Restricted Death

Chapter 164 Mao

Yongyin slowly turned to the side and opened the closed door. At this moment, she lowered her head and remained silent, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Xin was powerless to refute her many questions, and indeed, just as she thought, in Xin's heart, he only truly loved himself.

His approach to Rukia, Hinamori, and Isane was all purposeful. Such utilitarian feelings could never be pure, so how could he possibly see them as more important than himself?

A few days ago, when Xin was considering his relationship with them, he felt a little fortunate. He had already obtained most of the system rewards from them, so even if he couldn't reverse the deteriorating relationship in the future, it wouldn't be too bad.

The only one he should seriously consider is Rukia, because the system's "Death Wedge" is bound to her.

The reason I think this way is because I had already decided in my heart how I should treat their feelings.

But as the three girls successively expressed their deep feelings for him, Xin felt a sense of emptiness.

Shin couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Yongyin's cheek as she tried her best to suppress something.

Yongyin turned her head to the side, avoiding his hand.

She gripped the doorknob with one hand, her shoulders trembling slightly involuntarily.

"..."

Xin stared at her for a long time before finally stepping out of Yongyin's office.

The door closed behind him again.

As before, the area in front of the Fourth Division's captain's and vice-captain's offices was quiet, with few people passing by.

He stood there for a long time until he realized someone was watching him.

Through the window, Shin saw a gaze coming from inside the captain's office.

"..."

Their eyes met in mid-air, and both were unusually quiet. Shin walked over and pushed open the door to Retsu Unohana's office.

Unohana Retsu sat quietly on the tatami mat, not blaming Shin for not knocking. Looking at Shin's expression, she said, "How pitiful."

Her voice was very soft, yet it was clearly audible in the quiet room.

Xin's gaze darkened slightly.

Unohana Retsu slowly said, "What you said to me before, explaining the differences between you and me, now it seems that you, who are so complicated, are not happy."

This was the first time the two had met alone since that battle.

It's been so long since I last saw her, and it's not that I'm avoiding anything; I just haven't figured out a better way to handle it yet.

For him, the most important thing is to find a way to increase Unohana Retsu's favorability towards him and get the system reward.

Shin's voice also became calm: "Captain Unohana thinks she can see right through me again?"

Unohana Retsu's lips curled into a slight smile. "I used to think I couldn't see through her."

“Xin, you are also a very lonely person. You have so many friends and are involved with so many people, but have those ties truly connected with your heart? What are you trying to prove to the outside world, or are you trying to prove something to your own heart?”

"You appear unwilling to be changed, but deep down, do you yearn to be changed?"

"It's sad, because some things can't be changed."

She spoke quietly, her black hair falling down, her demeanor dignified, yet within that dignity emanated a chilling aura that instilled fear.

Shin listened to what she said without changing his expression, then suddenly laughed: "Captain Unohana, are you indirectly accusing me of not being able to kill you back then?"

Unohana Retsu narrowed her eyes slightly.

The letter continued, “You also have vibrant emotions, yet you insist on turning yourself into a misanthropic person. You’ve experienced battles and slaughter, and you were satisfied with that, weren’t you? But if you really want to die, who can stop you?”

"..."

Unohana Retsu became silent again.

After a long silence, she said again, "It's strange. You clearly understand everything, yet you're so immersed in it that you can't extricate yourself."

Xin shook his head and said, "I am not special in terms of human nature. It is only because of other special aspects that you see me as special. I live in this world, so naturally everything about me is closely connected with everything in this world."

Unohana Retsu scoffed, "Isn't what you're saying contradictory?"

"It's not contradictory. Some of the things you said earlier were yours. I didn't admit to anything. Besides, if you really hate your current life and the person you used to pretend to be, why don't you just say it? There's only so much the Captain-Commander can do to stop you. Instead, you're putting yourself in a contradiction. What are you expecting?"

