"Tear apart the sky…"
Moyu nearly called out his Shikai's name, the instinctive words rising from the depths of his soul.
But just before he spoke, rationality took control, halting the reckless impulse.
"Releasing it now… not wise. Better to keep this power hidden."
Though burning with curiosity about his Zanpakutō's true power, Moyu was well aware of the dangers of premature exposure—curiosity, after all, was fatal in the Soul Society.
He decided to study it in secret—when no one was watching.
Still, Knife Zen class was painfully dull to him.
When Keiko Jushan emphasized the importance of Zanpakutō for the eighth time, Moyu, unsurprisingly, fell into a deep sleep once more.
It was a talent he'd cultivated at the Spiritual Arts Academy—he could fall asleep anywhere, anytime, no matter the noise.
But unlike his laid-back demeanor, his Zanpakutō seemed far too driven.
[Your Zanpakutō has comprehended Shikai techniques through focused observation.]
[Your Zanpakutō has awakened further understanding of its power through continued resonance.]
The continuous system chimes echoed faintly in the background—but they didn't stir Moyu.
Instead, they lulled him into an even deeper sleep, like a lullaby sung by his own soul.
Keiko Jushan didn't react. She had long accepted this behavior from him.
Scolding Moyu never worked.
"Well… what can you do? He's from the Kuchiki family."
She sighed quietly and dismissed the class.
Yet the moment class ended, Moyu awakened on cue, completely refreshed.
"Rukia. What's next?" he asked, without turning around.
Used to her brother's bizarre rhythms, Rukia replied calmly, "Kendō class."
"I heard there's a big name coming today."
"Brother Moyu… you mustn't fall asleep in this one!"
Her clear eyes shone with concern.
"A big name, huh?" Moyu nodded, casually. "Alright, I'll behave."
"Let's go. To the Kendō hall."
---
Five Minutes Later — Kendō Hall
Moyu stood dead center in the practice hall. Cold sweat beaded down his back. His spine tingled.
"…Why is she here?!"
Standing at the podium was a woman wrapped in white captain's robes over a sleek black uniform. Her long black hair was neatly braided down her front, framing her composed, elegant face. She radiated calm and grace.
A soft smile lingered on her lips.
"Greetings. I'm Unohana Retsu, Captain of Squad Four."
She crossed her hands gently in front of her and continued in a peaceful voice:
"I was invited today to give guidance on the way of the sword."
"I hope everyone cooperates fully. If not…"
She didn't finish.
Because she didn't need to.
The moment her spiritual pressure leaked out, everything changed.
Though the same serene smile remained, her spiritual presence—her killing intent—crashed down like a tidal wave.
It was a smile that belonged in hell, beautiful and horrific.
The world itself seemed to buckle.
Thought ceased. Fear became unreachable. There wasn't even room to be terrified.
[Your Reiatsu is under extreme external pressure. Stimulated by survival instinct, you have advanced to Officer-level Reiatsu.]
The system voice cut through Moyu's paralysis, snapping him back to clarity.
At the same time, he realized: his inner garments were soaked in cold sweat.
"Why is this dangerous woman here?! Didn't Byakuya promise not to report me?!"
Unohana Retsu—Captain of Squad Four.
The original Kenpachi. A monstrous killer whose savagery once darkened the annals of Soul Society history.
She had buried her bloodlust deep, donning the role of a healer.
But beneath the surface remained the monster—a soul who thrived in combat, whose sword demanded blood.
Moyu remembered it well.
He had once made the mistake of messing up a floral arrangement at a Fourth Division event.
She had calmly declared that a single sword strike would make them even.
Knowing her past, Moyu did the only thing he could—run.
If not for Byakuya's intervention, Moyu would've likely re-entered Soul Society as scattered spirit particles.
"Let the First Kenpachi cut me? I'd rather die!"
He took one step back, trying to slip out.
But Unohana's killing intent shifted—and locked onto him.
In that moment, the pressure became tangible. Spiritual particles in the air froze. Even movement became nearly impossible.
Like a gas forced into solid—Moyu couldn't even blink.
[Your Reiatsu is under overwhelming pressure. Refusing to submit, your spirit force has surged. Advanced to Captain-level Reiatsu.]
Then—BOOM!
From Moyu's core, a torrent of Reiatsu erupted.
Centered around him, a dazzling bluish-white beam of spiritual energy surged upward like a pillar piercing the heavens!