Under the terrifying Reiatsu released by Unohana Retsu, it was fortunate that Squad 4 was not without capable leaders. Due to Tsunayoshi and the others, several lieutenants had gathered here, becoming the backbone of the response.
"Everyone in Squad 4, stay focused! Evacuate the severely injured out of the barracks first!"
Kotetsu Isane took command. She had intended to find Captain Unohana, but with Unohana absent, she had no choice but to step up.
Under her direction, those still able to move quickly began transporting the heavily wounded out.
"Damn it… this injury is a nuisance."
Zaraki Kenpachi shoved the door open, grumbling. That Reiatsu was clearly from a worthy opponent—but in his current state, he couldn't face it head-on, which frustrated him deeply.
"Ken-chan, let's help Isane first," Kusajishi Yachiru urged from his shoulder. As president of the Shinigami Women's Association, she had already decided to assist.
"Yeah, yeah… what a pain. Hey! Squad 11—get up and start saving people!"
Kenpachi's voice echoed through Squad 4. The Squad 11 members previously brought here by Ishida Uryū responded, those with lighter injuries pushing themselves to help.
"Captain Zaraki, I'll assist as well."
Iba Tetsuzaemon stepped out, carrying Sajin Komamura on his back—yet he still had room to carry more.
"And me."
From the adjacent room, Hisagi Shūhei emerged, carrying Tōsen Kaname. Strangely, though Tōsen wasn't unconscious from injury, he remained completely motionless.
The evacuation gradually progressed—but they were still within the range of Unohana's Reiatsu. Leaving entirely would take time.
At that moment, a more inspiring voice rang out—
"Bankai — Hihiō Zabimaru!"
A massive skeletal serpent filled the courtyard of Squad 4.
It was Abarai Renji.
"Quick! Everyone, get on Zabimaru—I'll take you out!"
Even after activating Bankai, Renji had only a sliver of confidence. His voice trembled slightly—because he alone knew that compared to that overwhelming Reiatsu, his own was like a firefly before the moon.
Even with Bankai, he stood no chance.
As for the source of that Reiatsu—
He had a vague guess.
At present, only two people in Squad 4 were missing.
If it wasn't Tsunayoshi… then it could only be—
Unohana Retsu.
The realization made Renji shudder.
That seemingly gentle—yet faintly sinister—captain actually possessed such monstrous power.
With Renji's help, everyone climbed onto Zabimaru. The giant serpent surged into the air, carrying them all away from Squad 4.
Underground Chamber — Squad 4
Unohana didn't move from her position.
With a casual swing of her blade, the blood pool surged—its liquid whipping toward Tsunayoshi like a massive crimson lash.
Tsunayoshi immediately executed Water Dance, creating multiple afterimages.
But Unohana accepted them all without discrimination—the blood whip swept through every illusion in a single strike, instantly breaking the technique.
Tsunayoshi's eyes filled with caution.
Unohana looked completely at ease—she hadn't even begun to exert herself.
Worse still, under the constant flow of blood, all her wounds had already healed. She was back at full strength.
He couldn't wait for her to attack.
He had to strike first.
Rain flames surged along his right blade—
Special Form — Right Blade: Rain Severing!
Over a hundred slashes burst forth.
If the previous attack had been a drizzle—this was a torrential storm.
Normally, such a barrage couldn't fully hit a target.
But earlier, Tsunayoshi had used Mist Rain. The hound Jirō had already memorized Unohana's scent.
Now, every strike guided by Kojirō landed precisely on her.
Facing this dense assault—
Unohana remained unmoved.
Her Minazuki blurred into afterimages as she cut down every incoming slash with perfect precision.
Not even a ripple of dust was stirred.
Every attack—completely neutralized.
She was overwhelmingly strong.
In her Bankai state, Unohana far surpassed the level of an ordinary captain's Bankai.
Both Rain Severing and Swallow Assault were among Tsunayoshi's strongest techniques—
Yet neither could touch her.
He needed another approach.
As he rapidly thought—
Blisters of blood began forming at his feet.
Suddenly—
Unohana appeared beside him.
Her blade fell.
Tsunayoshi couldn't even react before being sent flying.
Another wound tore across his chest, forming a deep X-shaped gash—barely suppressed by the calming effect of his Rain flames.
With the combination of Shunpo and the blood pool, Unohana's speed rivaled even Shihōin Yoruichi, the "Flash Goddess."
She struck again—
This time, Tsunayoshi blocked.
Kojirō circled him, scattering droplets of rain that formed a localized rain field.
The moment Unohana entered that space, the Rain Attribute's calming effect slowed her ever so slightly—
Just enough for Tsunayoshi to react.
They exchanged several blows in rapid succession.
Each time, Tsunayoshi barely managed to parry.
Unohana soon realized—
It wasn't that her attacks were too slow.
