Chapter 26: Flower of the Rabbit
Hearing Retsu Unohana's words, which seemed to be defending Tachikawa Shin, Shiba Isshin couldn't help but say, "Is Captain Unohana already showing affection for her future Squad members?"
Unohana didn't deny it, only gently said, "I see that this student is clearly an excellent child in both character and academics, not at all like what you all are saying, so I'm just speaking fairly."
He's excellent in both character and academics?
Unohana's words made both Matsumoto Rangiku and Shiba Kaien inwardly scoff.
It was true that Shin's academic performance was at the top of the school, but his character, at least, shouldn't be described as excellent.
Shin heard this and replied, "Thank you for the praise, Captain Unohana."
Then he said to the Captains and Vice-Captains, "Captain-Commanders, regarding the Spiritual Arts Academy's Cultural Festival, I can accompany you all and provide explanations. If the Captain-Commanders wish to wander freely, you may do so as well."
Unohana was the first to speak with a smile, "Then please, student, come explore with Yune and me."
Her words clearly meant to take Shin away alone, and the remaining Captains looked helpless, but it was Retsu Unohana speaking. In terms of seniority, she was an old veteran from the same era as the Captain-Commander, though this couldn't be said to her face.
"As you command." However, Shin still said to the other Captains, "My apologies, sirs, the Student Council is truly short-staffed, please bear with us."
The Captains saw that Shin had come alone and was completely unprepared, but they weren't petty people. Having no one to entertain them actually made things simpler.
Shin then led Retsu Unohana and Kotetsu Yune away first, heading towards the liveliest area of the central plaza.
Matsumoto Rangiku also didn't want to bother with entertaining these Captains, so she said to Shiba Isshin, "Captain, I also want to go wander around, may I?"
"Suit yourself."
She immediately called out to Ise Nanao, the Eighth Division's Vice-Captain, "Let's go, Nanao."
And Ise Nanao was also very casual; she didn't even ask her own Captain for permission, directly following Matsumoto Rangiku and leaving.
The relationships between the Squad Thirteen Captains were very harmonious, and between Captains and Vice-Captains, they were even closer. Captains had the authority to appoint and dismiss Vice-Captains, so every Squad's Vice-Captain was personally promoted by their Captain.
Seeing the scene suddenly become quiet, Kyōraku Shunsui couldn't help but say, "Are we being left here?"
After graduating from here hundreds of years ago, he had visited the Spiritual Arts Academy many times, but each time the Spiritual Arts Academy generally welcomed and entertained them with great fanfare. This was the first time it had been so quiet.
Aizen pushed up his glasses and smiled, "There's nothing wrong with this. Just as Tachikawa Shin said earlier, today's festival is for the Spiritual Arts Academy students to relax and enjoy themselves. Making it too formal would be boring."
Jūshirō Ukitake also smiled and said, "Then let's just wander around together."
The Spiritual Arts Academy's central plaza was neatly arranged with many simple tents, each tent being a stall, managed by a class. They could freely choose to do anything there. Most people sold snacks and small trinkets, and some set up small games like board games, inviting passersby to play along.
Along the way, announcement boards set up by each class were visible everywhere. Besides students wearing red and white school uniforms, there were also many Shinigami, gathered in front of certain stalls, talking with the students.
"It's so lively," Kotetsu Yune couldn't help but exclaim.
In the Soul Society, such lively street markets were rarely seen. The Seireitei was always very quiet, and while the higher-numbered areas of Rukongai had markets, they couldn't compare to the liveliness here.
The students' faces were full of enthusiasm, standing in front of their stalls, eagerly shouting out.
Neither Retsu Unohana nor Kotetsu Yune had ever imagined that the Spiritual Arts Academy possessed such great vitality.
"Did you plan all of this?" Retsu Unohana asked Shin.
"It's the result of the combined efforts of all the teachers and students of the Spiritual Arts Academy," Shin humbly replied, "The entire Student Council and the Spiritual Arts Academy's leadership were responsible for the overall planning, while each stall was planned by the students of each class themselves."
"So the idea for this Cultural Festival, that was yours, right?" Retsu Unohana asked again.
