After Kyōraku Shunsui passed on the message, Bai Chen had no choice but to change plans. He temporarily gave up on going to the Research & Development Bureau with Mayuri, and instead headed to the Fourth Division.
"I didn't expect this…"
"So Hana-san has been quietly waiting for this day all along…"
On the way, even Bai Chen felt a little unnerved by how much attention he was receiving.
Truthfully, he and Unohana Retsu had only met once.
Respect and regard go both ways—and Bai Chen genuinely revered Unohana's strength.
In the entire Gotei 13, when it came to swordsmanship, there were so few people who had truly reached the summit that you could barely count them.
Strictly speaking, there were only two:
The first was the Head Captain—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
As the founder of the "Genryū" school and its supreme instructor, Yamamoto had been teaching swordsmanship widely throughout Soul Society more than a thousand years ago. After two thousand years of accumulation and refinement, his level of sword mastery was undeniably tyrannical and overwhelming.
Unohana, on the other hand, had chosen to withdraw a thousand years ago.
Unlike the Head Captain—who shone like the sun at all times—she abandoned her blood-soaked past and no longer stained her hands with slaughter.
From then on, her temperament changed.
She was no longer the infamous monster of legend.
She became a healer—a doctor who saved lives.
But Bai Chen understood something clearly:
Even after casting aside the title of First Kenpachi, Unohana had never abandoned her obsession with the sword.
She hid her identity for only one reason—
she had never met someone truly worthy of satisfying her again.
And that person… was obviously Bai Chen.
That was why Hana-san had been waiting.
Arriving at the Fourth Division
Before long, Bai Chen reached his destination: Fourth Division barracks.
The moment he arrived, eyes snapped to him from all directions.
After he'd walked a short distance inside, his sudden visit naturally caused a stir. The normally relaxed Fourth Division personnel immediately reacted.
"That's…"
"The greatest genius in Soul Society's history…"
Bai Chen's reputation was simply too large.
Ever since the day of division selection—when he had overwhelmed multiple captains with sheer presence—he had become famous across Seireitei.
He was now the talk of every idle conversation.
So the moment he stepped through the gate, Fourth Division officers and troops first felt surprise and excitement—then uniformly bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Third Seat Bai Chen…"
Bai Chen returned a polite smile.
"Hello."
He remained where he was for a moment, quietly taking in the environment.
Unlike the divisions he had visited before, Fourth Division—being a medical and logistics unit—felt completely different.
Beyond the neatly arranged Japanese-style buildings, there were bamboo groves and flowering plants everywhere. The scenery was soothing, like a beautiful garden, making people unconsciously relax.
While Bai Chen was still admiring the view, two figures approached.
After the troops reported his arrival, the reception team appeared:
On the left was a man with short blond hair and a single-sided white reflective lens—Iemura Yasochika, Fourth Division Third Seat and assistant to the vice-captain.
Beside him was someone with a more androgynous outward style but a distinctly feminine figure—Fourth Division vice-captain, Kotetsu Isane.
"Third Seat Bai Chen…"
Iemura Yasochika greeted him warmly.
Even though he was also a Third Seat, his tone was distinctly respectful—as if speaking to a captain.
Bai Chen smiled back.
"Hello."
"You already know I came at Captain Unohana's invitation, right?"
As he spoke, Bai Chen's gaze briefly slid—subtly—toward Isane.
Compared to Kiyone's fresh, lively vibe, Bai Chen hadn't expected Isane, the older sister, to be… that impressive.
Because of her shy personality, Isane didn't like drawing attention to her figure. She even had her shihakushō tailored slightly larger than normal.
But even so, the loose black fabric couldn't fully hide her shape.
She noticed his glance immediately.
Though she said nothing, Isane's face flushed red in an instant. She reflexively curled inward—only making her curves more obvious, which somehow made Bai Chen stare even longer.
"Um…"
"Third Seat Bai Chen… this way, please."
"Captain Unohana is already waiting in the office."
Flustered, Isane quickly changed the subject and turned to lead the way, worried she might faint from embarrassment if he kept looking.
"Then please lead the way."
