"Oh? So this is the new recruit we've picked up this year? Quite an interesting young man. You sensed my presence ahead of time and your body instinctively reacted?
With your level of talent, you'd have no trouble joining any of the other squads. Why choose Squad Four?"
The elegant black-haired beauty before him—radiating the serene grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko—was smiling softly as she asked her question, but Yecheng still felt a chill down his spine.
Never trust someone with squinty eyes—they're always monsters. Don't let her big-sisterly gentleness fool you.
Yecheng knew very well that the woman before him was Retsu Unohana, one of the longest-serving captains of the Gotei 13—and a member of the original squad formed by old man Yamamoto himself.
In her past, Unohana had been known as the most dangerous villain in Soul Society's history.
Don't be fooled by her tranquil and graceful appearance now. The number of people she's cut down would be enough to circle the Soul Society.
If she hadn't met a certain equally monstrous young man, she might still be the most brutal and powerful Kenpachi to this day.
"Answer me, boy. With your strength, Squad Eleven would seem like a much more fitting choice. Why do you want to join Squad Four?"
Unohana still smiled as she asked the question, but anyone with a sharp eye could tell—she was now releasing spiritual pressure, and it was directed squarely at Yecheng.
Yecheng had suppressed and sealed his spiritual pressure to a certain degree—enough that the average Soul Reaper wouldn't notice anything off.
But this was no average Soul Reaper. To someone like Unohana, formerly the strongest Kenpachi, his little tricks were meaningless.
She couldn't gauge the exact extent of his hidden strength, but from the way he instinctively reacted to her presence, she could tell—his swordsmanship was definitely far beyond the "above average" stated on his file.
Unohana wasn't about to let someone hiding their true abilities into her squad without some serious questions.
"Joining Squad Four has always been my dream. I even made a point of studying Kaidō at the Shin'ō Academy for this very purpose.
As for the reason… I've always admired the lifestyle of Squad Four. And I've long looked up to and revered you, Captain Unohana.
That's part of the reason as well.
As for hiding my strength… I hope you'll believe me, Captain. I had no ill intent. I just didn't want to attract too much attention.
If you're still unsure, I'm willing to go to the Research and Development Bureau to have my spiritual pressure examined or monitored."
As Yecheng finished speaking, the overwhelming pressure that had been bearing down on him vanished like a receding tide.
He was now drenched in sweat—the black training uniform from Shin'ō Academy clinging to his skin—and the ground beneath his feet had caved in from the force he'd endured.
Nearby, Isane had completely collapsed, her body limp. Although Unohana's spiritual pressure wasn't directed at her, even a mere taste of that abyss-like captain-class pressure was enough to render a rookie like her completely helpless.
"So you didn't just downplay your swordsmanship—your spiritual pressure level was also underreported, wasn't it?
To withstand the spiritual pressure I just released, yours must already be fairly strong.
How strong exactly?"
Unohana didn't question Yecheng's explanation too much.
And no—it wasn't because he was so handsome that he instantly maxed out her affection meter.
Rather, Unohana believed that if Yecheng really were a spy from Hueco Mundo or somewhere else, they'd send someone stronger. No one would dispatch a weakling to infiltrate the Gotei 13.
Plus, with her centuries—if not millennia—of experience, Unohana trusted her ability to judge people and spot lies.
She could tell that most of what Yecheng said was true.
At the very least, his admiration for Squad Four and his reverence for her seemed genuine. When he spoke those words, his spiritual pressure hadn't shown any signs of fluctuation.
"As for swordsmanship… I do have some confidence in it.
Though, of course, it can't compare to you, Captain Unohana.
As for my spiritual pressure… actually, I achieved Shikai with my Zanpakutō a year ago."
When he said that, both Unohana and the still-recovering Isane were visibly shocked.
Soul Reapers each possessed a Zanpakutō—a part of their very soul and their primary weapon in battle.
Initially, all Zanpakutō appeared in the form of standard katanas. But that wasn't their true form.
Because every soul is unique, every Zanpakutō manifested differently.
Shikai is the first stage of release for a Zanpakutō. Upon Shikai, the sword gains unique abilities, and the user's spiritual pressure increases as well.
Don't underestimate Shikai. Across the thousands of Soul Reapers in the Gotei 13, fewer than 10% ever reach this stage.
Those who do are already considered elite. Within the Gotei 13, they're eligible to hold seated positions.
Normally, it takes hundreds of years of experience for a Soul Reaper to achieve Shikai.
And yet Yecheng, a mere sixth-year student fresh out of the Academy, had already achieved Shikai before graduation.
"No wonder you wanted to keep your strength hidden. With talent like yours, word would spread fast—and you'd become a target of attention.
But are you absolutely sure? With your aptitude, you could rise through the ranks faster in another squad.
I could even recommend you to the Head Captain for special admission into Squad One."
A Soul Reaper who achieved Shikai before graduating? That kind of talent hadn't appeared in centuries.
Unohana knew that while Squad One had high standards, Yecheng wouldn't have trouble getting in—at least in a non-seated role.
"Thank you for the offer, Captain Unohana.
But I'd like to stay true to my original goal.
My dream is to join Squad Four and become—"
"Ikkaku, are you serious? That guy you said was worth fighting—is he really here?"
Yecheng was cut off mid-sentence by a loud, excited male voice from outside the Squad Four recruitment area.