Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

Isane slowly turned and opened the office door, her head bowed, saying nothing—her silence carrying weight far heavier than any words.

To all her questions, Shin had no rebuttal. She had seen through him.

In the end, the only person Shin truly loved… was himself.

He had approached Rukia, Hinamori, and Isane all with a purpose. These goal-driven affections were never pure. How could he possibly view them as more important than himself?

Just days ago, when Shin considered the state of his relationships, he had even felt a kind of relief—he'd already earned most of the system's rewards from them. Even if things deteriorated, it wouldn't be too great a loss.

Only Rukia truly warranted further consideration, because the system's "Shinigami's Wedge" was bound to her.

He thought this way because he had already decided—long ago—how to treat these relationships.

And yet, when all three girls had confessed to him with such depth of feeling, he'd been struck with a sense of hollow emptiness.

Now, watching Isane try so hard to suppress her emotions, he instinctively reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

She turned her face away, dodging his hand.

One hand clutched the doorknob. Her shoulders trembled subtly.

"…"

Shin stared at her for a long time, then quietly turned and walked out of her office.

The door clicked shut behind him.

The Fourth Division was quiet, just as it always had been—especially around the captain's and vice-captain's quarters. Few passed through here.

He stood in place for a while until he felt eyes watching him.

Through the window, he met the gaze coming from the captain's office.

"…"

Their eyes locked in the still air—silent, unreadable. Shin walked forward and pushed open the door to Retsu Unohana's office.

She sat calmly on the floor mat, showing no concern at his unannounced entry. Looking at his expression, she said softly, "How pitiful."

Her voice was light, yet in the silence, every syllable echoed.

Shin's eyes darkened slightly.

Unohana continued, voice slow and deliberate, "You said so much before about how different you and I are. But looking at you now… such a complex person, living so unhappily."

This was the first time they'd spoken alone since their battle.

It wasn't avoidance that kept Shin away—he simply hadn't figured out how to face her yet.

His priority remained unchanged: raise Unohana's affection to earn the system reward.

His voice was quiet. "Captain Unohana, do you believe you've seen through me again?"

A faint smile touched her lips. "Before, I couldn't."

"Shin… You're a deeply lonely person. You surround yourself with friends, tangle yourself in relationships… but do any of those bonds truly connect to your heart? Are you trying to prove something to others—or to yourself?"

"You act like you don't want to be changed… but is there a part of you, deep down, that longs to be changed?"

"It's sad, really. Because some things… can't be changed."

Her black hair spilled down like a curtain, her posture regal, but the chill that clung to her words was unsettling.

Shin listened in silence—then, abruptly, he smiled.

"Captain Unohana, are you saying all this to indirectly blame me for not killing you back then?"

Her eyes narrowed.

Shin went on, "You have emotions, just like anyone else. And yet here you are, trying to turn yourself into a weary shell of a person. You've tasted battle, killed, and been satisfied with it, haven't you? If you truly wanted to die, who could stop you?"

"…"

Unohana fell silent again.

After a long pause, she said, "It's strange. You see things so clearly, and yet you're trapped just the same."

Shin shook his head. "I'm nothing special when it comes to humanity. Just because other parts of me are different, people assume I'm entirely different. But I live in this world—how could I not be connected to it?"

Unohana gave a quiet scoff. "That's contradictory."

"It's not. Half of what I said just now were your words. I didn't admit to anything. And as for you… if you truly despise this life, this identity you used to wear—why not discard it? The Head-Captain's restraints on you are limited. You're the one keeping yourself in this contradiction. What are you waiting for?"

"In my eyes, your pain comes from being too pure. Only battle and bloodshed bring you joy. But in Soul Society, such chaos is rejected. If you were truly a complex person, connected deeply to others, you wouldn't feel pain like this. There are so many people in this world—are you the only one who's right? Are the rest of us all wrong? All suffering?"

Unohana remained quiet for a moment, then said, "Perhaps you're right."

"But the thing about having a 'kindred spirit' is… sometimes even one is too many. Or unnecessary. If you plant yourself too deeply in this world, you lose yourself. The more connections you forge, the more you end up living for others. And a person who lives for others… can never be happy."

As Shin left the Fourth Division, he glanced at the system interface.

Unohana's affection level hadn't changed.

Halfway through his return, Shin detoured—heading for the First Division.

"Captain Tachikawa?" Sasakibe looked surprised to see him.

"I want to speak with the Head-Captain."

"Is this about what happened today in the Fourth Division?"

"In part."

"I've already reported to the Head-Captain. He's considering reducing Captain Unohana's punishment."

"I'm not here just for that."

"…Still about Unohana?"

Shin nodded.

Sasakibe sighed. "Captain Tachikawa… You were forgiven once already. That was no small mercy."

"I'm not here to cause trouble."

