First Contact with Unohana Retsu

"So this is the medical Ghost Way, Kaidō? What a miraculous method of healing!"

Natsuki felt the wounds on his body rapidly knitting together and could not help but exclaim in wonder.

"Third Seat Natsuki actually knows of Kaidō?" Unohana Retsu chimed in. "As far as I am aware, you are not a Shinigami who graduated from the Shino Academy. Logically speaking, without systematic training at the academy, you shouldn't be very clear on the distinctions between the various Ghost Ways."

"I can only say that I am quite studious. Moreover, I have some talent for Ghost Way, so I have inevitably delved into various types. I know that Kaidō is distinct from Hado and Bakudo, though I have never seen it in practice. Ultimately, it is because there are very few Shinigamis truly proficient in this specialized Ghost Way."

Natsuki responded to Unohana Retsu, then asked with a hint of surprise, "Though, Captain Unohana, it is strange that you know of my background. By all accounts, today should be our first time meeting, right?"

Unohana Retsu wore a gentle smile at the corners of her lips. "While it is true that this is our first meeting, the relationship between my 4th Division and the 11th Division is not poor. The members of the 11th Division are the most frequent visitors here for treatment, so through one thing and another, I have come to know a little about Third Seat Natsuki."

"It is said that Third Seat Natsuki has only been in the 11th Division for a year."

"To become a Third Seat in only a year—that is truly remarkable!"

"What is even more impressive is that Third Seat Natsuki did not come from the Shino Academy."

Unohana Retsu recounted Natsuki's history, her words filled with unreserved praise.

Deep down, she was indeed feeling a sense of wonder.

She had not expected that such a Shinigami could still exist in this era.

Modern Shinigamis were almost exclusively graduates of the Shino Academy; only before the academy was established did one find cases of individuals accidentally stumbling upon a Zanpakuto and becoming Shinigamis.

If Natsuki had merely found a Zanpakuto and become a Shinigami by chance, it would have been nothing of note.

The crucial point was that the place where Natsuki found his Zanpakuto was Hueco Mundo.

After returning from Hueco Mundo, he had become a Third Seat of the 11th Division in just one year.

Therefore, upon learning of Natsuki's circumstances, Unohana Retsu, who often found herself idle in the 4th Division, could not help but develop an interest in this newly risen genius of the 11th Division.

Today, upon hearing that Natsuki had been injured and come for treatment, Unohana Retsu, having nothing better to do, came personally to treat him and strike up a conversation.

"Captain Unohana is too kind." Natsuki appeared very humble. "I am well aware of my own situation. While I have managed to become a Seated Officer, advancing further will not be so easy. Ultimately, it is because my strength is insufficient; otherwise, I would not have needed to come here for treatment today."

Unohana Retsu held a different view. "As long as one is fighting, injury is an unavoidable reality."

Natsuki froze for a moment, falling silent as he pondered something. Suddenly, he spoke again: "Captain Unohana is right. As long as one fights, there will always be wounds and blood. If that is the case, we must learn how to heal."

As he spoke, Natsuki looked at Unohana Retsu. "Captain Unohana, I wonder, what requirements must one meet to learn Kaidō?"

Unohana Retsu had not expected Natsuki to say such a thing. She could not help but recall her own original intention for learning Kaidō; she had not learned it to save lives, but to fight with greater abandon.

Her original motive was much the same as what Natsuki had just expressed.

As long as one fights, injury is inevitable, and once injured, one's state is compromised, preventing one from enjoying the pleasure of battle. If one could heal while fighting, one could continue the battle indefinitely.

The thought flashed and vanished. Unohana Retsu said to Natsuki, "The greatest requirement for learning Kaidō is the control of spiritual power. If you are interested in Kaidō, you may come to the 4th Division to seek my guidance whenever you have the time."

"Is that truly allowed?" Natsuki looked at Unohana Retsu with surprise.

Unohana Retsu laughed. "It is nothing extraordinary, merely a rather specialized Ghost Way. Other Shinigamis are not very interested in Kaidō, so it is rare to encounter someone who is. I do not mind teaching it."

"However, whether Third Seat Natsuki can master it, I cannot say."

Unohana Retsu was very amiable, showing no signs of being aloof or superior. Being in her presence felt like being with an older sister from next door. In any case, Natsuki felt a sense of comfort, like a spring breeze, while beside this captain.

However, he did not dare to underestimate this gentle female captain.

After all, he knew her true identity.

In the 4th Division infirmary, Unohana Retsu chatted with Natsuki while treating his wounds.

Soon, under Unohana Retsu's care, Natsuki's injuries were completely healed. According to her, after resting for a few more days, he would be able to return to the fray.

It was at this moment that Unohana Retsu suddenly uttered a strange remark.

"The wounds on Third Seat Natsuki's body do not seem to have been left by a Hollow!"

"They look more like blade wounds inflicted by someone."

She stared at Natsuki with keen interest.

Natsuki's heart tightened, but he maintained a calm expression. "No, they were indeed left by a Hollow. That Hollow had sharp claws, and these are the wounds left by one of its talons, which is why they appear similar to blade wounds."

"Is that so?" Unohana Retsu said in a deep tone, not pressing the matter further.

This first meeting with Unohana Retsu was more peaceful than Natsuki had imagined.

Unohana Retsu seemed to be a very easy person to get along with.

Natsuki also sensed some underlying meaning in her words.

This 4th Division captain seemed to be unusually concerned with the affairs of the 11th Division.

It was not simply because the 11th Division's Shinigamis fought frequently and thus had the most contact with the 4th Division.

Natsuki suspected it had to do with Unohana Retsu's status as the first Kenpachi.

Upon returning to the 11th Division, another serious problem lay before Natsuki.

He did not know why Azashiro Kenpachi had let him go.

But he did not feel any gratitude toward Azashiro Kenpachi for it.

After all, the things Azashiro Kenpachi had done were, without a doubt, evil.

Since he had discovered it.

Should he expose these matters and report Azashiro Kenpachi?

Natsuki fell into a state of conflict.

Furthermore, when Azashiro Kenpachi let him go, had he not considered this possibility?

Or was it that, much like Aizen in the original story, even though Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai had discovered his various deeds, he had allowed them to leave because he possessed special means to distance himself from those actions?

If he were to rashly report him, it might instead land him in an unfavorable position.

Just like Urahara Kisuke, who reported Aizen in the original story, only to be framed as the culprit behind the captain-level Hollowfication incident and forced to flee the Soul Society.