Preparing to Leave for the World of the Living

Every few months, she would personally visit Liu Ziyun's dormitory under the pretext of "inspecting the hygiene and health of the team members' dormitories." This excuse was so clumsy that even ordinary team members could see the problem— the Fourth Division Captain personally inspecting the dormitories of ordinary team members? This was a rare occurrence in the entire history of the Gotei 13.

But Unohana didn't care. She knew this was the only way she could confirm Liu Ziyun's safety without arousing suspicion.

During these seemingly casual "checks," the two would exchange extremely brief words. Usually only a few sentences, but enough to convey the necessary information.

And so, time slipped away quietly beneath the surface of calm.

In just a few years, the landscape of the Gotei 13 has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Soi Fon succeeds Yoruichi Shihōin as Second Division Captain and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force. This young and loyal captain uses an iron fist to rebuild the Second Division, which had fallen into chaos due to Yoruichi's defection.

Gin Ichimaru succeeded Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi as the Third Division Captain. His perpetually squinting, smiling demeanor made it impossible to discern his true thoughts, making him one of the most mysterious captains in the Seireitei.

Sōsuke Aizen naturally succeeded Shinji Hirako as the Fifth Division Captain, and quickly stabilized the Fifth Division due to his unique charm.

Sajin Komamura —a Soul Reaper from Rukongai with the appearance of a werewolf—has succeeded Love Aikawa as the Captain of the Seventh Division.

Kaname Tōsen succeed Kensei Muguruma as Captain of the Ninth Division. This blind Soul Reaper quickly earns the respect of the team members with his ideals of "justice".

Mayuri Kurotsuchi Kisuke Urahara as captain of the Twelfth Division and director of the Technology Development Bureau. After taking office, this mad scientist carried out sweeping reforms to the Technology Development Bureau, making it the most unique and dangerous department among the Gotei 13.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto used the pretext of "captain assessment" and "combat force reorganization" to purge a large number of nobles' henchmen planted in the Gotei 13. This purge caused a huge uproar in the noble circles, but with the Captain-Commander's iron fist and the support of captains such as Unohana, it was eventually completed successfully.

At the same time, Kuchiki Ginrei took this opportunity to officially retire, handing over the Kuchiki Clan entirely to her grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, who then succeeded his grandfather as captain of the Sixth Division. Kuchiki Kōga, on the other hand, followed the advice of Liu Ziyun from many years ago and lived in seclusion within the family, assisting Byakuya Kuchiki in handling family affairs, no longer appearing in public.

Thus, the Gotei 13 underwent a complete overhaul. The new lineup of captains was young and energetic, but also more difficult to control. More importantly, at least three of the new captains— Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen —were traitors with malicious intentions.

All of this was within Liu Ziyun's expectations.

One evening, when Unohana finished her work for the day and returned to the Captain's Office, she found an uninvited guest.

A figure dressed in a black cloak stood by the window, her back to the door, holding a small pair of scissors, carefully trimming the "Moon-Under-the-Flowers" pot she had placed on the windowsill. It was a rare flower that only bloomed on moonlit nights, its fragrance calming and soothing, a treasure that Unohana had meticulously cultivated for decades.

"You've been unusually low-key these past few years." Unohana closed the door, her tone calm, but a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "I'd almost forgotten there was someone like you in the team."

The figure in black turned around, pulled down his hood, revealing Liu Ziyun's face with a cynical smile, "Captain, don't joke around. If you really forgot me, why would you come to see me every few months under the pretense of 'inspecting the dorms'? I can't be bothered to expose your lame excuses."

He put down the scissors, walked to the tea table, and sat down. "If you miss me, just say so. We can set up Barrier and secretly meet in the dorm. Of course, it would be best to go at night wearing Black Cloak so we won't be easily discovered."

Unohana glanced at him, a dangerous smile playing on her lips, "I've noticed you're becoming increasingly lawless. What, you've gotten stronger, so you dare to lay your claws on me now?"

She walked to the head of the table and poured herself a cup of tea. "So, what brings you here this time? This must be the first time in years that you've taken the initiative to come see me."

Liu Ziyun's joking expression vanished, replaced by seriousness. "I've come to see the captain this time because I really have something to discuss. I need the captain to cover for me."

"What are you up to now?" Unohana raised an eyebrow. "We've finally had a few years of peace, Seireitei has just returned to tranquility. What are you planning to do now?"

"This time I'm planning to go to the World of the Living," Liu Ziyun said bluntly, "So I hope the captain can help cover it up and not let anyone know my whereabouts."

Unohana paused slightly in her teacup. "Who are you planning to save this time? Is there anyone in this World of the Living who needs your personal rescue?"

"I originally wanted to rescue them, but after thinking about it, I decided against it." Liu Ziyun shook his head. "One reason is to go and explain what happened before to Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin. I'm afraid that guy who thinks he's so smart might overthink things—although he is indeed smart, sometimes being too clever can backfire. The other reason is to check on those unlucky guys. After all, those guys will definitely become lazy after coming to the World of the Living, and I need to put some pressure on them. Otherwise, how can we train soldiers after wasting nearly a hundred years?"

Unohana looked at him thoughtfully. "Hmm... you're not afraid your secret will be exposed, so you're thinking of running away before it's revealed, are you?"

Liu Ziyun's expression froze, then he put on an exaggeratedly aggrieved look. "Uh... what about me has been exposed? Captain, if you want something 'exposed,' I can 'take it off' for you to see right now."

Unohana narrowed her eyes, her usually calm gaze now flashing with a dangerous light. "Do you want me to cripple you? Get lost, you annoying brat."

Liu Ziyun shrank back guiltily. "Ugh... Okay, I'll be going then. Captain, remember to cover for me."

As he spoke, he moved cautiously toward the door, as if he were walking a tightrope.

Unohana didn't answer, she just squinted and stared at him coldly, without saying a word.

Liu Ziyun knew that staying any longer might be life-threatening, so he immediately turned around and rushed out of the Captain's Office as fast as he could, without even bothering to close the door.

Unohana watched his retreating figure, a slight, helpless smile playing on her lips. She walked to the window, picked up the small scissors that Liu Ziyun had just used, and continued pruning the "Moon-Under-the-Flowers" pot.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a long shadow of her.

On the streets of Seireitei, Liu Ziyun, cloaked in Black Cloak, silently traversed the night, heading towards the pre-prepared Senkaimon.

In his hand, he held the Special Pass Unohana had prepared for him, which could completely conceal his Reiatsu and whereabouts.