Chapter 55 ⥤ I'll Be Waiting at the 4th Division Dojo
Fortunately, thanks to his well-bred manners and kind nature cultivated since childhood, he didn't take offense at the way he was addressed. With a sigh, he glanced sideways and asked curiously.
"What's happening with you? Has studying at the Shin'ō Academy become so dangerous?"
Akira nodded repeatedly, clearly eager to voice his grievances, and began describing the harsh treatment he'd received from Principal Chōjirō Sasakibe and Teacher Uruoi.
"Getting a demerit was bad enough, but they announced it to the entire academy. And that wasn't all — they even blamed me for Tsukabishi-sensei's oversight. Worse still, Kaoru-sensei accused me of the Academy Cafeteria theft. Is that how a reasonable person acts? And now I'm lying here because of Kaoru-sensei's assignment: to eliminate some black chicken Hollow in the 32nd District of East Rukongai."
Akira let out a long sigh and gestured with his hands.
"I killed two of them, then a whole group appeared. And if that wasn't enough, an Adjuchas-class Menos showed up."
Sōjun was shocked.
As someone accomplished in both literary and martial arts, he knew his fundamentals well. Though Adjuchas-class Menos weren't quite as terrifying as textbooks claimed, they still required a Lieutenant-level Shinigami to handle them. The stronger ones could only be defeated by Captains.
That this young man could escape such a powerful enemy with only minor injuries proved his exceptional talent.
A genius seen once in a hundred years in Soul Society!
"Later, with Sōsuke's support, this genius here displayed incredible power, defeating the Adjuchas with just three punches — shocking everyone!" Akira's tone grew excited as he detailed his remarkable feat.
But Sōjun could barely listen anymore. His expression went blank, his gaze distant, his mind stuck on the words "defeated the Adjuchas with three punches".
What did this guy think an Adjuchas was? A mere blade of grass?
It wasn't that he doubted Akira's words — they were simply so extraordinary that they seemed disconnected from reality.
An academy student killing an Adjuchas — it would be outrageous in any era.
After all, though he rarely attended classes at the Shin'ō Academy, Sōjun was technically a student himself.
He gazed dazedly at his bandage-wrapped hands, remembering the day he fought against the Rebels. Several Seated Officers had attacked him, their Kidō and Zanpakutō slashes weaving together into a deadly display.
At the crucial moment, a black eye had materialized before him, blocking what would have been a fatal blow and giving him the chance to turn the tide.
Wait, could it be... His eyes widened with sudden realization.
The talisman! Had it been the power of the ritual? His confusion gave way to even greater shock.
Now Sōjun no longer doubted those earlier words. If a casually produced talisman could determine the outcome of battle, then defeating an Adjuchas wasn't beyond belief.
This young man before him was truly frightening...
"Too bad you weren't there to see the expressions of those cleanup crews."
Just as Akira was mid-boast, a white figure entered the hospital room.
"Kisaragi-kun's strength seems to have increased since our last meeting." A gentle voice rang out as Unohana noticed his Reiatsu fluctuations, "Though your injuries seem more severe as well."
"Captain Unohana." Sōjun snapped out of his thoughts and spoke respectfully.
"Although most of your injuries have healed, you still need two days of rest." Unohana nodded in response, "Because of your inherently weak constitution, your healing will be slower than others."
Hearing this, Sōjun's expression turned helpless.
Though considered a genius among the nobles with high expectations from his family elders, his weak constitution made him unsuitable for combat. Every injury took far too long to heal.
After addressing him, Unohana's gaze returned to Akira.
"Laceration, penetration, blunt force, sonic waves." She frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "An Adjuchas? Why were you fighting such a Hollow?"
Clearly, the information about the 32nd District hadn't reached the Captains' ears yet.
Akira, ever eager to share, launched into another detailed account of his amazing display of power under Unohana's expectant gaze.
"Hellish Cloud Parting, Hellish Darkness Severance?"
"My Death Sword Style?"
It was clear that Unohana and Sōjun had focused on entirely different aspects of the story.
"Kisaragi-kun, you're truly a rare prodigy in Zanjutsu. I demonstrated these two techniques only once during our last class, yet you've not only mastered them completely but adapted them to your own style. That is..."
From just a brief description, she had grasped the key points, analyzed the details, and found the answer she sought. Her gaze toward the young man on the bed grew more intense.
Noticing her changed expression, Akira's mouth twitched, his eyelids fluttering uncontrollably. The scene felt uncomfortably familiar.
Sōjun didn't understand what was happening, but he watched as the vitality drained from the young man beside him, leaving behind a dejection reminiscent of dried fish. His eyes had lost their spark, as if he'd surrendered all will to live.
Was there some hidden meaning in their exchange? The innocent Kuchiki felt the world was moving too swiftly for his understanding to keep pace.
Unohana sat beside the hospital bed, leaning close to Akira's bandage-wrapped body. Her fair hands glowed with emerald light as she pressed them gently against his chest. As with the previous treatment, her hands moved across his body, the cool sensation touching his wounds and bringing waves of numbing comfort.
After completing the treatment, she leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"There are even more powerful techniques in the Death Sword Style. If you wish to learn them... I'll be waiting at the Fourth Division dojo."
Having stated the time and place, Unohana departed the room with grace.
By now, the shock had vanished from Sōjun's face, replaced by admiration and respect.
So this was the nature of his relationship with Captain Unohana!
Meanwhile, on the hospital bed beside him, Akira lay with lifeless eyes, looking utterly broken...
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