"Hoo~"
As he walked away from the funeral parlor, Senju Makoto couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief. He could even faintly feel the gaze of Aoki Risa behind him, one that seemed tinged with a hint of regret.
"Don't look at me like that. If you want someone else to take your place in the rain, aren't there plenty of other graduates to do so?"
Makoto grumbled inwardly, but his steps unconsciously quickened as he caught up with Yamada.
Meanwhile, Yamada, who had been keeping an eye on Makoto out of the corner of his eye, spoke up.
"Actually, this is a place that all new recruits to the Fourth Division must experience. Unlike the other divisions, whose duties inevitably involve battle and death, the Fourth Division is the medical division. To prevent our members from becoming desensitized to the battlefield, we expose them to death gradually, allowing them to understand… the preciousness of life."
"Although we are Shinigami, once we die, we can only lie in the funeral parlor. Everything we cherished, everything we hoped for, everything we longed for, will cease to exist…"
As if recalling something, Yamada Seinosuke spoke with a hint of wistfulness, and his normally cold expression softened with a trace of sorrow.
However, by now, Makoto had already gained a preliminary understanding of Yamada's character. He didn't believe much of this "philosophical" remark, at most seeing it as filler. Moreover, Senju Makoto wasn't a complete novice. Yamada's explanation couldn't possibly mask his true nature—one that was both sharp-tongued and delightfully wicked.
If the goal was truly to train the new recruits to face death, there were far gentler ways to ease them into the task. For instance, the recruits could have been gradually integrated into the funeral parlor, rather than subjecting them to a sudden shock like this.
This guy… definitely just wanted to satisfy his own twisted sense of humor!
But outwardly, Makoto feigned a moment of enlightenment, as if he truly appreciated Yamada's explanation. He even went as far as to add, "You're absolutely right, Vice-Captain Yamada. Only those who understand the preciousness of life can truly grasp the meaning of healing arts and medical skills. Only then can one wholeheartedly devote themselves to the study of those fields."
Upon hearing Senju Makoto's words, Yamada's gaze flickered with surprise, and he instinctively stroked his chin, deep in thought.
This sounds... much more profound than my own explanation…
Well, that's perfect. I'll steal it!
Next time a new recruit joins the Fourth Division, I'll use that line.
As Yamada mulled this over, he led Makoto into the heart of the Fourth Division headquarters, stopping in a serene courtyard-like space that exuded a quiet, understated beauty.
At this point, Yamada's cold expression softened slightly, replaced with a more respectful and cautious demeanor. He knocked lightly on the wooden sliding door, speaking formally.
"Lady Unohana, Senju Makoto has arrived."
A soft, gentle voice came from within.
"Mm, let him in."
"Understood."
Yamada replied and opened the sliding door, gesturing for Makoto to enter.
It was then that Makoto realized that Yamada had specifically brought him here to meet with the Fourth Division Captain, Unohana Retsu.
Taking a small breath, Senju Makoto's mind raced with several guesses and thoughts as he stepped into the room.
The elegant figure of Unohana Retsu appeared before him.
At this moment, Unohana was kneeling gracefully on a tatami mat, her posture dignified and noble. Her profile facing Makoto revealed a gentle, intellectual, and focused expression. Her long, slender fingers delicately arranged a branch of flowers in a vase, while outside the window, a cherry blossom tree was in full bloom.
It was a scene as picturesque as a painting — the flowers were beautiful, the setting refined, and Unohana Retsu was the tranquil and poised center of this artistic tableau.
For a brief moment, even Makoto found himself mesmerized by the sight, instinctively halting his steps as though afraid of disrupting the serene beauty before him.
It was as if Unohana Retsu sensed his presence. Her movements paused, and she turned toward him with a gentle smile. "Don't be nervous. Please, take a seat."
"Yes."
At her invitation, Makoto sat on a cushion beside her.
Unohana Retsu moved the vase she had been working with to one side and adjusted her posture to face Makoto. Her gaze was now focused and attentive, studying him carefully.
Although Unohana had already reviewed Makoto's profile multiple times, this was their first time meeting in person.
He had dark eyes and black hair, with delicate features that were characteristic of youth. His gaze, while soft, carried a warmth that naturally made others feel at ease, evoking a sense of trust.
Meanwhile, Makoto glanced at Unohana from the corner of his eye. There was no denying that she was an undeniable beauty. Despite the vivid memories of Unohana Retsu's violent past as the "First Kenpachi," a title she had earned through countless battles, Senju Makoto couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by the softness and intellectual charm of her smile, his heart skipping a beat.
"If you don't mind, may I call you Makoto?" she asked, still smiling.
"Yes," Senju Makoto replied.
Facing her, as a captain, Unohana Retsu had taken the initiative to address him more casually, and Senju Makoto responded with unflinching decorum, abiding by the impeccable etiquette expected in this time.
"Makoto, then," she continued, her tone warm and inviting. "Do you know why I've specifically requested to meet with you today?"
"Please, Captain Unohana, enlighten me," Makoto responded, but his attention was momentarily diverted by a document placed beside Unohana Retsu. He could faintly make out his own photograph on it.
However, Unohana didn't reach for the file. Instead, she spoke directly.
"Makoto, during your time at the Seireitei Medical Academy, you consistently ranked first in the Reishi and Medical Arts evaluations each year. In the two years since you awakened your Zanpakuto, you've actively participated in practical training and missions, providing medical assistance. You have treated 315 students, 265 of them with minor injuries and 50 with serious wounds."
At this, Makoto's eyes shifted. He hadn't realized that his every move over the past few years had been so thoroughly documented.
"Without a doubt, this is an exceptionally impressive record," Unohana said, her voice full of admiration. "You are the most outstanding graduate when it comes to talent and dedication to healing and medical arts since the establishment of Seireitei Shin'o academy"
Her words were tinged with genuine praise. "I'm very pleased that you've volunteered to join the Fourth Division."
Suddenly, Senju Makoto felt an odd sense of unease, perhaps influenced by the earlier encounter with Yamada Seinosuke. His mind involuntarily flashed with the image of Yamada's face and the words Yamada Seinosuke had once said to him: "You're getting too ahead of yourself." For a moment, he nearly spoke aloud.
The realization came swiftly, and his expression tightened. He recognized how, in Unohana Retsu's soothing voice, he had completely relaxed, almost succumbing to an instinctive, absurd reaction.
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