"Whoa, this is..."
A group of squad members, presumably injured by Ichigo and his companions, were carried in. The moment I saw them, I was genuinely speechless.
Their injuries were clearly caused by explosions. It wasn't that there were no sword wounds, but the majority were of the type that made me think, 'Did they take a direct hit from a bomb?'
...Wait. Ichigo shouldn't be able to use Kido at this point, right? I'm certain he could only use Zanjutsu. But these injuries would be impossible unless someone could manipulate explosions or flames. Then who caused this? If there's another possibility, is it Chad's ability? Actually, what exactly was his ability again? All I remember about him is that his spiritual pressure disappears...
That leaves Ganju, I suppose? But that boy should be attending the Shin'o Academy right now, so would he really be helping them? Wait, that's right! The current Ganju is an academy student! Would he really cooperate with Ichigo and the others? Then how did he even get here?
...Could it be that some third party I don't know about has intervened? I doubt it, but is it possible someone like me is on the other side?
'Nubatama, do you know anything?'
'I crave your pardon, milady, but I know absolutely nothing of the sort.'
'What? Really?'
'I am, after all, merely a lowly dispatch employee...'
'I—I'm sorry... I mean, I'm really sorry...'
Anyway, now isn't the time to be dwelling on such things.
"Everyone! These are blast injuries, so pay more attention to their internals than their external wounds! They might have inhaled high-temperature air and suffered internal burns! Secure their airways first! Do you understand?!"
"""Yes! Captain!!"""
For the time being, I called out a warning to everyone engaged in rescue efforts. Injuries from explosions or fires are truly troublesome—lungs can be scorched, or the airway can be blocked by burns, leading to suffocation. It's actually easier to treat someone who has simply been slashed...
"But I never imagined there would be so many casualties."
"Indeed. These Ryoka seem quite dangerous... I wonder if 3rd Seat Iemura, who went to the front lines, is alright..."
Isane and Momo looked at each other anxiously. Neither of them is particularly fond of combat, so it's only natural for them to feel disheartened. ...Even though both of them possess spiritual pressure far greater than an average Vice-Captain. No matter how strong someone is, it doesn't mean their temperament is suited for conflict.
"Alright, alright. I'm concerned about that too, but this is no time to be spacing out. Let's join the treatment! The injured are suffering much more than we are, you know?"
"A-Ah, yes!"
"Y-You're right!"
The two of them hurriedly joined the medical effort.
"Anyone who has a moment, confirm and secure more hospital beds! There's a high possibility that the number of patients will keep increasing, so re-check the room assignments! Also, try to put members of the same squad in the same room whenever possible! It's better for them to be with familiar faces!!"
I issued instructions while participating in the treatment myself to a moderate degree.
Yes, a "moderate" degree. If I were to heal everyone one by one from start to finish, the juniors would never grow. Besides, 3rd Seat Iemura and his team, who headed to the front lines, have already provided a certain level of first aid, so there are no patients currently on the verge of death. I moved around the area, maintaining a healthy level of tension among my subordinates while quietly stepping in to follow up only when things truly became dangerous.
It was just as the majority of the treatment was finishing up.
"Captain!! We have word of an emergency patient!!"
"Again?! What happened this time?!"
A subordinate came rushing in with an urgent report. At this timing, I assumed it must be more casualties related to Ichigo.
"No, it's a separate matter! We have a casualty from the 7th Division!!"
"From the 7th Division?"
Eh, the 7th Division...? Did such an incident happen?
"What's the number of casualties and the scale?"
"Just one person. However, the injuries are severe, and we've been asked for the Captain to come to the scene and examine him directly."
Oh dear. I've been specifically requested.
'Milady! Milady! A personal invitation from the 7th! Shall we bring out the fine bottles?!'
'This isn't a host club!! ...Wait, no!!'
"Me? Is Isane or someone else not enough?"
"No, well—it seems his Saketsu and Hakusui have been damaged..."
"...What!?"
The damage to the Saketsu and Hakusui—it was conveyed in a hushed tone. Well, it's not exactly the kind of news you can shout out loud.
"I see. That changes things. Tell them I'll be there immediately."
"Yes!"
Rather than letting unnecessary unrest spread among the junior members, it's better if I go quietly.
"Isane, please stay here and take command of the 4th Division. I'm heading to the 7th Division."
"Yes, please leave things here to me! So, um, please be careful!!"
I quickly gathered a set of house-call tools and rushed toward the 7th Division.
As I ran, I wondered what kind of battle could have taken place. I can't remember... Was there a Soul Reaper who lost in such a gruesome way?
Needless to say, both the Saketsu and the Hakusui are vital points for a Soul Reaper. They are the sources of spiritual power, and if they are destroyed, one loses their powers. Permanently. Essentially, they are parts that cannot be healed.
To destroy such vital points... how cruel! I don't know who did it, but how could they do something so horrible?!
'Ah, milady? Are you perhaps familiar with the term "boomerang"?'
'I know what it is, but what about it?'
'No, it is nothing at all...'
With that, Nubatama fell silent. I wonder what she wanted to say?
---
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Ah, Captain Yukawa! We've been waitin' for ya!! Come, this way. He's right here."
As soon as I arrived at the 7th Division, I was greeted by Vice-Captain Iba and immediately guided to the patient. The person waiting at the destination was—
"Ah, I see."
The moment I confirmed his identity, I remembered what had happened.
Lying in a large hall-like room was the 4th Seat, Jirobo Ikkanzaka. He is a squad member known for his massive physique and a rugged face that matches his appearance. Being the younger brother of Jidanbo, the gatekeeper of the West Gate, his name is somewhat known, but he's mostly just riding on his brother's coattails. Well, he has gained some recognition recently by earning the title of Kamaitachi... but really...
