Daily Life
Xuanxin, dragging his weary body, first drifted to the 11th Division like a lost soul, then collapsed onto the office sofa and slept soundly for the entire morning, barely recovering some of his energy.
It wasn't until the afternoon sun became somewhat glaring that Xuanxin reluctantly got up from the sofa, took a deep breath, and walked heavily toward the Fourth Division.
Since his sparring session with Sister Hana, Xuanxin has learned a painful lesson and set an ironclad rule for himself: even if the sky were to fall, he would never dare to stand Sister Hana up for even a single day again!
Even if my back aches and I'm in terrible shape, as long as I have a breath left, I must be in the Fourth Division's private training room on time!
Fourth Division, underground specially designed earthquake-resistant training room.
When Xuanxin pushed open the heavy metal door, Retsu Unohana had already changed into a tight-fitting black shihaka outfit suitable for combat, holding a wooden sword, and was quietly waiting in the center of the dojo.
"You don't look well, Captain Xuanxin. Is it because of the 'cold' you caught yesterday?"
Retsu Unohana looked at Xuanxin's slightly unsteady steps, her gentle tone carrying a subtle, unspoken meaning.
"Cough cough... Yes, I've caught a cold. But please don't worry, Sister Hana, I still have the energy to spar with you."
Xuanxin coughed twice, feeling a little guilty, and immediately drew the wooden sword from his waist, assuming a defensive stance.
"In that case, let's begin. Let me see if your kendo has regressed recently."
Before the words were even finished!
"Bang--!"
The two wooden swords clashed violently, and the violent Reiatsu wave directly ripped off a large section of the wooden floor around the dojo!
The battle between the two went straight into a fierce, protracted conflict without any probing.
However, as the battle intensified, Xuanxin keenly noticed an unusual situation.
Today's Sister Hana... or rather, Sister Hana's fighting style lately has become increasingly outrageous!
In the past, although Retsu Unohana would sometimes display the ferocity of the First Kenpachi in battle, she always maintained a certain level of elegance.
Whenever her clothes were torn by sword energy during battle, she would repair her tattered Shinigami armor while fighting, never allowing herself to lose her composure in any way.
But now.
She completely abandoned that pointless attempt at repair!
Her swordsmanship has become wilder and more expansive.
As the wooden swords clashed repeatedly, sharp sword energy flew everywhere. The black shihaka armor worn by Retsu Unohana was quickly torn with long gashes.
Her shoulders, collarbone, and even a flat, toned stomach were all exposed to the air without reservation.
The contrast between her fair skin and the tattered black fabric on her body created a striking visual impact!
Xuanxin was already exhausted and somewhat mentally scattered due to Yoruichi's "crazy exploitation".
At this moment, faced with this scene that was as wild and alluring as a goddess of slaughter, Xuanxin's gaze began to wander uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with Sister Hana today? Doesn't she ever mend her clothes? How am I supposed to look at this...?"
Xuanxin inwardly groaned.
However, in a battle between experts, even a 0.1-second lapse in concentration can be fatal.
Perhaps it was physical exhaustion, or perhaps I was distracted by the dazzling white light in front of me.
"Getting distracted in battle can be fatal, Xuanxin."
Retsu Unohana's voice, cold yet fervent, rang in Xuanxin's ears!
Then, a loud "bang!" was heard.
Xuanxin felt a tightness in his chest, and like a kite with a broken string, he was sent flying! After tumbling several times in mid-air, he crashed heavily into a corner of the dojo.
The violent impact caused Xuanxin, who was already exhausted, to experience a momentary blackout, and his mind went blank.
I don't know how much time passed; maybe a few seconds, maybe a few minutes.
Xuanxin's consciousness slowly returned.
When he regained consciousness, he didn't feel the hard, cold floor. Instead, he found the back of his head resting on a soft, faintly fragrant surface.
"This sensation... where am I?"
Xuanxin opened his eyes, still somewhat groggy.
However, what he saw was not the familiar ceiling of the dojo.
His vision was limited to half an empty sky, while the other half was completely blocked by the black Shinigami uniform!
In that instant, even the slowest-witted Xuanxin finally realized that his head was comfortably resting on someone else's lap!
This is a legendary lap pillow!
"Are you awake, Xuanxin?"
While Xuanxin was still in shock and his brain was still blank...
Retsu Unohana's familiar, gentle yet irresistibly oppressive voice drifted down from directly above him.
Upon hearing this sound, Xuanxin felt the hairs on his entire body stand on end!
As if electrocuted, he sprang up with a swift motion, leaping directly from that gentle embrace and stumbling backward several meters.
"Sister Hana?! I... I just fainted by accident, how rude of me!" Xuanxin stammered, covered in sweat.
However, when he raised his head and looked at Retsu Unohana Xuanxin froze.
At this moment, Retsu Unohana was quietly watching him. Her eyes, which were usually narrowed and appeared gentle and kind, were now fully open!
In those deep black pupils, the usual elder's care for the younger generation was gone; in its place was a blazing, possessive light!
Xuanxin was all too familiar with that look in his eyes!
Just two nights ago, in the bedroom of the Shihoin Clan, Yoruichi's eyes were exactly the same as Retsu Unohana's now!
"Hiss--!"
Things had developed to this point, and even Xuanxin was as emotionally oblivious as a piece of ancient iron, finally realized what was happening!
