Days of fighting and fighting in which Unohana Retsu would stay with me for hours to end as we massacred and regenerated one another in an endless loop that always ended in my defeat.
I couldn't find a single flaw in her movements. She would then leave me with only cans of food and close her barrier as I awaited her arrival again to 'have fun'. They were the most barbaric sessions I've ever had, but I can't deny they were efficient.
I was no different from her pet. But it was okay, I accepted that fate as the weak party in this relationship.
It is the rule of this world and whatever other world that the strongest always gets to decide. Now I am the pet, but that will change soon, Retsu...
If I can feel it, then she also can... thanks to our daily spars, I am improving at a ridiculous pace. My shunpo is smoother with a lot less wastage of Reiroyku, my originally chaotic strength is now more controlled and focused.
My sword is sharper.
From her, I have learnt that what I was lacking was not swordsmanship, weaponry... or even insight. I could not control my Reiatsu efficiently.
After I experienced my third defeat, she sat down and told me: 'Your power is immense and you may be even more talented than Zaraki Kenpachi when it comes to the sword... but you have yet to broaden your horizons in this brand new world that encompasses you. As someone whose innate memories are not in the Soul Society, you are unfamiliar with the nature of Reiryoku. It was never a part of you, but it is now and you must accept this reality; controlling your reiatsu and impregnating your sword with it is another fundamental branch of swordsmanship'.
She then tried to slice my chest with her sword using moderate strength only to fail to do any sort of substantial damage, not even a scratch.
'Without appropriate control of your Reiatsu, your sword won't even be sharp enough, Ryōma'.
I held pride in my swordsmanship which I had polished through pain, tears and experience. It was one of the reasons why I so vehemently refused to assist the academy. I didn't believe those geezers had anything to teach me.
But if it was her... perhaps I could accept her as my teacher. No doubt she was the strongest woman I have ever met, BY FAR. Fighting her was as painful as it was entertaining and as I progressed our battles became more intense like she hadn't yet shown me all her tricks.
She wouldn't give me room to unleash Hebimaru, but she also wouldn't release her Bankai.
I knew her Shikai as she told me her Zampakutō, Minazuki, would take the form of a monster that could fly and had healing and 'toxic' capabilities. It was not a technique that she would use for combat but rather for her endeavours in medicine and as the captain of the 4th Division.
But she never mentioned her Bankai. She'd proactively avoid the subject whenever I brought it up.
'How strong would she be then...?'
I needed to know.
**
**
*CLANG!*
With Shitsutora in the scabbard, Ryoma rushed with Hebimaru glistening in a purple hue that could be easily perceived in the dark room.
Sparks flew everywhere with every clash as two swordsmen warred in silence.
Unohana lazily swung her nodachi-like Katana, the right side of her waist bleeding and her Haori all ragged, still... she couldn't help but smile subtly.
Ryōma swerved with a swordsmanship that looked way more refined than what it was when he first came into this basement, the fruit of his adaptability and respect for Unohana's sword whom he categorized as 'perfect'.
But nevertheless, a rogue was still a rogue.
*CLAANG!*
With a follow-up clash of swords, Unohana landed on a wall and looked up to see Ryōma already upon her with that maniacal grim after a seamless shunpo that brought memories and flashbacks.
She frowned, blocked and countered with a swiftness that left no room for an answer, but her counter met resistance as Ryōma used the hilt of the sword to protect his chest.
Unohana Retsu smiled at perceived progress then switched her momentum casting away the hilt, intending to slice the lower abdomen, a vicious strike that aimed to leave Ryōma out of combat, leaving her some breathing room.
That's when Ryōma switched to Shitsutora with solid and roguish quickness.
*CLAANG!*
!!!
*WHOOSH!*
Unohana flickered away, she frowned and looked at her left shoulder where a long fleshy wound was splurging blood everywhere, the worst one he had managed to inflict on her. She instinctively groaned and held her shoulder, looking at a victorious Ryōma rejoicing at the peak of dopamine.
'A quick switch…?' She tried to think of what had happened just now.
He used hand movements that could barely be perceived, they were so quick that they resembled...
'S-Shunpo?!'.
She shockedly stared at Ryōma who did a swift pirouette with his hands to sheath both weapons. He would rarely dual-wield, but he would know the perfect time to switch from one sword to the other, from right hand to left hand, to make her lose her balance.
"It is not as easy as you may think. But yes, Shunpo can also be used this way" He huffed with a proud chest.
Unohana's eyes were opened wide like saucers, she released a small sigh with a dark expression and started her healing process... unbeknownst to Ryōma, she licked her lips a bit.
