Instantly, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Makoto Senju’s back.
If he had actually said those words to Captain Unohana, his fate…
probably wouldn’t have ended well, would it?
Captain Unohana might look like a gentle, intellectual mature woman on the outside, but she was famously devious.
Not to mention, she was now Makoto’s direct superior.
As a man who had been raised in his past life on the teachings of “neither power can bend him, nor wealth corrupt him, nor poverty sway him,” Makoto…
let a perfectly timed look of bashfulness and seemingly uncontrollable pride wash over his face as he spoke.
“Captain Unohana, you flatter me.
Compared to my classmates, I just happen to have a bit more interest in Kaido and medicine, that’s all.” “Interest?” Retsu Unohana seemed to mull over the answer for a moment, then said with a smile, “What an unexpected response.
Makoto, perhaps you really will achieve great things in both Kaido and medicine.” “Yes!” As if immensely encouraged, Makoto’s eyes faintly shimmered, and he said with determination, “I will definitely work hard!
I won’t let you down, Captain Unohana!” Of course, in reality, his heart remained entirely untroubled, and he even let out a quiet sigh of relief.
It seemed Captain Unohana had requested this meeting solely due to his relatively outstanding performance in Kaido and medical arts at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, rather than harboring any suspicion.
Flattered by Makoto’s subtle praise, Unohana’s eyes curved into crescent moons, seemingly delighted by his reaction.
However, just as Makoto instinctively relaxed a fraction, Unohana’s tone shifted.
Her crescent-shaped eyes opened just a sliver as she asked: “Then, Makoto, why are you hiding your Reiatsu?
Your true Reiatsu is far beyond what you show on the surface, isn’t it?” Instantly, the atmosphere in the courtyard froze.
Makoto’s somewhat youthful smile stiffened slightly.
Unohana acted as if she hadn’t noticed his reaction and continued.
“Makoto, your Reiatsu should be the strongest among this year’s graduates, shouldn’t it?
Even Ikkaku Madarame, who just joined Squad 11, doesn’t compare to you.
Why go out of your way to hide your excellence?” Unohana’s tone remained as gentle as ever, but it made Makoto’s body instinctively tense up.
The gaze from those crescent eyes seemed to pierce right through him, seeing him completely.
But in the next instant, Makoto’s body relaxed completely.
He scratched his head with a boyish bashfulness and said sheepishly: “As expected of the Captain Unohana I admire so much.
You saw right through me instantly.” Hearing this, Unohana lightly covered her mouth and giggled.
“Makoto, even if you praise me like that, I will still get to the bottom of things.
After all, understanding the thoughts of each subordinate is a captain’s responsibility.” Makoto nodded and replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“Because I really dislike fighting.
Fighting only leads to the loss of life…” He paused, his voice tinged with a touch of sentimentality and melancholy.
“Even though we are Soul Reapers, once we die, everything we cherish, everything we hope for, and everything we desire will cease to exist.” Unohana nodded in apparent agreement, then said, “Makoto, did you hear that last sentence from Seinosuke?” Makoto, who had temporarily “borrowed” the line, froze.
“Huh?
How did you know, Captain Unohana?” “Because,” Unohana said with a beaming smile, “that is a phrase Seinosuke learned from me.” It had to be said that in this moment, even with Makoto’s thick skin, his cheeks couldn’t help but burn with embarrassment.
Who would have thought that the line the esteemed lieutenant of Squad 4 used to lecture new recruits was actually plagiarized from someone else?
Where was his integrity?
Where was his self-respect?
What about your dignity and pride as a lieutenant?!
Huh?!
However, while screaming internally, Makoto maintained a look of sudden realization on the outside and said: “So that’s how it is.
No wonder Lieutenant Yamada’s words resonated so deeply with me.
It turns out they originated from you, Captain Unohana.
No wonder the depth, vision, and profound meaning left me in such awe.
I feel deeply enlightened.” In this moment, Makoto looked exactly like an innocent young boy who had just met his idol.
His eyes were sincere, his tone excited, and his cheeks even flushed slightly.
It was a flawless performance, so much so that even Unohana’s thoughts wavered.
Could it be…
Makoto was truly just an innocent, harmless boy?
And he hid his Reiatsu only to avoid fighting?
However, just as Unohana intended to scrutinize Makoto’s micro-expressions, she met his unconcealed, sincere, and admiring gaze, causing her to instinctively avert her eyes slightly.
*Goodness, do boys these days have no sense of restraint at all?* Unohana couldn’t help but think to herself before turning to confirm.
“Makoto, so you hid your true Reiatsu specifically to avoid fighting and killing?” “Not entirely,” Makoto scratched his head and said sheepishly.
“My dream was to join Squad 4 and serve under you, Captain Unohana.
To avoid the trouble of being recruited by other squads, there was naturally no need to display my Reiatsu.” Hearing this, Unohana’s smile deepened slightly.
“Are you really that eager to join Squad 4 and become my subordinate?” “Of course!” Makoto nodded heavily and said without hesitation.
“Everyone knows that your Kaido and medical expertise are unmatched in the Soul Society.
It has been my dream to learn Kaido and medicine from you.” “I see…” Unohana fell into deep thought.
Her slender, jade-like fingers casually adjusted the flower arrangement in the vase as she pondered.
After a moment, Unohana looked back at him and asked, “Makoto, in that case, how about becoming my disciple?” “Huh?!” At that moment, Makoto was completely stunned.
Although he had mentally prepared several possible reactions based on Unohana’s personality, he never expected her to offer to take him as a disciple.
After all, he was just an ordinary graduate.
Aside from his looks and temperament, he had very few outstanding qualities.