Unohana's Guidance

When Liu Ziyun finished dealing with the mountain of work in the Medical Room, the moon was already high in the sky outside the window. He looked up, stretched his stiff neck, and glanced inadvertently at the door—the figure he had been waiting for all day had not appeared.

[Looks like he really was kept in the Captain's Office by the captain.] Liu Ziyun sighed inwardly, but a helpless smile crept onto his lips. [Xiao Lielie is declaring war on me. Interesting.]

He tidied up the documents on the table, got up, and left the Medical Room. The corridor was deserted, with only moonlight streaming in through the windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Liu Ziyun returned to his dormitory along the familiar route, his mind already preoccupied with plans for tomorrow.

[I'll try to find Isane tomorrow. I can't keep Xiao Lielie tied to her side 24/7, can I?]

He pushed open the dormitory door and collapsed onto the bed. Moonlight streamed through the window, softening his somewhat cynical face.

[It must be that Xiao Lielie is jealous, that's why she won't let Isane come to see me.] Liu Ziyun stared at the ceiling, thinking to himself with a smug smile, [But her jealousy is... kind of cute.]

He closed his eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened.

[Tomorrow... I must find an opportunity.]

Lost in thought, he drifted off to sleep.

Late at night.

Liu Ziyun was fast asleep when suddenly, a bone-chilling cold rose up from his back. The chill was so real that it made every hair on his body stand on end. His body reacted faster than his mind—he rolled over and leaped off the bed, landing steadily on the floor.

When he saw the figure in the doorway, his heart skipped a beat.

Retsu Unohana stood in the doorway, moonlight streaming in from behind her, outlining her figure like a ghost under the moon. A cold smile played on her lips, and her usually calm eyes now gleamed with a dangerous light.

Countless thoughts flashed through Liu Ziyun's mind in an instant—what had he done wrong? Why did she have that expression? Had he said something he shouldn't have?

But in the end, he only asked cautiously, "Captain... is something wrong that you came here so late?"

Retsu Unohana didn't answer immediately. She simply stood there quietly, looking at him with that chilling smile. After a few seconds, she slowly spoke, "It's nothing. Just checking on how your recovery is going."

Her voice was calm as still water, but Liu Ziyun could detect a hidden... anger within it?

"Judging from your movements and alertness just now, you seem to be recovering well." She turned and walked towards the door. "Come with me."

Liu Ziyun was stunned for a moment, then quickly put on his clothes and obediently followed behind Retsu Unohana.

[What's going on?] He frantically racked his brains, [Judging from her expression, she seems angry... and really angry. But what did I do wrong? I didn't do anything!]

He followed Retsu Unohana through the silent corridors and across the empty courtyards, finally arriving at a place he had never seen before.

It was a huge Underground Space, even more spacious than his secret training base. The walls were covered with intricate Kidō Runes, the floor was as smooth as a mirror, and the entire space exuded a solemn and majestic aura.

Retsu Unohana stopped and turned to look at him. "This is something I made based on your training base. Doesn't it look a lot like yours?"

Liu Ziyun around and had to admit, "It really does... look very similar."

Retsu Unohana nodded. "From now on, you can come here to train with me whenever you have free time."

Liu Ziyun was taken aback. "Captain, I came here with you... what are we cultivating?"

Retsu Unohana's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "To cultivate the way of the sword."

Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "You should know that I am known as 'Yachiru' because I have mastered the Zanjutsu of all schools in Soul Society. Therefore, from now on, whenever you have time, you must come here with me to train."

Liu Ziyun was completely dumbfounded. "Captain, why do you suddenly... want to teach me Zanjutsu?"

Retsu Unohana looked at him, her eyes filled with a complex and indescribable emotion. "Because if you're idle, you might disturb my Lieutenant's work. So, I've found you something to do."

Liu Ziyun was stunned: [What do you mean by "disrupting my Lieutenant's work"?]

A thought flashed through his mind: [Oh no... Is Xiao Lielie Lie jealous? So he wants to keep me here... to cultivate our relationship?]

As he thought about it, an extremely narcissistic expression involuntarily appeared on his face, and the corners of his mouth even turned up slightly, revealing a lewd smile.

Looking at his expression, Retsu Unohana's eyes grew even more dangerous. "What kind of lewd thought are you having? Can you tell me?"

Liu Ziyun snapped out of his daze and quickly waved his hand, "Ah! It's nothing, nothing! Captain, how are we supposed to cultivate?"

He tried to change the subject, but the blush on his face betrayed him.

Retsu Unohana didn't press further, but slowly drew her Zanpakuto from her waist. "I know your strength is definitely above mine. Therefore, in our battle, we are not allowed to use Reiatsu. Just pure Zanjutsu."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Okay, Captain. Where's the wooden sword? I'll go get it."

Retsu Unohana gently shook her head. "No need for a wooden sword. Use Zanpakuto directly."

Liu Ziyun was stunned for a moment, then flicked his left hand. The Wristguards carved with a crimson-gold phoenix on his wrist instantly burst out with dazzling light, and within the light, a slender Tang Dao slowly condensed into shape.

That's his Zanpakuto — Decide Fate.

Retsu Unohana glanced at the sword, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. Then, her expression turned serious. "Be careful."

Before she finished speaking, she had already disappeared from the spot.

The next second, the sound of a blade cutting through the air rang in Liu Ziyun's ears.

Liu Ziyun instinctively raised his sword to parry. The two swords clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang.

But Retsu Unohana's attacks were far from over. Her blades rained down like a storm, each strike precise and deadly, each aimed straight for his vitals. Liu Ziyun could only defend with all his might, the flashing blades weaving around him into an impenetrable net.

Just as he was getting used to Retsu Unohana's attack rhythm, suddenly, two sharp weapons came from the side, aiming straight for his ribs.

Liu Ziyun's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively shifted his body to the side, simultaneously raising his right hand to block the two sharp weapons with the wrist Wristguards on his wrist.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the space.

Using the momentum Liu Ziyun retreated, creating distance, and stared at Retsu Unohana in shock. "Captain, aren't you supposed to be practicing Zanjutsu? How come you're even using these Hidden Weapons?!"

Retsu Unohana didn't answer. She just gave a cold laugh and charged forward again.

Left with no other choice, Liu Ziyun could only raise his sword to fight again. This time, Retsu Unohana's attacks were even more ferocious and cunning. Her sword seemed to have a life of its own, attacking from all sorts of unbelievable angles, leaving Liu Ziyun struggling to keep up.