Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stared grimly at the two figures lying on the ground. Ukitake hurried forward first to check their conditions. Upon seeing Unohana Retsu's horrific injuries, he drew in a sharp breath, but quickly relaxed when he realized Nobu had only lost consciousness.
"How did it end up like this?" Kyōraku Shunsui sighed heavily, coming forward to inspect Unohana.
Unohana's expression was calm. She pushed Nobu's unconscious body gently off her and sat upright. Though the bleeding from the hole in her chest had stopped, the agony hadn't diminished, continuously biting at her nerves.
Suddenly, sensing something unusual, she raised a hand to her collarbone.
For some reason, the old scar there had changed shape. The texture felt entirely different, much smaller than before, now resembling the shape of a blooming flower.
Wordlessly, Unohana began casting Kaidō upon herself, quietly tending her injuries.
"You have nothing to say in your defense?" Yamamoto asked sternly, his face stormy.
Unohana glanced up at him briefly, then around at the others present. Aside from Yamamoto-sōtaichō, only Kyōraku, Ukitake, and Soi Fon were here.
She quickly understood—clearly, the Head-Captain had no intention of letting this matter escalate.
"It was merely a spar," she replied.
Yamamoto's eyes fell on the gaping wound over her heart, his eyebrows twitching involuntarily.
When he'd arrived moments earlier, Unohana had clearly been lying at death's door.
"Detain them first," Yamamoto ordered sharply to Soi Fon.
"Yama-jii..." Kyōraku began gently.
"Detain them!"
When Nobu awoke, he found himself confined in a dimly lit prison cell. His body wasn't restrained, but the walls surrounding him were unmistakably crafted from Killing Stone.
There weren't many prisons within Seireitei. Recalling the people he saw before losing consciousness, Nobu guessed he must now be locked inside the Second Division's detention facility.
He rubbed his forehead with a sigh and began pondering how to handle the coming interrogation.
Now that their actions had been exposed, the worst-case scenario was imprisonment. Execution wasn't likely, but how long he might remain imprisoned was uncertain.
Of course, the best-case scenario was receiving no punishment at all.
Not long after waking, someone approached the outside of his cell—a petite woman with short hair styled into twin braids bound by rings. Beneath her captain's haori was a sleek, backless shihakushō, and her gaze was piercingly cold.
Second Division Captain Soi Fon, commander of the Keigun.
"Soi Fon-taichō," Nobu greeted her calmly.
"Why were you there?" Her first words were a direct, accusing question.
She must mean the hidden space beneath Sōkyoku Hill?
Nobu quickly glanced at the System Interface.
[Affection: 3]
Though they'd barely interacted, he clearly remembered it wasn't this low before. Where exactly did I offend her?
Could it be… Soi Fon also knows about Yoruichi's secret hideout?
It was quite possible—but surely she wouldn't resent him so much just for that?
Nobu replied simply, "As you saw—I was sparring with my captain, and wanted a quiet spot."
Soi Fon's eyes turned even colder. "I'm asking how you knew about that place."
Nobu's expression flickered subtly. So it really was about that. He answered evenly, "I discovered it by accident. Is that an issue?"
Soi Fon's gaze shifted briefly, before she finally scoffed coldly. "Do you realize what you've done?"
Nobu nodded lightly. "I do."
Her tone became harsher. "You're the Fourth Division's third seat, yet you deliberately violated Soul Society's rules?"
Nobu laughed softly, retorting, "As far as I know, Soul Society's laws don't explicitly forbid a captain sparring with their subordinate, do they?"
Soi Fon sneered coldly. "But those laws clearly state subordinates must obey the orders of their captain—especially the Head-Captain's explicit commands! What exactly did the Head-Captain order you not to do?"
"Soi Fon-taichō, do you actually want to hear my reasons?"
"No," she replied curtly.
Nobu spread his hands helplessly. "Then there's nothing more to say."
"You don't believe you've done anything wrong?"
"I think I did something good."
Soi Fon studied the prisoner before her. Her only impression of Tachikawa Nobu was from the previous Exchange Meet, where he single-handedly defeated all opponents from the other divisions. Since then, she'd harbored an instinctive dislike toward this arrogant man who challenged Seireitei's rules.
Now, after this incident, her dislike only deepened.
