Chapter 41: Retsu's New Self

Three hours had passed since Yun Che and Jasmine-san had boarded Minazuki, Retsu's Shikai, the healing one-eyed beast. They had been on the move since escaping their previous location, using the Sonido technique to put as much distance between themselves and the crime scene as possible. The remote mountain area where they had been training was no longer suitable, and they had decided it was time to return to civilization. Yun Che had unfinished business with the Xiao Clan in Floating Cloud City, and he also wanted to introduce Retsu to his grandfather and aunt. So, they were currently en route to Cyan Town after spending nearly a year in the forest. Rather than using Sonido or flash step to reach their destination faster, they had opted for a more leisurely ride aboard Retsu's flying Shikai state. It was a welcome change of pace.

"Young master, Jasmine-san, how much longer do you intend to toy with my ears and tail? It's positively ticklish," Retsu protested, her voice carrying a hint of amusement as she fought the urge to purr. Ever since they had boarded Minazuki, both Jasmine and Yun Che had been relentlessly exploring the curious features of her fox-like anatomy. Jasmine was driven by a deep curiosity about how a human could possess fox ears and a tail, while Yun Che's motivations were rooted in his insatiable thirst for knowledge about a fox girl in this strange new world.

Their response was simultaneous, as though they had rehearsed it. "As long as we desire," they declared in unison. It had become a shared joke between them. Upon discovering that Retsu could purr, the duo had taken it upon themselves to continuously tease her ears and tail, pushing her to the brink of begging them to stop. Yet, there were moments when Retsu found herself actually enjoying their playful antics. Perhaps all this teasing had stirred something within her, awakening some kind of desire to be teased.

During their journey, Yun Che couldn't help but remember something Retsu had mentioned earlier. "You said something before about Yachiru," he inquired, piquing both Jasmine's and Retsu's curiosity.

"Oh, she..." Retsu began but suddenly fell silent, as if interrupted by an unseen presence. However, there was no one else around except the three of them. Collecting herself, she continued, "She said she should explain herself in person."

"How...?" Jasmine beat Yun Che to the question.

Retsu closed her eyes momentarily, and then her visored mask reappeared on the right side of her head. Her eyes gradually transformed into a striking shade of red with vertical black pupils. Her aura shifted, and she seemed like an entirely different person. Taking a deep breath, she fixed her intense red gaze on Yun Che and Jasmine, her aura flaring.

"Ara... Konichiwa," she greeted, her voice now deeper and more mature, carrying a sinister quality similar to when she used her Bankai during her battle with Zaraki Kenpachi.

Yun Che remained vigilant. "Are you... Yachiru?"

"Unohana Yachiru, pleased to meet you, Yuuki and Jasmine," the hollowed Retsu responded.

"What are you?" Jasmine inquired, sensing something unique about Retsu's aura.

"Ufufu... you could say I am Retsu's alternate personality that carried over from her previous life. The lingering personality within her. Thanks to you, I have become a Ten-Tailed Demon Fox after consuming its soul and giving Retsu her new hollowed powers."

"Just like you and Zangetsu," Jasmine noted, to which Yun Che nodded in agreement.

Yun Che's eyes widened in disbelief as he tried to comprehend the situation. "Wait... Yachiru Unohana from Soul Society? Is it really you?"

"Soul Society?" Jasmine mused, her curiosity piqued as she encountered another unfamiliar term from Yun Che's world.

"Ara… you seem to know about me," the hollowed Retsu remarked, her captivating eyes blinking curiously.

Yun Che grinned, his excitement palpable. "Well, you could say that. I've been itching to meet you, Yachiru from Soul Society." He wasn't exaggerating; there were countless questions burning in his mind about the world Yachiru came from. Meeting someone who had crossed paths with Kurosaki Ichigo and other legendary Bleach characters was like stepping into a treasure trove of untold stories. Yun Che yearned to explore the Bleach universe without the constraints of manga or anime as his references.