"Impressive. What you have done is not necessarily something new, Ryōma. But not many Shinigami have a reishi capable of tolerating the immense forces of Shunpo. Using it only in your limbs increases this force exponentially and yet you can do it... you have gotten stronger…" She mumbled as if with pride then checked her healing wound and felt a noticeable painful and annoying itch.
'In this regard too, you have gotten stronger~'.
"Did you expect me to remain the same? Go ahead and use your Bankai!" Ryōma was ready for the real battle, he allowed his healing factor to do the job.
She ignored the comment and giggled, "Congratulations. You have earned your freedom, Ryōma".
"Huh?".
"Wasn't that what you were fighting for? Your freedom?" She waved her hands sideways and all barriers around the basement shattered like glass, making it possible for Ryōma to flee at any moment.
She remained on the ground, healing herself in silence and waiting for his next move.
Ryoma looked at the door that opened by itself. It was dark outside, the night. But nothing was stopping him from going back to the Rukongai.
"At this time everyone is asleep. If you leave, no one will stop you, Ryōma".
"Why are you doing this? Am I not supposed to be your prisoner now? If you let me go this will have repercussions on you–".
"And so? You have earned your freedom fairly. Whatever consequences befall me, that is my concern, not yours" She mumbled softly, but her eyes stared at him longingly.
"..."
Ryōma frowned and pointed his sword towards her neck, Unohana didn't even look at it, her gaze rose with glee.
"Or is it that you don't wish to go?".
"... your Bankai?"
"Do you want to see it?~"
She stood back up with her shoulder healed and sheathed her sword, then fixed her hair and clothes neatly, going back to her all-mother persona. Once Ryōma had regenerated, she walked out of the basement.
"Follow me".
"No Bankai…?" Ryoma asked dejectedly, slanting another giggle.
"If you have decided to stay, you will see it eventually~".
"Alright. I'll stay, Retsu..."
The woman turned around to send a sidelong glance with a slight smile, "Good decision".
...
When they came out it was dead at night and everything was quiet. The division was several buildings surrounded by a mural at the east of the Seireitei. Ryoma followed the impassive Unohana whose steps resembled immutable clear water. She looked happy with his decision and Ryoma tried to press even further.
"I guess I can ask you now, who made that scar?" He asked something that had been bugging him.
Unohana had a massive scar on the centre of her chest that was usually concealed by her braids. When she let loose, it was completely visible.
"You can heal up all your wounds regardless of how deep they are. If that scar is there... it is because you want it to be there".
The lady came to a stop and turned around with an impassive expression, it was amazing to Ryōma how different she looked from her usual self compared to when she fought.
"Why must you know?"
"I want to know who is strong enough to leave that scar on you" He pressed on and whispered, "You didn't leave any of the ones I made".
Unohana smiled and took a step back, she took Ryoma's hand and put it on the centre of her chest, "For me, it is a beloved yet frightening memory. A remembrance of why I still exist. It is the reason why I can't erase it... to remind myself of my duty".
She then removed his hand and walked off.
"And if you must know... The one who bruised me was the Kenpachi of Zaraki".
"Him? He's not strong enough! I fought him, he's strong indeed, but nowhere near you–"
"You wouldn't understand. Although you did manage to unleash some of his restraints, the one you fought is far from who he truly is. He is complicated... but it is not up to me to explain to you any further".
"..."
Unohana said no more and walked him to a kitchen area where she made him sit, then proceeded to prepare something for him for the night.
"Now that you have officially joined us, I should treat you fairly".
"About time..." Ryoma rolled his eyes.
Unohana watched him eat and once he was finished she took him to the bath area, explaining at all times what the purpose of each area was and even the medical area. She then took him to a massive mansion-like area where there was a bedroom. It was empty with nothing but a small wardrobe, a mirror, a futon and a small sword rack.
"This will be your home for the foreseeable future" She said and put Minazuki on top of that sword rack gently, she beckoned him to do the same.
Ryoma furrowed his brows and put both Shitsutora and Hebimaru on the same spot, he then jumped on that futon like a hooligan. Finally a comfortable spot after sleeping for days on top of a stone. He expected her to leave at some point and only waved his hand good night once.
Unohana upon realising he fell asleep quickly, snoring even.
"How inconsiderate~" She then walked to the wardrobe to put her coat in, then tidied her hair up before laying down next to Ryōma, covering herself and him with the quilt.
She looked at him one time and muttered something between her lips, unbeknownst to Shitsutora and Hebimaru's outrage
"What a cute little pet, I wonder how strong you will become?~"