Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 213: Taboo

In the early morning, the sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting its warm, gentle golden light over the land.

Lying on the ground, Retsu Unohana stirred awake, still groggy.

"Mm... what time is it?"

Her body ached from exhaustion as she slowly opened her eyes. When she caught sight of the clock on the wall, its hands already pointing far into the morning, she frowned slightly.

"It's this late already?"

Thinking back to last night, it felt like an eternity had passed. Her mind was a haze—she couldn't tell when she had regained consciousness or when she had lost herself entirely.

"It's even more exhausting than a battle..."

Frowning, she lightly bit her lip before reaching for a fresh black Shihakushō from beside her and slipping it on.

As for the Shihakushō and white Haori she had worn before...

Her gaze fell to the tattered remains of her clothing on the ground, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

That outfit had accompanied her for many years—especially the Haori, which she had worn ever since transferring to the 4th Division.

The material and craftsmanship of a captain's Haori were of the highest quality, remaining pristine for centuries without a single tear.

But even it couldn't escape the hands of that man.

By the time their battle had ended, her clothing was already in shreds—though at least its original form was still somewhat recognizable.

Under Masatsuki Aozaki's relentless assault, however, it had been completely reduced to scraps.

That boy...

Her gaze drifted to Masatsuki, still sound asleep on the ground. For the first time in a long while, her usually calm heart wavered, and a faint blush crept across her alluring features.

Masatsuki... he's truly something.

He was nothing like what Furōfushi Saitō and the others had described—not some fragile man.

He possessed the strength to truly satisfy her. He could wield Minazuki. He could fight endlessly.

If only I were stronger...

Despite the ecstasy of the battle, I was the first to falter. In the end, he had to accommodate me.

She thought back to the battle from centuries ago. Even then, against a formidable opponent, the fight had been exhilarating.

But it had been too short.

And her opponent had been holding back.

The thrill of that fight was nothing compared to this one.

"Everything is in the past now."

Looking at the torn Haori on the ground, she felt as though she had finally cast aside a lingering burden.

Still, between him and that demon of a man... which of them is truly stronger?

Masatsuki is still young. He needs more training.

I'll keep helping him grow.

As for me, there's no more room for improvement. I reached First-Class Spiritual Power long ago, and for years, I haven't advanced a step. My path as a Shinigami has reached its end.

But he—he still has endless potential.

"Ah... it's already this late. I might as well skip the squad today."

She nodded to herself.

"I'll wait for him to wake up... then we can fight again."

A rare smile tugged at her lips.

"I should savor this feeling a little longer."

...

Retsu Unohana felt her Reiatsu slowly recovering as she stepped out of the training hall, using Tenteikūra to contact her Lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu.

Only after receiving Isane's reply did she begin making her way back.

As she walked, a sense of frustration settled in.

No wonder the days in the underground training hall had felt like a blur—she and Masatsuki had been down there for nearly a week!

And she hadn't even noticed!

To Isane, she had always been the image of a perfect captain, yet this time, she had vanished for an entire week. The shock must have been overwhelming.

If not for the fact that Masatsuki Aozaki had taken her away, and the 11th Division's Lieutenant had vouched for her, Isane might have already reported her disappearance to the 1st Division.

However, when she returned to the underground training ground, the sight before her left her completely stunned.

"Masatsuki, your Reiatsu has increased again?"

Masatsuki Aozaki was soaking in the hot spring, powerful waves of Reiatsu radiating from his body.

When he had first woken up, his Reiatsu had been completely restrained, making it difficult for Unohana to notice any changes.

But now that it was unleashed, she immediately sensed his growth.

A surge of joy filled her heart—but at the same time, a lingering sadness followed.

Her own path had already reached its end.

"Retsu, come on in. This hot spring is amazing," Masatsuki called to her casually, waving her over without a hint of restraint.

There was no need for formalities between them anymore.

Unohana glanced at him in the water. He was smiling at her.

"Is there something on my face? Why are you grinning like that? Or are you just happy to see me?"

She had no way of knowing.

As if sensing her gaze, Masatsuki's eyes locked onto hers, carrying an intensity that sent an unexplainable ripple through her heart.

The infamous demon of battle looked calm as ever—but there was the faintest tinge of red on his cheeks.

She was certain now... this man was up to something.

And she had no way to stop it.

He wanted to see her flustered, wanted her composure to waver under just one glance from him.

She could see right through his petty little tricks.

"You child," Unohana sighed before stepping into the water.

"You're not seriously training your Reiatsu like this, are you? I thought you were simply weak to women, but it seems I misjudged you."

"This is just one of the ways I refine my Reiatsu," Masatsuki said confidently, patting his chest. "It's not as efficient as Jinzen, but it lasts longer, it's relaxing, and it makes training enjoyable rather than tedious."

Unohana suddenly turned to him with a teasing smile.

"Then why don't I feel anything at all?"

"How is that possible?" Masatsuki looked genuinely surprised, briefly questioning himself.

"I was talking about your Reiatsu!" Unohana huffed, rolling her eyes as she settled beside him.

Masatsuki couldn't help but think—when she wasn't in the midst of battle, every little expression of hers was utterly captivating.

"Oh, you meant Reiatsu? Don't scare me like that!" He let out a long breath.

"That's just how it is for Shinigami," he continued. "For many, reaching First-Class Spiritual Power is impossible. Hell, even becoming a Seated Officer is an insurmountable gap."

Unohana nodded. "You're right."

The world was unfair. It always had been.

For most people, their limits were determined from the moment they took their first step.

A thousand years of experience had taught her that talent was something effort alone could never overcome.

Most Shinigami would remain ordinary foot soldiers their entire lives—not because they lacked dedication, but simply because they weren't born with the right potential.

It was cruel.

But there was nothing that could be done.

Masatsuki seemed to read her thoughts as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.

"Are you really content to stop here?"

"What?" Unohana looked up at him, her eyes shimmering.

"I know a way for you to reach an even higher realm of power."

"You're talking about Hollowfication?"

"You actually know about it?" Masatsuki raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"The Soul Society has existed for over a million years," Unohana said, shaking her head. "Did you really think no one had ever tried to tap into that forbidden power before?"

"But all related research has been strictly outlawed by the nobility."

"I don't care what the nobles think."

With that, he had admitted it.

Yet instead of reprimanding him for defying Seireitei's laws, Unohana simply smiled.

"How strange," she said softly.

"I think I feel the same way."

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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