Kotetsu Isane's application report to First Division finally received a reply.
The funding had been approved—but only for half the amount requested in the report.
Sasakibe Chōjirō had also given a written response: while it was true that Fourth Division hadn't updated its facilities in a long time and could be given a subsidy, he still hoped Fourth Division would keep its main focus on the research and development of medical work.
Isane wasn't surprised by the result. In her view, getting even half the requested funding was already quite good.
Her thinking was still somewhat conservative—she couldn't be sure whether Nobu's approach was right or wrong, and the idea of trying such things always made her uneasy.
When Nobu heard the news, he said, "Looks like even getting half is already no small feat."
Isane smiled. "You don't need to brood over it. If we can make the change, good; if not, there's no fault in it. Honestly, Vice-Captain Sasakibe has a point—medicine is our core."
"Of course I know that. Don't worry, Isane-neesan, I'm not the type to obsess. But I really do want to do some things for Fourth Division."
Seeing him speak like this, Isane's smile softened.
[Affection Level: 67]
Nobu made a trip to the Sixth Division barracks.
He didn't go in. After sending a message, he met with Kasumioji Kōgorō.
"Long time no see, Kōgorō!" Nobu greeted with a broad grin.
Kōgorō eyed him and replied flatly, "Are we close enough for you to call me by name like that?"
Nobu put on an exaggeratedly hurt look. "And here I thought we were good friends."
Kōgorō didn't believe a word. Back at the Academy, this guy had often worn the same expression while talking him into handing over money to the Student Council. He was immune now.
So what's he here for this time…?
Kōgorō's gaze narrowed. "What do you want?"
Nobu smiled. "Nothing much. I just missed you, so I wanted to take you out for a meal."
Kōgorō nearly rolled his eyes.
Yeah, right.
"I'm busy. If it's nothing important, I'll be going."
"Your Sixth Division work is that heavy? You're just a regular unseated member and you're that busy? I'm a Third Seat in Fourth Division and still have plenty of free time."
Kōgorō's face darkened.
He'd been in Sixth Division for over a year and was still an ordinary member. That was normal—but Nobu had been in Fourth Division for only a month before becoming Third Seat.
Watching the man in front of him flaunt it was unbearable.
"Well? Do you have a point?"
"This kind of thing's best discussed over food," Nobu said, already steering him toward the street.
Kōgorō, unable to fend off his "enthusiasm," ended up sitting with him in a nearby izakaya.
"Time flies, huh? Feels like we were running the Student Council just yesterday."
"Spare me the nostalgia. Say what you came to say."
Nobu wasn't offended, still smiling. "Your family makes weapons, right? Biggest name in all of Soul Society, or so I hear."
Kōgorō gave him a suspicious look. That was common knowledge, but why was some Rukongai-born civilian suddenly bringing it up?
"So what if we do?"
"Well, Fourth Division's looking to buy some training gear. We're a little short on funds, so I was wondering…"
As he spoke, Nobu helpfully poured Kōgorō a drink.
Kōgorō smirked, sipping slowly from his cup.
"How much are you looking for?"
"Not much, just enough for three training halls."
"You even have that many?" Kōgorō asked, surprised. He'd been to Fourth Division and knew the place—offices, barracks, and medical wards, nothing else.
"They're new. Our captain feels combat ability is important even for medics, so we've made some changes."
Kōgorō studied him for a moment. "This wouldn't happen to be your doing, would it?"
"I only made some suggestions. The captain approved them."
Called it.
"I don't have much say in my family's business. We've always sold to the Gotei 13 at fixed standard prices."
"But I can put in a word."
"That's all I could ask for, Kōgorō!" Nobu refilled his cup with a grin. "I knew you were too kind to forget our school-day bonds!"
Kōgorō gave him a sidelong glance. "You should be calling me Kasumioji-senpai. Or Kōgorō-kun."
"In that case," Nobu said, "Kōgorō-kun can just call me Third Seat Tachikawa."
"…"
...
Two days later/
Kōgorō brought news: the Kasumioji family would sell Fourth Division the equipment at half price.
"How much?!"
"Half."
Nobu froze for a few seconds before saying, "And you said you had no pull? That's not small."
"You're overthinking it. Has nothing to do with me. The steward heard it was for Fourth Division, so they offered half price."
Kasumioji and Fourth Division had never done business before. Medical gear was exclusively supplied by the Technology Development Bureau.
Nobu realized there were two reasons for the gesture: one, to curry favor with Unohana Retsu; two, to open the door for long-term trade with Fourth Division.
After all, Unohana's standing in the Gotei 13 was not that of an ordinary captain.
He decided he should inform her, since the gesture was aimed at her.
When she heard him out, she only said to let him handle it entirely.
...
A week later, Fourth Division had four fully equipped new training halls.
