Bleach: Cero Devastador

Not soon after the fight was over, Kurayami and Ryoma walked silently back to his manor. Ryoma had to assist Kurayami along the way as that was just how battered she still was.

"Don't take the chance to feel me up, brat!".

"How can I carry you if I can't touch you?".

"You don't have to fondle my breasts! Hmph, you can't help yourself in front of a big pair, can you?".

"Oh hush, they're not that big... I haven't felt up a dark-skinned woman before, so I was kinda curio–"

"So it was deliberate!".

The bickering pair arrived at the manor where Ryoma found four ladies and two boys sitting in the dining room. Both of them apologised for rushing off like that and Ryoma reluctantly put Kurayami down, much to the latter's growl and blush. 

"Oh? You two finished unexpectedly early... any limbs missing? nothing...?" Kukaku looked around and sighed when she found nothing. 

"Sounds like you're disappointed" Kurayami's brows twitched, and she took her spot next to Kukaku.

"Just a bit~".

"Ryoma, are you okay?" Sakuya and Mikoto received Ryoma with relief, but he quickly dismissed them.

"Yes, you two can resume your training. I'll just talk with these two for a bit and then head straight out".

The two of them nodded reluctantly, their eyes fixed on the lady with the white haori who had been staring at Ryoma with interest from the moment he entered. After some small talk, they knew what she was here to do. 

"You know I like those kids, they're quite quirky. I heard that you're training those two, why not these kids too?" Kukaku asked about both kids who were sitting in a corner silently as if they were being punished.

In front of a Captain, they wouldn't dare make a mistake. 

"They ain't got what it takes. I don't think they can wield a sword in this lifetime" Ryōma scratched his head, recently it wasn't the first time he had instigated Ryosuke, Ryota and Murasaki from taking upon the sword, but they weren't interested and he wasn't going to push the issue. 

He sat down on the table, opened his eyes and came face to face with her. 

"Kamishiro Ryoma-san, nice to meet you. My name is Unohana Retsu, captain of the fourth division" She finally introduced herself when her blue eyes met his dark ones. 

Ryōma bowed slightly, "Nice to meet you, Unohana-san. What brings you to my humble home?".

"Aren't you a polite one?~ Shiba-san made it sound as if you're a rogue" Unohana giggled. 

"I am when the situation permits it. However, you look like a distinguished guest, I have to at least show this much respect, don't I? I have been interested in the captains for a long time" He declared. 

"Ara, how so?~"

"You are strong, aren't you?~" He grinned, staring straight at those eyes as if to find something within. But it didn't matter how much he tried, he couldn't find anything. No killing intent. 

"Fufu, I guess" In her case, Unohana's giggle concealed her interest in what she found in Ryōma's eyes. 

There was a brief silence and an exchange of glances that switched almost simultaneously. In Ryoma's case, he stared behind Retsu at the hilt of the sword that poked out of her haori, carried by hangers. In her case, she stared at Ryoma's back carrying two Zampakutō.

"I can smell the blood on your hands" She mumbled with a small smile. 

"I can't smell none on yours. That capacity to conceal yourself is surely top-notch".

The captain's smile fell, "Why would you say so?".

"To be a captain is to be one of the strongest in the soul society, correct? I doubt you reached that place without staining your hands, Retsu".

"Dropping the formalities so quickly, aren't we? You sure are a charming young man".

The captain was all smiles while Kurayami and Kukaku remained silent, they thought those two were polar opposites. While Ryoma was a violent crook, Unohana was known as the most peaceful captain. Some even called her the 'all-mother'.

But they didn't know...

Kurayami handed the finger over to Unohana who giggled, "I am happy to know you could resolve this dispute peacefully".

A process that took less than a few minutes; she used healing Kido to re-attach Kurayami's finger and they watched the process. Once she was done, Unohana stood up to leave. 

"Did you come here just for that?" Ryōma frowned, it was the first time he met a captain and he didn't want her to just go. "Why don't you have a meal with us? I will cook something".

Ryōta and Ryōsuke flinched for some reason. 

"That sounds interesting but a captain's schedule is busy. I have already wasted some precious time, but... I wished to meet the one who managed to defeat Kurayami-kun, that's why I came~" She stared at him deeply and still didn't go.

"Hmn..." So did Ryoma.

Both looked like they wanted to say something but the words wouldn't come off their mouths. 

'Let's spar!'.

Nonetheless, they both had reasons to not utter those words.

