BLEACH: UNOHANA RETSU IS MY WIFE

"If those Quincies are still just guarding their own little piece of land like before, we, the Gotei 13, won't bother to care about them for now."

"But if they overstep their bounds, I will use this Ryūjin Jakka in my hand to teach them what it means for the Gotei 13 to protect the Soul Society…"

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes were fierce as flames, his entire being radiating a terrifying spiritual pressure (霊圧, reiatsu).

Even Araki—already a Gotei 13 captain, who had claimed the title of "Kenpachi" by defeating Unohana Yachiru, the original Kenpachi—felt his eyelids twitch from the sheer pressure.

"Then I'm relieved,"

Araki said, his voice calm, though a faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked at Genryūsai—who stood before him like a roaring tiger.

Even as a fellow captain, Araki felt a primal fear surge within him when faced with Yamamoto's unleashed presence. If it had been any other Shinigami—say, even a vice-captain—they'd likely have been brought to their knees by Yamamoto's reiatsu alone.

This was the power of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the embodiment of the Gotei 13's might.

Once Araki gathered his thoughts, he and Yamamoto retreated into the First Division's meeting chamber to discuss their strategy regarding the Quincies. Though calling it a "strategy" might have been generous—it was more like a warning session.

While subtly revealing tidbits about Quincy abilities—carefully avoiding any suspicion—Araki repeatedly told the old man:

"Be careful, and you'll stay alive."

He warned Yamamoto over and over:

"If you get the chance to kill a Quincy leader, don't hesitate. Be decisive. Go all out."

After hearing this one too many times, Yamamoto—ever the irritable, decisive, "act-first" type—kicked Araki out of the First Division's barracks.

Even Unohana Retsu, Araki's vice-captain, didn't escape the old man's wrath and was thrown out too.

"Tch… That old man never listens to good advice,"

Araki muttered as he scratched his cheek, standing just outside the barracks.

"If you don't listen to your apprentice, you better be prepared for what's coming, old man…"

Since the founding of the Gotei 13, Araki was now the first captain to ever be kicked out of the First Division by Yamamoto for being too talkative.

And, if things stayed the same, probably the only one in history.

Other captains, upon being invited by Yamamoto, would tremble in fear. Some even tried to avoid passing near the First Division altogether—shunpo'ing past its walls just to avoid being spotted and scolded.

But Araki?

He annoyed Yamamoto to the point of being forcibly ejected.

Since taking charge of the 11th Division, Araki had truly broken records in Soul Society.

"So… Captain Araki, what do we do next?"

Unohana asked, following close behind.

Now that Yamamoto had thrown them out, their next step was up to Araki.

"Sigh… Forget it. If the old man won't listen, then let's just go back to the barracks."

So Araki and Unohana returned to the 11th Division. Once there, Araki immediately shut himself in the division's head room, issuing a strict command:

Only Araki and Unohana were permitted to enter.

No other squad members were allowed inside under any circumstances.

If they encountered him outside, they were not even allowed to speak to him.

Instead, all internal matters were to be reported directly to Vice-Captain Unohana.

It wasn't laziness. No.

Araki suffered from a chronic condition called:

"Total Inability to Communicate With Roughnecks."

Any time he was forced to talk to a squad member who fit that mold, he grew restless and irritated. And when Araki got irritated… he wanted to punch someone.

For the safety of the 11th Division, he isolated himself from them completely.

A noble sacrifice, really.

So although Araki was the official captain, Unohana still practically ran the squad, leading many to feel as though the previous captain had never left.

As for Araki's motive?

He didn't care to make friends with people who would be dead within a century—victims of either Yhwach's war or time itself. Why form attachments to mortals when he, an eternal being, would have to watch their ashes scatter on the wind?

"This is the sorrow of the immortal," he often thought.

Several Months Later…

A rare visitor arrived at the 11th Division's barracks.

A tall figure stood silently at the gates, clearly here to see Araki.

He had short silver-gray hair and eyes that matched. His appearance was youthful, calm, and handsome—perhaps not Araki-level handsome, but certainly a cut above the other "crooked" captains of the original Gotei 13.

