"The Hell Hot Spring formula?" Unohana flipped through the book Yoruichi brought. "From the Shihōin collection? I wouldn't have expected Kirinji to keep something like this."
A moment later, she looked up at the somewhat nervous dark-skinned girl across from her and smiled.
"This is indeed the genuine formula. However, the materials listed here are quite rare. With just the Fourth Division's storage, gathering everything at once would be difficult."
Yoruichi raised her head proudly.
"Captain Unohana seems to have forgotten my other identity. The Shihōin family's reserves can provide even the rarest materials. And if we can't find something, we still have the Ōmaeda family — Marenoshin's gates are made of gold, so this would be nothing to him."
Unohana smiled back, "In that case, there won't be any problems. Have you chosen a location for the hot spring? If not, the Coordinated Relief Station has a secluded garden we could make available."
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes slightly, staring directly at the smiling woman. Her instincts told her things weren't that simple.
"We won't trouble Captain Unohana with that. I've already picked out a location at one of the Shihōin training grounds."
Unohana nodded, saying nothing more.
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Soon after, the three of them slipped away from the 4th Division under cover of night.
Yoruichi led the way, with Akira wrapped in thick bandages in the middle and Unohana bringing up the rear.
Watching the two furtive figures ahead of her, the mature woman felt a strange sensation in her heart — after spending so much time with young people, her mindset seemed to have become younger as well.
The journey wasn't far, and they soon arrived at a forest. Under Yoruichi's guidance, they passed through the concealing trees and entered a cave.
Walking through the deep tunnel, they came upon a spacious cavern containing an intact hot spring, its smooth polished rock walls wreathed in rising steam.
Seeing the confused expressions of the other two, Yoruichi explained, "This is my private training ground. Whenever I'm tired after training, I come here to soak and relax. Wait here a moment, I'll be right back."
Shortly after, she returned at a trot carrying various packages, which she laid out on the ground, arranging all the necessary materials. Unohana helped check for any missing items.
"Everything's complete." She nodded with satisfaction, "We can start making the Hell Hot Spring now."
Yoruichi paused, "Don't we need to familiarize ourselves first?"
"Replicating the Hell Hot Spring isn't particularly difficult." Unohana said as she picked up several materials and walked to the hot spring's edge. Without looking back, she added, "Though compared to the original, the effects will be somewhat weaker. Still, it's more than adequate for treatment purposes."
As she continued adding materials, a faint fragrance filled the cave. Akira sniffed, feeling the Reishi that composed his body becoming more active.
As large amounts of Kaidō spread from Unohana's fingers as massive Reiatsu descended like a tidal wave, countless small stones trembled on the ground, as if some giant creature were walking through the cave.
Yoruichi stared dumbfounded at the mind-blowing scene before her.
She knew Unohana was strong and was well aware of her deep experience in the Gotei 13, but hadn't expected such overwhelming power.
Though Marenoshin's Reiatsu had reached Captain level, compared to Unohana's current display, they were worlds apart — one could say they weren't even in the same dimension.
More incredibly, as the Reiatsu continued to release, breathing became difficult.
An inexplicable coldness pierced through her pores like needles, accompanied by bone-chilling killing intent that sent shivers down her spine.
The beautiful and gentle Captain Unohana now seemed transformed into a fierce demon from the depths of hell.
Yoruichi hugged herself, unconsciously moving closer to Akira.
She noticed that this simpleton wasn't affected at all — instead, he stared intently at Unohana, as if...
Admiring the graceful figure beneath her haori?
Wait a minute!
Yoruichi's eyes widened as realization struck.
I'm practically pressed against you, yet you ignore me to focus on that mature woman?!
She was furious, and just as she moved to forcibly turn (or break) his head, the bottomless Reiatsu trembled. With the complete deployment of the Kaidō, all the energy poured into the hot spring water.
The hot spring now emitted a faint red and white glow, bubbling vigorously. Steam rose thickly, filling the cave with haze.
"The Hell Hot Spring is complete." Unohana exhaled slowly, "I've used Bakudō barriers to separate the hot springs with different effects."
"The white one is White Bone Hell — it squeezes and filters out the bather's Reiatsu and blood, allowing quick healing as these are expelled. The red one is Blood Pond Hell, which exchanges the bather's Reiatsu and blood, enhancing their power."
"Since this is a replica, the effects are much weaker than the original. I once saw Kirinji use White Bone Hell to strip away an enemy's flesh down to white bones. The original Hell Hot Spring would do similar if someone soaked too long."
"Don't worry about serious side effects with this replica version — at most it might cause minor skin burns."
Akira nodded, finally recalling some things he knew about Tenjirō Kirinji.
That pompadour-wearing fighter did indeed use hot spring water in battle. Though powerful, his combat record left much to be desired.
Akira approached the hot spring's edge and tested the water temperature. Warmth flowed through his left fingertips, immediately activating his Reishi.
Some not-yet-healed surface wounds began healing at a visible rate.
"The effect is quite amazing." His eyes lit up as he skillfully removed his patient's robe.
Just as he was about to remove his underwear, he realized someone had already moved faster than him. A flash of white crossed his peripheral vision, followed by a splash as it entered the hot spring.
Wait, white?!
Akira froze, suddenly coming to his senses. Through the misty vapor, he stared wide-eyed toward where the splash had come from. He could vaguely make out something large floating on the surface, with two hands resting atop, pressing down gently.
