As someone who had once delved into the Great Spirit Book Corridor, he knew exactly who Unohana Yachiru truly was.
But could someone please tell him what was going on with this Unohana Yachiru across from him right now?
Wasn't she supposed to be a merciless killer? Wasn't she supposed to release killing intent indiscriminately toward anyone?
Aizen Sōsuke once again looked at Ichigo with eyes full of admiration.
To be able to turn someone like Unohana Yachiru into an obedient little wife—be it Shinigami or Quincy—anyone would have to respect him for that.
"Unohana-senpai, I must say I truly admire your former deeds," Aizen said with a smile.
After all, he respected anyone who dared strike against the nobles.
"But what made you, who had already sealed your blade, draw it once again? Was it because of you, Kurosaki Ichigo? The surprises you bring me just keep piling up." Aizen stared at Ichigo with genuine curiosity.
Ichigo raised his Zanpakutō, pointing it straight at Aizen. "Enough talk, Aizen. Fight me already!"
He had been itching to go!
If it weren't for Kyoraku and the others jumping in with their chicken charge, he might've taken down Aizen already!
Meanwhile, Gin Ichimaru still didn't look like he had any intention of joining the fight.
"Captain Aizen, I'll leave Kurosaki Ichigo and Unohana-senpai to you. I'll keep an eye on Captain-Commander Yamamoto and that other unfamiliar Captain," Gin said calmly.
Not that Aizen had expected Gin to actually be of much help.
Staring at Ichigo and Unohana Yachiru before him, he truly did feel a headache coming on.
Just Ichigo alone was already a problem, and now with Unohana Yachiru added to the mix? It was far worse!
After all, Unohana wasn't like Kyoraku—although Kyoraku was strong, he was still a few leagues behind this founding Captain who had been part of the Gotei 13 since its formation!
Which meant the trump card meant for Yamamoto Genryūsai had to be played early!
"Wonderweiss!"
With Aizen's command, the already-released Wonderweiss appeared at Aizen's side in a flash.
As for his previous opponent, Muguruma Kensei?
Well… he was already on his way to see Kira Izuru for treatment, thanks to Kunugaya Shiro.
After his Resurrección, Wonderweiss grew taller, his shoulders and thighs wider, limbs elongated, his ribs and sides partially hollowed, and his mask took the shape of a crown and goggles. He still looked dumb, though.
Aizen sighed with regret. "This was supposed to be the secret trump card I prepared for the Captain-Commander. But it seems Yamamoto Genryūsai won't be experiencing him after all."
Indeed, nowhere in Aizen's calculations had he considered that Unohana Retsu would suddenly transform into Unohana Yachiru and rejoin the battlefield!
Unohana hadn't raised her blade in over a thousand years!
Looking at the not-so-bright Wonderweiss, Unohana Yachiru turned to Ichigo and said, "Don't worry, Ichigo. Leave him to me."
Ichigo nodded. He had absolute faith in her.
Even if Wonderweiss teamed up with Gin, they would still be no match for Unohana Yachiru.
But Wonderweiss let out a beastly roar and charged straight at Ichigo.
In an instant, Unohana Yachiru flashed in front of Ichigo and kicked Wonderweiss flying!
Don't let her petite frame fool you—her overwhelming power made her presence feel ten feet tall!
"You beast—don't you dare interrupt Ichigo's fun!" Unohana Yachiru grabbed Wonderweiss and dragged him away to another battlefield.
Aizen looked at Ichigo. "I must admit, Kurosaki Ichigo… you've forced me to change quite a few plans. This so-called 'Prince of Flames' was meant to be my weapon against Ryūjin Jakka…"
"I never expected the old man would give you the chance to fight me instead!"
He couldn't believe he wouldn't have his epic battle with Yamamoto Genryūsai.
Meanwhile, Unohana Yachiru's fight with Wonderweiss was utterly one-sided.
She didn't even use her Zanpakutō—just hakuda alone turned Wonderweiss into a living punching bag.
Down below, injured Shinigami waiting for healing looked up and swallowed hard.
That gentle Captain Unohana… was actually a monster when she fought!
Kyoraku let out a sigh. "As expected of the First Kenpachi… Captain Unohana hasn't lost her edge."
That statement left everyone stunned!
"What?! Captain Unohana is the original Kenpachi?!" Hirako Shinji asked in shock, cradling his injured arm.
And he wasn't alone. Every single Shinigami who heard that line was completely floored!
"She's more than that," Kyoraku continued. "Aside from Old Man Yama, she's the only founding Captain still serving in the Gotei 13."
After all, Unohana no longer tried to hide this fact—so the information might as well be public now.
"This is insane… I never imagined Captain Unohana had been a Captain for that long!" Matsumoto Rangiku said, staring at Unohana's youthful face with admiration.
Her besties, Hinamori and Rangiku, were thinking the same thing.
Both of them had lived over a thousand years, but just look at Yamamoto—he already looked ancient.
Meanwhile, Unohana Yachiru still looked like a girl. If not for her mature aura, you'd think she was in her twenties.
