Chapter 85: Saitō vs. Unohana

Masters recognize skill instantly. Saitō Furofushi stomped, shattering the ground, and charged Unohana Retsu, her Zanpakutō gripped two-handed, slashing at her head. Her captain-level strength was elite—fewer than ten in Soul Society could parry it. Unohana, unfazed, was one.

Unohana sidestepped with minimal movement, her blade slicing the earth, sending mud and sand flying. Saitō seized the moment, grabbing a handful of dirt and flinging it at Unohana’s eyes. “Some lady, scared of a little mess!” she taunted.

Unohana raised her sleeve, blocking the debris. Blinded momentarily, she couldn’t track Saitō’s immortal swordsmanship. Saitō swung, but blood sprayed—not Unohana’s. Unohana’s Minazuki pierced through her sleeve, stabbing Saitō’s left arm with surgical precision.

“You’re fast, but your swordsmanship’s flawed,” Unohana said calmly. “Step back. You’re no match. Call your strongest.”

Saitō’s temper flared. Lectured? By her? Already stung by the hit, she roared, charging faster. Her blade flashed like lightning, relentless but predictable. Unohana dodged effortlessly, weaving through the strikes.

“Too direct,” Unohana said, teacher-like. “Against a weaker foe, it works. Against an equal or stronger, it’s a liability.”

“Shut up!” Saitō’s swings grew wilder, her flaws widening. Suddenly, Unohana’s blade vanished from sight. Saitō froze, confused.

“Careful!” Yanagi Junrei shouted.

Pain seared Saitō’s left rib. Unohana’s strike, angled from a visual blind spot, pierced her side. Saitō realized too late—Unohana exploited her focused gaze, striking where human vision faltered. Saitō slashed to force Unohana back, retreating to clutch her wound. Not deep, no organs hit. I can still fight.

Unohana moved to pursue, but Yanagi stepped in. “You’ve seen her swordsmanship. Try mine.” His sinister reiatsu chilled the air.

“Another master? Good.” Unohana’s gaze shifted to him.

Saitō bandaged her wound with torn cloth. “Teach her a lesson, Uncle! She’s infuriating!”

Yanagi’s voice was low. “Your name? I’m Yanagi Junrei, reserve captain of the Gotei 13.”

Unohana’s smile warmed like sunlight, belying her lethality. “Call me Unohana.” Her expression darkened, cold and predatory. “Or Unohana Yachiru, Sword of Death.”

Yanagi’s face tightened. The one who claims mastery of all sword styles? (Bleach Chapter 526). “You’re her.”

Rain fell—not water, but a torrent of sword strikes. Yanagi’s Zanpakutō, Kagefumi, unleashed a storm of slashes, flawless from every angle. Unohana’s eyes widened slightly. “Fast sword!” Her own blade countered, matching his storm with her own. Sparks flew as their swords clashed like raindrops, their forms lost in the blur.

A deafening clang broke the rhythm. Unohana shifted tactics, using raw force to overpower Yanagi’s finesse, pushing him back. His sword trembled. Before he could recover, Unohana lunged, Minazuki flashing. Yanagi flipped an iron spike from his sleeve, charging it with reiatsu and thrusting. Unohana twisted, dodging, and kicked his chest.

Yanagi crashed through two walls, bones creaking but unbroken. Unohana charged, aiming for his face. Yanagi raised Kagefumi, unsure if he could block. At the last second, Saitō darted in, parrying Unohana’s strike.

“Uncle, we can’t beat her alone,” Saitō said coldly. “Let’s team up.”