"Zaraki owns a Zanpakutō." Shigure began, his voice calm but firm. "Although this Zanpakutō wasn't granted through the Shinō Academy, the fact that he can wield it means he's already a shinigami."
Unohana listened silently, her eyes lowered, the faintest glimmer of thought behind her serene expression.
Shigure continued, "He also possesses immense spiritual power, but he doesn't know how to channel it properly — how to release it, how to convert it into reiatsu."
He folded his arms, recalling the memory vividly. "And yet, even without formal training, when I fought him, I felt it — the moment his blade moved, pressure followed. It wasn't conscious, but it was there. Every swing carried a natural wave of sword pressure."
His gaze met Unohana's. "Captain Unohana, you of all people should know how incredible that is."
Unohana's eyes lowered further. Of course she knew. She had known Zaraki's monstrous potential long before Gosuke Shigure had ever crossed paths with him. But she couldn't say that aloud. Not yet.
Instead, she latched onto Shigure's phrasing and said softly, "That means… he's a born fighter."
Shigure nodded. "Exactly. That's what I believe as well."
He looked toward Zaraki, who stood near the doorway — silent, but radiating the same raw presence that had filled their duel. "Zaraki's strength is extraordinary. He's never been trained by orthodox shinigami methods. Yet with just his instincts and his blade, he already surpasses most ordinary shinigami."
A faint smile tugged at Shigure's lips. "If he can learn to control that spiritual power through structured training… it might not be impossible for him to immediately reach captain-class strength. In time, he could even surpass me — perhaps one day becoming the next Kenpachi."
At that word, Unohana's composure shifted ever so slightly. Her fingers paused against her sleeve.
Kenpachi.
Her gaze flicked toward Shigure, a faint light of curiosity in her eyes. Did he know?
No… that was impossible. She had never spoken of that era to anyone — not to the other captains, not even to her vice-captain.
Still, the way Shigure said that name — the quiet confidence in his tone — stirred something buried deep within her.
After a moment of silence, she smiled faintly, masking the unease behind her usual calm. "Captain-level combat power?" she said with quiet amusement. "Captain Gosuke truly thinks highly of him. You must know — even within the Gotei 13, those who reach that level are exceedingly rare."
Her tone softened, but her eyes sharpened slightly. "And the title of Kenpachi… that is a name given only to the strongest shinigami in Soul Society. Even among captains, few are worthy of it."
Shigure chuckled. "You think my assessment is too generous? I don't."
He looked at Zaraki again. "He deserves that title. If anyone was born for the name 'Kenpachi', it's him."
Unohana let out a quiet, almost imperceptible laugh. It was faint, like a whisper from another time. "Perhaps," she said gently, "you're right." Then, tilting her head slightly, she added, "But Captain Gosuke hasn't yet revealed the reason for his visit, has he?"
Shigure nodded once, unbothered by her perceptiveness. "There are two matters." he said plainly.
"First," he began, "I'd like to ask Captain Unohana to instruct Zaraki in the basic abilities of a Shinigami — Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. Just a foundation, enough for him to grasp their nature."
Unohana's brows rose slightly, intrigued. "Oh?"
She looked genuinely surprised now. "Captain Gosuke, you are a formidable man himself — a master of the sword, unmatched in speed, and skilled in close combat. Why not teach Zaraki yourself? Why bring him to me, a healer?"
Shigure smiled. "Because you, Captain Unohana, are far more than a healer."
He met her gaze steadily. "You are stronger than many captains — a hero in the truest sense, and a Grandmaster of countless sword schools. Your mastery of the blade surpasses anything I've ever seen."
Unohana's smile deepened slightly, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of memory.
Shigure continued, his tone deliberate. "Moreover, I learned from Zaraki that he once encountered you long ago — and that you defeated him."
Unohana's expression didn't change, but her heartbeat quickened.
"To me," Shigure said, "that's proof that you and Zaraki are connected by fate. That's why I wish for you to be his teacher."
He added with a faint shrug, "As for Kidō, it doesn't matter whether he learns it. The Eleventh Division prefers direct combat — Hadō and Bakudō aren't our style. But the first three — Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Shunpo — I'd like him to at least understand."
Unohana fell silent.
Inside, she sighed.
'Defeated him? That's what you think, Captain Gosuke…'
If only he knew the truth.
The one who lost that day had been her.
She had been overjoyed — yet broken — in that fight. And because of her weakness, Zaraki had sealed himself.
She owed him this much.
Though she knew that Zaraki's instincts alone could one day restore his true power, she also knew that learning the fundamentals might help him rediscover himself faster.
Finally, she nodded. "Since Captain Gosuke asks this of me, I'll do my best to teach him. How much he learns will depend on him."
Shigure inclined his head respectfully. "Then I'll trouble you, Captain Unohana."
Unohana regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, "You mentioned two matters. What's the second?"
Shigure's expression softened, and this time, there was a glint of genuine curiosity behind his eyes. "The second," he said, "is that I wish to learn Kaidō from you."
Unohana blinked, surprised for the first time. "You?" she asked. "Why the sudden interest in Kaidō?"
Shigure's smile was faint, but sincere. "Because Kaidō is practical — especially for someone in my position."
He continued, his tone even. "The Eleventh Division is always at the front lines. Battles are constant, and injuries are inevitable — both for my subordinates and for myself. Normally, we rely on the Fourth Division's support, but sometimes… the situation doesn't allow it."
He met her gaze. "If I can learn Kaidō, even a little, I can treat my men during emergencies. It might make the difference between life and death."
Unohana watched him quietly, then gave a small nod. "I see."
Understanding dawned in her eyes, and a faint smile touched her lips. "If that's your reason, then I'll find the time to teach you."
Her tone softened slightly. "When Kirinji Tenjiro taught me Kaidō, he told me that its purpose was to be passed down — not hoarded. Kaidō is not like Hadō or Bakudō; it was never meant to destroy or restrain. It was born to heal."
Her gaze drifted toward the flowers arranged neatly by her side. "It's a pity, though. Even now, most shinigami still chase destructive power. They study Hadō, Bakudō, anything that makes them stronger in battle — but few ever wish to learn Kaidō."
She let out a quiet sigh. "To many, healing is weakness. They say it can't be used in combat. They couldn't be more wrong."
Her voice lowered slightly, almost to a whisper. "Those who understand Kaidō truly understand battle. If you can heal yourself and your opponent, then the fight can go on longer… and you can both enjoy it more."
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]