(Though technically, Kuchiki Ginrei might actually be younger than Unohana. Among Shinigami, the stronger you are, the longer you live.)
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I'm honestly impressed. Even someone like Unohana-senpai is willing to follow you. How did you manage that?" Aizen asked with sincere curiosity.
This wasn't sarcasm—he genuinely wanted to know.
Freeloading off a woman like that… it's practically a talent!
Ichigo, however, flared his spiritual pressure.
A massive Hollow mask loomed behind him, and Ichigo stared directly at Aizen.
"Aizen Sōsuke, have you ever considered… that maybe we're the same kind?"
"The same kind?" Aizen frowned, puzzled.
He looked at the bloodthirsty Unohana Yachiru pummeling Wonderweiss and couldn't see the connection.
But Ichigo shook his head and raised his Zanpakutō.
"Enough nonsense, Aizen Sōsuke. Fight me now!"
As his killing intent surged, it resonated with Unohana Yachiru's bloodlust.
Now, Aizen began to believe it—Ichigo was the same kind as Unohana Yachiru!
Yamamoto Genryūsai, watching the battle, glanced at Amagai Shūsuke and muttered, "Looks like we won't need what we prepared."
Amagai nodded. "That's for the best, Captain-Commander. Your plan was too extreme. Even if we took Aizen down… if the Soul Society lost you, what would we do against the next threat?"
Yamamoto was silent for a moment.
"I've guarded this world for millennia… It's time a new power took my place."
He looked at Ichigo once more.
A boy capable of making Unohana Yachiru fight by his side—he was the right choice to succeed him.
But… it was still too soon. Ichigo was only fifteen.
In Soul Society terms, that was barely more than a toddler.
Even Rurichiyo Kasumiōji was already over fifty!
"I can wait for him to grow," Yamamoto said with renewed confidence.
Amagai let out a relieved sigh. Clearly, Yamamoto had given up on his self-destruct plan…
After all, if he'd detonated Karakura Town to kill Aizen, it wouldn't have just taken out Aizen—
All the injured Captains and Lieutenants receiving treatment would've died too.
Sure, he'd already sent Kenpachi, Byakuya, Mayuri, and Unohana to Hueco Mundo to stay safe…
But could just those few really support the entire Soul Society if they lost all the others?
That answer probably only existed in some alternate universe.
As things stood now, the situation looked very promising for Soul Society!
Aizen, meanwhile, stared at Wonderweiss—his perfect weapon, stripped of all reason, language, memory, and knowledge—created for the sole purpose of defeating Yamamoto Genryūsai…
Now utterly useless.
No one could've predicted that Kurosaki Ichigo would suddenly bring out someone of Captain-Commander-level strength to back him up!
This completely disrupted Aizen's plans—and he hated that.
In his version of the story, Ichigo was the fledgling hero who'd rise slowly.
Aizen was supposed to be the final boss who easily crushed the so-called "hero."
But now, halfway through the story, the hero had already stormed his castle with a party of allies—and the boss hadn't even evolved yet!
That made Aizen very unhappy.
But Ichigo didn't care.
For him, this was all about one thing—defeating Aizen.
Elsewhere, Unohana Yachiru was actually getting excited.
"You have high-speed regeneration? That's wonderful!" she beamed.
Clearly, this kind of opponent was her favorite: a regenerating sandbag!
Watching Wonderweiss repeatedly heal from her strikes, she finally drew her Zanpakutō.
For an opponent like this, the blade was necessary.
The moment she unsheathed her sword, the sheer pressure and killing intent radiating from her was enough to paralyze Wonderweiss.
Despite his lost intellect, his instincts were sharp.
And what they told him was that Unohana Yachiru was a demon from the deepest pits of hell.
"Excellent. You're worthy of my sword," Unohana whispered, gently stroking her blade as if reminiscing about old battles.
Unable to endure her pressure, Wonderweiss lunged with his beastly strength—arms extended to crush her.
Shing—!
Two flashes of light. Unohana appeared behind him, blade dripping with blood.
In the blink of an eye, both of Wonderweiss's arms had been severed!
"What a terrifying existence…" the injured Shinigami on the ground muttered as they stared in awe.
No one had expected Unohana Yachiru to be this overwhelmingly strong!
Just her basic swordplay had already completely crushed Wonderweiss.
"GRAAAAAHHH!!"
Wonderweiss howled in pain, but thanks to his regeneration, new arms grew back quickly.
Unohana sighed and shook her head. "Fighting a beast like you… there's no elegance, no thrill."
Indeed, this battle was more like a human hunting a wild animal.
"In that case, let's finish this quickly."
She sheathed her blade again, placing one hand on the scabbard and the other firmly on the hilt.
Fwooh…
Taking a deep breath, she watched Wonderweiss charge once more.
Unohana stepped forward—and as they passed each other, it looked like she hadn't moved at all.
Her blade returned silently to its sheath.
Behind her, Wonderweiss exploded into pieces—his body torn apart.
(End of Chapter)
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