From my perspective, having known both the first and the intended next-generation Kamaitachi—
'Kamaitachi (Lol).'
That's basically it. Phrases like 'The knight's over-extension' or 'A title without substance' were made for moments like this.
In that case, Jirobo's opponent would logically be Ishida. But I had a rather gentlemanly image of Ishida. Was he the type of boy to blow through someone's Saketsu and Hakusui? I know he hates Soul Reapers, but still...
"Captain Yukawa, can you do somethin' for him?!"
"Yes, just a moment... a little more..."
While these thoughts crossed my mind, I examined the extent of Jirobo's wounds. Hmm... I see... It's been gouged out quite a bit. But the wound itself is clean. Compared to this, treating Mr. Tankaho in the past was far worse. Since this wound is cleaner than that one, and my Kaido skills have improved since then...
"It's alright. I can heal this."
"For real?! Doctor, I'm countin' on ya!!"
With Iba bowing his head in intense gratitude behind me, I began the treatment.
---
"There, he should be fine now. How is your spiritual power? I healed the wound on your arm as well, but do you feel any tightness or discomfort?"
"O-Oh... it moves! My left hand moves! And my spiritual power, I can feel it... I feel it!! Incredible!! I never thought it could be healed so perfectly!!"
Because I was fixing extremely difficult areas, it took a considerable amount of time, but the treatment was completed successfully. Jirobo Ikkanzaka moved his body slightly as if to test the condition of his left hand and his spiritual pressure.
"Captain Yukawa! Thank you!! Thank you so much!!"
'Just when he thought he was finished as a Soul Reaper, milady brought him back to life! My, my, Mr. Kamaitachi is certainly kept busy, being killed and revived like that!'
'What do you mean "brought back to life"...? I get what you're trying to say, though...'
"For now, please stay on bed rest for about three days. Regardless of the wound on your left hand, there might be some abnormalities with your spiritual pressure, and your body needs time to adjust to your spiritual power again, so I will monitor you for about a month. I'll handle the hospitalization procedures at the Relief Station."
"No way! I cannot wait that long!! I must go right now and—mghf?!"
My, my, he's certainly motivated—or rather, bloodthirsty. I gripped Jirobo's mouth with enough force to nearly crush it, silencing his aggressive outburst.
"There are two things you need to do right now. One is to stay in the hospital quietly. And the other is to truthfully and accurately tell us everything about the opponent you lost to."
"Hi...?! Hieee...!!"
It's a traditional technique passed down since the days of Captain Unohana: a request made while smiling brightly. When I do this, most squad members become very obedient.
Perhaps my pure wish reached him, as he grew quiet, though his breathing remained ragged. He looks almost like a helpless child in this state; quite cute, really.
'I have some serious doubts about that last opinion of yours, milady...'
"O-Oh! That's right!! Jirobo! What happened?! Talk, and talk straight!!"
'The Vice-Captain is also drenched in sweat from the aftereffects of milady's fury! The game is up!! Confess everything immediately!!'
"A-Au... I understand!! I'll talk! I will tell you everything without hiding a single thing!!"
Thus, Jirobo Ikkanzaka told us:
* That he found two Ryoka, a man and a woman.
* That he rushed ahead without reporting to keep all the credit for himself.
* That the man was a Quincy.
* That he lost to said Quincy.
However, I have met that Quincy in the living world. So, in the middle of his story, I chimed in with, "Isn't that strange? That boy didn't have that kind of personality."
As a result, his additional crimes were exposed:
* That he was fundamentally targeting the woman.
* That this drew the opponent's ire, leading to his Saketsu and Hakusui being shot through.
I see, I see. So that's why Ishida got angry and went as far as destroying his Saketsu and Hakusui. I can understand the feeling, I really can, but... could you please stop? Healing those is incredibly tedious...
And you, Jirobo Ikkanzaka!! You!! If you're going to do it, have some spine!! How could you lose so easily to Ishida?! You should have attacked Orihime, ripped her clothes a bit, and at least provided one fanservice scene!! To do neither of those and simply try to harm Orihime... honestly, in my book, you are a major criminal. In this moment alone, you are a greater sinner than Aizen!
Strictly speaking for myself, of course.
What happened after that? Vice-Captain Iba's fist of fury exploded. Using cowardly tactics, failing the mission anyway, and hiding facts in the report—it seems he reached the end of his patience. It was amazing; he yelled, "You absolute moron!" just like in a movie. Thanks to that, Jirobo was able to be hospitalized in a properly injured state.
'Because it's only natural for an injured person to be in a hospital!!'
And they all lived happily ever after.
---
On the way back from the 7th Division after finishing the treatment, I received a contact from 3rd Seat Iemura.
"I am terribly sorry, Captain! I'll say it again and again, the information is confused, and, well..."
"That's enough! Just tell me what happened first!!"
Through the Denreishinki, I could feel his sense of apology almost painfully.
"Yes! The truth is—!!"
What was reported was that 7th Seat Yamada had been taken hostage by the Ryoka. But in a way, it's like a pre-established harmony, isn't it?
"I see... I understand. I will return to the 4th Division once to hear the details directly. After that, I will report the information to headquarters. Understood?"
"Yes! I'll be waiting for you!!"
Good grief, things are getting quite busy.
At any rate, with this, I've grasped the general location of the Ryoka—or rather, Ichigo and the others. ...Except for Lady Yoruichi.
Still, as expected of the former head of the Stealth Force, she is incredibly good at hiding her presence. She must be somewhere in the Seireitei, but...
How should I go about finding her?
If there were someone who constantly kept a very close watch on Lady Yoruichi, I might be able to find her immediately...ith the translation of the next chapter or perhaps provide a summary of Airi's medical feats so far?
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]