Seireitei, 1st Division Barracks.
A middle-aged man with slicked-back silver-white hair, dressed in World of the Living-style gentleman's attire, hummed a tune leisurely while elegantly watering a tea plant. He raised a hand to rub the distinctive small black moustache on either side of his nose before turning to look towards the barracks' entrance.
"Sir Inoue, what matter has you in such a hurry?"
Observing Inoue Toshiki, who was slightly out of breath from rushing, Chōjirō Sasakibe raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to walk into the inner chamber. Moments later, Inoue Toshiki, waiting outside the door, heard Sasakibe's voice—"Please enter." He removed his geta and stepped onto the wooden veranda, sliding the door open to enter.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Inoue Toshiki, instructor from the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, reporting an important matter."
He bowed respectfully to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, who sat at the head of the room with his eyes closed in meditation, then proceeded to report in detail the performance of the student Kensei Kenzuru in today's class. Finishing his report, he lowered his head and quietly awaited the Captain-Commander's instructions.
"Are you saying the child shows considerable talent in the way of the sword?"
A gentle voice came from the left. A female Shinigami with centre-parted long black hair and a perpetual gentle smile on her face took a sip of tea, looking at Inoue Toshiki with interest. One unfamiliar with her true nature would likely be deceived by this gentle appearance.
"Captain Unohana, that question… I dare not make any presumptuous judgment. I can only speculate based on the student's performance that Kensei Kenzuru may possess such potential."
Inoue Toshiki happened to know that the woman before him—Unohana Retsu, or rather, Unohana Yachiru from a thousand years ago—was once a ruthless figure who killed without batting an eye. Had she not been defeated under Captain-Commander Yamamoto's command and tempered her nature after joining the Gotei 13, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand straight in her presence now.
"Captain-Commander, I shall take my leave first then."
Placing the emptied teacup gently on the small table before her, Unohana rose, bowed, and gracefully departed. Captain-Commander Yamamoto's half-lidded eyes opened a slit, uttering only a single phrase: "Be mindful of the degree." Then, as if it were none of his concern, he resumed savoring his tea.
"Captain-Commander, I shall also take my leave."
Inoue Toshiki hurriedly bowed and retreated, anxious to return to the academy. Where Unohana was going and what she intended to do—he could guess with his toes. If he didn't go back to keep an eye on things, who knew what might happen to Kensei.
But then again… even if he went back, could he stop Unohana?
"Captain, is it really alright to let Captain Unohana go…?"
"It's fine. She knows her limits."
Yamamoto Genryūsai gazed at the ripples forming in his teacup, his mind not at peace. Currently, the Gotei 13's Captain ranks were experiencing a gap between generations, rebellions were seething beneath the surface in the Rukongai, and the Central 46 were creating obstacles everywhere… If a young man with a clean background and outstanding talent could appear now, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the Soul Society.
——————————
"Kensei, in this afternoon's class, a 'prominent figure' might come looking for you."
Kensei Kenzuru gave Aizen a strange look and reached out to feel his forehead.
"No fever… so why are you talking nonsense? Although I am handsome and dashing, and my wisdom is not beneath yours—why would they have any reason to come find me for no reason?"
Aizen had nothing left to say to this overconfident classmate of his. Just who gave him the courage to believe he possessed something like "intelligence"? Whatever. If someone really did come, the one with the headache would be Kensei. He sighed softly and sat back down on his bed, continuing to condense his spiritual pressure. Kensei, bored, lay down for a nap—having already reached the 4th Rei'i grade, all he needed now was to systematically learn Shikai and Bankai. Otherwise, no matter how high his spiritual pressure, without Bankai, he'd remain just another face in the crowd.
"Sōsuke… your mouth must be blessed by prophecy or something…"
In the afternoon, upon returning to the training ground, Kensei spotted the familiar figure standing before the group of students at a glance. He instantly wished he could strangle Aizen unconscious beside him, or simply report this "mastermind" to Captain Unohana. Sadly, Captain Unohana most likely wouldn't believe him.
