Today, the events that unfolded this evening opened Gin Ichimaru's eyes to many things. At the same time, it also brought him numerous questions.
The 4th Division of the Gotei 13 was a medical relief unit. Its members were Shinigami skilled in healing Kidō, or their Zanpakutō possessed healing abilities.
Captain Retsu Unohana of the 4th Division was regarded as the most gentle and beautiful captain by everyone.
Everyone knew of the captain's strength, but as the leader of a medical relief unit, people assumed Captain Unohana's power might not be as formidable as other captains.
After all, the other captains had experience in battle, but no one had ever witnessed Captain Unohana fighting.
One could say the 4th Division was widely considered the weakest combat force in the Gotei 13.
But what had Gin just witnessed? That lifeless expression, cold and cruel tone, chilling aura – it was almost no different from that man called Zaraki.
You call this weak?
"Oh? I didn't expect you to care about such things, Gin."
Ailin gave Gin a puzzled look. He had always thought Gin cared about nothing except Rangiku Matsumoto.
Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes and smiled without saying a word. Previously, he had hoped that if Rangiku later became a Shinigami in the Seireitei, she would join the 4th Division.
But today, seeing Captain Unohana's side that no one had witnessed before made him wary of the entire Gotei 13.
The cultured and gentle 5th Division Vice-Captain Sōsuke Aizen, described by outsiders, was the culprit who stole something important from Rangiku.
And the motherly Captain Unohana of the 4th Division, as seen by others, could actually display such a terrifying expression. As if life itself held no weight in her eyes.
Then what other faces might the strongest Shinigami "Kenpachi" Ailin be hiding?
"However, since you wish to know, I'll tell you more about the Soul Society's affairs to broaden your understanding and prevent future offenses."
Beckoning Gin to sit on the rock where Yachiru Kusajishi had hidden earlier, Ailin began slowly explaining.
"Let's start with Captain Unohana. A thousand years ago, when the Captain-Commander Yamamoto established the Gotei 13, the founding captains were known as the 'Strongest Gotei 13'. In other words, the captains back then were on a completely different level compared to the current ones.
Captain Unohana of the 4th Division was actually the initial captain of the 11th Division. At that time, Captain Unohana bore the title of 'Ultimate Villain', and she killed her way to earning the 'Kenpachi' moniker – the strongest Shinigami. Now you understand why you saw Captain Unohana in that state earlier, right? That was Captain Unohana's true form from centuries ago."
"I see." Gin nodded in realization. "Then why did Captain Unohana come here in that state today?"
"Initially, I thought she came for that man. But from her words later, it was clearly aimed at me. It seems that if that man called Zaraki hadn't appeared tonight, the one fighting and clashing with me would have been Captain Unohana instead!"
"Why?"
"We'll have to ask Captain Unohana about that." Ailin smiled, "But I think it's possible that as the current 'Kenpachi', I didn't defeat the previous one to become the 11th Division Captain, so the original Kenpachi wanted to make up for that ceremony with me."
Gin pursed his lips. Titles like the strongest captain and strongest Shinigami already sounded formidable.
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"Could you defeat her?"
Captain Ailin was his greatest support now. If Captain Ailin died...
"What are you thinking, brat?" Ailin laughed and patted Gin's head. "How little do you think of me to believe I would lose?"
"But you just said the founding Gotei 13 captains were the strongest, and Captain Unohana was the original 'Kenpachi' with the strongest Shinigami title."
"So what?" Ailin raised his brows. "Gin, you should know that in this era, the one holding the strongest Shinigami title is me – Kenpachi Ailin, not some Kenpachi Unohana!"
"Yeah."
"Then what about that man called Zaraki? How did his spiritual pressure surge so much?"
"Do you think Captain Unohana resigned from being the 11th Division Captain to become the 4th Division Captain for no reason?"
***
Upon returning to the Seireitei, Unohana expelled Zaraki from Minazuki's mouth and placed him on a bed in the 4th Division barracks, leaving Yachiru to care for him. She then headed towards the 1st Division.
