In the tea room, the two sat opposite each other quietly.
After Unohana had clearly seen through Nobu's carefully hidden intentions, a delicate, ambiguous tension lingered between them.
Unohana gently raised her tea bowl, taking a graceful sip without speaking. Nobu, after some contemplation, finally asked, "Since you've already seen through my deception, how do you intend to deal with me?"
"Deal with you?" Unohana repeated softly, a faint smile on her lips. "You graduated top of your class at the Shin'ō Academy and joined the Fourth Division. Even if you have personal motives, you haven't broken any laws of the Seireitei."
In her eyes, Nobu's behavior was neither outrageous nor unacceptable. Whether or not he lied to the Gotei 13 was none of her concern.
On the contrary, his approach intrigued her somewhat.
In the current Gotei 13, very few knew those hidden truths from a thousand years ago. She was curious as to how Nobu had learned of such matters. Had he discovered them from someone else?
Or perhaps… Like her, he had simply recognized their shared nature at first glance—able to perceive what lay hidden beneath each other's exterior.
Certain things simply could not remain concealed, especially when encountering someone similar.
Unohana lowered her gaze to the tea bowl in her hand. Within its gently rippling surface seemed to float countless nameless asauchi, drowned and forgotten.
Nobu spoke again: "Then Captain Unohana doesn't plan to hold this against me?"
Hold it against him?
Unohana's lips curled gently in silent amusement, her gaze still warm and serene.
There was only one thing she found somewhat troubling:
Nobu had arrived too soon.
She gently changed the topic: "Perhaps we should discuss the ideas you shared with Isane."
Nobu's expression remained unchanged. He sensed Unohana's thoughts and smoothly replied, "I'd like to know your opinion, Captain."
Returning her attention to the tea preparation, Unohana calmly remarked, "The current state of the Fourth Division has persisted for a thousand years. Even before I became Captain, no one ever expressed dissatisfaction."
Nobu shook his head slightly. "I never said the division's current state was unsatisfactory."
Unohana smiled faintly. "If you simply want a place to train, I can easily convert those unused treatment rooms into training areas. But as for the rest, is it truly necessary?"
Nobu's expression stayed neutral. "You've misunderstood, Captain. I merely offered suggestions. The decisions lie entirely with you."
Unohana continued softly, "Your motives are complicated. First, you created a student council at the Academy; now, here in my division, you seem intent on stirring things up again. Even if others see your talent as exceptional, having so many distractions will only burden you."
"So, Captain advises me to discard unnecessary distractions and concentrate on my training?"
"Shouldn't it be so?" Unohana fixed her gaze upon Nobu. "Otherwise, your progress will inevitably slow."
"You're right, Captain," Nobu agreed respectfully. "But I don't insist on forcing changes. My suggestions to Kotetsu-fukutaichō were casual remarks. If you disagree, just pretend I never mentioned them."
He paused, then added lightly, "However, I'm someone who finds it difficult to settle down completely. I fear I can't devote myself entirely to pure training as you suggest."
Unohana's smile faded slightly. "Oh?"
"Everyone is different," Nobu continued calmly. "I happen to be filled with countless distractions. But they aren't burdens—they're integral to who I am. Without these distractions, I wouldn't have reached where I am today, nor become this strong."
"…"
After hearing this, Unohana fell silent for a long moment, her eyes locked thoughtfully upon him.
At last, she softly admitted, "Perhaps I misjudged you. I thought relieving you from responsibilities, letting you remain an ordinary member, was best."
She quietly refilled their tea bowls.
"Though as captain, I can directly appoint any officer I choose, you've already admitted you have many distractions, which means you probably care about how others perceive you. Promotions within the Fourth Division differ from other squads. If you desire a higher seat, you must win respect openly."
Nobu considered this carefully. "What must I do?"
Unohana smiled calmly. "Just challenge the officer currently holding the seat you desire."
Nobu nodded slowly. "I see."
"I'll notify everyone. You have one week to prepare."
Nobu stared at the freshly poured tea before him, lifted it decisively, and drained it in one gulp.
He suddenly smiled brightly. "Your tea is delicious, Captain. I've heard your hobbies include tea ceremonies and flower arrangement—both very refined. Perhaps someday you could teach me."
Unohana's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, silent and unreadable.
After Nobu left the tea room, he spotted Kotetsu Isane leaning quietly against a corridor wall nearby.
"Nobu-kun!"
Seeing him emerge, she quickly stepped forward.
"Kotetsu-fukutaichō, were you waiting for me?"
She nodded earnestly. "So, how did it go? What did Captain Unohana say?"
Nobu hesitated. "About the proposals I discussed with you earlier, I believe the captain essentially agreed."
Kotetsu looked puzzled. "'Essentially agreed?'"
"She didn't outright refuse and seemed to imply I should personally take action."
"You?" Kotetsu was startled. "I… I don't quite understand your meaning."
Their earlier discussion had aimed at improving retention within the Fourth Division, something that clearly required the captain's direct involvement.
Nobu chuckled softly. "Obviously, I can't do it alone. I'll need your help, Kotetsu-fukutaichō."
Relief flooded Kotetsu's expression. "I see. If Captain Unohana agrees…perhaps we should draft a detailed plan. Do you have any specific thoughts, Nobu-kun?"
"Some ideas, yes. But first, I have a question," Nobu said thoughtfully.
"What is it?"
"About internal promotions within our division. If I wish to claim someone's position, what exactly would I need to compete in?"
Kotetsu furrowed her brow slightly.
So Nobu-kun really isn't content being just a regular member…
"You must be referring to our division's officer promotion competition. It involves three fields—Emergency Aid, Pharmacology, and Kaidō. But it's not a normal promotion exam; it's a public contest for the seated position. If the challenger fails, they become ineligible for any promotion for ten years. Nobu-kun, surely you don't plan to—"
Nobu calmly nodded. "That's right. It was Captain Unohana's suggestion."
Kotetsu stood there, dumbfounded. "The captain?"
Hadn't the captain herself just implied Nobu-kun wouldn't stay in Fourth Division for long, which is precisely why she hadn't intended to give him a seated position?
Kotetsu's thoughts spun rapidly. After a moment, she carefully asked, "Then…which seat are you aiming for?"
Nobu turned toward her with a wide, confident grin.
"The Third Seat, of course."
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