Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

As Makoto watched the Adjuchas retreat from the Withered Forest, his gaze flickered subtly, but he ultimately suppressed the urge to command the forest to strangle them all.

Even if he could slowly grind down and eliminate every last Adjuchas, it would take far too much time. The commotion would likely draw the attention of either the Expeditionary Force or Aizen Sōsuke.

Moreover, while Baraggan's retreat might seem like a cowardly act unworthy of Hueco Mundo's self-proclaimed king, Makoto had to admit—his ability to induce absolute decay was terrifying and nearly impossible to counter.

So much so that a thought crossed his mind—if given the chance, he had to eliminate Baraggan completely. That kind of absolute power could easily become a future threat, especially to Unohana-sensei.

Besides, Makoto was fully aware of his current limitations. If he were to be enveloped by Baraggan's Respira at close range and accidentally inhale it, the parts of his body that had not yet fully achieved Perfect Spirit Body form would rot away.

It wouldn't kill him—but it would render him incapacitated for a long time.

That was a consequence he simply couldn't afford at this stage.

Given all these risks, Makoto ultimately abandoned the tempting idea of annihilating Baraggan's forces.

---

A Few Hours Later – A Cave Near the Battlefield

Although Baraggan had been forced to retreat, both Harribel and her three Adjuchas subordinates had suffered severe injuries.

If Makoto had simply left them there, even a few wild Adjuchas wandering by could pose a threat to them.

Besides, there was something about Harribel—her apparent belief in sacrifice—that intrigued him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to save her.

Of course, what Makoto meant by intrigue was that he saw Harribel as a useful piece on the board.

Even if his presence ended up altering events to the point where Aizen never created the Espada, Harribel was still a true Vasto Lorde—a being with combat strength exceeding that of most Captain-level Shinigami.

More importantly, she was a contingency.

If his experiments in the Seireitei were ever exposed, there was a high chance the Central 46 would sentence him to execution.

In that case, with Harribel's help, he could theoretically escape to Hueco Mundo just as Aizen had done in the original timeline.

Yes… it was always a good idea to walk Aizen's path—just to make sure there was no path left for Aizen to walk himself.

Of course, he wouldn't reveal any of this to Harribel. But his medical expertise and deep understanding of spiritual bodies made him more than capable of treating her injuries.

After quickly patching up Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose, only Harribel's wounds remained.

Fortunately, Makoto had already neutralized the remnants of Baraggan's decaying aura. Though her injuries had initially seemed severe—her chest wound so deep it exposed her internal organs—Hollows, even those without High-Speed Regeneration, still possessed formidable healing capabilities.

Thus, when Makoto crouched in front of her, carefully observing her wound, he was surprised to find that her body had already begun mending itself.

Being examined so closely—especially by someone like him—made Harribel feel strangely uncomfortable. Though Hollows generally lacked human notions of modesty or propriety, she still felt an inexplicable unease.

"Lord Makoto… it seems my wound is healing on its own. There's no need for you to trouble yourself," she said.

"No need for treatment?! Absolutely not!"

Makoto's response was almost instinctive, spoken without hesitation.

I went through all this effort, and now you're telling me you don't need treatment?!

To him, her refusal felt like going on a perfect date—dinner, conversation, a movie—only to have the girl suddenly decide to leave just before things got interesting.

Unacceptable.

I am Senju Makoto. No patient I set my eyes on has ever left untreated!

The seeds must be planted.

(TL/N - ???😏)

No exceptions.

Moreover, Makoto had studied numerous Shinigami spiritual bodies. He had even conducted research on Adjuchas-class Hollows using Szayelaporro Granz as a subject.

But a Vasto Lorde—the rarest and most powerful form of Hollow—was something he had never encountered before.

As a doctor with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, how could he possibly ignore such a rare opportunity?

If that were the case, why hadn't he intervened earlier—before Harribel was injured? Why had he waited until she was tainted by Baraggan's Respira and pushed to the brink of crisis before stepping in?

Simple.

Because if she hadn't been injured—if there was no blood—what reason would he have had to treat her?

This was the perfect chance to study a Vasto Lorde's spiritual body up close.

And so, when Makoto's tone left no room for refusal, Harribel was momentarily taken aback.

This was… different.

He was different.

His voice no longer carried just calmness and warmth. There was something else. Something unshakable.

"Why?" Harribel asked, her emerald eyes meeting his.

As Makoto's mind raced for an answer, his hands did not falter—continuing to treat her wound with practiced precision.

Then, in that same soft, steady voice, he replied.

"Just as a wounded heart needs comfort, a wounded body must be treated."

He paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers directly.

"It's not just about recovery. More importantly—it's about letting your body know..."

He held her gaze, his voice as gentle as ever.

"That someone cares about you."

For a moment, Harribel's emerald eyes trembled.

That empty, hollow void in her heart—the one that had always existed—shuddered, as if something foreign and unfamiliar had stirred within it.

The world around her—the cave, the air, the dim glow of spirit particles drifting in the dark—all of it faded into the background.

The only thing left in her world was the warmth in his eyes.

And in that brief moment of vulnerability—Makoto took full advantage.

Without missing a beat, he continued treating the wound on her chest.

However, he quickly realized… there was an obstacle.

Harribel's Hierro—her naturally hardened spiritual skin—was exceptionally strong.

It was… making his job difficult.

Nonetheless, Makoto's Seed of the Forest had already taken root within her.

Now, all that remained was to thoroughly study the unique composition of a Vasto Lorde's spiritual body.

=====================

Consider joining me on P@treon For 50+ Advance Chapters:

P@treon: [email protected]/JustaPasserby