The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window lattice, spreading a warm golden glow across the floor of the Fourth Division Captain's office.
Unohana sat upright at the tea table. She had just brought the teacup to her lips when she was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
The footsteps were quite distinct—one was steady and unhurried, while the other was so bouncy it sounded as if the person might spring into the air at any moment.
Sensing the visitors' spiritual pressure, Unohana gently set down her teacup and waited quietly.
A knock sounded, the door opened, and a voluptuous figure stepped inside first.
"Captain Unohana, pardon the intrusion."
Twelfth Division Captain Hikifune Kirio wore a smile on her face, but a rare hint of apprehension was hidden in her eyes.
Behind her, a petite figure with twin tails poked her head out, looking around curiously.
Unohana recognized her as the Twelfth Division Lieutenant, Sarugaki Hiyori.
Rumors of Hikifune Kirio's transfer to Squad Zero had already reached her ears.
Seeing the apprehension on her face, Unohana already had a good idea of why she had come today.
"Captain Hikifune, please have a seat."
Unohana gestured for her to sit across the tea table and casually poured two cups of tea.
Hikifune Kirio sat down as instructed, her posture composed.
As her subordinate, Hiyori did not take a seat, opting to stand by her side instead.
Hiyori subconsciously glanced at Unohana behind the tea table.
Unohana was looking down as she poured the tea, her movements elegant and leisurely, wearing her usual gentle smile.
She looked no different than usual.
Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Hiyori was deeply afraid of this gently smiling Fourth Division Captain.
Perhaps it was just some sort of intuition.
"Hiyori?"
Hikifune Kirio's voice called out, carrying a trace of confusion.
Hiyori finally snapped out of her daze, gave a quick response, and took the cup of tea Hikifune Kirio handed her.
Hikifune Kirio picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and looked at Unohana, parting her red lips.
"Captain Unohana, I came today to ask you about a few things."
"Please, speak freely."
Hikifune Kirio pondered for a moment before setting down her teacup, her expression turning serious.
"You may have already heard, but it is highly likely that I will be transferred to Squad Zero."
"Although the official orders haven't been issued yet, it's practically set in stone. To be honest, I feel a bit uncertain."
"What kind of place is Squad Zero? What are the temperaments of its members like? Could you help clear up my confusion?"
She asked several questions in a row, each revealing her genuine perplexity.
Over the past few days, Hikifune Kirio had subtly asked quite a few people about it.
However, Head Captain Yamamoto was far too intimidating, and she simply didn't dare to ask him directly.
Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake were approachable enough, but they knew very little about Squad Zero themselves.
In the end, it was Captain Kyoraku who reminded her that Captain Unohana had served for a very long time and had even learned Kaido from Squad Zero's Kirinji Tenjiro in her early years, meaning she might be more familiar with its members.
Thus, that led to her visit today.
Unohana listened quietly and thought for a moment.
Then, she raised her eyes and looked at Hikifune Kirio.
"I have indeed interacted with a few members of Squad Zero."
Hikifune Kirio's eyes lit up.
"Especially Kirinji Tenjiro," Unohana continued. "I learned my Kaido from him."
"Then what do you think of..."
"He is a very arrogant man."
Unohana's tone was calm.
Those few simple words accurately summarized the defining trait of Squad Zero.
She recalled the days she spent learning Kaido under Kirinji Tenjiro.
That Hot Spring Demon of Squad Zero possessed extraordinary medical skills and unfathomable strength, but his personality was incredibly haughty.
He always spoke and acted in a straightforward manner, carrying an undeniable sense of dominance.
The time she spent learning Kaido from him was, truthfully, not a very pleasant experience.
She had also met Shutara Senjumaru, who was equally arrogant beyond measure.
The rest of the Squad Zero members were largely the same.
Hearing this, Hikifune Kirio looked a bit stunned.
Arrogant?
Her brows furrowed slightly, a trace of worry appearing on her face.
Although she had her suspicions, hearing Unohana state it so definitively still made her feel uneasy.
She had a gentle and cheerful personality and wasn't very good at dealing with overly arrogant people. The thought of working alongside such a group in the future left her feeling unsure.
"However..." Unohana set down her teacup. "They can afford to be arrogant because they have the qualifications to back it up."
"The Royal Guard, protectors of the Soul King Palace. Every single one of them is a top-tier individual handpicked from the Gotei 13."
"In terms of strength, seniority, and contributions to the Soul Society, they certainly have the right to be arrogant."
She looked at Hikifune Kirio, her gaze gentle yet profound.
"The fact that you can stand alongside them means you have nothing left to worry about."
Hikifune Kirio paused slightly.
She understood the meaning behind those words.
Being selected for Squad Zero was, in itself, an acknowledgment of her strength and abilities.
She didn't need to adapt to them, nor did she need to curry favor with them.
She simply needed to stand there, just like them. That would be enough.
Hearing this, the worry in Hikifune Kirio's heart gradually dissipated.
She took a deep breath, the apprehension on her face fading away, replaced by a relieved smile.
"Thank you for your guidance, Captain Unohana."
Unohana's words had awakened her to the truth: being able to enter Squad Zero already proved her capabilities.
Rather than worrying about whether she could get along with others, it was better to focus on herself.
She nodded, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."
"You are very welcome, Captain Hikifune."
Just as she finished speaking, a knock suddenly came from the door.
"Captain."
It was the voice of a young man.
Unohana tilted her head slightly.
"Enter."
The door was pushed open, and a white-haired figure stepped into the room.
Hasumi Ren held a document in his hand, just about to report on the day's patient admissions, but suddenly froze.
Inside the room, besides Unohana, there were two other people.
The atmosphere became slightly delicate for a moment.
Hikifune Kirio set down her teacup, looking at the white-haired boy who had suddenly barged in with great interest.
White hair, young, with a calm gaze.
He didn't look like anything special.
But she noticed that from the moment he entered until now, his gaze had only lingered on them for a split second before naturally shifting to Unohana.
No curiosity, no nervousness, not even a single trace of unnecessary emotion.
It was as if he had merely seen two ordinary visitors.
*Interesting.*
A glint of amusement flashed in Hikifune Kirio's eyes.
"Captain Hikifune, Lieutenant Sarugaki."
Hasumi Ren withdrew his gaze and greeted them calmly.
But before Hikifune could speak, Hiyori beside her had already beaten her to it.
"Hey, who are you?"
"How come I've never seen you in the Fourth Division before?"
Her tone was brash and carried a clear hint of disdain, seemingly a bit displeased with this guy who had suddenly barged in.
Hearing this, Hasumi Ren looked at her.
Twin tails, short stature, and a thoroughly annoyed expression.
Sarugaki Hiyori, Twelfth Division Lieutenant, Hikifune Kirio's subordinate.
Her voice shattered the tranquility of the room, and Hikifune Kirio shot her a helpless glance.
Just as she was about to stop her, she saw Hasumi Ren turn to look at Hiyori, his expression calm as he replied in a flat tone.
"Fourth Division, Fourth Seat, Hasumi Ren. I was transferred from the Second Division not long ago, so it's only normal that Lieutenant Sarugaki hasn't seen me before."
Hiyori raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
She hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary guy to be the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, let alone a transfer from the Second Division.
She wanted to ask something else, but Hikifune Kirio gently tugged her arm, signaling her not to speak out of turn.
Hiyori curled her lips and shot Hasumi Ren a dissatisfied glare, but ultimately said no more, though she continued to size him up with curiosity.