On the meandering walk back to his dorm from the Research and Development Institute, Kensei Kenzuru's eyelids kept drooping. His mind flitted between the elder Ginrei's smiling, chrysanthemum-like face and Urahara and Mayuri's technological blueprints.
All he wanted was to rush back to his dorm and collapse, preferably waking up to find the Tsunayashiro Clan had simply vanished.
"My, it seems my luck is quite good."
A gentle woman's voice sounded from behind him. Kensei startled, most of his drowsiness vanishing.
Captain Retsu Unohana of the 4th Division stood a few steps away, her face still wearing the gentle smile that could melt ice.
Warm afternoon sunlight bathed Unohana, complementing her lovely features. It should have been a soothing scene, but Kensei felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"Good afternoon, Unohana-taichō," Kensei forced a natural-looking smile. "What a coincidence. Are you on your way to a house call?"
Unohana smiled and shook her head, her gaze lingering on the faint dark circles under Kensei's eyes. "I was asked by the Captain-Commander to find you, Kenzuru-kun."
"The old man?"
Kensei's heart skipped a beat. Was the old man planning to use her as a sword to kill him and uphold the family honor?
"The Captain-Commander is somewhat concerned you've been overexerting yourself lately. He asked me to give you a thorough physical examination, just to ensure everything is in order."
Unohana gave a slight nod, her tone as gentle as if discussing what she had for lunch.
The corner of Kensei's mouth twitched slightly. That old man... He's probably worried I'm indulging in pleasures every day and specifically sent Unohana to check up on me.
Sigh, how times have changed, suspecting his most excellent disciple's resistance to mere physical temptation.
"Kenzuru-kun, if you please." Unohana looked at Kensei with a smile, slightly turning her body and gesturing. "I cannot neglect the Captain-Commander's request."
Realizing there was no escape, Kensei could only sigh inwardly. On his face, he wore an exceedingly willing smile as he followed Unohana.
The 4th Division barracks always carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs and was exceptionally quiet—much like a morgue.
"Relax, Kenzuru-kun. It's just some routine checks." Unohana pointed to a bed in the room. "Lie down and rest for a moment."
Kensei shuffled over to the bed and lay down. It was soft as a cloud. If not for the location, he might have fallen asleep right there. But the sound of Unohana washing her hands nearby made his body tense slightly.
Unohana dried her hands and approached the bedside, using standard techniques to palpate Kensei's body.
The examination was more normal than Kensei had anticipated.
Unohana's hands were steady, still cool with a hint of moisture. She checked meticulously, from basic pulse to deeper internal spiritual pressure detection.
"Here..." Unohana's finger pressed precisely on a specific point on Kensei's back, the pressure just right. "It seems you truly have been quite fatigued lately."
"Can't let the old man down, you know."
Kensei answered seriously, trying to maintain his brilliant image.
"Is that so?" Unohana didn't comment further. Her fingers moved slowly down along the line of Kensei's spine, continuing to assess his physical state.
Her fingertips tracing the skin of his back sent a ticklish and subtle sensation through him.
The room was unusually quiet, filled only with their soft breathing. The silence made Kensei somewhat uneasy. He felt like a fish on a chopping board, about to be sliced into sashimi by Unohana.
"Unohana-taichō, my body's fine, right?"
Kensei found a topic to break the silence.
"Of course. Your body could be said to be excessively robust." Unohana paused. "However, you have accumulated significant fatigue. You need proper rest."
Then just let me go already...
Kensei didn't dare say that out loud, only grumbling internally.
Unohana's fingers gave a light tap on Kensei's lower back, then withdrew. She had considered seizing the chance to spar with Kensei, but seeing the tiredness on his face, she suppressed the thought for now.
Feeling Unohana's fingers leave, Kensei thought the check-up was over and started to get up, but Unohana's palm gently pressed him back down.
"Lie still."
Unohana's whisper, her gentleness undiminished, felt like an invisible mountain pressing down on Kensei, making him lie back obediently.
Unohana reached out, her fingertips touching Kensei's temples, then slowly massaging them. Her fingers moved to the back of his neck, then his shoulders, using a special technique to ease his fatigue.
At first, Kensei was still stiff and uncomfortable, but soon, under Unohana's precisely applied pressure, his entire body relaxed. Combined with the soothing spiritual pressure emanating from her, Kensei's eyes uncontrollably drifted shut.
A feeling of tranquility enveloped Kensei, his high-speed, brilliant mind temporarily shutting down.
Without realizing it, Kensei's breathing became even and steady as he fell asleep.
Unohana's movements ceased.
She watched Kensei quietly for a moment, then fetched a clean, thin blanket from nearby and gently draped it over him.
Having done that, Unohana walked back to the tea table, sat down, and picked up a book. The cover suggested medical texts, but the contents were about swordsmanship. She began reading again.
For a time, the room held only the sound of Kensei's breathing and the soft rustle of turning pages.
"Ze-hahaha! Old Man Yama! From now on, address me as Captain-Commander!"
After who knows how long, the room's silence was shattered by Kensei's strange laughter. It was unclear what kind of dream he was having.
When Kensei opened his eyes again, he saw Unohana sitting nearby with an amused smile. As the blanket slid off him, his consciousness fully returned.
"It seems you rested well." Unohana continued turning a page. "How do you feel?"
Completely shameless, Kensei stretched. All traces of fatigue had vanished without a trace. His physical condition was unprecedentedly good. He felt he could take on two Old Man Yamas with one punch.
"Feels great." Kensei scratched his head, getting up to express thanks. "Thank you, Unohana-taichō."
"It's no trouble. When you return, remember to balance work and rest." Unohana's smile remained. "If you truly wish to thank me, just find some time to come here and spar with me a bit."
"Uh... Alright."
Kensei could only nod in agreement. One who accepts another's food speaks softly; one who takes another's gifts finds it hard to refuse. Besides, visiting Unohana was certainly more pleasant on the eyes than dealing with the old man.
By the time he returned to the dorm, it was nearly evening.
Aizen, having recovered considerably, was already up and sorting through some documents at the desk. Hearing the door, she spoke without turning. "Back?"
"Had quite the productive day." Kensei slapped the property deeds in his pocket onto the table before Aizen. "Finally don't have to live here anymore."
"It seems you and the Kuchiki Clan had a good conversation." Aizen looked at the pleased Kensei, noticing his fatigue had disappeared. "It seems you had an additional... benefit?"
"Sort of. Rested a while at the 4th Division."
Kensei gave a brief explanation, marveling that Old Man Yama was such a good teacher and resolving not to slander him today.
"Rest well. Things won't be so relaxed in a few days."
Aizen's tone was as calmly composed as ever. She picked up the property deeds and began looking them over.
In any case, securing more private space would be beneficial for many future preparations.
"Got it." Kensei sprawled comfortably on his bed, muttering to himself. "Sigh, a life of toil. Worked while alive, still working after death."
Meanwhile, in the Soul King Palace
The Monk sat before the crystal sealing the Soul King. Not long ago, he had seen off the Shinigami from the Tsunayashiro Clan.
Although their somewhat mad plan might significantly impact Soul Society, as long as it didn't affect the Soul King, he would not intervene.
"Nevertheless, it would be wise to observe."
After ensuring the Soul King's seal was undisturbed, the Monk left the containment chamber, deciding to send a messenger down to the Seireitei with news of Tsunayashiro's movements.
***
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