Chapter 31: So feelings will disappear in the face of women, right?
With a flash of silver, Unohana Retsu sent Chōjirō Sasakibe crashing to the ground once again.
"Well…" Araki, who had been lazing about in the 11th Division's office, sighed repeatedly.
"Seriously, can he even do this? Chojiro." Araki muttered, leaning against the ventilation window, shaking his head.
Sasakibe isn't like Ikkaku Madarame; can he please stop making this so agonizing to watch?!
The sight of his friend being so thoroughly trounced was truly painful.
After the brutal training session continued for some time, Chōjirō, who meticulously styled his silver-gray hair every morning, was now covered in grime and blood.
His once neatly kept hair was now matted and disheveled.
His pristine white haori, a symbol of his status as a lieutenant, was now stained black and red. Chōjirō couldn't even tell if the blood was his own or from Unohana's Zanpakutō, which was named Minazuki.
He didn't dare consider the latter possibility, as he hadn't even managed to graze Unohana.
He was no longer the composed gentleman he once was; he looked more like a beggar.
"I don't want to admit it, but the difference in strength is too vast," he thought, lying in the dirt. "So vast that even if I fought Unohana Retsu a hundred times, I would still lose."
"Captain Unohana is truly worthy of founding the 11th Division and establishing the name 'Kenpachi.' Her strength is unfathomable."
"So, Araki, who defeated such a terrifying opponent... just how powerful are you?"
Lying in the dirt, he looked at Unohana, who resembled a battle-hardened warrior, and sighed; he had given his all, yet he couldn't even touch her.
For Shinigami, who had reached the level of lieutenant, Unohana's power was overwhelming.
He knew Unohana's strength was what allowed her to establish the 11th Division and create the title of Kenpachi.
He was also deeply impressed by Araki's victory over her; he knew Araki had been holding back during their spar.
"Sasakibe, is this your limit?" Unohana asked, holding her Zanpakutō effortlessly.
She hadn't even broken a sweat. The gap between them was so significant that she hadn't even warmed up properly.
"At least force out the hidden blade in my left hand before you collapse," Unohana said, a hint of pity in her eyes.
Chōjirō's weakness even elicited pity from her. Unohana wasn't a purely one-handed swordsman; concealed within her left sleeve was a hidden blade she used as a last resort.
Unohana was born for battle, not strictly for swordsmanship. Anything that secured victory was acceptable.
The reason she hadn't used the hidden blade against Araki was that any distraction could have cost her the fight. Against Chōjirō, she simply hadn't needed to.
The difference was like the fight between Unohana and a weakened, self-sealed Kenpachi Zaraki compared to a fully powered young Kenpachi.
Chōjirō was performing even worse than the self-sealed Kenpachi, at least he had forced Unohana to use her hidden blade.
"I can't give up!" Chōjirō thought. "I vowed to follow Master Genryūsai for life!"
"Take this!" he cried, struggling to his feet, raising his Zanpakutō, determined to fight to the bitter end.
He would become Yamamoto's "shadow."
"Hehe~" Unohana simply smiled.
Swish!
Two dark blades shot from Unohana's left sleeve, piercing Chōjirō's abdomen. The force of the projectiles pinned him to the outer wall of the 11th Division barracks.
'I got up... and was instantly defeated again. There's nothing more to say...' Chōjirō thought.
"Tsk," Araki clicked his tongue, turning away from the window.
He couldn't bear to watch any longer. 'Seriously, Sasakibe, you're not like a character from a gag manga. Why are you constantly setting yourself up for failure? Is it even helping? Look, you got one-shotted again.'
"It seems that's enough for today," Unohana said, dismissing the training session.
She recalled the blood she had released and used her Zanpakutō's healing abilities to treat Chōjirō.
He clutched his abdomen, still in disbelief, had the fight truly ended so quickly?
"Oh, time for a nap," Araki said, drawing the curtains and curling up on the sofa. He never watched Unohana's training sessions with Chōjirō again.
Time passed quickly. Araki felt time accelerating as he grew older.
Two and a half months had passed since Chōjirō began his training. It was time for him to return to the 1st Division.
He was, after all, a lieutenant with important duties.
"Thank you, Captain Unohana, for your guidance these past few months," Chōjirō said, bowing deeply at the end of the training session. "I've learned a great deal."
"There's no need for such formalities," Unohana replied, returning to her usual gentle demeanor after sheathing Minazuki. "Honestly, you've been my most challenging student."
"Of course, I still have high hopes for you. Everyone has their own path."
"I understand," Chōjirō said. "When the 1st Division is less busy, I'll return for more instruction. I hope you won't mind."
Unohana was momentarily speechless.
"You're also the most persistent person I've ever met," she finally said, acknowledging his determination.
"Then I'll be going; please tell Captain Araki I've left. I won't bother him anymore," Chōjirō said, turning and walking towards the gate, attempting a cool exit.
Unohana's training had been effective; he had improved significantly.
If the ratio of his defeat before the training was 1:9 (being defeated within one second nine times out of ten), he was now confident he could manage 4:6 (lasting four seconds before being defeated six times out of ten). A significant improvement.
Chōjirō cleared his mind, ready to return to his duties.
As he reached the gate, he saw Araki, who had been secluded in his office, chatting and laughing with someone.
"Hmm? That's… Araki? He's out of his office."
"Could that be... Captain Katori of the 8th Division?"
Chōjirō rubbed his eyes and looked closer. Araki was walking beside the captain of the 8th Division, Batsu'unsai Katori, smiling and saying politely, "Captain Katori, please follow me. Be careful where you step. The 11th Division's grounds aren't always the safest."
"Hmm." Katori replied, gently touching her chin.
Katori was petite and gentle, with a noticeably ample bust; she wore round glasses on her small nose.
Her demeanor was completely different from the other captains of the first generation Gotei 13.
"No, Araki…" Chōjirō muttered, his eyes twitching as he saw Araki personally escorting Katori.
'So, Araki can leave his office...'
'So, our century-long friendship... it's just going to disappear like that, right?!'