Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Disciple
Suddenly, a cold sweat broke out on Makoto's back.
If he'd actually dared to say those words to Captain Unohana… his outcome probably wouldn't end well, would it?
Captain Unohana might look like a gentle, intellectual beauty, but she was also famously calculating. Not to mention, she was now Makoto's superior.
As someone who'd been raised with the values of "unyielding to power, unswayed by wealth, and undeterred by poverty," Makoto allowed a hint of modesty—and perhaps a subtle pride—to surface on his face as he replied.
"Captain Unohana overpraises me. Compared to the others, I just happen to have a little more interest in healing and medical techniques, that's all."
"An interest, is it?"
Unohana seemed to consider his response, then smiled. "What an unexpected answer. Makoto, perhaps you'll go on to achieve true success in both healing and medical arts."
"Yes!"
Makoto's eyes glimmered faintly, and he responded with resolute determination. "I'll do my best—I won't disappoint Captain Unohana's expectations!"
Of course, inwardly, Makoto felt no particular excitement; he even let out a slight breath of relief.
It seemed that Captain Unohana's decision to meet with him was purely due to his standout performance in healing and medicine at the Shin'o Academy, and not because she held any suspicions.
Seeing her being subtly complimented by Makoto in this way, Unohana Retsu's eyes curved into a crescent, as though she found his response delightful.
However, just as Makoto unconsciously began to relax, Unohana's tone shifted. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as she asked, "So, Makoto, why are you hiding your spiritual pressure? Your true power is far greater than what you show, isn't it?"
In an instant, the atmosphere in the courtyard froze, and the youthful smile on Makoto's face stiffened slightly.
Unohana, however, acted as if she hadn't noticed his reaction, continuing in her gentle voice. "Makoto, your spiritual pressure is likely the strongest of this year's graduates, isn't it? Even Ikkaku Madarame from the Eleventh Division can't compare to you. Why do you deliberately downplay your abilities?"
Her voice remained as tender as ever, yet it made Makoto's body instinctively tense up.
The gaze from her crescent-like eyes felt as though it could pierce right through him.
But the next moment, Makoto relaxed completely, scratching his head with an endearing awkwardness as he replied sheepishly.
"As expected… it's not for nothing that I admire Captain Unohana. She saw through me right away."
At his words, Unohana covered her mouth, chuckling lightly. "Makoto, even if you flatter me like that, I'm going to get to the bottom of things. After all, it's a captain's duty to understand the thoughts of her subordinates."
Makoto nodded and, without hesitation, said, "It's because I really don't like fighting. Fighting only leads to needless loss of life…"
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of melancholy.
With a wistful tone, he said, "Even though we're Shinigami, once we die, everything we cherish, hope for, and desire will cease to exist!"
Unohana Retsu nodded in agreement, then remarked, "Makoto, did you hear that last part from Seinosuke?"
Makoto, who had temporarily borrowed that line, froze slightly upon hearing her words and asked, "Hmm? Captain Unohana, how did you know?"
"Because," Unohana replied with a gentle smile, "yamada learned that phrase from me."
At that moment, despite Makoto's usual thick-skinned demeanor, he couldn't help but feel his cheeks warm slightly!
To think that the dignified vice-captain of Squad Four would shamelessly borrow lines to impress new recruits—where was his sense of dignity and self-respect?
What happened to your pride as a vice-captain, huh?
Yet, while Makoto was grumbling inwardly, on the surface, he adopted a look of sudden realization and said, "I see! No wonder vice-captain yamada's words resonated so deeply with me. So they actually came from Captain Unohana—no wonder they held such profound insight and distant vision. I was deeply impressed, truly moved."
At that moment, Makoto appeared almost like an innocent young man meeting his idol for the first time—his gaze sincere, his tone earnest, and even his cheeks held a slight blush.
His reaction was flawless, so much so that even Unohana Retsu's thoughts began to waver.
Could it be… Makoto Senju was genuinely just an innocent, harmless young man?
Had he hidden his spiritual pressure only to avoid battle?
Just as Unohana considered observing Makoto's micro-expressions more closely, feeling the almost unguarded admiration in his gaze, she subconsciously looked away.
Honestly, do young people these days have no sense of restraint?
Unohana couldn't help but think to herself before confirming aloud, "Makoto, so you suppressed your spiritual pressure intentionally to avoid conflict and bloodshed?"
"Not entirely," Makoto replied, scratching his head a little sheepishly.
"My dream is to join fourth division under your command, Captain Unohana. To avoid the hassle of being recruited by other squads, it didn't seem necessary to display my spiritual pressure."
Unohana's smile grew a little warmer as she asked, "Are you really that eager to join th fourth division and serve under me?"
"Of course!" Makoto nodded resolutely without a hint of hesitation.
"Everyone knows that your healing arts and medical skills are unmatched in the Soul Society. Pursuing the chance to study under you is a dream come true for me."
"Hmm…" Unohana murmured thoughtfully, her long, elegant fingers absently adjusting the flowers in a nearby vase, as though contemplating something.
A moment later, her gaze shifted, and she asked, "Makoto, in that case, how about becoming my disciple?"
"What?!"
For a moment, Makoto was genuinely stunned.
Although he'd secretly anticipated several possible responses based on Unohana's personality, he never imagined she would consider taking him on as her disciple.
After all, he was just a rather unremarkable graduate; aside from his looks and presence, there wasn't much about him that stood out.
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