"I am Unohana Retsu, Captain of the 4th Division. This afternoon, I will be temporarily taking over your instructors' class."
Unohana's gaze gently swept over the students seated on the ground and, as if guided by intuition, settled directly on Kensei Kenzuru.
"Student Kensei Kenzuru, would you please come forward to assist the teacher with a demonstration?"
The other students all looked at Kensei, their expressions saying "I knew it." Presumably, this Captain had heard about his performance from Teacher Inoue and had come specifically. Kensei, however, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles—he had zero desire to face off against a battle maniac like Unohana, especially since she was a genuine Captain-level fighter. Wouldn't beating him up be child's play for her?
"Teacher, I'm not feeling very well… can I request to go to the infirmary?"
"It's quite alright. The 4th Division excels in healing Kidō. The teacher can treat you right now."
Her smile remained gentle, yet Kensei felt a chill quietly spreading.
"Sōsuke, say something!"
He whispered a plea for help to Aizen, but the other remained composed and unresponsive. Kensei had no choice but to give up struggling. Before leaving, he shot Aizen a friendly hand gesture, then steeled himself and walked towards Unohana.
Once standing before her, he had just drawn the bamboo sword from his waist when Unohana shook her head. From somewhere, she produced an Asauchi and tossed it to him.
"For today's instruction, let's use real swords. There's no need to worry about injury, Kensei-kun. I am rather skilled at… saving lives and aiding the wounded."
Before her words had fully faded, Unohana had already lunged forward like a beast unleashed from its cage! An intense murderous aura instantly enveloped Kensei. Instinct honed on the line between life and death made him swing his sword to meet the attack. Unohana, who claimed to master all schools of swordsmanship, rained down attacks like a torrential storm, her blade paths cunning and unpredictable. At first, Kensei could only barely parry using the techniques he had learned. Yet, like a sponge, he rapidly absorbed her swordsmanship, gradually beginning to hold his ground, even starting to seize and reverse the pace of the exchange.
The surrounding students had long since retreated to a distance—the commotion from the two combatants was truly frightening. Sparks flew from clashing blades, the ringing of metal against metal was constant, and their figures were almost impossible to follow clearly.
Aizen watched Kensei, who was gradually gaining the upper hand, a scorching light flashing in his eyes, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
BOOM—!
Unohana suddenly unleashed her Captain-level spiritual pressure, bearing down on Kensei like a collapsing mountain, while simultaneously slashing her sword towards his neck! This was the most direct way to test a Shinigami's spiritual pressure—only by mobilizing one's own spiritual pressure to resist could one withstand this lethal strike. Of course, Unohana wasn't serious; if the opponent was incapable of resisting 3rd-grade Rei'i, she would naturally pull back in time.
Unaware of this, Kensei felt this woman had truly lost herself to bloodlust. He had no choice but to release his 4th-grade Rei'i to barely offset part of the pressure, cross his sword to block, and then counter-thrust towards her chest. Unohana seemed slightly surprised by his spiritual pressure, her movements faltering for an instant. Just below her collarbone, the blade left a shallow cut, drawing a line of blood.
She Shunpo'd back several dozen steps, raised a hand to lightly touch the wound, glanced at the blood on her fingertip, and when she looked up again, her gaze was burning like fire.
"Heh heh… Kensei-kun, you are the first to injure me."
"Um… Captain Unohana, Teacher… shouldn't you tend to that wound first?"
Kensei felt unnerved by her laughter. Staring at the still-bleeding cut, he softly reminded her.
"Heh heh, my apologies, everyone. It seems I must take my leave from today's class."
Unohana offered the students a gentle smile, then vanished with Shunpo, leaving behind a crowd of stupefied trainees. Kensei walked back to Aizen's side, feeling the mixture of worship and fear in the surrounding gazes. Suddenly, he felt a bit disinterested in it all.
"I hadn't expected you to already be at the Vice-Captain level, Kensei."
Aizen's tone was as calm as ever.
Kensei patted his shoulder, his nose practically pointed at the sky:
"Heh heh, without this level of talent, how could I have the nerve to be your classmate?"