Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 82: Unohana, Who Sees Through Everything

Though technically Shin's senior, Kotetsu Isane admired him deeply. What he'd accomplished at the Shinō Academy was, in her eyes, nothing short of extraordinary for a mere student.

That's why she wasted no time in conveying everything Shin had told her to Captain Unohana.

"Those were all his suggestions?"

Unohana seemed mildly surprised.

"Yes," Isane replied cautiously. "I think there's a lot of merit in them."

Unohana smiled gently.

"I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised—he cared this much about improving the Gotei 13 even back in the Academy."

"Tachikawa Shin is remarkably gifted. In many areas, I can't even compare," Isane said modestly, standing straight as a board.

Unohana's gaze softened as it turned to her.

"Are you hoping to recommend him as our new vice-captain?"

Isane stiffened.

"Not at all, Captain. I merely meant that Shin has both the strength and intellect for the position. He also shows a natural understanding of Kaidō, and his Zanpakutō's abilities speak for themselves. What he lacks is simply field experience—but in our division, that's easily addressed."

Unohana's voice was gentle as always.

"You care for him deeply."

"Captain, I—"

"But tell me, how do you know he truly intends to stay in the 4th Division?"

Isane faltered.

"He's always shown interest in Kaidō. I've witnessed that firsthand—even before he graduated."

She remembered those long discussions they'd had back at the Academy. His enthusiasm had seemed sincere.

But Unohana shook her head softly.

"What I mean is, can you be certain how long he plans to stay?"

"...Captain?"

"You yourself said he's talented. Strong enough to slay a Menos-class Hollow on his own—something few seated officers can even claim. True, his Zanpakutō appears to be Kaidō-type, which limited his initial assignment. But once he's eligible for promotion to vice-captain, no one will care what type of blade he carries."

Isane's heart sank. She recalled their first meeting—how Shin had shown no particular excitement about joining the 4th Division.

Could Captain Unohana be right? Was he merely accepting what he couldn't change?

"Captain... what about the suggestions I mentioned?"

"Let him tell me himself."

—

Shin was summoned by Kotetsu Isane to a quiet teahouse.

The moment he slid open the door, he saw her.

Unohana sat poised, long hair cascading like ink-black silk. Gentle and serene as still water—but no less daunting for it.

Her white haori fell in perfect folds, like draped ivory. And beneath those gentle eyes... lay a depth Shin couldn't fully gauge.

"Captain, Shin is here," Isane announced softly.

"You may leave us," Unohana replied.

Isane bowed, turned, and silently exited.

Shin stepped into the tranquil space. For the second time since joining the 4th Division, he was face to face with the captain herself. But this time, something felt... different.

"Captain Unohana," he said, bowing slightly.

"Do you enjoy tea?"

Her smile remained soft as moonlight. She gestured for him to sit.

"From time to time."

The wooden awning cast shadows across the floor like scattered gold leaf. Unohana's eyes seemed to glow in that fractured twilight.

"You're from Zaraki District, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Her sleeve brushed against a porcelain tea jar. The faint rasp of cloth on clay was like silk against leaves. She gently struck the chasen against the edge of the bowl—three soft taps that rippled through the silence.

Then she poured and gestured.

Shin sipped. Bitterness, followed by a subtle sweetness.

"I've been there before," she murmured. "Surviving there isn't easy."

"That's true," Shin answered. "I was lucky."

"Luck had nothing to do with it. Some things are fated. You met someone in Zaraki, entered the Academy, came to the 4th Division, and then..."

She paused, and for a heartbeat, her voice dropped to a whisper.

"You met me."

The final words were spoken so gently, they barely brushed the air. But when she lifted her gaze, those eyes shimmered with something deeper than tea.

Shin smiled faintly.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Captain. Didn't we already meet before I joined?"

Isane had told him Unohana wanted to hear more about his suggestions. Yet... the captain made no move to mention any of them.

"You don't need to understand. I do."

Shin had no reply.

Wind stirred the cherry blossoms outside. Their shadows fell across Unohana's haori like a drifting shroud.

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"There's one more thing I understand."

Shin looked up.

"Your Zanpakutō is not Kaidō-type."

The words struck like a bolt of lightning.

He froze mid-sip, fingers tightening on the tea bowl. Unohana's smiling eyes glinted with hidden mirth.

"Captain, I don't understand..."

"It may heal wounds, yes—but it violates the core principles of Kaidō. Those others didn't notice because their knowledge is limited. They thought your ability was simply some advanced Kaidō technique."

"..."

Shin forced a look of confusion.

"I... I didn't know that. So my Zanpakutō isn't Kaidō-based after all?"

"You don't need to pretend with me," she replied gently. "I suspect your Zanpakutō can revert matter to a previous state. That's not healing—it's temporal restoration."

"..."

She sipped her tea again, the motion as calm as ever.

Shin sat in silence.

"You're right," he said eventually. "It isn't a Kaidō-type."

He'd already prepared counter-arguments in his mind. But then—

"There was something else that convinced me—long before I saw your blade in action."

"Oh?"

"Your swordsmanship."

Shin blinked.

"A man with that kind of swordsmanship does not possess a healing blade."

He smiled faintly.

"But Captain Unohana, aren't you the same?"

Her expression lit up—but just for a heartbeat.

Then something behind her smile twisted.

The gentle warmth bled into something razor-sharp. A grin curved like a crescent scythe. Her lashes cast shadows like teeth.

"So you do know... about a thousand years ago."

Shin went rigid. The spiritual barrier around his body flared instinctively in warning.

Unohana took another sip of tea, smile softening once more.

"Not many know. You've clearly done your homework."

"..."

"As I said—some things are destined. Even if you hadn't disguised your Zanpakutō, the moment we met, fate would have drawn you to the 4th Division. Instinct never lies."

Shin stiffened again.

She thought he'd pretended his blade was Kaidō-type just to join her. That he'd come to the 4th to find the truth about the First Kenpachi.

In a way... she was right. But not for the reason she thought.

She believed Shin had learned of her secret—and joined her squad to meet her.

Which, oddly enough, worked in his favor.

For a moment, he just looked at her.

At the face of the most dangerous woman in the Gotei 13, wearing the gentlest smile.

"Truly... you are remarkable, Captain Unohana."