"Captain, please enjoy the tea."
Shinobu Kocho skillfully poured a cup of hot tea for Retsu Unohana, kneeling respectfully beside her.
Retsu Unohana picked up the teacup, took a gentle sip, and nodded in appreciation.
"To be able to taste such elegant tea in a remote district like this... it seems Fourth Seat Kocho's life here is far more comfortable than I imagined."
"You flatter me, Captain. It is merely coarse tea," Shinobu replied, lowering her head slightly.
After setting down the teacup, Unohana's expression gradually grew serious.
She looked at Shinobu, her tone carrying a trace of elder-like concern and a soft sigh.
"Shinobu, I won't beat around the bush. I came today primarily regarding the matter concerning you and young Nichika."
Hearing that name, Shinobu's breathing grew slightly heavier, though she no longer looked as devastated as she had the past two days.
"I am already fully aware of what transpired at Sokyoku Hill the day before yesterday."
"Not only that, but the Captain of the Twelfth Division also reported to me that before her defection, Nichika infiltrated the Department of Research and Development and stole classified documents."
Unohana looked at Shinobu's increasingly pale face, paused for a moment, and sighed softly. "I know this incident has been a massive blow to you, as well as to Hinaki."
"Therefore, after finishing treating the wounded in the division, I specifically made time to come and check on you."
"Captain... I am sorry..." Shinobu bowed her head deeply against the tatami mat. "It is my failure in disciplining her. I have betrayed your trust and allowed Nichika to commit such a grave mistake..."
"Raise your head, Shinobu."
Unohana's voice, though still gentle, was firm and powerful. "This is not your fault. Even Head Captain Yamamoto and I were deceived by him for over a hundred years, let alone you and an inexperienced child."
She gently patted Shinobu's shoulder. "I assure you, no matter who the next Head Captain is, I will personally vouch for you."
"Nichika's defection is her own personal action. It will absolutely not implicate you or Hinaki. You both remain indispensable and outstanding members of the Fourth Division."
"Captain..." Shinobu raised her head, tears of gratitude shimmering in her eyes.
During this highly sensitive and tense period, for Unohana to personally visit and offer such a firm promise was an incredibly profound favor.
However... Shinobu felt somewhat unworthy of this kindness...
After comforting Shinobu, Unohana slowly turned her head and once again looked at Asuka, who was sitting nearby.
"Now then..." The smile on Unohana's lips deepened, carrying an unfathomable implication. "This must be the lost Mr. Asuka that Fourth Seat Kocho so frequently mentions?"
Meeting Unohana's gaze, Asuka did not back down. "That's me. What can I do for you?"
Unohana gently covered her lips with her sleeve and chuckled. "I am simply very curious about you, Mr. Asuka."
"You caused quite a stir at Sokyoku Hill."
"To be able to shatter a Menos's Negacion—something even we were helpless against—with a single strike... Such strength is exceedingly rare, even within the Gotei 13."
She narrowed her eyes. Although her tone sounded like casual chatter, that hidden killing intent, imperceptible to ordinary people, continuously pierced into Asuka's senses.
"I am truly curious. For a swordsman as powerful as you, Mr. Asuka, in which corner of the Soul Society have you been living in obscurity for the past hundred years?"
"Why have I never heard your name? Perhaps it would have been better if we had met sooner. It feels like it would have been quite interesting."
Faced with this rather strange question, Asuka replied calmly, "I am just a wandering ghost struggling to survive at the bottom of the Rukongai."
"My blade is sharp simply because I desire to live more than anyone else."
"As long as you don't provoke me, I have no interest in interfering with the messes of your Seireitei."
"Mr. Asuka, you must not be disrespectful to the Captain," Shinobu quickly reminded him, looking nervously at Unohana, afraid she would be angered by his words.
Unexpectedly, Unohana was not angry.
Instead, as if she had heard an amusing joke, she began to laugh softly.
"...What an interesting man." Unohana ceased her laughter. "I don't dislike your pure gaze. Only those who have experienced true despair and carved a path out of it possess such unyielding eyes."
She looked at Asuka, then at the nervous Shinobu, and playfully teased, "What a reliable man."
"No wonder the most beautiful and outstanding, unattainable flower of our Fourth Division has remained completely unmoved by the fierce pursuits of the Seireitei's young talents all these years. It turns out she has been hiding such a hero in her heart all along."
"Captain! What... what nonsense are you saying?!"
Shinobu's fair face instantly flushed bright red, looking as if it could drip water. She anxiously wrung the hem of her clothes, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
Asuka, however, maintained a serious expression and corrected her with utmost sincerity, "I am no hero. I only came to the Soul Society to bring her home."
This straightforward, unembellished statement not only made Shinobu's face even redder but also caused the experienced Unohana to freeze for a moment before letting out an even heartier laugh.
"Oh my, the youth of today are truly so straightforward that it makes one envious."
After the laughter subsided, the atmosphere in the room finally completely relaxed.
The blush on her face gradually fading, Shinobu took this opportunity to steel her resolve, taking a deep breath.
Smoothing out her clothes, she straightened her kneeling posture in front of Unohana.
Placing her hands flat on the tatami, she lowered her head deeply, performing an extremely formal bow.
"Captain Unohana."
Shinobu's voice was clear and resolute, without a hint of hesitation. "Fourth Seat Shinobu Kocho has a request."
Seeing Shinobu's solemn demeanor, the smile on Unohana's face slowly faded.
She quietly looked at her capable subordinate, seemingly already anticipating what she was about to say.
"Please speak, Shinobu."
"Your subordinate... humbly requests to resign from the position of Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, and Squad Leader of the 14th Advanced Relief Squad."
"Furthermore, I request to withdraw from the Gotei 13."
As soon as these words were spoken, although she was mentally prepared, a flash of unconcealable regret passed through Unohana's eyes.
"The reason?" Her voice became somewhat low. "Is it because of Nichika's matter that you wish to retreat at this critical juncture?"
"That is not the case, Captain."
Shinobu slowly raised her head, her purple eyes shimmering with a calm and clear light.
"Captain, you know very well... The reason I desperately tested into the Shin'o Academy back then, the reason I worked so hard to learn Kaido and become a Soul Reaper..."
"...was not because I had some lofty ideal of maintaining the so-called balance of the Three Realms."
Shinobu's voice was smooth and drawn out, recounting the past buried deep in her heart.
"Wandering into this cruel Rukongai, facing those thugs who could take our lives at any moment, I felt deep fear and powerlessness..."
"I had to become stronger. I had to find a stable reliance."
"At the same time, it was also so I could utilize the vast resources of the Seireitei to search for that... lost idiot."
Shinobu's gaze unconsciously drifted toward Asuka sitting nearby, a relieved and happy smile floating on her lips.
"And now, all my wishes have been fulfilled."
"Oyakata-sama's family has a stable life, and Hinaki has become a qualified Soul Reaper with the ability to protect herself."
"And that idiot who kept me worried sick has finally returned to my side, safe and sound."
She turned her gaze back to Unohana, her eyes full of sincerity and apology.
"Captain, I was originally just an ordinary person who disliked fighting and hated being bound by rules and regulations."
"The towering white walls of the Seireitei were never my home. I feel... my mission as a Soul Reaper is already complete."
Shinobu bowed deeply once more, her attitude sincere.
"I am truly sorry, Captain, for failing your careful cultivation and trust over these years."
"But... my only wish now is to shed this heavy Shihakusho and stay by his side."
"Whether he goes to the World of the Living, stays in a corner of the Rukongai, or wanders to another foreign land..."
"I just want to be Shinobu. That is all."