"Aren't you interested in attending the Shin'o Academy? You are a very talented person. I wouldn't mind sponsoring you~" Unohana proposed.

"Sponsor?".

"Some academics get a sponsorship from a captain or a lieutenant before they enter the academy. You would be able to bypass any entrance tests and once you graduate, you will head straight into a division instead of having to apply yourself. Such is the case of the boy you defeated, Ikkaku Madarame. I am offering you the same deal, would you accept?" She asked after an explanation and extended her hand forward for him to take if he was interested.

Ryōma stared at her hand and saw no calluses of any kind, he then stared at her eyes which resembled a beautiful mirror made out of still water. A perfect concealment to hide what was beneath the deep ocean. 

'There is more to you than what I can feel, Unohana Retsu... I am sure of it, but what is it?'.

"... how is the fourth division?" He asked, hoping to get a hint. 

She closed her eyes and mumbled, "The fourth division is the most peaceful division of them all. We are mainly healers tasked to preserve the Shinigami's life during moments of peril. We are also in charge of cleaning and other miscellaneous jobs. Sadly, we don't have that many strong members among us. However, I wouldn't mind a sparring partner".

Her eyes opened back up with interest, emphasizing the last part. However, the first part of her sentence had already diluted Ryōma's interest in joining. He thought perhaps his senses were fooling him this time and maybe the criteria for a captain was not necessarily a humongous skill in the sword.

"Sorry, I am not interested, but thank you for the offer".

"That's a pity then~ if you ever change your mind, do not hesitate to contact me, I will sponsor you any time" Unohana bowed slightly and started heading off, but she stopped halfway to the exit. 

"As for the fact that you own a Zampakutō".

"..."

"The Gotei13 can ignore this fact given your strength. However, if it were to be discovered that you have achieved Shikai, then you will have no choice but to join us".

"Or?".

"Or be exterminated" She glared back with that same smile that sent a goosebump up Ryoma's back... because at that moment he could completely witness the obvious of the facade. A nonchalant gaze that should be filled with killing intent, completely bereft of it. 

'She is like a brand-new sword crafted by a legendary master smith but with no sharp edge whatsoever. A great smith would know how sinful it is for such a marvellous sword to not have a sharp edge and yet...' He thought, slightly irritated. 

"Zampakutō is exclusive for Shinigami, it is our soul-reaping tool. There is no place for a Shinigami who doesn't acknowledge his duty. You haven't yet reached Shikai, have you?~" She asked with a slight giggle as if she already expected his answer. 

"Not yet. But I'll make sure to tell you when I do, Retsu~".

"I guess it will be my duty to finish you off then~"

"Can you manage?~"

"We won't know until we try~".

One round of smirks and giggles that peeved the small audience and Unohana was ready to go. 

"One last thing before you go, Retsu. What can you tell me about Kenpachi?" He stopped her in her tracks and her countenance changed.

"He's a cold man with an addiction to high-risk combat. Why do you ask? Are you interested in joining the eleventh division?".

"I want to defeat Kenpachi" He confessed without shame. 

!!!

It was not the first time she heard of a Shinigami with delusions of defeating the Kenpachi, for that was the purpose of the Kenpachi's existence, to eventually be defeated. But this time, it was different. 

Those words were spat by someone with potential. 

"Are you sure? The Kenpachi is the strongest Shinigami of each generation. It is a role model and a target for other Shinigami to follow. Those who cut down the Kenpachi would become the next Kenpachi... and the cycle will continue for eternity. There exists no defeat for a Kenpachi, only death; the fate of a Kenpachi is to die by someone else's sword. Would you be okay with that?" Her words sounded like words of deterrence for the common folk but for Ryoma...

He licked his lips in thrill instead, "That's exactly what I want!"

Unohana Retsu turned around and Ryoma could finally catch a small glimpse of it, a small crack on that mirror of her eyes, a crack from which a dark aura took a peek. And that peek alone sent a shiver on his body like no other. Ryoma's smile faltered even as Unohana's crept up. 

"What a unique one you are~ I see, then good luck, Ryoma-san. I am eagerly watching your progress. My offer stands, if you wish to come to my fourth division to have a peaceful life and spar with me every so often, you are more than welcome~".

With that, the captain left the room and through her slow steps, Ryoma couldn't keep his eyes off her haori or the sword dangling within it of which he could only see the hilt. 

'There is no doubt about it... she's strong'.

****

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