"I don't understand..."
Even now, Soifon clung to a sliver of hope. She truly didn't want to spar with this woman; there was absolutely nothing to be gained from it.
As an assassin whose Shikai was designed for stealthy kills, she saw no reason to go the long way around just to compete in Zanjutsu.
"Then let me speak plainly."
"Captain Soifon, let us have a match."
The Kenpachi of every generation shared a trait of being blunt and direct, and the predecessor was no exception.
Soifon could feel the battle intent hidden within the other woman's words, yet she truly couldn't fathom why Unohana was so insistent on this spar.
It was a simple invitation to battle, but it sounded somewhat strange.
It felt like the arrival of spring when all things awaken, and once again, it was the season for... beep... beep...
"In truth, this is an arrangement by the Captain-Commander," Unohana Retsu's smile deepened. "His Excellency believes that Captain Soifon is a talent with great potential..."
Without waiting for Soifon to respond, Unohana Retsu leaned down and casually picked up two relatively intact wooden swords from the pile of broken ones in the corner.
With a flick of her wrist, one of the swords spun through the air toward Soifon with a steady whistle.
Subconsciously, Soifon reached out and caught it.
The wooden sword felt heavy and solid in her hand, the hilt smooth to the touch. The dense network of cracks on the blade seemed to record countless past exchanges.
The moment her fingers tightened around the hilt, a whistling sound rushed toward her face, aiming straight for her head.
Clack—
The wooden swords collided with a crisp, sharp sound.
Too fast!
Soifon's pupils shrank. Relying almost entirely on physical instinct, she barely managed to raise her sword and parry the strike just above her head.
It was such a familiar opening. Just like her previous fight with Zaraki Kenpachi, her opponent had struck without the slightest warning...
Unohana Retsu gave Soifon no time to think or rest as her offensive unfolded in a continuous stream.
Her strikes flowed as naturally as breathing, coming from every possible angle. Each hit precisely targeted the gaps in Soifon's blocks or dodges, yet maintained an intensity that Soifon could just barely manage to withstand.
The crisp sounds of wooden swords clashing echoed incessantly within the Seki-Seki Stone chamber.
After an unknown amount of time, Unohana Retsu finally slowed the tempo of her assault.
"Do you feel it, Captain Soifon? Your body is reacting on its own, faster than your conscious mind."
"That is a very precious instinct."
She applied pressure to her wrist, forcing Soifon's wooden sword aside.
Finally having a moment to breathe, Soifon panted heavily and didn't reply. She didn't even have time to wipe away the sweat dripping from her forehead.
What Captain Unohana was talking about... was likely the reward for killing that Adjuchas, wasn't it?
It was called 'Combat Instinct.' Could even something like that be sensed?
"Whew..."
Soifon took a deep breath and gripped the wooden sword before her with both hands.
Crack—
The cracked wooden sword in Soifon's hand could no longer withstand the pressure. The blade shattered into several pieces in the next heartbeat, clattering to the floor.
Looking at the broken sword in her hand, Soifon froze for a moment.
Unohana Retsu stopped her movements at the appropriate time. The ignited battle intent in her eyes quickly faded, replaced by her usual warm and peaceful demeanor.
"Let us stop here for today." She casually tossed her own equally cracked wooden sword back into the corner. "The wooden sword is broken; it would be improper to continue."
After all, the battle lust she had suppressed for so long had finally found a small outlet. Unohana Retsu was satisfied.
Soifon felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. She set the broken sword aside and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Thank you for the guidance, Captain Unohana."
She bowed slightly.
"You are quite welcome."
Unohana Retsu turned toward the stone door and pushed it open with both hands.
Long-awaited sunlight spilled onto the floor, creating a sharp contrast with the dimness of the secret chamber.
Soifon followed her out. She was about to nod her farewell when she was called back.
"Wait, Captain Soifon." Unohana Retsu turned around, a somewhat helpless smile on her face. "Surely... you don't intend to leave the Fourth Division looking like that?"
Soifon looked down and realized that her white Captain's Haori was already soaked through with sweat. It clung tightly to her body, faintly revealing the silhouette of the black Shihakushō beneath.
Looking at Unohana Retsu, she saw that the other woman was in a similar state.
Her white Haori was also wet with sweat, outlining a physique quite different from Soifon's. Even the thick braid resting on her chest was beaded with sweat, shimmering under the corridor lights.
Suddenly, Unohana released a slight ripple of her Spiritual Pressure.
A moment later, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached, and Isane Kotetsu appeared at the end of the mysterious corridor.
"Captain! You called for me..."
"Eh—?!"
Halfway through her sentence, Isane Kotetsu saw the two Captains standing at the door of the secret chamber. Both were flushed, breathing slightly heavily, and completely drenched in sweat. Her mind couldn't help but wander to some stray thoughts.
"Cap-Captain... Captain Soifon... th-this is...?"
Her fair cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and her voice began to stutter.
Was this what 'treatment' was supposed to look like?!
Could it be that Captain Unohana had some miraculous hidden healing method up her sleeve?
"Follow me, both of you. We are going to the medicinal hot springs."
Unohana Retsu seemed to see right through her subordinate's thoughts. She maintained her perfect, gentle smile and spoke with total composure.
"Medicinal... hot springs?"
Soifon followed Unohana Retsu's lead with some confusion. Did the Fourth Division Captain's quarters really have such a place?
She knew the Zero Division had hot springs, but this was news to her.
"Why? Did Captain Soifon think I was merely trying to 'bully' you just now?"
"There are some subtle disharmonies in the way certain parts of your body exert force. Ordinary Kaidō is difficult to use for root causes like that; it requires the assistance of medicinal baths for gradual conditioning."
Unohana Retsu's tone was somewhat teasing, making Soifon's face turn a bit red in return.
Was she truly judging others by her own standards?
In reality, she wasn't.
Unohana Retsu simply had a battle-crazed urge to have some fun with Soifon, but the bit about the force exertion disharmony was also true.
However, that was only because Soifon was still in the adolescent stage of a growing spirit body; such disharmony was perfectly normal.
After all, Soifon was just a newcomer; how could she compare to the deviousness of a seasoned veteran?
...
They arrived at a secluded courtyard behind the Captain's quarters, semi-enclosed by a bamboo forest.
Mist swirled in the courtyard, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of herbs that brought a sense of tranquility to the mind.
Inside was a spacious area paved with smooth pebbles and filled with steam. At the center was a hot spring pool built from rocks. The water was a pale jade green, with tiny bubbles constantly rising from the bottom.
"This is a medicinal hot spring I improved and established by imitating the methods of... a certain senior."
Unohana began to explain to Soifon as she removed her shoes.
Wait, what kind of development is this?!
"There is no need to be formal, Captain Soifon. Treat this as your own home."
Standing barefoot on the warm, moist pebbles, Unohana Retsu proceeded to undo the Captain's Haori draped over her shoulders...
The garment slid slowly down to her feet, forming a circle of black and white on the ground.
____
New Story: Starting from Their Seventeen Years Old
🔥We're handing out that '30% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan