Chapter 301: Can We Put It in Writing?
"Ora!"
"Ora!"
"Ora ora ora ora ora!!!!"
Retsu Unohana lay on the ground, gazing with complex emotions at the man riding her Zanpakutō while throwing punches as frantically as Chef Jie pounding dough.
Although Kyōkyoku (Minazuki) was a sword, its true form was actually blood—a liquid.
As the saying goes, "Trying to cut flowing water with a sword only makes it flow faster." Using violence against liquid would ultimately be a futile effort.
Yet, through the connection between Shinigami and Zanpakutō, Unohana could confirm that Kyōkyoku was truly being beaten into immobility by those fists.
At first, Kyōkyoku had struggled wildly.
According to its ability setting, it had to kill Unohana who had lost the duel.
But as Satoru continued pummeling it, the sword gradually calmed down.
Finally, under Unohana's incredulous gaze, Kyōkyoku completely ceased all movement.
Seeing Kyōkyoku stop struggling, Satoru raised his fist, holding it suspended without striking:
"You unruly sword, still thinking about devouring your master?"
Buzz! Buzz!
Kyōkyoku trembled twice.
Satoru laughed heartily: "That's more like it! Now you're a proper Zanpakutō!"
As he spoke, he got off Kyōkyoku.
The sword flashed with light, reverting from Bankai state to its ordinary sword form.
Unohana: "..."
Why did she feel like this man communicated with her Zanpakutō more smoothly than she, its owner, did?
Satoru picked up the sword, walked over to her, and slapped it into the ground.
After doing this, he suddenly seemed to remember something and stretched his hand toward Risō Jakumetsu lying discarded not far away.
The sword launched into the air, whooshed over, landed in his hand, and was swiftly sheathed.
Satoru patted his own sword hilt in appreciation.
Then, he looked at Retsu Unohana.
"Mo-... cough, Captain Unohana, give me your answer."
Retsu Unohana quietly watched him.
After a long silence, she spoke: "I will always follow behind you, waiting for the day we cross blades in life-or-death combat again."
"If you don't advance quickly enough, I won't hesitate to kill you."
"Keeping me by your side is like keeping a sword that might wound you at any moment."
"Can someone like me truly be allowed to stay?"
Hearing this, Satoru laughed.
"Of course, no problem at all!"
"I experience the feeling of being watched from behind every day—it's completely fine!Unohana's expression turned subtle.
Although Satoru's way of phrasing it felt somewhat strange, it didn't feel bad.
She took a deep breath and slowly sat up.
With this movement, blood seeped from various wounds across her body.
Ignoring the pain completely, she persisted in standing up to face Satoru.
Then, she reached out and pulled her Zanpakutō from where it was embedded in the ground.
"In that case, please allow me to witness what kind of future you will forge from the closest distance."
"This life that should have been spent, yet was spared, I now entrust to you."
"Satoru."
Retsu Unohana lifted the corners of her lips into an elegant smile.
...
...
"Big bro's eating ribs today~ Big bro's eating ribs~"
"Big bro's teaching boxing today~ Big bro's teaching boxing~"
"Big bro's playing with seated officers today~ Big bro's playing with seated officers~"
A patrolling Shinigami hummed a little tune as he passed by Satoru's study.
Looking at the door to Satoru's study, he couldn't help but smile.
Ah, big bro's study.
Big bro works here!
How I'd love to see big bro working diligently at his desk...
With big bro's imposing aura and vigor, even handling official duties must be done with unparalleled elegance.
Hmph, Kenjirou, you must work hard! Someday, you'll become strong enough to stand by big bro's side!
Just as Kenjirou was secretly making this resolution, he suddenly saw the study door open.
Oh, is big bro coming out?
Kenjirou's eyes lit up, staring intently.
Then he saw a figure step out.
Seeing this person, Kenjirou froze.
Long black hair, white Captain's Haori.
Captain of the Fourth Division, Retsu Unohana!
If that were all, he wouldn't have reacted much.
The problem was, Captain Unohana's clothes were disheveled, her hair simply tied up, completely lacking her usual elegance.
Even more shocking was the pleased smile on her face and the unnatural flush.
Noticing Kenjirou, Retsu Unohana narrowed her eyes.
