Bleach: After Retiring From Zero Division, Aizen Came To Study

A person might be able to hide their thoughts, but their instincts are much harder to conceal.

So, when are those instincts revealed?

Through years of experience, Unohana Retsu had reached her conclusion: during battle.

When combat reaches its most intense moments, when both parties are consumed by the thrill of fighting, their true instincts and feelings inevitably surface.

"Captain Unohana, give it a rest! Why do you always want to spar every time we meet?" Arima protested, waving a hand dismissively.

"I've retired. I really don't want to do this anymore."

Unohana's gaze sharpened, though a faint smile returned to her lips. "Oh, is that so?"

Arima immediately felt a chill run down his spine. Rejecting Unohana Retsu's challenge today might come with consequences he wasn't ready to face.

"Fine, fine. Let's just play for a bit," Arima relented, sighing. "It's not like I have anything else to do anyway."

"Play?" The word caught Unohana's attention, and her smile deepened as her sharp eyes lingered on him.

The training grounds of the Fourth Division became their stage.

The two began sparring without releasing their Zanpakutō or employing other techniques—it was a pure duel of swordsmanship.

The outcome of their clash wasn't important.

For Unohana, the duel was a chance to peer into Arima's heart. For Arima, it was an exercise in deflection—he had no intention of allowing Unohana to uncover what lay within.

After the sparring session, the two retreated to the captain's quarters of the Fourth Division. Unohana opened a cabinet, rummaging through its contents before pulling out a long-stored bottle of wine.

"Care for a drink?" she asked.

Arima nodded, and the two sat together in silence, sipping their drinks.

The Fourth Division headquarters was quieter than ever. Normally, the division only saw visitors when treating the injured, but today, Unohana had instructed her subordinates to take the day off. No one was allowed to enter the premises.

Her reasoning was flimsy, but Unohana's authority was absolute. To the members of the Fourth Division, her orders were akin to royal decrees.

In the tranquil captain's quarters, Unohana fetched several more bottles as the first quickly ran out.

Though a woman, Unohana's capacity for drink was formidable—a reflection of her former self, the sharpest blade in the Soul Society and the First Generation Kenpachi.

As the night wore on, a soft breeze carried the scent of flowers from the courtyard outside. The faint floral aroma mixed with the heady smell of wine, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

"I've missed this feeling," Unohana murmured, breaking the silence.

Arima turned to her, noticing the faint blush on her cheeks—an effect of both the wine and her relaxed demeanor.

"What do you mean, Captain Unohana?" Arima asked cautiously.

Unohana narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you have to call me 'Captain Unohana' all the time?"

Arima blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, memories from years ago resurfaced. He understood what she was hinting at.

"Alright then," Arima said with a smirk, though the name that followed carried a weight he couldn't ignore.

"Yachiru."

Unohana froze, the name hitting her like a tidal wave of nostalgia.

Years ago, long before she had become the gentle healer of the Fourth Division, she was Yachiru Unohana, the First Generation Kenpachi. The Soul Society was in chaos after the war with the Quincy, and Gotei 13 was rebuilding.

In those days, captains ventured into Rukongai to recruit promising individuals.

It was during such a time that Arima was brought to Seireitei by the Captain of the Twelfth Division.

The Captain, skilled in Hakuda, became Arima's mentor. But Arima, unsatisfied with what he learned, often sought out the Eleventh Division's expertise in swordsmanship—and Unohana's in particular.

Back then, Unohana had little interest in a newcomer like Arima.

But his persistence wore her down. Eventually, something about him moved her, and she began teaching him the art of swordsmanship.

Over time, the captain of the Fourth Division died, and circumstances pushed Unohana to abandon the title of Kenpachi, taking up the role of healer instead.

Meanwhile, Arima's rise was meteoric. After the death of his own captain, he assumed command of the Twelfth Division. With his new status, Arima's demeanor grew bolder.

He frequently visited Unohana, addressing her casually by her first name, Yachiru. At first, she responded with irritation, often challenging him to duels. But as Arima grew stronger, she could no longer defeat him.

Over time, she grew used to it.

However, after Arima joined the Zero Division and later returned, the familiarity they once shared seemed to vanish. He began addressing her formally as Captain Unohana.

Logically, she should have been pleased. But deep down, the shift in tone only highlighted the growing distance between them.

As the wine flowed, Unohana sighed softly.

"You used to have such strange ideas, Arima," she said, her voice tinged with amusement.

"You'd say things like, 'Respect is in the heart. Calling you Captain Unohana doesn't make me respect you any more than calling you Yachiru makes me disrespect you.'"

Arima chuckled at the memory. "Well, I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Unohana shook her head, her smile wistful. "Perhaps not. But hearing you call me Yachiru again… it takes me back."

The courtyard flowers swayed gently in the breeze as the two sat in companionable silence, their shared past filling the quiet space between them.

For now, they allowed themselves to enjoy the moment, free of titles and the burdens of their roles.

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900 words

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