Unohana and Saito are joining the Gotei 13...
It was a natural progression, yet I couldn't help but feel a bit perplexed.
In the original series I knew, the first generation of the Gotei 13 were 'Guards' in name only. In reality, they were a band of bloodthirsty killers established solely to clear out anyone standing in the Seireitei's way.
Of course, that was the Gotei 13 from the story I remembered. I couldn't say for certain that the version being formed now would be exactly the same.
Still, it was curious.
If they were two wanderers with nowhere to go, it would be one thing. But these two had been completely settled, running this dojo for five hundred years. Why join the Gotei now?
Is there a need?
Since I had been asked to pass the word along and didn't fully understand the situation, I intended to relay the message, but I remained skeptical.
Well, I suppose I should just ask them directly.
"I'm back."
"Oh, you're home early today?"
"Yeah, I've finished everything I needed to do. I won't have to go out to the Human Realm anymore."
"Hehe, then I suppose I should prepare a feast for tonight."
"Sounds good. I'll help. Oh, but please tell me it's not grilled eel, steamed oysters, and omija tea for dessert?"
Why isn't she answering?
Why is she just smiling? I'm getting scared.
"Well... as long as it tastes good, I guess it's fine. Anyway, the Shihoin family asked me to pass a message to you and Saito earlier."
As I glossed over the joke that felt too much like a truth and got to the point, Unohana's hand, which had been writing with a brush, came to a halt.
Her hand trembled ever so slightly as she let out a deep sigh and rested the brush against the inkstone.
"It's about the Gotei 13, I presume?"
"So you already knew."
Actually, it made sense that she knew.
They weren't exactly being quiet about it; they were going around openly discussing the formation, so there was no way the parties involved wouldn't know.
"Does that brat Saito know too?"
"Yes, we were together when the proposal was made. There's no way she wouldn't know."
"And was it Genryusai who made the offer?"
"Yes."
Since he was the one who personally came to me five hundred years ago suggesting a collaboration, I figured he'd be the one behind this as well.
Expectations were met, as usual.
Of course, I didn't intend to pull a 'how dare you try to take my people!' just because he made an offer.
He wasn't hitting on Unohana; he was just inviting her to join a new organization he was founding.
"What do you think I should do?"
"Hmm? About what?"
"Don't play dumb. You've heard everything."
"The Gotei?"
I shrugged at Unohana as she nodded.
It wasn't that I didn't care; it was truly that I had nothing to tell her.
If I told her to do it, would she? If I told her not to, would she stay?
I highly doubted it.
"Do you remember what I said when we first met?"
"How could I ever forget? It was the teaching that changed my life."
"Then you already know what I'm going to say now."
Everything is your choice. Your life is yours, so decide for yourself.
The joys and sorrows of this world are entirely your own, and you are the master of your destiny.
"You mean I should choose."
As I nodded at her words, a bitter expression crossed Unohana's face.
I could see right through her thoughts.
She was likely thinking that even though we're a couple discussing our future, she still has to make the decision alone.
Despite appearances, she could be surprisingly dependent in her heart.
"I think you might be misunderstanding because our relationship has changed. I'm not saying I don't care what you choose so just go away and do it. You know that, don't you?"
"I know. But the heart doesn't always follow reason."
Seeing her look a bit dejected, I chuckled and lightly stroked her hair.
The hair she brushed every single night felt as smooth as silk.
"It means that whatever choice you make, I will respect and support you."
"You..."
Looking moved, she sat down beside me. I sat down heavily as well.
Unohana naturally tried to shift aside to give me space, but I caught her arm and pulled her to lean against my shoulder.
"Marriage isn't about interfering with each other; it's about supporting each other."
With those words, I wrapped my arm around her waist and gave her a gentle embrace.
Unohana, seemingly taken aback by my uncharacteristic display of affection, shivered slightly before letting out a low laugh and nestling into my arms.
"I feel reassured."
"I'm glad to hear that. Makes me feel like a good husband."
"What are you saying? You're already a wonderful husband."
As I chuckled and held her close, Unohana shifted into a more comfortable position, eventually lying back.
This naturally led to me being positioned over her. Unohana looked up at me with heavy-lidded, alluring eyes.
"You're usually not like this. What brought on this sudden initiative?"
"Nothing special. I just felt like I've been a bit neglectful lately. Think of it as a small reward for my wife, who's been working hard running the dojo in my stead?"
"Would it kill you to be like this every day?"
"Sorry. I'll do better from now on."
"Hehe, I'm just joking. You're already... doing plenty well."
As she spoke, a bewitching light began to swirl in Unohana's eyes.
She then began to trail her slender, jade-like fingers like a snake down my arm, her smile dripping with the charm of a seductress.
Calling one's own wife a seductress might sound strange, but that's exactly what she was.
You don't know until you've experienced it yourself.
You really come to understand what it means to have eyes that look like they could devour a person.
Of course, she could never beat me in stamina, so in the end, she was the one who got devoured, but it always started like this.
At this rate, I'd be dragged into the bedroom before night even fell.
To cool things down a bit, I stood up, causing Unohana to let out a short, disappointed sigh.
"What's that sigh for? It's still broad daylight. The students are right outside; what if we get caught?"
