Ichigo listened closely as Unohana Retsu recounted the events from over a hundred years ago.
Once she finished, he frowned.
What he had just heard was completely different from the vague and fragmented story Yoruichi had told him. In fact, it was the opposite.
"Rei-neesan, I know the Yoruichi you mentioned—Shihōin Yoruichi. She told me she only fled the Soul Society because she was framed."
Unohana narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression thoughtful.
"Framed, huh…?" she murmured. "Could there really be something more to this?"
She pondered the possibility for a moment but ultimately set it aside. She didn't have enough information to draw any conclusions—and honestly, if it weren't related to Ichigo, she probably wouldn't bother at all.
"Well then, Ichigo. I've fulfilled my end of the deal and brought you to see Rukia. Now, can I satisfy my own curiosity?"
Ichigo nodded. "Of course, Rei-neesan. Ask whatever you want—if I know the answer, I'll tell you."
Unohana's gaze turned sharp. "I want to know—how did you bypass the Sekkiseki barrier and enter Seireitei?"
"Since the founding of Seireitei, you're the first Shinigami to ever accomplish that."
Ichigo blinked in surprise. "I'm the only one?"
Unohana nodded. She had watched the Gotei 13 grow from the ground up. If anyone else had done it, she would know.
Ichigo slowly raised his hand.
And under Unohana's astonished gaze, he caused the very space around them to warp and collapse slightly.
Then he dispersed his spiritual pressure and scratched his head awkwardly. "Honestly, I'm not even sure how this power came to me. But it was with this that I broke through the Sekkiseki barrier."
Unohana gasped. "A rare space-type ability…?"
Even Ichigo couldn't explain it.
But that only made Unohana's curiosity grow stronger.
"You didn't release your Zanpakutō just now. Which means this is your own ability… But you're just a human—a Shinigami at most. How can you wield something this powerful?"
Just as one mystery was answered, ten more appeared.
"I really don't know," Ichigo admitted. "It just felt like I could pass through… so I tried—and I did. I don't even know what the full extent of this power is yet."
Unohana looked at Ichigo the way one might look at a newly discovered rare species.
"In that case… how about this? Let me teach you swordsmanship, and in return, you show me how you develop this ability."
A power that didn't rely on a Zanpakutō, and didn't resemble the techniques of a Quincy either—Unohana was utterly fascinated.
Ichigo, however, hesitated. "Wait, Rei-neesan, are you really that good at swordsmanship?"
Unohana nearly burst out laughing.
Ever since the art of swordplay was first developed, no one had ever dared to ask her that question.
Even Yamamoto Genryūsai himself was only her equal—or perhaps even slightly beneath her—in pure sword skill.
Did this boy not understand what the name Yachiru Unohana meant?
The only reason she had ever lost to Kenpachi Zaraki was due to spiritual pressure—not sword technique!
"Looks like I'll have to show you," Unohana said with a smile that suddenly felt… deadly.
Her expression didn't change—but the bloodthirst in it made Ichigo take a step back.
Same smile… but why does it feel like a demon just woke up?
"Come with me," she said, leading Ichigo inside her house.
She pressed a switch, and a hidden passage revealed itself—leading to the basement.
It wasn't as vast as Urahara Kisuke's training area, but it was still impressively spacious.
The room had the aesthetic of a traditional dōjō, with wooden swords lined up on racks along the walls.
Unohana casually selected a wooden bokken and tossed a glance at Ichigo. "Pick one. I want to see what your swordsmanship looks like first."
Ichigo hesitated. The Squad Four were medics. Even if she was the captain, could her sword skills really be that great?
With that in mind, he reluctantly picked up a wooden sword and walked forward like some clueless rookie.
Unohana watched him with a slight clench in her jaw.
She was absolutely going to teach him a lesson.
"Ready when you are," she said with a gentle, child-soothing smile.
Ichigo thought to himself, Maybe I should go easy on her a bit…
After all, she had just helped him. It would be rude to overwhelm her in return, right?
But then—
Smack!
With a single strike, Unohana sent his wooden sword flying.
"Spacing out? Tsk—deserves a hit!"
Her bokken tapped him sharply on the forehead.
"Wha—? I…" Ichigo looked at her, completely stunned, while his bokken clattered to the ground beside him.
I just got one-shot.
He hadn't used any spiritual pressure—but still, he got completely outplayed.
"Rei-neesan, you're insane…!" Ichigo said in awe.
He hadn't been that serious, sure—but even so, few people could swat his sword away like that!
Her strike had been flawless—fast but not rushed, precise but effortless.
It had a kind of purity to it. Like the philosophy of a heavy sword with no edge, supreme skill that appears clumsy.
The fact that this kind of swordplay came from a woman… that's what broke Ichigo's assumptions.
But he no longer dared underestimate her.
He quickly picked up his bokken and apologized. "I misjudged you before, Rei-neesan. I'm sorry. I'll be serious from now on."
Unohana nodded, her bokken slicing forward again.
This time, Ichigo was focused. He raised his sword and blocked her strike with ease.
But then Unohana's bokken slid down his with a twist, using Ichigo's own strength to angle toward his face!
He hadn't expected the change in technique—but he reacted fast, slamming his bokken upward and knocking hers away!
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]