The members were thrilled—many of them had been assigned straight from graduation, and the Division's atmosphere had long pushed them to neglect their own combat practice.
...
Isane was giving Unohana her report.
"The new training halls have everyone excited. Every day they're in use. To keep people from neglecting duties, Nobu suggested a rule: access based on attendance. Comprehensive Treatment needs twenty-five days on duty; Relief Team needs at least two field missions a month. If there aren't enough that month, they can sub in for Comprehensive."
The Pharmacology Unit had no limits—joining it was already hard, and its members were dedicated enough to avoid losing focus.
"I think this is a very positive change for the Division, and it's all thanks to Nobu," Isane said, unable to hide her enthusiasm.
Unohana smiled faintly. "You rate him highly."
"It's just the truth. He's even shown me follow-up plans I think are very useful," Isane said, placing a file on her desk.
Unohana skimmed it. "Go ahead and implement them."
"Yes, Captain."
Just then—knock, knock.
"Come in."
Iemura Yasochika entered, looking tense.
"Captain, Vice-Captain—trouble!"
They both frowned.
"Explain."
"Some Squad Eleven members have shown up outside—they look like they're here to start something!"
Isane blinked. Start something?
Was Squad Eleven insane?
"I'll see for myself."
She went with Iemura to the gate, where they found Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, flanked by several Squad Eleven members, surrounded by Fourth Division onlookers.
"I said, why are you blocking us? Where's Tachikawa?" Ikkaku demanded.
"Third Seat Madarame—what brings you here?"
"Didn't I just say? We're here to fight."
Fourth Division members gaped.
The rivalry had always been verbal—what was this?
In broad daylight…
Isane pushed through to the front. Seeing her, Ikkaku's demeanor grew more respectful.
"Vice-Captain Kotetsu."
"What is this about?" she asked.
Ikkaku looked puzzled. "Tachikawa didn't tell you?"
"So he asked you to come?"
Ikkaku nodded. "He came to me yesterday, told us to bring a few more people and come fight."
"…"
Iemura murmured, "We've already sent someone to fetch Third Seat Tachikawa."
Isane nodded, then asked, "And that's all he said?"
"That's it."
Seeing no hostility, Isane decided letting them stand outside looked bad. "Come inside. We'll clear it up when Nobu arrives."
She led them in—just in time to run into Nobu coming the other way.
"Nobu."
"Yo, Tachikawa," Ikkaku greeted.
Nobu, spotting the group, smiled. "You all made it—and quite a crowd."
Ikkaku scratched his ear with a pinky. "So? What's the deal? Looks like we're here to crash your place."
Nobu grinned. "Nothing big—just wanted a friendly exchange between Fourth and Eleventh Divisions, maybe fire up our members a bit."
He pointed toward the training halls.
"Come on, I'll show you our new setup."
Isane leaned close, whispering, "Nobu, what's going on?"
He looked at Ikkaku. "You didn't tell her?"
"I did. Said we're here to fight."
"That's right," Nobu told her. "Straightforward: we fight."
Isane was stunned.
So were the surrounding Fourth Division members—if it was just the plain meaning of "fight," they didn't get it.
But slowly, Isane began to realize—and looked at Nobu in wary surprise.
The new training halls were two indoor, two open-air.
Indoor for kendō and hakuda practice; outdoor for Kidō. The outdoor grounds were larger, on the edge of the barracks.
A crowd had already gathered—word of Squad Eleven coming to "crash the place" had spread fast.
Nobu addressed them: "Today I've invited Squad Eleven for a friendly sparring match."
Gasps all around.
Sparring?
With Squad Eleven?
They were a medical division.
Isane caught his arm, hissing, "Why didn't you talk to me first?"
"Sorry, Isane-neesan, I forgot," Nobu said.
Then to Ikkaku: "No problem on your side?"
Ikkaku grinned. "Shouldn't you be asking if your people can handle it?"
Eleventh was the strongest combat division. Fourth was, without doubt, the weakest.
Nobu being strong didn't make the rest of Fourth Division strong. In Ikkaku's eyes, this was just asking to be humiliated.
Nobu outlined the rules and stakes:
— Friendly match: blood was fine, killing or crippling was not.
— No restrictions on fighting style—Kidō and Zanpakutō allowed.
— Fourth Division victory earned two months' access to the training halls.
— Eleventh Division victory earned free medical treatment next visit.
The crowd buzzed.
Isane's worry deepened—how could Fourth hope to match Eleventh in a fight? And he hadn't even told the captain.
But it was too late to stop it now. She sent someone to inform Unohana.
In the open-air training hall, Ikkaku strode into the center, clearly eager.
His gaze swept the Fourth Division members before settling on Nobu.
Resting his sword on his shoulder, he said, "Tachikawa—let's warm up."
---
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