Bai Chen smiled faintly and followed them deeper into Fourth Division.
Meeting Unohana
Not long after—
"We're here."
"Third Seat Bai Chen…"
"Captain Unohana is inside."
"So we won't disturb you any further…"
It was clear Unohana had instructed them beforehand.
Isane and Iemura stopped at the door, made a "please" gesture, and let Bai Chen enter alone.
"Thank you."
Bai Chen nodded and stepped forward, sliding open the office door.
The first thing he noticed was the room's classical décor.
Sunlight poured in through the windows, and the air carried a faint fragrance of herbs and plants—proof that Unohana likely spent her free time studying medicine.
"You finally came."
Unohana, seated behind the desk, looked up.
Her black hair was pinned up neatly, and beneath it was a gentle, serene smile.
Unlike Isane, Unohana didn't speak much—but whenever she interacted with others, she always showed a soft, water-like warmth.
That calm smile made people lower their guard without realizing it—and carried the unique charm of a mature woman.
"Captain Unohana…"
Bai Chen didn't dare to be casual. He approached properly, respectful and composed.
Then he noticed something on the desk: a small tea tray, and tea cups made from fine wood.
He was genuinely surprised.
In Japanese culture, sake was far more common, and within the Gotei 13, plenty of people loved drinking. After daily duties, most preferred a nightly cup.
But someone who could truly settle down and enjoy tea quietly?
That was rare.
"Tea…"
"isn't only to warm the throat."
"It also represents tea ceremony and discipline."
"It's a way to temper patience…"
"and cultivate one's state of mind."
As Unohana spoke, she lifted a cup and offered it to Bai Chen.
"You've come a long way."
"Drink a few cups first. Rest."
"Once your mind fully settles…"
"then we'll begin our exchange of swordsmanship."
The implication was clear:
Mindset cultivation was just as important to the sword as technique.
"Captain Unohana…"
"I think I understand what you mean."
"You believe my mental foundation… still isn't deep enough."
Bai Chen took a sip.
The tea's fragrance filled every part of his mouth and instantly brought a refreshing clarity.
"Correct."
"Your technique and combat sense are indeed excellent."
Unohana praised him plainly, then spoke just as plainly:
"If you want to go further on the path of the sword…"
"If you want to become a true sword master…"
"then your mindset must match your skill."
Bai Chen accepted it humbly.
"Thank you for your guidance."
He continued sipping tea, reflecting as he drank.
Unohana's tone, however, grew sharper—more insistent.
After a while, she set her cup down.
"Bai Chen."
"You've entered the right state, haven't you?"
She rose with a gentle smile and walked outside first.
"Come."
"In Fourth Division, there's a newly built dojo."
"Long ago, for the sake of training…"
"I personally requested permission from the Head Captain to have it constructed."
"The walls are made of Spirit Stone, and there are special Kidō barriers."
"It ensures sparring can proceed without restraint."
Leaving the office, with Isane and the others watching them go, Unohana led Bai Chen southward through the compound.
Soon, Bai Chen saw it—
an old-looking dojo, weathered as if it had endured years of wind and rain.
"Bai Chen, prepare yourself."
"It looks worn because of its age…"
"But it's cleaned regularly."
"So don't worry about disrepair."
Unohana turned back with a patient smile, explained briefly, and opened the dojo doors.
Bai Chen followed her inside.
"As expected… it's built from Spirit Stone…"
"And it has multiple complex sealing runes…"
With his sharp perception, Bai Chen only needed a glance to realize how serious this place was.
Only someone like Hana-san—someone of legend—would have the privilege and resources to build a dedicated sword-training hall like this.
Then Unohana stopped.
Her gentle smile faded.
Her expression became, for the first time, utterly solemn.
She faced Bai Chen and warned him in a low voice:
"Bai Chen…"
"For what comes next…"
"you must be mentally prepared."
"I'm going to tell you about my past identity…"
"and my secrets."
"And I will show you…"
"the blood-soaked swordsmanship I once believed to be unrivaled…"
"Yachiru-Style Swordsmanship."
The First Kenpachi was about to return.
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