It was rare for Retsu Unohana to sit face-to-face with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in private. Though they had known each other for centuries, it had likely been hundreds of years since they'd last shared a conversation like this.
Now, the captain of the Fourth Division sat with composed grace, preparing tea for the Captain-Commander. Her movements were elegant, serene—just as they had always been.
Steam curled from the kettle, rising gently between them like a pale veil. Yamamoto's heavily lined eyelids trembled faintly as he watched Unohana's pale fingers glide over the teacup.
"You are forbidden to fight him. That is an order."
There was no surprise in her expression. It was as if she had already anticipated his reason for coming. She smiled faintly and said, "That phrase sounds familiar. When was the last time you said that to me?"
It had been centuries ago—back when she first encountered Zaraki Kenpachi. That time, too, had stirred attention in Seireitei. Zaraki had been just a boy then, likely no older than Shin was now.
"Whether it's him or Kenpachi, you know very well what they mean to the Soul Society."
"I do," Unohana answered softly. "Otherwise, how could I have endured for all these centuries?"
That word—endured—struck Yamamoto like a blade, causing his brow to furrow.
"You've spoken to Tachikawa already, haven't you?" she continued. "I can imagine his response. He's different from Kenpachi… different from me. He's not pure at all. And yet, someone that complex wields such a pure sword. I don't understand it. I find it fascinating."
"You can't fight him!" Yamamoto's voice rose, forceful and heavy. "You'll kill him."
Her hand paused mid-pour. She raised her eyes.
"Commander… You, more than anyone, know who I am."
Indeed. Of all those still alive from that distant era, few truly remembered her past. Most thought of Unohana as a gentle, kind soul—the warm-hearted healer of the Fourth Division. But Yamamoto had never forgotten. He knew the real her. He had once personally subdued her.
"Commander… How many years have we lived? How long have I worn this haori? Must I spend all the time I have left paying penance for my sins?"
Yamamoto huffed. "If you know they are sins, should I simply watch you commit another?"
Unohana was silent for a long while. She refilled his cup.
Yamamoto's tone softened slightly. "I no longer see you as a sinner. You know what the Gotei 13 was in its founding. Those days called for blood and blade. Is this peace not enough? Why cling to the past?"
"Peace…" Unohana lowered her gaze, her lips curling in a hollow smile.
She turned to look out the window, her voice airy but cold. "This peace makes me sick."
Yamamoto's expression darkened.
"But I don't intend to break it," she added. "I just want to escape from a life that makes me feel nauseous."
Her gaze met his—calm, unwavering.
"I've never seen myself as some great sinner. These centuries haven't felt like penance. After Zaraki, no one could stir my interest. Killing or not killing—none of it mattered. A thousand years ago, I killed because I was bored. And now… now I'm just disgusted."
"You've never misjudged me, Commander. You never imprisoned me—you only imprisoned Zaraki. And now, it's the same. If you can imprison that child too, then go ahead."
Fourth Division Barracks
"Captain, you're back."
Kotetsu Isane looked up as Unohana returned to the office.
"Yes."
"Do you want me to summon Tachikawa?"
"No need."
Isane had noticed that both Unohana and Shin had been summoned by the First Division. She could tell something was afoot.
"Captain," she said carefully, "I heard that Tachikawa Shin might be appointed as Captain of the Tenth Division?"
Unohana nodded slightly. "Yes. In a few days, most likely."
"…Eh?"
Isane blinked in shock.
"But… but Captain Shiba… wasn't he…"
She knew Shin was already at captain-class strength, but the sudden timing of the promotion caught her completely off guard.
"Why…?" she murmured.
Unohana smiled faintly. "Who knows?"
Isane stood frozen for a moment before abruptly turning and leaving the office. She rushed toward Shin's quarters but didn't find him there. After asking around, she finally spotted him exiting the central medical wing.
"What's wrong?" Shin asked, seeing her flustered.
"Is it true? You're being appointed as Captain of the Tenth?"
He raised a brow. "The official order's already out?"
"That's what the Captain said…"
"…I see." Shin touched his chin thoughtfully. He knew Unohana had been summoned too.
In that earlier meeting with the commanders, his request had been denied.
He smiled. "I was planning to tell you tonight."
Isane looked at him for a long moment before breaking into a smile. "It's good news, right?"
There was a glimmer of sadness in her eyes.
Shin reached for her hand. "I don't want to leave you either."
She blushed instantly and yanked her hand back, darting glances around the corridor.
"D-Don't say that out here. What if someone sees?"
"What's there to be afraid of?" he chuckled.
Isane bit her lip. "Captain said the appointment will be official in a few days. So you're… leaving soon."
"I'll still visit Fourth often."
"You're going to be a captain. It won't be that easy anymore."
Shin considered going to speak with Unohana that day… but he didn't act on the impulse.
That night, Isane stayed at Shin's house. Maybe because she knew he would be leaving soon, she clung to him more than usual.
In the days that followed, Shin and Unohana spoke only on professional matters. No further conversations occurred between them.
Until an assignment came in.
"Captain's personally leading the field team?" Shin asked after hearing it from Isane.
"That's right."
Unohana rarely went on field missions these days.
"Where's the mission?"
"Rukongai. 80th District," Isane explained. "Hollows were spotted. Eleventh Division already deployed. Fifth and Fourth Divisions are providing backup."
Zaraki District.
Shin's eyes narrowed.
Unohana Retsu… was extending an invitation.