IW: Chapter 169 - Retsu, I'll obey you, is that okay?
"Can't heal him. He's no different from a normal person. His vital signs are very healthy."
Kisuke Urahara stroked his chin, wondering if Bai Ye was faking his injury.
But if that were the case, it seemed completely unnecessary, didn't it?
What was he trying to gain?
"Leave him to me."
"Captain Unohana!?"
Kotetsu Isane's eyes widened in surprise as she looked behind her. Following the sound, Unohana Retsu stood not far away, calmly watching them.
"You actually came here."
"So, aren't you going to run yet?"
Unohana Retsu looked at Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi.
Although she wasn't involved in their capture, they were still greeting her even after she appeared. Were they perhaps a little too unconcerned about her?
"No choice. With an opponent like you, even if I wanted to run, I couldn't."
Kisuke Urahara shrugged, saying with a hint of helplessness.
If he had known she was here, he shouldn't have come out just now. Now, if he wanted to run, it truly depended on Unohana Retsu's mood.
Among the few Shinigami in Soul Society that Kisuke Urahara was wary of, Old Man Yamamoto was one, Aizen was one, and Unohana Retsu was also among them.
"Captain Unohana, they don't seem to have any ill intentions. How about we check on Lieutenant Bai Ye first?"
Kotetsu Isane quickly pulled Unohana Retsu. Now wasn't the time to deal with those two. Besides, they had indeed seemed to be trying to save Bai Ye just now.
They couldn't just accuse them now, could they?
"Who knows?"
"Hehe, how could I harm Bai Ye?"
Kisuke Urahara chuckled awkwardly. He certainly wouldn't harm Bai Ye.
He was merely considering whether to place the Hōgyoku inside Bai Ye's body.
After all, Aizen paid so much attention to this Hōgyoku, and Bai Ye was also someone Aizen was focused on. If the Hōgyoku were placed inside Bai Ye's body, could it achieve an unexpected effect, making Aizen completely unaware that the Hōgyoku had always been on the person he was watching?
Moreover, since this battle was guessed to be arranged by Aizen for Bai Ye, this battle might disappoint Aizen in Bai Ye, thus causing him not to pay attention to Bai Ye.
Both situations existed, and for Kisuke Urahara, he believed both were beneficial to him.
But before he could act, Unohana Retsu arrived.
Fortunately, he hadn't made up his mind yet, so he would put it aside for now.
"Captain, Lieutenant Bai Ye, he...?"
"It's nothing. You two leave here first."
Unohana Retsu waved her hand, signaling them to leave.
Although Kotetsu Isane was a bit confused, she didn't object. She glanced at Rukia and then took her and left.
Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi naturally wouldn't stay there to make things awkward.
Once only Bai Ye and Unohana Retsu were left, she lifted her foot and kicked Bai Ye's butt, saying exasperatedly, "How much longer are you going to pretend? Get up now!"
"Hehe, Retsu, it's really thanks to you that you came. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to end this. As expected of a Captain, you truly have a keen sense of danger detection!"
Bai Ye got up, grinned, and gave a thumbs-up, flattering her. He didn't mind Unohana Retsu's kick. He patted the dust off his body, then used his spiritual power to shake off the bloodstains.
If Unohana Retsu hadn't come just now, Bai Ye really wouldn't have known how to continue pretending.
"Heh heh, it's just that they didn't suspect you."
His vital signs were all normal. Perhaps they had suspected it from the beginning, but they couldn't figure out Bai Ye's purpose in doing so, so they didn't take the suspicion seriously.
But Unohana Retsu had been watching. That move just now absolutely couldn't have injured Bai Ye.
And this guy had already used Bankai, and his strength was clearly greater than when he fought her before.
This immediately gave Unohana Retsu an idea.
Without speaking, Unohana Retsu placed her hands in her wide sleeves, her eyes constantly scrutinizing Bai Ye, which made Bai Ye feel a bad premonition: "Retsu, I've said my thanks. How about I treat you to something with a strong flavor next time?"
Unohana Retsu liked strongly flavored food.
Whenever Bai Ye thanked her, he would treat her to a meal.
However, this time, Unohana Retsu refused.
Looking at Unohana Retsu, who shook her head in refusal, a hint of confusion flashed through Bai Ye's mind, along with a bad premonition.
It wasn't like this before...
"Little Bai Ye, you wouldn't want your strength to be exposed, would you?"
She was now certain that Bai Ye was definitely not the same as when he fought her in their decisive battle before. He was much stronger than before.
Such a strange attitude instantly made Bai Ye feel a bad premonition.
No!?
Are these words you should be saying, Retsu?
"Retsu, your words are becoming increasingly incomprehensible to me."
Bai Ye hesitated for a moment, then slowly said.