"In my opinion, your pain comes precisely from being too pure. The only thing that can bring you pleasure is fighting and killing, but the Soul Society is a chaotic place that no one can tolerate. If you were a complex person and closely connected to the outside world, how could you feel pain? There are so many people in this world, and you are the only one who is different. Does that mean that everyone else is wrong? Does that mean that everyone else is suffering?"

Unohana Retsu was silent for a while, then said, "Perhaps you are right."

"Sometimes, one kind of person is enough, or even unnecessary. Placing yourself deep in this world will only make you lose yourself. If you get too involved, you will do many things for others, and how can a person who lives for others be happy?"

As Shin left the Fourth Division, he glanced at the system interface one last time.

Unohana Retsu's affection level remains unchanged.

On the way back, after thinking for a long time, Xin changed his route and went to the barracks of Team One.

"Captain Tachikawa?" Chojiro Sasakibe was somewhat surprised to see the letter that had arrived.

"I would like to see the Captain-Commander."

Chojiro Sasaki pondered for a moment and asked, "Is it because of what happened in the Fourth Division today?"

"That's it."

"I have already reported this to the Captain-Commander, and he said he would seriously consider reducing Captain Unohana's punishment," said Chojiro Sasaki.

“My meeting with the Commander-in-Chief wasn’t solely about this matter,” Xin said.

"Is it still related to Captain Unohana?"

"..."

Xin nodded.

Chojiro Sasaki said helplessly, "Captain Tachikawa, it's already quite difficult for the Captain-Commander to forgive your mistakes regarding what happened between you and Captain Unohana."

“I know I didn’t come here to make a mistake.”

Chojiro Sasaki had a bad feeling, and he continued to persuade him: "I think it would be better for you to keep a proper distance from Captain Unohana. You have only been captain for a short time, and you should focus your attention on the affairs of the 10th Division. We all know that you are a very thoughtful person. If you have any new ideas for managing the 10th Division, I believe the Captain-Commander will definitely support you."

He tried to change the subject and dismiss the letter.

In Quebu's opinion, Shin was still too young and lacked a sense of proportion when dealing with matters.

"Thank you, Vice Captain of the Sparrow Division, but does the Vice Captain of the Sparrow Division not want me to see the Captain-Commander?"

"..."

Chojiro Sasakibara sighed and finally said, "Come with me."

The next time I saw Captain-Commander Yamamoto was in a tea room.

This Captain-Commander seems to share similar interests with Retsu Unohana. Yamamoto glanced at the letter and said, "Are you here to plead for Captain Unohana?"

Xin shook his head and said, "I don't need to plead for anything today. The Captain knows the consequences and will make the right decision."

Yamamoto frowned slightly upon hearing this: "Showing off your intelligence."

"I have come here for another matter."

#
Day two.

Retsu Unohana was suddenly summoned to the First Division by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

This was a private meeting between the two.

“I already know what happened yesterday. That member of the 13th Division almost died. It was extremely dangerous. If something like that happens again in the future, we might not be as lucky as we were yesterday,” Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said slowly to Unohana Retsu.

“I’ve thought it over carefully. While the punishment I’m giving you isn’t excessive, we also need to consider your current responsibilities. After all, you’re responsible for treating and saving lives. Ordinary patients and the injured are fine, but if we encounter an emergency and need to apply for the removal of the cursed spirit lock, it probably won’t be in time…”

As Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni spoke, he watched Unohana Retsu's reaction.

He frowned: "Is there anything you want to say?"

"What do you want to hear?" Unohana Retsu asked calmly.

"Should I beg you, Captain-Commander, to reduce my punishment, or should I sing praises for your leniency?"

The woman's respect for him now seems to be limited to the title "Captain-General".

Are they too lazy to even pretend anymore?

The cursed spirit lock can suppress her body, but it cannot change her mind.

