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Chapter 101: Captain of the Fourth Division, Retsu Unohana
🕑 Added 2025-07-24 15:45:11 +0000 UTCThe office building gleamed in the afternoon sun, all glass and steel—a monument to modern commerce. Russell double-checked the address on his phone, eyebrows rising. This was where Mr. Warren operated?
"So much for the independent wholesaler theory," he muttered. No small-time trader could afford prime real estate like this. Then again, considering his diamond-level senior sister's connections, perhaps he shouldn't be surprised.
The moment he dismounted from his symbiote-enhanced Pidgeot at the building's entrance, the atmosphere shifted. Passersby gave him a wide berth, and the doorman's professional smile grew notably more rigid. The black and red tentacles writhing across Pidgeot's form did tend to have that effect.
Inside, the receptionist's demeanor was a masterclass in customer service under pressure. Her smile never wavered, though her knuckles whitened against her desk.
"Hello, sir! Welcome to Northgate Material Wholesalers, Inc." Her voice pitched just a touch too high. "Do you have an appointment?"
"I'm here to see Mr. Warren. Name's Russell."
The change was instantaneous. Her shoulders relaxed, and the smile became genuine. "Oh! Mr. Russell! Mr. Warren said to send you straight up to the top floor. Please, follow me."
The elevator ride passed in professional silence, though Russell caught the receptionist sneaking glances at him in the mirrored walls. When they reached the executive floor, she knocked once before opening the door.
"Mr. Warren? Mr. Russell has arrived."
"Excellent. Thank you, Sarah. You may go."
Russell stepped into an office that screamed money—from the panoramic city view to the mahogany furniture that probably cost more than most people's cars. But what truly commanded attention was the man behind the desk.
Warren didn't just sit in his chair; he occupied it, his considerable bulk flowing over the armrests like a well-dressed avalanche. Russell had seen large people before, but Warren took it to an art form.
"Director Blake's new disciple!" Warren's voice boomed with genuine warmth. "Such a talented young man. Please, call me Warren—no need for formalities."
Same generation as Senior Sister, Russell noted. No need to play the respectful junior.
"Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice," Russell said, getting straight to business. No point in dancing around the matter.
Warren's eyes—narrow slits in his round face—studied Russell with surprising sharpness. "You and your senior sister certainly have different personalities." A chuckle shook his frame. "She only deals with us because she's too anxious to say no to persistent salespeople."
There can't be many people with social anxiety that severe, Russell thought, keeping his expression neutral.
"Here are your materials." Warren slid a thick envelope across the desk.
Russell placed his trade items—the [Waters of Styx] and [Bowl of Five Flavors]—on the polished surface before examining the envelope's contents. Alongside the expected materials, a black card edged in gold caught his eye.
"What's this?"
"Our Black Gold Membership." Warren's smile widened. "VIP treatment at any of our locations. Consider it an investment in future business."
"Much appreciated." Russell pocketed the card without hesitation. No point in false modesty. "What about the handling fee?"
"Normally, a blue-quality material of the same level." Warren waved a meaty hand. "But for a first-time customer? Let's call it a welcome gift."
Russell's poker face held, but internally he winced. Blue-quality for every trade? That's highway robbery at higher levels. A diamond-level trade would cost a fortune in fees alone. Clearly, Warren hadn't built this empire on charity.
"Very generous of you." Russell stood, materials secured. "I won't take up more of your time."
"Always a pleasure doing business with Blake's students." Warren's eyes glinted. "Do come again."
Outside, Russell took a deep breath of crisp air. Something about Warren's parting look suggested the man was already calculating future profits. Probably wondering if he can lure me away from teacher's influence, Russell mused.
But that was a concern for another day. Right now, he had his first silver-level card to create.
Back in his workshop, Russell spread the materials across his desk like a general planning a campaign. The [Blade of Immortality] gleamed with an inner light, while the [Old Sword Saint] seemed to radiate ancient wisdom. His fingers hovered over the [Two-Faced Idol].
"To add or not to add?" He turned the material over in his hands. Unohana wasn't truly two-faced—more like a sleeping volcano wearing a flower crown. Gentle on the surface, molten death beneath.
"Three materials it is," he decided, setting the idol aside. No point overcomplicating his first attempt at reverse-progression card making.
The concept had been percolating since his conversation with Director Blake. Most cards grew stronger linearly—past to present to future. But what about characters who peaked early? Who traded their edge for something else?
Unohana was perfect for this experiment. The legendary First Kenpachi who became a healer. The killer who chose life over death. And crucially, she'd already appeared in Yoriichi's story, which should ease the reality judgment.
