The Squad 4 barracks were filled with the bitter scent of herbs, and Squad 4 members occasionally hurried through the corridors, their steps light and silent.
Carrying a food container he had just brought back from the cafeteria, Hasumi Ren walked through the familiar cloisters toward the ward where Soi Fon was staying.
He hadn't been idle along the way.
While waiting for Soi Fon's treatment, he had explored almost every area of Squad 4 open to the public, picking up quite a few fragments.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment ×28, Spirit Power EXP +280]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kidō - Kaidō Insight ×18, Kidō EXP +180]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kidō - Advanced Kaidō Insight ×2, Kidō EXP +200]
[SYSTEM: SPIRIT POWER: Grade 7 (EXP: 3350/12000)]
[SYSTEM: KIDO: LV4 (EXP: 2950/5000)]
The fragments turned into a warm current that merged into his body, giving him new insights into the subtle manipulation of Kaidō spiritual energy.
Returning to Squad 4 felt just like coming home.
Come to think of it, what was the difference between Captain Unohana and my own mother?
The only difference is that she isn't actually close to me.
Just as he reached the ward door, a gentle voice called out from the side.
"Hasumi-kun, are you here to see your teammate?"
Ren turned to see Unohana Retsu standing at the corner of the corridor.
She wore her Captain's haori, her entire being exuding a refined elegance and a reassuring aura.
"C... Captain Unohana."
Ren bowed slightly.
'That was close. I almost said the wrong thing.'
"I'm here to bring some food to Soi Fon. How is her condition?"
"Don't worry, the toxins in her body have been completely purged. She just needs a couple more days of rest."
Unohana stepped closer, her eyes lingering on Ren's face with a touch of appreciation.
"I noticed some traces of emergency treatment on her. Was that your work?"
"It was just some basic treatment. It's still far from enough,"
Ren spoke truthfully.
With his current level of Kaidō, he could manage flesh wounds, but he had been truly helpless against a complex toxin involving the nervous system and the soul.
Upon hearing this, however, Unohana shook her head.
"No need to be modest. I observed the traces of Kaidō you left in that officer. Though basic, the flow of spiritual energy was precise and methodical."
"Such subtle control over Kaidō is rare among younger members."
She paused and spoke with a sincere tone.
"If you are willing to come to Squad 4 for a period of study to systematically learn Kaidō and medicine, I can personally instruct you."
"With your talent, in less than half a year, your level would be sufficient to hold a seated officer position in Squad 4."
Personal instruction from Unohana was an opportunity many in the Gotei 13 would die for.
The importance of Kaidō was self-evident; powerful healing abilities were a vital safeguard in both missions and combat.
Moreover, staying in Squad 4 for an extended period meant he could pick up even more fragments related to Kaidō and spiritual power...
Ren was genuinely tempted.
"I appreciate your appreciation, Captain Unohana,"
Ren said seriously.
"I will give it serious thought. However, I still need to consult with Captain Yoruichi."
"Naturally,"
Unohana said with a smile.
"Speaking of which, your captain is already here. She's in the ward. Why don't you go in and see her?"
Having said that, Unohana nodded to Ren and then turned to leave.
Looking at Unohana's back, Ren sighed inwardly.
Seeing Unohana's current gentle appearance, who could tell that she was the bloodthirsty First Kenpachi from a thousand years ago?
Ren shook his head, gently pushed the door open, and walked in carrying the food container.
The room was not large, but it was tidy and bright.
Soi Fon was leaning back in the hospital bed, having changed into a clean hospital gown. Her pale complexion had regained a bit of color.
With Captain Unohana herself taking action, the strange toxin in Soi Fon's body had been completely purged, though she was still a bit weak.
Sitting by her bed was none other than Shihoin Yoruichi.
She was saying something to Soi Fon, who was waving her hands with a blushing face. Hearing the door, Yoruichi turned around and smiled when she saw Ren.
"Yo, Ren. You're here."
"Captain Yoruichi."
Ren placed the food container on the nightstand, nodded to Yoruichi, and then looked at Soi Fon.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better,"
Soi Fon said softly.
"Captain Unohana said the toxins are gone, but my spiritual energy flow is still a bit sluggish. I'll be fine after a day or two of rest."
Her eyes stayed on Ren's face for a moment before she quickly looked away, though it was unclear if it was because of their current topic or memories of the journey back.
Yoruichi took in their little interaction, and the corners of her mouth curled up.
She gestured for Ren to sit in the chair next to them, her expression becoming serious again.
"Since you're here, there's something I need to tell you both."
Yoruichi's voice dropped.
"It's about Amamiya Shin."
Ren sat up straight. Seeing Yoruichi's solemn expression, he could tell it likely wasn't good news.
"What happened?"
"His situation... isn't good."
Yoruichi rubbed her temples, showing a rare display of frustration.
"After returning to the Seireitei, he suffered a severe soul collapse. Kisuke immediately performed a comprehensive examination and emergency treatment. His soul has stabilized, but his mind is completely shattered."
"Shattered?"
Ren frowned.
"Literally."
Yoruichi let out a long sigh and waved her hand helplessly.
"His consciousness has completely dissipated, and his memories are in fragments. It's impossible to have any meaningful communication with him."
"Kisuke tried several methods and managed to keep him alive, but his sanity... I'm afraid it won't recover."
A brief silence fell over the room.
"Did someone tamper with him?"
Ren asked the key question.
"We can't be certain,"
Yoruichi shook her head.
"Kisuke checked and said there are two possibilities."
"One is that some extremely sophisticated mental-type Kidō or Zanpakuto ability was planted in him long ago."
"The other possibility is that it's a side effect of his own experiments."
She looked at them both.
"The forbidden experiments Amamiya Shin was conducting involved soul modification and spiritual body fusion. Long-term contact with that power makes mental distortion and self-collapse entirely possible."
"Kisuke detected a large amount of chaotic residual spiritual pressure in his body, and that power is constantly eroding his consciousness."
"So right now, it's impossible to tell if he was silenced or if this was just the natural result of a failed experiment."
After Yoruichi finished, a hint of gravity flashed in Ren's eyes, and he said softly.
"If it's the result of the experiment, then that's actually the better outcome. It proves this matter isn't quite as deep as it seems."
"But if it's the first one..."
Yoruichi looked at Ren with a flash of appreciation that quickly turned back into gravity.
"Exactly. If it's the first one, it means the darkness behind this whole affair is extremely difficult to deal with."
"To find out the truth, Kisuke has already taken him to the Kidō Corps to seek help from Grand Kidō Chief Tsukabishi Tessai. Afterward, they will come to Squad 4 to have Captain Unohana examine him as well."
Yoruichi's tone became cold.
"But regardless, the result is the same. We caught a survivor, but we can't get any information. He's like an empty shell; all the clues vanished when his mind shattered."
"I've already received the reports from Sugimoto and Kawasaki and verified them with Soi Fon. The evidence at the scene proves he was directly linked to the disappearance of the Squad 10 members."
"If we don't find anything unusual in the end, then this incident will have to be closed with that conclusion."