In that instant, Kenjirou froze completely.
Pure, unadulterated killing intent enveloped him!
Like a frog falling into a snake's trap, like Jack sinking into the icy waters of Newfoundland.
Kenjirou wanted to struggle, but couldn't move even a finger.
Even breathing became a luxury.
Just as he thought he would die from this killing intent, it suddenly vanished.
Retsu Unohana flashed away, disappearing from sight.
"Hey! Kenjirou! Slacking off? Get back to patrol!"
A voice called from afar.
It was another patrolling Shinigami.
He walked over discontentedly, ready to scold this lazy slacker.
But just as he was about to speak, he was surprised to find his colleague trembling all over.
"Hey, Kenjirou, what's wrong with you?"
Kenjirou turned to look at him, grinning widely with excitement.
"...Big bro truly is big bro!"
"Even a woman that overwhelmingly powerful has fallen beneath him!"
"Big brother is invincible!!"
Listening to Kenjiro's excited outburst, Toki fell into silence.
His colleague had most likely gone insane.
...
...
Fourth Division barracks, Captain's study.
Seinosuke Yamada stood before the door, his face shocked.
He had come today to discuss this year's recruitment matters with his captain.
But the moment he knocked, a letter fell from the door.
Picking it up, he discovered the envelope was marked with the words "Last Testament"!
Almost instinctively, he opened the envelope and began reading.
After scanning through it quickly, his pupils trembled.
"The Captain... went to fight someone, and if she doesn't return by nightfall, it means she's dead?"
"How is that possible... The Captain is invincible, who in this world could possibly kill her?"
Instinctively, the image of Captain-Commander Yamamoto surfaced in Seinosuke's mind.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto... killed Captain Unohana?
How could this be, how could this be?
After a brief moment of shock, fury ignited in Seinosuke's eyes.
Though he didn't know why that old man Yamamoto would do such a thing, he absolutely wouldn't accept it!
Find Yamamoto, demand an explanation for what happened!
No... if Yamamoto truly killed the Captain, then he could do nothing against him.
Before Yamamoto, he would be as powerless as an infant.
He must find like-minded individuals, those capable of overthrowing Yamamoto!
The moment this thought emerged, Satoru's image instantly sprang to mind.
Yes, go find Satoru!
That man could definitely take down Yamamoto Shigekuni...
After all, he was a man who emerged from rebellion itself!
Seinosuke turned around furiously, ready to head to the Eleventh Division.
Only to see Retsu Unohana approaching.
"...Captain?"
Seinosuke stood there with a stunned gaze.
Seeing her lieutenant's expression, Retsu Unohana found it somewhat strange.
Then, noticing the last testament in his hand, she showed a look of understanding.
She smiled faintly.
"I've returned alive, Lieutenant Yamada."
"So that letter is no longer needed."
As she spoke, she moved to enter the room.
Seinosuke Yamada was utterly bewildered.
What in the world was all this about?
He quickly asked:
"Captain, what does this mean... What exactly happened to you? In your letter, you said you would likely die, what did you mean by that?"
Hearing this, Retsu Unohana turned her head to look at him.
"Everything in the letter was true."
"Originally, I was indeed prepared to die."
"But... I've now found a choice more beautiful than death."
"I will stay by Satoru's side and become his strength."
"Good night, Lieutenant Yamada."
With a slight smile, Retsu Unohana entered the study and closed the door.
Seinosuke Yamada: "..."
"..."
"...?"
After a long silence, a confused expression gradually appeared on his face.
Then, the confusion slowly twisted into ferocity.
That damned Satoru! What have you done!
...
...
For the first time in a while, Satoru came to the living world.
This time, he wasn't here to train Bambi.
Well, to be precise, not entirely to train Bambi.
This time, he had brought Kisuke to inspect his company in the living world.
Satoru Heaven Co., Ltd. had completely ignited the gaming passion of people in the living world after releasing the LSPP.
While LSP1 and 2 could play interesting games, their portability was far inferior to the latest LSPP.
For a time, playing LSPP became a trend in the present world, with young people from almost every country participating.
The company executives in the present world seemed to have pulled off quite the stunt.
He hired an actress to portray the image on the banknotes, using absurd lyrics to promote LSPP.
