At the Shihōin family's secret training ground, Tsunayoshi returned after finishing treatment for the captains in Squad 4.
The field was still lively.
Ichigo was wielding his oversized cleaver-like Zangetsu, taking on three opponents at once.
This was special training arranged for Ichigo after he had just mastered his new power.
Everyone had noticed that after regaining consciousness, Ichigo not only gained proper control over his Hollow power—his Shinigami power had also changed.
A golden crescent shot out from Zangetsu.
It was clearly a Getsuga Tenshō—but its nature had changed.
What used to be a blue crescent had now turned gold.
This proved that Ichigo's previous Shinigami power had been something "Zangetsu" (the old man) fabricated. In essence, it was actually part of his Quincy power, which was why it resembled Uryū's Heilig Pfeil in color.
Now, after coming to understand the true Zangetsu—his Hollow self—Ichigo had finally obtained his real Shinigami power.
That golden Reiatsu was its manifestation.
He had also grown proficient in Zangetsu's chain-swinging combat style, the massive blade spinning and whipping around him.
Chad even felt like he was just there to make up the numbers—he couldn't get close at all and could only occasionally throw a long-range punch.
Uryū, on the other hand, had it easier.
Since this was coordinated training, he didn't use his favorite wide-area barrage. Instead, he continuously fired arrows at Ichigo, who deflected each one precisely with his blade.
The most frustrated one was Renji.
Ever since Ichigo started using Zangetsu's extended, flexible attacks, Zabimaru no longer held any obvious advantage.
In fact, because Zangetsu was larger and more forceful, Zabimaru's segmented blade was constantly knocked away in clashes.
"Hahaha! So this is how fun Zangetsu really is!" Ichigo laughed smugly.
Ichigo wasn't stupid—once he understood the concept, he could quickly master it.
Seeing his smug expression, Renji finally snapped.
"Bankai—Hihiō Zabimaru!"
The massive serpent lunged forward, whipping around in a dragon-like motion as it opened its jaws toward Ichigo.
"Take this—Hikōtsu Taihō!"
"Perfect timing!"
Ichigo showed no displeasure at the sudden escalation.
With his free hand, he swiped across his face, pointing Zangetsu forward as crimson Reiatsu gathered at its tip.
His Shinigami and Hollow powers were one—so Zangetsu could naturally unleash Hollow techniques.
Cero!
Two crimson beams collided midair, shaking the barrier violently.
Fortunately, both stopped after the clash. Otherwise, Uryū and Chad would have stepped in to stop them.
"Damn it! How did you get so strong?!" Renji growled.
Even using Bankai, he couldn't force Ichigo to use his own.
The gap between them was only widening.
"Heh, obviously because I'm amazing," Ichigo said, rubbing his nose—though his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Tsunayoshi.
Without Tsunayoshi, he would never have accepted a Zanpakutō spirit that looked like a Hollow.
Renji caught that glance immediately.
After spending time with Tsunayoshi, he knew the man wasn't difficult to approach.
Taking a breath, he sheathed Zabimaru and ran over.
"Mr. Sawada! After your guidance, Ichigo improved tremendously. If you have time, could you please guide me as well? I'd be extremely grateful!"
Renji slid into a full prostration in front of Tsunayoshi, looking up expectantly like a begging pet.
Tsunayoshi crouched down.
"You've already mastered Bankai. What else do you want to improve? How about… a Hollowfication experiment?"
Renji immediately shuddered.
He knew exactly what that meant.
Even captain-level Shinigami had been hunted by Soul Society a hundred years ago for meddling with Hollowfication.
But thinking of his own strength—and Rukia's impending execution—
His resolve hardened.
If he saved Rukia, she wouldn't be able to remain in Soul Society anyway.
In that case… changing worlds wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Renji raised his head firmly.
"Please help me achieve Hollowfication!"
Watching his shifting expression, Tsunayoshi realized he had misunderstood.
"Relax, I was joking. Hollowfication isn't something you can complete in a day."
"Your power can improve—but wait until after Rukia's situation is resolved. Then I'll explain it properly."
"But Ichigo got stronger in just one day…" Renji muttered.
Tsunayoshi flicked his forehead.
"Can you compare yourself to Ichigo? His Zanpakutō is cooperative. Yours… well. For now, spend more time on Jinzen."
