Unohana: I Saw Through It

What happened during this Human World internship quickly spread throughout the entire Spirit Training Academy the next day.

Compared to a Menos Grande appearing during simulated combat training, what shocked people more—and became the subject of endless discussion—was Student Council President Tachikawa Shin killing it with a single strike.

As usual, Xin did not attend class that day. He stayed alone in the Student Council office, and his life was not affected in any way.

Nanda Hidezawa came to see him that morning. He expressed lingering fear over what Xin had encountered the previous night and marveled at the fact that Xin had actually killed a Gillian.

"Xin, perhaps you were right not to attend class. As your teacher, there is truly nothing more I can teach you."

Xin replied earnestly, "Teacher Nanda, you have already taught me a great deal. I would not be where I am today without you."

Nanda Hidezawa burst into laughter. "Xin, you are the finest student I have ever taught. Once you join the Thirteenth Division, your future will surely be boundless. This teacher of yours will have glory to share as well!"

After lunch, Hinamori Momo and Izuru Kira came with Renji Abarai, saying they wanted to formally thank Xin for saving them the night before.

Kira and Renji were clearly much more respectful now. They hardly even raised their heads to meet Xin's gaze.

Hinamori lavished him with praise, saying things like how the Menos Grande's spiritual pressure had frightened her so badly the previous night that she could not move, while the President had killed it in a single stroke. She then asked whether Xin could instruct her in swordsmanship during his spare time.

The moment Hinamori said that last sentence, Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira's eyes instantly lit up.

If it were only Hinamori, Xin was naturally willing. It would make raising Affection much easier.

But if Kira and Renji were included, his usual time for training and rest would have to be cut down.

Still, considering that both of them would achieve great things in the future, Xin pondered briefly before saying, "We'll see. If I have time, I can."

Hinamori was overjoyed. "Then it's settled, President!"

Xin said speechlessly, "I said if I have time."

Hinamori grinned. "You'll definitely have time."

When afternoon classes began, Xin was the only one left in the office. Then, unexpectedly, Shiba Kaien arrived.

The news traveled fast...

Xin thought as he saw Shiba Kaien.

"What a rare guest, Vice-Captain Shiba."

After entering, Shiba Kaien carefully looked Xin over from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze, as though he were getting to know him anew. He clicked his tongue in amazement. "You really are incredible. Did you know that what happened to you last night has already spread through the Thirteenth Division?"

Xin laughed. "Is the Thirteenth Division that idle? I only killed a Menos Grande. Was it really worth spreading around?"

Shiba Kaien gently shook his head. "A Spirit Training Academy student who has not even graduated yet killed a Menos Grande. Of course that is worth talking about. Besides, what happened last night was far too strange..."

Xin's expression shifted. "What do you mean?"

Shiba Kaien hesitated briefly. "All the Kekai Squad Soul Reapers assigned to work with you last night were killed."

Xin's eyelid twitched. "Who did it?"

"According to the investigation, it may have been a member of the Twelfth Division."

"The Twelfth Division?"

Xin was somewhat surprised. He knew Aizen would certainly create a plausible cover for the incident, but he had not expected him to drag the Twelfth Division into it.

The Twelfth Division oversaw the Research and Development Bureau. Its current captain was Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who also served as the Bureau's director.

Shiba Kaien said, "That member could not endure the Twelfth Division captain's treatment of his subordinates, so he bore a grudge and retaliated against Soul Society. He defected last night."

Xin: "..."

After a moment of silence, Xin suddenly could not help laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing."

Shiba Kaien stared at Xin, then suddenly asked, "I actually watched footage of your battle last night. That strike you used to kill the Hollow—was that your Zanpakutō's ability?"

Xin tilted his head. "That strike... was only Sword Pressure."

Shiba Kaien looked doubtful. "Really?"

Xin picked up a pen from the desk, spun it in his hand, then suddenly swept it through the air before him.

Whoosh!

The arc traced by the pen tip actually produced a visible semicircular blade of Sword Pressure!

Shiba Kaien hurriedly turned aside to dodge, watching the blade of Sword Pressure streak past his side.

When he looked back at Xin, his eyes were full of astonishment.

Nothing could be seen clearly from the footage, but experiencing it firsthand made him instinctively sense a degree of danger!

This kid...

Shiba Kaien's gaze flickered. To be honest, he had never seen such pure swordsmanship before.

Swordsmanship was a required course for Soul Reapers, but few would dare claim true mastery of it. To Soul Reapers, when their Zanpakutō was not released, a blade was merely a vessel for their own speed and strength.

But the blade in Xin's hand was not like that. He seemed to be genuinely proficient in the way of the sword, capable of delivering those exquisite yet unadorned strikes in battle.

"Do you believe me now?" Xin asked with a smile.

Shiba Kaien looked at Xin and slowly said, "Now I think that, with your talent, your future accomplishments definitely will not end with the Fourth Division."

"Vice-Captain Shiba, aren't you afraid Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division will hear you say that?"

Shiba Kaien laughed heartily. "The captain would not be so petty. And if Captain Unohana knew of your true talent in swordsmanship, she certainly would not force you to remain in the Fourth Division forever."

"I think the Fourth Division is quite good."

Shiba Kaien only said, "You'll understand once you graduate and join the Fourth Division."

Fourth Division Barracks.

Kotsubaki Kotone was watching a recording with Unohana Retsu. Kotone had obtained it from the Twelfth Division, and it contained the full footage of the Spirit Training Academy students' Human World internship the previous night.

When the screen showed Xin killing the Menos Grande with one stroke, Kotsubaki Kotone quietly glanced at her captain.

"Yone."

"Yes!"

"Rewind it a little." Unohana Retsu's voice was gentle and calm, her eyes fixed intently on the screen.

Kotsubaki Kotone hurriedly got up and operated the device. She knew what her captain wanted to see, so she dragged the footage back to before Xin's battle with the Hollow.

After watching Xin kill the Menos Grande once more, Kotsubaki Kotone could not help saying, "Captain, Xin's strength is truly far beyond expectations!"

"Ah... indeed."

Unohana Retsu's voice was so calm that no tone could be discerned from it. Kotsubaki Kotone was somewhat puzzled, when she heard her captain ask, "Yone, did you see anything?"

Kotsubaki Kotone froze at the question. She did not know which aspect her captain was referring to.

The only part of the entire recording worth examining was the brief scene of Xin fighting the Hollow.

She thought carefully, then suddenly realized something. "Captain, could the strike Xin used to kill the Menos Grande have been the power of his Zanpakutō?"

"No."

Unohana Retsu denied it, her beautiful eyes turning shadowed and profound.

"However, many people will probably think the same way you do. But that was merely pure swordsmanship."

Kotsubaki Kotone suddenly heard a warm laugh from her captain again, followed by words that sounded almost like she was speaking to herself.

"Fortunately, I saw through it..."