CHAPTER 236-237: Vivid Red

Nearly an hour later, the previously Hollowfied Shinigami were ready to depart Mayuri's underground lab and return to their respective divisions. Although they had fought the Hollows all their lives, the experience of actually becoming one had undoubtedly left deep scars on their souls.

Some time away from their duties would be immensely helpful to their recovery.

Just as Kazuya and Isane stepped outside the lab's entrance, a gentle, soothing voice called out to them.

"So, you were both here."

Kazuya and Isane turned in unison towards the voice they knew so well. Unsurprisingly, Unohana stood near the entryway, her spiritual energy in a perfect harmony with the ambient energy around them.

She seemed stealthier than the expert assassin Yoruichi.

{Two thousand years will give you enough time to master every basic skill out there.}

'I might become a multiversal entity in that time.'

{That sounds… lonely. Thankfully, Partner will have my company for all eternity.}

Nami never missed a chance to remind him of her importance in his life. Nothing unusual for the Yandere Phoenix. She would let him fuck any woman, completely confident in the fact that only she could remain by his side until the very end.

Kazuya pushed aside the gloomy reflections out of his mind and turned his full attention to Unohana. "What's up, Captain?"

"Captain! Did you come here for us?" Isane asked.

Unohana's lips curved into a gentle smile. "You both didn't show up for the morning assembly. I took it upon myself to stop you from doing anything mischievous…" Her eyes drifted to the horde of Shinigami behind them. "I believe I'm a little late for that."

The interference from Mayuri's facilities had obstructed her attempts to track their Reiatsu, else she would have arrived here before the duo confronted the crazy scientist.

Isane reached up to rub the back of her head, chuckling sheepishly. "E-Everything went fine. Kazuya managed to persuade Captain Kurotsuchi. Forty seven of the fifty are now normal Shinigami!"

As tragic as it was to lose three of their number, the fact that the vast majority had been saved filled her with pure relief and joy.

Unohana acknowledged the good news with a calm smile. "Let's return to the division. We have much to discuss."

Kazuya placed his hand on his chest. "Captain, don't look at me like that. It makes my heart jittery."

Unohana's gaze sharpened. "Perhaps your heart needs surgery. Shall I cut it open with my blade?"

"Cut me down if it means I'll no longer feel like this when I'm with you… I can't endure it anymore."

"Kazuya, are you really sick?" Isane asked, brow furrowed in innocent confusion. "Captain and I can fix most common diseases."

The two shared a chuckle at Isane's charming cluelessness.

…

Afternoon.

Kazuya and Isane sat down before Unohana in her room. Freshly brewed tea and snacks placed within their arms reach, beckoning the two with its aroma.

Unohana smiled, yet her eyes didn't crinkle — she wore a fake smile. "Please, begin."

Kazuya had a sinking feeling in his guts that Unohana planned something sinister, that they were like lambs being fattened up before the slaughter.

"Thanks for the tea!" Isane cheerfully took the tea and began savoring it. "Delicious as always!"

Unohana tilted her head. "Is something wrong?"

Isane nudged him. "Come on. Captain's tea is pure perfection. You won't find its equal anywhere in Soul Society."

Kazuya cleared his throat and took the cup before sipping it. He wasn't worried about Unohana poisoning him as such insidious tricks were against her battle-maniac nature. If she intended to end someone, it would be decisively, with her blade in hand.

Unohana's smile softened into something small but genuine. "Kazuya, let me thank you for helping Isane. This child would've been devastated if nobody saved those Shinigami."

Isane glanced over at him with an awkwardly sweet smile. "Kazuya, that scary act you put on just worked on Captain Kurotsuchi."

"What scary act?" Unohana inquired, arching a brow. "While we're on the subject, I'd like to hear the full tale of everything that transpired at the 12th Squad."

Isane gladly retold everything, including the chaos they unleashed on the 12th Division as well as Kazuya's confrontation with Mayuri.

"For a second I thought he was serious… Thank goodness, it was just an act to intimidate Captain Kurotsuchi."

Unohana nodded thoughtfully. "Having Kazuya with us is already paying dividends. His Shikai is an absolute treasure for our division."

Kazuya chuckled. "It better be overpowered after the absurd lengths I went to attain it."

{I am the best Zanpakutō in the world.}

'No, we are the best Zanpakutō in the world,' Tsubasa took a hold of Nami's voice to correct her arrogant fellow Zanpakutō Spirit. 'Isn't that right, Master?'

