"I would like... Captain Unohana to teach me swordsmanship."
As Shigure's calm words fell, Unohana Retsu stopped walking.
Seeing this, Shigure naturally also stopped.
Unohana Retsu's expression showed some surprise.
Shigure's face remained unchanged as he smiled and said:
"Captain Ukitake told me that your swordsmanship is very profound."
"In the entire history of the Gotei 13, few people can compare with you."
Shigure once again used Ukitake as an excuse.
Hearing this, Unohana Retsu's expression slowly softened, then she narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"Is that so? Captain Ukitake is quite cunning... His swordsmanship level is also quite good."
"If you have problems, you could also seek his guidance, couldn't you?"
Saying this, she again lightly moved her feet forward.
Shigure also slowly followed, saying:
"As you know, Captain Ukitake's physical condition has never been good."
"Under such circumstances, if I were to still pester him and ask him to teach me, it would be too inconsiderate."
"So, I can only ask you."
"After all, what I need is... the tempering of actual combat."
Hearing this, Unohana Retsu's eyes suddenly flashed.
At this moment, she seemed to understand the meaning in Shigure's words.
The meaning he had been hinting at since the beginning.
The two walked to the captain's office, and Unohana Retsu pushed open the door.
"Please come in."
After saying this, she entered first.
"Excuse me." Shigure bowed slightly and followed.
Unohana Retsu's room was decorated mainly in elegant tones, and among the decorations around, the most numerous were her own flower arrangement works.
Unknown famous paintings hung on the walls.
A faint fragrance entered his nostrils, making one feel refreshed and happy.
This feeling made one's whole body comfortable.
Shigure immediately understood that this should be the aromatic effect of some kind of medicine.
Entering the room, Unohana didn't say a word and actually began preparing tea by herself.
Shigure stood to the side, also not speaking.
He knew that Unohana Retsu had already understood his meaning.
Next, it was to see how she would agree.
After Unohana Retsu arranged all the tea utensils, she placed them on a wooden tray, then elegantly brought them over.
"Please sit." Unohana Retsu said, placing the tea utensils on the coffee table.
Shigure bowed slightly and sat on the cushion, facing Unohana.
Unohana also slowly sat down, then looked at Shigure and said:
"So, Vice-Captain Segawa, what you mean is..."
"You want to improve your swordsmanship by fighting with me?"
Unohana Retsu's face still maintained a smile, and the tone in this sentence was unreadable.
Shigure looked directly at her and said neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"I know saying this might make you think I'm arrogant, but what I want to say is..."
"In the entire Soul Society currently, except for the Captain-Commander, only you can make my swordsmanship reach the next level."
"But the Captain-Commander is busy with countless affairs, so I shouldn't disturb him."
"So, you are my only hope."
As the words fell, Unohana Retsu's eyes suddenly flashed.
She lowered her gaze and slowly reached out to pour a cup of tea for each of them.
The strong tea fragrance overflowed, making Shigure somewhat overwhelmed.
However, he also knew that Unohana had always liked food and drinks with strong flavors.
So, he didn't show any discomfort.
Unohana Retsu held the cup in her hands, breathed out lightly, then raised her eyes to look over.
"Segawa, you're already very strong. Why do you still pursue swordsmanship?"
"Even if you completely abandoned swordsmanship, you could still become the strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society..."
Her voice was very light, as if sighing.
After listening, Shigure showed no emotion.
He still looked directly at Unohana Retsu with determined eyes, not retreating at all.
At this moment, their gazes met.
Unohana Retsu felt her heart tremble for some unknown reason.
How long had it been...
How long since she had seen such a gaze...
Unohana Retsu couldn't remember anymore.
Since she left the 11th Division and became captain of the 4th Division.
Since she abandoned the name "Yachiru," she hadn't seen such eyes for a long time.
Full of rock-solid unwavering determination...
And the sharp edge of a blade!
She suddenly lowered her eyes again, a gentle smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
"Captain Segawa, it seems... if I don't teach you, you won't give up, will you?"
Hearing this, Shigure smiled and said:
"If you choose to refuse, then indeed, I will come here to disturb you every day."
Unohana Retsu raised her head and said with a smile:
"Hehe, I've known for a long time that although Vice-Captain Segawa always appears modest and gentle."
"But in certain matters, you show unusual forcefulness."
"This feeling is just like when I first met Lord Yamamoto."
?!
Shigure's eyes moved, not expecting her to compare him with Yamamoto Genryusai.
However, Shigure still said calmly:
"You flatter me. Between me and the Captain-Commander, there's still a chasm of difference."
Hearing this, Unohana didn't reply, lightly sipped her tea, showing a comfortable expression.
Then, she slowly looked over.
"It's already this late today. Please go back first, Vice-Captain Segawa."
"After you complete your duties tomorrow, I'll be waiting for you here."
As the words fell, Shigure immediately felt joy in his heart.
This matter... was settled!
He quickly stood up from the cushion and performed a ninety-degree bow, saying seriously:
"Thank you for your agreement."
Unohana Retsu smiled gently, "I won't see you out."
"Yes."
Shigure straightened up, slowly stepped back two steps, then left the room.
The moment he walked out the door, a smile involuntarily appeared on Shigure's face.
He knew that the coming period would be the beginning of his swordsmanship tempering.
To complete the additional mission, he must spare no effort to improve his swordsmanship to "Excellent"!
...
On this side, after the door closed.
Unohana Retsu's gaze still looked in that direction.
She murmured to herself as if talking to herself:
"Now, I finally seem to understand why you value him so much, Lord Yamamoto."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds