The drizzling rain fell in a steady patter, bringing a trace of coolness that swept away the previously sluggish atmosphere.
Rainwater slid down the eaves and dripped into the slender, fair hand extended out the window. Staring blankly at the dancing droplets in her palm, Unohana Retsu was lost in thought.
"Everyone, get out of my way!"
"Can't you see I'm already perfectly fine?!"
The sudden clamor from downstairs interrupted her train of thought. With a light twist of her wrist, Unohana let the rainwater spill from her palm. She shook her hand dry and walked toward the door, wondering what was happening below.
Quiet was the norm for Squad 4. As the medical division, noise did occasionally occur, but it was something very few people appreciated—and as their captain, she was no exception.
Upon arriving downstairs, Unohana realized she had overthought things. Her patients hadn't suffered any medical emergencies, but they were definitely trying to cause trouble.
A group of Squad 11 members, either leaning on crutches or with their heads wrapped in bandages, were crowded together at the entrance. They were posturing to break through the blockade in front of them. If not stopped by force, it was only a matter of time before they charged out.
As the medical division, Squad 4 did not hold a very high status in the eyes of the other Gotei 13 squads. This invisible disdain was especially severe among the combat-worshipping members of Squad 11.
Ironically, however, their relationship with Squad 4 was the closest. Most of the squad members were old acquaintances of Squad 4—as wounded patients, of course.
While it couldn't be called gratitude or respect, the Squad 11 members who came here usually maintained a basic level of restraint. Mass disturbances like this were a rare sight.
"What are you all crowding around here for?"
"Captain?" Seeing that it was Unohana, Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly stepped forward to explain the cause of the commotion. Right now, only the captain could stop these hot-blooded, injured Squad 11 members.
Simply put, the current captain of Squad 11 had heard that Kōe had returned and was currently at the Shin'ō Academy. He had immediately rushed out to challenge Kōe to a fight.
Although Kōe's title as the Ninth Generation Kenpachi had long been revoked by Central 46, in the hearts of some veteran members, he would always be Squad 11's Ninth Generation Kenpachi. They viewed the current captain as nothing more than an opportunist who had picked up a cheap victory.
In the eyes of the newer members, however, they had no idea how strong Kuruyashiki Kenpachi used to be, and naturally didn't understand what made Kōe so formidable. They only recognized the current Kenpachi.
This debate had never ceased within Squad 11. Previously, because Kōe was absent, the two sides could only engage in endless verbal sparring, which would eventually escalate into 'friendly' spars. No one died, but frequent, multi-day vacations to Squad 4 were a common occurrence.
Even so, the matter remained unresolved. After all, neither side could truly represent the Kenpachi they supported. Trying to determine superiority only fueled their anger, and the final result would still depend on a battle between the two men themselves.
Now, the opportunity had finally arrived. The duel between the two Kenpachis was imminent! Although the current Kenpachi's terrible sense of direction might waste some time, that wasn't the crucial point!
The crucial point was that whether it was a fierce gale or a torrential downpour, a broken leg or a fractured arm, nothing could stop them from going to watch the fight in person!
After listening to Isane's explanation, Unohana truly didn't know what to say. Were they just trying to go watch a spectacle? But no matter how attractive this battle might be, it was no excuse for these people to cause a riot in Squad 4!
"You all look quite energetic. Have they met the discharge criteria, Isane?"
"Not yet, Captain."
Hearing this, the nearby squad members started shouting loudly again. "These minor injuries don't affect us at all!"
"Don't use your Squad 4 standards to judge us, you bastards!"
These words seemed to have no effect on Unohana. She simply turned to the squad members with a smile on her face and said softly, "Go back and lie down properly. If your injuries relapse, not only will you suffer more pain, but we will also be very troubled."
At this point, Unohana's voice suddenly dropped, and a cold glint flashed in her half-squinted, smiling eyes. "This is Squad 4. Naturally, we must act according to Squad 4's standards, and that includes all of you here. Understood?"
*What a terrifying woman.* Even though she was smiling, it felt as if she were pointing a blade right at them. *Wait, a blade? When did she draw her Zanpakutō?!*
"Standing for so long has made me a bit tired. Gokatsura! Help me up, I need to rest."
"I'm dizzy, oh, I'm really so dizzy!"
"..."
The Squad 11 members, who had been full of vigor and causing a scene just a second ago, suddenly seemed to develop severe physical ailments. Swaying and stumbling, they all retreated back into their hospital rooms.
Seeing this, the Squad 4 members desperately held back their laughter. Even if she was the captain of Squad 4, she was still a captain. Wasn't opposing her just asking for suffering?
However, their amusement didn't last long before that familiar voice rang out again. "What are you laughing at? Aren't they feeling unwell? Hurry up and go check on them."
"Yes, Captain!"
Pushing and shoving, they squeezed toward the wards. They knew their own situation best. In the eyes of these Squad 4 members, their captain was certainly gentle, but once she got angry, she was absolutely terrifying.
"Isane, wait a moment."
Isane, who was at the back of the group, was stopped by Unohana. She looked back in confusion, only to see that the other woman had already walked to the door. With her back turned, Unohana continued, "Come with me to the Shin'ō Academy."
"Huh?"
"Captain-level battles are not allowed within the Seireitei. We must do our best to stop it."
*As expected, joining in on a spectacle isn't Captain Unohana's style,* Isane thought. Just then, that gentle voice spoke again. "Even if we can't stop it, we must ensure that we can provide first aid immediately."
"..."
*Saying such chilling things with a completely straight face... that's very Captain Unohana...*
Meanwhile, at the Shin'ō Academy, Kōe was completely unaware of the fact that he had already stepped into a gladiator arena. With a stern face, he was lecturing the students in front of him. It was his very first class—Tactical Training.
"So-called tactics..." Kōe had just opened his mouth when a sudden, loud commotion erupted in the hallway outside, completely drawing the attention of the brats in front of him.
"...is about not letting your attention be easily divided in battle!" *Bang! Bang! Bang!* Kōe slammed the podium three times and scolded, "If I were your enemy, you would all be dead right now!"
The reprimanded students looked a bit embarrassed, but they couldn't entirely be blamed. In their eyes, tactical training was completely optional. There was no 'tactics' section in the graduation test or the Gotei 13 entrance exam.
If he were teaching Zanjutsu or Kidō right now, they definitely wouldn't be distracted. Absolutely not!
Kōe shook his head. They were just kids, after all; he couldn't be too harsh. If it had been him when he was younger, Old Man Yama would have definitely smacked him over the head with a sword first to make sure he remembered the lesson.
"Captain Zaraki, this is the Shin'ō Academy, you can't..."
The shōji sliding door on the left was violently thrown open. Kōe turned his head with a look of pure annoyance. *Can't a guy even speak in peace?!*
"Who is it?!"
"You must be Chōzuka Kenpachi!"
The two voices rang out simultaneously and then stopped abruptly.
Hair spiked high in thick bundles like broken black thorns, and a long scar running down through his left eye and across his entire profile—Kōe was all too familiar with this fierce-looking, uninvited guest.
"Zaraki? Kenpachi!"
"Oh? So you really are Chōzuka Kenpachi. Perfect timing..."
"Wait a minute!"
Kōe hurriedly interrupted Zaraki's words and said with a deadpan expression, "Since you're here looking for Chōzuka Kenpachi, what does that have to do with me, Kōe Shihouin?"