Jasmine observed the conversation from the sidelines, her curiosity piqued by the mere existence of a tiny vial of hollow serum crafted by someone like Yachiru. It implied that Yachiru was an extraordinarily powerful personality, one capable of subduing a Hollow and even shaping her own soul. Jasmine couldn't help but wonder what kind of enigmatic existence Yachiru was.

Yachiru, with her hand near her mouth, smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ufufu… I'm certain we'll have plenty of chances to chat in the future. It's quite intriguing to meet someone who knows me so well. Imagine being granted life after being condemned to Hell. I owe you my thanks for liberating us into this new world."

Yun Che deflected the credit modestly, saying, "You should thank the system. It was purely luck that I ended up with Retsu as a companion."

"Ufufu… it's no wonder that girl is fond of you," Yachiru mused as she slowly inched closer to Yun Che, her expression shifting into something more predatory. She began to sniff his neck, her tone taking on a dark, tantalizing undertone. "Such pure energy. How fresh. It's no surprise Retsu is drawn to you. I have a feeling your blood would taste even better."

Yun Che managed to maintain his composure, though he was slightly taken aback by Yachiru's actions. "Uhhh… thank you?"

Yachiru suddenly winced, clutching her head with one hand. "I can't maintain this link for long; it's my first time using Retsu's body as a medium," she admitted. Then, she fixed Yun Che with a sinister gaze and aura. "A word of caution, Yuuki-san. Retsu is like a twin sister to me – a kind twin sister I wish to protect. Our emotions and sensations are intertwined. Whatever you do to her, I'll feel it too. If she loves you, then I love you as well. But if you break her heart, I won't hesitate to break your face, even if she forbids it."

Rather than feeling threatened, Yun Che responded with a warm smile, gently patting Yachiru's head. "Don't worry, Yachiru. I've always cherished Retsu, and I plan to continue doing so forever. She's a dream come true for me. If what you say is true, then it's an honor to have your love as well."

Yachiru responded with a smile, her signature grin. "Ufufufu… Mama likes you more."

"Mama?" Yun Che found himself taken aback. He hadn't expected Yachiru to refer to herself in such a peculiar manner. It added yet another layer of intrigue to her character.

"We'll meet again once Retsu and I strengthen our connection. Until then, take good care of Retsu for me," Yachiru whispered, before once again sniffing Yun Che's neck and playfully giving it a lick, causing Yun Che to startle. "Be cautious, Yuuki-san. Mama prefers her prey fresh."

As Yachiru's enigmatic aura vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, Retsu regained control of her own body. Her face, however, was now a deep shade of crimson, and she turned it away from Yun Che's gaze. The sheer audacity of Yachiru's action, licking Yun Che's neck so boldly, had thrown Retsu into an embarrassing turmoil. Moreover, Yachiru's sultry demeanor and her reference to herself as "Mama" had left Retsu feeling utterly perplexed. She understood that she had to tread carefully; Yachiru's unexpected actions might unintentionally captivate Yun Che's attention.

"Retsu?" Both Yun Che and Jasmine called out to her, expressing their concern for her well-being.

Turning her head to face them, Retsu replied with a shout, "Young master! You can call me Mama as well."

Yun Che's response was immediate and resolute. "No…no… that won't happen. We're about the same age, and I'm definitely not that peculiar." He raised his hands in a firm gesture of denial, while Jasmine let out an amused sigh. It was becoming increasingly evident that their group was gathering an assortment of unique and unconventional personalities. As for Yun Che, he realized that he needed to be cautious in dealing with the unpredictable nature of Yachiru's presence.

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Three hours ago, the distant rumbles of explosions echoed from the mountainous expanse. Yun Che and Retsu surmised that it was likely the result of cultivators clashing, perhaps spurred by Retsu's sudden reappearance. Whatever turmoil was unfolding among those peaks was none of their concern. They had other priorities, and they chose to move on, unconcerned by the chaos erupting behind them.

Their senses, sharpened from training and battle, detected an influx of new signatures appearing around the mountain region. Intriguingly, these new signatures were even more abundant than those that had manifested during Yun Che's profound transformation. Such phenomena were rarely witnessed, except perhaps during the activation of a first-time Bankai. Given the rarity of such an event, Yun Che surmised that these new cultivators were likely trying to recruit or control the individual responsible, intending to strengthen their own factions.

With a swift gesture, Yun Che called forth Retsu's stats on a translucent screen, eager to delve deeper into her capabilities and better understand the scope of her power.

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Name: Unohana Retsu (Yin Soul)

Body Age: 18

Description: Unohana Retsu's Yin Soul was meticulously crafted by the enigmatic system, summoning her as a blank slate, devoid of her previous life's memories, and housed within a youthful vessel. This soul bears a unique duality, hosting her Yin powers, while her counterpart, Yachiru, embodies her Yang essence.

Level: 41 (Spirit Profound Realm First Level)

Spirit Pressure: 51,000/51,000

Soul Combat Prowess: Earth Profound Realm Seventh Level

Soul Body Prowess: Spirit Profound Realm Seventh Level

Soul Powers: Death God, Hollow

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[Inner Powers (Unohana Retsu's Exclusive Ability)]

[The Essence of Yin and Yang]

Description: Within the depths of her soul, Unohana Retsu possesses a truly exceptional power—an essence that allows her to tap into the profound forces of Yin and Yang. When this power is invoked, her left eye radiates with an intense shade of blue, while her right eye burns with a fiery red. This transformation bestows upon her an extraordinary boost in her combat capabilities, pushing them to incredible heights—either a staggering 100% increase, equivalent to an entire realm's worth of power, or she can opt for a more balanced approach, harnessing 50%, or half a realm, if she chooses to emphasize either her Yin or Yang powers.

The true marvel of this essence lies in its capacity to cultivate counter-elemental abilities without any conflicting repercussions. For instance, if she wields the elements of fire and water, they coexist harmoniously, devoid of the usual elemental clashes. Yet, should Retsu refrain from invoking the Essence of Yin and Yang, these cultivated elements remain dormant and inaccessible.

Elements Available for Cultivation:

Yang – Fire and Darkness

Yin – Water and Light

Description: Retsu's possession of this incredible inner power adds an intriguing layer to her already formidable abilities, making her a force to be reckoned with in the realms of both Yin and Yang.

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Zanpakuto: Minazuki (Flesh-Drop Gorge)

Shikai Special Ability:

Description: With Minazuki at her side, Retsu possesses a unique power. She can summon a one-eyed beast that excels at healing her allies. This creature's gaze holds the ability to mend wounds and ailments, offering solace to those in need.

But Minazuki isn't just a healer; it's also a means of transport. When needed, it can transform into a flying companion, adjusting its size to carry passengers of different sizes. This allows Retsu and her friends to travel swiftly and safely through the skies.

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[Bankai: Minazuki (All Things End)]

[Bankai Special Abilities]

[Blood Execution]

In her Bankai form, Retsu possesses a unique ability known as "Blood Execution." This extraordinary power allows her to accumulate "blood points" based on her actions in battle. She earns one point for every successful slash she executes on an opponent. However, when she vanquishes an adversary, she gains ten points from the fallen. These blood points serve to enhance her combat prowess, augmenting her strength by 1% for each point collected. These points are stackable but will reset once her Bankai ends. Retsu's capacity to store blood points can increase as her cultivation level rises.

=Currently Supported Blood Points: 100 Blood Points

[Blood Authority]

Retsu's Bankai, Minazuki, grants her the ability to inject venom into her opponents with every successful slash. This venom allows her to exert control over her adversaries, compelling them to fight against their own will, particularly when facing foes more potent than herself. To manipulate her opponents, she must expend her blood points. No blood points are depleted if her adversary's strength is inferior to her current cultivation level.

[Blood Restoration]

With the power of "Blood Restoration," Retsu can utilize a single blood point to rejuvenate herself. This process replenishes her stamina, health, and reaitsu by 2%. She can repeat this action as long as she possesses sufficient blood points.