In the living world's internet, this advertisement was edited in various ways, sparking a significant wave of fan creations.
Following Satoru's suggestion, LSPP could be directly connected to computers for live streaming.
Gaming videos sprouted up like mushrooms after rain.
According to Kisuke, who had come to the living world with him, numerous technical teams from this side had joined the game console development industry.
Now, the living world's Yū Tengoku had technologically surpassed the Soul Society.
A reverse invasion of the Soul Society by the living world's gaming products was imminent.
Satoru expressed great approval of this.
Only through a hundred flowers blooming together could a golden age arrive faster.
The two spent a day at a place called "Akihabara" in the living world, thoroughly satisfying their shopping desires.
When booking accommodation for the night, Kisuke only reserved one room.
In his view, Satoru would undoubtedly go find Bambietta.
Unexpectedly, just as he finished bathing and was preparing to sleep, a figure suddenly slipped in through the window.
Seeing Satoru appear in the room, Kisuke showed a stunned expression.
"Yo, Kisuke."
Satoru grinned, looking at the young man wrapped in a towel and wearing a surprised face.
Kisuke smiled awkwardly:
"Mr. Satoru... you're not interested in men, are you?"
"Huh?"
Satoru was momentarily taken aback.
The next second, he smiled again.
"Men?"
"No, Kisuke, because I'm too formidable, with excessively abundant male hormones, in my eyes, there's no difference between men and women—they're all women!"
"?!"
Kisuke was shocked.
If anyone else had said this, he might have thought it was a joke, but Satoru wasn't someone who could be judged by common sense.
He instinctively wanted to run.
Then he saw Satoru wave his hand and sit down in a chair.
"Alright, enough joking."
Was it really just a joke?! Can we get that in writing?!
Kisuke screamed internally.
Under his gaze, Satoru took an apple and crunched into it.
"Kisuke, what should we do next?"
"Huh? About the game console?"
Kisuke asked reflexively.
Satoru shook his head.
He raised his hand and pointed upward:
"I mean, about the Soul King."
"I've been thinking about the power we currently hold."
"Besides our teacher and the Great Monk, we can already overcome any Shinigami force."
"Even if our teacher makes a move, I'm confident I can hold him off for a while, letting the others complete their work."
"But that Great Monk... I have no idea how to deal with him."
"Think about it—how do we handle him?"
Kisuke was somewhat surprised.
"Mr. Satoru, why not seek counsel from Aizen?"
"Sōsuke won't do."
Satoru shook his head. "He said I'm not allowed to research matters about the Soul King or that Great Monk on my own."
"If I act recklessly, he'll make me pay."
"Hmph, I, Satoru, wasn't raised timidly. How could a mere Sōsuke make me afraid?"
"Today, we'll secretly devise a plan behind his back. When the time comes, we'll overthrow that bearded fellow, seize the Soul King's position, and give Sōsuke a real surprise!"
Kisuke: "..."
First of all, this guy specifically dragged me to the living world and then secretly gathered together late at night to discuss things—this alone perfectly demonstrated their fear of Aizen without needing any explanation.
Though he found it ridiculous, he didn't look down on them for it.
Because when facing Aizen, he was scared too.
"Ahaha... Mr. Satoru, since Mr. Aizen said so, he must have some ideas, right?"
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to wait until he researches something and gives you permission before we take action?"
"Huh?!"
Before the words even finished, Kisuke saw Satoru raise an eyebrow.
The next second, before he could react, Satoru pinned him to the ground and straddled him.
"You traitor! You secretly sided with Sōsuke, didn't you?"
"I'll beat some sense into you right now and show you which side you should be on!"
Kisuke couldn't help but feel like he'd been screwed over by Komamura.
"Wait, wait!"
Seeing Satoru's iron fist about to descend, he hurriedly stopped him.
Damn it, last time in Hueco Mundo, he had thoroughly experienced just how strong this guy was.
If that punch landed, wouldn't it be disastrous?
Under Satoru's gaze, Kisuke sighed.
"Regarding that monk, I have no ideas for now."
"However, about the Soul King, I've discovered some new information. It might be related to your experience in the Soul King Palace last time."
His expression grew serious.
"Mr. Satoru, the Soul King's throne... might truly have a problem!"