Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Makoto carefully maneuvered around everyone, quietly slipping away from the courtyard. He headed straight for the Fourth Division barracks to address the emergency at hand.

While managing the crisis, Makoto kept using Urozakuro to monitor Unohana's reactions. He confirmed that neither Rangiku nor Yachiru had exposed any weaknesses in their alibis, allowing him to finally relax.

Makoto stayed occupied with the emergency in the Fourth Division until late at night. Only when his body felt completely exhausted did he make his way back to Unohana's courtyard.

As he cautiously entered, his eyes instinctively drifted toward the usual tea-drinking and ikebana spot Unohana frequented. Yet, to his surprise, it was completely empty.

"Hm? Not here?"

Makoto's face betrayed his confusion.

Not long ago, he had verified through Urozakuro that Unohana had returned to the courtyard.

Curious, he ventured deeper into the garden. Suddenly, his ears caught the faint sound of water flowing.

Splash… splash…

Following the sound, Makoto found himself staring at the hot spring.

There she was—Unohana, her usually braided hair untied, cascading down her back as she sat by the hot spring. Her bare feet dipped into the water, gently stirring the surface.

In that moment, Makoto found himself struck by an inexplicable sense of youthful charm emanating from her.

Noticing his gaze, Unohana turned her head toward him, her lips curving into a soft, gentle smile.

"You're back, Makoto? Come, soak your feet. It must have been a tiring day managing the emergency."

Without hesitation, Makoto utilized shunpo, appearing beside her in an instant. He sat down, mimicking her by dipping his feet into the warm water.

He couldn't deny it—soaking one's feet after a long day was incredibly soothing…

Especially with Unohana sitting beside him, her gaze gentle, her feet as pristine as polished jade.

For a brief moment, Makoto felt a profound sense of peace and contentment.

As they sat, Unohana's soft voice broke the silence, asking about the emergency earlier. Even amidst his relaxation, Makoto recounted the events with flawless composure, as if rehearsed countless times.

"You've worked hard, Makoto," Unohana said with a tender smile.

"Not at all," Makoto replied. "Talking to you, Unohana-sensei, takes all the fatigue away."

Unohana's smile grew even softer, yet her tone carried a subtle edge as she remarked, "But, Makoto, you seem to have overlooked something important. Rangiku also possesses a spiritual pressure."

Makoto froze. His expression stiffened as realization dawned.

Earlier, he had set up a temporary Kido barrier within the room to block both sound and spiritual pressure, ensuring that Unohana outside wouldn't detect any disturbances. However, before leaving, Unohana had instructed Shuuhei to bring Rangiku to see her.

The moment Unohana laid eyes on Rangiku, she must have immediately understood what Makoto had been trying to hide.

"Makoto, when did you learn how to use Kido barriers?" she asked, her tone casual yet tinged with curiosity.

Makoto's lips twitched as he responded truthfully, "The last time I saw Koga use it, I made a point to learn it from the Kuchiki family."

"I see," Unohana mused. "It seems you've put this Kido barrier to good use… to conceal certain things."

She paused before turning her calm gaze toward Makoto. Her voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority as she said, "To deceive your teacher."

Makoto was at a complete loss for words.

Against someone like Unohana—whose instincts and observational skills were unmatched—any slight misstep would lead to utter defeat.

No, it wasn't just a matter of missteps.

From the moment she couldn't sense spiritual pressure in the room and decided to personally confirm Rangiku's condition, the outcome had already been determined.

"Unohana-sensei, I… I was only—"

Before he could stammer out an excuse, Unohana cut him off. Rising to her feet, she stepped into the spring, her captain's haori slipping off her shoulders. Steam curled around her as she moved to the other side, her long hair flowing behind her.

In the misty haze of the hot spring, Unohana—her hair unbound, a concealed blade in hand—looked like a goddess of the springs or an unparalleled swordswoman.

Her calm, yet resolute voice echoed through the air.

"Makoto, what are you waiting for? You've already experienced the consequences of deceiving your teacher once. There's no need for empty explanations. If you have anything to say to me, let your Zanpakuto deliver the message—straight to my soul."

Makoto took a deep breath, stepping into the spring as he drew his Zanpakuto, Shinro Bansho.

Facing Unohana in a pure contest of swordsmanship was undoubtedly a foolish decision. Even Yamamoto himself could only barely hold his ground against her.

This would be no duel—it would be an execution.

A blood-soaked lesson in the way of the sword.

Through this, Unohana would ensure that Makoto's body would remember the price of defying his teacher. She would engrave the essence of true swordsmanship—one born for killing—into his very soul.

Though Makoto's skills had grown substantially since their last encounter, reaching a level comparable to most seated officers proficient in swordsmanship, such prowess was laughably inadequate against Unohana.

Clang!

The clash of blades sent droplets of blood scattering across the spring.

By the time Makoto collapsed into Unohana's arms, his body broken and his spirit drained, he found himself awakened to both a renewed longing for peace and a deeper aversion to violence. At the same time, he couldn't ignore the significant improvement in his swordsmanship.

In the haze of semi-consciousness, Makoto tried to voice his gratitude to Unohana. His trembling lips formed incomplete words:

"I… (Thank you)… Sensei, next time, I promise… (not to)… deceive you."

He faintly saw Unohana lick her lips, her smile dazzling yet unnervingly bright. Her gentle voice reached his ears.

"Make sure you do, Makoto…"

---

The next day, Vice-Captain Senju of the Fourth Division filed for a three-day leave, citing overexertion from the previous day's emergency. During his absence, Risa and Isane took charge of the division's affairs.

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