"I'm just solidifying the fact that I'm yours."
"There's no need for that. Besides, I don't like the idea of my wife being seen by anyone else, so that's enough for now."
Perhaps because this was the first time I'd formed such a deep bond, I had a bit of a possessive streak.
I was keeping it in check, but if anyone looked at Unohana with the wrong eyes... I might not be able to contain myself.
"Are you jealous? How cute."
"They say couples grow to resemble each other."
When I countered by reminding her how she used to be extremely wary of Saito, she just offered a serene smile, having no retort.
"So, what's your decision?"
"Hmm... I think I'll join."
"I see."
"You don't seem very pleased."
"Me? No, I just thought it was unexpected."
"They say it's to protect the Seireitei. In the end, I thought that might be the same as protecting this dojo... That's why I chose it. If something occurs that one person cannot stop, we can protect it together with others."
So that was her logic.
Seeing how I had been blinded by the image of the 'Original' version, I still had a long way to go myself.
...It would be nice if Yhwach would make his own choices like Unohana.
The sudden thought made me blink before I nodded with a bitter smile.
"You've grown."
"Humans are always growing. It's just that the direction is different for everyone."
"Right, right. Anyway, they said to come to the Seireitei government offices if you want to join. I'll watch the dojo while you're gone. I'll tell Saito."
"If you're taking over, I can go with peace of mind. I'll leave things to you for today, then."
"Take your time, no rush."
"Then I'll go get ready for a moment. I'm counting on you, Dear."
I blinked in surprise at the sudden, affectionate title she threw out before leaving the room, but soon enough, I left with a smirk on my face.
It's the first time she's called me that, and it's not bad.
Enjoying the ticklish feeling in my chest, I headed toward the main training hall.
Crack!! THWACK!!
—Your waist is loose, you bastard!! Focus!! If you're shivering in front of a wooden sword, you're dead in front of a real blade!! You think you're fit to carry an Asauchi with that attitude?!
—Sir!! I will correct it!
—I can't hear you!!
—SIRRRRR!!!
—Are you screaming?! Keep your kiai short!! Shout from your gut!!
—HAAAH!!!
Ugh, so noisy.
I was already getting a headache before I even stepped inside.
I slid open the dojo door with a sour expression. Immediately, the venomous glares of students drenched in blood and sweat turned toward me.
"Ugh, the smell of sweat."
I waved a hand in front of my face as I stepped inside. The students' expressions were quite a sight.
They looked as if they were wondering, 'Who the hell is this guy?'
And I'm the Master here.
Well, I haven't shown my face once in five hundred years, so I guess it's not that weird.
"Hah?! Which bastard is late— Oh, when'd you get here?"
"Just now."
I raised a hand in greeting to Saito, who was poking her head out from behind a massive student with a deep scowl.
"I'm late because I was talking to Yachiru. You've heard about the Gotei business, right?"
"Ah, that? Yeah. Why all of a sudden?"
"They said to go to the government offices in the Seireitei. Yachiru's already gone. It's just you left."
"Goddammit! You should've told me sooner, fuck! I'm covered in sweat and now I have to go without washing up!!"
She was fuming, and as I stepped closer, there was definitely a scent of sweat.
Of course, it wasn't her own sweat; it was the stench vibrating off everyone around her that had rubbed off. It wasn't actually that bad.
Unless you were looking for it, you wouldn't notice.
"It doesn't smell that much. Since when did you care about that?"
"It's gross! Forget it, I'm going!"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't go starting fights on your way there. Just do your job and come back!"
As I shouted after the bolting Saito, she raised her middle finger toward me.
I taught her well. She's so endearing; I'll have to give her a nice lump on the head once she gets back.
With that thought, I stood where Saito had been.
The students still looked puzzled.
He's an acquaintance of Master Unohana and casual with Instructor Saito... so who exactly is he?
"That's the look you've got on your faces."
"Um... excuse me, but who are you?"
"Me? The First Master of this Budokan."
I thought introducing myself like this would be nerve-wracking, but it was actually quite trivial.
I smirked at the shocked students and shrugged.
"And I'll be your guest instructor for today."
"The First Master!?"
"You mean Master Unohana wasn't the first...?!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough flattering. You probably won't see me again after today anyway."
I waved my hand to shut them up and crossed my arms.
"Five hundred years ago, that Genryusai brat rambled on about combat experience... Yeah, this'll do."
Let's see... a suitable branch...
Obviously, there wasn't one inside the dojo.
"Wait here for a second."
While the students blinked in confusion, I stepped outside and picked up a branch about a hand's length.
Holding this, I didn't look like I had a dagger; I looked more like Harry Potter with a wand. Not that it mattered.
"Alright. I won't move a single step from this spot. All of you, come at me. If you can break this twig or make me take even one step, I'll end today's training right there."
"Ar-Are you serious!!"
"Of course I'm serious. I'm a man of my word. Oh, and feel free to use your Asauchi if you want. They won't touch me anyway, so don't worry about it."
Come on, you chicks.
Let me show you the power of a magic wand.
That day, a new legend was born at the Budokan—the story of a twig that could not be cut, even by an Asauchi.