Unohana's invitation

A few days later, Wang Xun, who was undergoing routine treatment within the Fourth Division, received a summons from Captain Unohana.

The door to the Fourth Division Captain's office closed gently behind him, and Wang Xun came to Unohana's side. The scent of herbs in the room blended harmoniously with the fragrance of flowers by the window.

"Sit."

Unohana gestured for Wang Xun to sit down opposite her at the tea table.

She looked serene and content, her hand brushing across the tea inkstone as she poured two cups of tea, appearing quite relaxed.

Wang Xun sat down as instructed.

How have you been feeling training in the Fourth Division lately?

Unohana pushed over a cup of tea; the tea soup was clear and bright, with a pale golden halo.

Wang Xun accepted it with both hands and answered earnestly.

"I have benefited greatly from the guidance of Lieutenant Yamada, who was meticulous and responsible. The books given to me by Captain Unohana are especially precious."

He paused, then added truthfully.

"There are still some parts of the book you gave me that I don't understand. If I had the chance to observe a senior performing magic in person, I might be able to understand it more quickly."

Absorbing the experience fragments that have fallen is much more efficient than painstakingly studying books.

Retsu Unohana picked up her teacup and gently blew on it.

"Yamada reported to me the day before yesterday that you have mastered the basic techniques of organ repair. His exact words were, 'I have taught you almost everything I can.'"

She raised her eyes and looked at Wang Xun.

Those once calm and serene eyes now held a hint of scrutiny and interest.

"I thought you would need at least a year of study to get to this point."

Unohana put down her teacup, her voice soft and gentle.

"Now, less than two months have passed."

"This progress is really quite alarming."

Wang Xun remained humble and did not respond.

He simply lowered his eyes to look at his reflection in the tea, quietly waiting for Unohana to continue.

"So... from now on, I will personally guide you."

Unohana's voice came from the other side, calm as ever, but it made Wang Xun's heart beat a beat faster.

Wang Xun up.

Retsu Unohana maintained her calm and composed expression, as if she had just recounted something trivial.

"You don't need to participate in Kiyonosuke's guidance of the new team members. From now on, you will accompany him on the rescue work with me, observing and learning from the sidelines."

Wang Xun a deep breath and nodded in greeting.

"Thank you Captain Unohana."

Unohana waved her hand, seemingly unconcerned about such formalities.

Wang Xun sat down again, only to see Unohana take out an exquisite note from beside the tea table.

When unfolded, it is printed with several gentian flowers, the emblem of the Fourth Division, outlined in light ink.

"Speaking of which, the Fourth Division is planning a small flower arranging event this month."

Her tone suddenly became lighter, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible interest.

Unohana picked up the fine brush from the table, and began to write while speaking in a leisurely tone.

"I don't have many other hobbies, except for flower arranging, which is one of my few leisurely pursuits."

She paused, then looked up at Wang Xun, a gentle smile in her eyes.

"When you get back, please pass on a message to Captain Shihoin: if she has time, she might as well come over for a visit."

Upon Wang Xun's heart stirred slightly.

This is not a typical social invitation.

Captain Yoruichi has an eccentric personality and doesn't seem to be suited for something like flower arranging at all. Unohana's invitation is clearly for some other purpose.

Wang Xun nodded respectfully.

"Yes, I will certainly convey your message."

Please pass this letter on for me.

Unohana put down her pen, stuffed the note with the invitation written on it into an envelope, and handed it to Wang Xun.

After Wang Xun it away, Unohana looked at him quietly, as if she had remembered something.

"I heard that you will be studying at the Kidō Corps later?"

Wang Xun hadn't expected her to ask this, and after a moment's thought, he replied.

"Yes, this junior wishes to make progress in the art of Kidō. I am grateful that the Great Kidō Cultivator has allowed me to observe and learn as an unofficial student."

Unohana's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Speaking of which, I also have some knowledge of the Kidō."

She paused, then looked at Wang Xun.

"If you have any questions about the Kidō, you can ask me."

These words were spoken lightly, but they carried immense weight.

Retsu Unohana's mastery of Kidō is among the top tier in the Gotei 13. In addition to her primary Kaidō, she is also highly skilled in Bakudō.

She was willing to offer guidance, an opportunity that even many Fourth Division Seated Officer would beg for.

Wang Xun did not feign reluctance.

He thought for a moment and answered truthfully.

"Actually, I've been practicing Dual Incantation recently."

"I can barely understand the synchronous interweaving of different Kidō Reiatsu, but I still feel... I haven't grasped its essence."

Unohana nodded, without immediately offering her opinion.

She stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to Wang Xun.

Outside the window is the courtyard of the Fourth Division. In the afternoon, sunlight filters through the branches and leaves of the cherry blossom trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

"Dual Incantation."

Her voice came from the window, calm and soft as she spoke.

"Essentially, it's about allowing two different frequencies of Reiatsu to complete their respective spell constructions in the same space without interfering with each other."

"What two kinds of Kidō are you currently using for training?"

"Shakkahō and Sōkatsui."

Unohana turned around.

Sunlight streamed in from behind her, gilding her silhouette with a soft golden edge.

She stretched out her hand, without chanting or forming any mudras.

Between her hands, two spheres of Reiatsu fluctuated at distinctly different frequencies.

But they do not interfere with each other, like two parallel streams, each flowing and each having its own destination.

Wang Xun stared intently at Unohana's hands.

Several fragments fell the moment Unohana made her move.

[Gained 1 Reiryoku Fragment, +10 Spiritual Might Experience]

[Gain 2 Kidō Insights, +20 Kidō Experience]

[Kidō Branch Skill - Double Incantation Proficiency Increased by 4%]

[Double Incantation: Beginner (9%)]

"The goal of Dual Incantation is not to forcibly merge the two Kidō, but to find a way for them to coexist, and then use a special chant as a guide."

She gently raised her wrist.

The two orbs of light began to slowly approach each other, probing, intersecting, and entwining.

"Like this."

The Unohana maintained that spiral structure, its voice calm.

There's no need to force them to synchronize; they're not the same thing to begin with.

"What you need is to find that node that allows them to be complete without conflicting with each other."

Wang Xun nodded, and the same ball of light appeared in his hand, intertwining with the one Unohana had demonstrated.

"I've already achieved that."

Unohana looked at the relaxed-looking young man opposite her, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

That's quite a skillful technique.

"Not bad, how long have you been practicing?"

"I only came into contact with the Kidō Corps a few days ago, and I haven't practiced seriously yet."

Upon hearing Wang Xun's reply, Unohana released the Reiatsu in her hands and took a gentle breath.