“Whew…” On the path leading away from the mortuary, Makoto Senju let out a soft sigh of relief.
He could still faintly feel Risa Aoki’s lingering, regretful gaze on his back.
*Don’t stare at me.
If you want someone else to get drenched in the rain for you, there are plenty of other graduates, aren’t there?* Makoto Senju grumbled inwardly, but his pace unconsciously quickened to keep up with Seinosuke Yamada.
Glancing at Makoto Senju from the corner of his eye, Seinosuke Yamada spoke up.
“Actually, this is a place that all Squad 4 rookies must experience first.
Unlike the missions of other squads, which more or less involve combat and death, Squad 4 is a medical division.
To prevent members from losing their composure when performing medical aid on the battlefield, we can only use this method to get them accustomed to death, and to make them understand…
the preciousness of life!” “Even though we are Soul Reapers, once we die, we can only lie in the mortuary.
Everything we cherish, everything we expect, everything we desire will cease to exist…” As if recalling something, Seinosuke Yamada spoke with a trace of lamentation, a rare touch of sorrow appearing on his cold face.
However, having gained a preliminary understanding of Seinosuke Yamada’s character, Makoto Senju believed his lamentations about as far as he could throw him.
Moreover, Makoto Senju was no naive rookie.
Seinosuke Yamada’s explanation couldn’t hide his black-hearted, mischievous nature.
Otherwise, even if he wanted to cultivate the rookies’ ability to face death, he could have easily arranged for them to work at the mortuary in a much gentler manner, rather than springing such a sudden surprise on them.
This guy…
was absolutely doing this to satisfy his own twisted sense of humor!
On the surface, however, Makoto Senju put on an expression of sudden realization, as if he deeply agreed with Seinosuke Yamada’s explanation, and even proactively added, “Lieutenant Yamada is right.
Only those who understand the value of life can truly grasp the meaning of Kaido and medicine.
Only then can they truly devote their energy to the study of Kaido and medical arts.” Hearing Makoto Senju’s words, a flash of surprise crossed Seinosuke Yamada’s eyes.
He subconsciously stroked his chin, pondering silently.
*Those words…
sound much more profound than the speech I just gave…* *Excellent, I’m stealing it!* The next time new members joined Squad 4, he would use these exact words to explain it to them.
As Seinosuke Yamada mused, he led Makoto Senju into the heart of the Squad 4 barracks, stopping at a courtyard that exuded a sense of wabi-sabi and tranquility.
Arriving here, Seinosuke Yamada’s aloof expression softened slightly.
With a touch of respect and caution, he knocked on the wooden sliding door and said, “Captain Unohana, Makoto Senju has arrived.” Soon, a gentle voice drifted from within.
“Yes, let him in.” “Understood.” Seinosuke Yamada responded, then opened the sliding door and signaled for Makoto Senju to enter.
Only now did Makoto Senju realize that Seinosuke Yamada had brought him here specifically to meet the Captain of Squad 4, Retsu Unohana.
Taking a light breath, Makoto Senju ran several speculations and thoughts through his mind before stepping into the room.
Very quickly, Retsu Unohana appeared before his eyes.
At this moment, she was kneeling on the tatami mat, her posture elegant and noble.
Side-facing Makoto Senju, her face exuded gentleness, intellect, and focus.
Her long, slender fingers were currently holding flower stems, carefully arranging them.
Outside the room, a cherry blossom tree was in full, brilliant bloom.
It was a picture-perfect scene—the beautiful flowers, the elegant scenery, and Retsu Unohana herself acting as the serene center of the painting.
At this moment, even Makoto Senju was slightly dazed.
He instinctively paused his movements, afraid to shatter this beautiful picture.
As if sensing Makoto Senju’s arrival, Retsu Unohana paused her actions, turned her head to look at him, and offered an incredibly gentle smile.
“Don’t be nervous.
Please, have a seat.” “Yes, Captain.” At Retsu Unohana’s invitation, Makoto Senju sat down on a cushion beside her.
Retsu Unohana pushed the vase of flowers to the side and faced Makoto Senju with a poised, intellectual demeanor, carefully observing him.
Although she had reviewed Makoto Senju’s file several times, this was her first time interacting with him up close.
Black hair and black eyes, with refined features, he possessed the bright, sunny aura unique to a youth, yet his eyes did not lack gentleness.
It was a gaze that naturally inspired closeness and trust.
Makoto Senju also used the corner of his eye to carefully observe Retsu Unohana at close range.
It had to be said that Retsu Unohana was an undeniable beauty.
Even though Makoto Senju knew clearly from his past-life memories that she was once the blood-drenched “First Kenpachi,” his heart still skipped a beat under her gentle and intellectual smile.
“If you don’t mind, I will call you Makoto.
Is that alright?” “Yes, Captain.” Faced with the active friendliness of Captain Unohana, Makoto Senju remained calm on the surface, responding with the impeccable etiquette of this era.
“Makoto, do you know the purpose of my meeting with you today?” Retsu Unohana said with a smile.
“Please instruct me, Captain Unohana.” Makoto Senju replied, his eyes suddenly catching sight of a document placed beside Retsu Unohana.
He could faintly make out his own photo on it.
However, Retsu Unohana did not pick up the document.
Instead, she spoke directly.
“Makoto Senju, during your time at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy, your evaluations in Kaido and medical arts were the best in your grade every year.
Furthermore, within two years of awakening your Zanpakuto, you repeatedly volunteered to provide medical aid during practical training and combat missions, treating a total of 315 students, including 265 with minor injuries and 50 with severe injuries.” Hearing this, Makoto Senju’s eyes flickered slightly.
He hadn’t expected his performance at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy over the years to be so thoroughly recorded.
“Without a doubt, this is an incredibly brilliant record.
In fact, you are the most outstanding graduate in terms of talent and passion for Kaido and medicine since the founding of the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy.” Retsu Unohana spoke with a tone of admiration.
“I am very pleased that you took the initiative to apply to join Squad 4.” Suddenly, perhaps contaminated by Seinosuke Yamada’s influence, Seinosuke Yamada’s face and his previous line, “You celebrated too early,” flashed through Makoto Senju’s mind, nearly causing him to blurt it out.
This caused Makoto Senju’s eyes to narrow abruptly.
He realized that under Retsu Unohana’s gentle tone, he had actually relaxed completely and had almost made an incredibly absurd, instinctive gaffe.