After giving Rin a brief examination, Captain Unohana quietly stepped forward, shielding him from everyone’s view.
“Kaien, Rin has simply exhausted himself.
Take him to the Fourth Division.
It will also give us a chance to properly treat the injuries he inflicted on you during your battle.
Afterward, there is no need for you to return here.
Rin can head directly to the enlistment ceremony, while you may proceed straight to the Thirteenth Division.”
She had clearly already anticipated everything that would follow and arranged the most appropriate solution in advance.
Naturally, Rin understood the Captain’s intention to protect him and readily agreed.
Kaien had been somewhat hesitant at first, but since both Captain Unohana and Rin had agreed, and he was merely lending a hand, he nodded without objection.
Moments later, Kaien supported Rin and departed using Hohō.
Originally, Nanao intended to follow them to the Fourth Division, but Kyōraku’s voice suddenly reached her ears through Kidō.
“Little Nanao, you can’t leave yet.
It wouldn’t look good if everyone participating in the graduation ceremony disappeared.”
After hesitating briefly, Nanao could only suppress the worry in her heart and quietly return to her seat.
Everything that followed felt rather dull to her.
The Headmaster of Shin’ō Academy stood upon the stage, delivering the customary closing speech, while she maintained an appropriately grateful expression.
Meanwhile, the representatives from each of the Gotei Thirteen Divisions officially began extending invitations according to the performances shown during the graduation examinations.
That had always been their primary purpose for attending.
Among all the graduates, the person who naturally received the greatest number of invitations was Shiba Kaien, followed by Chigusa Rin and Ise Nanao.
Unfortunately, two of those three were no longer present.
Moreover, all three had already determined which divisions they would join.
There was nothing left to compete over.
Afterward, attention shifted toward the remaining outstanding graduates.
Several students even received invitations from multiple divisions simultaneously.
Whenever such fortunate individuals appeared, excitement and joy immediately spread across their faces.
There were never many graduates in a single class, so the recruitment process concluded rather quickly.
Unlike what many imagined after hearing stories about the Gotei Thirteen, simply receiving an invitation already meant someone possessed remarkable talent.
Far more students failed to receive any invitation at all.
Those individuals were eventually assigned to organizations such as the Kidō Corps or other confidential departments.
Although those organizations were important, promotion opportunities were extremely limited, making it difficult for ordinary members to distinguish themselves.
At that moment…
The paths of everyone’s future quietly diverged.
After the ceremony concluded, the three captains were naturally the first to leave.
Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake walked side by side toward the academy gates.
Before departing, Kyōraku casually beckoned for Nanao to follow behind them.
Captain Unohana, meanwhile, headed directly toward the First Division barracks in central Seireitei.
She intended to meet with Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Although Chigusa Rin had officially joined the Fourth Division, the new composite Kidō he displayed today, along with the creativity behind it, could not simply be ignored.
Captain Unohana herself did not consider it a major issue.
However…
Out of respect for the Captain-Commander…
She wished to discuss the matter with him personally first.
Otherwise, if news reached Yamamoto through someone else’s report…
Rin might unnecessarily encounter trouble later.
The First Division headquarters radiated dignity and antiquity.
Everything there seemed solemn.
Even ordinary Shinigami rarely passed through the area.
Whenever members of the Gotei Thirteen approached, they instinctively lowered their voices and unconsciously held their breath, almost afraid of disturbing the atmosphere itself.
When Captain Unohana arrived…
No one attempted to stop her.
She simply walked calmly inside.
Outside one of the rooms sat a man quietly handling official documents.
“I wish to speak with Captain-Commander Yamamoto.”
Although Chōjirō Sasakibe was acquainted with Captain Unohana, it was unusual for her to visit without a scheduled Captains’ meeting.
Momentarily surprised, he respectfully bowed.
“Yes, Captain Unohana.”
“Please wait a moment.”
“I will inform the Captain-Commander immediately.”
Receiving her approval, Sasakibe entered the room.
