Unohana's Affection

Unohana Retsu, originally named Unohana Yachiru, had once been an unprecedented villain in the Soul Society a thousand years ago. She was later defeated by the Captain-Commander and brought under his command.

She was the founder of the Eleventh Division and its ideals, as well as the first Shinigami to hold the title of "Kenpachi."

The title "Kenpachi" meant the strongest swordsman among the Shinigami!

Yachiru, meanwhile, meant mastery of every school of swordsmanship in the world.

Standing beside Captain Unohana, Xin could only sense her gentleness, dignity, and poise. As for the so-called "black-bellied" side of her, he had yet to feel it.

Xin did not think Unohana Retsu was someone who had forgotten her original heart. Her attainments in healing Kidō were exceptionally high, but he did not quite believe she had taken an interest in him simply because his Zanpakutō was of the Kidō type.

After seeing the Affection displayed by the system, he believed it even less.

After becoming President of the Student Council, Xin had also gained the authority to review his own records. His swordsmanship evaluation was recorded as "exceptionally gifted"!

Perhaps what Unohana Retsu had said earlier had merely been part of a captain's duties.

Quite a few people had gathered around the platform. Seeing Renji win, they could not help cheering.

Many of the watching Shinigami even applauded.

Renji Abarai let out a long breath and took the initiative to help the older student up, politely asking, "Are you all right?"

Yet inwardly, he felt rather pleased with himself.

Although his Kido was somewhat lacking, he was still impressive in other areas!

The upperclassman did not say much. He did not even take the consolation prize, turning around and leaving directly despite the calls behind him reminding him that he had forgotten his gift.

Losing to a first-year junior would be far too embarrassing if word got out. He should not have stepped onto the stage in the first place!

At this moment, the students of first-year Class A also called out to the gathered crowd, "Is anyone else coming up? A mysterious grand prize awaits the fated winner!"

The people gathered below exchanged looks. The upperclassman's defeat had discouraged many of them.

Although the Shinigami who had stopped here were confident they could win, they could not possibly lower themselves to bully a student.

"What grand prize?"

A voice suddenly rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Unohana had attracted countless gazes from the moment she appeared here, and the one who had spoken was Xin, whom the students all recognized as well.

The President of the Student Council. Though he was a student, he was already considered part of the "upper ranks" of the Spirit Training Academy.

The student who had been speaking onstage glanced at Unohana Retsu beside Xin, swallowed, and said, "Well, it can only be revealed once someone wins."

Xin stepped forward and lightly leaped onto the platform.

"How about I give it a try?"

Renji Abarai had a deep impression of Xin. The two had never formally met, but he often heard Rukia mention him. Whenever Rukia spoke of the Student Council, aside from Hinamori, she always mentioned this President.

Things like, "The President is a very good person," and "I want to make the President my goal"...

At first, Renji had felt nothing toward this Student Council President. But as Rukia kept praising him in front of Renji, he could not help developing some hostility toward him.

Perhaps Renji himself had not even noticed that hostility.

Now that he saw Xin, agitation surged uncontrollably within him.

Defeat him!

His opponent was a renowned genius in the Spirit Training Academy, and so many people were watching. There was even a captain observing the match!

Though he had just gone through a sparring match, his blood still began to boil.

Renji Abarai tossed the wooden sword in his hand toward Xin.

"Of course."

"Do you want to rest for a while?" Xin kindly reminded him.

"No!"

Renji Abarai walked directly to the other side of the platform, gripping his sword with both hands as he assumed a stance.

"Please enlighten me!"

Xin weighed the wooden sword in his hand, then calmly looked toward Renji Abarai across from him.

Renji held his breath and focused, fully prepared. Looking at the composed Xin opposite him, he felt no pressure at all. Xin seemed to be full of openings.

With a sudden shout, he launched a fierce attack at Xin with his sword held in both hands.

He had heard many things about the strength of this Student Council President, but he would only truly know after testing it himself.

Renji thrust his wooden sword straight at Xin's chest. Xin raised his sword at a speed Renji could clearly see, seemingly intending to block. But Renji reacted swiftly, abruptly changing moves. He turned the thrust into a horizontal slash, sweeping a semicircular arc before him.

Smack!

A crisp impact rang out across the platform. Renji suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of his sword hand, and the wooden sword flew from his grasp. By the time he came back to his senses, Xin's wooden sword was firmly pressed against his throat, leaving him unable to move.

Renji's pupils widened slightly. He had seen it. He had clearly seen every movement of Xin's strike, even every action that had knocked the wooden sword from his hand. He had seen it all distinctly.

Yet he simply could not react. Only now, as he recalled it, did fear seize him.

Just one move!

He had been defeated so cleanly and decisively.

Xin slowly withdrew his sword, a smile suddenly appearing on his face. "You let me win."

Only then did astonished cries erupt around the platform. They had watched the fight closely from beginning to end and had all seen Xin's movements. His sword had not moved quickly, yet that single strike had struck a vital point.

"S-So fast..." Kotsubaki Kotone had not expected the match to be decided so quickly. She had thought Xin would win, but she had not expected Renji, who had looked so imposing onstage moments ago, to lose so thoroughly.

Unohana Retsu's beautiful eyes shifted slightly, and a faint curve formed at the corners of her lips.

"Xin is really amazing," Kotsubaki Kotone sighed.

"He is far more impressive than you think," Unohana Retsu said, rather unusually.

"Huh?"

Unohana Retsu explained unhurriedly, "He is stronger than that red-haired student in every respect, but he did not rely on his physical advantages. He won purely through swordsmanship. That one move alone..."

...was the essence of his own swordsmanship!

This child was clearly still so young...

After returning the wooden sword, Xin turned to leave the platform.

"Please wait." Renji suddenly spoke, his expression somewhat excited. "Can we do it again?"

He was not someone who could not accept defeat. His opponent was, after all, his senior and a well-known genius student. There was nothing shameful about losing to Xin.

That strike had hit his weakness directly, making Renji feel the shortcomings in his swordsmanship more clearly than ever before. That was why he wanted to exchange another move with Xin.

He could sense that sparring with Xin would definitely help him improve!

Xin laughed softly. "If you did not notice anything just now, it would be the same no matter how many more times we fought."

A first-year Class A student stepped forward from the side. "Congratulations on your victory, Senior. We prepared..."

"There is no need. Save your gift for the next fated person."

Watching Xin's retreating back, Renji silently made up his mind.

Next year! Next year, I will definitely join the Student Council!

Xin stepped down from the platform, ignoring the surrounding stares as he went to Unohana's side.

"Captain Unohana, I won."

"Not bad. Let us continue on."

Though Unohana Retsu still wore a smile, her reaction was somewhat subdued. Even her praise consisted of only a brief "Not bad."

Unohana Retsu

Affection: 2

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