Toiling Day and Night

That night, Chiba Makoto fulfilled, one by one, the vows he had once secretly sworn.

Back when Unohana Retsu had driven her blade into his throat, he had sworn to repay that grudge in a similar manner!

Back when Unohana Retsu had pierced his body countless times with her Zanpakuto, he had resolved to absolutely pierce through Unohana Retsu's body in return!

Back when Unohana Retsu had repeatedly conquered him through Kaido and Zanjutsu, his determination had continually grown: sooner or later, he would make Unohana Retsu submit in the same way!

Slaughter!

Endless slaughter!

Then they were repeatedly healed by Kaido, only to continue slaughtering each other!!

That night, the Unohana flower bloomed in a different posture!!!

The following day.

Captain-Commander Unohana Retsu, admired and revered by countless Soul Reapers, who had diligently maintained the stability of the Thirteen Divisions since taking office, seemed to be feeling unwell.

Thus, the many matters that should have been personally handled by Captain-Commander Unohana were instead dealt with by Vice-Captain Chiba.

When quite a few Soul Reapers who came to the First Division to report or discuss official business asked Chiba Makoto about it, he merely replied that "Captain-Commander Unohana has gained new insights into slaughter and has entered seclusion for training."

The Soul Reapers did not think much of it.

After all, for Zanjutsu masters on the level of Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni or Unohana Retsu, occasionally having an epiphany and deliberately entering seclusion to train was perfectly normal.

Or rather, in the eyes of countless Soul Reapers, any insight gained by the revered Captain-Commander Unohana was a wonderful thing for the entire Thirteen Divisions.

Yet Captain-Commander Unohana Retsu's seclusion lasted a full three days!

Moreover, whenever night fell, the top floor of the Thirteen Divisions' barracks remained brightly lit until dawn.