Help! I am bound to Aizen!-Chapter 301

First of all, Kaelith was fully dressed—no torn clothes this time.

Second, he really was teaching quite seriously.

Under the watchful gazes of the students, Kaelith lined them up and took them on one by one, pointing out mistakes through actual bouts and offering targeted guidance.

“You need to use the strength of your torso when you throw a punch. Don’t just rely on your arm alone. Do you really think a single arm’s force is enough to kill a Hollow?”

Kaelith crossed his arms over his chest, his voice echoing through the hall.

One student hesitated. “K-kill a Hollow? I thought Hakuda was just to strengthen the body and build up power. How could we possibly defeat a Hollow using Hakuda alone?”

“Fools!!”

Kaelith roared.

“Hakuda is a Shinigami’s ultimate fallback. In a long career of battle, there will inevitably be times when your Zanpakutō’s abilities are completely countered, or your Kido fails. If your Hakuda isn’t strong enough in those moments, you’ll be trapped with no way out.

“But on the flip side, if you master excellent Hakuda skills, you can seize victory from the brink of defeat and snatch life from the jaws of death!”

Saying this, Kaelith suddenly hurled a punch right before their eyes.

A massive boulder in the corner of the dojo, marked with the character for “Diligence,” exploded into dust with a thunderous crash.

“That punch was the result of a hundred years of training—think a Hollow can block that?!”

The students lit up in excitement at Kaelith’s spectacular display.

After getting them fired up, Kaelith resumed testing each student in turn. For every shortcoming they showed, he offered ways to improve. A few who showed particular talent even got some specialized tips from him.

When everyone finished, Kaelith nodded and told them to practice on their own.

In no time, the dojo was filled with the sight of students training hard.

Hands tucked in his sleeves, Kaelith strolled toward the entrance.

“Well, Sōsuke, back at the Academy for a walk down memory lane?”

Aizen glanced at the students in the dojo.

“Rare to see you teaching so conscientiously… Is this just another passing whim?”

“Not at all.”

Kaelith shook his head.

“These students here are the elites of this generation. It wouldn’t be surprising if one or two of them end up mastering Bankai someday. If they ever face off against Quincy and lose their Bankai, the instinctive use of Hakuda could be the lifeline that saves them.”

“The war against the Quincy could break out at any time. Before that happens, I want to improve their Hakuda skills as much as possible.”

Hearing this, Aizen looked as though he finally understood.

No wonder Kaelith had been running Hakuda training sessions so frequently in the 11th Division for the last few years. He’d even organized a public drill not too long ago, simulating combat scenarios without a Zanpakutō.

Thanks to his influence, even divisions that normally scoffed at such a “brutish” style had started warming up to Hakuda.

Aizen turned his gaze to Kaelith.

Arms crossed, Kaelith stood there with a confident smile, occasionally nodding as he watched the students in the dojo.

Hmph… He may only have graduated a few decades ago, but he certainly looks the part of an instructor.

Aizen couldn’t help a slight smile of his own.

Suddenly, he sensed something and turned around.

Before he could fully turn, Kaelith had already glanced in the same direction.

They both saw a figure approaching.

She wore a white haori, her long braids tied in front, with a gentle smile on her face.

At the sight of this person, Kaelith’s expression changed drastically.

“Oh no, I’m done for!”

Aizen was speechless.

He’d been hearing that phrase from Kaelith a lot lately… Exactly how many scrapes has he gotten into?

“Ha ha ha, Captain Unohana! Long time no see. What brings you to the Academy?”

Kaelith greeted her with a hearty laugh.

“Because I heard Captain Kaelith was here,” Retsu Unohana said with a smile.

Again, Kaelith’s face fell.

“Don’t tell me… it’s about the Hakuda instructor’s ‘sudden illness’?”

Unohana tilted her head in puzzlement.

Realizing she didn’t know what he meant, Kaelith recovered his grin at once. “Nope, guess not. Glad to hear it.”

“So, Captain Unohana, you came looking for me? May I ask what this is about? Don’t worry—be it sneaking into the 1st Division to nab some tea leaves or pilfering snacks from my senior in the 8th, I’m a total professional. I never slip up!”

Unohana merely kept smiling at his nonsense, her gaze somewhat mysterious.

“Captain Kaelith…I’d like to invite you to a sparring match.”

A spar?

Behind Kaelith, Aizen appeared thoughtful.

Although Unohana was head of the 4th Division in charge of medical care, it was well-known that her combat prowess was every bit as formidable as her healing skills. Aside from occasional displays at the Kendo Association, she hadn’t really fought seriously in hundreds of years.

Why would she suddenly want to spar with Kaelith?

Unohana was calm and shrewd. If she wanted a fight, it might be because she suspected something and hoped to confirm it through battle…

With that in mind, Aizen intended to hint that Kaelith should refuse.

But before he could do a thing, Kaelith had already agreed. “Sure!”

Aizen: “…”

His blood pressure spiked.

Clearing his throat, he stepped forward to stand between them.

“Captain Unohana… May I ask why you’ve chosen this moment to request a spar? From what I know, you haven’t taken the initiative to fight in ages.

“Kaelith is a relative newcomer who graduated less than a century ago. Not long ago, he sustained severe injuries and was even hospitalized in the 4th Division. Under these circumstances, I don’t believe he’s in a condition to fight a Captain-level combatant like—”

Before Aizen could finish, Unohana cut in with a gentle smile.

“Lieutenant Aizen, there’s no need to worry.

“As Captain of the 4th Division, I can vouch for Captain Kaelith’s health. He’s completely recovered.

