Chapter 266
I am strong-stronger than anyone except you.
And that is why I will kill you.
No matter if it takes a thousand times, or even a hundred.
And that is why I will heal you.
No matter if it takes a thousand times, or even a hundred.
Until you return to your true self-and then surpass me and move on to a higher realm.
Puff!
Zaraki Kenpachi's sword came down in one brutal motion.
Blood splattered violently; the bright red droplets struck the ground and spread out like blooming flowers.
"You thought I was dead, didn't you?"
"Kenpachi… why do you think I practiced the Way of Healing?"
Unohana Yachiru's wounds began to close instantly before his eyes.
"Bankai-"
Unohana Yachiru held her Zanpakutō in her right hand and ran her blood-stained left palm along the blade from the hilt to the tip. The crimson liquid stained the edge completely.
"Minazuki-"
However, the blood coating Unohana's Zanpakutō did not slide off. It fused with the blade itself, transforming it into a dark, blood-red sword.
Blood poured from above her head and turned the battlefield into hell itself. It was as if the blood of every person she had ever slain now coated her blade. The world around them drowned in red.
"The farce ends here."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"
Kenpachi roared, his instincts screaming in answer to the danger standing before him.
Their swords crashed together again and again-each strike carrying death in its wake.
They burned through the last of their reiatsu, through the final fragments of strength left in their bodies.
As the clash continued, Kenpachi felt his limbs growing heavy.
His arms began to disintegrate slowly-as though his very body was melting away into bone.
What's happening?
Everything feels wrong…
It turned out he'd been dreaming-fighting her endlessly inside his mind.
When awareness returned, the vision of his body turning to bone faded away. He and Unohana Yachiru were once again standing apart, blades in hand, poised for another exchange.
He realized then that this battle did have meaning.
And because of her-he finally understood it.
Thanks…
Yes. This… this is battle.
Swords pierced flesh again.
Kenpachi's blade drove through Unohana's shoulder and under her collarbone.
Her light body hung from the sword like a wilted leaf caught on the wind.
--
Later that night, on the balcony of the Fourth Division barracks-
Unohana Retsu knelt beside a low table, sipping tea beneath the moonlight.
Tap... tap...
Someone approached and sat next to her without hesitation.
He poured himself some tea from the set already prepared and took a sip.
"Your craftsmanship hasn't gotten lazy, Unohana-taichō."
It was Hideki Yuta.
For once, Unohana's hair was not draped forward to conceal her old scar. The long mark across her chest remained exposed under the moonlight-hideous and deep.
"Yuta, did you know? I've always loved fighting."
"I loved it so much that I couldn't help myself. So… to keep fighting endlessly, I learned the art of healing-to heal both my own injuries and those of my enemies."
She looked out over the courtyard.
"Do you know the fate of Kenpachi?"
"In every era, there is only one Kenpachi," she said softly. "It's the fate of the strong. When one warrior meets another stronger than themselves, they lose the right to draw their blade for their own will."
"From that moment on, their sword exists only to kill-or to nurture the next."
"I fought Kenpachi Zaraki once-over a thousand years ago. And I lost."
She placed her hand lightly over the scar on her chest.
"This wound is proof of that defeat."
"I should have died back then... but the title of Kenpachi was given to him."
Yuta remained silent, sipping his tea calmly. The silence stretched between them.
Unohana turned toward him and asked, "What do you think, Yuta-kun? I want to hear your opinion."
"My opinion?" Yuta's tone was flat and unbothered. "Bullshit."
"There's only one strong person in each era? Fine. You and Zaraki Kenpachi both die-then the title of Kenpachi will be mine."
"It's because there are equals that we want to push ourselves further."
"You're talking about sacrificing yourself to help Zaraki reach his limit. You don't have to."
"Both of you are strong-but I'm stronger than either of you."
"So your worry that Zaraki will suppress his power is useless."
Unohana lowered her gaze, her expression relaxing as the faintest smile curved her lips.
"... Thank you, Yuta."
She stood, the hem of her white haori shifting softly in the breeze. She knelt beside Yuta again and wrapped her arms gently over his shoulders-kissing him lightly on the lips.
Perhaps it was her first time; her movements were delicate and hesitant.
Yuta, however, returned it with effortless control, taking the rhythm into his own hands until she finally drew back.
Unohana's eyes carried the calm of acceptance-tinged with farewell.
"I know your feelings for me."
"But I'm afraid I'll be unable to return them."
"This kiss... is my way of repaying your kindness."
"... Thank you, Yuta."
--
Unohana's sword slipped from her fingers and struck the ground with a dull clang.
"Is this the end?"
"Does this... lead to death?"
"Hey! Don't you die-don't die, don't die..."
--
There's no reason to cry... like a child, she thought faintly.
I've taught you everything I know. There's nothing left-not even my title as Kenpachi. Bless me... for I am ready to die.
Ah... what bliss it is-to die after fulfilling my duty.
"Kenpachi..."
"Kenpachi Zaraki..."
"Who-who's there?! Show yourself!" Zaraki's head snapped up at the sudden whisper in his mind.
"You finally hear me," the feminine tone said softly. "I've always been with you-closer than anyone else. Watching you."
"Hello, Kenpachi Zaraki. My name is-"
"So... that's your name."
Zaraki looked down at the sword in his hand-then at Unohana's fallen body. He closed his eyes for one brief moment before turning to walk away.
With each step, he seemed to shed the weight of his old self-growing into what he truly was.
Tap... tap... tap...
Kenpachi Zaraki left the Muken behind.
Another figure approached the silent underground chamber-the man walked to where Unohana lay motionless.
"You should get up now," Yuta said evenly. "You carry my reiatsu now. You won't die so easily."
Unohana's wounds vanished in moments; the scars on her chest, abdomen, and even the faintest marks upon her skin dissolved.
It was as though she had been reborn completely-transcending death itself.
With Yuta's reiatsu flowing within her, even death had become impossible.
Standing slowly, Unohana Retsu looked at the man before her and understood at once.
It had happened during the kiss. Yuta had passed his reiatsu into her.
With that power inside her, dying had become impossible.
She smiled faintly and whispered, "It seems... I truly cannot escape your grasp, Yuta."
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