Shin chuckled, "It just came to me suddenly, but I didn't expect the Spiritual Arts Academy's leadership to be so supportive."
"Very good," Retsu Unohana said softly, "No wonder the Tenth Division and the Thirteenth Division are fighting over you."
"You flatter me. Besides, Vice-Captain Matsumoto and Vice Captain Shiba aren't fighting over me; they just suggested I go to the Tenth Division and Thirteenth Division after graduation. I haven't decided on my post-graduation plans yet."
"Have you decided now?" Retsu Unohana looked at him with a beaming smile.
Shin pondered, "My homeroom teacher, Mr. Nanba, told me that because my Zanpakuto is a Healing Arts System type, it's very suitable for the Fourth Division. Vice-Captain Kotetsu also mentioned this to me when she was substituting for our class previously."
Retsu Unohana's smile didn't fade, "Then do you want to come to the Fourth Division?"
Shin immediately said, "Of course I want to go!"
This time, he didn't beat around the bush but directly expressed his attitude. He knew in his heart that this Captain Unohana was different from Shiba Isshin. Although beautiful and gentle on the outside, her insides were all black!
Kotetsu Yune, standing beside them, also took the opportunity to say, "Tachikawa student, the Fourth Division is definitely the most suitable Squad for you. In the Fourth Division, your Zanpakuto will be able to develop even better."
Retsu Unohana then asked, "Then if you come to the Fourth Division, what Seat do you want to be? Didn't Vice Captain Shiba say you didn't even look down on the Third Seat?"
Shin said with a wry smile, "Captain Unohana, you flatter me too much. I just need to successfully pass the graduation exam and the entry assessment. How would I dare to aspire to a Third Seat? Moreover, in terms of Koten, I am completely a beginner, and I don't even know if I can be competent as a regular Squad member."
Retsu Unohana said with a gentle smile, "You don't need to belittle yourself. You have such good talent, and you also have abilities in other areas. I believe you will achieve great things if you come to the Fourth Division."
"I'll take your auspicious words."
As a Captain, Retsu Unohana attracted countless gazes as she walked through the plaza.
The students were all surprised that even such a significant figure as a Captain had come.
Retsu Unohana suddenly stopped at this moment, her gaze seemingly drawn by something. Shin followed her line of sight and saw a familiar figure.
This small area was where the first-year students were concentrated. The first-year Class A's stall hadn't set up a tent but had built a wooden platform, with a notice board standing next to it.
"Kendo Exchange..."
The notice board also stated that if one won, they would receive a mysterious grand prize, and even if they didn't win, there would be a consolation prize.
Shin recalled seeing this when he was compiling the stall proposals submitted by each class. Because it required space, Shin had placed them at the edge of the plaza.
And at this moment, a red-haired figure on the platform was engaged in a kendo spar with another student.
The red-haired figure was naturally Abarai Renji, and Shin also found the other person somewhat familiar, seemingly an upperclassman, perhaps from the same year as himself.
What slightly surprised Shin was that Renji was fighting back and forth with this person. Renji's attacks were sharp, swift, and wide-ranging, looking very pleasing to the eye.
Abarai Renji could be said to have no talent in Kido, but he was extremely gifted in Kendo, Shunpo, and Hakuda.
After all, he was the future strongest Vice-Captain.
Seeing that Retsu Unohana was watching with great interest, Shin asked, "Is Captain Unohana very interested?"
Retsu Unohana softly said, "That child's fighting style is quite suitable for the Eleventh Division."
And Abarai Renji, after graduating in the future, indeed first went to the Eleventh Division, receiving guidance from Ikkaku Madarame and Ayasegawa Yumichika, before later becoming the Sixth Division's Vice-Captain.
Retsu Unohana suddenly asked Shin again, "I heard you are also very good at Kendo?"
Shin's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He always felt as if he had forgotten something, and now he finally remembered.
"How about you go up and spar with this student?"
No sooner had Retsu Unohana's words fallen than the senior student sparring with Abarai Renji was also forced by Renji to fall from the platform with a splash.
Retsu Unohana
Affection: 1