[Affection: 2]
Nobu: "…"
Soi Fon turned away sharply, her face icy, leaving Nobu helplessly sighing behind bars.
This woman really was difficult to deal with.
...
First Division Barracks, Head-Captain's office.
Unohana Retsu, having changed into fresh clothing, sat quietly across from Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, though her long black hair remained unbound, cascading loosely down her shoulders.
Compared to Nobu, who was currently imprisoned, her situation was clearly much better.
"You truly dare to test my patience," Yamamoto growled deeply.
His wooden cane slammed onto the floor, causing the entire room to tremble mournfully under the tremendous impact. The old man's reiatsu seethed like molten lava, causing fine beads of sweat to appear on the foreheads of Sasakibe Chōjirō and Kotetsu Isane, standing just outside the office door.
Unohana lowered her eyes calmly, gazing into her teacup. Her voice was indifferent. "What's done is done. I have no interest in explaining myself further. Whatever punishment you decide upon, Head-Captain, I'll accept it."
These words only fueled Yamamoto's rage. Whether she admitted fault or argued back, anything would've been better than this indifferent attitude.
Yet precisely because of Unohana's manner, Yamamoto found it difficult to vent his anger—like punching cotton.
He truly wasn't sure how to punish Unohana. If he imprisoned her, would it be for decades or even centuries?
And among the Gotei 13, who else could possibly take over her role?
Moreover, the worst scenario he'd envisioned hadn't actually occurred. Soul Society's laws contained no explicit prohibition against such sparring; it was only that his prior warnings had been utterly disregarded.
Then there was Tachikawa Nobu—their timing couldn't have been worse, right after Shiba Isshin had been removed from active duty.
Could they really bring Isshin back now to resume his captaincy?
Central 46 would never agree.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni despised those who defied rules. If Tachikawa Nobu hadn't shown such extraordinary talent and strength, angering him this way would've cost Nobu his life countless times over.
Yet he recalled vividly the scene beneath Sōkyoku Hill.
Truthfully, even he had been deeply shocked.
Unohana Retsu lying on the ground, barely breathing, covered in wounds, her heart pierced through. If not for Tachikawa staunching her bleeding at the last moment, Yamamoto doubted she could've held on until the healers arrived.
Had Tachikawa really won?
Based on Yamamoto's understanding of Unohana, she would never go easy on an opponent.
A boy who'd become third seat shortly after graduation, defeated Ichimaru Gin, Zaraki Kenpachi, and now even Unohana Retsu…
Including his years at Shin'ō Academy, how long had it even been?
Less than ten years!
In under a decade, he'd reached a height most in the Gotei 13 could never attain in their lifetimes. Even the word "genius" fell short of describing such a feat.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni struggled to imagine just how far Nobu might go if given a century.
Could he even catch up to me?
Yet, precisely because of that extraordinary potential, Yamamoto's frustration deepened. Such an outrageously talented youth—why did he have to be so defiant?
He worried that as Nobu's strength grew, it would only become more challenging to control him.
Within the Gotei 13, there was one other person similar to Nobu:
The Eleventh Division taichō, Zaraki Kenpachi. After only a single day of sword training under Yamamoto himself, Zaraki had reached his current terrifying level.
Zaraki's mindset was simple yet brutal, his potential equally frightening. If left unchecked, his growth would be equally uncontrollable. This had caused Yamamoto enough concern to halt Zaraki's sword training early.
Nobu, however, possessed an even more complex mind. If he ever turned against Soul Society, the consequences could be fatal.
Ichimaru Gin and Shiba Kaien were both hailed as geniuses, yet Yamamoto could clearly see their limits.
But Nobu and Zaraki—they were more akin to bottomless abysses.
Though Yamamoto had confidence in his own strength to suppress them regardless of how powerful they became, he didn't want to plant seeds for future disaster.
After the previous Exchange Meet incident, Yamamoto had quietly forgiven Nobu's insolence; it was normal for someone from Rukongai to harbor resentment against the nobles.
But this latest incident convinced him Nobu was simply unruly.
Placing him too early into a high-ranking position might indeed be a mistake.
Yamamoto's gaze shifted back to Unohana's indifferent face, and his frustration surged again.
Communication had become pointless.
"For now, you're confined to your quarters for one month. Do not leave the Fourth Division barracks until further punishment is decided."
Unohana said nothing, merely rising and bowing slightly before exiting the room.
