“Lieutenant…
why have we come here?”
Although Rin knew that Lieutenant Yamada frequently visited noble households to treat difficult illnesses, bringing him to the Kuchiki Clan still seemed rather unexpected.
Yamada Seinosuke, who was usually calm and composed, wore an even more serious expression than usual, as though every ounce of his attention had already shifted toward the patient awaiting them.
“Once we’re inside, don’t speak unless absolutely necessary.”
“Observe more.”
“Listen carefully.”
“And don’t ask unnecessary questions.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“I brought you here because your Zanpakutō’s ability can rapidly cultivate medicinal herbs.”
“You brought your seeds, didn’t you?”
“We’ll probably need them.”
After giving those simple instructions, Yamada stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
Rin quietly nodded.
Everything the lieutenant had said was well within his expectations.
Ever since his first Shikai in the Fourth Division, almost everyone had misunderstood his Zanpakutō’s ability.
Most believed it simply accelerated the growth of plants.
Rin had never corrected them.
Instead, he willingly accepted the misunderstanding.
After all…
Manipulating the essence of life itself was a far greater ability than merely stimulating plant growth.
If others discovered that his true power involved influencing life itself, it might attract the attention of dangerous individuals.
Rapidly growing flowers, on the other hand, only made people joke that his Zanpakutō lacked offensive power and was suitable only for farming.
Only Captain Unohana had given him a particularly meaningful glance when witnessing his Shikai.
For a brief moment, Rin thought she had seen through him.
Fortunately…
She ultimately accepted his explanation.
Moreover…
The seeds inside his herbalist’s apron were no longer ordinary seeds.
Although Gentian flowers possessed remarkable healing properties, they couldn’t simply be used directly.
They required careful processing before becoming medicine.
Even if Rin could instantly mature countless Gentian flowers during battle, he certainly couldn’t refine medicine on the spot.
Therefore, with Captain Unohana’s guidance, Lieutenant Yamada’s assistance, and the research support provided by the Twelfth Division, they eventually succeeded in cultivating an improved variety.
Naturally…
Throughout the cultivation process, Rin secretly used his Zanpakutō’s ability to guide the flowers’ life force and accelerate their evolution.
The final results surprised everyone involved.
Not only did the cultivated Gentian flowers retain their original healing abilities…
They also absorbed enormous quantities of ambient Reishi while growing, greatly enhancing their restorative properties.
Even more importantly…
Rin discovered an entirely new characteristic.
When enough of these improved Gentian flowers bloomed together, they naturally formed an area saturated with highly concentrated Reishi.
Within that environment…
The stability of Kaidō increased dramatically.
Even complicated surgical procedures became much safer.
That was precisely the field Rin had created during the Hollow battle.
The Healing Space.
Unfortunately…
Only Rin’s Zanpakutō could rapidly cultivate such a vast number of Gentian flowers simultaneously.
Because of that limitation, the Healing Space remained unique to him alone.
Naturally grown Gentian flowers could also release healing particles…
But the amount they produced was pitifully small.
As a result, the Fourth Division never widely promoted the improved flowers.
Instead, they were planted only inside important operating rooms and several restricted courtyards.
Since both Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Yamada understood the Healing Space’s value…
The reason Yamada had specifically brought Rin today became perfectly clear.
The lieutenant knocked once more.
Soon, the gates slowly opened.
A servant respectfully bowed before leading the two of them deeper into the Kuchiki estate.
After entering, Rin kept his eyes fixed ahead, never allowing himself to openly observe the surroundings.
Even so…
From the corner of his eye, he still noticed parts of the residence.
The estate itself wasn’t particularly extravagant.
Its architecture followed the traditional wooden style common throughout Seireitei.
Only…
A towering cherry blossom tree standing within the courtyard gently scattered pale pink petals across the stone paths, adding a trace of warmth to the otherwise solemn residence.
After nearly ten minutes of walking…
They finally reached their destination.
Waiting outside stood an elderly man with a lean figure.