A short while later…
The sliding door opened once again.
Sasakibe respectfully extended his hand.
“Captain Unohana, please.”
She nodded and stepped inside.
Within the room…
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was quietly processing official documents.
Upon seeing Captain Unohana arrive, he slowly placed his brush aside.
“Captain Unohana.”
“What matter brings you here personally?”
Outside…
Lieutenant Sasakibe quietly closed the door and resumed his post.
As always…
He faithfully guarded the entrance.
Yamamoto looked toward Unohana.
“At this hour, the graduation ceremony at Shin’ō Academy should have just concluded.”
“Why did you not return to the Fourth Division?”
“Did something happen during today’s graduation examination?”
Captain Unohana concealed nothing.
She simply summarized the events that had occurred during the graduation battles.
As for the finer details…
If the Captain-Commander truly wished to investigate them…
He possessed countless methods to do so himself.
There was no need for her to elaborate unnecessarily.
After quietly listening…
Yamamoto spoke again.
“Captain Unohana.”
“The matter of those Kidō techniques alone would never cause you to come here personally.”
“You have never concerned yourself with the disputes surrounding so-called secret Kidō techniques, nor with the complaints of narrow-minded nobles.”
“Those trivial matters are beneath your concern.”
“Speak directly.”
“I can handle whatever remains.”
Hearing that…
Captain Unohana stopped circling the topic.
She immediately addressed the issue that Rin himself had worried about most.
“The newly developed Kidō was indeed somewhat unexpected.”
“However, he has studied beside me for two years.”
“I understand his level of Kaidō reasonably well.”
“The true issue…”
“Is that he has already achieved Shikai.”
“Shikai?”
A trace of seriousness appeared in Yamamoto’s eyes.
He immediately grasped the key point.
“Is there something unusual about the abilities of his released Zanpakutō?”
“His Shikai…”
“Can directly touch life force.”
Those words struck like thunder.
For the first time during their conversation…
Yamamoto’s eyes widened slightly.
“Life force?”
Unlike Reishi…
Life force was the true distinction separating living souls from lifeless matter.
Everything in Soul Society consisted of Reishi.
However…
Only living souls possessed life force.
Ultimately…
A soul’s disappearance was caused by the complete exhaustion of that life force.
Of course…
Under the governance of the Soul King…
Such disappearance was not inherently tragic.
Rather…
It formed part of the great cycle maintaining balance.
Humans.
Shinigami.
Hollows.
Together, they maintained the circulation of souls throughout the Three Realms.
But…
If someone could already interfere with life force through Shikai alone…
Then what about Bankai?
Would such power eventually allow him to manipulate life itself?
Could he prevent those destined to die from passing on?
Could he continuously increase the burden placed upon Soul Society until the balance between the Three Realms completely collapsed…
Forcing the Soul King to restart the cycle itself?
Such a possibility fundamentally violated the original purpose behind the establishment of the Gotei Thirteen.
Realizing the severity of the matter…
Yamamoto’s expression gradually hardened.
“What of this Chigusa Rin?”
“A person possessing such dangerous potential should be placed under strict supervision.”
“And if supervision proves impossible…”
A chilling killing intent briefly flashed across his aged eyes.
Captain Unohana had naturally not come here to accuse Rin or request that the Captain-Commander eliminate him.
She calmly continued.
“However…”
“I also believe this ability may allow Kaidō itself to advance to an entirely new level.”
“Captain-Commander…”
“I wonder whether you still remember Lord Kirinji’s hot spring therapy?”
The sudden mention of Kirinji Tenjirō, the founder of the Fourth Division, the creator of Kaidō, and one of the members of the Royal Guard, caused Yamamoto to pause.
No one understood Kirinji’s brilliance better than Unohana herself.
After all…
She had personally studied under him.
Yet now…
She was comparing a mere Shin’ō Academy graduate to that legendary figure.
For a brief moment…
Even Yamamoto found it difficult to understand exactly what Captain Unohana intended to say next.