Kirio Hikifune's Visit
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm golden hue across the floor of the Fourth Division Captain's office.
Unohana sat upright at the tea table, the teacup in her hand just brought to her lips, when she was interrupted by a series of footsteps approaching from afar.
The footsteps were quite distinctive; one was steady and composed, while the other was lively and energetic, as if it were about to leap up at any moment.
The door was knocked open, and a voluptuous figure stepped in first.
"Captain Unohana, excuse me."
The captain of the Twelfth Division Kirio Hikifune, had a smile on his face, but his eyes held a hint of unease that was rarely seen on him.
Behind her, a petite figure with pigtails peeked out, looking around curiously.
Unohana recognized her; she Hiyori Sarugaki, the vice-captain of the Twelfth Division.
Rumors of Kirio Hikifune's transfer to the Zero Division had already reached her ears.
Looking at her anxious expression, Unohana probably already had a clue why she had come today.
"Captain Hikifune, please have a seat."
Unohana gestured for her to sit down opposite her at the tea table and poured two cups of tea for her.
Kirio Hikifune sat down as instructed, his posture composed.
Hiyori, who was her adjutant, did not sit down but stood to the side.
Hiyori subconsciously glanced at Unohana behind the tea table.
Unohana lowered her eyes as she poured tea, her movements elegant and leisurely, her face bearing her usual gentle smile.
It looks no different from usual.
But for some reason, Hiyori felt a deep-seated fear of this gentle-smiling Fourth Division Captain.
Perhaps it was based on some kind of intuition.
Hiyori?
Kirio Hikifune's voice came through, tinged with a hint of doubt.
Hiyori then came to her senses, responded, and accepted the tea that Kirio Hikifune handed her.
Kirio Hikifune picked up his teacup, took a sip, looked at Unohana, and parted his lips slightly.
"Captain Unohana, I've come today to ask you about something."
"Please feel free to speak."
After a moment's thought, Kirio Hikifune put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious.
"You may have heard that Zero Division is very likely to be transferred to my unit."
"Although the transfer order hasn't been officially issued yet, it's almost certainly going to happen. To be honest, I'm a little unsure."
"What kind of place is the Zero Division? What are the personalities of its members like? Could you please answer these questions for me?"
She asked several questions in a row, each one revealing genuine confusion.
In recent days, Kirio Hikifune has subtly inquired with many people.
But Captain-Commander Yamamoto was too imposing, and she dared not ask rashly.
Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake were mild-mannered, but they knew very little about Zero Division.
Finally, it was Captain Kyōraku who reminded her that Captain Unohana had served for a long time and had even studied the Dao of Kaidō with Tenjirō Kirinji of the Zero Division in her early years, so she might be more familiar with the people of the Zero Division.
Therefore, she made this visit.
Unohana listened quietly and pondered for a moment.
Then she raised her eyelids and looked at Kirio Hikifune.
"I have indeed had contact with a few members of Zero Division."
Kirio Hikifune.
"Especially Tenjirō Kirinji," Unohana continued, "My Kaidō was learned from him."
"So what do you think..."
"A very arrogant person."
Unohana spoke calmly.
These few simple words accurately summarize the characteristics of Zero Division.
She recalled the days when she Kaidō with Tenjirō Kirinji.
That Hot Spring Demon from the Zero Division possesses exceptional medical skills and unfathomable strength, yet he is also extremely arrogant.
He always speaks and acts directly, with an undeniable air of authority.
The days I spent learning the Kaidō from him were certainly not a pleasant time.
She had also met Senjumaru Shutara, who was equally arrogant.
The other members of Zero Division were in much the same boat.
Upon hearing this, Kirio Hikifune appeared somewhat stunned.
Arrogant?
Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of worry appeared on her face.
Although she had already guessed, hearing Unohana say it so definitively still made her feel uneasy.
She has a gentle and cheerful personality, but she is not good at dealing with overly arrogant people. The thought of working with such a group of people in the future makes her feel a little uneasy.
"However..." Unohana put down her teacup, "She can be arrogant because she has the right to be."
"Royal Guard, guarding the Soul King Palace, each one is a top-tier individual handpicked from the Gotei 13."
"In terms of strength, seniority, and contributions to Soul Society, they certainly have reason to be arrogant."
She looked at Kirio Hikifune, her gaze gentle yet profound.
"Being able to stand with them means you have nothing to worry about anymore."
Kirio Hikifune was slightly taken aback.
She understood what he meant.
Being selected for Zero Division is itself a recognition of her strength and ability.
She doesn't need to adapt to them, she doesn't need to please them.
All she had to do was stand there like them.
Upon hearing this, Kirio Hikifune's worries gradually dissipated.
She took a deep breath, and the anxiety on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a relieved smile.
"Thank you for your guidance, Captain Unohana."
Unohana's words enlightened her; being able to join the Zero Division already proved her ability.
Instead of worrying about whether you can get along with others, focus on yourself.
She nodded, a relieved smile on her face.
"Hearing you say that makes me feel much more at ease."
"Captain Hikifune, you're too kind."
No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a knock on the door.
"Team leader."
It was a young man's voice.
Unohana slightly turned her head.
"Enter."
The door was pushed open, and a white-haired figure stepped into the room.
Wang Xun was holding a document and was about to report on today's admissions when he suddenly paused.
Inside, besides Unohana, there were two other people sitting.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
Kirio Hikifune put down his teacup and looked at the white-haired boy who had suddenly barged in with great interest.
White hair, young, calm gaze.
It looks like nothing special.
But she noticed that from the moment the boy entered until now, his gaze had only lingered on them for a fleeting moment before naturally shifting to Unohana.
There was no curiosity, no tension, not even a trace of extraneous emotion.
It was like seeing two ordinary visitors.
interesting.
A hint of interest flashed in Kirio Hikifune's eyes.
"Captain Hikifune, Lieutenant Sarugaki."
Wang Xun withdrew his gaze and greeted them calmly.
But before Hikifune could speak, Hiyori beside him preemptively spoke up.
"Hey, who are you?"
"Why haven't I seen you in the Fourth Division before?"
His tone was casual, with a hint of obvious disdain, as if he was somewhat annoyed by the guy who had suddenly barged in.
Upon Wang Xun looked at her.
She had pigtails, was short, and had a disgruntled expression.
Hiyori Sarugaki, lieutenant of the Twelfth Division, Kirio Hikifune's second-in-command.
Her voice broke the silence in the room, Kirio Hikifune glanced at her helplessly.
Just as he was about to speak to stop him, he saw Wang Xun turn to look at Hiyori, his expression calm and his tone indifferent as he answered.
"Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, Wang Xun. I was recently transferred from the Second Division, so it's normal that Lieutenant Sarugaki hasn't seen me before."
Hiyori raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly ordinary guy is actually the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, and was even transferred from the Second Division.
She wanted to ask something more, but Kirio Hikifune gently tugged at her arm, signaling her not to say anything out of turn.
Hiyori pouted and gave Wang Xun a disgruntled look, but ultimately didn't say anything more, only continuing to look at him curiously.