One day ago.
North Rukongai, District 24.
Zaraki Kenpachi stood dazed in a dense forest, the fallen leaves under his feet rustling softly.
His gaze was fixed on the woman in front of him, and countless complex emotions surged in his heart.
The woman in front had a kind smile, a gentle demeanour, and wore snow-white clothes, giving off an initial impression of virtue and grace.
However, in Zaraki Kenpachi's eyes, this woman was nothing short of a terrifying Asura.
A thick scent of blood, like invisible tentacles, slowly parted her clothes.
Boundless darkness, like an abyss, spread out from beneath her feet, as if countless vengeful spirits' mournful wails could be heard.
The air suddenly solidified, and although the sunlight shone on him, Zaraki Kenpachi felt no warmth.
He only felt a chill throughout his body, and the veins on the back of his hand, gripping his Zanpakuto, bulged.
After a brief moment of distraction, he inhaled deeply, as if to draw all the surrounding air into his lungs.
Then, his lips suddenly stretched into a dangerous smile.
Boom!
His simple clothes exploded with the burst of reishi, revealing his upper body with its distinct, though not bulky, ferocious muscles.
Every muscle seemed to contain endless power, as if forged from steel.
Seeing this, Yachiru lightly jumped off him. She said nothing, stepping lightly on the branches, making a faint "creak" sound.
Finally, she landed steadily on Ikkaku Madarame's head.
Ikkaku Madarame's expression instantly turned sour when he saw someone blocking his path.
His brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a fierce aura.
He was the first to shout, "Hey, you woman in front, do you want to die?!"
Although he didn't know why his big brother suddenly unleashed his reishi, it was clear that the person in front was an enemy.
Swish!
He quickly took down the Zanpakuto from behind his neck, swinging it with its black sheath, striking a formidable pose.
The blade cut a sharp arc through the air, emitting a piercing whistle:
"Why don't you quickly retreat!"
"Yumichika!"
With that cry, Yumichika Ayasegawa, who was standing beside him, sighed helplessly.
A hint of hesitation showed in his eyes, but he still drew his Zanpakuto as well:
"Ikkaku, are you sure you want to disturb the boss's fight?"
Since Retsu Unohana had not emitted any substantial killing intent, the two of them were not sure how much of a threat she posed to them.
They instinctively thought she was on par with them.
However, soon.
They found they were wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Retsu Unohana calmly glanced at the two and asked Zaraki Kenpachi, "Can a beast like you even make friends?"
"Ah, you mean them." Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, "They're not friends, they're my subordinates."
"Retsu Unohana, I didn't expect to run into you here."
"Are you here to kill me today?"
"No, I just came to see how you've been doing these past few centuries…"
"To be honest…"
As if seeing something loathsome, Retsu Unohana's smile faded bit by bit:
"I'm very disappointed, Zaraki Kenpachi…"
Her voice was soft, gradually losing interest,
"I thought that over these long centuries, you would constantly challenge yourself, break through limits, and become stronger…"
"However…"
"It seems I overestimated you…"
"Centuries unseen."
"You've become so weak…"
She lowered her head, and in that instant, the whole world fell silent.
Shadows quietly crept in from all directions, emanating a chilling and heavy aura.
Torrential killing intent transformed into a sea that pressed down on every nerve of Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa.
The colour drained from their faces in an instant, as if an invisible pair of large hands had fiercely gripped their necks!
Click.
Their Zanpakuto dropped to the ground, making a clear sound.
They bent over, struggling to breathe, cold sweat streaming down their faces.
—Such heavy pressure!
Only now did they realise that the woman before them was not benevolent.
The murderous aura emanating from her body was almost tangible.
—How many people had she killed?
Zaraki Kenpachi's expression hardened, seemingly unable to comprehend her words: "What did you say!?"
"Retsu Unohana!"
"You said I'm weak?!"
He suddenly drew the Zanpakuto from his waist, its sharp edge exposed, his voice unreservedly loud:
"Nonsense! After that battle with you, I've been fighting every moment, getting stronger every moment!"
"Just one step away, I can cut down all the strong ones in Rukongai, become a Shinigami, and then, continue that battle from back then!"
"I will personally snatch the Kenpachi title from your hands! My name is Zaraki Kenpachi, the strongest Shinigami!"
"Heh…" Retsu Unohana chuckled softly, her smile filled with complex emotions.
She placed one hand on her waist, her fingers lightly touching the sword hilt.
Hiss…
Minazuki slowly unsheathed, its blade emitting a cold gleam.
The surrounding air suddenly turned chilling.
The sun hanging high in the sky seemed to be just a decoration, having lost its usual warmth.
Hiss…
A wisp of white mist escaped from her lips, then quickly dissipated.
The next second.
Boom!
A surging reishi wave instantly broke through the oppressive atmosphere, causing the surrounding trees to fall, making "crack, crack" sounds of breaking.
The clouds in the sky were completely torn apart, as if ripped open by an invisible large hand.
Zaraki Kenpachi roared:
"Retsu Unohana, stop laughing!"
"Answer me!!"
Due to his simple mind, he felt that Retsu Unohana's smile was mockery, as if a complete denial of his experiences over the past few centuries.
Hearing this.
Retsu Unohana raised her eyes, her tone without a ripple:
"I've already made myself very clear, Zaraki Kenpachi…"
"You… have become weaker."
Swish! Minazuki, curved slightly, emitted a dangerous gleam under the sunlight.
Retsu Unohana spread her arms, her posture completely reverting to a thousand years ago with the change in her tone.
The faintly emanating reishi filled the air with a thick scent of blood.
Death rushed towards him.
Drip.
Faintly, a drop of dark red blood dripped from the tip of the blade onto the ground, making a soft "drip" sound.
Zaraki Kenpachi glared at her.
He did not get the answer he wanted.
Instantly!
Bang!
He suddenly stomped the ground and, without hesitation, swung his sword at her!
The ferocious blade ripped through the air, erupting with thunderous roars!
Surging golden reishi covered the blade, causing ripples in the surrounding space, as if it could cut through everything in front of it!
However.
Facing this sudden slash.
Retsu Unohana merely raised her head slightly.
She raised her sword.
Clang!
The powerful swing was easily blocked by her. No matter how much Zaraki Kenpachi exerted himself, the distance did not budge an inch.
The biting wind pressure only ruffled her beautiful hair, which swayed gently like black silk.
Reflected in Zaraki Kenpachi's black pupils was Retsu Unohana's expressionless, slightly weary demeanour.
"It's my fault."
Feeling the pressure from the blade, Retsu Unohana understood the reason for Zaraki Kenpachi's changes.
Swish!
She waved casually, and Zaraki Kenpachi staggered backwards.
Under his incredulous gaze, Retsu Unohana exhaled deeply:
"That battle back then inadvertently sealed your power…"
"The beast of old has lost its claws and fangs…"
"Never mind."
"I won't kill you. Go and become a Shinigami."
"Only by regaining your former strength can you fight me…"
"A one-sided battle is truly meaningless."