Chapter 83: Unohana Retsu: “I Don’t Believe It.”

Spring bathed Rukongai in warmth, wildflowers budding along fragrant paths. A stream gurgled nearby, its cool waters soothing Unohana Retsu’s feet as she hummed a gentle tune. Her serene expression belied the gruesome scene behind her—a hill of corpses, each felled by a single strike, their blood seeping into the soil. Next year’s flowers will bloom vibrantly, she thought, smiling softly. She’d taken care to keep the stream untainted.

Two woodcutters stumbled upon the scene, their faces twisting in horror. Dropping their firewood, they fled, screaming. Unohana tilted her head, noting their ordinariness, and dismissed them.

A skinny youth approached, unfazed by the carnage. Sighing, he muttered, “Why do I always get caught up in this?”

Unohana turned, voice soft. “Here to kill me?”

“Just passing by,” he said, turning to leave. “I avoid trouble. Goodbye.”

Her sleeve flicked, launching a hidden arrow at his head. He spun, catching it between his palms. “Beautiful but vicious. A terrible woman,” he said, eyes glinting with intrigue.

Unohana stepped from the stream onto soft grass. “You’re strong. Your name?” She noted the blade at his waist.

“Shijima Chigiri,” he said, resigned. “Just a loser living to eat and die.”

A sword flash cut the air. Chigiri drew his blade, parrying, but Unohana’s strength forced him to one knee. “Are you a woman or a gorilla?” he deadpanned.

She wielded her Zanpakutō, Minazuki, one-handed, overpowering his two-handed grip. Surprise flickered in her eyes—few could block her strike. She twisted, her toes slamming into his abdomen. Chigiri flew back, ribs cracking, blood spraying.

“Wait!” he gasped. “I’m just a passerby! No grudges—let me go!”

Her sword slashed, a sky-rending arc. Chigiri retreated, but her ghostly speed pierced his shoulder, blood mist erupting. “I didn’t want to fight a woman,” he growled, his listless demeanor turning icy. His free arm swung, launching two flying shuttles.

“Hidden weapons?” Unohana’s blade sliced them apart.

“Don’t underestimate them!” Chigiri leaped, flinging his cloak. Countless silver needles shot out, dimming the sunlight. Unohana’s reiatsu flared, blasting them away. When the air cleared, Chigiri was gone.

Corpses on one side, a pristine stream on the other—Unohana stood as the divide, her presence both serene and violent. “No matter,” she murmured, gazing toward Seireitei. “A worthy opponent awaits there.” Her smile bloomed, warm as spring.

Among the corpses, movement stirred. Chigiri crawled out, battered. “That monster. She’ll never marry,” he muttered, limping away. Better stay indoors from now on.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto Shigekuni led Kano Chiharu, Shihōin Chihiro, Tsunayashiro Fuka, and Zenjōji Arihime to distant Rukongai districts for recruitment. Yamabuki Haruto, Saitō Furofushi, and Yanagi Junrei stayed to guard Seireitei.

“Hmph, with the old man gone, I’m in charge,” Haruto gloated, donning a custom nap-time eye mask. His perfected Vollständig—sustained by spatial pockets—made him feel unstoppable. Time to test it. He calculated: once Yamamoto returned, he’d head to Hueco Mundo. Baraggan, no running this time. I’ll end you.

Baraggan, somewhere in Hueco Mundo, shuddered. After their last clash, the Hollow King had nightmares of Haruto’s relentless pursuit.

As Haruto napped, an uninvited figure approached Seireitei’s main gate. Two Shinigami blocked her. “Halt! Joining the Gotei 13? Registration hasn’t started.”

Unohana smiled gently. “I don’t believe it.”