Hikifune Kirio set down her teacup, stood up, and gave a slight bow to Unohana.
Having received the answers she sought, it was time for her to take her leave.
Besides, since someone else had arrived, she felt it would be impolite to continue interrupting Unohana's squad duties.
"I have intruded for quite a while, so I should be heading back. Thank you for clearing up my doubts today, Captain Unohana."
Unohana also stood and gave a gentle nod.
"You are too polite, Captain Hikifune. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to visit the Fourth Division anytime."
Hikifune Kirio smiled and nodded, turning to walk toward the door.
Hiyori followed closely behind. As she passed by Hasumi Ren, her large eyes looked him up and down, carrying a bit of scrutiny and a hint of disdain.
Ren met her gaze with a calm expression and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Hiyori let out a soft snort, curled her lips, and quickly caught up with Hikifune Kirio.
Stepping out of the Fourth Division barracks, the afternoon sun spilled across the stone-paved path, stretching their shadows long behind them.
Hiyori had held it in the entire way, but she finally couldn't help but speak up.
"Captain, don't you think that new Fourth Seat is a bit too full of himself?"
Hikifune Kirio didn't stop walking. She turned her head to look at her, amusement in her eyes.
"What makes you say that?"
"It's just... I can't quite put it into words."
Hiyori frowned, struggling to organize her thoughts.
"The way he looks at people is too calm. When he saw you, Captain, and when he saw me, he didn't react at all."
"Even as the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, shouldn't he show a little more respect when meeting the Captain of the Twelfth Division? He just gave a faint nod, like he didn't take us seriously at all."
Hikifune Kirio chuckled softly.
"Haha, little Hiyori is quite observant."
"Of course I am!"
Hiyori puffed out her chest, then immediately curled her lips again.
"I just think there's something off about him. I don't get a good vibe from him. It's... the exact same feeling I get from Captain Unohana."
Hikifune Kirio stopped walking, smiled, and reached out to rub Hiyori's head.
Hiyori instinctively shrank her neck, feeling Hikifune Kirio's touch. Her face flushed slightly as she muttered under her breath.
"Captain, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop treating me like a child..."
"Yes, yes, I know, but..."
Hikifune Kirio's voice was gentle, yet carried a trace of seriousness.
"You need to change that temper of yours, little Hiyori."
"If I really do go to Squad Zero in the future and I'm no longer by your side, you have to get along well with the people around you."
"Don't easily provoke those around you. Having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy."
Hearing this, a fleeting trace of loneliness flashed through Hiyori's eyes.
She lowered her head and mumbled.
"I know, I know. I'm not a three-year-old, I understand these things..."
Seeing her like this, Hikifune Kirio suddenly burst into hearty laughter, drawing the sidelong glances of several passing Fourth Division members.
"Little Hiyori is so cute and straightforward. There shouldn't be anyone who dislikes you."
Hiyori's face instantly turned beet red. She snapped her head up, her voice raising an octave.
"Captain! I told you I'm not a child! What do you mean 'cute'? I'm the Lieutenant of the Twelfth Division!"
She waved her hands around, looking as if she were ready to argue to the bitter end, which only made her look even more petite and adorable.
Hikifune Kirio laughed even harder, barely managing to suppress her amusement before continuing to walk forward.
Hiyori followed behind her, puffing her cheeks in anger, still muttering under her breath about how she wasn't a child and how this was too much.
After walking a distance, Hikifune Kirio's pace gradually slowed.
Her thoughts unconsciously drifted back to the captain's office they had just left.
That white-haired boy.
During their brief encounter, she hadn't paid much attention to him.
But thinking back on it now, something felt slightly off.
Hikifune Kirio narrowed her eyes slightly.
For Unohana to suddenly transfer someone like him over and immediately appoint him as the Fourth Seat—that in itself was rather strange.
Although the Fourth Division didn't prioritize absolute strength like the Eleventh Division, the position of Fourth Seat wasn't something just anyone could take.
Not to mention he was transferred from the Second Division, which made it seem even more deliberate.
She recalled a rumor she had heard recently.
The nobles were currently pushing for the expansion of the Shin'o Relief Station, and they were making significant moves.
She had also heard whispers about Yamada Seinosuke's impending transfer.
The position of Fourth Division Lieutenant was about to become vacant.
And right at this moment, Unohana brought in a young man and placed him directly in the Fourth Seat...
