That’s right!
Rin!
A glimmer of hope suddenly flashed through Nanao’s mind.
Rin had always possessed extraordinary insight.
Faced with such a desperate situation, perhaps he really had a solution.
As for waiting for reinforcements…
She had already sent out an emergency signal the moment the Hollow appeared.
Yet so much time had passed without anyone arriving.
She no longer believed rescue would come in time.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, Rin’s actions caused everyone present to freeze in astonishment.
He reached into the pockets of his herbalist’s apron, grabbed a handful of seeds, and scattered them across the battlefield.
The seeds landed around Kaien and the others.
Before anyone could question his actions, Rin slowly drew his Zanpakutō.
“Bloom…
Life Mark.”
The moment the release command echoed across the battlefield, a refreshing fragrance filled the air.
Everyone who breathed it instinctively felt their minds clear.
At the same time, his Zanpakutō began to transform.
Its blade rapidly shortened until it resembled a delicate surgical scalpel.
The translucent blade shimmered like crystal, while emerald veins resembling the vascular system of a living plant slowly pulsed beneath its surface.
During the past two years within the Fourth Division, Rin’s understanding of life had advanced tremendously.
Achieving Shikai had become a natural result of that growth.
Without hesitation, he swung the crystal-like blade toward the scattered seeds.
There was no deafening explosion.
No brilliant flash.
No crackling lightning.
For a brief moment, everyone wondered whether they had imagined it.
Or perhaps…
Rin was merely bluffing.
Then…
The seeds sprouted.
Tender green shoots burst through the earth before growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Most of those present couldn’t recognize the rapidly maturing plants.
Nanao, however, immediately widened her eyes.
During the past two years, she had helped Rin purchase countless rare seeds.
Naturally…
She had also studied them.
“The Gentian…”
She unconsciously whispered.
“Gentian flowers…”
Most people knew little about the flower itself.
However…
If described differently…
Everyone present would immediately recognize its significance.
The emblem of the Fourth Division.
The Gentian.
Within the Gotei Thirteen, the Fourth Division represented healing and medical care.
Its emblem, the Gentian flower, symbolized compassion, restoration, and the duty to preserve life.
That was also the essence of Rin’s Zanpakutō.
His Shikai possessed no complicated abilities.
Its power was simply absolute control over life force.
The countless Gentian flowers blooming across the battlefield were merely one manifestation of that authority.
Kotarō, however, failed to understand.
“Now isn’t the time to admire flowers!”
“What good are flowers in a battle like this?”
The hope that had briefly appeared inside him instantly transformed into disappointment.
“I knew I shouldn’t have expected anything from this loser.”
“A loser is still a loser, even after achieving Shikai.”
The overwhelming pressure had already robbed him of rational judgment.
He spoke without thinking.
Nanao immediately glared at him.
“Shut up!”
Unlike everyone else…
She trusted him completely.
Throughout the years they had known each other, everything Rin did always carried a purpose.
Even so…
She secretly began preparing another Kidō.
If everything truly collapsed…
She intended to gamble everything on the forbidden technique taught to her by the Vice Commander of the Kidō Corps.
Even if it meant sacrificing herself…
She wanted to save everyone.
Rin ignored every doubtful gaze around him.
He simply continued swinging his Zanpakutō.
Under the influence of his Shikai…
The Gentian flowers rapidly matured.
Moments later…
Countless pale green particles of light drifted from the blossoms like glowing pollen.
As those particles landed upon Kaien, Noriko, and the others…
Everyone’s expressions changed.
The bleeding from their wounds immediately slowed.
Smaller injuries visibly began closing before their eyes.
Kaien experienced the change first.
Having suffered the most serious injuries while holding back the Hollow, the effects upon him were also the most obvious.
His eyes instantly brightened.
“Great!”
“Now I don’t have to hold anything back!”
Without another word, he gripped Nejibana tightly and charged forward once more.
This time…
He completely ignored superficial injuries.
As long as they weren’t fatal, the countless healing particles drifting from the Gentian flowers continuously restored his body.