Most importantly, compared to the "bloodthirsty" and "brazenly arrogant" reputation of the Gotei 13, this silver-haired man stood out as a striking contrast—exuding the demeanor of a British gentleman, calm and composed.

At this moment, that young man—wearing the signature black Shinigami uniform with a pristine white haori draped over his shoulders—stood before the gates of the 11th Division barracks. With a polite smile, he addressed the guards:

"Please inform your Captain Araki that Chojiro Sasakibe, Vice-Captain of the 1st Division, is here requesting an audience.

I understand your captain rarely entertains visitors…

But if you mention my name, I believe he will make an exception."

Yes—this man was none other than Sasakibe Chojiro, the steadfast right hand of Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. In the original Bleach manga, Chojiro was portrayed as loyal to a fault, often overlooked yet immensely capable. In this retelling, his strength and etiquette are emphasized—especially with his rare privilege of wearing a white haori despite not being a captain, a sign of exceptional status.

In terms of power, Sasakibe's strength was unquestionably at the captain level. His Zanpakutō, Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū (黄煌厳霊離宮), was one of the rare few capable of manipulating the weather—a feat revered even within Soul Society.

Incidentally, in the current Gotei 13, only two vice-captains had the honor of wearing a white haori: Sasakibe Chojiro and Unohana Retsu, the latter by special dispensation from the Captain-Commander himself.

"Huh? Captain Araki? That name sounds familiar…"

"Right! Wasn't our Division 11 Captain named Araki or something?"

The gate guards of Squad 11 exchanged confused glances after hearing Sasakibe's name-drop. Their muttering caused a faint crease to appear between Sasakibe's brows.

"…Is there a problem?" he asked with courteous concern.

"Apologies, Vice-Captain Sasakibe! But… our division is currently being overseen by Captain Unohana."

"As for Captain Araki, we're… not sure if he's presently in the barracks. We'll need to check with Captain Unohana to clarify."

Sasakibe froze momentarily, expression tightening.

Captain Unohana?

He was well aware that in Bleach canon, Unohana had once commanded the 11th Division as its first and most violent captain. However, her return to that post now seemed… unusual.

More puzzling was the casual way the guards referred to her as "Captain" without the "Vice" prefix—something normally reserved for moments behind closed doors or within the inner ranks. In front of outsiders, rank etiquette was strict.

Do they truly regard her as the official captain…?

Even more confusing: Sasakibe could clearly sense Araki's spiritual pressure within the barracks—yet the guards acted like they had no idea of their captain's whereabouts.

Strange. Even the most disorganized squad would have some clue where their captain is…

A dozen theories raced through Sasakibe's head.

Could it be… Araki returned command to Unohana temporarily?

It would be just like him to do something so... unconventional.

He remembered Araki once saying:

"A couple's life should always have surprises—makes it easier to stay together long-term."

Sasakibe had no idea what that meant at the time, and even now, he didn't really want to. In his world, loyalty to Captain-Commander Yamamoto was the only "marriage" that mattered.

"You are Vice-Captain Sasakibe of the 1st Division, correct?"

A serene yet unmistakably commanding voice interrupted his thoughts. Sasakibe turned and saw Unohana Retsu, walking toward him with a calm smile—and wearing a white haori.

Clearly, she had sensed his spiritual pressure.

"Captain Unohana!" the two guards instantly bowed and saluted.

"…Unohana Vice-Captain! Greetings. I've come to meet with Captain Araki," Sasakibe said, deliberately emphasizing "Vice" to avoid stepping on protocol.

Unohana, smiling gently, addressed the guards first:

"Kondo. Gen. Listen up—

I am no longer the captain of the 11th Division. It's fine to call me that when there are no guests around—I won't force you old-timers to change overnight.

But when a guest from another squad is here, you must follow protocol.

I am now the Vice-Captain."

Turning back to Sasakibe, she added with a meaningful glint in her eye:

"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, you've come at just the right time. Captain Araki is already waiting for you in the captain's office~"

"Ah… understood," Sasakibe replied, sweat forming at his temple.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Unohana had just subtly put him in his place.

And… was it just him, or had Unohana Retsu changed?

She seemed gentler than before—yet somehow, more dangerous.

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