A flash of realization crossed Hikifune Kirio's eyes.
So that was it.
"Hiyori."
She suddenly spoke up.
Hiyori, who was still sulking with her head down, looked up at the sound of her name.
"Huh?"
"Next time you go to the Fourth Division, be a little nicer to that Fourth Seat."
Hiyori froze, her face full of confusion.
"Why?"
Hikifune Kirio looked at her, thought for a moment, and ultimately just smiled.
"No reason. I just think that young man is far from simple. Listen to me, it never hurts to be kind to others."
She didn't voice her speculations.
After all, nothing had happened yet. Yamada Seinosuke's transfer hadn't been officially announced, and it was still undecided who would fill the vacancy of the Fourth Division Lieutenant.
There was no benefit in talking too much about such things.
Besides, with Hiyori's personality, she might not understand even if she were told.
Hiyori looked at Hikifune Kirio suspiciously, feeling that her captain was implying something more.
But she knew that if her captain didn't want to say something, no amount of asking would pry it out of her.
"Got it," she pouted. "I'll keep it in mind."
Then, Hiyori rolled her eyes.
"Captain, why do you care so much about a mere Fourth Seat anyway? He might just drop dead one day for all we know."
Hikifune Kirio smiled without saying a word, simply reaching out to pat her head again.
"Just be a good girl and listen."
Unable to dodge in time, Hiyori took the pat head-on and immediately started stomping her feet in frustration again.
The figures of the two gradually disappeared at the end of the street.
Inside the Fourth Division captain's office.
After watching Hikifune Kirio and Sarugaki Hiyori leave, Hasumi Ren withdrew his gaze and looked at Unohana.
"Captain, did Captain Hikifune come here for a specific reason today?"
Unohana sat back down at the tea table, picked up her teacup, and took a light sip.
"Nothing in particular. She just came to ask a few questions."
Seeing her calm tone, Ren nodded and didn't press the matter.
He walked to the opposite side of the tea table, sat down at Unohana's gesture, took out the work documents he carried with him, and began to report on the recent patient admissions and treatments.
Unohana listened quietly, occasionally nodding.
"How have you been practicing the organ repair surgical techniques lately?"
"I'm fairly proficient at it," Ren answered truthfully.
"Last week, I independently completed two cases of organ damage repair. Lieutenant Yamada supervised and evaluated my performance as acceptable."
"Acceptable?"
Unohana chuckled softly.
"For that Seinosuke to use the word 'acceptable' is already an extremely high praise."
She set down her teacup, looked at Ren, and shifted the topic, her tone becoming formal.
"You came at the perfect time. I happen to need you to go on a mission."
Ren's expression remained unchanged.
"Please go ahead, Captain."
Unohana pulled out a document and pushed it in front of Ren.
"Recently, there has been a large-scale soul disappearance incident in the Northern Rukongai, from District 70 to District 80."
"Disappearance?"
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Correct."
Unohana stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him.
"At first, it was just a few souls missing from the fringe areas. The squad members in charge of monitoring thought it was just normal infighting and didn't pay it any mind."
"But later, the number of missing souls increased drastically, and the affected area continued to expand. The patrol squads sent to investigate also never returned."
Ren listened quietly, but his heart was no longer calm.
Although he didn't know exactly what was happening, it strongly felt like something Aizen would do.
"The First Division's assessment is that a Menos Grande is active in that area," Unohana continued.
"Therefore, the newly appointed Eleventh Division Captain, Kiganjo Kenpachi, has been assigned to lead a team to suppress it."
"Fifth Division Lieutenant Aizen Sosuke will lead a team to assist and provide backup, while the Fourth Division will be responsible for medical support."
She paused.
"You will lead the team as the representative of the Fourth Division."
A hint of surprise flashed through Ren's eyes, and he gave a slight nod.
*This mission actually involves Aizen?*
Ren began to get cold feet.
"Captain, must I be the one to go on this mission?"
"Seinosuke has been called away by the nobles these past few days, and the Third Seat's abilities are inferior to yours. You are the most suitable choice to take on this role."
"Why, is there something unusual about this mission?"
A trace of confusion flashed through Unohana's eyes.
Hearing this, Ren let out a soft breath.
"No... When do we depart?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow, you will lead your team to the Kokuryomon at the North Gate of the Seireitei. Once you rendezvous with Captain Kiganjo and Lieutenant Aizen, you will all head out together."