Had Unohana Retsu seen something extraordinary recently?
"Make your choice, little Bai Ye!"
"Retsu, I choose to obey! I'm really afraid of you!"
"Very good. Then, starting today, you will spar with me once every fifteen days!"
...
Bai Ye had thought of many possibilities, but he hadn't expected this.
She wanted him to spar with her?
Thinking about it, it seemed somewhat normal. In fact, Unohana Retsu and Zaraki Kenpachi were very similar.
One sealed off the strongest part of their combat power, while the other learned Kidō to better enjoy combat.
She had also been looking for someone who could bring her joy in battle.
Bai Ye was actually a bit puzzled as to why Unohana Retsu had sought him out.
The combat power he displayed didn't seem sufficient to warrant such great attention from Unohana Retsu, did it?
Why would she suddenly choose him as her opponent?
"Retsu, with my strength, you'll kill me."
"No! If it's you, you will definitely satisfy me!"
Unohana Retsu's eyes sparkled with excitement. She had watched Bai Ye's battle just now.
Clearly, Bai Ye's performance in battle just now was very satisfying, especially that Bankai. Even Unohana Retsu subtly felt a hint of threat from that one strike.
She understood that Bai Ye's strength was already very great, so great that she herself trembled because of Bai Ye's single slash, but this was not a trembling of fear, but of excitement!
Because she had once again met an opponent who could satisfy her.
"Retsu, you're so perverted now."
Bai Ye mumbled. He wanted to keep a low profile, but she insisted on fighting him. How was he supposed to keep a low profile after this?
Damn it!
Wasn't this ruining his entire plan to stay low-key?
"Am I? Then it's settled, little Bai Ye. Consider it compensation for me helping you out this time. After all, if Isane found out you were lying to her just now, she would absolutely not let you off!"
Unohana Retsu pouted and then slowly said.
Kotetsu Isane was crying so heartbreakingly just now. If she found out that Bai Ye had only been deceiving her before, then there was a high probability that Bai Ye would learn the price of deception, wouldn't he?
"Retsu, is it good for you if I die?"
What's the difference between this and killing him?
Telling Kotetsu Isane he would die, and fighting Unohana Retsu, he would also die.
So, it just meant he wasn't allowed to live, right?
"Someone emptied out all the medicine from the Fourth Division."
Silence.
"And he used to peek..."
"Retsu, I agree!"
Bai Ye grabbed Unohana Retsu's hand, looking at her with fervent eyes.
He admitted, his perspective was a bit narrow just now.
If the leader is willing to play with you, then just play along. Would the leader harm him?
"Didn't you not want to? Actually, I'm not someone who forces subordinates to do anything."
"Retsu, I admit I was a bit unruly just now!"
"Very good!"
Unohana Retsu nodded in satisfaction, unconsciously withdrawing her hand from Bai Ye's.
Since Bai Ye agreed, this matter was temporarily settled.
After she returned, she would carefully observe Bai Ye's strength. That kid had actually hidden it from her last time. He was truly dishonest.
"A medical miracle?"
Looking at the perfectly fine Bai Ye, whose vital signs were all normal, Kotetsu Isane strangely examined him from head to toe.
"Oh, it looks like he's fine now. Then we'll be going, little brother Bai Ye. You must remember my kindness just now!"
...
What kindness are you talking about?
Bai Ye glanced at Kisuke Urahara. This guy really knew how to joke.
This guy almost blew his cover just now.
"Let's go, idiot!"
Yoruichi glared at Kisuke Urahara, then disappeared with a Shunpo.
Their current identities couldn't appear before those two. After all, they were wanted criminals.
Even if Unohana Retsu didn't pursue them, you probably shouldn't appear here so openly, right?
"Hey, Bai Ye, remember!"
As Kisuke Urahara's voice faded, he had already vanished.
"Lieutenant Bai Ye, it's so good that you're okay!"
For Rukia Kuchiki, the recent experience even reminded her of the previous incident. If she had to go through something like this again, she really wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Don't worry, I just didn't master Bankai very well just now."
Bai Ye waved his hand, completely unwilling to dwell on the issue.
Kotetsu Isane, standing nearby, wanted to say something, but Unohana Retsu interrupted her.
"You two come back with me. You'll go back later!"
"Why?"
"If you want to be hunted down, then go back now. You emptied out all the medicine, and many Shinigami haven't been treated. Oh, and give me the medicinal ingredients!"
...
Damn it!
These medicinal ingredients were completely useless!
"You stay here for a while. I don't think you need to go back yet. Come back in the evening."
After taking the medicinal ingredients from Bai Ye's hand, Unohana Retsu reminded him, then took Kotetsu Isane and returned to Soul Society.
Facing Kotetsu Isane's concerned gaze, Bai Ye felt that this big sister seemed very off.