In the 1st Division Headquarters, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto suddenly opened his eyes and walked out from his chambers.
Soon, under the guidance of Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe, Unohana arrived at Yamamoto's courtyard.
"Captain Unohana, what important matter brings you here so late?"
"Captain-Commander." Unohana bowed respectfully before speaking. "Do you still remember the young boy I encountered over four hundred years ago?"
"Hm?" Yamamoto's expression turned solemn.
As the one who personally defeated and recruited her, Yamamoto had an intimate understanding of Unohana's strength.
One could say that apart from himself, only Captain Kirio Hikifune of the 12th Division could match Unohana's power within the current Gotei 13.
The "Kenpachi" title as the strongest Shinigami was something she had carved out through sheer force.
Yet over four hundred years ago, Unohana had been defeated by a mere teenager. If anyone else had said this, Yamamoto might have thought they were mocking him.
"I've now brought that person to the Seireitei..."
Unohana then explained Zaraki's situation to Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, it was because of me that this child has unconsciously suppressed his spiritual pressure to only a captain's level. So I wish to request that you teach this child the way of the sword and grant him some self-defense abilities."
Yamamoto frowned. This was his first time hearing of someone unconsciously suppressing their spiritual pressure in such a manner. But in this vast world, nothing was impossible.
Yamamoto would not simply take Unohana's words at face value.
"Very well, Captain Unohana. Once he has recovered from his injuries, have him come to the 1st Division. I will observe him for a period and personally guide him in swordsmanship during that time."
"Thank you, Captain-Commander."
Receiving Yamamoto's approval put Unohana's mind at ease. She had witnessed Zaraki's battle with Ailin and understood his strengths and weaknesses.
Zaraki fought without any technique. Clearly, he had never systematically learned the Four Shinigami Combat Arts. His fighting style was forged through countless life-or-death battles, wild and demonic. All offense, no defense.
For Zaraki, using overwhelming strength and speed to swing his sword was enough. This combat approach suited him at his peak. But now, with his spiritual pressure only at a captain's level, such moves held no advantage against captain-class opponents.
During Zaraki's fight with Ailin, Unohana noticed that his spiritual pressure surges only occurred when faced with mortal danger, allowing his suppressed power to awaken.
Recalling this, Unohana touched the scar on her chest. Learning healing techniques had indeed been meaningful.
Zaraki was her destiny. She had caused him to become his current state, and only she could restore him to his peak.
If Zaraki challenged her, she would absolutely allow him to regain the state he was in when they fought.
Before then, let Zaraki learn swordsmanship from the Captain-Commander. With his restored peak spiritual pressure combined with formidable sword skills, the revived Zaraki would undoubtedly surpass his initial strength!
***
"You're awake? How are you feeling?"
The next day when Zaraki woke up, the first person he saw was the woman who had defeated him.
"Where is this? Where's the man I fought yesterday?" Zaraki rose from the bed, stretching his limbs. His injuries were mostly healed.
"This is the 4th Division of the Gotei 13 in the Seireitei. The man you fought yesterday is the 11th Division Captain."
Seeing Unohana's smiling face, Zaraki felt extremely uncomfortable.
In his mind, Unohana was a comrade who, like him, enjoyed the thrill of battle and slaughter – not this harmless-looking 4th Division Captain.
He had even named the young girl he found "Yachiru" after Unohana.
‘Was I too weak to let her enjoy the pleasure of battle?’ For some reason, this question flashed through Zaraki's mind. Realizing this, he felt uneasy before the smiling Unohana.
"The 11th Division Captain?"
Zaraki glanced at Unohana. If he remembered correctly, the white haori that woman wore during their fight centuries ago also had the number eleven on the back.
"By the way, I noticed you haven't learned any combat techniques, so I requested the Captain-Commander to teach you swordsmanship for a period.
You should know that the Captain-Commander is the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society for a thousand years. With his guidance, I believe your strength will definitely improve by leaps and bounds."
"I was indeed too weak."
Hearing that his centuries-old opponent had found him a teacher, Zaraki became even more convinced of his realization. He was so weak that this woman now wore a mask before him!