Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!
Chapter 142: The Confession with Unohana

Chapter 142: The Confession with Unohana

"This is the place."

In front of him stretched a vast chamber, flanked by bare, jagged stone walls. A massive, square pit yawned in the center, as if carved out by force. Strangely, the sky could be seen overhead—bright daylight pouring down—even though the path the black cat had taken led them deep underground.

Tachikawa Shin was certain: there was no place like this within the official bounds of Seireitei. It had to be a specially constructed dimensional pocket. Most likely beneath the Shōkonmaku and the Senzaikyū.

This must be the secret training ground built by Urahara Kisuke and Shihōin Yoruichi, their personal sanctuary of youth and rebellion. In the original timeline, Kurosaki Ichigo had trained to unlock his Bankai here.

"A hidden gem... didn’t think you’d know a place like this," Shin remarked.

The black cat perched atop a boulder, golden eyes sweeping across the space as though dredging up long-buried memories.

"I haven’t been here in a very long time," it said quietly.

"Can I use it freely?" Shin asked.

"What are you planning to do?" the cat replied, its tone probing.

"Something I don’t want to be interrupted doing."

The black cat studied him for a long moment, then said, "Do as you like. This place is abandoned anyway. I doubt I’ll need it again. Consider it repayment for all the fish. I probably won’t be back for a long time."

Its tone was vague, uncertain. After all, it was technically still a stowaway in Soul Society. Whether its current situation would change for better or worse remained to be seen.

After a pause, it added, "This space can mask normal levels of reiatsu—but if you exceed the limit, others will sense it."

Shin nodded. That tracked—Renji had once found Ichigo here by following his spiritual pressure.

Still, it was secluded enough. As long as he didn’t release his power recklessly, this place would serve.

He briefly considered asking about the Tenshintai, Urahara’s device used to materialize a zanpakutō’s spirit—used by Ichigo to train for Bankai in only three days. But if he brought that up, he’d essentially be revealing he knew who the cat really was. Too risky. It might make the other wary.

For now, he’d forego it. He couldn’t believe he’d need to reach 100% synchronization with his zanpakutō to unlock Bankai.

"Doesn’t matter. The location’s secret enough."

Shiba Isshin had vanished as if into thin air.

Rangiku Matsumoto tried several times to find him, to no avail. Kaien offered no real answers, and First Division simply told her that Isshin was no longer a Shinigami—they had no obligation to locate him.

They also said a new captain would be appointed for the Tenth.

This left Rangiku rattled. The entire division was abuzz with rumors after their captain’s sudden removal.

She didn’t understand. If Isshin truly no longer wished to lead, he should’ve at least given everyone a proper explanation. Disappearing like this... what was he thinking?

The attitudes of First Division and Kaien made it clear: something wasn’t being said.

Returning from First Division, Rangiku found Hitsugaya waiting for her.

"Anything?"

She frowned. "No sign of the captain. First said they’re looking for a new one."

"A new captain?" Hitsugaya looked genuinely surprised. "Who?"

That was the question, wasn’t it...

Rangiku ran through a mental list of eligible candidates within the Gotei 13—could it be that silver-haired Shinigami?

...Was it him?

She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time for speculation.

"Captain’s going to get it when I find him," she growled. "He better not show his face again unless he wants a beating."

But Hitsugaya offered a different theory: "What if... this was all planned between him and the higher-ups?"

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. He goes on leave, then gets dismissed, no big commotion, no scandal—and First Division reacts way too smoothly. Doesn’t that seem off?"

Rangiku’s expression shifted as she considered it.

"He’s lazy, sure—but not irresponsible. If he really wanted to quit, he would’ve tied up loose ends first. I think he had his reasons, reasons he couldn’t share."

"...Then this might all be for the sake of the next captain," Rangiku muttered.

"The new one, huh..."

Her thoughts turned again to one name.

The next Captains’ Meeting was missing one figure—Shiba Isshin.

And his dismissal wasn’t mentioned at all.

The captains glanced at the now-empty position meant for the Tenth Division’s leader, their expressions unreadable.

After the meeting, several lingered in the corridor.

"Did Shiba really step down voluntarily?"

"Sure felt sudden."

"Yeah..."

"So who’s replacing him? Surprised the Head-Captain didn’t bring it up."

"There are a few qualified people..."

Each of them played it coy, but they were no fools. They’d pieced together the truth: this was a quiet handover of power—Shiba Kaien’s appointment, then Isshin’s sudden removal. A shift in influence.

