Death: Starting as the Guardian of Avici Hell

"No matter when or where, I will stay by your side, even if it means turning the whole world upside down..."

The moment the words fell, the scene before Naraku's eyes suddenly blurred, and when it became clear again, a mature and exquisite face came into view.

Shutara Senjumaru revealed a triumphant smile:

"Fool, I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Chapter 28 Coach, I want to learn this!

Fourth Division barracks.

Upon hearing that a court official named Naraku Sora was coming to visit, Unohana Retsu declined some less important matters.

He also assigned some important medical surgeries to Vice Captain Seinosuke Yamada.

That was a master of healing techniques whose personality was completely opposite to that of Unohana Retsu; he would often resort to any means to heal the wounded or sick.

Sometimes this can lead to more serious problems.

This also led to his poor reputation within the Fourth Division.

However, none of this concerns Naraku. He came here today mainly to visit Unohana Retsu and to discuss some issues related to swordsmanship.

Now that he has mastered the Shikai, if he were to act like a brute and rush in like a fool to blow the enemy's head apart with two or three punches, it would be somewhat disrespectful to his Zanpakuto.

Considering Retsu Unohana's identity before she was transferred to logistics, Sora Naraku decided to bravely keep the appointment.

No one understands kendo better than her.

"Naraku-kun, I thought you wouldn't be coming for a while."

"After all, it's not hard to see from the previous battles during the Araki family's catastrophe that you seem to prefer close-quarters combat with punches and kicks."

Unohana Retsu, walking ahead, said without turning her head:

"However, my understanding of swordsmanship is different from that of other sword masters, so you should pay close attention during our discussion."

Naraku's drifting thoughts were pulled back, and he looked at the voluptuous figure in front of him with a little trepidation.

However, his attention was quickly drawn to something nearby.

Unohana Retsu's dojo was surprisingly spacious, completely different from the simple and unadorned style he had imagined.

In addition to the paintings of different styles on the walls, there are also many high-end-looking pieces of equipment.

Ninety percent of the equipment is exactly the same as the equipment in Shutara Senjumaru's research lab, and even surpasses it in terms of specifications.

The spirit energy recovery device in the corner, in particular, was quite eye-catching.

As if sensing something, Retsu Unohana, who was walking ahead, snapped out of her daze and smiled as she explained:

"Many years ago, when Senjumaru was still serving in the 12th Division, he applied to the 46th Chamber for permission to join the technical research group because of his personal interest."

"With his personal talent and the legacy of some Soul Society predecessors, he developed various devices and equipment that could change the lives and battles of the Shinigami."

"For example, the Spirit Body Training Room was built based on the Demon Power Recovery Room of the Fifth Division. One is used to recover the mental power consumed when using the Kido, and the other can repair the damage caused when training the Spirit Body."

"The Spiritual Energy Recovery Device can quickly restore the spiritual energy lost by the Grim Reaper, thus achieving the effect of emergency treatment to some extent."

The long, rectangular base, which is over two meters long, is covered with intricate patterns resembling electrical circuits, including some markings of sequential binding techniques.

Judging from its appearance alone, it is almost a perfect blend of the demonic path and modern futuristic technology.

“These are secondary,” Unohana Retsu said softly with a smile. “Since you’ve come to me, you must have already made up your mind.”

"The way of the sword is not that simple."

Naraku Sora took the bamboo sword handed to him by Unohana Retsu, weighed it in his hand, and found it to be surprisingly heavy, giving the illusion of being heavy in the hand.

His eyes were lowered.

When the fingers rested on the hilt of the bamboo sword, the atmosphere in the dojo suddenly changed, and a heavy sense of oppression enveloped the surroundings.

Retsu Unohana, as serene and gentle as a willow branch, slowly raised her face to meet Sora Naraku's puzzled gaze.

His dark pupils remained as gentle as ever, but the sharpness hidden deep within them slowly emerged the moment he gripped the hilt of the knife.

"Naraku-kun, watch out."

The moment the words fell, a clear sound resounded throughout the temple, just like a bird on a willow branch taking flight and flapping its wings above the dome.

Pull out, chop, blood splatter, sheath the sword.

The sword-drawing technique, completed in an instant, even without using much spiritual pressure, still easily surpasses the limits that can be observed by the naked eye.

Several meters away, it unleashed a cold, sharp glint of light directly at Naraku.

Like the outline of the moon among a galaxy of stars.

A red line appeared on Naraku's neck, and blood slowly seeped out.