Under Rin’s healing…
The hopeless battle gradually began turning around.
Noriko and Kaori also breathed sighs of relief before once again joining the fight with their Zanpakutō.
Witnessing the scene…
Kotarō’s expression stiffened.
Embarrassment briefly crossed his face.
Realizing now wasn’t the time for pride, he silently picked up his Zanpakutō and charged back into battle.
Compared to repeatedly exhausting Spiritual Pressure through Kidō…
Close-range sword combat was now far more efficient.
From that point onward…
Only Nanao remained in the rear, continuously supporting everyone with precise Kidō.
Meanwhile, Rin devoted all his attention to maintaining the endless field of blooming Gentian flowers.
Everyone else engaged the Hollows directly.
The tide of battle steadily shifted.
The first to fall was the second Hollow.
Under the combined assault of several students, it was finally cut down.
Meanwhile…
Kaien alone continued holding back the abnormal Hollow at the center of the battlefield.
Just as everyone prepared to reinforce him, he suddenly shouted,
“Don’t get too close!”
“It can interfere with your mind!”
Unfortunately…
The warning came one step too late.
Kotarō, driven by frustration and anger, rushed straight toward the Hollow with his Zanpakutō raised.
“Don’t!”
Kaien’s shout echoed across the battlefield.
It was already too late.
The instant Kotarō entered within a single meter of the Hollow…
His entire body suddenly froze.
An overwhelming fear erupted deep within his heart.
His limbs became completely rigid.
Before he could react…
The Hollow’s claw struck him directly.
His body flew backward like a broken doll.
Kaori stood directly behind him.
If she avoided him now…
His body would slam into the jagged rocks nearby, almost certainly killing him instantly.
Without hesitation…
She threw herself forward.
Using her own body as a cushion…
She caught Kotarō.
Unfortunately…
The Hollow’s tremendous strength sent both of them flying together.
Fortunately…
Rin immediately released a Bakudō, slowing their momentum before they crashed.
Even so…
The violent impact rendered Kaori unconscious.
Kotarō’s condition was even worse.
A horrifying wound stretched across his chest.
Blood poured continuously from the injury, exposing flesh and internal organs.
At a glance…
He looked beyond saving.
Without hesitation, Rin divided his concentration.
While maintaining his Shikai…
He immediately began emergency treatment.
Naturally…
The healing power spread across the battlefield weakened.
With two fighters eliminated and the healing support diminished…
The situation deteriorated once again.
Meanwhile…
The Hollow’s strange ability had left everyone terrified.
Apart from Kaien…
No one dared approach it anymore.
They could only remain at a distance, casting Kidō while desperately trying to avoid striking their own companions.
The battle once again moved toward disaster.
Just as Nanao finally resolved to use the high-level Kidō she had yet to master…
A tremendous Spiritual Pressure suddenly descended from the sky.
It was overwhelming.
Like an entire mountain pressing down upon the battlefield.
“Captain Kyōraku!”
Noriko cried out excitedly.
The person who appeared was none other than the Captain of the Eighth Division…
Shunsui Kyōraku.
He still wore his usual carefree expression.
Yet…
For some reason…
Everyone present could clearly sense the cold pressure radiating from him.
Only Nanao stared blankly at the newly arrived captain.
For reasons she couldn’t explain…
The man standing before her stirred an indescribable feeling of familiarity deep within her heart.
Only after Kyōraku arrived did Rin finally speak again.
“Since Captain Kyōraku is here…”
“You should all retreat.”
“It just so happens…”
“I can finally concentrate on treating Kotarō and the others.”
As soon as he finished speaking, every Gentian flower blooming across the battlefield instantly withered.
The next moment…
Rin swung his Zanpakutō once more.
Fresh Gentian flowers rapidly bloomed around him, completely surrounding the unconscious Kotarō and Kaori within a sea of emerald blossoms.
Captain Kyōraku quietly observed the scene.
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Then…
Without the slightest hurry…
He walked calmly toward the abnormal Hollow waiting at the center of the battlefield.