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"Excuse me," Yoruichi Shihōin said, stopping a member of the 4th Division in the middle of the barracks. "Is Captain Shin Uzumaki around?"
"Ah, Captain Shin isn't here," the young woman replied, her eyes darting nervously.
Yoruichi's gaze sharpened. 'You're a terrible liar. It's written all over your face.'
"I can smell that idiot from a mile away. He's definitely in there," Yoruichi said with a huff, brushing past her and heading deeper into the barracks.
"Should I stop her?" the squad member wondered, hesitating for a moment before giving up. 'Besides, it's not like I could stop her anyway.'
"So you are here."
Yoruichi pushed open the captain's office door and strode in, her eyes landing on Shin, who was casually chatting with Captain Retsu Unohana. Her expression soured instantly.
"I thought you'd left. What are you doing back here?" Shin asked, turning to face her. He had specifically waited for Yoruichi to leave before coming to see Unohana, but somehow, she'd tracked him down.
"If I hadn't come back, how would I have known you were sneaking off to slack off?" Yoruichi shot back with a cold snort.
"As the future head of the noble Shihōin Clan, don't you think you're being a little rude?" Unohana said, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Yoruichi.
"Really? I don't feel rude at all." Yoruichi met Unohana's gaze, completely unfazed. She had no idea just how formidable Unohana truly was; the captain of the 4th Division hadn't drawn her sword in a long, long time. Very few in the Soul Society still remembered the power of the first Kenpachi.
"Shin, your student seems a bit unruly. Would you like me to help you discipline her?" Unohana suggested, her voice deceptively sweet.
"I'm not his student, and I never acknowledged him as my teacher! And I certainly don't need the captain of the 'medical' squad to teach me anything," Yoruichi retorted, putting a sharp emphasis on "medical." In her mind, the captain of a healing squad couldn't possibly be that strong.
"Let's not go there, Captain Unohana. She doesn't have a lick of talent with a sword," Shin said, shaking his head.
He saw the gentle smile on Unohana's face, but her eyes held a chilling glint. 'If he let Unohana "train" her, Yoruichi would probably end up with a permanent bed in the 4th Division'
He was saving her from a world of hurt.
"Why are you here?" Shin asked, turning back to Yoruichi.
"I… I came about tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" Shin asked, confused.
"My first day at the Shin'ō Academy, of course! You need to come with me," Yoruichi declared.
"You need me to escort you to the Academy?" Shin gave her a strange look. She wasn't a child anymore.
In truth, Yoruichi's skill already surpassed most of the students at the academy. But her family insisted she attend—it was a gesture of respect toward Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who had founded the institution. It was a formality, a credential. Besides, graduating from the Academy was a prerequisite for joining the Gotei 13, a rule even the Great Noble Clans had to follow. No one wanted to get on Yamamoto's bad side.
But Yoruichi asking Shin to accompany her was just an excuse. She had simply wanted to find him, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it.
"So, will you do it?" Yoruichi asked. "If you don't, I'll make your life a living hell."
"Now you're threatening me? If I wasn't afraid of making you cry, I'd smack you one right now."
Shin playfully tapped her on the head and nodded. It wasn't a difficult request.
"Shin, didn't you promise to spar with me tomorrow?"
Unohana's sudden question made Shin freeze. Yoruichi's expression changed instantly.
Shin was speechless. He had made no such promise. He hadn't sparred with Unohana in ages. She had mellowed out considerably, losing her insatiable thirst for battle. She was almost a different person now. If he hadn't known the old Unohana, he would have thought she was nothing but a gentle soul.
"Sparring can be rescheduled, but my first day of school only happens once!" Yoruichi shot back, glaring at Unohana. This woman was getting more and more infuriating.
"I just remembered I have urgent business back in the 2nd Division. I'll see you later."
Shin sensed the air crackle with tension—a classic lover's quarrel in the making. Time to bail. He immediately activated Yomotsu Hirasaka and vanished, leaving the two women to stare each other down.
With Shin gone, Yoruichi and Unohana were left in a tense silence. Finally, Yoruichi let out a sharp "Hmph," turned on her heel, and left. There was no point in staying now that Shin was gone.
Unohana watched her leave, her eyes narrowed in thought. It was clear that Yoruichi had feelings for Shin. After ten years under his tutelage, it was only natural.
She didn't see Yoruichi as much of a threat, but it was always wise to be cautious. You could never be sure with little girls and their schemes.
With a final, thoughtful glance, Unohana turned her attention back to her work. Unlike Shin, she was a diligent captain who took her duties seriously. Shin, on the other hand, was perfectly happy to leave everything to his lieutenant and sit back with a cup of tea.
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