Retsu Unohana was really being petty. He had only lightly touched her, yet she went and broke her own bamboo sword.
If that Reiatsu had been aimed at me… yeah, I'd probably be lying on the ground right now.
"Well done. Sparring with Masatsuki was quite enjoyable."
Retsu Unohana turned and walked toward the far end of the dojo.
"The warm-up is over. Now, we officially begin class."
Masatsuki: ???
He was completely bewildered.
That exchange just now… I definitely landed a hit on her. Couldn't she at least acknowledge that?
Oh, right, it was my sword that broke. Never mind then.
Just as the students were marveling at Retsu Unohana's composure, a sudden burst of sharp, piercing sounds echoed from a short distance away.
The air inside the dojo trembled.
Sensing something amiss, they looked up.
The sight that met their eyes left their minds blank.
In the center of the dojo, Captain Unohana—who had just been so warm and approachable—had drawn her Zanpakutō.
Its blade was more curved than most Zanpakutō, gleaming coldly as it sent ripples of force through the air.
The students turned to Keito Satō with pleading expressions.
As the headmaster of Shin'ō Academy, he couldn't just ignore their hopeful gazes.
Adjusting the hem of his robe, he put on a resolute, righteous expression and—despite his reluctance—marched toward Retsu Unohana.
"Unohana-sensei…"
"Yes, Headmaster?"
Retsu Unohana remained focused on her sword swings, casually adding a few flourishes.
Keito Satō hesitated, glancing back at the students. Their expectant stares suddenly filled him with courage.
"...Captain Unohana, actually… I just checked, and the instructor for the next Hakuda class has taken a leave of absence. Would you happen to have time to substitute?"
Coward!
The students were instantly outraged, their glares practically ready to swallow up their spineless headmaster.
Keito Satō maintained a blank expression but inwardly praised his own quick thinking.
Retsu Unohana and the Captain-Commander were both terrifying individuals—
But completely different.
As long as you didn't provoke the Captain-Commander, he wouldn't bother with you.
But even if I don't provoke Retsu Unohana, she might cut me down anyway!
You clueless brats have no idea!
"But I'm not very skilled in Hakuda. What should I do?"
"Then why not switch it to a Zanjutsu class instead?"
"That works. I happen to be free. I'll substitute for the next class as well."
"In that case, after this class, there will be no break. We'll have two sessions back-to-back."
That one sentence sent Masatsuki spiraling into memories of his past life in high school. His former teachers would probably be proud.
Hearing Keito Satō's words, a few hot-tempered students from noble families had already rolled up their sleeves, ready to charge in and beat him up.
Fortunately, the law-abiding students, led by Yūshirō Shihōin, quickly restrained them before they could act impulsively.
Taking advantage of the moment, Keito Satō used Shunpo to escape from the dojo.
Retsu Unohana pointed her Zanpakutō at the group. The sharp, intimidating presence she had displayed while sparring with Masatsuki faded, and her usual gentle demeanor returned.
"Alright, class continues."
"You've all mastered the basics of Zanjutsu. There's no point in repeating set forms, so the next phase of training will be a little different."
"From now on, each of you will spar with me in turn. This will allow me to assess your skills and identify any weaknesses."
The students froze.
After witnessing Masatsuki Aozaki's fight with Retsu Unohana earlier, they had no doubt about her overwhelming strength.
Underestimating her was no longer an option.
Now, their only concern was… how were they going to survive this?
That gleaming Zanpakutō was seriously terrifying.
"Let's start with the student sitting closest."
Before the students could react, Retsu Unohana was already smiling as she looked at a white-haired student in a blue and white academy uniform.
Gin Ichimaru froze for a moment, but under the encouraging gazes of his classmates, he picked up his bamboo sword and stepped forward.
After a dozen or so exchanges, there was no bloodshed, no severed heads—just Gin being sent flying.
As he slowly got up from the ground, his expression calm, Retsu Unohana gave him an approving look.
"Your fundamentals are solid, and you adapt well. You have traces of Masatsuki's style, but his approach to Zanjutsu relies too much on raw talent—it's not suitable for you."
"You should focus on finding your own path. Blind imitation won't get you far."
Gin Ichimaru glanced at Masatsuki, who was currently teasing Rangiku Matsumoto, then gave a slight bow. "Thank you for your guidance."
Seeing Gin unharmed and hearing Unohana's evaluation of him, the students looked visibly surprised.
So Captain Unohana really was teaching them, not trying to kill them.
And as for Gin Ichimaru—who had always followed Masatsuki Aozaki around like a sidekick—no one had expected him to receive such high praise.
They had long given up on the idea of surpassing Masatsuki Aozaki; that was the realm of monsters.
But hearing "he has traces of Masatsuki's style" was already an incredible compliment in their eyes.
Next, Rangiku Matsumoto stepped forward, gripping her bamboo sword. After four or five exchanges, she was defeated.
"Your sword stance isn't quite right, and your attention to detail is lacking. You also don't focus enough during practice. However, your footwork is well executed... There's a saying: 'Three parts technique, seven parts footwork,' and you've got that down."
Rangiku blinked in surprise and sneaked a glance at Masatsuki Aozaki.
She did occasionally slack off during sword practice, and even Sōjun Kuchiki hadn't caught on.
Masatsuki was skilled in Zanjutsu, but there was a difference between being a master and being a teacher.
She hadn't expected her flaws to be spotted after just a few brief exchanges.
Seeing the sharp look in Masatsuki's eyes, she had a sinking feeling—her poor backside was in trouble again.
Rangiku quickly bowed. "Thank you for your guidance."
One by one, the students stepped up, only to be swiftly defeated. But each of them received precise, targeted feedback.
Under their tense gazes, Retsu Unohana crossed her arms and nodded slightly.
"That concludes today's special lesson."
"It was an honor to spend these two classes with you. I look forward to teaching you again."
With those words, the gentle yet formidable captain cast a meaningful glance at Masatsuki before slowly walking out of the dojo.
Watching Unohana's retreating figure, Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head. He had a bad feeling that things were only going to get more troublesome from here on out.
"Rangiku, after school, we're doing extra practice."
"If Captain Unohana hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have known you dared to slack off. This time, I'm personally overseeing your training—one-on-one."
Rangiku pulled a long face and nodded. "Got it..."
She wanted to slack off, but when it came to Masatsuki Aozaki, she really had no choice.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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