Return, Settlement

Aizen was exceptionally clever. Upon hearing Lu Li's words, he gave the matter some thought and gained a rough understanding.

"Could it be that whenever Lu-kun disappeared before, you were actually going to that so-called world beyond the heavens to train and cultivate?"

Aizen asked with a smile.

"Exactly."

Lu Li nodded without offering much explanation.

Seeing that Lu Li did not elaborate, Aizen pondered for a moment. "In that case, when the time is right, I shall accompany Lu-kun to the world beyond the heavens and take a look."

The two exchanged smiles. Some things needed no further explanation; when the time came, the truth would reveal itself.

Lu Li rose from the rooftop, enjoying the breeze against his face. "Sōsuke, now that everything is settled, I'll be leaving after I say goodbye to everyone."

"Disappearing is Lu-kun's specialty. I was prepared for it long ago."

Aizen said. He suspected that this world was likely far less simple than he understood. There were always greater heavens beyond the heavens, greater people beyond people.

If Lu-kun had truly come from beyond the heavens, then returning there was only natural.

He was merely curious—if he left this world himself, what kind of adventure would await him?

Several days later, after bidding farewell to his old acquaintances throughout the Gotei 13, Lu Li walked out of the Seireitei.

"Doomsday, return."

Lu Li's remaining stay had already reached its limit. As he used his return authority, Doomsday immediately cast down a beam of white light that enveloped him.

After some time, Lu Li opened his eyes again and saw familiar furniture before him.

No obvious injuries detected on Pioneer. Begin settlement?

Lu Li was in peak condition. He took a bottle of iced cola from the refrigerator and replied, "Settle