"Is this the loot you got after sneaking into Hueco Mundo on your own?"
As she looked at the exposed body after breaking the stone encasement, Unohana Retsu, dressed in her kimono, gently rolled up her sleeves and smiled softly:
"An Adjuchas-class Arrancar... this is a rare research specimen."
"With him, we'll be able to obtain quite a bit of useful data about the physiology and internal structure of Arrancars."
To be clear, Adjuchas-class Arrancars possess Captain-level Reiatsu.
Acquiring a corpse of such a being for research is extraordinarily difficult.
Hearing this, Shinji shook his head and corrected her:
"This isn't something I got through combat. I just happened to find it in Hueco Mundo. No way, no way, who'd be crazy enough to believe they could kill a Captain-level Arrancar?"
"Picked it up by chance? Hmm, the Captain of Squad 10 using that phrase sounds about right, so I'll accept it," Unohana Retsu chuckled softly, her laughter sounding like tinkling bells.
Picked up the corpse of an Adjuchas-class Arrancar?
There might be no lie more absurd than that one.
Hollows consider even their own kind as food. It's absolutely impossible that they would leave behind the corpse of one of their own.
To a Menos Grande, an Adjuchas-level Arrancar's corpse is top-grade food. Eating one might allow them to evolve to Adjuchas level, or even become an Arrancar.
So how did Shinji really get it?
Unohana Retsu didn't press him on it.
"Just to clarify," Shinji coughed lightly to get Unohana's attention. Trying to boost his favorability and avoid being blacklisted by the black-bellied Captain Unohana, he explained:
"This body belonged to Szayelaporro, the 8th Espada of Las Noches. It's something like a clone or replica, not his real body."
"Also, Szayelaporro isn't your ordinary Adjuchas-class Arrancar."
Seeing Unohana Retsu's face turn serious, Shinji composed himself and added:
"Szayelaporro used to be a Vasto Lorde-level King-class Menos Grande. For some reason, he chose to degrade himself to Adjuchas level."
"So even though this body is only of Adjuchas-level, it still retains traits of a Vasto Lorde."
"Captain Unohana, do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Shinji met Unohana's eyes directly.
"A former Vasto Lorde? Then this really is a rare gift."
As the captain of Squad 4, how could Unohana not understand what Shinji meant?
She looked at the corpse with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
In other words, this body may still contain some characteristics of a Vasto Lorde.
Dissecting and researching it might yield valuable information about Vasto Lordes, information crucial to the Soul Society.
Perhaps it could help tip the balance when facing threats on the same level.
"So, where is his hollow hole?"
Unohana sat in front of Shinji in seiza position and asked gently.
The hollow hole is where the Hollow's heart used to be, a void that signifies their transformation.
Every Hollow has one. No exceptions.
"His hollow hole, huh..." Shinji's face grew awkward.
According to his knowledge, Szayelaporro's hollow hole was in... an embarrassing place.
"Is it hard to say? Or... is it located somewhere unusual?"
Unohana tilted her head slightly, sensing his discomfort.
"Well, it's not like I can't say it." Shinji scratched his head and pointed vaguely toward Szayelaporro's lower body. "It's... here. You get what I mean, right?"
Unohana blinked, slightly surprised.
So it's there?
No wonder Kuchiki Shinji looked so awkward.
It seemed he was still a little innocent.
Unohana gave a gentle smile and stood up.
"Captain of Squad 10, didn't I say during our last meeting that we needed to have a deeper exchange?"
Unohana stood before Shinji, her tone sweet and gentle, her presence delicate and cute, but Shinji was clearly flustered.
"How... how deep are we talking here?" Shinji asked nervously.
Unohana's expression remained unchanged, as she replied with a soft smile:
"That depends on how the Captain of Squad 10 performs. Please, follow me."
Wait... where are we going?!
Shinji nervously followed her through the Squad 4 compound.
Due to the close distance, he could faintly smell the scent of lavender on her.
Eventually, Unohana stopped walking.
Shinji, lost in thought, nearly bumped into her back, and when he looked up, he froze.
This is... the kendo practice room?!