Judging from the wound, if that knife had been used just a little more force, it would have been enough to sever the enormous head and send it flying.

Therefore, it is clear that, in terms of swordsmanship alone, Retsu Unohana is indeed the undisputed number one in Soul Society.

An old guy like Yamamoto, who only knows how to fight, is just intimidating people by relying on his numerical superiority.

It is not worth considering.

Naraku's eyes grew brighter. Although he was nearly beheaded by this dangerous woman, this was exactly what he wanted to learn.

He'd had enough of fighting like a brute.

"Captain Unohana, I want to learn this!"

Unohana Retsu slightly closed her eyes, just about to speak and explain, when her peripheral vision inadvertently caught sight of Naraku Sora's neck.

That bright red line had completely disappeared, leaving not even the slightest trace.

"Your injury..."

Her expression was somewhat taken aback.

No one knew the force of the blow better than her. Although it wouldn't cause serious damage to Naraku, a normal Shinigami would never heal like that in the blink of an eye.

This seems a bit too much like Death itself.

“I was born with superhuman strength.” Naraku grinned. “The Prison Commander said that my spirit is different from ordinary people, and that I heal my injuries a little faster.”

This was the excuse the bad woman taught him, used to deal with suspicious people.

With Shutara Senjumaru as an endorsement, this claim can be easily fooled.

Retsu Unohana nodded slightly, but did not dwell on the topic any further.

As the captain of the Fourth Division, she has treated more wounded soldiers than some people have ever seen.

It is only natural that a very few Grim Reapers possess extraordinary talents.

Especially someone like Naraku Sora, who was not only favored by Shutara Senjumaru, but also by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, it's only natural that he would have some special talent.

"The way of the sword is not just about techniques."

Unohana Retsu seemed intent on testing Naraku Sora's true talent, gently explaining the intricacies of the slashing technique she had just used.

"If mastering the way of the sword could be achieved simply by slashing, then everyone in Soul Society would be a master of swordsmanship."

"Therefore, while mastering the techniques, try to integrate your own perception and will into your spiritual pressure, and use the techniques to draw upon your own spiritual pressure."

"Like this."

Unohana Retsu slowly drew her sword, dissecting the complete swordsmanship piece by piece and clearly presenting it to Naraku Sora.

Although the description is simple, it is found to be extremely difficult in practice.

Things like self-awareness and will are so vague and ethereal that there's no way to even begin to grasp them.

Fortunately.

Naraku Sora wasn't the type to get stuck on details. Since he couldn't grasp the content of the textbook in a short time, he tried to deconstruct the teaching in front of him through instinct.

Slashing techniques, spiritual pressure, trajectory, traction...

A strange realization welled up in my heart.

Click.

When the tsuba and scabbard made a slight cracking sound, Unohana Retsu's gaze was instantly drawn to it. Her spiritual pressure adhered to the bamboo sword, and she soared upwards like a bird taking flight.

Then, at the end of the temple, the solid wall cracked open, revealing a clear sky without a single cloud.

Seeing the bewildered and helpless boy, Retsu Unohana's face showed a hint of surprise, then a slight smile appeared on her lips, and she spoke in a barely audible voice:

"This is really... so interesting!"

Chapter 29 Instinct

"Captain Unohana, does this mean I've already learned it?"

Naraku stared blankly at the huge blank space on the dojo wall, then subconsciously glanced at the bamboo sword in his hand.

Yes, it is indeed a bamboo knife.

Although he didn't expend much spiritual pressure, he still managed to unleash an attack comparable to his usual full-power burst.

Is this the swordsmanship that Retsu Unohana was talking about?

What about his previous battles? Were they just about flying bricks with his strength?

Unohana Retsu didn't speak, but quietly looked at Naraku Sora, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

After a moment of silence, she slowly drew her bamboo sword, a faint spiritual pressure swirling around the blade, followed by a seemingly ordinary slash.

From both the posture of holding the sword and the angle of swinging the sword, it is no different from the basic slashing techniques taught in the Spirit Arts Academy.

However, in Naraku Sora's eyes, it was a completely different story.

A massive, overwhelming sea of ​​blood crashed down, its slick, sticky, and icy texture enveloping everything, making one feel as if they were completely submerged within it.

An inexhaustible killing intent seeped into his internal organs from every pore, reaching deep into his bone marrow.

Her once serene and gentle face now seemed stained with bright red blood, making her look like a hideous demon crawling out of hell.

Just looking at that unsharpened bamboo knife gives one the illusion of facing death directly.