[Blood Detonation]

Retsu's arsenal includes "Blood Detonation," a devastating ability that allows her to trigger explosive reactions within her adversaries using the venom she carries. The magnitude of the explosion corresponds to the number of blood points she is willing to expend.

[Blood Resurrection]

In a macabre twist, Retsu can consume the bodies of her fallen foes and transform them into loyal "blood knights." The number of blood points required for this transformation depends on the desired cultivation level or size of the blood knights. Retsu has the option to store these loyal servants within her inner world for future use. Her current cultivation level permits her to sustain up to four blood knights.

[Command: "Arise"]

[Blood Manipulation]

Within her Bankai, Retsu gains the remarkable ability to manipulate her reaitsu and sword, allowing Minazuki to transform into any weapon form she desires, adapting to the needs of the moment.

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[World of Slaughter Domain (Cooldown: One hour)]

Within the confines of her Bankai, Minazuki, Retsu possesses the power to conjure the dreaded "World of Slaughter Domain." This fearsome ability allows her to sculpt a nightmarish battleground where the boundaries of life and death blur into obscurity.

Within this haunting domain, Retsu's combat prowess undergoes a staggering transformation, surging to unparalleled heights—an astounding 100% increase in power. Her movements become a deadly dance, and her strikes are executed with uncanny precision.

However, this sinister power comes at a dire cost to her adversaries. In the relentless grip of the World of Slaughter, her foes suffer a grievous disadvantage—losing half of their combat capabilities if they fall by Retsu's hand. Each opponent felled within this ominous realm becomes a wellspring of power for Retsu, bestowing upon her 50 precious blood points for each life claimed.

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[Name: Unohana Yachiru (Yang Soul)]

[Description]:

Unohana Yachiru, a former dominant personality within the soul of Unohana Retsu, hails from a turbulent past in Soul Society. Her relentless pursuit of power led to her ultimate defeat at the hands of the formidable Zaraki Kenpachi, resulting in her soul's condemnation to the depths of Hell. There, she earned the ominous title of "Death Sword." However, her story takes an unexpected turn when the system summoned her and presented her with a chance at redemption. Empowered by the Hollowfication serum, which harbors the soul of a Ten-Tailed Demon Fox, Yachiru found herself reborn within Retsu. Now, she coexists with her host, embracing the role of an inner Hollow. Despite her tumultuous history, Yachiru retains all the memories and essence of Unohana Yachiru.

Age: Over a millennium old

Soul: Hollowfied Ten-Tailed Demon Fox

[Visored Form]

Description: Unohana Yachiru's visored state manifests in two distinct forms—a half-mask and a full hollow mask.

First Form: When Retsu assumes her initial Visored form, she undergoes a dramatic transformation, taking on the appearance of a hybrid creature—part fox, part human. In this state, her mask augments her combat capabilities by a formidable 20%. Presently, her body can only support a portion of the mask's full power, akin to the manifestation of a tail.

Hollow Techniques:

[Sonido (Hollow Exclusive Movement Art)]: Yachiru wields the Hollow-exclusive movement art known as Sonido, allowing her to move with breathtaking speed and agility.

[Tailed Beast Ball]: Retsu can harness the combined reiatsu of both herself and Yachiru to create a colossal power ball. This devastating sphere can be unleashed to produce a cataclysmic detonation, laying waste to anything in its path.

[Tailed Beast Cero]: Instead of launching the power ball, Retsu has the capacity to modify it into a deadly Cero attack, unleashing its destructive energy with precision and devastation.

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Capabilities:

Kido Master: With her extensive mastery of Kido, Retsu possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of spiritual magic. She can skillfully wield a wide array of Kido spells, making her a formidable force on the battlefield. Whether for offense, defense, or utility, her command of Kido is a testament to her expertise.