Ichigo was an exception—a walking cheat, with powers that existed purely to protect him.
Once he understood them, growth came naturally.
But Renji's Zabimaru?
Tsunayoshi had no easy way to deal with that spirit.
"Jinzen…?"
Renji looked confused.
He had learned how to communicate with his Zanpakutō back at the academy, but didn't think it would help much.
Still, since Tsunayoshi suggested it, he went off to try.
"Tsuna-kun, you're amazing. Do you have any way to help me improve too?"
Two drops of cold sweat ran down Tsunayoshi's back.
That gentle, pleasant voice made him uneasy.
"Tsunayoshi! Who is this woman, and why did you bring her here?!" Tatsuki snorted, glaring. "And since when did you allow her to call you by your name?!"
"Oh my, as captain of the medical division, it's only natural for me to check for injured patients anywhere," the woman replied calmly. "On the other hand… you're not from Soul Society. Why are you here? Are you one of the Ryoka?"
It was Unohana Retsu, captain of Squad 4.
Ever since finishing treatment, she had been following Tsunayoshi.
He had tried to shake her off—but she always responded with the same reasoning.
As captain of Squad 4, she had the right to go anywhere.
When words failed, Tsunayoshi even considered drawing his blade—
But the moment his hand touched the hilt, Unohana's eyes lit up.
He immediately stopped.
Clearly—she had her sights on him.
She wanted another fight.
But with Aizen about to make his move, Tsunayoshi had no time for that.
If he hadn't used his Rain Flame techniques before, Unohana could probably fight nonstop for an entire day.
Unable to shake her, and unable to fight her, he had no choice but to bring her to the Shihōin estate—hoping the noble family might deter her.
Instead, she greeted everyone warmly and followed him inside like she belonged there.
Then, inevitably—
Tatsuki noticed.
A beautiful woman had followed Tsunayoshi home.
With Tsunayoshi's weak explanation—and Unohana's subtle provocations—Tatsuki quickly treated her as a rival.
The result was obvious.
Tatsuki stood no chance in a verbal exchange against a thousand-year veteran.
Before long—
"Damn it! I'm going to duel you!"
Tsunayoshi's hair stood on end.
He immediately grabbed Tatsuki and pulled her aside.
"She's just being reckless. Captain Unohana, please don't take it seriously."
Was she joking?
Tatsuki fighting Unohana?
Even a hundred Tatsukis wouldn't survive a single exchange.
Unless she mastered Yoruichi's advanced Shunkō, it would just be suicide.
"Are you afraid of me, Tsuna-kun? I'm just a weak woman," Unohana said with a faint smile.
Now Tsunayoshi truly understood why no one in the Seireitei dared provoke her.
Tatsuki, however, wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Hearing "Tsuna-kun" only fueled her anger.
She broke free, ready to attack.
Tsunayoshi flicked her forehead and whispered:
"Did you forget what I told you before we came to Soul Society?"
Tatsuki paused.
She remembered.
Unohana Retsu—someone absolutely not to provoke.
Still, she snorted.
"And what? You're siding with her? Or… you can't protect me even if you tried?"
Tsunayoshi sighed.
He knew he couldn't stop this fight.
"Do what you want. I'm here."
"That's more like it."
A faint smile finally appeared on Tatsuki's face.
"Captain Unohana, please go easy on her," Tsunayoshi added.
"Then I'll have to ask Tsuna-kun for more guidance another day," Unohana replied.
Tsunayoshi sighed again.
That single line reignited Tatsuki's anger.
The three moved to the center of the field, with Tsunayoshi standing guard—just in case.
Tatsuki didn't hold back.
Facing a captain was a rare opportunity.
She activated her Fullbring (Second Stage), layered herself with Kidō, and launched forward in a Shunkō-like assault.
Her explosive burst of power surprised even Unohana slightly.
For newly promoted Bankai-level captains, this might have been overwhelming.
But Unohana didn't even draw her sword.
She calmly began chanting Kidō.
Seeing this, Tsunayoshi relaxed.
Using Kidō was good—Tatsuki could learn something from it.
As for whether she could win—
That was never a consideration.
Unohana, the greatest master of healing in the Seireitei, was also highly proficient in Kidō.
Until the Thousand-Year Blood War, she rarely even needed to use her Zanpakutō.
Kidō alone had been enough to handle every opponent she encountered.
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