Still, Sasakibe couldn't help but worry. He tried again. "Captain Tachikawa, I suggest you keep a proper distance when it comes to Captain Unohana. You're newly appointed—you should focus on your duties in the Tenth. We know you're capable. If you have proposals for your Division, I'm sure the Head-Captain will support them."

He was trying to steer Shin away, send him off gently.

In Sasakibe's eyes, Shin was still young—rash in ways he didn't realize.

"Thank you for the advice, Vice-Captain. But… are you refusing to let me see the Head-Captain?"

"…"

After a long sigh, Sasakibe said, "Follow me."

He brought Shin to a quiet tearoom—where Yamamoto Genryūsai sat, dignified, ever stern.

Like Unohana, he too seemed to enjoy tea in silence.

Yamamoto glanced at Shin. "You've come to plead for Unohana?"

Shin shook his head. "What happened today doesn't require me to plead anything. The Head-Captain sees the stakes clearly. He'll make the right decision."

Yamamoto frowned. "Clever talk."

"I'm here… for something else."

The next day.

Unohana was summoned—called to the First Division for a private audience with Yamamoto.

"I know everything about yesterday. That Thirteenth Division member nearly died. It was a close call. If something like that happens again, we may not be as lucky," Yamamoto said, voice deep.

"I've considered it carefully. Your punishment isn't excessive. But given your role, we must be practical. If a critical case arises, there might not be time to lift your restraints…"

As he spoke, he watched her reaction.

He frowned. "Do you have anything to say?"

"What would you like to hear?" Unohana replied, calm as ever. "Should I beg you to lift my punishment? Or praise your mercy?"

She still called him Head-Captain, but there was no deference in it anymore.

She didn't even bother pretending.

The cursed seal could suppress her body—but not her heart.

If her mask had fallen completely… was she still fit to be Fourth Division Captain?

Yesterday, had she felt even the slightest compassion for the dying soldier, she wouldn't have remained so indifferent.

According to Sasakibe's report, she hadn't even appeared.

Yamamoto's tone darkened. "If I lift your punishment, can you promise to uphold your duties from now on?"

Her gaze was flat, like still water. No reaction.

"That question is flawed," she said. "When have I ever been loyal to any duty?"

"You—!"

Yamamoto's fury surged.

But Unohana remained still. "You know me best, don't you?"

She looked at him directly. "You and him… why are you both trying to change me?"

"…"

Yamamoto's anger ebbed. It was useless here.

He did know her—knew what she truly was.

Before her incident with Shin, he had dared to hope she had changed.

But that was just wishful thinking.

Now that Seireitei had gained Tachikawa Shin… must it lose Unohana Retsu?

Yamamoto's mind wandered to what Shin had said yesterday.

He asked, "What is it… you want?"

Unohana slowly raised her wrist, showing the binding.

"If I didn't wear this… I would've sought him out again. Somewhere no one would interrupt."

Yamamoto said, "The cursed seal works well enough on the restrained… but for others, it does nothing. If you truly wanted to break free, you'd find a way."

"Is that so?" she replied, unreadable.

Yamamoto continued, "You say I know you best. Indeed—I wouldn't have left you as Fourth Division Captain for centuries otherwise."

"…"

"And Tachikawa… won't make the same mistake again. He's not like you. He's tied to Seireitei. He knows the cost. He won't take such a risk again."

Unohana's lifeless eyes flickered faintly. "Then what are you afraid of? That ten years of restraint will change me, as you hope?"

"…"

Yamamoto fell silent, then sighed deeply.

He looked at her again. "You say I know you. But do you know me?"

"…"

Unohana gazed at his stern, wrinkled face.

"You're pitiful too, Head-Captain," she murmured. "Trying to do the impossible."

Expected, perhaps.

Yamamoto's eyes dulled.

"You may be right, Unohana… Let's make a deal."

She blinked, surprised.

This—this—was unexpected. From him, no less. A compromise? That wasn't Yamamoto's way.

She said, "Speak."

"I'll allow the two of you to fight again. But when it ends—if you live—you will return to your post. As Fourth Division Captain. Fulfilling your duties. As you've done for centuries."

"…"

Something gleamed in her eyes. This, she had not foreseen.

Yamamoto went on, "Tachikawa once accused me—to my face—of treating you like a tool."

"…"

"Different positions see different truths. He never saw what I saw a thousand years ago. But his concern for you… it moved me. That's why I forgave him."

Unohana lowered her gaze. "But what if I agree… and break that promise? What's the worst that could happen—death? Do you think I fear that?"

Yamamoto's voice was calm now. "I've always given you chances. I wanted you to become part of Seireitei. But wishes don't always come true. If you choose otherwise…"

"Then we will have to let you go."

"…"

Something strange shimmered in Unohana's eyes.

"And what if this time… I kill him?"