"Renji!"
Just as Iba was about to stop Renji from breaking Soul Society's laws, Kenpachi's voice cut in.
"Let him go. A man willing to stake his life is worth fighting. Ikkaku, that redhead's finally got some guts."
"For the first time… I find Renji a little beautiful," Yumichika added.
Renji had once been the 6th Seat of Squad 11, so Kenpachi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika all knew him well. Renji respected Ikkaku and Yumichika, but Kenpachi had never thought highly of him—he disliked Renji's tendency to hesitate when driven by emotions.
So when Renji was promoted to Lieutenant of Squad 6, Kenpachi had kicked him out without a second thought.
Seeing Renji stumbling like this, Tsuna decided to help him recover.
After all, his wounds had already been treated—he just needed a push.
"Um, could you find me an empty room?"
Tsuna casually grabbed a Squad 4 member.
The man wanted to refuse—this place was full of patients, where would they find an an empty room ?
But after seeing Renji's lieutenant badge, he reluctantly led them to a small quiet room.
"Tsuna… we're going to find Kurosaki Ichigo, right?" Renji asked.
"You expect me to carry you? Or are you planning to crawl there for days?" Tsuna replied.
Renji flushed slightly.
They were practically strangers—and in his current state, he couldn't move properly.
"Let's fix you up first."
Tsuna raised his hand.
"Illuminate the sky—Sun."
A pair of Sun Flame gauntlets appeared.
Brilliant light filled the room.
Renji couldn't even open his eyes—he only felt a tingling warmth spread through his body.
Moments later—
The light faded.
Renji opened his eyes.
His body felt… light.
"This… what is this?"
He tore off his bandages.
Every wound—
Gone.
Not even pain remained.
Even his hair had grown slightly longer.
"Thank you… Tsuna!" Renji bowed deeply.
"At least get familiar with your Bankai first," Tsuna said. "The way you used it against Ichigo was way too crude."
"…You're right."
Renji nodded.
He knew it himself—his Bankai was still immature.
"Let's go. Grab Chad—we're leaving."
As they reached the door, Renji hesitated.
"Chad is your companion, right? Then why bring him to Squad 4? You could heal him yourself."
"Kaido is better for treating injuries," Tsuna explained. "My ability just accelerates recovery—it's more brute-force."
Using both together—
Was optimal.
Before they could leave—
The door opened on its own.
Standing outside—
Was Unohana Retsu.
Her eyes curved in a gentle smile.
And yet—
Tsuna felt a chill run down his spine.
They were led into her private room.
Before they even sat down, Kotetsu Isane reported:
"Captain, the three injured have been treated. They just need time to recover."
"Thank you," Tsuna said.
"No need. Healing is our duty," Unohana replied softly. "Isane, please step outside with Lieutenant Abarai. I have something to discuss with Mr. Sawada."
Now—
Only the two of them remained.
Tsuna felt… uneasy.
"Captain Unohana… what is this about?"
"I've heard you use a unique sword style," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "May I have the honor of witnessing it?"
In that instant—
A chilling killing intent filled the room.
Tsuna immediately understood.
This was because of Kenpachi.
Defeating someone bearing the title "Kenpachi"—
Had piqued her interest.
"Isn't Squad 4 focused on healing?" Tsuna tried. "There's no need to fight, right?"
"I am also responsible for apprehending a Ryoka who has injured multiple captains… and murdered Captain Aizen."
She said it with a smile.
Which made it worse.
"That has nothing to do with us," Tsuna replied quickly. "And that 'corpse'? You must've noticed something off about it."
Unohana briefly recalled the oddities of Aizen's body—
But dismissed it.
Aizen's fate didn't matter to her.
This—
Did.
Tsuna slowly edged toward the door.
Time to leave.
Slash—!
A blade grazed his forehead.
Instinctively, he stepped back—
And the ground beneath him collapsed.
A hidden passage opened—
And Tsuna fell straight down.
"…Seriously? There's a basement in Squad 4?!"
That was his last thought before dropping.
Unohana stepped forward—
And followed.
This underground space—
Was hers.
A place to release the bloodlust she could never fully erase—
From her past as the First Kenpachi.
The passage sealed.
Torches ignited one by one.
Revealing—
A vast underground dojo.
Empty.
Silent.
Deadly.
Unohana descended gracefully.
Her long braid had come undone.
Her appearance changed—
From gentle healer—
To a cold, terrifying swordsman.
Without a word—
She attacked.
A single downward slash.
Tsuna reacted instantly.
Shigure Kintoki appeared in his hand.
Water surged upward.
"Guardian Form — Second Kata: Reverse Flowing Rain!"
The rising wave met her blade—
BOOM!
Tsuna was sent flying.
He rolled across the ground before stabilizing.
His defense—
Broken in a single strike.
His expression turned serious.
Unohana—
Was far stronger than Kenpachi.
Even without releasing her Zanpakutō—
Even using pure swordsmanship—
She overwhelmed him completely.
"…So this is your Shigure Sōen-ryū?"
Her tone carried disappointment.
She had expected more.
Instead—
It felt no different from the countless mediocre sword styles she had crushed before.
Not worth her time.
Tsuna saw it clearly.
That look.
Disappointment.
His mindset shifted.
Forget everything else.
Forget the Seireitei.
Forget the plan.
Right now—
He just wanted to fight her.
"Sorry for failing to draw out your full strength," Tsuna said, standing up.
He raised his blade.
Pointed it at her.
"Now then… please enjoy this battle."
"Bankai."
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