Unohana had brought him to the kendo dojo.
What is she planning?!
Cold sweat trickled down Shinji's temple.
The next second, his fears were confirmed.
"Captain of the 10th Squad, if possible, would you spar with me?"
Unohana's voice remained gentle, like a kind housewife. She even stepped forward and wiped the sweat from Shinji's forehead.
"You seem a bit nervous."
"I-I'm not nervous! Just... a little uneasy..."
Shinji took a small step back and said with an awkward smile:
"Actually, I just remembered something I have to take care of, so I'll just,"
Time to escape!
Fight Unohana Retsu? That's insane!
Even if you win, there's no benefit. And if you lose, you're not only humiliated, you might end up being remembered forever by the black-bellied Unohana.
A lose-lose situation.
Not at all part of Shinji's laid-back, behind-the-scenes strategy.
But just as Shinji turned to flee, a voice as soft as silk froze him in place:
"If you step out that door now, I'll immediately spread the rumor through the entire Gotei 13 that Kuchiki Shinji, Captain of the 10th Squad, did something indecent to me during Squad 4's gathering."
"Captain Shinji, think carefully."
Her tone was gentle to the point of melting... but the content was terrifying.
Shinji paused mid-step, then reluctantly retracted his leg.
His expression was one of utter despair.
"Can't I just surrender?"
That threat was too ruthless.
"No. What I want is a deep, meaningful exchange with the Captain of Squad 10."
Unohana entered the dojo, picked up two bamboo swords, and handed one to Shinji.
Shinji accepted it, his fingers brushing against hers.
Neither of them mentioned it.
"Since we're in Seireitei, let's not use Zanpakutō. It'll just be a simple kendo match."
"Captain of Squad 10, I'm coming."
Unohana smiled sweetly,
And vanished.
So fast! Like teleportation!
She reappeared behind Shinji, bamboo sword slicing through the air with a sonic boom.
Boom!
Their swords collided with a deafening clash, like metal striking metal. The shockwave blew open the dojo doors and echoed for hundreds of meters.
"Don't hold back, Captain of Squad 10."
Her voice was still gentle, but her slashes were merciless, swift as lightning.
Unohana's kendo was on another level.
As the original Kenpachi, her swordsmanship was unmatched!
"What a pain..."
Shinji sighed.
With Unohana's personality, if he held back, she might torment him later.
Having figured that out, Shinji's expression suddenly changed.
He struck back, powerfully, sending Unohana flying.
Shinji's kendo wasn't lacking either.
And more importantly, Shinji's raw strength was stronger!
Unohana, momentarily stunned, was flung dozens of meters away, her body hitting the far wall and shattering part of it before she came to a stop.
"This power..."
She moved her numb arm and looked at him with a hint of excitement.
Kuchiki Shinji... you're hiding more than I thought.
"Captain Shinji, you really are a fascinating man."
For the first time, she called him "Captain Shinji."
Her view of him had clearly changed.
"Shall we continue?" Shinji asked, not pressing the attack.
"Of course we shall. I want to see how far you can push me, and whether you can please me even more."
The smile on Unohana's face faded.
She entered her true fighting state.
With a flash step, she slashed again, swift as a shadow.
But Shinji was faster,
Boom!
A force far more terrifying than before struck Unohana Retsu, sending her flying uncontrollably. Her arms trembled slightly.
"His strength… completely suppresses mine."
Unohana glanced at her trembling right hand, still gripping the bamboo sword, her expression slightly stunned.
Even if females are naturally not as strong as males, even among Shinigami, as the original Kenpachi, her strength was never something to be dismissed.
To be overpowered so completely in both power and speed…
"What in the world… just what level of strength is this?"
Unohana dodged another one of Shinji's strikes. As she looked at him, her eyes shone, and the corners of her lips slowly curled up.
"This man… might truly be someone who can entertain me."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Their blades continued to clash.
Unohana Retsu was pushed back steadily. Her strength and speed were completely suppressed. She couldn't mount a proper counterattack and could only try to endure Shinji's overwhelming blows.
At last,
A final slash struck down.
