Katori Nanatsuki crouched low, muscles taut, Spiritual Pressure Core gathering in his right arm, waist, and legs.
His eyes sharpened—and in the next instant, he vanished from sight.
Katori-ryu: Shunpo Iaido!
The very next moment, Nanatsuki appeared behind Unohana.
He raised his right arm, sword held high.
A few drops of blood trailed down the blade.
Splurt—
Nanatsuki's expression twisted. Suddenly, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Looking down, he saw a massive slash across his abdomen, nearly cutting him in half.
His vision went black. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Unohana remained standing. Her expression shifted ever so slightly—no longer the gentle, soft gaze from before. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and in those cold pupils flickered a chilling killing intent that could pierce the soul.
There was a bloody line across her abdomen as well.
Unohana seemed to savor the sensation of the blade's kiss on her skin. A spine-tingling smile slowly spread across her face.
"You actually made me lose control of my sword, Katori-kun… You've truly made me happy."
…
"You're awake?"
Nanatsuki's head felt foggy. He had just dreamed something strange—golden hands dissecting his body.
"Katori-kun?"
His eyes snapped open—to Unohana's gentle smile.
Gentle, my ass!
He'd almost been turned into sashimi!
He recalled, in a moment of lard-induced foolishness, agreeing to spar with Unohana.
Just before losing consciousness, he remembered unleashing his Mastered Shunpo Iaido.
Maybe his sword skill had caught Unohana off guard. She didn't have time to defend and chose to counterattack instead.
That counter slash nearly cleaved him in two.
Nanatsuki quickly checked himself.
His upper clothes had been stripped, and his abdomen was tightly wrapped in bandages.
Unohana had treated him, so the wound should be mostly healed. He did feel… surprisingly okay.
"Don't worry," Unohana said with a warm smile. "I've already treated the wound. There shouldn't be any lingering issues."
"Thank you, Captain Unohana," Nanatsuki exhaled in relief. At least he wouldn't end up as three-piece sushi.
Only now did he realize—they weren't in the 4th Division medical ward. This was… a bedroom?
"This isn't the medical room, is it?" he asked curiously.
The bedroom was sparsely decorated. A painting hung on the wall. A vase by the window held seasonal flowers, their scent subtly refreshing the air.
The scent… was familiar…
Wait. This bed was nowhere near the window. How could he smell the flowers from here?
Nanatsuki sniffed deeply.
He realized he'd smelled it before—during close combat with Unohana. It was her scent.
"The medical room's a bit far from the courtyard," Unohana said sweetly, though her words sent chills down Nanatsuki's spine. "I didn't think you'd make it in time. My bedroom is just nearby, so I brought you here for treatment."
So the scent he smelled… was from the bed.
Which meant—he was lying on Sister Unohana's bed!
"Ah… This is your room, Captain Unohana?" Nanatsuki mumbled awkwardly, cheeks flushed. He hadn't expected to end up on her bed.
No wonder it smelled so nice!
"Katori-kun, your body is awfully tense. Relax a bit, or it'll affect your healing. Don't worry—I've more or less figured out your sword style."
She paused, then added, "But really… For someone so terrible at Shunpo, your mastery of Shunpo Iaido is truly impressive. If your Shunpo were better, that slash might've seriously injured me."
Of course, she meant that only because she had been suppressing her spiritual pressure.
Had she not, his sword likely wouldn't have even scratched her. Their spiritual pressure gap was simply too vast.
"My Shunpo really is lacking. I've spent most of my time practicing Zanjutsu," Nanatsuki admitted with a sigh.
He knew it too—his Shunpo wasn't on par with his swordsmanship. After all, his Mastery-level Shunpo Iaido was enhanced by a Sword Skill Enhancement Scroll (Mastery).
Still, the scroll's effect was phenomenal. It had actually wounded Unohana, even with her spiritual pressure suppressed.
Nanatsuki instinctively opened Unohana's Status Interface.
[Unohana Retsu]
[Talent: S+]
[Spiritual Pressure: Lv98]
[Reputation Level: Friendly]
[Status: Mentally Joyful]
Unohana's Spiritual Pressure was the most terrifying he had ever seen among the Shinigami. There probably weren't many in all of Soul Society who could match it.
"Can I get up?" he asked.
He didn't feel anything wrong in his abdomen, but part of him feared that if he moved, half his body might fall off.
"You can walk now. My slash didn't reach your spine. The wound's mostly healed. Still, you'll need a few days of rest. No strenuous activity for now." She picked up a bag of medicine. "Take this when you're home. Don't mix it with Batsu'unsai's herbs. Remember to take it."
Nanatsuki stood up and tested his body—no issues.
He quickly got dressed, took the medicine, and made his exit. He didn't want to stay a second longer. Knowing Unohana, she might suddenly wave a Zanpakutō in one hand, draw a Kaido sigil in the other, and suggest they spar again for fun.
Unohana watched his hasty retreat with a gentle smile.
"I'm really looking forward to your growth, Katori-kun."
…
Back home, Nanatsuki stared deeply at his Status Interface.
At some point, a faint new trait had appeared in the special attributes section.
[Battleborn Berserker (Active): Glory belongs to the Battleborn! Reduces the impact of injuries on movement. The more you fight, the stronger you become—until death itself!]
This Battleborn Berserker trait was unlike Culinary Sage or Patient Guidance.
It flickered faintly and had a label: Active.
When Nanatsuki focused on it, more info surfaced.
Battleborn Berserker was a hidden trait he innately possessed.
It activated gradually as he became more immersed in battle and sustained more injuries.
Even now, in a semi-activated state, it helped him focus more easily despite his wounds.
'To think… sparring with Unohana gave me a surprise bonus too.'
Nanatsuki returned home.
"What?! Unohana dared hurt you?!" Katori Batsu'unsai exploded in rage, sleeves rolled up, ready to grab a blade.
Nanatsuki quickly pressed down on her shoulders, pinning her to the stool.
"It was just sparring. Drink your medicine first," he said helplessly.
Batsu'unsai's condition had improved a bit, but today's new formula from Unohana tasted terribly bitter. She sipped and grimaced.
"Can't we add more sugar? It's too bitter!"
"I already did…"
"Then add more!"