dangerous level of power.

"You said his sword needs someone to see the Shikai process..." Unohana suddenly realized something, her gaze falling on Liu Ziyun's empty eye sockets, "So you blinded yourself for this, right?"

"Hmm." Liu Ziyun nodded, his tone as calm as if stating a fact unrelated to himself. "Otherwise, I wouldn't even dare to speak much with you. Because I don't know whether the person speaking to me is the real you, or an illusion created by Aizen using Kyouka Suigetsu."

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Unohana: "In a while, those traitors will become captains. Aizen will become the Fifth Division Captain, Gin Ichimaru will become the Third Division Captain, Kaname Tōsen become the Captain of the Ninth Division... From that moment on, the entire Gotei 13 will be completely under his control."

Liu Ziyun turned around, her unfocused eyes "looking" at Unohana: "So from now on, don't look for me casually anymore, don't ask me anything. Because you simply can't tell whether what you see is the real me, or the me that Aizen is disguising with Kyouka Suigetsu. I also have to continue to lie low, continue to hide, until the day when the time is right."

He paused, then said with a hint of pleading, "Also, Captain, please prepare a Senkaimon for me—a Senkaimon World of the Living any time without being detected by anyone. This would make it easier for me to rescue people."

Unohana pondered in silence. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor. She could sense that every word Liu Ziyun spoke was as heavy as a mountain, and every decision he made was filled with helplessness and pain.

"Okay, I understand." She finally spoke, "Is the person you want to save also someone very important?"

"I suppose so," Liu Ziyun without going into details. "But more importantly, I need to monitor the situation. I might not need it for the next few years, but I need to go there early to explain everything to Kisuke Urahara and, incidentally, get those eight unlucky guys into proper training to bolster their fighting strength for future major events in Soul Society."

Unohana nodded. "Okay, I'll tell the Captain-Commander."

She stood up, ready to leave, but stopped at the door, turning back to look at Liu Ziyun: "By the way, you went so far as to blind yourself to avoid Aizen's Zanpakuto... Wasn't there any other way to break it? Did you really have to pay such a high price?"

A complex smile appeared on Liu Ziyun's face, "Yes, but you wouldn't want to know. That trick can only succeed if you're by his side, working alongside him, so that he's completely off guard."

"By his side?" Unohana frowned. "You mean... become his companion? Gain his trust?"

"More or less," Liu Ziyun without elaborating, "But the risks are too great, and it would take too long. More importantly, even if we succeed, we might not be able to truly break the Kyouka Suigetsu. After all... once you're hit by Complete Hypnosis ability, it's almost permanent."

Unohana gave him a deep look. "Then I won't ask anymore. I'm going to find the Captain-Commander. You should go work in the team too."

After saying that, she turned and left the dormitory, leaving Liu Ziyun standing alone by the window.

After the door closed, Liu Ziyun's face showed a strange expression, and he muttered to himself, "Something's not right... Why isn't this following the expected pattern? Shouldn't you keep pressing me for answers, then I'll have no choice but to tell you, and finally you'll look regretful and say 'I wish I hadn't known'...?"

He shook his head, chuckled self-deprecatingly, sat back down by the window, and began to organize his next plans.