Restricted Death

Chapter 165 Rematch with Unohana

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was actually a person who valued his subordinates very much, but his position forced him to consider more things.

Once someone crosses his bottom line, he has to make a choice.

“If he had died at your hands, it would have been even more regrettable,” Yamamoto said. “But it was also our individual choice.”

Tachikawa suggested this battle to him, and Yamamoto accepted.

Whatever the outcome, Yamamoto will accept it.

Moreover, he didn't think faith would kill him.

If Retsu Unohana were someone who sought death, she would have enjoyed the carnage in this battle while sacrificing her own life, rather than recklessly killing Shin.

As Shin told him, Shin was the only person in the hundreds of years since Unohana Retsu became the captain of the Fourth Division who had given her a sense of satisfaction in battle, and she would not let this opportunity slip by again.

After Retsu Unohana left, Chojiro Sasakibe also came in.

"I have already notified Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake, and Captain Soi Fon," he reported.

"Ah."

Yamamoto's expression was complicated. "Chōjirō, what's your take on this?"

Chojiro Sasaki said, "The Captain-Commander thinks it's good that he chose the right person."

"...Go and prepare."

#
The Fourth Division team building.

Retsu Unohana hadn't left her office since returning from the First Division until Isane Kotetsu came to see her about some work-related matters.

"Yune, is it almost time for the association's team building event?" Unohana Retsu suddenly asked Yuune.

"Huh?" Yongyin was taken aback. She hadn't expected the captain to ask such a question. After thinking for a moment, she said, "It seems like... tomorrow."

She's been feeling a bit disoriented these past few days and has completely forgotten about it.

The association that Retsu Unohana mentioned refers to the Female Shinigami Association.

Most of the female Shinigami with some fame in the Thirteen Divisions are members of the Association, whose president is Yachiru Kusajishi, the vice-captain of the Eleventh Division. The Association is an organization recognized and acknowledged by the Seireitei, which allocates funds to it every month to protect the legitimate rights and interests of female Shinigami and improve their status.

In reality, the Women's Shinigami Association has very little legitimate work; it's mostly a group of female Shinigami getting together to relax and have fun, plus keeping Yachiru Kusashi entertained.

“Tomorrow? That’s perfect.” Retsu Unohana smiled. “Could you please inform everyone that we’ll be having a team-building activity at the Fourth Division tomorrow?”

"..."

Yuune stared blankly at the gentle smile on Unohana Retsu's face for a moment, then quickly nodded, "Okay!"

The captain...

This smile was something Yuu hadn't seen on Retsu Unohana's face in a long time. Ever since the captain's battle with Shin, the captain seemed like a completely different person.

Could it be that Xin said something to the captain yesterday and resolved the captain's "heart knot"?

But no matter what, if the captain were to return to his old self, Yuu would definitely be pleasantly surprised.

She added urgently, "I'll go and inform them right away!"

Instead of using the Hell Butterfly to send messages, Yuune personally visited each division, and her mood improved considerably along the way.

Finally, they arrived at the 10th Division to meet Matsumoto Rangiku.

"Team building?" Matsumoto Rangiku scratched her head. "I almost forgot about it. I've been so annoyed by work lately."

"Are you very busy lately? Do you have time tomorrow?" Yongyin asked hurriedly.

Matsumoto Rangiku sighed, "Our team's third seat suddenly took a long leave to go home and take care of his grandmother, leaving me with a ton of work to do, and the captain is such a carefree guy."

She was completely unaware that some of the work was originally hers to do.

Yuon pursed her lips and asked, "Shin... what happened to Captain Tachikawa?"

Matsumoto Rangiku glanced at her and, as usual, began to complain about the letter.

"Isane, tell me what's going on? Our captain used to be so hardworking. He organized that student council at the Spirit Arts Academy, and when he was in the Fourth Division, he organized the Shinigami Exchange Conference and tried to change the atmosphere of your Fourth Division. How come he's changed like this as soon as he became captain? You should know him well, Isane. Tell me why this is?"

"..."

"Never mind, I'll go tomorrow."

Yongyin pondered for a moment and said, "How about we forget it? After all, work is more important... Captain Tachikawa needs your help more right now."

"It's not that important, it's just routine team duties. I can take half a day off." Matsumoto Rangiku waved her hand.