Russell's pencil moved across the blank card, sketching a serene woman with her hair in a long braid draped over her chest. Time to test his theory.
Taking a steadying breath, he activated the card creation process and entered that mysterious space.
[Please begin compiling your story.]
Here goes nothing, Russell thought, and began to weave his narrative.
[After the war with the Invisible Empire, the Soul Society entered a rare period of peace. For most, this was a blessing. For Retsu Unohana, who lived for the thrill of battle, it was suffocating.]
The energy around him remained stable. Good start.
[Having mastered the healing arts, she sought new thrills by hunting the worst criminals in Rukongai. It was during one such hunt that she heard whispers of a new "villain" in West 80th District—Yoriichi Tsugikuni, whose talent with a blade was generating fearsome rumors.]
[As the self-proclaimed "Yachiryu," the greatest villain in Soul Society's history who claimed mastery of all sword styles, Unohana's interest was piqued. She who had been defeated only by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni himself, who had traded her position as the 11th Division's captain for something... different. Here was potential. Here was possibility.]
Russell held his breath as the energy fluctuated, then stabilized. The connection to his existing Yoriichi card was taking hold.
[Their first meeting was disappointing. Yoriichi's spiritual pressure was laughably weak. After their brief clash left only a tiny cut on her cheek, Unohana left him with words that burned: "If you want revenge, come find me in the Seireitei."]
[A century passed in what felt like moments. The weak soul from the slums had become Captain of the 5th Division. The fruit had ripened. When Unohana came calling again, she found not a boy playing with swords, but a man who had found his purpose—and his wife, Uta. Their battle shook the very foundations of Soul Society. In the end, Yoriichi's blade stopped just an inch below her throat. Just one inch from ending the legend of Yachiryu.]
Sorry for borrowing your backstory, Zaraki, Russell thought, seamlessly weaving elements that would allow for future advancement paths.
[After that defeat, Unohana transformed. The 11th Division's berserker became the 4th Division's gentle healer, her braid carefully positioned to hide that telling scar. No one since had witnessed the Bankai of Unohana Yachiryu. In the aftermath of Aizen's betrayal, she deployed her Shikai—Minazuki, the manta ray that swallows the wounded whole and heals them from within.]
The energy around Russell crescendoed, then settled into a harmonious hum. Success.
Back in reality, Russell caught the materializing card with practiced ease. The refinement process flowed through him like second nature now.
[Captain of the Fourth Division · Retsu Unohana]
Level: Silver
Quality: Red
Category: Creature
Skills:
[Kidō Mastery]: Can use Kidō spells numbered 90 and below
[Hohō (Flash Step)]: Controls spirit particles for high-speed movement
[Zanpakutō - Shikai - Minazuki]: Transforms her blade into a one-eyed, manta ray creature capable of flight, transport, and healing those swallowed
Characteristics:
[Reaper]: Greatly increased damage against spirit-type monsters
[Yachiryu - Hidden]: Enemies who mistake the 4th Division captain for mere support will learn the true sharpness of her blade
[Miraculous Hands]: Substantial bonus when casting healing Kidō
Introduction: Can a killer truly retract her fangs?
Advancement: Silver [Captain of the 4th Division · Retsu Unohana] → Emerald [The First Kenpachi · Unohana Yachiryu]
Bond: When appearing with [Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni] and others, activates [First Generation Gotei 13] Activated Bond: [First Generation Gotei 13] (2/13) Bond Effect: Cards with this bond gain increased attack power when deployed together
"Red quality?" Russell frowned at the card. With two gold materials in the mix, he'd hoped for something more spectacular. "What quality are teacher's cards, I wonder?"
The mention of "colored quality" from his first meeting with Zephyr Flynn took on new meaning. Perhaps red wasn't the ceiling after all.
"All Kidō below 90..." A grin spread across his face. "My first true ranged caster." Sure, Unohana was essentially a sword-obsessed maniac in healer's clothing, but compared to his other cards, she was practically a mage.
The advancement cap at Emerald level was slightly disappointing, as was the missing bond with Yoriichi. Then understanding dawned—the bond specified [Unohana Yachiryu], not her current form. The synergy would only activate after advancement.
"Clever," he admitted. "Force me to invest in advancement to unlock full potential."
With anticipation thrumming through his veins, Russell activated the card. Time to meet the Fourth Division's captain—and the sleeping monster beneath her gentle smile.
(End of Chapter 101)
Comments
Raphael Espinoza Angulo
Poor Zaraki, they are stealing his history.