'Absolutely.'

Unohana gave her signature close-eyed smile. "A healer's truest reward is the fulfillment that comes from easing the suffering of others… but your contribution should be rewarded properly."

Kazuya regarded her with a look of startled surprise. "I only want one reward in my life—you."

Unohana's eyes narrowed to razor-sharp slits in an instant, a chilling murderous intent oozing from her very being. "Kazuya Ishihara," she spoke in an emotionless voice. "would you be so kind as to explain the meaning of your request?"

Kazuya cleared his throat. "I mean, I want your training as my reward. Surely you haven't forgotten about our first meeting."

"Not so fast, young man. In our previous discussion, I told you to learn Kaido under Isane—" Unohana paused, her piercing gaze studying his smirk intently. "Isane, has he…?"

A sheepish chuckle escaped Isane's lips. "Ahaha. He has surpassed me. I'm not even embarrassed to admit it. His efficiency in flowing spiritual energy through another person is… well, it should not be possible for a Shinigami with half a year experience in Kaido."

Unohana heaved a soft sigh. "You keep surprising me. Very well, I'll commence your training next week. Take this week to get used to mine and Captain Shiba's division."

"I'll be in your care, Captain."

Isane tugged at his kimono, a puzzled look on her face. "What training do you want?"

Her curiosity was piqued, considering Kazuya had already reached Captain-level prowess. What could he possibly need training for, and why would he specifically choose Captain Unohana?

"Just some long-lost techniques," he replied vaguely. "When one wants to be the absolute best, even the smallest advantages can't be overlooked."

"Oh… I wish you the best of luck! Never hesitate to tell me if you need any help."

People often bandied about such offers for the sake of, but Isane's words came straight from her heart. After the earlier events, she was prepared to move heaven and earth to help him.

"I absolutely will."

Unohana smiled mysteriously as she observed their interactions. "I still haven't punished you two for missing the morning assembly."

"Oh no. Isane, save me!"

Isane giggled. "Captain, I'll accept his share of punishment as well."

She had been so giddy, feeling like she could conquer any problem in the world.

Unohana crossed her arms. "Then you alone shall do the weekly 4th Squad's clean-up duty."

Isane's joyful expression melted in the face of Unohana's punishment. "C-Captain, you do know how big our division is…"

The barracks of the 4th squad included the relief stations where injured/diseased Shinigami were treated. To clean everything alone would take multiple days.

"It wouldn't be a punishment otherwise. As for Kazuya…" Unohana trailed her words with an imperceptible glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Tomorrow, you will accompany me on my next outing to gather medicinal herbs."

"Alright."

He'd gladly take the opportunity to spend more time with Unohana.

Isane gaped at her Captain, her mouth forming a perfect O of stunned disbelief. "I... I understand. I will carry out my duties to the best of my ability."

Under normal circumstances, Isane accompanied Unohana on the weekly herb-gathering excursions. But this time, she would be stuck picking trash and cleaning hallways. She was about to get the definite experience of being a low-ranking member of her squad but ten times worse.

"Isane, it's time for your routine relief station patrol."

It was a reminder to send the Vice-Captain out and give her a moment alone with Kazuya.

"Oh! I'll attend to that right away." Isane rose to her feet and walked to the door. Pausing at the threshold, she glanced over her shoulder and beamed at Kazuya. "I'll see you later."

"Don't miss me too much, sweetheart~."

"I'll come to you if that happens."

Kazuya expected the room's temperature to drop by at least ten degrees the very moment Isane closed the door. After all, he'd been shamelessly flirting with Isane right before Unohana's eyes. It was a well-known fact that Unohana treated Isane as her daughter.

As he turned to the front, he found the elegant lady looking rather calm and relaxed, as if unbothered by his playful antics.

For a moment they stared at each other.

He met her unblinking gaze, keeping his thoughts a mystery.

Unohana studied him, her blue eyes boring into his as if she could see straight through to his soul.

He maintained his calm expression, refusing to so much as twitch under her scrutiny. "Captain, got something on your mind?"

"You lied to Isane," she spoke in a soft voice. "Everything you said to Captain Kurotsuchi — you planned to carry out if he reported you to Central 46. You were ready to slaughter him."