He wore the white captain’s haori of the Sixth Division together with the distinctive Kenseikan that symbolized the head of the Kuchiki Clan.
Kuchiki Ginrei.
Upon noticing Rin, Captain Ginrei’s eyes showed the slightest trace of surprise before returning to their usual calmness.
“Lieutenant Yamada.”
“Who is this young man?”
Yamada respectfully bowed.
“Captain Kuchiki.”
“This is Chigusa Rin, a seventh-year student from Shin’ō Academy.”
“He possesses exceptional talent in Kaidō.”
“More importantly…”
“His Zanpakutō ability will greatly assist today’s treatment.”
Ginrei silently observed Rin for another moment before giving a faint nod.
“I understand.”
“My daughter’s life…”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.”
His voice remained calm.
Yet the nearly imperceptible sigh accompanying those words revealed the worry hidden beneath his dignified exterior.
Rin kept his head lowered throughout.
His posture and etiquette were flawless, leaving even someone as strict as Ginrei unable to find fault.
Yamada pushed open the sliding door.
Inside was unmistakably a young noblewoman’s chamber.
However…
Before Rin could follow him inside…
The lieutenant quietly closed the door again.
For a while…
Only Rin and Captain Ginrei remained standing outside.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Ginrei had no interest in casual conversation.
Likewise…
Rin couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say.
The oppressive dignity unique to one of Soul Society’s Four Great Noble Clans quietly pressed upon him.
To distract himself from unnecessary thoughts, Rin simply closed his eyes.
Silently…
He began rehearsing Kaidō formulas and Kidō techniques within his mind.
Click.
The sliding door opened once more.
Lieutenant Yamada stepped outside.
His expression had grown even more solemn.
Walking directly toward Ginrei, he lowered his voice.
Although Rin deliberately avoided listening…
A few fragmented words still reached his ears. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“…the condition isn’t optimistic…”
“…needs…”
“…however…”
“…Miss Junko still cannot be moved to the Fourth Division…”
“…I understand…”
“…here…”
“…acceptable?”
“…Very well.”
After their discussion concluded, Yamada walked directly toward Rin.
“Chigusa.”
He pointed toward a nearby open space.
“Rapidly cultivate these medicinal herbs.”
Handing over a prepared list, he continued,
“Most of them are medicines used to stabilize Spiritual Bodies.”
Then he pointed toward another location nearby.
“Later…”
“When Miss Kuchiki Junko is brought outside…”
“Immediately establish the Healing Space around us.”
“We’ll perform emergency surgery here.”
“You must maintain the Gentian flowers’ stability throughout the procedure.”
“I understand.”
Without another word, Rin immediately got to work.
Fortunately…
Medicinal seeds were something he never lacked.
He reached into his herbalist’s apron, scattered handful after handful across the prepared soil, and slowly drew his Zanpakutō.
“Bloom…”
“Life Mark.”
As the release command echoed softly, his Zanpakutō entered Shikai once more.
The countless seeds immediately responded.
Stimulated by the flow of life force, they sprouted and matured at astonishing speed until every plant possessed full medicinal value.
Only then did Rin move toward the second designated location.
Quietly…
He began preparing the Healing Space.
A few moments later…
The sliding door opened again.
Several servants quickly emerged and carefully spread thick carpets across the prepared ground.
Immediately afterward…
A maid gently carried an unconscious young woman from the residence.
Kuchiki Junko.
She was carefully placed upon the carpet.
Once everything had been arranged…
Everyone else withdrew.
Only Lieutenant Yamada and Rin remained beside the patient.
Yamada silently nodded.
Without hesitation…
Rin released his ability.
Countless Gentian flowers rapidly blossomed from every direction, intertwining to surround the operating area with an ocean of vibrant blue flowers.
The Healing Space had formed.
Immediately afterward…
An endless stream of glowing healing particles drifted toward Kuchiki Junko.
Almost instantly…
The tightly knitted brows that had remained furrowed in unconsciousness slowly relaxed.
Seeing that subtle change…
Lieutenant Yamada quietly let out a long breath of relief.