She herself had been slowed.
A strange arc of blood-red slash cut through the air—
Kojirō was instantly destroyed.
Her speed returned.
She moved in again—
But a sudden bark disrupted her movement.
Special Form — Left Blade: Rain Hound Suppression!
Seizing the opening, Tsunayoshi slashed horizontally.
Escape was meaningless.
He couldn't outrun her.
He had to press the attack—
Attack Form — Eighth Kata: Splitting Shower!
Four pillars of water erupted around Unohana, forming a cross-shaped strike that tore through her abdomen—splitting her body into four parts.
Tsunayoshi showed no mercy.
If he didn't strike now—he would be the one cut down.
But just as he expected—
It had no effect.
A pillar of blood surged upward, engulfing Unohana. When it subsided—
She stood there, completely restored.
She appeared before him once more.
Her blade—Minazuki—descended again.
Tsunayoshi deployed his rain field again—
But this time—
It didn't work.
His right shoulder split open.
Then his abdomen.
Unohana's blade curved at impossible angles, bypassing his dual-sword defense and carving wound after wound into his body.
He couldn't understand it.
Both Rain Field and Rain Hound Suppression had lost their effect.
Without the slowing property—
His swordsmanship was nowhere near Unohana's mastery of "eight thousand styles."
As the tenth wound was about to land—
He forced his Reiatsu upward and countered with a desperate strike—
Shigure Sōen-ryū — Seventh Kata: Abundant Rushing Rain!
He was blown away—
But in that instant—
He saw the truth.
From the blood pool, root-like tendrils extended, connecting to Unohana's heels.
Like roots anchoring her in place—
Blood continuously circulated between her body and the pool.
She was constantly—
Replacing her blood.
Through this, she could purge all negative effects and maintain perfect condition at all times.
That was the true power of Minazuki.
The terrifying blood pool was merely a support.
Her real terror lay in her swordsmanship.
Tsunayoshi was now covered in wounds.
All he could do was temporarily suppress them with Rain flames.
As for Unohana—
She likely hadn't even expended much energy.
She didn't pursue immediately.
Instead, she let out a small sigh.
The difference in their states was obvious.
She had hoped for a satisfying battle—
But it seemed it would end the moment she used Bankai.
Still… it had been a decent warm-up.
With a flick, she shook the blood from her blade.
She prepared to deliver the final blow.
But then—
She saw something unexpected.
Tsunayoshi casually plunged both of his tachi into the blood pool—
And drew a white blade from behind him.
Before her eyes—
He stabbed it into his own chest.
Unohana's composed expression nearly broke.
She thought he had given up.
For a moment, she even considered healing him—such a rare "toy" would be a waste to lose.
But Tsunayoshi had only one purpose—
To release the power of the Hollow within him.
Resurrección.
"Roam the seas… Fish-Dragon!"
The seal within his chest shattered.
A violent surge of Hollow power engulfed him.
A blue Hollow mask formed over half his face.
Fins extended from his elbows, calves, and waist.
A powerful tail lashed out from his lower back, striking the blood pool and sending waves crashing outward.
For the first time—
A look of genuine excitement appeared on Unohana's face.
Shock—
And delight.
The battle wasn't over yet.
After completing his transformation, Tsunayoshi retrieved his dual blades.
Rain-Attribute Bankai—
Combined with Resurrección.
This was his strongest state.
Raising one blade, he pointed it at Unohana—
A direct challenge.
If his swordsmanship couldn't match hers—
Then he would fight using the full power of his Rain flames.
"What is that…? Why is that Hollow Reiatsu so terrifying?!"
Renji stared in shock.
"That kind of Reiatsu again… How are Hollows invading Soul Society?" Iba muttered.
"This isn't the first time?" Renji asked.
But no one answered.
All were stunned by the sheer magnitude of that Hollow power.
If that was the enemy—
Then how strong was the one fighting it?
Could that gentle Squad 4 captain truly possess such monstrous strength?
No one present was foolish.
When Unohana was absent from Zabimaru—
They had already guessed.
Squad 13 Barracks
"If Tsunayoshi keeps this up… the old man's really going to get angry," said Kyōraku Shunsui with a sigh.
He and Ukitake Jūshirō had already learned from Ginjō Kūgo that the Hollow Reiatsu came from Tsunayoshi.
"Setting that aside… Shunsui, are we really going there?" Ukitake asked, concerned.
"We don't have a choice," Kyōraku replied, his expression turning serious. "If there's anywhere to hide someone in the Seireitei right now—it's those places."
If they guessed wrong—
They would face punishment from Central 46.
Squad 1 Barracks
The temperature rapidly rose.
Even the Shinigami on duty began to feel the heat.
If not for his duty to guard the entrance to Muken, Yamamoto would have already appeared in Squad 4—
And personally cut down the one daring to challenge Soul Society's authority.
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