Retsu Unohana

After leaving Jushiro Ukitake's office, it was already evening. Asano Kiyoshi glanced at the dining hall in the distance, its lights already out, and a resentful look crossed his face. Sigh, if you're going to keep someone behind, at least feed them first... Ah... I'll have to go hungry again.

After making a small joke about Ukitake in his heart, Asano Kiyoshi helplessly rubbed his stomach and headed toward the dormitories.

At a corner, he saw a gleaming light bulb—well, Ikkaku's head. Along with that light bulb, Ikkaku's highly recognizable voice rang out:

"Hey, catch."

He hurriedly caught what Ikkaku threw at him. It felt somewhat warm in his hands. Looking closer, Asano Kiyoshi found two wrapped Onigiri. Then Ikkaku's voice came again, carrying a hint of embarrassment and tsundere pride:

"Yumichika insisted I bring these to you. He said if Captain Ukitake kept you behind, you probably wouldn't have time for dinner. Tch, what a pain!"

Looking at Ikkaku's proud face, Asano Kiyoshi smiled faintly before saying sincerely:

"Thank you, Ikkaku."

Hearing Asano Kiyoshi's reply, Ikkaku became even more flustered. His face reddened, and he turned away in embarrassed irritation, leaving Asano Kiyoshi with only the back of his slightly flushed head as he said:

"Get back already! Idiot! Saying something so sincere out of nowhere, honestly! Ah... I'm leaving! I'm leaving!"

Quickly catching up to Ikkaku walking ahead, Asano Kiyoshi took a bite of the Onigiri. Fragrant, soft, and delicious.

The night breeze swept past the two boys, stirring the strands of one boy's hair.

Friday was still filled with the usual theory classes. After finishing them, Asano Kiyoshi and Yumichika spent some time tutoring Ikkaku in Kido. Afterward, he went to the residence Isshin Shiba had arranged for Granny Hana, bought her many things, and stayed there for the night.

The next day, he rested for the morning, had a meal, then bid Granny Hana farewell and headed toward Hakutōmon. Today was the day he had agreed to go study at the First Squad with the Captain-Commander.

Granny Hana's residence was not far from Hakutōmon, only two or three li away. At Asano Kiyoshi's current pace, he arrived quickly.

However, the entire Seireitei was enormous. Aside from Hakutōmon, it had three other gates: Seiryu Gate, Hakutōmon, Shuwa Gate, and Kokuryo Gate. All four gates were guarded by gatekeepers, chosen from among the finest warriors of Soul Society. In order, their names were Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, Ihide Ude, Danzōmaru, and Higonyūdō.

The distance between each gate was also considerable. For an ordinary adult traveling on foot, it would take ten days to get from one gate to another.

Moreover, the area surrounding the Seireitei was built from Killing Stone. These stones formed a protective barrier that completely shielded the Seireitei from the sky to the ground. The only way in was through the four gates.

Asano Kiyoshi now stood before Hakutōmon, looking at the mountain-like giant before him with a degree of amazement. Shibatarō noticed him as well. Seeing the unmistakable Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy uniform on Asano Kiyoshi, he bent down and asked:

"Students aren't allowed into the Seireitei without special circumstances. If you want to enter, do you have anything that could serve as a pass?"

At that, Asano Kiyoshi took out the wooden plaque carved with the character "One" from his robes and handed it to Shibatarō.

After taking the plaque, Shibatarō stared at it with eyes as large as lanterns. One minute, two minutes... Then, as though he had suddenly recalled something, his entire body jolted. This kind of plaque had appeared decades ago!

Back then, there had been a man holding a damaged Asauchi, his face like that of a Demon. That man had also carried this wooden plaque and demanded entry into the Seireitei. Now, that man had become the captain of the Eleventh Division and bore the title of the current Kenpachi!

Seeing Asano Kiyoshi holding the same plaque, Shibatarō did not hesitate. He immediately opened Hakutōmon and said to Asano Kiyoshi with a fawning smile:

"Sir, follow this street inward for the First Squad. When you see the Sixth Division insignia, turn left, and you'll be there. It's a very obvious building!"

Hearing Shibatarō's directions, Asano Kiyoshi smiled and thanked him twice before walking into the Seireitei.

Watching Asano Kiyoshi's departing back, Shibatarō could not help sighing. People's fates really were different. Then he shook his head and continued guarding the massive, deserted Hakutōmon.

I'm Seireitei security, working only to get off work. I like little An from Squad Four, and little An calls me idiot...

The moment he entered the Seireitei, Asano Kiyoshi discovered that the Reishi Density within was nearly three times that of the outside world. With his current Third Class Reiatsu, in an environment like the Seireitei, he could survive without food or water simply by absorbing the Reishi in the air.

Moreover, ever since entering the Seireitei, Asano Kiyoshi could constantly sense uncomfortable gazes upon him. Yet no matter how he looked, he could not find their source. Still, he did not pay it much mind. Those gazes should have come from the Twelfth Division... or perhaps from the Wandenreich hiding within the Seireitei's shadows.

But none of that was what he should be considering right now. For him, reaching the First Division Barracks as quickly as possible was the top priority.

With Shibatarō's earlier directions, Asano Kiyoshi found the Sixth Division insignia without much trouble. But just as he was about to turn left, the figure of a gentle, intelligent-looking woman suddenly entered his sight. She wore a white Captain's Haori, marked with the symbol for "Four."

Anyone who saw the gentle woman before them would naturally feel a great deal of fondness for her. But Asano Kiyoshi knew exactly what terrifying face lurked beneath that mild exterior. Still, to avoid revealing anything, he could only pretend not to have seen her and quietly walk along the wall.

Captain Retsu Unohana, however, had no intention of letting Asano Kiyoshi go so easily. Looking at the boy in academy uniform and sensing the Captain-Commander's Reiatsu upon him, she approached him slowly with a gentle expression and said with a smile:

"You're a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy, aren't you? Are you looking for someone here? If you don't mind, I can show you the way."

Hearing that voice, gentle as water, Asano Kiyoshi could only bite the bullet and reply:

"That would be too much trouble for you. May I ask how to get to the First Squad?"