The tip of the bamboo sword rested on Unohana Retsu's neck.
Crack.
Her bamboo sword broke.
"I lost."
"Seems like it's a draw."
Both spoke at the same time.
Unohana Retsu looked at Shinji in surprise.
"No need to call it a draw, Captain Shinji. I lost fair and square."
Draw?
There was no draw here.
She had been completely overwhelmed from beginning to end, unable to keep up with Shinji's tempo.
A loss was a loss.
No excuses or justifications necessary.
"I'm not being modest, Captain Unohana Retsu," Shinji said, shaking his head as he placed the bamboo sword back where it belonged. "This was only a kendo spar. We didn't even release our Zanpakutō. How can that count as a true victory or defeat?"
"So, let's call it a draw this time."
Shinji turned to leave, waving over his shoulder without looking back.
"See you next time, Miss Flower."
At his words, Unohana Retsu froze for a moment.
Staring at his back, she eventually smiled, brushing a lock of messy hair behind her ear.
"Miss Flower…?"
"What an amusing young man."
She picked up the broken bamboo sword.
Then softly called out: "Isane."
Shff.
Kotetsu Isane appeared in the dojo, visibly surprised by the cracked walls and destroyed interior.
"Bring that Adjuchas corpse to the infirmary. We've got work to do."
"Yes, Captain."
---
"KUCHIKI SHINJI!!!"
"You've got some nerve showing your face again! Look at me, look, I've lost weight lately!"
Inside the 10th Division captain's office, Matsumoto Rangiku stood with her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely at Shinji.
"Lost weight? I don't see it at all."
Shinji stared at her for a moment but didn't notice any change.
Same figure. Same size.
"You heartless jerk! I'll Touch you!"
Matsumoto lunged forward, arms outstretched.
She pinched at Shinji with all her might, only to realize, after a moment, that she wasn't doing anything.
She couldn't break his defense.
"Surprised?" Shinji raised an eyebrow and lay back on the sofa.
Meat is justice. Muscle is defense.
You hit me, I lock HP.
No damage, no rage?
He smiled. "Want to keep going?"
"You bastard! You left everything to me while you went off playing! I'm not your errand girl!"
"Use me when you need me, then disappear when you don't! I'm the vice-captain of the 10th Division and head of the Women's Association, dammit! I have pride too!"
"You traitor, go to hell!"
Suffocating bear hug!
"Ugh, Rangiku, stop, seriously, this could kill someone!"
"Still talking? Clearly alive! Keep struggling!"
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
Saito Yanagawa and Rukia entered.
Upon seeing the scene, both froze.
Rukia stared wide-eyed, the ahoge (hair antenna) on her head standing straight up in shock. Her body froze in place, unable to react.
"Pardon the intrusion…"
Saito bowed quickly, then backed out and gently closed the door behind him.
Outside the office…
He wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
"That… was dangerous."
"First day on the job and I walked in on the captain and vice-captain doing that… am I gonna die?"
With that grim thought, the newly transferred Saito Yanagawa hastily left the area.
Inside the office,
"Rangiku… please… I'm actually dying here…"
"Liar! You look just fine!"
"I'm not fine! I can't breathe! I'm really gonna die,!"
Just then,
Rukia's ahoge twitched. She glanced sideways at Rangiku's chest with an expressionless face.
"'Pain'? You liar. You're obviously enjoying this."
Matsumoto suddenly noticed.
"Ah, Rukia-chan! You're here? When did you arrive?"
"I've been standing here since you two were hugging."
Rukia's expression remained flat. Her voice was ice.
"Aww, are you jealous? Do you like Captain Shinji?"
Matsumoto leaned in close, almost too close.
"W-Why would I be jealous? That's my brother we're talking about!"
Rukia's cheeks flushed bright red. Steam practically poured from the top of her head.
"Not jealous, huh? But you seemed a little concerned about him just now."
"I'm allowed to care about my own brother! Sister Rangiku, stop talking nonsense!"
As the two women continued bickering…
Shinji scratched his head, got up from the sofa, and opened a drawer.
He pulled out a rolled-up scroll.
A plan he had prepared long ago.