Days passed by in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, the day of Unohana's flower arrangement invitation to Shihoin Yoruichi arrived.
On this day, the sunlight in the Seireitei was exceptionally gentle, blanketing the courtyard of the Fourth Division.
As the messenger, Hasumi Ren accompanied the Second Division Captain, Yoruichi, and Lieutenant Omaeda Marenoshin to the Fourth Division.
The moment they stepped through the gates of the Fourth Division, they felt an atmosphere completely different from that of the Second Division.
A faint scent of medicinal herbs permeated the air, and the ambiance was exceptionally peaceful and comforting.
Inside the activity room, Unohana had already prepared the flower arrangement tools.
Several female squad members dressed in Shihakusho gathered around, their expressions focused.
Holding flower branches in their hands, they carefully pruned and arranged them.
Unohana Retsu stood to the side, wearing her loose Captain's haori. Her demeanor was serene, occasionally offering a few words of guidance.
Hasumi Ren and Omaeda stood not far away, glancing at the flower arrangement activity.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in the other's eyes.
Such gentle and leisurely activities had never been their strong suit.
Standing in the corner, the two chatted about opening a shop in the Noble District.
Yoruichi, meanwhile, walked toward Unohana, who nodded in greeting.
Seeing Yoruichi arrive, a soft smile appeared on Unohana's face.
She raised a hand, signaling the female members to continue, then turned and walked to a nearby table to brew a cup of hot tea for Yoruichi.
"Captain Shihoin, it has been a while. Please, have a seat."
Yoruichi sat down properly, picked up the teacup, and took a gentle sip.
"Captain Unohana certainly is in good spirits to have such leisurely elegance."
Unohana Retsu chuckled softly, her gaze falling on the female members arranging flowers in the courtyard.
"The members of the Fourth Division are usually busy with rescue work. Occasionally tinkering with flower branches allows them to comprehend Zen and calm their minds."
"The way of flower arrangement does not lie in the rarity of the branches or the complexity of the design, but in the resonance between the heart and the flower, and the artistic conception within."
"Every flower, every leaf, every branch, and every stamen is a condensation of the world's energy. One must follow their natural flow and not force them, just as a healer saving lives must conform to the fundamental nature of the soul."
As she spoke, she raised her hand to pick up a white camellia branch, gently pruning away the excess leaves. With a slight flick of her wrist, she placed the branch into the vase.
Its placement was just right—neither ostentatious nor abrupt.
It complemented the other branches in the vase perfectly, leaving just the right amount of empty space to create a profound artistic conception.
Yoruichi looked at the flower arrangement in her hands, a flash of approval in her eyes. Then, her tone gradually deepened, no longer as casual.
"Captain Unohana, I'm afraid you didn't invite me here just to drink tea and arrange flowers, did you?"
Unohana Retsu smiled faintly, not denying it. She picked up her teacup, gently swirling it, and spoke in a flat tone.
"Captain Shihoin is as perceptive as ever. Recently, the Soul Society has not been very peaceful. There has been a large-scale disappearance of Soul Reapers and souls from the Rukongai."
"Even the Fourth Division's admission of patients has increased significantly compared to usual."
She paused, changing the subject to subtly hint at the hidden circumstances behind it.
"I am quite curious. Captain Shihoin's Stealth Force is the most well-informed. Have you found any clues?"
Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Yoruichi's eyes as she spoke indifferently.
"I have already arranged for the Third Seat of the Second Division, Urahara Kisuke, to take full responsibility for this matter."
"That guy is highly capable, meticulous, and decisive. Leaving this to him won't be a problem."
She looked at Unohana Retsu, her tone carrying a hint of doubt.
"However... Captain Unohana, are you also paying attention to this matter?"
Unohana Retsu nodded gently, her tone carrying profound meaning.
"It's not that I'm paying special attention to it, but I just find it somewhat coincidental. You know about the expansion of the Shin'o Relief Clinic, right?"
Yoruichi nodded slightly, and Unohana continued.
"Once it is completed, I will be short one Lieutenant. He will be transferred by the Central 46 to serve as the General Director of the Shin'o Relief Clinic."
Hearing this, Yoruichi's eyes narrowed slightly, instantly and keenly catching the implication in Unohana Retsu's words.
"The Shin'o Relief Clinic, huh? I have heard of it. The Tsunayashiro family is vigorously pushing for it, and the other nobles are eagerly echoing their support."
"It's nothing more than a private medical institution serving the nobles, yet they're making quite a flashy fuss about it."
She paused, her tone tinged with a bit of helplessness.
"Unfortunately, this is a resolution among the nobles, and it's being spearheaded by the Central 46. With my current status, it's not convenient for me to interfere."
Unohana Retsu nodded gently, a flash of understanding in her eyes.
The two exchanged a glance, saying nothing more.
Everything was understood without being spoken.
They both knew clearly that the ambitions of the nobles never stopped there.
Yoruichi understood the underlying meaning in Unohana's words.
The expansion of the Shin'o Relief Clinic and the disappearance of souls were definitely inextricably linked behind the scenes.
It was just that right now, Yoruichi lacked sufficient evidence, and restricted by her status, it was inconvenient for her to act rashly.
After a moment of silence, Unohana Retsu spoke again. Her gaze fell toward the courtyard, her tone carrying a hint of praise.
"Speaking of which, Captain Shihoin, you have quite a promising seedling under your command."
Yoruichi set down her teacup, looking curious.
"Is Captain Unohana referring to Hasumi Ren?"
"Indeed. Hasumi Ren's talent in Kaido is something I have rarely seen in my life. In just over two months, he has already reached the level of a seated officer. It is truly rare."
Unohana looked at Yoruichi, her gentle tone carrying a degree of appreciation.
"However, within the Second Division, Hasumi Ren's Kaido talent ultimately cannot be utilized to its fullest potential."
"I wonder if Captain Shihoin would be willing to part with him and allow squad member Hasumi Ren... to stay in the Fourth Division?"
As she spoke, Unohana Retsu picked up another flower branch and gently pruned it.
With a slight flick of her wrist, she inserted the branch into the vase. It complemented the previous camellia, making the artistic conception even more profound.
Hearing this, Yoruichi pondered for a moment.
Hasumi Ren's performance in Kaido, as well as Unohana's proposal, were somewhat beyond her expectations.
However, Hasumi Ren wasn't actually that important to her.
In Yoruichi's eyes, Hasumi Ren was nothing more than a newcomer with good talent and a somewhat mysterious background.
But now, she had learned just about everything she needed to know about him, so it wasn't absolutely necessary to keep him in the Second Division.
After a long while, Yoruichi chuckled softly and spoke slowly.
"Since Captain Unohana has asked, I naturally cannot refuse. However, this matter ultimately depends on Hasumi Ren's own wishes."
"I will ask for his thoughts later. If he intends to stay in the Fourth Division, I won't stop him. If he is unwilling, I won't force him either."
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Unohana Retsu's face. She nodded gently, picked up her teacup, and raised it toward Yoruichi.
"Then I thank you, Captain Shihoin. Regardless of the outcome, I am deeply grateful."
Yoruichi smiled and raised her cup, gently clinking it against hers.
Ripples spread across the tea. Behind their smiles, both women hid their own thoughts.
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