Master Sword and Hand-to-Hand Combat: Retsu is a true master of combat arts, proficient in both the way of the sword and the finesse of hand-to-hand combat. Her swordplay is marked by precision and grace, making her a formidable opponent in any blade-to-blade encounter. In addition, her expertise extends to unarmed combat, where she can seamlessly blend martial arts techniques into her fighting style, ensuring her versatility on the battlefield.

[Movement Technique]

Flash Step (Senka/Utsusemi/Speed Clones):

Retsu is a practitioner of the art of Flash Step, a remarkable movement technique that allows her to move with astounding speed and agility. Within this discipline, she possesses the abilities of Senka, which enables her to strike her foes with blinding speed, and Utsusemi, a technique that allows her to leave behind afterimages, confounding her adversaries and granting her swift escapes. Her mastery of speed clones further showcases her unparalleled swiftness and the ability to be in multiple places at once.

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"Holy Hell, she's even stronger than in her previous lifetime. Her abilities might not mirror those of Zangetsu or any other Zanpakutos, but they're undeniably formidable. Anyone daring to face her should think twice." Yun Che was thoroughly astonished after reviewing Retsu's newfound powers. Her abilities were not just potent; they exuded a cool and awe-inspiring aura. He speculated that she might not have been fully aware of these powers in her previous life. If that was the case, he planned to ensure she understood and harnessed them to their fullest potential in the future.

Yun Che and Retsu had come to a mutual agreement to harness their Hollow masks and Bankai if the situation demanded it. If they possessed the strength to back it up, they were prepared to go all out. Since regaining her composure, Retsu had displayed even more audacity than before.

She nestled herself against Yun Che's chest, her tails enveloping him in a warm embrace. Her Hollow mask remained intact, perched on the side of her head like a priestess's headdress. It seemed she was making an effort to adapt to its presence and perhaps explore its advantages. Yun Che maintained his composure, while Jasmine observed with a sly grin, though deep down, she felt a twinge of jealousy. Watching them snuggle like that stirred a longing within her, and she found herself wishing she were the one at Yun Che's side.

But Jasmine quickly pushed those thoughts aside, denying the burgeoning feelings that had taken root. Instead, she opted for a more straightforward approach and delivered a swift knock to Yun Che's head without warning.

"Owww, what was that for?" Yun Che protested, using his free hand to soothe his throbbing skull.

"For being an idiot," Jasmine retorted, though her tone hinted at something more complex beneath the surface.

"What did I do?" Yun Che feigned innocence.

"Never mind," Jasmine huffed, swiftly changing the topic. "So, why are we stopping at that town anyway?"

Yun Che regarded her with a bemused expression, uncertain if she was acting impulsively. Nevertheless, he decided to indulge her whims. "Well, nothing much. Just in search of a proper meal. We've been subsisting on forest fare and my culinary creations for far too long. I haven't had a decent meal since I was reincarnated. I think I remember eating an apple back then. It wouldn't hurt to sample what this world has to offer."

"I think your cooking is more than good enough. Both Retsu and I enjoy it," Jasmine replied, gradually settling beside him.

"Thanks, but I still want to savor the delicacies of this world. Since I was reincarnated, I haven't had the chance to truly explore its culinary offerings," Yun Che admitted. He had been relying on his knowledge from his previous world to whip up various dishes. Fortunately, the system could supply him with the necessary spices in exchange for system points. This enabled him to craft mouthwatering dishes that could tantalize even Jasmine's discerning taste buds.

However, Yun Che had another motive for stopping in the town. He intended to purchase fabric to fashion new clothes for himself. The system's shop primarily stocked magical items and garments from the Bleach world, most of which consisted of Shinigami uniforms, Quincy attire, and Hollow outfits. While the Shinigami uniform provided excellent defense, Yun Che was not keen on sporting an all-black ensemble. Besides, he was still easily recognizable even after a year of absence. His conversation with the system had yielded another revelation—he learned that the Shihakushou had impressive defensive stats, which explained the Shinigami's formidable combat abilities while wearing it. Yun Che decided to reserve his Shinigami attire for battles and seek a more distinctive look for everyday wear. Shirayuki's talents were limited to creating kimonos for girls, particularly Retsu and Jasmine, as well as the other female companions.