Now that Retsu Unohana has completely shed her disguise, will she continue to serve as the captain of the Fourth Division?
If Retsu Unohana had felt even a shred of pity for the wounded soldier yesterday, she wouldn't have remained completely indifferent.

In Chojiro's report, he hadn't even seen Retsu Unohana's face.

Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "If I reduce your punishment, can you guarantee that you will continue to be loyal to your duties in the future?"

Unohana Retsu's eyes were as still as a pool of dead water, showing no emotion upon hearing this.

“The question itself is flawed,” she said. “When have I ever been faithful to any duty?”

"you?!"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto immediately became furious.

"Captain-General, aren't you the one who knows me best?"

Unohana Retsu calmly retorted, "Why are you and him, one by one, trying to change me?"

"..."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's anger slowly subsided; he felt that his anger was useless in the face of Unohana.

He truly understood Retsu Unohana and knew exactly what kind of person she was.

Before what happened between her and Shin, he had harbored the idea that Unohana had already been changed.

But it's just wishful thinking.

The Seireitei has gained Nobuo Tachikawa, but must it lose Retsu Unohana?
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was filled with mixed emotions, recalling the words that Tachikawa had spoken to him when he came here yesterday.

He asked, "What...do you want?"

Unohana Retsu gently raised her wrist, revealing the shackles she was wearing.

She said, "If it weren't for this, I would definitely go back to him and find a place where no one would bother me again."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto said, "This cursed spirit lock is indeed very effective in suppressing those who are imprisoned, but it is not the same for outsiders. If you want to break free, there is definitely a way."

"Is that so?" Unohana Retsu asked calmly, neither confirming nor denying.

Yamamoto continued, "Unohana, you said I know you best. Indeed, if I didn't know you well enough, I wouldn't have let you stay in the position of the Fourth Division Captain for hundreds of years."

"..."

"Furthermore, Tachikawa will not do such a thing again. He is not like you. He is not without ties in Seireitei. He knows the consequences of doing so, and he will not take such risks again."

A slight ripple flickered in Unohana Retsu's lifeless eyes. "Then what are you worried about and afraid of? Do you think that after I wear this for ten years, I will change as you expect?"

"..."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni fell silent, and after a long while, he sighed heavily.

He then looked at Retsu Unohana and said, "You say I know you best, but don't you know me?"

"..."

Unohana Retsu looked at that wrinkled yet cold and resolute face.

“Captain, you are also pitiful, trying to do something impossible.”

This was an expected answer.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's eyes finally fell silent.

"What you said might be right, Unohana, let's make a deal."

Unohana Retsu was slightly taken aback. These were unexpected words, especially coming from the Captain-Commander. Such words carried a sense of compromise, which was completely inconsistent with Captain-Commander Yamamoto's usually tough personality.

She said, "Tell me about it."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni slowly said, "I can allow you to have another battle, but after it's over, if you're still alive, you must continue to be the captain of the Fourth Division, just like before, and dutifully perform your duties, just like you have for the past few hundred years."

"..."

A strange light shone in Unohana Retsu's eyes; to be honest, this was definitely beyond her expectations.

Yamamoto continued, "Tachikawa once rebuked me to my face, saying that I only saw you as a tool."

"..."

“Different perspectives and positions lead to different views. He didn’t experience what happened a thousand years ago, so I don’t blame him for not being able to see certain things. But Tachikawa was considerate of you, and it was for that reason that I forgave his mistake.”

Unohana Retsu lowered her eyes and said, "What good would it do if I agreed? It's just a verbal promise."

The worst consequence of breaking the agreement is death. Is she afraid of death?
Yamamoto's tone calmed as he said, "Unohana, I believe I've always given you opportunities. I hoped you could become a part of Seireitei, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. Things can't always go as planned. If you made that choice, then it's regrettable—"

"Seireitei, I have no choice but to give you up."

"..."

A strange glint flashed in Retsu Unohana's eyes.

"Aren't you afraid that this time, I'll kill him?"

(End of this chapter)