"I knew it. No Shinigami in the Gotei 13 possesses such swordsmanship."
"Aizen?"
"I think I've heard the name before."
Unohana Retsu showed no surprise when Hirako Shinji told her that the one who injured him wasn't another captain.
For someone like her—one of the oldest and most dangerous beings in the Soul Society—there was little she didn't already know.
If such a formidable sword technique existed among the Gotei captains, she would have known.
And yet, there wasn't a single one.
"I remember now. He's the chief student of this year's Spiritual Arts Academy."
Her expression remained calm as she recalled Ran Yan's identity.
"Sister Unohana, aren't you even a little surprised?"
"A freshman at the Academy... actually managed to injure me, a Gotei captain."
Hirako Shinji frowned. He couldn't tell if her lack of reaction was confidence… or indifference.
"For someone with that kind of swordsmanship, whether they're a freshman or not is irrelevant."
"It's only natural he could cut you."
Unohana glanced at him calmly.
"In fact, he showed mercy."
"If he'd shifted the angle just a little lower… you probably wouldn't have lived long enough to come see me."
Age? Heritage? Status?
None of that mattered.
Strength was the only currency Unohana Retsu respected.
"You… seem very interested in this Ran Yan," Hirako said cautiously.
Unohana didn't answer right away.
She simply continued applying Kaidō to his wound.
But her silence said more than words.
Her eyes gleamed with something terrifying:
Ran Yan.
He is my dish.
Unohana Retsu's heart had skipped a beat the moment she saw the wound on Hirako's shoulder.
That surge of desire and battle-lust—so long buried—ignited instantly.
Why?
Because what she saw was something unprecedented.
A kendo style never before seen in Soul Society.
Even as the master of the Yachiryu school—one who had mastered every sword style the Soul Society had to offer—Unohana had never witnessed anything like it.
It was beyond thrilling.
More exciting than her battle with Zaraki Kenpachi—who, while fierce, lacked the refined artistry of true swordsmanship.
That Night
The Ran Yan brothers seemed to share a tacit understanding.
Both began training as soon as they returned to their dormitory.
The difference?
Aizen was actively practicing Shunpo, Kendo, Kidō, and refining his spiritual pressure.
Ran Yan, meanwhile, lay relaxed on his bed, eyes closed—"watching" as his own Zanpakutō, Kidō, Kendo, and Shunpo honed themselves.
While Aizen practiced to master his power…
Ran Yan's powers practiced on their own.
[Your Kidō is grinding until 3 a.m., vowing to master Bakudō No. 90—chantless.][Your Kendo scoffs, claiming it'll push until 5 a.m. to perfect a new move.][Your Shunpo shouts it'll overtake them both and proudly announces it has mastered the third step of the "Four Maples" stealth footwork—Kōshun.]
Ran Yan was quietly pleased.
Watching his powers compete with each other like students in an elite dojo was both entertaining and effective.
So what if he didn't have Hollow or Quincy blood?
He had abilities that worked harder than most people.
And they were obsessed with improvement.
How could he possibly lose?
Then suddenly, his expression shifted.
"That sensation…"
"A Hollow-like Reiatsu?"
"Someone… is looking for me."
Ran Yan sat up.
"Ran Yan Sōsuke, good evening."
"I am Unohana Retsu."
"Forgive the intrusion at this late hour."
A calm, elegant voice echoed through the dormitory.
Ran Yan's eyes gleamed.
The Flower of the Fourth—Unohana herself.
Her arrival only confirmed what he already suspected.
And right on cue…
"Please," she said, "let me see your Kendo."
Though her voice was soft and gentle as a breeze, Ran Yan knew very well:
If he said "no," she would kick in the door and drag him out for a duel.
He smirked.
"First Kenpachi, huh?"
"So, it's because of Hirako Shinji's wound..."
This wasn't just a visit.
This was a challenge.
And Ran Yan loved it.
As he reached for his Zanpakutō and headed toward the door—
Click.
The dorm door next to his opened at the same time.
Aizen.
Of course.
Unohana's spiritual message had been private—but Aizen had picked it up anyway.
"I used Bakudō No. 58 to trace that Reiatsu," Aizen said.
"It wasn't easy. This one's on another level."
"She feels stronger than even Shiba Isshin."
"Unohana Retsu."
Ran Yan confirmed.
"Captain of the Fourth."
"A healer?"
"With Reiatsu stronger than most captains?"
Aizen raised an eyebrow.
"Is Soul Society that corrupt… or is Yamamoto Genryūsai just that blind?"
"To stick such a war goddess in a medical division…"
He genuinely didn't know.
At this point in time, Aizen hadn't yet infiltrated Gotei 13—he was still a student.
His knowledge of the captains was limited to what he overheard from nobility like Shihouin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke, or what he could find in the Academy library.
But now?
Unohana Retsu had stepped out of the mist of obscurity.
And it was time to learn what kind of monster wore the mask of a saint.