Soi Fon led the way with brisk, efficient steps, her black stealth uniform contrasting sharply with the pristine white walls.
Hasumi Ren followed half a step behind; although his bleeding had stopped, his tattered academy uniform and bloodstains left him looking rather disheveled.
"Soi Fon, when did your operation begin?"
Not at all surprised that he knew her name, Soi Fon cast a brief, indifferent glance over her shoulder.
"A week ago, starting from your first visit to the Maggots' Nest."
"Lady Yoruichi ordered surveillance in advance. She was also the one who told me to watch out for a potential ambush, though I didn't expect Captain Kyoraku to be involved."
Hasumi Ren was momentarily stunned.
"I see. Captain Yoruichi's foresight is as sharp as ever..."
Then, a realization struck him.
That was the exact moment Urahara Kisuke had bombarded him with his 'expert analysis,' causing him to mindlessly order a mountain of supplies.
'If Lady Yoruichi had already deployed the Stealth Force to protect me, then why the hell did I buy all those items from Urahara?'
'I definitely got played.'
While they spoke, the two had already arrived at the entrance of the medical clinic.
A female Soul Reaper wearing glasses came out to greet them, her tone gentle.
Soi Fon stopped, verified her identity, and gave a few brief instructions to the Squad 4 member before turning to Hasumi Ren.
"This officer will assist with your treatment. I have other duties to attend to. Farewell."
After dismissing him, Soi Fon's figure quickly vanished at the far end of the corridor.
Hasumi Ren followed the officer into a consultation room and changed out of his ruined academy uniform.
The officer examined his wounds meticulously and performed a second round of treatment using expert Kaido.
As she worked, dropped fragments were absorbed by Hasumi Ren, turning into insights that fused into his body.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment ×3, Spiritual Pressure EXP +30]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido - Kaido Insight ×3, Kido EXP +30]
[SYSTEM: Kido: Lv.3 (EXP: 2880/3000)]
"The external injuries aren't serious, but you've overexerted your spiritual pressure. Two days of rest should suffice. Take your medicine on time, and you can be discharged tomorrow afternoon."
After finishing the treatment and leaving a few instructions, the officer departed.
The room fell silent.
Hasumi Ren leaned against the headboard, feeling his spiritual pressure slowly recover as the dull ache of his wounds began to subside.
He stared at the ceiling, which felt vaguely familiar, and reflected on his recent experiences.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada, the assassination attempt, the chance encounter with Kyoraku Shunsui, and Shihoin Yoruichi's scheme...
Hasumi Ren shook his head, pushing those complex thoughts aside.
He sat up, walked to the door, and poked his head out to scan the area.
Every now and then, wounded Soul Reapers were brought into the clinic; Squad 4 was evidently quite busy.
There were no guards at his door, and no one was monitoring the halls.
He could sense a wealth of fragments nearby.
Thanks to his auto-loot ability, he didn't even need to enter the consultation rooms. He just had to stand nearby, and the Kaido fragments would be drawn to him.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido - Kaido Insight ×5, Kido EXP +50]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment ×5, Spiritual Pressure EXP +50]
...
[SYSTEM: Kido Level Up ↑]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido - Advanced Kaido Insight ×3, Kido EXP +300]
[SYSTEM: Kido: Lv.4 (EXP: 690/5000)]
Just as he unexpectedly absorbed some advanced Kaido fragments, a figure appeared before him.
"As a patient, why are you wandering the halls instead of resting in your room?"
The newcomer was a man with a cold expression. Hasumi Ren recognized him as the current Vice-Captain of Squad 4, Yamada Seinosuke.
"Vice-Captain Yamada, I'm fine. Just taking a walk."
"If you're fine, then return to your room. Don't wander about aimlessly."
Just as he was about to usher Hasumi Ren back inside, a warm, inclusive voice drifted out from one of the rooms.
"Seinosuke, there's no need to be so harsh with the patients."
Hearing the voice, Yamada Seinosuke immediately bowed respectfully toward the door.
"Yes, Captain."
Hasumi Ren looked toward the source and saw a graceful, poised woman walking out.
She had just finished treating a patient inside and was gently wiping her clean hands with a handkerchief.
His eyes widened slightly at the sight of her.
Snapping back to his senses, he bowed as well.
"Captain Unohana."
Unohana nodded to him before turning her attention to Yamada Seinosuke.
"Who is next?"
Yamada checked his notebook and pointed to a nearby room.
"An injured member of Squad 11."
Unohana gave a small nod and began walking toward the room.
The two moved with a sense of urgency, passing right by Hasumi Ren.
He watched their retreating backs and, once they had entered the room, shadowed them at a steady distance until he reached the door.
Before long, fragments began to drift out as expected.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido - Advanced Kaido Insight ×5, Kido EXP +500]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Advanced Spiritual Power Fragment ×5, Spiritual Pressure EXP +500]
Hasumi Ren's heart skipped a beat.
'This... this is truly...'
'It's addictive.'
When Unohana and Yamada Seinosuke finished with the patient and stepped out, they were both taken aback to see Hasumi Ren still standing by the door.
Unohana gave him a peculiar look before entering the next room.
A short while later, when she emerged and saw him still loitering there, her composure finally broke.
"What is your name, little one?"
"I am Hasumi Ren, Captain."
"A rare name... Well, Hasumi-kun, could you please return to your room and stop wandering the halls?"
Unohana offered him a kind smile.
Although her words were gentle and her expression pleasant, Hasumi Ren felt an inexplicable sense of threat looming over him.
It was a faint, almost imperceptible trace of restrained killing intent.
At that moment, he decided to follow his survival instincts and bowed respectfully.
"As you wish, Captain Unohana."
Under Unohana's watchful gaze, Hasumi Ren retreated to his small room, trembling slightly.
Only then did Unohana look away and proceed to the next ward.
That night, Hasumi Ren sneaked out again.
Although he hadn't dared to wander so blatantly before, it was now late at night; surely Captain Unohana had finished her work and retired.
He began visiting each room one by one, absorbing all the fragments that had lingered in Squad 4 over the past few days.
[SYSTEM: Spiritual Pressure: Grade 8 (EXP: 6250/8000)]
[SYSTEM: Kido: Lv.4 (EXP: 2390/5000)]
Both his Kido and Spiritual Pressure experience had seen a significant jump.
More importantly, he had gained a solid degree of understanding and experience in Kaido.
Especially after absorbing Unohana's advanced insights, his understanding of healing Kido was now on par with that of an average squad member.
He was now fully capable of treating simple shallow wounds, like today's, on his own.
Having scoured every department and floor, he finally returned to his consultation room, thoroughly satisfied.
However, the moment he stepped through the door, he was enveloped by an unusual spiritual pressure.
He looked alertly at the figure sitting on his bed; once he saw who it was, his heart skipped a beat.
"Captain... Unohana?"