Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

However, Unohana's so-called "discussion" seemed more like a formality. Without waiting for Makoto to respond, she picked up the Zanpakuto, Shinro Basho, and tossed it to him.

Makoto caught the Zanpakuto firmly, showing no signs of hesitation.

Whether you shrink from it or face it head-on, the blade still falls...

Rather than kneeling to receive the blade, Makoto naturally lacked no resolve to draw his own.

Slowly, he unsheathed Shinro Basho, its blade reflecting a cold gleam under the moonlight.

Seeing this, Unohana's smile widened as she spoke.

"Makoto, you are my most cherished disciple. This isn't a punishment... you understand, don't you?"

"Of course…"

Makoto raised his gaze slightly, looking into Unohana's tender and stunningly beautiful face.

Under the moonlight, she was gentler than the radiant moon...

Under the moonlight, she was lovelier than the serene garden...

Under the moonlight, she was deadlier than the sharpest blade!

Yet, Unohana didn't draw her own Zanpakuto. Instead, she revealed a concealed dagger hidden in her sleeve and said softly, "Makoto, I can indulge your whims to an extent. That version of you is indeed amusing. But as a teacher, I must teach my student a lesson: Betraying your master…"

Her crescent-shaped eyes opened slightly, revealing a dangerous glint.

"...is absolutely forbidden. Especially when you lack the ability to resist me. So, how about a little post-banquet exercise? After all, with Shinro Basho, you won't die so easily, will you?"

Makoto let out a bitter laugh and then seemed to think of something. Without stepping out of the hot spring, he moved to the opposite side, away from Unohana, and gripped Shinro Basho with both hands, assuming a fighting stance.

Unohana instantly understood Makoto's intention.

"Oh? You enjoy battling in the hot spring? If that's your request, I see no reason to refuse."

With that, she placed her dagger on his Shihakusho, removed her captain's haori with ease, and stepped into the hot spring, clad only in her Shihakusho and wielding the dagger in hand.

Soon, half of Unohana's body was submerged in the water, her soaked Shihakusho clinging to her, accentuating her elegant figure.

But Makoto had no spare attention to notice these trivial details…

As Unohana approached, Makoto focused all his energy on tracking the movement of her dagger.

His request for a battle in the hot spring was a deliberate attempt to limit her fluid and dangerous mobility, allowing him to focus more on her weapon's trajectory.

Though… he wasn't entirely sure how effective such a ploy would be against someone like Unohana. But he figured it couldn't worsen his chances.

"Well then, Makoto… let's have a little dance in the hot spring, shall we?"

As her words fell, the dagger shot towards Makoto's face with a trajectory far beyond the scope of zanjutsu taught at the Shin'o Academy.

Makoto's eyes sharpened, and he reversed his grip on Shinro Basho, raising it to counter.

Yet in the next instant...

"Pshhh!"

His chest was slashed open, a torrent of blood spraying into the air.

Neither Unohana's nor Makoto's movements halted in the slightest.

Unohana purposefully avoided vital areas, while Makoto's Zanpakuto possessed self-healing properties. Though the wounds appeared gruesome, they weren't fatal for him.

Clang! Clang! Slash!

Amid the serene beauty of the garden, the sounds of clashing blades and the faint scent of blood filled the moonlit air.

Both refrained from using any techniques beyond Zanjutsu, engaged in a relentless melee.

Or perhaps more accurately, Makoto was enduring a brutal lesson, using his body to memorize Unohana's swordsmanship.

By the time the entire hot spring had turned crimson, the battle finally ceased.

Unohana bathed without hesitation in the blood-stained water, then carried Makoto—his spirit and strength utterly drained—back to the room.

Soft light from Kaido illuminated the room as Unohana carefully treated Makoto's many wounds. Watching his seemingly unconscious figure, she murmured as if reminiscing.

"Makoto, Zanjutsu exists solely for killing…"

"There is no faster way to learn than by engraving it onto your body. No matter the reason, deep down, you crave strength, don't you? Then use your body to remember it well."

Yet, in the next moment, Makoto suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze was filled with a gentle and compassionate light as he asked a question that left Unohana momentarily stunned.

"Unohana-sensei, when you mastered all the sword styles of the Soul Society a thousand years ago, did you also endure countless wounds like these? Is that why your Shikai possesses such a unique healing ability?"

Unohana's expression flickered, and she bit her lip almost imperceptibly. Her voice carried a faint scolding tone as she replied, "It seems you still have strength left, to be pondering such trivial things."

Makoto shook his head. "No. To me, this is an important question."

For a brief moment, Unohana felt an inexplicable panic under his intense gaze, but she quickly sighed in relief.

After all, not everyone could endure such relentless combat, nor could many face their assailant without harboring resentment.

Makoto didn't detest her for this... That was truly fortunate.

This isn't punishment, Makoto…

It's wonderful that you can understand.

At that moment, Makoto reached out to grasp Unohana's wrist as she healed him, his voice gentle but firm.

"Sensei, you no longer have to bear loneliness alone. If you are ever injured, let me be the one to heal you next time."

Unohana froze, then her lips curved into a brilliant smile.

"Well then, Makoto, you'll need to work hard. I look forward to the day when your Zanpakuto pierces through my body."

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