Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

The Next Morning

At dawn, Makoto, as the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, accompanied Unohana to the First Division to attend the Captain's Meeting.

Upon arriving at the waiting room for vice-captains, Makoto was surprised to find Yachiru Kusajishi there as well.

"Makoto-nii!"

Fifty years had passed, yet Yachiru's appearance remained unchanged. She was as energetic and adorable as ever, running straight towarda Makoto with her arms open.

Makoto casually patted Yachiru's uniquely soft, pink hair and asked offhandedly, "Yachiru, why are you here today?"

After all, when it came to Captain's Meetings, if Jūshirō Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division was the king of sick leave, Kenpachi Zaraki of the Eleventh Division was undoubtedly the king of personal leave, rarely showing up even once in ten meetings.

"I heard there might be fighting, so Ken-chan decided to come check it out!" Yachiru replied cheerfully.

That, without a doubt, was entirely in line with Zaraki's style. It was likely the First Division had notified all divisions in advance to ensure full participation in this meeting, as Unohana herself had been informed beforehand.

Hueco Mundo? Adjuchas?

Makoto sat down with Yachiru in his lap, absentmindedly stroking her hair as he replayed the information in his mind.

In his past life, intelligence regarding Hueco Mundo during this period was scarce. Even after joining the Gotei 13, Makoto's interactions with Hueco Mundo had been minimal.

The only connection he maintained was Sparx, a pawn he had casually planted in the past. Over the last fifty years, Sparx had continuously provided him with an increasing amount of spiritual energy—now far surpassing what Kensei Muguruma could offer.

This led Makoto to suspect that Sparx might have already evolved into a Vasto Lorde-level Hollow.

As the Soul Society stabilized and leadership positions saw little change, Makoto had grown familiar with the other vice-captains over the decades. His casual demeanor, holding Yachiru like a child, didn't draw a single eyebrow. Many vice-captains even nodded in acknowledgment.

All except one…

A gaze, sly as a fox's yet venomous as a snake's, lingered on him with barely concealed malice.

Gin Ichimaru.

The boyish appearance Gin had once possessed was long gone. Over the last fifty years, his spiritual body had matured entirely, exuding an increasingly dangerous and inscrutable aura.

However, Ōmaeda Marenoshin's arrival interrupted Gin's gaze. The large, round figure of Marenoshin sat directly between Makoto and Gin, entirely blocking Gin's line of sight.

Marenoshin, blissfully unaware of the tension, greeted Makoto with a cheerful smile. "Makoto-kun, I recently acquired some exceptional medicinal herbs with nourishing effects. Would you like me to send you a batch to study?"

!?

Makoto froze.

Medicinal herbs? If it's for nourishment, wouldn't it make sense to go through official Fourth Division channels? What's with the emphasis on 'nourishing' and 'study'?

For a moment, Makoto felt compelled to grab a mirror and check just how pale he looked. Was it truly so bad that even the ever-clueless Marenoshin felt compelled to indirectly express concern?

Just as Makoto was about to politely decline, he caught a glimpse of a small, delicate figure almost entirely hidden by Marenoshin's large frame.

Despite the mask covering most of her face, Makoto instantly recognized her—Soi Fon.

When their eyes met, there was a brief flicker of concern in Fon's gaze before she quickly masked it with calm indifference, as if that fleeting moment of care had been an illusion.

Marenoshin, noticing Makoto's attention, assumed he was questioning Fon's presence and took the initiative to explain.

"This is a directive from the First Division. I was specifically instructed to escort Fon here."

Pausing briefly, Marenoshin leaned closer to Makoto and whispered, "From what I've heard, Soi Fon is preparing to undergo the Captain's Test soon."

Makoto raised an eyebrow, glancing at Marenoshin.

Is it really appropriate to share such sensitive information about a future superior with me, an outsider?

However, Marenoshin winked conspiratorially and whispered further, "I'm also planning to step down as Vice-Captain of the Second Division soon. My son, Ōmaeda Marechiyo, will take over as Soi Fon's vice-captain. Please look after him, Makoto-kun."

Makoto responded with a knowing look and a simple hand gesture, signaling "no problem."

Clearly, Marenoshin, a master of both emotional intelligence and the art of flattery, knew exactly when and where to "invest." Rather than clinging to his position, he sought to strengthen ties between his son and the incoming captain during the Second Division's transitional period.

Rather than hoarding power, Marenoshin understood that forging bonds through shared challenges was the key to earning Fon's trust.

Of course, Makoto couldn't help but suspect that Marenoshin's actions were also a subtle display of loyalty to Shihōin Yoruichi, who remained in the Human World.

---

Amid Makoto and Marenoshin's hushed conversation, a hell butterfly fluttered into the room, landing on Chōjirō Sasakibe's finger.

After listening to the message, Chōjirō stood and announced, "By order of the Head Captain: Vice-Captain Senju Makoto of the Fourth Division, Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru of the Fifth Division, and Soi Fon of the Second Division are to proceed to the Captain's Meeting Room immediately."

This unusual directive left the vice-captains in the waiting room momentarily stunned.

Despite the confusion, Makoto rose and responded, "Understood."

Fon and Gin followed suit, each replying in turn.

Under Chōjirō's guidance, the three of them left the waiting room and approached the Captain's Meeting Room nearby.

For the first time, Makoto saw the intricately designed doors of the Captain's Meeting Room slowly open before him…

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