"Come out, you two."
"Yo, as expected of Soul Society's once-in-a-millennium genius!"
Kisuke Urahara walked out grinning, waving and greeting Bai Ye. They hadn't left before, and Unohana Retsu hadn't worried about Bai Ye's safety.
"Kisuke Urahara, what do you want with me?"
Bai Ye asked calmly.
Since he stayed here waiting, he must have something to discuss with him.
"Bai Ye, don't be so cold. Don't forget that back in Soul Society, we were..."
"Stop! Don't you dare say it!"
Bai Ye directly slapped away Kisuke Urahara's hand that was trying to get chummy on his shoulder.
Bai Ye didn't want to recall any memories from those years.
"You're so cold!"
"I don't like men!"
Bai Ye's voice grew colder. Had Kisuke Urahara changed a bit from staying in the Human World for too long?
"I don't like them either! I have something very important to discuss with you!"
Kisuke Urahara dropped his playful facade, looking at Bai Ye seriously, and said, "This isn't the place to talk. How about you come with me somewhere?"
He didn't know if Aizen had other means to continue monitoring this place.
So, to prevent their conversation from being overheard by Aizen or a third party, he needed to take Bai Ye to a location that couldn't be bugged.
"En."
Bai Ye nodded. Whether from the anime or from his current friendship with Kisuke Urahara, he had no reason to avoid him.
The plot was likely about to begin, so Kisuke Urahara seeking him out at this time naturally had a reason.
Urahara Shop.
Bai Ye saw someone he found somewhat surprising: Isshin Kurosaki.
"Urahara Shop truly seems to be a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers reside."
"Just happened to be here together."
Kisuke Urahara shrugged. He wasn't the main point; the main point was actually Kurosaki ichigo.
He had also observed the power within Ichigo, and combined with some previous influence from Bai Ye, for Kisuke Urahara, he had gone a bit further than in the anime.
"So, you didn't just call me here to show me him, did you?"
"Bai Ye, we need your strength now!"
Kisuke Urahara looked at Bai Ye seriously. He hoped to get Bai Ye's help.
"You know, you contributed to the Hōgyoku becoming what it is today. In my opinion, you're called a genius not just because of your spiritual pressure back then, but more importantly, because of your mind."
"Don't flatter me!"
Bai Ye twitched his lips, feeling that Kisuke Urahara was exaggerating a bit.
Back then, when he hadn't graduated, he and Kisuke Urahara got along pretty well.
Originally, he had thought of joining the Department of Research and Development at that time, so he had given Kisuke Urahara a lot of inspiration. But when that huge spiritual pressure erupted at graduation, Bai Ye realized he might be noticed by Aizen.
So, he ultimately changed his mind and instead joined the Fourth Division.
And he just wanted to save his life, then he gave Kisuke Urahara some pointers, and as a result, in Kisuke Urahara's eyes, he became someone who saw through everything?
"Hey, you, don't forget that back then you were..."
Yoruichi looked at Bai Ye with displeasure. This guy still owed her a favor!
Don't forget what you did to her back then!
"I told you back then I was set up by Kisuke Urahara!"
Bai Ye broke down. Back then, he and Kisuke Urahara were like bad friends. How did this guy set him up?
"Cough cough, technology has uncontrollable aspects, you know. I didn't say it was 100% effective at the time."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Kisuke Urahara's face, while a surge of glee rose in his heart.
Back then, he and Bai Ye were like bad friends. At that time, Bai Ye was already planning to join the Department of Research and Development, so the two of them had actually been researching some technological gadgets, like invisibility devices.
After they developed it, one day they had some drinks, and the two exchanged a knowing glance, then a strange smile flashed across each of their faces.
Then Kisuke Urahara said he would be Bai Ye's lookout, and Bai Ye, who had been holding back for who knows how many years, was also led astray and agreed.
To this day, he still owed Yoruichi and Unohana Retsu a favor.
That time, Bai Ye felt like he was closest to hell.
Whenever he thought of that incident, Bai Ye wanted to kill Kisuke Urahara.
Why did he agree back then?
It must have been because he had been holding back for who knows how many years. Later, he became more composed.
Alcohol and lust made him so haggard. From then on, he decided to quit drinking!
After this incident, Bai Ye actually hesitated a bit about joining the Fourth Division.
He came to the Fourth Division with a nervous heart at that time, but after Unohana Retsu didn't bring up the past, he breathed a sigh of relief and secretly vowed to be more honest.
He knew he had a weakness in her hands.
This was also the reason he developed a stable personality.
On one hand, his unruly personality almost killed him back then, and on the other hand, he was targeted by Aizen. The combination of these two factors, plus getting older, gradually made his personality more stable.
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