Staring at the gentle, pure expression on the woman before him, Kisaragi Akira felt his mind drift for a moment.
She had every reason to demand repayment… yet instead she came to him offering help.Was this what people meant by "good deeds bring good fortune"?
"Is something the matter, Kisaragi-kun?"Captain Unohana Retsu's intelligent smile softened her features.
As always, her attitude toward prodigies in the healing arts was endlessly patient and accepting. Compared to Hadō and Bakudō, genuine talent in Kaidō was rare.
"No, nothing wrong at all."Akira quickly shook his head, then stretched out both hands."Captain Unohana, I'll begin."
Unohana gave a small nod.
Under countless jealous gazes—most wishing they could switch places with him—Akira spread his ten fingers and gently enclosed Unohana's injured left hand.
A soft green light bloomed. The wounds began closing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
White skin and crimson blood intertwined, creating a strangely captivating beauty.
What puzzled Akira, however, was something else entirely.
Unohana Retsu—the First Kenpachi, one of the most formidable swordswomen in the entire Soul Society—yet her right hand had not even the faintest trace of calluses.
Normally, anyone who had gripped a sword for years would have tough, hardened skin around the base of the thumb, not to mention scars.
But Unohana's hand was… different.Soft, smooth—like a flawless piece of pure white jade.
While Akira pondered that, Unohana's brow knit slightly as her gaze stayed fixed on the green healing light.
Something unexpected had happened.
Kawai-san had been absolutely right—this boy was strange.
So strange that she couldn't understand how his Kaidō was functioning at all.
His spiritual pressure was abundant—easily at the level of an upper-ranked seated officer.
But from his movements to the flow of his reiryoku, nothing resembled proper Kaidō technique.
Full of mistakes, full of inefficiencies—yet somehow producing results stronger than standard basic healing.
How was that even possible?
Unohana fell into deep thought, completely forgetting that her hand had long since healed.
And completely unaware of a certain someone carefully "evaluating" it.Hmm. Top-quality jade. Ninety-nine percent purity. Extremely rare!
"…Looks nice, doesn't it?"
Akira nodded earnestly."And the texture?"
"Perfect."
Akira froze. His neck creaked like a rusty gear as he slowly looked up.
Unohana was smiling warmly.
…He'd been caught red-handed touching her hand.
What should one do after being caught touching a captain's hand without permission?Asking for a friend. Urgently.
Under Unohana's calm gaze, Akira awkwardly released her hand.
She hadn't said anything at all—yet sweat drenched his back.
He stood obediently at the side, waiting for judgment.
Fortunately, Unohana didn't pursue it. She simply turned toward the class and resumed her lecture.
Akira finally began to relax—until the moment class ended.
"Kisaragi-kun, please come here for a moment. I have a few questions to ask."
Akira's face collapsed. The refusal reached his lips… then immediately retreated when he remembered the difference between their combat power.
Yep. Just as Shizune had said.Gentle women were the most dangerous.
Unohana walked ahead, Akira trailing behind her down the hall.
The faculty office was empty when they entered.
"I originally wanted to ask you in the classroom," Unohana said with a soft smile, "but the answer may affect your daily life. Since no one is around, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Then—
"Are you interested in joining Squad Four as the Fifth Seat?"
Akira blinked.Of all things… he had not expected that question.
On the way here, he had half-convinced himself this was some sort of after-school… "private consultation" scenario.
What a waste of anticipation.
"Isn't that a little too early?" Akira said, stunned. "I've barely mastered the basics of Kaidō.If anything, swordsmanship is my real strength—"
Halfway through the sentence, he realized what he'd just said.
He looked up, only to meet a sudden, fiery gleam in Unohana's eyes.
"…You just said you're better at swordsmanship?"
Akira's mouth twitched. He swallowed the rest of his words.
He'd forgotten who she used to be.
Compared to healing arts, swordsmanship was the one thing guaranteed to ignite the interest of the original Kenpachi.
He knew his own skills very clearly.
In truth, next to his swordsmanship, his Kaidō was… nothing impressive.
After all—
[Swordsmanship: Lv 32][Kido: Lv 23]
Nearly an entire tier of difference.
And those twenty-three levels of Kido included both Bakudō and Hadō—with Kaidō being only a tiny fraction.
Seeing his lack of response, Unohana nodded gently.
"I understand.We'll put the topic of Squad Four on hold."
"Class is about to begin. You should return and prepare for the next lesson."
Akira exhaled in relief, bowed, and left at once—without a shred of hesitation.
Unohana was great, but he preferred staying alive.
Being alone in a room with a woman this dangerous made every survival instinct scream.
"Good thing she didn't press the issue…"Akira stepped into the hallway, thinking aloud."Speaking of which… what's the next class again?"
"…Forget it. I'll just go find Sōsuke. He'll know."
No one, absolutely no one, was more familiar with Aizen Sōsuke's spiritual pressure than Akira.
Even if Aizen concealed his reiatsu, Akira could locate him instantly.
"You actually came back alive."Aizen raised an eyebrow when he saw him.He genuinely hadn't expected Akira to return unharmed after doing something that outrageous.
"What do you mean 'came back alive'?!"Akira snapped. "Are you hoping I die so you can inherit my nonexistent fortune?!"
Aizen sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Yes. This was the Akira he knew.
"Anyway, what's the next class again?"Akira walked alongside him, aimlessly wandering forward.
"Professor Kaede's swordsmanship class," Aizen replied calmly. "We should pick up our bamboo swords from the storage room. Today should be a sparring session."
Akira's heart skipped a beat.
He slowly turned toward Aizen, voice barely above a whisper.
"Sōsuke… you don't think…""…Professor Kaede is going to be sick today, do you?"