Fourth Division Barracks, Office.
Today is my first day of enlistment, and right now, the enlistment ceremony is in full swing here.
In the tatami-matted room, Captain Unohana and the Vice-Captain are seated at the head. We, the new recruits, are seated at the lower end.
After confirming that everyone was present, Captain Unohana began to speak.
"First of all, welcome to the Fourth Division, everyone. I welcome your enlistment from the bottom of my heart."
Her smiling expression was very gentle. Looking only at this, it was natural to think, 'Ah, as expected of the Captain of the Fourth Division.'
"As you all know, the primary duty of the Fourth Division here is the relief and logistical support of Soul Reapers from other squads. Therefore, it is a squad somewhat removed from the role of a 'Soul Reaper' that is generally imagined."
A squad that performs healing and overall support—it sounds nice when you say it like that, but based on my knowledge and what I've seen and heard so far, the status is quite low and it's looked down upon.
However, there is no captain who would say such things to new recruits on their first day.
"But this is also an important duty. We facilitate support so that soldiers of other squads can fight. In a sense, we are the squad that performs the most important work in the Gotei 13. Please keep that firmly in mind as you strive in your daily duties."
Well put.
Certainly, if expressed that way, the Fourth Division seems to have important work. However, it seems the majority of those assigned here are either those who originally aspired to the Fourth Division, or those who were left over from other squads and came here reluctantly.
The former aside, the latter tend to do their work half-heartedly and submit transfer requests to other squads—they only think of this squad as a stepping stone.
...If even I, fresh out of the Academy, know this much, I wonder what Captain Unohana, the top of this division, thinks about it?
"Thank you, Captain. With this, the enlistment ceremony is concluded. If there are any questions, I will accept them now. If not, we will proceed immediately to duties—"
"May I?"
Just as the Vice-Captain spoke to close the session, I slowly raised my hand, interrupting.
"Hmm, you are..."
"I am Yukawa. I have a question—would it be possible to request combat training?"
"Hm?"
She furrowed her brows, looking as if she didn't understand the intent of my question.
Well, that makes sense. I'm also anxious about whether it's appropriate to ask this here.
"Although less frequent than other squads, combat training is mandated as a duty for each soldier of the Fourth Division as well...?"
"No, not that... My phrasing was poor, let me correct it. In other words, is it possible to learn the sword directly from you, Captain Unohana?"
"...!"
At those words, Captain Unohana's eyebrows moved slightly for just an instant. Despite having a smile plastered on like an iron mask until then, it was a moment of agitation.
Conversely, the Vice-Captain looked even more puzzled, as if she didn't know what was going on.
"I see, I certainly understand the desire to learn from the Captain, but the Captain is also busy—"
"Very well."
Interrupting the Vice-Captain's attempt to tell me to hold back in a roundabout way, Captain Unohana asserted that.
"—Eh!? C-Captain!? That is..."
"I have something to discuss with her for a moment. Please take the other newcomers ahead and explain the duties to them."
"B-But!"
Facing the Vice-Captain who still tried to persist, Captain Unohana smiled and said—
"I said, 'Please'."
"Y... Yes!!"
...Scary.
Her expression was a smile, but behind it was a terrifying pressure that allowed no argument. It wasn't quite a frog stared down by a snake, but something different from spiritual pressure; 'something' that appealed to one's instincts was imbued in those words.
Eventually, the Vice-Captain and my peers shuffled out of the room, leaving only Captain Unohana and me in the office.
One-on-one, is it... Th-This is... actually quite nerve-wracking.
"Now then... Recruit Yukawa, was it?"
"Y-Yes."
"I will ask you only once. The words you spoke, 'I want to receive training directly from me'—do you truly understand the meaning of those words? Right now, I can still pretend I didn't hear it. Do you truly possess enough resolve for that?"
"...!!"
Immediately, an intimidating air that made it difficult to even breathe weighed down on me—no, it wasn't just my imagination, actual heavy pressure was being applied.
This was the spiritual pressure released by Captain Unohana... and it was powerful enough to possess physical pressure and not even allow the opponent to move.
P-Painful... I'm just sitting here, but I'm starting to feel sick...
"I... I want to save... more comrades... more lives... That is why... I want training from you, Captain..."
"You say strange things. If it is only to save lives, there is no need to ask me for instruction, is there? If you want to save lives, there are plenty of other methods. Indeed, I believe your wish would be granted simply by improving your Kaido skills within the Fourth Division?"
T-That might certainly be true... But, but—!!
"That alone isn't enough...! If there is an injured person behind an enemy, I can't go to save them... That's why I want to become strong!!"
"Oh..."
Captain Unohana raised the corner of her mouth just a little.