This is absolutely not a misperception! Nor is it any special care from an elder to a younger person!
In an instant, a series of past details flashed wildly through Xuanxin's mind like a revolving lantern: Old Man Yamamoto's indirect persuasion in the quiet room, and Yoruichi's fierce warning.
What Xuanxin had initially thought were just coincidences and jokes, at this moment, all turned into cold reality, slamming hard onto his forehead!
"Holy crap... I was actually targeted by the First Kenpachi, by this ruthless Sister Hana, Hana-chan?!"
Xuanxin felt a chill run down his spine, and his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his throat.
Xuanxin, this fearless new Kenpachi, actually felt an unprecedented... guilt and fear at this moment!
Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best!
"Um! Sister Hana! I suddenly remembered that I have some important documents from the 11th Division that I need to go back and sign immediately! Let's stop practicing here for today! Thank you for your guidance! I'll be going now!"
Xuanxin didn't dare to look directly into Retsu Unohana's eyes, which seemed capable of melting a person.
He suddenly stood up, pushing his Shunpo to its limit. Accompanied by a gust of wind, Xuanxin's figure vanished from the underground dojo like a fleeing rabbit, leaving only a metal door that was still swaying back and forth.
The empty dojo returned to its former tranquility.
Retsu Unohana remained in the same kneeling position as before.
She raised her slender fingers and gently tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear, wantonly displaying her alluring curves that could drive any man mad.
On that stunningly beautiful face, a captivating smile slowly bloomed, a smile that was both alluring and tinged with the excitement of a hunter locking onto its prey.
"Heh... Did you notice? Xuanxin."
"Running away is useless. Now that you've stepped into my hunting grounds, the prey will be eaten sooner or later."
Chapter 63 Daily Life
Ever since he fully realized the dangerous, predatory look in Retsu Unohana's eyes at the Fourth Division's underground dojo, Xuanxin's days have become exceptionally difficult.
This torment is especially evident during the monthly team leader meetings.
Inside the large assembly hall of the First Division, two rows of captains stood on either side, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere.
However, for Xuanxin, standing here was even more terrifying than when he had single-handedly stormed into the Forest of Menos Grande.
His position was at a very delicate angle.
Diagonally opposite him stood the immovable Fourth Division Captain, Retsu Unohana, and beside Sister Hana was his own Yoruichi Shihōin.
At first, when Xuanxin didn't realize Sister Hana's intentions, he didn't think much of it.
Now that the truth has been revealed, he feels like he's standing on a powder keg that could explode at any moment during every meeting.
He was terrified that these two ladies might disagree and start fighting right there in the assembly hall, creating a scene of Seireitei chaos.
However, Xuanxin observed the scene several times with bated breath, but the horrific spectacle of Mars colliding with Earth that he had anticipated never occurred.
On the contrary, a subtle "understanding" has formed between Yoruichi and Retsu Unohana.
Their eyes occasionally met, but there was no tense, murderous intent between them, only a faint, unspoken smile. Xuanxin dared not ponder the deeper meaning beneath those smiles.
However, this scene took on a completely different meaning in the eyes of others.
Standing directly opposite Xuanxin, the captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, would always pull his straw hat down to cover most of his face whenever he saw this scene during a meeting.
Then, taking advantage of the Captain-Commander's inattention, he secretly gave his junior brother a big thumbs up under the cover of his wide haori sleeves.
That look seemed to say:
"You truly are worthy of being my junior brother! You've managed to soothe even the iceberg that ordinary people wouldn't dare approach, Sister Hana. You've even managed to make Sister Hana and Yoruichi, this volcano, coexist peacefully! I've never admired anyone in my life, but in the face of your god-like skills, I can only admit defeat!"
Faced with Shunsui Kyōraku's admiring winks and gestures, Xuanxin could only manage a bitter smile in his heart, unable to express his grievances.
As for Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who was sitting in the main seat, this old man who had seen through the ways of the world, after observing the three of them several times, completely gave up on lecturing Xuanxin on his private life.
The old man seemed to be adopting a laissez-faire attitude, as long as you don't tear down Seireitei.
However, although he no longer verbally lectured, Captain-Commander Yamamoto had clearly found another way to vent his dissatisfaction.
Recently, the force with which Old Man Yamamoto wields his wooden sword in the underground dojo has noticeably increased.
Every time they sparred, Xuanxin could feel the fire contained within that wooden sword, as if the old man was venting all his anger in these weekly "instructions."
As a result, Xuanxin would come out of the First Division every week with a bruised and swollen face, and sometimes he even needed to go to the Fourth Division for treatment.
A few days later, at the Fourth Division's General Infirmary.
Under the professional care of the Fourth Division, Rangiku Matsumoto recovered very quickly and soon met the criteria for discharge.
Just as Rangiku and Gin Ichimaru, who had been staying by the bedside, were about to leave, Yoruichi Shihōin, the Second Division Captain, suddenly appeared in front of them.
Yoruichi put her hands on her hips, looked Rangiku up and down, and said, "Oh, little girl, you've recovered quite well."
Before the two Rukongai boys and girls could react, Yoruichi waved her hand and tossed a heavy bunch of keys to Gin Ichimaru.
"Here you go. This is a small courtyard in Seireitei, not far from the Shihoin Clan. You two will live there from now on, and someone will send you living expenses every month. No need to thank me; thank the idiot who picked you up."