Unohana Retsu rarely sat down to talk privately with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. Though they had known each other for centuries, it had probably been hundreds of years since the last time they faced each other in quiet conversation like this.
The captain of the 4th Division calmly brewed tea for the Head-Captain, her demeanor poised, serene, as if she'd always carried herself this way.
White steam curled slowly from the kettle between them. Yamamoto's deeply furrowed eyelids trembled slightly as he watched Unohana's pale fingers gently trace the rim of her teacup.
"You cannot fight him. That is an order."
Unohana Retsu showed no surprise; it seemed she'd long since known the purpose of his visit. She simply smiled and said, "Those words sound rather familiar. When was it that I last heard them?"
Hundreds of years ago, likely—after her encounter with Zaraki Kenpachi, around the time Seireitei first noticed that boy, Zaraki, who back then had still been a mere child, perhaps about Tachikawa's age now.
"You understand the significance of both him and Tachikawa to Soul Society very clearly."
"I do," Unohana softly replied. "Otherwise, why would I have endured these past few hundred years?"
The word "endure" struck Yamamoto as grating and harsh, deepening the frown on his face.
"Sōtaichō-sama, you've already spoken to Tachikawa about this, haven't you?" Unohana continued. "I can guess his reaction. That child is nothing like Zaraki, nor is he anything like me. He isn't pure at all. That someone so complicated could wield such a pure sword—I don't understand it. I find myself very curious."
"You must not fight him!" Yamamoto's voice rose slightly, the sternness sharpening. "You'll kill him!"
Unohana's hand, pouring tea, paused briefly. She lifted her eyes to Yamamoto.
"Sōtaichō-sama, you know me better than anyone."
"…"
After so many years, few from their era remained, fewer still who remembered that past clearly. Most people believed the 4th Division captain to be gentle and compassionate, but Yamamoto bluntly stated she would kill Nobu. No one understood Unohana's true nature better than he. After all, he was the one who'd personally subdued her.
"Sōtaichō-sama, how long have we lived? How many years have I been captain? Must I truly spend the rest of my life repaying my sins?"
Yamamoto scoffed coldly. "If you're so aware of your sins, should I then watch you commit another?"
Unohana Retsu remained silent for a long moment, finally pouring tea into Yamamoto's cup, filling it to the brim.
Yamamoto softened his tone slightly. "I no longer see you as a criminal. You understand the circumstances under which the Gotei 13 was founded. Isn't our current state good enough? Why must you still linger on past things?"
"The current state…" Unohana's gaze lowered, and she inexplicably laughed softly.
Looking out the window, she murmured, "Seireitei is truly peaceful these days. So peaceful that it sickens me."
Yamamoto's expression darkened slightly.
"But I have no intention of disrupting that peace. Right now, I simply want to escape this life that disgusts me."
Unohana met Yamamoto's displeased stare directly. "In truth, I've never considered myself a criminal. All these years, I never felt I was atoning for anything. Ever since encountering Zaraki, no one has piqued my interest again. Killing or not killing—myself from a thousand years ago did things merely out of boredom. Life now disgusts me; a thousand years ago wasn't much better."
"Sōtaichō-sama, you've never misunderstood me. All this time, you've never truly restrained me—you only restrained Zaraki. It's the same now. If you can restrain that child, then by all means, do so."
...
4th Division barracks.
"Taichō, you're back."
Kotetsu Isane noticed Unohana sitting quietly in her office and stepped inside.
"Mm."
Unohana responded faintly, then asked, "Where's Tachikawa?"
"Should I call him over?"
"No need."
Seeing that both Nobu and her captain had recently been summoned to the 1st Division, Isane suspected something significant might've happened.
Unohana told Isane softly, "In a few days, Tachikawa Nobu will likely be appointed captain of the 10th Division."
"Eh?"
Isane froze, stunned.
"How…why? Isn't Shiba-taichō—" Her words tangled awkwardly.
She knew Nobu already possessed captain-level strength, but this sudden news still caught her completely off guard.
"As for why…who knows?" Unohana's voice was calm.
Isane stood dumbfounded for a moment before suddenly turning and hurrying out of the office. She ran straight to Nobu's office, but upon not finding him, she asked around, finally spotting him exiting a patient's room in General Treatment Ward.
"What's wrong?" Nobu asked, noticing her hurried expression.
"You're going to be appointed captain of the 10th Division?"
Nobu looked surprised. "Has the order already come down?"
That was fast.
"Taichō just told me."
"I see…" Nobu pondered thoughtfully. He was aware Unohana had also been summoned by the 1st Division.
His earlier request had obviously been denied.
He smiled at her gently. "I was planning to talk to you about this tonight."
Isane stared blankly at him for a long while before suddenly breaking into a smile. "It's a good thing."
Yet there was reluctance clearly written in her eyes. Nobu reached out, taking her hand gently. "I'll miss you too."
Isane's face flushed instantly. She hurriedly pulled her hand away, glancing anxiously around. They were standing just outside the ward, with passersby everywhere.
"I—I never said I'd miss you… What are you doing? Aren't you worried someone might see?"
"Why should I be worried?" Nobu laughed softly.
Isane pursed her lips slightly. "Taichō said the appointment might be official in a few days, so you'll…be leaving soon."
"I can still come by the 4th Division often."
"You'll be a captain by then. You can't just drop by casually anymore—division responsibilities come first," Isane reminded him.
After chatting a while with Isane, Nobu considered speaking directly with Unohana but ultimately chose not to act.
That night, Isane stayed overnight at Nobu's home. Perhaps because she knew he'd soon be leaving the 4th Division, she was unusually clingy.
In the days that followed, Nobu and Unohana exchanged little more than routine interactions for division work.
Until one day, the 4th Division received a field mission, and Nobu learned from Isane that Unohana herself was personally leading the squad.
This was rare.
"Where's the mission?"
"In Rukongai." Isane briefed Nobu on the details.
A Hollow's presence had been reported in District 80. The 11th Division was already dispatched for cleanup, with 5th and 4th Division units mobilized as support.
The Zaraki District.
Nobu's expression subtly shifted upon hearing that.
It seemed Unohana was extending an invitation.
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T/N: heres ur updates :3 meeting the 4 chaps a week quota :3 posting earlier so bonus chaps will be a longer waitttt >:)
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