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Chapter 9: Healing Hands and Hidden Fears
Kazana hovered outside the Fourth Squad's clinic, his Asauchi tucked into his belt and his heart doing somersaults. Captain Unohana's invitation to learn a healing kido felt like a golden opportunity—or a trap.
"It's just a lesson," he muttered, pacing in the early morning light. "She's not gonna dissect me. Probably. But why does she keep calling me charming? Is this a captain thing or a… her thing?"
His face flushed at the thought of her forceful smile, and he patted his lucky charm for reassurance.
The System, never one to let him relax, flashed its blue screen:
Mission: Master a Healing Kido Under Captain Unohana's Guidance. Reward: Advanced Healing Kido (Mid-Tier).
Bonus Mission: Confess a Personal Fear to Captain Unohana to Build Trust. Reward: Empathic Bond (Low-Tier, e.g., Emotional Resonance from Jujutsu Kaisen).
Kazana's jaw dropped. "Confess a fear? To Unohana? System, are you trying to make me spill my guts—literally?" He groaned, but the rewards were tempting. A healing kido could save his life in this dangerous world, and an empathic bond sounded like something that might help him figure out Unohana's cryptic affection. Plus, after stumbling into that creepy Hollow construct in Rukongai, he needed every edge he could get to stay off Aizen's radar.
Steeling himself, he knocked on the clinic door.
Unohana's voice called, "Enter, Kazana."
He stepped inside, finding her in a pristine room lined with medical supplies, her black braid gleaming under the soft light. She was preparing a tray of herbs, her movements precise yet graceful, and Kazana's charisma boost did nothing to stop his stammering.
"M-Morning, Captain!" he said, bowing so fast he nearly tripped. "I'm, uh, ready to learn! Healing's cool, right? Keeps me from dying, which is kinda my main goal."
Unohana's smile was warm, but her eyes held that familiar intensity. "A practical goal," she said, gesturing to a mat beside her. "Sit. We'll begin with Kaido, a basic restorative kido. It requires focus and empathy—qualities I believe you possess, despite your… nervous demeanor."
Kazana sat, clutching his Asauchi for comfort.
"Empathy? Uh, I guess I care about not letting people down. Does that count?" He laughed awkwardly, but Unohana's nod was encouraging.
"Indeed," she said, placing her hand over his to guide his reiatsu.
Her touch was cool and steady, and Kazana's brain short-circuited, his face turning crimson.
"Focus your spiritual energy here," she continued, oblivious to his panic. "Visualize mending a wound, like stitching a torn fabric."
Kazana tried, his enhanced emotional resilience keeping him from bolting. He channeled his reiatsu, picturing a glowing thread. A faint green light flickered from his hands, and a small cut on his arm—leftover from the Rukongai shrine—began to close.
"Whoa, I did it!" he gasped, grinning.
Unohana's smile widened. "Well done, Kazana. You have a natural aptitude for healing. Perhaps you're suited for the Fourth Squad after all."
Her tone was teasing, but her gaze lingered, making his heart race.
The System chimed:
Mission Completed: Master a Healing Kido Under Captain Unohana's Guidance. Reward: Kaido #3 (Mid-Tier Restorative Kido).
Kazana felt the kido settle into his skillset, a warm energy he could call on to mend wounds.
"This is awesome," he said, flexing his fingers. "I'm, like, a medic now!"
Unohana chuckled, setting aside the herbs. "You're more than you realize, Kazana. But tell me…" She leaned closer, her voice soft but probing. "What drives you to face such dangers, like the one in Rukongai yesterday? Surely you have fears that weigh on you."
Kazana froze, the bonus mission flashing in his mind. Confess a fear? Now? His mouth went dry, but her steady gaze and the System's promise pushed him forward.
"Uh, okay, I guess… I'm scared of screwing up," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. "Like, I'm in this crazy world with all these powerful people—you, Aizen, Zaraki—and I'm just… me. I'm scared I'll mess up so bad I'll get someone hurt. Or worse, that I'll catch the wrong person's attention and end up… y'know, dead."
He swallowed, avoiding her eyes, his fear of Aizen slipping out despite himself.
Unohana's expression softened, and for a moment, the terrifying First Kenpachi vanished, replaced by a woman who seemed genuinely moved.
"Fear of failure is a heavy burden," she said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "But your courage to keep trying, despite that fear, is what makes you remarkable. You don't need to fear the likes of Aizen. Not while I'm here."
Kazana's breath caught. Was she… protecting him? His new Observation Haki picked up a flicker of her reiatsu—warm, steady, and fiercely protective.
"T-Thanks, Captain," he stammered, his face burning. "That means a lot. Like, a lot."
The System dinged:
Bonus Mission Completed: Confess a Personal Fear to Captain Unohana. Reward: Empathic Bond (Low-Tier Emotional Resonance).
A subtle connection bloomed in Kazana's mind, letting him sense Unohana's emotions—a mix of amusement, curiosity, and something deeper, like affection.
She really likes me? he thought, his heart pounding. Or is she just being nice?
Before he could overthink it, a commotion outside interrupted. Isane burst into the room, her face pale.
"Captain Unohana, there's a report of rogue Hollows in Rukongai District 10. Captain Hitsugaya's squad is handling it, but they've requested Fourth Squad support for injuries."
Unohana rose, her demeanor shifting to calm authority. "Prepare the medics, Isane. I'll join you shortly." She turned to Kazana, her smile returning. "Care to assist, Kazana? Your new kido could be useful."
Kazana's lazy side screamed to stay in the safe clinic, but Unohana's expectant gaze and his empathic bond nudged him to nod.
"Y-Yeah, I'm in! Gotta test this healing stuff, right?" He grinned, hiding his nerves.
As they headed out, Unohana walked beside him, her presence both comforting and intimidating.
"Stay close," she said, her voice low. "I'd hate for you to get hurt… before we can continue our lessons."
Kazana gulped, his mind a whirlwind of fear, excitement, and budding courage. Rogue Hollows, Aizen's shadow looming, and Unohana's growing interest—this world was chaos, but with his Asauchi humming and his new skills, he felt ready to face it.
Or at least, not run away screaming.
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End of Chapter 9
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