Squad 4 Barracks.
Upon hearing that an Inner Court seat officer named Naraku Sora was visiting, Unohana Retsu pushed aside some less critical matters.
She delegated several important medical surgeries to her Lieutenant, Yamada Seinosuke.
He was a master of Kaidō whose personality was the complete opposite of Unohana Retsu's. He would often resort to unscrupulous means to cure the wounded or sick.
Sometimes, this led to even more serious problems.
This also resulted in his reputation within Squad 4 being rather poor.
However, none of this concerned Naraku. He came here today primarily to visit Unohana Retsu and to discuss certain issues regarding Kendo.
After all, he had already mastered Shikai. If he continued as before, rushing in like a brute to explode enemies' heads with two punches and three slaps, it would be somewhat disrespectful to his Zanpakutō.
Considering Unohana Retsu's identity before she transferred to logistics, Naraku Sora decided to bravely keep the appointment.
No one understood the way of the sword better than she did.
"Naraku-kun, I thought it would be a while before you came over."
"After all, judging from the previous battle during the Araki family disaster, it's not hard to see that you seem to prefer close-quarters Hakuda combat where fists hit flesh."
Walking in front, Unohana Retsu spoke without turning her head.
"However, my understanding of Kendo differs from other Kendo masters. Therefore, during our discussion, you must pay close attention."
Naraku Sora's wandering thoughts were pulled back, and he looked somewhat apprehensively at the curvaceous figure ahead.
But his attention was quickly drawn to nearby objects.
Unohana Retsu's personal dōjō was unexpectedly spacious, completely different from the simple, unadorned style he had imagined.
Aside from paintings of varying styles on the walls, there was a multitude of equipment that looked extremely high-end.
Ninety percent of these items were identical to the equipment in Shutara Senjumaru's research lab, and some even exceeded them in specifications.
Especially the Spirit Power Recovery Machine in the corner, which was particularly eye-catching.
Walking ahead, Unohana Retsu seemed to sense this. She turned around and explained with a smile.
"Many years ago, when Senjumaru was still serving in Squad 12, she applied to Central 46 for authority over a technical research group out of personal interest."
"Relying on her personal talent and the legacy left by some Soul Society predecessors, she developed various devices and equipment capable of changing the lives and combat of Soul Reapers."
"For example, the Spirit Body Tempering Room, modeled after Squad 5's Kido Recovery Room. One is used to restore the mental energy consumed when using Kidō, and the other can repair damage caused by cultivating the spiritual body."
"The Spirit Power Recovery Machine can quickly restore a Soul Reaper's depleted Reiatsu, achieving an emergency treatment effect to some extent."
On a rectangular base fully two meters long, complex patterns resembling electronic circuits were abundant, including the imprints of sequential Bakudō.
Judging solely by its appearance, it was an almost perfect blend of Kidō and futuristic technology from the World of the Living.
"These are merely secondary," Unohana Retsu said softly, wearing a smile. "Since you have come to find me, you must have already prepared your resolve."
"Kendo is not that simple."
Naraku Sora took the bamboo sword Unohana Retsu handed him. He weighed it in his hand; it was surprisingly heavy, giving the illusion that it was pressing down on his hand.
He lowered his gaze.
When his fingers rested on the handle of the bamboo sword, the atmosphere in the dōjō changed abruptly. A trace of heavy oppression lingered all around.
Unohana Retsu was like a gently caressing willow, quiet and gentle. Meeting Naraku Sora's puzzled gaze, she slowly raised her face.
Her pitch-black pupils remained as soft as usual, but the sharpness hidden in their depths slowly surfaced the moment she gripped the sword handle.
"Naraku-kun, be careful."
The instant her voice fell, a clear sound rang through the dōjō, just like a bird on a willow branch riding the wind to spread its wings above the dome.
Draw, slash, shake blood, sheathe.
The drawing technique was completed in an instant. Even without using much Reiatsu, it easily surpassed the limits of what the naked eye could observe.
Across a distance of several meters, a cold sword light sprinkled directly toward Naraku Sora.
It was like the silhouette of the moon amidst brilliant stars.
A red line appeared on Naraku Sora's neck, and fresh blood slowly oozed out.
Judging from the angle of the wound, if that strike just now had been a bit more forceful, it would have been enough to send his large head flying directly away.
From this, it was evident that in terms of Kendo alone, Unohana Retsu was indeed the undisputed number one in the Soul Society.
An old fellow like Yamamoto, who only knew fists and feet, was just relying on raw stats to suppress people.
Not worth plotting with.
Naraku Sora's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Although he had nearly been beheaded by this dangerous woman, this was exactly what he wanted to learn.
He had had enough of the days of fighting like a brute.
"Captain Unohana, I want to learn this!"
Unohana Retsu narrowed her eyes slightly. Just as she was about to open her mouth to explain, her peripheral vision inadvertently glanced at Naraku Sora's neck.
The distinct red line had actually disappeared, leaving not even a single mark behind.
"Your wound..."
Her expression was somewhat stunned.
No one knew the force used better than she did. Although it wouldn't cause any serious harm to Naraku Sora, a normal Soul Reaper would absolutely not heal as if nothing had happened in the blink of an eye like he did.
This seemed a bit... un-Soul Reaper-like.
"I have natural strength," Naraku Sora grinned. "The Prison Warden said my spiritual body is different from ordinary people, and I heal slightly faster when it comes to injuries."
This was the excuse that the 'bad woman' had taught him to use when dealing with suspicious people.
With Shutara Senjumaru's endorsement, such an explanation could completely muddle through.
Unohana Retsu nodded slightly, not dwelling on the topic.
As the Captain of Squad 4, the number of wounded she had treated was more than some people had ever seen.
It was within reason for a very small number of Soul Reapers to have exceptional natural gifts.
Especially someone like Naraku Sora. Not only was he favored by that woman, Shutara Senjumaru, but even Head Captain Yamamoto regarded him highly. Having some special talent was perfectly normal.
"Kendo is not merely about moves."
Unohana Retsu seemed intent on seeing Naraku Sora's true talent, gently explaining the profundity of the slashing technique just now.
"If one could master Kendo just by swinging and hacking, then the entire Soul Society would be full of Zanjutsu masters."
"Therefore, while mastering the moves, try to integrate your own perception and will into your Reiatsu, and use the moves to guide your own Reiatsu."
"Just like this."
Unohana Retsu slowly drew her sword, dismantling the complete Kendo form bit by bit, clearly presenting it before Naraku Sora.
Although the description was simple, he found it exceptionally difficult when actually trying it.
Things like 'self-perception' and 'will' were ethereal concepts; he simply didn't know where to start.
Fortunately.
Naraku Sora was not the type to drill into a dead end. Since he couldn't master the content of the textbook immediately, he would try to deconstruct the teaching before him through instinct.
Zanjutsu, Reiatsu, trajectory, guidance...
Some inexplicable realization welled up from his heart.
Click.
When the sword guard and the scabbard made a slight crisp sound, Unohana Retsu's gaze was instantly attracted. Reiatsu attached to the bamboo sword, spreading its wings upward just like a flying bird.
Consequently, at the end of the dōjō, the hard wall cracked in response, revealing the cloudless, sunny sky outside.
Looking at the boy who had a face full of confusion and bewilderment, a trace of astonishment appeared on Unohana Retsu's face. Immediately, the corners of her mouth rose slightly, and a barely audible voice rang out softly:
"This is truly... too interesting!"