Unohana Retsu.
Among all the captains of the Gotei 13, she was the one who, aside from old man Yamamoto, had held her position the longest—and at the same time, a legendary criminal from a thousand years ago: the First Kenpachi.
Though she had long since restrained her bloodlust, hiding that abnormal aura of murderous intent completely, the name of someone like her still carried an overwhelming shadow.
For Arima Shinya, facing her for the first time, it was impossible not to feel tense.
"M-my name is Arima Shinya, first-year student of the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy."
"You're quite nervous, aren't you? Is it because this is our first meeting? Hehe… I hope you'll get used to it soon. After all, when you join the Gotei 13, you'll often work together with the 4th Division, which is responsible for medical care and field support. It's good to start getting familiar now."
Her tone sounded a bit like that of a teacher.
But there was nothing he could do—after all, the woman standing before him was centuries, perhaps millennia, old.
When an ancestor from countless generations ago scolds you, all you can do is smile awkwardly and accept it.
Arima Shinya nodded nervously.
"O-of course… thank you for the advice, Captain!"
Unohana smiled gently, shaking her head in approval. She stepped into the room and opened the curtains.
Outside was a refined garden filled with pots, neatly tended plants, and small birds perched upon the branches.
A warm breeze drifted through the window, brushing against Arima Shinya's skin and awakening his dulled senses.
The memories of the battle returned to him, one by one, and he spoke hesitantly:
"Captain Unohana… may I ask you a few questions?"
She adjusted the window frame, turned toward him, clasped her hands before her body, and replied calmly:
"You're curious about what happened that day, aren't you?"
The question was so direct that there was no room for hesitation.
Arima Shinya simply nodded.
"Yes. I want to know exactly what happened."
"Unfortunately, I can't disclose the details for now. The case is still being reviewed within Seireitei. I'm sorry, Arima-kun. What I can tell you is that it was Fourth Seat Aizen who brought you to the 4th Division and requested medical assistance."
So it was true.
That figure he had seen before losing consciousness hadn't been an illusion.
But the explanation only deepened his confusion.
If they knew Aizen had rescued him, why didn't Unohana want to discuss the incident? And what did she mean by an "internal review"?
The situation seemed far more serious than he had imagined.
Arima Shinya frowned, puzzled. And Unohana, for her part, avoided even mentioning Kiganjo Kenpachi's name—was it out of disdain?
After all, as the First Kenpachi, she surely viewed that man as unworthy of the title.
Either way, faced with the captain's composed demeanor, Shinya didn't dare to press further. He could only accept it.
"I understand… thank you very much for your help, Captain Unohana."
She smiled faintly and replied in her serene tone:
"It was nothing. I only used basic healing techniques. The credit goes to your resilient body. Even without Kaidō treatment, you would've recovered on your own with time."
So… was all this just an overreaction?
As Arima pondered that, Unohana stood up.
"I see you've recovered your strength well. You'll soon be able to handle the procedures to leave the infirmary."
She turned toward the door and called out:
"Seinosuke, please escort Arima-kun on his way out. It's his first time in the 4th Division—he might easily get lost."
A tall, thin man with long features and a melancholy expression entered through the doorway.
"Arima-kun, this is Yamada Seinosuke, the vice-captain of the 4th Division. I have other duties to attend to, so I won't be able to accompany you any longer. If you have any questions, you can speak with Seinosuke."
Arima quickly bowed.
"Understood… thank you once again for your help, Captain Unohana!"
"Hehe, think nothing of it."
With one last gentle smile, Unohana left the room.
Seinosuke remained there, but he didn't seem particularly interested in conversation. He gave Shinya a cool glance and said in a flat tone:
"Let's go. I'll take you to sign the discharge papers."
Arima Shinya still wanted to ask many things—
Where was Aizen now? What happened to Kiganjo Kenpachi after the fight?
But this clearly wasn't the time for questions. He swallowed his words and followed in silence.
Come to think of it… I really did fight Kiganjo Kenpachi, didn't I?
In that case… shouldn't I have gained something from it?
In that instant, before his eyes, familiar words appeared:
[You have endured a life-or-death trial and grasped the opponent's skills and characteristics…]
[Kenjutsu +10 | Hakuda +5 | Shunpo +5 | Kidō +5]
Arima Shinya was left dumbfounded.
"Huh? All that?!"
Multiple attribute bonuses had appeared before, when he watched Yoruichi fight. But this time, the gain was absurd—a total of twenty-five points!
Even without checking the numbers, he could feel it: his spiritual pressure had reached another level.
There was no doubt—his strength had leapt to a new stage.
It was impossible not to feel satisfied… but at the same time, he couldn't help a faint sense of humility.
The stronger he became, the more he realized the abyss that separated him from the true monsters.
"Kiganjo didn't even release his Zanpakutō… he fought me using only his raw spiritual pressure…"
Yes.
If he had released his blade, Shinya probably wouldn't have even had a chance to react.
Wounding the opponent's right arm had already been an extraordinary achievement.
"When you go out that way, greet the guards at the gate and tell them you're Arima Shinya. They'll let you pass."
After saying that, Seinosuke turned to leave.
Shinya blinked, uncertain of what to think.
"This guy's seriously cold… did I do something to annoy him?"
Yamada Seinosuke.
Arima didn't remember much about him, but he knew that more than a hundred years ago, he had served as the 4th Division's vice-captain.
Since the character had never appeared in either the anime or the manga, his true personality remained a complete mystery.
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