His eyes widened briefly before he closed them. Eyes were the keys to a person's soul, and he wasn't quite ready to hand them over to Unohana. "Captain, what gave you that idea?"

"First of all, Captain Kurotsuchi isn't a man who will fall for lies. He'll see right through a rubbish act." Unohana lifted a finger and tapped her pursed lips. "You specifically mentioned everything being an act to conceal your true nature from Isane. That girl is gullible enough to believe anything, especially if it comes from the man she admires the most."

"Well, damn. I got caught lying." He sighed. "Will I be punished? Perhaps a battle between us until only one is left standing."

Unohana's throat moved as she swallowed hard, the battle-hungry beast within her stirring to life at the very mention of a death match. She wouldn't have felt this longing before. But after knowing his strength and knowing their Zanpakutō's resemblances, she could no longer suppress her fervor.

The thrill to cut down his flesh again and again began consuming her.

She shut her eyes forcefully, her nails digging into her palms where they rested clenched on her thighs. "No. I have no intention of punishing you."

Kazuya watched her internal struggle play out on her face, marveling at the sheer determination required to rein in her crazy bloodlust. Her fortitude very much impressed him.

{Partner, isn't it exciting to be with a woman who can kill you any moment? To be with a woman who wants to kill you so badly, yet she madly wants to embrace you and feel your warmth. The rush of never knowing when her evil thoughts will win out, such a relationship… don't you find it hypnotizing, beloved?}

'Nami, don't go crazy now,' he commented, equal parts amused and alarmed by her fetishes. 'I promise I'll cuddle with you later.'

{Hah… I shall stay quiet then.}

Returning his attention to Unohana, he laughed. "I guess I'm too weak to fight you. I'm going to train. Just you wait for the day I defeat you."

Exerting the power of his voice, he tried to calm her mind and distract her from her bloodlust at the same time.

Her trembling brows came to peace, and her lips curved into a smile. "What will your plans be after killing me?"

The very thought of a rookie defeating her would've been utterly nonsensical before she met him. Right now though she knew for a fact he'd surpass her in no time.

Kazuya tilted his head, his eyes widening in exaggerated bewilderment. "Why in the world will I kill you? The Soul Society already lacks good women. What kind of man will I be to make the list even shorter?"

Genuine surprise flickered across her eyes, disappearing as quickly as it appeared. Then her smile returned, deeper and more genuine. "I'm afraid you are knocking on the wrong door for this… good woman you speak of. There is no love or passion within these walls… only death and slaughter."

"Oh, seriously? For a self-proclaimed killer, you sure care a lot about your division."

Unohana's lips parted, a glimmer of something unreadable in her eyes, but then she caught herself from delving deeper. "We're getting off-topic here. We need to talk about you and Isane."

The Captain chose to change the topic rather than argue with him. As fluent as she was with words, she had no chance against him.

He acknowledged her clear defeat with a smirk, which made her frown. "What's there to talk about me and Isane?"

"For starters, did you think Isane will distance herself after learning about your insanity? Because, quite frankly, only a lunatic would threaten Captain Kurotsuchi in that manner."

"I can't anticipate her reaction to my so-called insanity. I played my cards safe."

Unohana nodded in understanding. "I didn't think someone like you could feel a bout of insecurity."

"Everyone has flaws, even someone as elegant and beautiful as you. Besides, what other choices did I have?" Kazuya asked with a shake of his head. "I didn't want to become Mayuri's research subject, and I also didn't want Isane to end up in a prison. She was ready to become a test subject to help those people. What kind of man will I be to let her be imprisoned over my actions? I took a risk to fulfill her pure wish, and it paid off."

Unohana's eyes gleaming with interest. "Are you telling me you'll live the life of an exile to protect one girl?"

"I'll gladly become an exile to preserve Isane's smile."

"You…" Unohana could only shake her head, momentarily at a loss. "That is the most absurd yet most in-character thing you've ever said."

He laughed. "I mean, it won't be that bad. I can hang out more often with Kisuke over there and learn some new things from him."

Casually mentioning Kisuke, another exile, didn't sit well with Unohana.

Instantly, the room was filled with a thick murderous intent, so powerful that Kazuya almost hallucinated blood red fog around him.

The next moment, he felt a cold blade pressed against his neck. Unohana towered over him like a grim reaper ready to deliver death. Yet, despite her icy gaze and killing intent, she remained the embodiment of elegance.

...

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