[One Hour Later]
The cave returned to calm. The bloodred world vanished, and Rosse and Unohana reappeared in the normal world.
However, compared to before, Unohana's complexion clearly showed fatigue, though there was also a charming coquettishness between her brows.
Maintaining Bankai for so long had taken a toll on her.
Moreover, she had been at a disadvantage inside the Bankai.
At first, she could still trade one life for one of Rosse's.
But later on, it took her two lives on average to take one from Rosse.
It was not that Rosse began to defend; as her spiritual pressure was consumed, her blade really did grow dull.
The biggest reason she gave up fighting was not Rosse's invitation.
It was that, in the end, as her spiritual pressure kept dropping, her blade could no longer pierce Rosse's body.
In that situation, letting Rosse enjoy the fight became a luxury, let alone an equal slaughter.
"Good insight. No wonder those young men and women like it. Is this your usual way to decompress, Rosse-kun?", Unohana licked the corner of her mouth, a hint of coquettishness in her expression.
After agreeing to Rosse, she asked him a question.
Rosse had slaughtered well over a million. What method did he use to remain normal in everyday life?
Even she constantly controlled herself to prevent killing intent from showing and did things to soothe her spirit.
Even after being calm for a thousand years, her mindset had not fully adjusted.
Rosse did not answer then; he simply began to act.
They happened to have no clothing to interfere, so it was especially convenient.
📍 Unohana Retsu
To Rosse's surprise, despite her shamelessness, it was Unohana's first time.
Previously, Unohana had been enamored with killing and had no interest in such things.
But after trying it once with Rosse, she accepted the method.
After an hour of decompression, the murderous desire that had surged wildly inside her from fighting Rosse was miraculously suppressed by more than half.
The remainder could be easily adjusted back by arranging some flowers when she returned.
Unlike before, after each bout of killing she would have to isolate herself for a long time before returning to normal.
"Killing is essentially a desire. If other things can share that desire, the urge to kill won't be so strong," Rosse shrugged.
People are essentially desire creatures, whether doing or loving something.
When killing, you want to kill more; when enjoying pleasure, you want more pleasure.
When you leave those two states, everything feels bland. That is the best medicine for adjusting one's mindset.
"In that case, I don't have to deliberately suppress myself anymore," Unohana smiled at Rosse, fingers playing with her waterfall hair as she braided it back into a plait and bound it over her chest.
"Only for me," Rosse said lightly. He did not like sharing. [T/N: 👍🏻]
Especially someone as exquisite as Unohana. She could belong only to him.
"Of course. I have no use for others."
Unohana nodded with a smile. The fierce urge to kill vanished the moment her braid was finished.
She became Unohana Retsu again, the gentle and kind Fourth Division captain.
"Let's go. We've been fighting so long I'm starving. Let's go back to the division and eat something," Rosse stretched and led the way out.
Unohana kept smiling and followed right behind him without leaving his side.
She had a premonition. The days following Rosse might be the most splendid time in her thousand-year life.
———
Their travel was quick. In a few minutes they were back at the Tenth Division.
Just as Rosse returned to the barracks, the door was pushed open by Matsumoto Rangiku.
"Captain, you're finally back."
Seeing Rosse safe, Matsumoto Rangiku breathed a sigh of relief.
Noticing Unohana sitting nearby drinking tea, she politely greeted her.
"Captain Unohana!"
Unohana only nodded, quietly finished brewing the tea, and handed it to Rosse.
Seeing this, Matsumoto Rangiku did not think much of it, only inwardly admiring how gentle Captain Unohana was, worthy of the Fourth Division captain who heals the wounded.
"Rangiku, nothing happened while we were gone, right?", Rosse asked with a smile.
"No, but not long before you returned a strong spiritual pressure erupted in the direction of the noble district. We don't know what happened," Matsumoto Rangiku hesitated.
Because Unohana was present, she did not dare speak freely.
The noble district was home to nobles, including a branch of the Tsunayashiro family.
Most likely something happened there.
But the spiritual pressure that erupted did not belong to Rosse, and that made her uneasy.
Was it Rosse who did it or not?
"Deputy Captain Matsumoto, do not worry. I can prove Captain Rosse never left the Tenth Division," Having trained herself for a thousand years, Unohana had seen all of Rangiku's small tells.
It was obvious that Commander Yamamoto's suspicion of Rosse might be grounded.
That branch member of the Tsunayashiro family probably died at Rosse's hands.
But what did that have to do with her?
Rosse could kill anyone, even her, and she would not stop him, let alone some fleas.
"Ah… Captain Unohana is right. The captain indeed didn't leave the Tenth Division."
Matsumoto Rangiku immediately snapped to attention, inwardly warning herself not to be careless.
Her earlier oddity had clearly been noticed by Unohana.
Fortunately, the captain had left with Unohana. Her doubts were natural. Otherwise, Rosse's killing of a noble might have been revealed inadvertently.
Swoosh!
At that moment, a dark figure suddenly entered the Tenth Division.
Matsumoto Rangiku frowned slightly, glanced at the two captains who looked normal, then at the figure in the Gotei Squad uniform, and asked aloud.
"Such a late hour. What brings you to us?"
"The Commander orders a captain meeting. All captains must attend. Vice captains are to observe in the waiting room."
The Gotei Squad member knelt on one knee and reported the message from the Commander.
"A captain meeting this late? What happened?"
Matsumoto Rangiku looked at the Gotei Squad member in surprise. Although she had a vague premonition, she did not expect matters to escalate so quickly.
'And why are both captains going? Since when did the captain get involved with Captain Unohana?'
"All members of the Tsunayashiro family were killed. We have no further details," The Gotei Squad member spoke quietly, careful not to be remiss before these senior figures.
"All right. We'll know more at the captain meeting. Let's prepare to depart. Captain Unohana, will you come with us or go with your lieutenant?", Rosse did not press the squad member and asked Unohana.
"Together. Kiyone should have been notified already. Squadman, please run and notify Fourth Division lieutenant Kotetsu Kiyone to proceed to the Commander's chamber on her own."
Unohana smiled at the Gotei Squad member as she finished speaking.
"No trouble, I'll go now."
As soon as Unohana finished, the Gotei Squad member darted off.
Rosse and the others tidied themselves and also headed to the First Division.
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