"No, that's not all! I want to save those who were enemies too, if possible... Because I don't want to kill... If we talk, surely they will understand... they should... I want to believe that! For that, I need strength!!"
The moment I answered that far, the spiritual pressure assaulting my whole body vanished. Released from the unbearable tension, sweat burst out from all over my body.
"Haa... Haa..."
"I see. I understand your feelings to some extent."
She released her spiritual pressure; does that mean I can consider this a pass, at least for now? It's no good... my brain feels like it's running out of oxygen, I can't think straight...
"However, reality is not something where such naive ideals work. For example, yes... what do you intend to do if that enemy whose life you saved says, 'Kill me, and if you won't, I will take my own life'?"
"In that case—"
Suicide, is it...? If they try to commit suicide no matter what...?
"—In that case, please die in a place where my eyes cannot reach, in a way that I cannot make it in time."
"...Is that so. Understood."
Did she find that answer satisfactory? Captain Unohana stood up smoothly and headed toward the exit.
"You will be shaky with your duties in your current state. Rest a little longer, then head to the station. Join the other new recruits there and learn about the Fourth Division's duties. I will inform the staff on site."
"Yes..."
It seems she was considerate of me, as my breathing hadn't settled yet. But... given this reaction, I wonder if I failed...?
"Ah, also—"
She stopped just as she was about to leave the office and looked at me as if she had remembered something.
"—Regarding the training, very well. I am not free either, so it will be irregular, and strictly provisional."
"R-Really!?"
"Yes, of course. Until that day, first perform your Fourth Division duties properly. And thoroughly retrain your Zankensoki."
Saying that, Captain Unohana left the room for real this time.
Thank goodness... It seems I got a pass. Even so...
"I'm just learning the sword from the Captain, so why did it turn into something like a scene from a Yakuza movie...?"
Alone in the room, I muttered to no one in particular.
And what on earth is this indescribable chill...?
In the corridor of the barracks, Unohana was walking in an unusually good mood.
The reason, needless to say, was the exchange with Yukawa just now.
—She wants to save the ally behind the enemy, she wants to save even the enemy, and 'if you can die, then try it,' is it...?
She ruminated in her heart on the content she had just heard.
Unohana now sits in the seat of the Captain of the Fourth Division, managing the healing division and supporting other squads using Kaido, but her true nature is the exact opposite of her current position.
The first Captain of the Eleventh Division and the first "Kenpachi"—Yachiru Unohana. That is her true form.
"Yachiru" is the name she gave herself from the pride of having mastered countless sword styles of all kinds. Learning Kaido was merely a means "to heal herself and enjoy fighting forever."
As mentioned before, the Fourth Division is a squad specialized in healing. Even if they undergo training, their proficiency is low compared to other squads.
If one seriously wanted to become strong, it would be natural to ask something else—for example, "May I participate in the combat training of other squads?"
One normally wouldn't say they want to learn the sword from her.
If there is anyone who proposes to learn the sword from such an Unohana, it is none other than someone who knows her past. Someone who knows her past as a sinner unparalleled in history, and still appeals to learn the sword from the First Kenpachi.
Unohana asked Yukawa how much she understood.
She slammed her with spiritual pressure powerful enough to make a rookie with average ability faint instantly, questioning her true intent and resolve.
But Yukawa, even while looking like she was about to be crushed, barked back.
—If there is a hindering enemy, I want to strike them down to save my comrades.
Not only that, she barked this as well.
—I want to save the enemy's life. To an opponent attempting suicide, "Die in a place where my eyes cannot reach, by a method where it will be too late."
In other words, that is a statement equal to declaring: "As long as my eyes are black, I will absolutely not let you die no matter what means you use. To respond to that, I will steadily improve my skill as a soldier of the Fourth Division. Try dying if you can, against someone like me."
And she said that facing Unohana.
Thinking that far, Unohana recalled Yukawa's data once more.
Her grades at the Academy were average. She was good at Kido and Hoho, but not enough to be noteworthy. Her skill was mediocre.
However, she resisted without yielding even when hit directly with spiritual pressure. That is proof that her internal spiritual power is much higher than a general soldier, and she possesses a body much stronger than a clumsy seated officer.
—Perhaps, she might grow into an existence capable of granting my wish... my desire... If so, it might be worth betting on.
While greeting passing soldiers, Unohana ruminated on her determination within her chest.
Someone with merely excellent grades probably couldn't endure Unohana's training—the sword of the First Kenpachi. In that case, even with average grades, an existence like her should have much higher potential.
Well, even if it takes some effort, there is time.
She just needs to follow along with Unohana's training without breaking her heart or losing her life.
And if she fails, then so be it.
After all, one soldier dying is just a common occurrence when looking at Soul Reapers as a whole.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]