"Huh? Why?"
Gusion asked.
After spending two days with Aizen, aside from everything else, having someone as a walking Shinigami encyclopedia was quite convenient. Now, however, his companion was about to leave him.
"This afternoon's first class is an elective. I chose calligraphy. Didn't you want to learn Kaidō? The time clashes with my calligraphy class."
Aizen explained, and only then did Gusion notice that Aizen had been carrying a small bag all day, which held his calligraphy tools.
"Who's substituting for Kaidō class today?"
Gusion asked out of curiosity.
"Gusion-kun…"
Aizen looked at Gusion with a hint of helplessness. "I don't know everything, you know. The elective teachers change all the time—basically, whoever is available fills in. How could I possibly know who it is today?"
"Oh, I see. It's fine, I'll find out when class starts."
Gusion stood up and patted his stomach. "I won't return to the dorm for lunch. I want to go practice Shunpo a bit more."
Aizen watched Gusion's retreating figure and muttered to himself. He used to think he was already hardworking, but he hadn't expected his roommate to be this competitive.
The only difference was that Aizen did it in secret, while Gusion was very open about it.
...
"We meet again. Are you adapting well to life in the academy?"
A gentle and pleasant voice came from the podium ahead. Its owner smiled warmly at Gusion.
Gusion glanced at the "Luck +1" on his personal status, wondering if he was one of those truly lucky people. Surely, he thought. Just as he wanted to learn Kaidō, the substitute teacher turned out to be a top expert in the field.
"I should be thanking you, Captain Unohana. Otherwise, I'd still be starving in Rukongai. The meals here are great."
Gusion expressed his gratitude, genuinely so. Without Unohana, even if he had made it to Seireitei, joining the academy would have taken a lot of effort. Worse, he probably would've gone hungry for a few more days.
"Your main concern is the food? Also, you should call me 'sensei' here."
Unohana thought to herself that Gusion was a strange young man. She had already heard several stories about Gusion's performance at the academy, which she found intriguing.
That was mainly why she came to substitute teach today—she wanted to see Gusion again. To her surprise, she ran into him right in class.
She'd thought he was just a promising combat talent, but he'd also chosen to study Kaidō.
So… what was his reason for choosing Kaidō? Did he want to be a support-type, or… was he like her?
Thinking this, a dangerous smile tugged at Unohana's lips, sending a chill down Gusion's spine.
"Bakudo and Hadō have strict ranking systems, but Kaidō does not. Kaidō is a healing spell and doesn't require chanting…"
Unohana stood at the podium, explaining the basics of Kaidō. Even though most students already knew the basics, no one objected.
Most students revered the gentle and beautiful Captain Unohana; a few found her a bit scary and didn't dare step out of line.
Gusion listened intently, taking notes in the new notebook he had borrowed from Aizen.
After Unohana finished explaining the basics, he realized Kaidō might be the hardest of the three types of Kidō.
Because it didn't require chanting, using Kaidō was even harder, as it relied heavily on a shinigami's control.
Currently, in Soul Society, Kaidō is essentially the repair of spirit bodies—using reishi to mend spiritual forms—a very precise process that not everyone can pull off.
According to Aizen, every year, hundreds of students take Kaidō as an elective, but only a handful ever pass.
In short, Kaidō is the most talent-dependent of the three types of Kidō. Without talent, you can't master it.
"I'll demonstrate a basic Kaidō now. I need a volunteer."
As soon as Unohana finished speaking, several students' hands shot up—her diehard fans.
But Unohana didn't pick any of them. Her gaze landed on Gusion. "Let's have the new student try. Gusion, come up here."
Gusion didn't object. This was a chance to observe Kaidō up close. If he was the demonstrator, he could study Unohana-sensei's… technique more carefully.
Unohana smiled and said, "Hold out your hand."
Gusion obediently extended his hand, only for Unohana's seemingly delicate, jade-like hand to clamp down with surprising strength, pulling him closer in an instant.
Then, Unohana gripped his wrist with one hand and, with the other, pushed up his sleeve, exposing his perfectly toned arm.
"You've been training well…"
Unohana's gentle tone made Gusion's scalp tingle.
She traced a finger along his arm. Gusion knew what was coming but thought, Can't she hurry up? That tickles!
Just as he was about to speak, a sharp pain shot through him, and blood trickled down his arm as the pain continued to spread.
Unohana's finger had traced from his wrist up to mid-arm, leaving a long, deep cut.
Gusion didn't frown or get distracted by the pain. He had suffered many injuries in martial arts training and had a high pain tolerance. He focused intently, knowing Unohana was about to demonstrate Kaidō.
Seeing his reaction, Unohana's eyes glimmered with something—almost as if she was longing for something.
But she didn't stop. "Watch closely, everyone."
She pressed a gentle, pale blue light to Gusion's wound, moving slowly and softly.
It was like magic—the wound vanished wherever her hand passed, leaving only a trace of blood.
Gusion was deeply impressed. Even though it was just a basic demonstration, Unohana's skill and technique were exquisite, and the actual healing effect was extraordinary.
He was still thinking about the sensation as his wound fully healed.
"All done, Gusion-kun. You can return to your seat."
Only when Unohana released his hand did Gusion snap back to reality.
Ignoring some envious glances, he returned to his seat, thoughtful.
So this is Kaidō…
But how did Unohana succeed?
Yes, this was Gusion's biggest question—because he knew he wasn't a spirit body. He was truly alive!