Hearing Unohana Retsu's words—seemingly spoken in Nobu's defense—Shiba Isshin couldn't help but joke, "Captain Unohana, are you already looking out for your future squad member?"
Unohana didn't deny it. She replied gently, "I see a student who is clearly exemplary in both conduct and academics. He doesn't seem at all like what the rest of you describe. I'm merely speaking fairly."
Exemplary conduct?
That remark made Matsumoto Rangiku and Shiba Kaien both smirk inwardly.
Academically, sure—Nobu was at the top of the class. But as for conduct? "Exemplary" wasn't exactly the first word that came to mind.
Nobu bowed slightly and responded, "Thank you for your kind words, Captain Unohana."
Then he addressed the group of captains and vice-captains. "Sirs and madams, I'd be happy to accompany you during the festival if you'd like a guided tour. But of course, if you prefer to explore freely, feel free to enjoy yourselves."
Unohana spoke first, smiling. "In that case, would you accompany me and Isane, please?"
Her words left little room for refusal—it was clear she intended to take Nobu with her.
The other captains exchanged brief looks of resigned amusement. After all, this was Unohana Retsu—the oldest captain in Soul Society save for the Captain-Commander himself. No one would openly object to her taking the lead.
"As you command," Nobu said, then turned to the others. "Apologies, everyone. The student council is short on hands today, so I hope you won't mind."
Seeing that Nobu had come alone and made no special arrangements, the other captains didn't push the matter. Most of them weren't the type to fuss over formalities.
And so Nobu led Unohana and Kotetsu Isane away, heading toward the central plaza where the festivities were in full swing.
Matsumoto Rangiku, meanwhile, had no interest in babysitting captains. She leaned toward Isshin. "Captain, would it be all right if I went off on my own?"
"Whatever you want."
She immediately waved over Ise Nanao, vice-captain of the Eighth Division. "Let's go, Nanao."
Nanao didn't bother asking her own captain—she simply followed Rangiku without a word.
Relationships between the Thirteen Divisions were quite harmonious, and ties between captains and their vice-captains were often even closer. Since captains had the authority to appoint their lieutenants, those bonds were generally solid.
Watching the gathering disperse, Kyōraku Shunsui commented with a chuckle, "So… we're just being left here, huh?"
He'd visited the Academy several times since graduating centuries ago. Each time, he'd been received with full ceremony. This might be the first time the welcome had been so... casual.
Aizen adjusted his glasses with a warm smile. "This is nice in its own way. As Tachikawa-kun said earlier, the festival is meant to be fun. If it's too formal, it ruins the spirit."
Ukitake Jūshirō nodded. "Let's just wander around together, then."
...
The central plaza of the Academy was lined with rows of makeshift tents—each one a booth run by a different class. Students had full freedom in deciding what to do with their stalls. Many sold snacks or handmade trinkets, others ran simple games like card matches or quiz corners, calling out cheerfully to passersby.
Bulletin boards from each class had been set up around the square. Alongside the students in red and white uniforms were plenty of Shinigami, chatting casually with students at various booths.
"It's so lively," Isane couldn't help but say.
In Soul Society, you rarely saw such bustling scenes. The Seireitei was always quiet and solemn, and even the central districts of Rukongai didn't compare to this kind of festive atmosphere.
Students wore bright smiles, working their booths enthusiastically, calling out to visitors.
Neither Unohana nor Isane had expected the Academy to be filled with such vibrant energy.
"Did you organize all of this?" Unohana asked.
"It was the result of everyone's combined effort," Nobu said humbly. "The student council and the Academy staff worked on the structure and scheduling. But the content of each booth was planned entirely by the students."
"But the idea for the cultural festival—that came from you, didn't it?" she pressed.
Nobu chuckled lightly. "I just had a sudden idea. I didn't expect the Academy's leadership to support it so wholeheartedly."
"It's wonderful," Unohana said gently. "No wonder the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions were both trying to recruit you."
"You flatter me. Vice-Captain Matsumoto and Vice-Captain Shiba merely made casual suggestions about me joining them after graduation. I haven't really settled on a plan yet."
"Have you decided now?" Unohana asked with a knowing smile.
Nobu hesitated. "My homeroom teacher, Nanda-sensei, told me that since my Zanpakutō has Kaidō-type abilities, I'd be well suited for the Fourth Division. Vice-Captain Kotetsu also mentioned it during her guest lecture."
Unohana's smile deepened. "So—do you want to join the Fourth Division?"
"Of course I do," Nobu said quickly.
This time, he didn't deflect or stall. He understood well that Unohana was not like Shiba Isshin—beneath her serene beauty and gentle voice was a will as unyielding as steel.
Isane added at just the right moment, "Tachikawa-san, the Fourth Division really would be the best place for you. Your Zanpakutō could reach its full potential with us."
Unohana followed up immediately. "So, if you do join the Fourth… what seat are you aiming for? I hear from Vice-Captain Shiba that even third seat wasn't good enough for you."
Nobu gave a helpless laugh. "Captain Unohana, you overestimate me. I'll be happy just to pass the exit exams and make it into a division at all. I'm still a total novice when it comes to Kaidō—I'm not even sure I could handle the duties of a regular squad member."
Unohana laughed softly. "You shouldn't sell yourself short. You're highly gifted, and you have strengths beyond Kaidō. If you do join us, I'm sure you'll accomplish great things."
"I'll take your words to heart."
As Unohana walked through the plaza, her presence turned heads everywhere she went.
Students whispered in astonishment—even a captain came to the festival?
Just then, Unohana stopped walking. Her gaze had settled on something ahead.
Nobu followed her eyes—and spotted a familiar figure.
In this corner of the square, the booths run by First-Year students were clustered together. Class A hadn't put up a tent; instead, they'd built a wooden dueling platform. A nearby sign explained the setup.
Kendo Exhibition Matches
Win and receive a mystery prize. Lose and receive a consolation gift.
Nobu remembered seeing their booth proposal during the planning stage. Because they needed space, he'd placed them on the edge of the square.
On the platform, a red-haired student was currently sparring with another.
The redhead was, of course, Abarai Renji. His opponent looked vaguely familiar—likely an upperclassman from Nobu's own cohort.
To Nobu's mild surprise, Renji was holding his own. His attacks were bold and explosive, every swing executed with full force. It was genuinely exciting to watch.
Renji had no aptitude for Kidō, but in swordsmanship, flash step, and Hakuda, he was innately talented.
No wonder he becomes the strongest vice-captain in the future.
Seeing Unohana watching with clear interest, Nobu asked, "Captain Unohana—is this kind of thing to your liking?"
She responded softly, "That child's fighting style would suit the Eleventh Division well."
And indeed, Renji would eventually start in the Eleventh, where he was trained under Ikkaku Madarame and Ayasegawa Yumichika, before transferring to become the Sixth Division's vice-captain.
Then Unohana turned to Nobu. "I've heard you're quite good at kendo as well?"
Nobu's heart skipped a beat.
Ah. That's what I forgot.
"Why don't you step up and challenge him?" she said with a pleasant smile.
At that exact moment, Renji's opponent lost his footing under a sweeping strike and tumbled off the platform with a loud thud.
[Unohana Retsu]
[Affection Level: 1]