That's true. The daily duties of the 10th Division are nothing more than patrolling the streets. Each of the officers is responsible for such matters. Even if something happens, it's probably just a dispute between some residents of Seireitei.

"……OK then."

When Yuon left the 10th Division, she couldn't help but glance at the 10th Division Captain's office. The door was tightly closed, and she couldn't see the person she wanted to see.

My initially good mood suddenly turned somewhat melancholic.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the jumbled thoughts in her mind.

the next day.

The members of the Women's Shinigami Association gathered in a tea room of the Fourth Division. In addition to the vice-captain Ise Nanao, the Eighth Division also had a newcomer, Kani Sawa, who was familiar to many present. He was currently the ninth seat of the Eighth Division.

The girls gathered together to eat and drink, and then accompanied Unohana Retsu to learn flower arranging. Kiyone and Kani Sawa were learning seriously, while Matsumoto Rangiku and Kurotsuchi Nemuru fed the flowers to Kusajishi Yachiru. They weren't worried about whether the flowers were edible or not, since Kusajishi Yachiru hadn't had any problems with them for so long.

Ise Nanao mentioned that the association's recent activity funds were running low again, and asked if they should think of a way to cut funding for some other associations, such as the Male Shinigami Association.

This is something she often does. Besides the Women's Shinigami Association, there are many other associations and organizations within Seireitei, such as the Tea Ceremony Association, represented by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Chojiro Sasakibe; the Calligraphy Association, represented by Byakuya Kuchiki; and the Flower Arrangement Association, which is headed by Retsu Unohana.

However, the funds allocated by the Seireitei were limited and were divided equally among them. Ise Nanao often used various excuses to "embezzle" funds from the Male Shinigami Association. As the vice president of the Female Shinigami Association, she was in charge of many matters within the association. Kusajishi Yachiru was more like a mascot.

As Yongyin watched her captain chatting and laughing with everyone, she couldn't help but smile as well.

For her, this kind of life was very good; the captain was still the same as before.

As for the letter... I should be able to let it go completely after some time.

Qingyin then leaned closer and whispered, "Sis, you seem to be in a good mood. Have you made up with Captain Taidaochuan?"

"..."

Yongyin's smile froze instantly, and she lowered her head, pretending to be focused on arranging flowers.

"Why ask these questions?"

"I'm just checking up on it."

At that moment, Matsumoto Rangiku looked over: "What are you two talking about? I heard my captain's name mentioned?" Isane waved her hands repeatedly: "No, nothing?"

Matsumoto Rangiku gave a half-smile: "Really?"

Yongyin nodded repeatedly.

But Matsumoto Rangiku seemed to see through everything. She sat down next to Isane and said to her, "Isane, let me tell you, you have to be careful when you look at men. Some men are good at pretending."

Yongyin initially wanted to say that she had misunderstood, but upon closer reflection, it seemed that she hadn't.

She replied softly, "I know, Ms. Rangiku."

Matsumoto Rangiku added, "Our captain, I don't know what's so good about him, but he seemed to be very popular with girls back in the Spirit Arts Academy."

Something occurred to her, and she suddenly looked at Kani Sawa, asking with a smile, "Miss Kani Sawa, you and our captain were classmates, right? Were there quite a few girls who liked him at the Spirit Arts Academy?"

"..."

Kaniwa, who was intently following Unohana Retsu's instructions to learn flower arranging, suddenly jerked the scissors in his hand and cut off half of the flower stem.

"Right, I don't know," Kani Sawa replied casually.

Matsumoto Rangiku found it strange that the girl had such a cold attitude.

Without thinking too much about it, she said to Yongyin, "Yongyin, remember what I said."

Yongyin simply nodded silently.

After the team-building activity ended and everyone left, Yuu-on tidied up the tea room herself and came to Unohana Retsu to chat about some things with the Female Shinigami Association.

Unohana Retsu listened quietly, and after Yuune finished speaking, she said, "Yuune, you've been the vice-captain for a while now, haven't you?"

Yuu-on nodded slightly; she had been the vice-captain of the Fourth Division for decades.

Retsu Unohana smiled gently and said, "Isane, you are actually very outstanding, even more outstanding than your predecessor, Yamada."