"Do you want me to get you anything when we're in town? Clothes? Underwear, perhaps?" Yun Che inquired, his gaze shifting to Jasmine. In the original story, he recalled how Jasmine would often request feminine items from town.

"No, Shirayuki mentioned that kimonos don't require underwear underneath. Besides, this red floral kimono she made for me surpasses any other clothing. Its beauty can't even compare to that of the Realm of the Gods. Plus, it allows for easy movement," Jasmine replied, showing off her exquisite red kimono adorned with a gold obi. Retsu, on the other hand, wore a purple kimono with pink flowers along the hem, accentuated by a gold and red obi at her waist. The choice of purple was a nod to Yun Che's favorite color.

"You do know that some kimonos are meant to be worn with underwear, right?" Yun Che teased, his love for Japanese attire having evidently rubbed off on Jasmine. However, she had become so enamored with the kimono that she didn't even want him to buy other clothes for her.

"Yun Che, I have something I need to tell you," Jasmine began with a serious tone after their playful banter.

"Hmm?" Yun Che responded attentively.

"I haven't been entirely forthcoming with you. While you and Retsu have shared your secrets with me, I've held back. Jasmine isn't my real name." She decided it was time to reveal her true identity, though she remained unaware that Yun Che was already privy to this information.

"Figured as much," Yun Che admitted casually, causing Jasmine to be taken aback. "You called yourself Jasmine, which is a naming convention shared by a certain country in our world. I suspected it was the same here, and I assumed that Jasmine might be your title in the God's Realm."

"Yes, that's correct. Jasmine is my title, specifically, the title of the Heavenly Slaughter Star God, one of the twelve heavenly star gods," Jasmine confirmed with gravity in her voice as she met Yun Che's gaze. Yun Che, however, maintained his composure and didn't react overtly. He had learned about the realms and their titles from the system's trivia, so this revelation didn't come as a surprise.

"Why are you not surprised?" Jasmine asked, puzzled by his lack of reaction. Yun Che simply pointed to his head, indicating that he had already been informed by the system. She sighed, realizing that if the system knew about the Star Realms, it likely had information on all its denizens.

"So, I take it you already know my name?" Jasmine inquired, her bangs concealing her eyes.

"Nope," Yun Che fibbed. "The system mentioned the realms and the twelve titles, but it still needs more data to learn all your names. I figured it was best for you to reveal it when you're ready. I didn't want to pry."

"Then, you really don't know my name?" Jasmine questioned further, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Yun Che, however, chose to keep her in suspense, a small smile playing at his lips. He believed that she would be more inclined to share her name if she felt it was her decision. Even if he knows, he rather kept this one under wraps.

"You... are an unpredictable lecher," Jasmine muttered, her expression a mixture of irritation and amusement.

"The 'lecher' part was entirely uncalled for, and how long do you plan to pretend to be asleep?" Yun Che redirected the conversation, shifting his focus to the slumbering Retsu.

"Ara..ara, I've been caught," Retsu responded, tightening her hug around Yun Che. She opened her eyes and met Jasmine's gaze, then slowly got up. "Jasmine-san, we've been friends for a while now, and what Yun Che said is true. You may not have anyone else in this world, but you have young master, me, Shirayuki, and the others. We won't abandon you so easily. Besides, you are my first friend."

"Retsu..." Jasmine whispered, touched by her words.

"Furthermore, we might become sisters in the future," Retsu added with a mischievous grin.

"With this lecher? Not a chance," Jasmine retorted, turning her head to hide her blushing cheeks.

"As I said, the 'lecher' part was unnecessary," Yun Che chimed in. Suddenly, Jasmine burst into laughter, and soon, Retsu and Yun Che joined in. The trio's camaraderie and banter were evidence that traveling with them might not be such a bad idea after all. Their laughter echoed through the forest, a testament to the bonds of friendship and trust that had formed among them.