Although both Unohana and Rangiku were generously endowed, Rangiku might even be a bit more "gifted" than Unohana. But the key difference was: Unohana had the power to back it up.
As the once strongest Kenpachi, Unohana wasn't just impressive in "healing power." She could also handle herself in a fight.
Among all the current Soul Reapers in the Soul Society, Unohana's strength was definitely in the top tier. There weren't many people out there who could actually take her down.
Squad Four didn't place high demands on combat ability—but there was one key requirement: skill in Kido.
Kido, or Demon Arts, is divided into Hadō (destructive spells), Bakudō (binding and restraining spells), and Kaido (healing techniques).
Compared to Hadō and Bakudō, which most Shinigami could use to some extent, Kaido was much rarer. Not only was it a niche skill, but there were also very few Kaido spells even numbered in the system.
To join his dream squad—Squad Four—Yecheng had trained in Kaido while at Shin'ō Academy. So he was feeling pretty confident about making the cut.
—"Minamiya Makoto, sixth-year student at Shin'ō Academy. Academic results above average. Zanjutsu: above average. Hakuda: below average. Shunpo: below average. Kido: above average.
Given your Kido skill, you meet Squad Four's recruitment standards. Are you sure you want to join our squad?"
The recruiter was a tall, slim woman with short silver-gray hair and a delicate, refined appearance. She was quite beautiful—and extremely tall.
She was Kotetsu Isane, a Squad Four member standing at 187 cm. Tall enough to be intimidating even to most men.
Fortunately, this time around, Yecheng's looks and height were pretty outstanding as well. So even if he couldn't look down at her… at least he didn't feel dwarfed either.
At this point in the story, Isane wasn't yet Vice-Captain—she had only recently joined Squad Four herself. That's probably why she was sent to do the recruiting.
Other squad booths had several members helping out. But here at Squad Four's station, Isane was working all alone. Clearly, she was either being ostracized—or targeted by her teammates.
Old-timers bullying rookies wasn't anything new, especially when it came to girls like Isane—fresh graduates with a timid vibe.
—"Yes, I want to join Squad Four and become an excellent healing specialist. Is there any kind of test or assessment I need to take?"
Seeing the serious expression and firm tone in Yecheng's response, Isane couldn't help but smile brightly.
Just as Yecheng had guessed, Captain Unohana had sent her and two others from Squad Four to handle recruitment at the academy.
But the two teammates who came with her pushed all the work onto Isane, using the excuse that she had just graduated from here and knew the school better.
Every year when squads came to recruit, very few students wanted to join Squad Four.
Compared to Squad Eleven—the battle maniacs—Squad Four might be safer, but it also came with the stigma of being laughed at.
After all, they became Soul Reapers to fight Hollows, not to hide behind women doing support work. If friends or family found out, it could be seriously embarrassing.
New graduates from Shin'ō Academy were always a little too proud. They hadn't been crushed by reality yet. Most of them imagined they'd quickly rise to become captains, earn fat paychecks, and be surrounded by adoring fans.
Squad Four was overwhelmingly female, and the men who joined were often mocked by their peers.
So most ambitious graduates aimed for Squad Eleven to make a name for themselves, while more cautious ones picked Squad Three or Five—also known as the "retirement squads."
Even though Squad Four was focused on healing, it wasn't without danger. Combat medics are vulnerable on the battlefield too.
Even though they're stationed at the rear, when they're focused on healing others, they're also open to sneak attacks.
Recruitment for Squad Four had been steadily declining in recent years, to the point of staff shortages. That's why Captain Unohana had instructed them to be sure and bring in at least a few recruits this year.
—"There's no test for now. As long as your spiritual pressure and Kido meet the standard, you're in.
Kaido isn't easy to master. Even many senior Squad Four members still can't use it properly."
Kaido is a type of healing Kido. It works by restoring the patient's internal spiritual energy and combining it with external energy from the caster to heal wounds and restore spirit energy.
Though part of the Kido system, Kaido requires precise control over spiritual energy, which makes it hard to learn.
Isane didn't know if the other squads required tests, but she knew anyone willing to join Squad Four was already a blessing. They weren't in a position to be picky.
Besides, she had just reviewed Yecheng's records. He wasn't a top student, but he was more than qualified for Squad Four.
A few other girls had tried applying earlier, and Isane had lowered the standards slightly per Captain's orders—but even then, she had to reject them.
Their other stats were fine, but their spiritual pressure and Kido didn't meet the threshold, and those were non-negotiable for Squad Four.
As a member of the healing squad, you didn't need to know how to fight with a sword. But your Kido had to be good enough to perform Kaido, and your spiritual pressure couldn't be too weak. Otherwise, the patient wouldn't even recover before you passed out first. That's not how you support a squad.
—"Isane, how's the recruitment going? Will we be able to fill the squad's vacancies this year?"
Just as Yecheng took the form from Isane to fill it out and formally join Squad Four, a soft, gentle voice floated in from outside the tent.
A long, graceful hand pulled back the curtain and revealed a woman standing before them.
She was the very image of serene elegance: long black hair parted down the middle, a white captain's haori with a gray-pink underlayer, and a beautiful, composed face.
She exuded the calm, noble aura of a perfect Japanese lady.
And yet—the instant Yecheng saw her, every pore in his body bristled with alarm.
He didn't even realize it—but his hand had already gripped the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Unohana Retsu had arrived.