Retsu Unohana truly lived up to being a figure from the same era as Old Man Yama. The desire for battle accumulated over nearly a millennium was indeed bottomless, and Kensei was almost eviscerated by Sister Hana's 'sparring'. Even a prodigy like Kensei, only by using no spiritual pressure, could barely satisfy Sister Hana. Once he used spiritual pressure, it became a one-sided session of Sister Hana's... 'affection'.
Rubbing his sore arm muscles and aching lower back from constantly swinging his sword, Kensei felt he never wanted to encounter Sister Hana again for a while. He didn't even want to pick up a sword.
I was originally thinking of doing some Jinzen to see if I could unlock my Zanpakutō... Eh, forget it. Next time, definitely.
Kensei walked through the streets like a walking dead, patting the Asauchi hanging at his waist, wondering what had gotten into the sword last time.
Hum—
The Asauchi seemed to sense Kensei's dissatisfaction and began vibrating to express its own anger.
Irritated, Kensei smacked the hilt. A Zanpakutō that beats its own master still dares to act all high and mighty? Behave. The Asauchi vibrated again, the scabbard slapping against Kensei's backside. Luckily, he was still wearing clothes, or there would definitely have been a red mark left behind.
"Hahaha! How can someone get hit by their own Zanpakutō?"
The signature laugh came from a nearby tree. Yoruichi did a backflip, landing in front of Kensei, teasingly eyeing the Asauchi, which now seemed to have vented its anger and quieted down.
"What do you know? I'm uniquely gifted; even my Zanpakutō is special."
"Oh? Really?" Habitually draping herself over Kensei's back, Yoruichi poked his cheek with her finger. "I feel like it's your Zanpakutō."
"Weren't you going to thank Captain Unohana? Why do you look completely exhausted now? Confess, did you do something bad?"
Yoruichi was, of course, joking. Kensei and Unohana had barely met, and someone as powerful as Unohana wouldn't be easily 'taken advantage of' by Kensei.
"Please, I'm the victim here."
Kensei poured out his bitter water to Yoruichi. I just wanted to give a simple thank-you. Who demands a life-or-death sword fight as repayment like Sister Hana?
"Hurry up and get down. I'm exhausted. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I still plan to go back and rest."
Yawning as he spoke, Kensei looked utterly lazy. Seeing his state, Yoruichi curled his lips.
"Only half a day sparing with Captain Unohana and you're this tired."
"You're always talking about having 'three wives and four concubines'. Are you even up for it physically?"
Hearing Yoruichi's words, Kensei was shocked, immediately straightening his back.
"Not tired at all! I could carry you on my back and run ten laps around the Seireitei right now!"
Seeing Kensei's instant change of attitude, Yoruichi couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. She directed Kensei to the Shihōin estate, and the two entered her private chambers together.
The Shihōin servants all adopted a detached, indifferent attitude, pretending not to notice their clan leader's unorthodox behavior. After all, the elders said nothing. Besides, Kensei and Lady Yoruichi were a perfect match; it wasn't their place as servants to each other.
"Alright, just tell me what it is. So mysterious."
Watching Yoruichi even check the soundproofing barrier, Kensei was puzzled. What could be so secretive?
"Do you remember the 9th Division Captain that Old Man Yama specifically named before?"
"Of course. Captain Mashō, right? The old man told him to investigate that mysterious person." Kensei looked at Yoruichi's ghostly expression and couldn't resist teasing, "What, are you the mysterious person? Dragging me here to help you take out Mashō?"
"Hey, I'm being serious! Don't interrupt." Yoruichi lightly punched Kensei's shoulder. "I was planning to take the newly promoted members of the Stealth Force to the Rukongai for field exercises. To be safe, I scouted the area first."
"I saw Mashō enter a remaining rebel hideout alone. After he left, I snuck in to check. Everyone inside was lying on the ground with agonized expressions. They were all dead, their spiritual pressure completely drained."