Yuon, slightly embarrassed by the sudden praise, said, "I'm still far from being as good as Yamada-senpai."

The Yamada they were referring to was Seinosuke Yamada, the former vice-captain of the Fourth Division.

“In terms of team management and enthusiasm for returning home, Yamada can’t compare to you,” Retsu Unohana said.

"Bankai, any progress?"

Yongyin paused for a moment, then shook her head in shame.

"Do you remember the captain of the 12th Division forty years ago?"

"You mean Kisuke Urahara?"

“I heard that he has done some special research that can help people quickly learn Bankai. I just mentioned this to Vice Captain Nemuro. You can ask Captain Nemuro for advice later.”

Yongyin listened thoughtfully, but she didn't think much of it, taking it as the captain's expectations of her.

Bankai is basically a threshold for becoming a captain, but Isane doesn't think that mastering Bankai will allow her to replace Captain Unohana.

"I understand, Captain. I will go."

"Ah."

#
The space below the Hill of Twin Killings.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni chose this location again. Although there had been an incident before, not many people knew about this place.

Compared to last time, there are some more instruments here to conceal spiritual pressure, which Yamamoto arranged in advance by Chojiro Sasakibe.

Besides Yamamoto and Suzakube, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Soi Fon were also present; the five of them would be the only bystanders in the upcoming battle.

"I believe you." Ukitake looked at the young captain standing beside him and asked, "Are you confident this time?"

He was still somewhat worried. After learning of Captain-Commander Yamamoto's decision, Ukitake was extremely surprised. He quickly went to discuss it with Kyoraku and made some preparations for it.

Shin glanced at the huge shield and the strangely shaped short blade that Kyoraku Shunsui had brought, both of which bore the Shihōin family crest.

The Shihōin family is known as the "Heaven-Sent Armored Squad," possessing many divine weapons, and this shield is one of them. It was a contingency plan they specifically prepared for this battle.

In the original story, Kyoraku used that shield to suppress the power of the Double Kill.

As for the short blade, it serves more than just one purpose.

But it's probably something that can be used to prevent unexpected situations from arising during Shin and Unohana's battle.

Kyoraku's gaze also fell on Shin.

The letter stated, "Without confidence, we wouldn't be able to persuade the Captain-General."

Second Division Captain Soi Fon frowned: "You'd better be really confident! We've come all this way to be with you, not to let you do something that involves gambling."

He ignored her.

Soi Fon, witnessing this, was furious: "You bastard?!"

Ukitake quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright, there's no need to argue now. Let's trust Captain Tachikawa."

Soi Fon scoffed, "Trust this guy?! I'm worried that the Captain-Commander will be fooled by him!"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stood there calmly, leaning on his wooden cane, seemingly oblivious to the conversation of the group.

Chojiro Sagi was checking and adjusting the instruments.

The six waited quietly for a long time before Unohana Retsu finally appeared on the high ground outside the deep pit.

She wore a white haori, and her black hair was styled in a braid that fell to her chest.

Unohana Retsu leaped into the deep pit and slowly walked to the group, her gaze fixed on Shin.

"They're here," Kyoraku said softly.

Chojiro first glanced at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, and after receiving his nod, stepped forward and took out a specially made key to remove the shackles from Unohana Retsu's body.

After removing the cursed spirit lock, Unohana Retsu's body suddenly burst forth with immense spiritual pressure, transforming into an invisible pillar of light that shot towards the sky. At the same time, the instruments that Chojiro Sasakibe had adjusted also started operating, condensing into a light screen that enveloped the area.

Sensing the spiritual pressure fluctuations emanating from Unohana, Soi Fon's expression changed slightly.

Not many people know Retsu Unohana's true strength, and Soi Fon happens to be one of them. This powerful spiritual pressure fluctuation made her realize instantly that this seemingly gentle fourth division captain was far stronger than herself!
Then she re-examined the letter, realizing something she hadn't been aware of before.

How on earth did this guy manage to beat Captain Unohana back then?!
Soi Fon recalled her brief encounter with Shin in the prison and the strange abilities he displayed.

The deep pit was completely silent, except for the sound of wind and waves stirred up by spiritual pressure.

Retsu Unohana gently flexed her wrists and said calmly, "Can we begin?"

(End of this chapter)