The early morning sunlight filtered through the window frames, casting dappled shadows on the wooden floor of the Fourth Division's training room.
Hasumi Ren sat cross-legged opposite Unohana Retsu. His hands were cupped, and a ball of pale green spiritual pressure hovered above his palms.
Then, he slowly pressed it against the simulated medical Reiryoku body in front of him.
Inside the ball of light, intricate Reishi pathways could be seen slowly restructuring.
"There are seven primary nodes in the spiritual meridians of a soul here."
Unohana's voice was as calm as still water.
"Although you only succeeded in simulating the repair of five... it's already quite good."
Ren let the green glow of the Kaido dissipate and wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, refocusing his energy once more.
"Captain Unohana, please demonstrate it one more time. I feel like... I'm just a step away."
Hearing this, Unohana nodded and performed the technique again.
Fragments drifted down and were absorbed by Ren.
Ren understood intuitively and began his second attempt.
This time, his spiritual pressure threads were more precise. The seven nodes were repaired in sequence, and a final, subtle fluctuation of spiritual pressure connected the entire network.
Unohana nodded slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.
"Well done."
Ren let out a soft breath.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Captain Unohana."
Unohana chuckled softly, not feeling as though she deserved much credit for teaching him.
After only a few demonstrations, the man before her could essentially replicate her logic perfectly. This kind of talent was something she had never heard of before.
She finally understood what was behind that inexplicable expression Seinosuke had whenever he spoke about Ren's progress.
"That's enough for now. Let's stop here for today," Unohana said.
Unohana said.
Ren nodded and stretched his wrists.
He had grown used to this rhythm, and his Kaido skills were indeed improving at a staggering pace.
Ren checked his current status panel.
[SYSTEM: Spiritual Power: Rank 7 (Experience: 11500/12000)]
[SYSTEM: Kido: Lv. 5 (Experience: 5750/8000)]
Two months ago, he could only handle external flesh wounds.
Now, under Unohana's watchful eye, he was already attempting to simulate the repair of spiritual meridian damage.
After this, he would be able to touch upon the highest realms of Kaido: organ regeneration and soul repair.
Even Ren felt this progress was a bit too fast.
He simply followed Unohana every day, watched her perform techniques, absorbed the fragments she dropped, and practiced a few times under her guidance.
Then, those high-level techniques that would normally take years of hard work to master would naturally integrate into his body.
Under Unohana's tutelage—from spiritual pressure channeling to meridian reconstruction, and eventually to the organ repair he hadn't yet attempted—the progress was incredibly swift.
Unohana even began to wonder if there would be anything left to teach him after a while.
Long ago, she thought Ren had a bit of talent in Kaido and suggested he come to the Fourth Division for further study, but she hadn't actually had any special expectations for him.
But the ability Ren displayed now made her genuinely consider poaching him.
After all, once Yamada Seinosuke was transferred to the Shin'o Academy's pharmacy in the near future, the Lieutenant position would be temporarily vacant.
Unohana hadn't decided who to appoint as the new Lieutenant yet.
However, Ren was fully capable of taking Yamada Seinosuke's place.
She was now seriously considering the suggestion Seinosuke had made about recruiting Ren.
"Alright, go get some lunch."
Unohana organized the texts on the table.
"I have a captains' meeting this afternoon. Remember to practice diligently. Do not slack off."
Hearing Unohana's voice, Ren responded and left the training room.
In the hallway, several Fourth Division members approached him. Their gazes couldn't help but linger on him for a moment.
"Is that Hasumi Ren?"
"Yeah, I heard he's the one from the Second Division."
"It hasn't been that long, and he's already working right beside Captain Unohana."
"Isn't he some noble's kid here just to build his resume?..."
Various whispers drifted behind him, but Ren didn't stop, his expression remaining neutral.
He was already used to these discussions.
Although the Fourth Division was a peaceful place, news traveled fast.
Many people already knew that Ren's Kaido proficiency was very high, though few had actually seen it.
Moreover, for an outside division member to catch up to the Kaido level of a senior seated officer in just two months was hard to believe. It was impossible not to draw attention.
Ren walked quickly to the cafeteria. There weren't many people there. He took his tray and found a seat in a corner.
Just after taking a few bites, a figure appeared across from him.
"Hasumi?"
Ren looked up and saw a delicate face with short, silvery-gray hair. She was tall—it was Kotetsu Isane.
"Isane. There are plenty of empty seats, sit wherever you like."
Isane set her tray down and sat across from Ren but didn't pick up her chopsticks immediately.
She blinked her large, bright eyes, staring straight at Ren with a look of complex emotion.
"What is it?"
Ren asked, noticing her gaze.
"Nothing," Isane shook her head, but couldn't help but speak. "I just think you're really amazing."
Ren's chopsticks paused.
"Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
She lowered her head, poking at the food on her tray with her chopsticks, her voice muffled.
"Even though you joined after me—I was already in the Fourth Division when you arrived—now..."
She looked up, her eyes filled with a hint of envy and a touch of loss.
"I'm still learning basic wound treatment and spiritual pressure channeling, but you're already assisting Captain Unohana in treating members."
Ren was silent for a moment.
He knew Isane was a talented member.
In the original story, she was the Lieutenant Unohana chose to keep by her side after Yamada Seinosuke left.
After the Thousand-Year Blood War, she succeeded Unohana and became the Captain of the Fourth Division.
Her aptitude was definitely among the best of her peers.
But then again, you couldn't really compare yourself to someone with a cheat code.
Ren ate his meal silently.
This girl, currently just a low-ranking member of the Fourth Division, was looking at him with a gaze of pure admiration.
"You're very capable too. With your talent, given time, your achievements won't be low."
Isane shook her head. Although Ren spoke sincerely, she only thought he was trying to comfort her.
"Thank you for the encouragement, but I know my own level. I'm far behind you."
She paused, then suddenly asked.
"By the way, have you ever thought about transferring to the Fourth Division?"
Ren stopped his chopsticks and looked at her.
Isane felt a bit embarrassed by his gaze, but she plucked up the courage to continue.
"Your talent for Kaido is so high, it's a waste to stay in the Second Division. If you applied for a transfer, Captain Unohana would definitely agree..."
"Sorry, I don't have any thoughts on that for the time being."
Hearing Ren's voice, Isane was stunned.
"Why is that?"