Unohana's Selfishness

However, because Unohana Retsu no longer had any connection to the 11th Division, and those who knew of her identity as the first Kenpachi were few and far between, it was impossible for her to say such things to his face.

She continued to instruct Natsuki in Kaidō.

Unohana Retsu evaluated him, saying, "Your mastery of Kaidō is already catching up to mine; there isn't much left for me to teach you."

"Captain Unohana is too kind. As the captain of the 4th Division, I don't believe that I could reach your level after such a short period of study."

"Besides, as a veteran captain, the methods you possess are certainly far more than just Kaidō."

"Therefore, Captain Unohana, you are still capable of teaching me many things."

Natsuki looked at Unohana Retsu with sincere eyes, playing the part of a diligent student actively seeking knowledge from his teacher.

Feeling Natsuki's gaze, Unohana Retsu was momentarily stunned.

She couldn't help but think of Gosu Kenpachi again.

Much like Kyoraku Shunsui, she did not hold high hopes for Gosu becoming the new Kenpachi. She had told Natsuki back then that because Shinigamis of the 11th Division were frequently injured in battle, they often came to the 4th Division for treatment; the relationship between the two divisions was very close and familiar.

As the former lieutenant of the 11th Division, Gosu was naturally someone Unohana Retsu knew well.

She knew exactly what kind of strength Gosu possessed.

Before Gosu, Azashiro and Kuruyashiki were both warriors worthy of the title.

Only Gosu was not.

Years ago, when she stepped down from the position of the first Kenpachi, she left behind a succession ritual unique to the title: only one who defeated the previous Kenpachi could become the new one. The purpose was to ensure that each new Kenpachi would be stronger than the last.

With each generation surpassing the previous, she hoped that one day, a warrior would appear who could truly catch her eye.

Unohana Retsu did not establish this tradition to cultivate powerhouses for the Gotei 13, but merely to find an opponent who could fight her and allow her to enjoy the thrill of combat.

In her heart, there was actually a candidate.

She learned Kaidō and voluntarily stepped down from the position of the first Kenpachi all to wait for that person.

She looked forward to the day that person would arrive in the Seireitei.

Of course, if other experts capable of giving her a good fight appeared in the meantime, that would also be a good thing.

Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was strong, but for Unohana Retsu, he was still lacking.

Azashiro Kenpachi had defeated Kuruyashiki and was undoubtedly stronger, but she never had the chance to witness Azashiro's true power.

If the tradition had continued as intended, the subsequent Kenpachis would have grown stronger and stronger until the person she was waiting for finally appeared.

As it turned out, no one expected that a powerhouse like Azashiro Kenpachi would become the final swan song.

The position of Kenpachi had fallen into the hands of Gosu.

This meant that even if a Shinigami were to defeat Gosu and become the new Kenpachi in the future, they might not be as strong as the former Kuruyashiki or Azashiro, and she would have to wait many more years because of it.

During this time, whenever she thought of this matter, Unohana Retsu's mood would inevitably grow stifled.

At this very moment, after hearing Natsuki's words, for some reason, she thought of it again.

Then, Unohana Retsu looked at Natsuki.

"Captain Unohana, is there something dirty on my face?"

Sensing Unohana Retsu's gaze, Natsuki asked with a puzzled expression.

Unohana Retsu did not answer his question, but asked in a deep voice, "Do you wish to learn Zanjutsu?"

Natsuki's eyes sharpened instantly.

He knew quite a bit about Unohana Retsu.

As the first Kenpachi, she was once known as the one who had mastered every school of swordsmanship and blade technique, hence the name "Yachiru"—the "eight thousand" being a figurative term for infinity. It could be said that Unohana Retsu was the person in the Soul Society most proficient in various sword styles and Zanjutsu techniques.

The Zanjutsu she spoke of was fundamentally different from the kind circulated within the Shino Academy.

"Captain Unohana wants to teach me Zanjutsu?" Natsuki quickly reacted and asked her.

Unohana Retsu replied, "As you said, as a veteran captain, I have indeed mastered many things. Aside from Kaidō, Zanjutsu is the only other skill I can offer. If you are willing, I can provide you with some guidance."

"That would be perfect." With an opportunity to grow stronger right in front of him, Natsuki would certainly not refuse. The very reason he had said those words earlier was in the hope that Unohana Retsu would guide his training.

Ordinary people only saw Unohana Retsu as a merciful captain of the medical division who was not skilled in combat.

But Natsuki knew well that she could fight better than ninety-nine percent of all Shinigamis.

She was one of the most capable combatants in the entire Gotei 13.

And so, in addition to learning Kaidō, Natsuki began to follow Unohana Retsu within the 4th Division to study Zanjutsu.

Natsuki was surprised as to why Unohana Retsu would teach him Zanjutsu.

As for Unohana Retsu's thoughts, they were quite simple.

Since the succession of the Kenpachi had encountered problems, leaving the title in the hands of a weakling, she, as the first Kenpachi, could not simply stand by. She did not mind personally cultivating a powerhouse to take up the mantle of Kenpachi.

Natsuki often came to her to learn Kaidō, and she had seen his talent.

Judging whether a Shinigami could become a powerful warrior...

When it comes to the mastery of spiritual power and talent for Ghost Way, these are, in truth, secondary.

The most important factor remains one's Reiatsu.

Reiatsu determines the upper limit of a Shinigami.

The more powerful one's Reiatsu, the greater the heights one can reach.

While teaching Natsuki Kaidō, Unohana Retsu naturally perceived his Reiatsu.

It was very powerful.

If, when she first began teaching him Kaidō, her perception placed his spiritual power at around the fourth rank, then now, it had surely reached the third.

The fourth rank is already sufficient to serve as a lieutenant.

And the third rank is the level of spiritual power that only a captain of the Gotei 13 can possess.

It may seem like a difference of only one rank, but there is a massive chasm between the top three ranks and those that follow; for Natsuki to break through this barrier and ascend to the third rank in such a short time was truly terrifying.

Of course, this was not the primary reason Unohana Retsu held Natsuki in such high regard. The most important reason was that his spiritual power was still growing; the third rank was not his limit, and if he continued to grow at this rate, even she could not fathom what heights he might eventually reach.

She was also aware of Natsuki's past.

Even counting the years he spent in Hueco Mundo, he was, at present, merely a soul who had just graduated from the Shino Academy and become a Shinigami.

He was a true genius.

And the fact that such a genius had not yet been molded by the academy only confirmed that Natsuki was an unpolished gem.

There is nothing more satisfying than personally carving an unpolished gem into a masterpiece.

Not to mention, doing so also served to satisfy her own selfish desires.