Whoa, Soul-Draining Palm?!
Yoruichi implied that Mashō might have ill intentions. After all, what decent person uses such a evil move? Kensei gave Yoruichi a weird look. If Mashō is also a traitor, then Old Man Yama is just too pitiful.
Third, Seventh, and now Ninth Division Captains all compromised... No wonder the old man has such narrow eyes! Poor judge of character. He should retire early and go raise hell somewhere else.
"So, you want me to go investigate this Mashō with you?"
Yoruichi nodded. After all, unauthorized investigation of a Captain was generally not a good thing, and the only helper she could find was Kensei.
"I'm in!"
If they could capture this Mashō, he could taunt Old Man Yama fiercely about how being Captain-Commander was harming the Soul Society, and how it would be better for a future star like him to take over early.
Kensei and Yoruichi were hit it off. They began moving towards the Rukongai, ready for action.
"Yoruichi, do you know Mashō's Zanpakutō ability? Isn't it dangerous for just the two of us to go like this?"
"Come on, a Captain's Bankai is their trump card. Would you tell others your trump card?"
Yoruichi's beautiful eyes glared at Kensei, telling him to stop talking nonsense. Besides, she'd brought some good stuff from home this time. Even if Mashō had unexpectedly strong power, she could get Kensei out safely.
Truly from a family of spies and assassins. Relying on the residual spiritual pressure left where Mashō had been, Yoruichi tracked his location. From the backpack on her back, she took out two black cloaks and handed one to Kensei.
"Put this on. It blocks your spiritual pressure; no one will be able to detect you. It's a treasure passed down through generations of the Shihōin family. There are only two in total."
After Yoruichi put on the black cloak, Kensei's senses completely failed to detect her spiritual pressure. If he hadn't seen her with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed anyone was there.
Pity. Would be better if it were an invisibility cloak.
Kensei and Yoruichi lurk on the roof of a building from which Mashō's spiritual pressure emanated, eavesdropping on the conversation inside.
"Take your teams and split into three groups. Search for the mysterious person's whereabouts near the Special Forces' position."
"As the strongest Captain leading this operation, I should search the more dangerous areas. You all don't need to follow me; no need to risk your lives."
The rough voice was unmistakably Mashō's, matching his burly build perfectly.
He sounds like a dutiful, responsible Captain. Is Yoruichi sure she hasn't wronged him?
Kensei glanced at Yoruichi, who sensed his subtle gaze and gestured for him to keep listening. After Mashō finished the simple task assignment, he waited for his squad leaders to leave the meeting room before heading alone towards a remote area.
"Alright, come out. No need to hide."
Following behind Mashō, Kensei was shocked. Did Yoruichi's family treasure expire? Wasn't it supposed to be absolutely undetectable?
"Still not coming out? Looks like I have to force you out!"
A Kidō spell shot from Mashō's hand. Watching the attack that missed by a country mile, Kensei realized Mashō was just bluffing.
No wonder all Captains are not simple. Their hearts are so dirty.
Not seeing anyone jump out, Mashō confirmed he wasn't being followed and confidently headed towards his destination.
The two carefully followed Mashō, watching as he dug up several still-breathing individuals from beneath the ground.
"Thanks to that mysterious person covering for me, I've managed to collect quite a few 'nutrients' with decent spiritual power lately."
Mashō licked the corners of his mouth excitedly. Then, under Kensei and Yoruichi's gazes, he plunged his hands directly into the bodies of the people he'd just dug up. Feeling the constant flow of spiritual pressure from his 'nutrients', Mashō felt a wave of physical relief.
"So, it's you who's been stealing my experimental subjects."
Just as Kensei, after waiting for Yoruichi to record Mashō's evidence with her device, was about to charge in to stop him, he heard a voice he knew all too well.
Looking at the figure standing opposite Mashō, though the face was unclear, Kensei could tell who it was from the voice and posture alone.
NMD, Sōsuke! Why are you here?!