Before he could get a clear view, a small foot shot out from the side and kicked him in the waist, sending him tumbling into the water. He swallowed several mouthfuls of hot spring water before a delicate hand helped pull him up.
"Cough, cough cough!"
When his vision cleared, he saw the beautiful sight beside him — Unohana's gentle smile carried a hint of playfulness. Due to buoyancy, she needed one hand to hold "herself" down. Even with her black braids hanging forward, the effect remained the same.
"Don't worry, Kisaragi-kun." Unohana said with a smile, "I've helped change your hospital gowns before, so there's no need to be concerned about exposure."
Akira: "?"
As he was still processing this with confusion, Yoruichi swiftly removed her haori and sleeveless Shihakushō, standing naked by the hot spring's edge.
After a quick test of the water temperature, she grinned and leaped in, sending water splashing and making the mist even thicker.
Akira's expression turned serious. He certainly hadn't expected the hot spring visit to develop like this.
After helping him stand steady, Unohana slowly walked to the edge of the hot spring, leaning against the smooth rock wall to enjoy the healing effects of the Hell Hot Spring by herself.
Meanwhile, Yoruichi swam to his side and deftly unwrapped the bandages from his arm, gently placing his limp right hand into the water.
A faint red color seeped from his pores as materialized Reiatsu merged with it, quickly healing his injuries.
Looking at the girl before him, Akira furrowed his brow thoughtfully.
After a moment, he asked, "Yoruichi, do you bathe like this with others too?"
"Like what?" Yoruichi paused, looking down at herself — her naked tanned skin slightly flushed from the scalding water.
Though not yet fully developed, her curves were already quite notable, surpassing most of her peers.
"Ha, you mean bathing naked together? Of course I do!" She said carelessly.
Akira was shocked, but before he could ask further, he saw Yoruichi's face break into a teasing smile.
"Remember Suì-Fēng that I mentioned to you? Since she joined the Keigun, we often go to the hot springs together after training." She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret — she looks so cute when she's shy!"
{T/N: The regret of not having joined the 2nd Division is hitting hard in our MC's heart right now.}
Akira had a moment of realization — so Suì-Fēng was a girl. That explained it.
No wonder the name seemed familiar; he must have heard it somewhere before. He might not remember men's names, but he definitely remembered cute girls' names.
That's just natural talent!
"By the way, you've seen everything, touched everything." Yoruichi's tone shifted, carrying a hint of threat, "You've taken all the advantages, so when are you going to marry into the Shihōin clan?"
Akira: "?"
{T/N: Dear diary, today was the most confusing day of my life. I didn't know whether to get hard or shocked. I ended up being both.}
He knew it — Yoruichi definitely had ulterior motives. She was still after his body.
"We'll discuss that later." Akira changed the subject, "Speaking of which, now that Ansai Tsunayashiro is dead, can the remaining Tsunayashiro clan members keep their assets?"
Yoruichi gave him an exasperated look.
Every time marriage came up, he would deflect with an important topic that couldn't be ignored.
Sometimes, she wondered if his usual silly behavior was just an act.
"Of course they can't keep it." She swam to the edge, stretching lazily like a cat with one hand on the shore, sighing resignedly, "There are far more noble houses in Soul Society than you can imagine. Besides the upper and lower noble houses affiliated with the Five Great Noble Houses, there are many neutral ones too."
"Even though many noble houses fell that night, when a giant like the Tsunayashiro falls, it's like a whale dying in the ocean — when a whale falls, new life flourishes."
Akira nodded, recalling the similar term "shark drop" he'd heard before.
"They can't keep their external assets. At most, they can avoid having their Great Noble House status revoked and maintain that meaningless honor."
Yoruichi explained that while she disliked getting involved in political struggles, her position demanded certain actions.
Like seizing the Tsunayashiro family assets — if she didn't do it, the affiliated noble houses would create chaos fighting over them.
"The head of the house, Ansai, died in battle, and their first-seat heir Usagimaru was killed by Kōga Kuchiki. You know Kōga Kuchiki, right?" Yoruichi asked suddenly.
Akira nodded, "I just met him today when he visited the ward with Captain Kuchiki."
Yoruichi frowned, "Be careful around that guy — his Zanpakutō is dangerous. If you're affected by it, your life as a Shinigami will be over."
Akira was puzzled. Wasn't it just Zanpakutō rebellion? Was it really that serious?
Seeing his confused expression, Yoruichi caught herself, smacking her forehead as she remembered how uniquely bizarre this Shinigami was.
Throughout the Gotei 13's history, there had never been anyone quite like him.
"Just be careful, that's all." She warned, "Also, due to certain circumstances, the Tsunayashiro remain one of the Five Great Noble Houses, so watch out for their revenge. The person who took over is a low-ranked member from their branch family — Tokinada Tsunayashiro..."
Akira furrowed his brow, searching his memory but finding no trace of this name.
A low-ranked member... it had that feeling of shifting fortunes. Who knew? This person might become the Tsunayashiro house's hope for revival.
As he pondered this, Yoruichi glided into the Blood Pond Hell hot spring. As the scorching water enveloped her body, she let out a soft sound of pleasure.
"Akira, come over here — it feels incredible!"
Hearing this, Akira abandoned his thoughts and turned his attention to enjoying the hot spring.
Listening to the gentle flow of water, Unohana's lips curved into a serene smile as she stretched languidly in the misty vapor, leaning comfortably against the rock wall while savoring the soothing effects of the hot spring.
Taking a break once in a while was quite nice indeed...
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