"Why not recommend your lieutenant?" Komamura suggested to Aizen.

Despite having lost the previous contest to Kaien, everyone knew Gin had mastered Bankai. He was qualified.

But Aizen merely smiled and declined. "Gin’s not interested right now. Let’s leave it to the Head-Captain’s decision."

And in truth, Aizen had no intention of sending Gin to the Tenth.

Because someone there... might influence Gin. And that person, inconveniently, was not someone Aizen could eliminate. Not yet.

"Captain Unohana!"

Ukitake caught up to Retsu as she was leaving.

"Yes, Ukitake?" Her voice was soft, serene.

"Do you have a moment?"

She studied his face, reading more than he was saying aloud. She already had a good guess what he wanted.

Her smile remained gentle. "I don’t."

"Then perhaps we could sit somewhere—"

But she had already turned and walked away.

Ukitake stood stunned, watching her disappear down the hall.

He’d been rejected.

His expression darkened.

Just then, Kaien approached.

"Captain Ukitake."

"Kaien."

"I’d like to speak with you."

Back at the 13th Division, the two men sat together. Once captain and subordinate, now equals.

"You’re saying you want to co-sponsor Tachikawa Shin’s promotion?" Ukitake asked, surprised.

He hadn’t expected Kaien to take this step.

"I do," Kaien said firmly. "You’ve seen his strength, Captain. His leadership, his resolve. He’s only two years out of the Academy, yes—but he’s not lacking in anything else. He founded the Student Council, has done great work in the Fourth... he’s proven himself."

The Tenth was still stable. Rangiku was capable, and with a proper successor, the transition would be smooth.

"And who else will you ask?"

"We need six captains for a co-nomination. You’re my first. I plan to visit Unohana, Kyōraku... I doubt Aizen will help, but I hope you can speak to others on my behalf."

Kaien knew he didn’t have deep ties with most of the captains—but he’d try.

Ukitake chuckled. "So you’d do all this for a friend, huh?"

Kaien nodded slightly.

"Then again, you might not need to go that far," Ukitake said.

"...What do you mean?"

"If the Head-Captain wants him, the rest will fall in line."

"...You’re saying Shin was the top candidate all along?"

Ukitake smiled. "Back when the Third Division’s spot was open, the Head-Captain approached Shin first. Now with the Tenth, he’s likely still the first choice."

"...I see."

Kaien breathed easier.

"You’ve done plenty already," Ukitake said. "It’s admirable."

Kaien said nothing. In his heart, it wasn’t just about Shin.

After a moment, Ukitake added, "About your uncle—"

"I’m fine, Captain," Kaien cut in. "I can guess most of what happened. Our family might be small, but for a time we had two captains. That’s more than even the Kuchiki or Shihōin clans can say."

"...True."

Kaien chuckled. "Guess I’ve inherited the role now."

Back at the Fourth Division, Unohana returned to her office and opened the door.

Someone stood inside.

She paused briefly, then closed the door behind her.

"...Do you need something?"

The room was quiet, filled with the scent of medicinal herbs and faint shafts of light.

"I’ll be leaving Fourth soon," Shin said. "There are things I’d like to say before I go."

Unohana stepped closer, not quite closing the gap between them.

"The appointment hasn’t been finalized yet," she said softly.

Shin ignored the comment. "Do you know why I joined the Fourth, even while hiding my zanpakutō’s nature?"

"Tell me."

"For you."

Unohana’s expression didn’t shift. It was as if she’d expected it. A faint, amused curve touched her lips.

"Is that so?"

"But... not for the reason you think."

"You know what I’m thinking?"

"You were the first Kenpachi. The strongest swordswoman in Seireitei. I admire your mastery. I have my own path in swordsmanship—and I came here to learn from you."

She said nothing. Days ago, she had led a mission to the outer Rukongai—her subtle invitation to fight. But Shin hadn’t come.

She had guessed at many reasons. Perhaps fear of Yamamoto’s orders. Perhaps he wasn’t ready.

"My understanding of the sword differs from yours," Shin said. "I wanted to cross blades—but not to the death."

The glint in her eyes dimmed. Her voice turned cold.

"Ah yes... You once said, if I sought death from you, you would refuse."

"I did."

Her tone dropped again. "You think you could kill me?"

Shin met her gaze calmly. "I don’t believe anyone can surpass me in swordsmanship. What I mean is—if I spared you in combat... would you choose to keep living?"

The air in the room turned frigid.