Even his Kaido and medical skills, which stood out so prominently at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, would likely only rank as lower-middle tier in Squad 4, which specialized in healing.
And Retsu Unohana, as the captain of Squad 4, was undoubtedly one of the existences standing at the very pinnacle of the Soul Society.
Even in the entire Gotei 13, Unohana was the oldest Soul Reaper second only to Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
What’s more, alongside her Kaido and medical expertise, Unohana also concealed her terrifying strength as the first Kenpachi.
For a graduate of the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, being taken as a disciple by Captain Unohana was undoubtedly a massive stroke of good fortune.
Once he became Unohana’s disciple, while he might not be able to act completely lawless in Seireitei, at the very least, no one would dare to blindside him easily.
Seeing Makoto’s dazed expression, Unohana asked with a soft chuckle, “What, are you unwilling?” Makoto snapped out of it and hurriedly replied, “No, of course not!” Although a hint of suspicion flashed through his mind, his actions didn’t hesitate for a second.
He immediately seized the opportunity to cling to this giant thigh.
“Makoto Senju pays respects to you, Master.” Unohana watched Makoto bow with a beaming smile, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes as well.
In truth, Makoto was severely underestimating himself.
Perhaps due to his past life’s memories, his perspective naturally placed him on the scale of the entire Soul Society, making him believe his performance was merely average.
However, in reality, while Unohana had originally intended to scout Isane Kotetsu, she had unexpectedly discovered Makoto—a Kaido genius who had entered the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy from Rukongai.
If he were merely a so-called genius, it would not have been enough to capture Unohana’s attention.
Looking back over a thousand years, the geniuses born were as numerous as the stars, but with the passage of time, very few of them remained seated on a captain’s throne today.
But Makoto was a different kind of genius—he was a genius of Kaido and medicine, entirely unlike the others who mostly excelled at slaughter and combat!
In just a few short years at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, he had mastered almost all the Kaido and medical arts taught there.
Moreover, the Zanpakuto he awakened also possessed healing-type abilities.
Thus…
Unohana was intrigued.
She had been observing Makoto’s performance long before he even graduated.
What satisfied her even more was that, upon confirming it in person, she could feel a genuine love for Kaido and medicine within his answers.
That…
was more than enough.
As for the secrets Makoto hid, Unohana could sense he was holding back, but from her height, they were merely minor details.
More importantly…
Looking at Makoto in front of her, an extremely frenzied battle intent flashed in Unohana’s crescent eyes as she murmured silently to herself: “An era can only have one Kenpachi!” “The fight to the death with Zaraki is already faintly visible…” “He has really made me wait…
for a thousand years…” “But before that, I must at least pass down the Kaido and medical arts I have mastered, training a qualified next captain for Squad 4!” “The passing of life is inevitable, but there must at least be some effort to hold it back!” At this final thought, Unohana closed her eyes slightly.
Her gentle smile had somehow warped with a touch of distortion and madness, causing Makoto to suddenly feel a chill.
Sensing Unohana’s anomaly, Makoto’s heart tightened.
*What is with that smile?
Now that I’m her disciple, she doesn’t plan on torturing or humiliating me, does she?* *Unohana, who normally acts so gentle and intellectual, couldn’t be a closet pervert, could she?* *Though Unohana is undoubtedly a great beauty…
when the time comes, should I resist?
Or just pretend to resist?* Makoto hesitated for a moment, then tried to call out softly: “Master Unohana?” “Mnh~” Suddenly interrupted in her train of thought, Unohana let out a slightly dazed hum.
In the next instant, snapping back to reality, her expression instantly turned serious.
She cleared her throat softly, and as if that awkward reaction had absolutely nothing to do with her, she said calmly: “Makoto, you’ve worked hard today.
Go and rest first.
Have Lieutenant Yamada arrange a side room for you to stay in this courtyard.” “Yes.” Makoto, who also needed to sort out his thoughts, obediently took his leave.
Watching Makoto’s retreating figure, a flicker of embarrassment finally surfaced on Unohana’s face.
*Still…
someone like Makoto, who dislikes fighting, seems to be the best choice…* *No matter how I disguise it, someone like me only views Kaido and medicine as tools to slaughter even more to my heart’s content…* *Sigh…* In the end, a barely audible sigh echoed softly.
*** Naturally, Makoto, whose mind was also a bit of a mess right now, could not guess Unohana’s true thoughts.
Frowning as he stepped out of the room, Makoto realized Seinosuke Yamada was actually still waiting outside.
Upon seeing Makoto appear, Seinosuke Yamada’s face remained as cold as ever, his sharp-tongued instinct kicking in.
“Done?
Come back to the mortuary with me then.
Risa Aoki is probably growing impatient.
From now on, get used to life in the mortuary, feel the difference between life and death.
Officers will also take some time to teach you Kaido and medicine from time to time.” However, to Yamada’s surprise, Makoto’s face did not display the expected gloom.
Instead, his lips curved into a bright, warm smile as he said: “No need, Lieutenant Yamada.
Master Unohana told me to find a side room in this courtyard to stay in for now.” “Huh?
Stay here?
This is the Captain’s quarters.
The squad members’ quarters are in—” Yamada’s voice abruptly cut off.
He stared wide-eyed at Makoto, his voice suddenly spiking by two octaves.
“Master…
Unohana?!” A trace of helplessness appeared on Makoto’s slightly youthful face, and he nodded gently, looking somewhat embarrassed about the whole thing.
At that moment, Yamada’s cool face twitched so hard it was visible to the naked eye.
He suddenly spun around, slapped his cheeks a few times, and then turned back with a beaming, warm smile.
“Makoto-kun, please look after me from now on.” Makoto, seemingly taken aback and unaccustomed to Yamada’s sudden shift, said hurriedly: “Lie-Lieutenant Yamada, what’s wrong with you?
Just a second ago, you had that cool and aloof demeanor…”