Disciple

"Captain Unohana Retsu..."

Facing Unohana-taichō's soothing smile, Saikyō felt as though his heart might melt.

Unohana's smile was captivating—almost impossible to resist. It radiated such a calm and gentle energy that Saikyō, already feeling a bit reserved, became even more careful with his words and actions.

"Saikyō-kun, would you like a cup of tea?" Unohana-taichō chuckled softly.

On the wooden table in front of her were several steaming cups of tea, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.

"Captain Unohana, did you prepare this tea yourself?"

"Yes, that's right. Please, try it." Unohana gestured to the tea with a graceful smile.

"To think I'd be drinking tea personally prepared by the captain on my first day with the Fourth Division... I must be quite lucky," Saikyō said, accepting the cup readily.

For most newcomers, the opportunity to sit alone with Unohana-taichō—let alone share tea with her—was unimaginable.

This moment proved that Saikyō had earned Unohana's special favor.

"Luck has nothing to do with it, Saikyō-kun," Unohana replied with her usual warm demeanor. Despite her rank, she always seemed approachable and down-to-earth. "From the moment you joined this division, regardless of status or position, we all became partners."

As she spoke, Unohana poured another cup of tea and handed it to Saikyō.

The peaceful scene once again gave Saikyō the feeling of being in a safe haven—a place where time seemed to slow down, calm and comforting.

"What a strong fragrance," Saikyō remarked, lifting the cup to his lips. Even before tasting it, the rich aroma of the tea invigorated his senses, filling him with energy. "I didn't expect the captain's tea-making skills to be so exceptional."

"When I'm not busy with division affairs, I enjoy practicing tea ceremony, calligraphy, and painting," Unohana said with a soft smile. Her words carried an effortless grace, gently dispelling any lingering nervousness Saikyō might have felt.

"As expected of one of the most elegant women in the Gotei 13..."

Saikyō couldn't help but admire her. Unohana-taichō possessed not only beauty but also poise, intellect, and power. She was impeccable in every way. In fact, the word "perfect" seemed more fitting to describe her.

"Saikyō-kun, if I'm not mistaken, you don't have much experience with Kaidō, do you?" Unohana asked, sipping her tea as she shifted the conversation.

Saikyō nodded in confirmation.

"That's perfectly understandable," Unohana continued. "Even though you come from the noble Shihouin family, Yoruichi-sama isn't particularly skilled in Kaidō either."

Her mention of Yoruichi came with a sense of familiarity, like an elder talking about a younger relative.

"Let me explain it to you briefly. Kaidō, a branch of Kidō, focuses primarily on healing. Unlike Hadō and Bakudō, Kaidō isn't something all Shinigami practice."

"Typically, only Fourth Division members specialize in Kaidō. In other divisions, only a small number of Shinigami may have learned it."

Unohana-taichō explained with patience.

"Captain Unohana, how does one go about learning Kaidō? Is there a specific officer in charge of teaching it?" Saikyō asked, eager to understand the process.

Learning Kaidō was Saikyō's main reason for joining the Fourth Division. He could almost feel the infinite skill points waiting to be applied to mastering Kaidō.

"No, that won't be necessary," Unohana said, setting down her teacup with a light chuckle. "While most new recruits practice Kaidō under the supervision of a senior officer, you're an exception."

Saikyō looked at her, puzzled.

"Normally, new members practice Kaidō on the training grounds until they become proficient under the guidance of their instructors. But..."

Unohana paused, looking at Saikyō with a serious expression.

"Given that you graduated from Shin'ō Academy in just half a year, your talent and aptitude are beyond question. You don't need to follow the standard path."

"From today onward, I will personally teach you Kaidō."

Saikyō's eyes lit up with surprise.

"Personal instruction from Unohana-taichō?!"

The thought was almost too much to process. Not only had Unohana shown him favor, but she would also personally oversee his training. It was an incredible honor.

"Saikyō-kun, do you have confidence in yourself?" Unohana asked, her smile both kind and challenging.

"With the captain teaching me directly, I will definitely give it my all," Saikyō answered with renewed confidence.

"Kaidō isn't too difficult to grasp as long as someone is guiding you properly. You'll pick it up quickly," Unohana said, gently easing the tension. She didn't want Saikyō to feel overwhelmed.

"Actually, I've heard about your past achievements."

"At the academy, you displayed extraordinary talent in Kidō, which shows you're already familiar with manipulating Reiatsu. And that's the key to mastering Kaidō."

Unohana's tone shifted slightly as she emphasized this point.

"Reiatsu manipulation?"

Saikyō furrowed his brow in thought.

"Exactly. Let me give you a simple explanation," Unohana said, her words deliberate yet patient. "Hadō is an offensive form of Kidō, and Bakudō focuses on binding or trapping. Both rely on the concentration and transformation of Reiatsu into powerful spells."

"Kaidō, however, is a bit different."

"It doesn't require high concentrations of Reiatsu. Instead, it demands constant stability of Reiatsu flow," Unohana explained with meticulous care.

Her words cleared up a lot for Saikyō, providing him with a solid understanding of Kaidō.

"I think I understand the theory now, Captain. But what about the practical application?" Saikyō asked, eager to dive into the actual training.

Before he could finish, Unohana interrupted with a serene smile.

"The practical side is even simpler," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "For a genius like you, there shouldn't be any difficulty."

It was clear that Unohana had high hopes for Saikyō. Whether it was this private meeting or the in-depth explanation, her treatment of him was far more personal than what any ordinary recruit would receive.

This special treatment was enviable, to say the least!

"Next, I'll guide you through your first attempt. Do you think you can master it in just one day?" Unohana suddenly asked, her expression slightly teasing.

"One day?"

Saikyō hesitated for a moment.

"What's wrong? Are you not confident? That's not the kind of response I'd expect from the academy's top genius," Unohana said, using a bit of playful provocation.

The atmosphere suddenly grew a bit more intense.