Chapter 2: Retsu Unohana
The Saitō family was one of the upper-class noble houses of the Soul Society. It was said that a powerful Shinigami had once emerged among their ancestors, leading the Saitō family step by step toward glory.
Unfortunately, that ancestor later fell in battle during a mission, and the Saitō family never recovered from the blow. Over the years, not a single prodigy emerged among their descendants, and the family gradually declined with each generation.
By Kisei's generation, he was the only remaining male heir. Even the previous family head had passed away three years prior due to illness, leaving only a handful of servants to manage the family's affairs. The Saitō family existed in name only.
Had it not been for the lingering fear of the Saitō ancestor's connection to a certain captain of the Gotei 13, other noble families would have long since swarmed in to carve up what remained of the Saitō household.
The struggles among noble families were far more brutal than conflicts between Shinigami and other races.
It was only after his mind cleared that Kisei suddenly recalled the ties between his ancestors and the Gotei 13.
Rushing home, he retrieved a long-preserved token and immediately set off for the Seireitei.
Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, the guardian of the White Road Gate, initially intended to stop Kisei. But when he noticed the gentian flower pattern embroidered on the token, his expression softened into a welcoming smile, and he personally opened the gate for Kisei.
Kisei was somewhat astonished—was this the power of connections?
Passing through the White Road Gate and following both his memory and the signposts, he arrived at his destination just before noon: the Fourth Division barracks.
The division members inside noticed Kisei, an unfamiliar visitor. Judging by his attire and the identity plate on his chest, he appeared to be a sixth-year student from Shin'ō Academy.
But it wasn't yet the Gotei 13 recruitment period—what was a student doing here?
"Um... Saitō-kun, what brings you to the Fourth Division?"
A tall, slender female Shinigami with silver-gray short hair approached, carrying a stack of thick books in her arms.
Kotetsu Isane had originally been on her way to deliver books to the captain when she overheard some commotion. Thinking something might have happened in the division, she hurried toward the noise.
To her surprise, she found a student from Shin'ō Academy. The characters "Saitō" on his identity plate revealed his family name.
Moreover, his appearance was highly distinctive—a robust build even taller than Captain Kenpachi, combined with bronze skin reminiscent of the Shihōin family—making him stand out in the crowd.
"Vice-Captain Kotetsu, I've come to request an audience with Captain Unohana." Kisei bowed and presented the token in his hand. "This is the Saitō family's token. Please deliver it to Captain Unohana."
Isane carefully examined the token—a purple sachet embroidered with the Fourth Division's symbol, the gentian flower.
She hadn't been in the division long, having become vice-captain only a few years prior. There were many division affairs she was less familiar with compared to senior seated officers.
Faced with this unfamiliar token, Isane felt uncertain.
"It's all right, Isane-chan. Just take him to see Captain Unohana directly. She won't blame you."
A hoarse yet kindly voice echoed through the barracks. Turning, she saw an elderly woman with hair as white as snow standing before her.
"Seventh Seat Katori? What are you doing here? Didn't you retire last year?" Isane asked in surprise.
Katori Miyun, the former Seventh Seat of the Fourth Division, was a highly experienced senior who had reportedly served in the division for several centuries. Nearly every member of the division had received her guidance and mentorship.
However, due to health issues last year, Captain Unohana had instructed her to retire and recuperate at home, and she had rarely been seen lately.
The silver-haired elder chuckled softly, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out as she spoke in a gentle yet firm voice.
"I've been busy all my life and can't stand idleness. I came to visit the Fourth Division today while the weather is fine, and never expected to encounter the descendant of an old acquaintance."
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be from the Saitō family, correct?"
At these words, not only was Isane surprised, but even Kisei was momentarily stunned.
"I am Saitō Kisei, the eldest son of the main Saitō family in this generation. May I ask how you are connected to the Saitō family...?"
In response to Kisei's inquiry, Katori Miyun merely shook her head with a silent smile. "Isane-chan, hurry and take him to see Captain Unohana. It might be an urgent matter."
"Ah, right! I'll go now!" Though Isane was somewhat airheaded, she quickly grasped the situation. "Saitō, please follow me."
Kisei nodded and followed Isane to the captain's office, though he couldn't help but wonder about the identity of the former Seventh Seat, Katori Miyun.
She recognized his family's token and mentioned encountering the descendant of an old acquaintance.
Could she have known someone from the Saitō family's past?
Before Kisei could ponder further, they arrived at the captain's office. Isane gently knocked on the door, and a warm, mellifluous female voice responded from within.
"Please enter."
The two stepped inside to find an elegant woman wearing a captain's haori kneeling gracefully before a tea table, arranging several plum blossom branches on its surface.
Her lustrous black hair was tied into a braid that draped over her chest. Despite the loose-fitting black Shinigami Uniform, it couldn't conceal her remarkable figure.
Kisei instinctively sniffed the air—aside from the intense fragrance of plum blossoms, there was another familiar scent he couldn't quite place.
He felt he had encountered it somewhere before, but couldn't recall immediately.
"What is it, Isane? Is something the matter?" Unohana Retsu's tone remained gentle, though she didn't pause her flower-arranging.
Unaware of the underlying connections, Isane straightforwardly reported Kisei's purpose.
"Captain Unohana, this is Saitō Kisei from Shin'ō Academy. He has brought a token from the Saitō family and wishes to speak with you."
Hearing "Saitō," Unohana's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. She stopped what she was doing, her beautiful eyes sharpening as she looked up at the tall young man before her.
"Saitō, may I see the token you mentioned?" Unohana turned to Kisei.
"Of course." Kisei promptly handed over the purple sachet.
Unohana took the purple sachet, her gaze fixed on the gentian flower embroidered on its surface. Memories long sealed deep within her heart surged forth like a flowing stream.
The room fell into silence.
After a long while, Unohana let out a nearly inaudible sigh.
"Isane, you may leave now. Just place the books on the shelf."
Isane, suspecting nothing, neatly arranged the books she was carrying on the bookshelf. "I'll take my leave then, Captain." She quietly exited the captain's office, carefully closing the door behind her.
In all her time in the division, she had never seen such an expression on her captain's face.
As if reminiscing about something, yet tinged with a hint of regret.
Could it be that Captain Unohana and Saitō know each other?
And what did Seventh Seat Katori mean by "descendant of an old acquaintance"?
With too many things to ponder, Isane suddenly felt her mind couldn't keep up.
She shook her head vigorously. No, no—she needed to focus her energy on learning Kaidō instead.
The Spirit Arts Academy's teacher training program was about to begin. If her skills weren't sufficient and she embarrassed herself in front of everyone, she would not only lose face personally but also bring shame to the Fourth Division.