“As for why I’m inviting him to spar, it’s nothing more than a chance for mutual progress. Please don’t read too much into it.

“I know Lieutenant Aizen and Captain Kaelith are close, but I’ve always supported him, too. Everything will be fine.”

Aizen fell silent. Though she said everything was fine, he was anything but reassured.

Kaelith, on the other hand, looked perfectly cheerful.

“I’m all right with it. Captain Unohana asked me personally—how could I say no? I just so happen to be teaching at the Academy this week. Why not put on a demonstration match and let the students learn something?”

Unohana shook her head.

“No, Captain Kaelith. I would prefer a private setting. Ideally somewhere no one can disturb us, such as the Academy’s prison block or a secluded mountain in Rukongai.”

Aizen’s suspicion only deepened.

Why such secrecy for a simple spar?

Was she planning foul play?

He’d never had a great impression of Unohana Retsu. Behind that gentle exterior lay darkness not necessarily any less than his own—just heading in a different direction.

In Aizen’s mind, Unohana was like a monster lurking in a serene lake. Anyone enchanted by the scenery could be swallowed whole if they weren’t careful.

And Kaelith, never one to resist a pretty face—despite the large age gap, with his personality, who knows how he might react?

It was like watching a clueless fish lured in by the scenery, about to get devoured.

If Unohana weren’t right here, Aizen would have kicked the fool.

He shot Kaelith a warning glare, hoping he’d refuse.

Kaelith merely frowned, rubbing his chin as though lost in thought or memory.

After a moment, he looked at Unohana.

“Captain Unohana, I have two questions.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I weren’t around, would there be someone else you planned on asking for this spar?”

Unohana froze slightly at that question.

Aizen, observing, was surprised; he’d never seen Unohana so visibly shaken before.

A second later, she regained her composure and nodded. “Yes.”

Kaelith nodded. “Was that person part of my division?”

“…Yes.”

Unohana nodded again, now gazing at Kaelith with keen curiosity.

Kaelith took a deep breath at her answer.

“All right, I understand.”

“I’ll make sure we have a proper venue.”

“When did you want to do this?”

Seeing Kaelith agree, Unohana smiled.

“How about tomorrow night?”

“I’ll come to the 11th Division myself when the time comes.”

With that settled, Unohana gave a slight bow and took her leave.

After she was gone, Aizen spoke in a low tone:

“Kaelith, that was reckless.”

Kaelith shook his head.

“Sōsuke, I’m not acting rashly. I’m taking precautions.”

From bits and pieces he’d once read online before crossing over, Kaelith recalled that during the Thousand-Year Blood War, Retsu Unohana had fought a special match to train Kenpachi Zaraki—and lost her life in the process. Unohana and “Yachiru Unohana” both vanished from the world, granting Kenpachi a breakthrough toward unleashing his Zanpakutō.

Though Kaelith didn’t know the full story—he never read the later parts—he knew enough to suspect that if Unohana was determined to have a fight to the death, it might well have involved Kenpachi Zaraki.

If her plan truly was to let someone kill her so they’d grow stronger, Kaelith intended to keep it from happening.

He didn’t know exactly how powerful Kenpachi Zaraki became after absorbing Unohana’s “Yachiru,” but no matter how great that power, it hardly seemed worth sacrificing two lives for.

The 4th Division Captain’s vast experience in both healing and swordsmanship—plus her mere presence, which put the entire squad at ease—was far too valuable to lose in some training stunt. She should be part of the main force against the Wandenreich, not a sacrificial stepping stone to create a single strong fighter.

Seeing Kaelith’s resolve, Aizen seemed to catch on.

After a moment, he nodded.

“All right, I get it.”

“In that case, I won’t try to stop you. But be careful. Don’t show your hand to Unohana too easily. Don’t rush to protect her if your own safety is uncertain.

“If you notice her probing you, don’t answer. Just memorize everything she does and says, then report back to me.”

“Also—”

He continued with a long list of cautionary tips, which Kaelith absorbed one by one, nodding solemnly.

…

The next evening.

After dinner, Kaelith took a walk in the yard to help himself digest, then made his way to the main gate.

Right on time—exactly as scheduled—Retsu Unohana approached, step by step.

The gate guards were surprised to see her. They watched as their Captain greeted her, exchanged a few words, then led her inside.

As Kaelith guided Unohana through the 11th Division grounds, she glanced around.

“Captain Kaelith, the 11th Division barracks may be large, but I doubt it has a space that would allow both of us to fight without disturbing the surroundings.”

“Oh, it does.”

He brought her into his study.

Unohana gave him a puzzled look.

Under her gaze, Kaelith snapped his fingers.

“Captain Unohana, please don’t resist.”

At that instant, Unohana felt as though the floor beneath her had turned to quicksand.

She looked down to see her body sinking into a spreading shadow.

Instinctively, she wanted to flare her Reiatsu to escape, but hearing Kaelith’s reassurance—and seeing the calm on his face—she held herself in check.

Slowly, they both sank into the darkness and disappeared from the room.

When she opened her eyes again, Unohana glanced around.

A vast realm of shadow spread out before her, and she looked astonished.

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“So…this is the shadow ability that discovered the Wandenreich’s presence?”

Kaelith nodded.

“Captain Unohana, would you mind telling me now why you suddenly want to spar with me?”

Unohana withdrew her curious stare, smiling gently.

“Kaelith, ever since I saw your injuries back in the 4th Division, I knew it. Even though it hasn’t been long, you’ve grown far beyond my expectations.

“I was going to give it more time, wait until you were more…complete, before deciding who would receive everything I have to offer. But now, it seems I simply can’t wait any longer…”

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