Kotetsu Isane, who had been anxiously waiting outside, hurriedly caught up with her.
"Taichō…"
Walking back toward the Fourth Division, Isane's face was filled with worry.
"Taichō, you and Nobu…"
"He'll be fine," Unohana replied evenly.
Isane fell silent, anxiety gnawing at her. She'd never imagined things would turn out like this. When she had first seen her captain covered in blood, that terrible hole punched through her chest, she'd nearly gone mad.
Was it really Nobu who did this?
Why…?
It was only thanks to Ukitake-taichō's reassurance—telling her that Nobu was safe—that she managed to maintain some composure.
Her captain and Nobu were both extremely important to her. She couldn't understand—if it was really just a spar, why had things escalated this far?
She couldn't bear imagining Nobu's blade stabbing into her captain, nor the image of her captain's sword cutting into Nobu.
Countless questions churned inside her, but the distant, calm expression on Unohana's face forced her to swallow them all.
...
Meanwhile, Sasakibe Chōjirō entered the Head-Captain's office.
"Soi Fon-taichō reports Tachikawa has awoken."
"Continue holding him for now," Yamamoto replied, brow deeply furrowed.
Sasakibe hesitated slightly, then added, "Head-Captain, there must at least be a reason given. Tachikawa is the Fourth Division's third seat. Word hasn't spread yet that he's imprisoned in the Second Division—but if news leaks, what happened between him and Unohana-taichō might become public knowledge."
Yamamoto laughed coldly. "That brat already accounted for this. He knew I wouldn't severely punish him now, not when he's about to become Tenth Division Captain!"
Sasakibe was silent for a moment, then cautiously said, "Tachikawa certainly made mistakes, but he did keep his previous promise. He never truly attempted to kill Unohana-taichō."
Yamamoto glared sharply. "Are you pleading for him? Since when did I ever approve his promise?"
Turning slowly away, he stood in silence before finally commanding, "Call in Aizen and his fukutaichō, Ichimaru Gin."
Sasakibe's eyes widened briefly, but he quickly acknowledged the order.
It appeared the Head-Captain was genuinely angry now.
Summoning Ichimaru Gin at a time like this—did that mean he intended to offer Gin the captaincy of the Tenth Division?
Shortly after, Fifth Division taichō Aizen Sōsuke arrived at the First Division accompanied by his fukutaichō, Ichimaru Gin.
"Forgive me, but I decline," Ichimaru Gin stated softly, kneeling respectfully with his head lowered.
Yamamoto immediately frowned. "Why? You have no reason to refuse."
If Gin didn't wish to become a Captain, why had he previously competed with Shiba Kaien for captaincy of the Third Division?
"Subordinate feels he isn't ready to assume captaincy yet. My previous attempt at Third Division captaincy was due to insufficient self-awareness. It's fortunate I lost, or I might have negatively impacted an entire division."
Displeased, Yamamoto countered, "You underestimate yourself. You and Shiba Kaien share similar histories and abilities—your loss was merely the outcome of a single battle."
Ichimaru still shook his head. "Thank you for your trust, Head-Captain. However, the Tenth Division captaincy already has a more suitable candidate—Fourth Division third seat, Tachikawa Nobu. He's far stronger and better suited than I."
Yamamoto exhaled deeply. "He's been a Shinigami for far too short a time. He lacks sufficient experience to manage an entire division."
Yet Ichimaru Gin argued on Nobu's behalf. "Though Tachikawa-san has only been a Shinigami for two years, his capabilities are undeniable. The current popularity of the Exchange Meet among Gotei 13's members—isn't that clear evidence of Tachikawa Nobu's ability?"
Feeling his head ache, Yamamoto turned toward Aizen, who added with a gentle smile, "Head-Captain, Tachikawa-san is indeed a more suitable candidate than Gin."
"..."
Yamamoto suppressed his simmering anger and told Ichimaru, "Return for now. Think carefully on it."
After Aizen and Ichimaru left, Yamamoto summoned Sasakibe again.
"Head-Captain," Sasakibe responded respectfully.
Yamamoto stood silently for a long moment, slowly rubbing his thumb across his staff, deep in thought.
"Announce the punishment for Fourth Division Captain Unohana immediately."
"Yes, sir." Sasakibe bowed deeply.
"And bring Tachikawa Nobu to me."