"Alright now, Kaien."
"Tsukasa knows he was wrong, so stop berating him."
Shiba Miyako stepped forward at the opportune moment to play peacemaker, offering a gentle smile. She casually placed a cup of freshly brewed hot tea in front of Suō Tsukasa.
"Is your condition resolved? What exactly happened to make you get hurt so carelessly?"
Her gaze carried a concern that brooked no evasion; she clearly wanted a thorough explanation.
Tsukasa casually brushed his hand over his bird-nest of a hairstyle, and in an instant, his hair returned to its meticulously groomed state. He then replied:
"Isane-san went out of her way to ask Captain Unohana to help with the diagnosis, so it has been completely resolved."
"It was just that my previous training was a bit unrestrained, and my body had accumulated some hidden issues, which triggered pain in my Saketsu and Hakusui."
"But everything is fine now. After this incident, the same problem won't occur again, so you could say it was a blessing in disguise."
"Captain Unohana personally performed the diagnosis!?"
Kotane Kiyone exclaimed from the side, a trace of worry and lingering fear in her eyes as she looked at Tsukasa. She had thought it was just a minor issue that her sister could handle; she hadn't expected it to alarm the Captain of the Fourth Division.
Seeing the atmosphere shifting toward a somber direction again as everyone's eyes turned toward him, Tsukasa quickly added further explanation.
"Actually, the condition really wasn't that dire."
"It was just that Isane-san wanted me to convalesce for a very long time, which I found a bit hard to accept. Seeing that my mood was off, she specifically asked Captain Unohana to help out as a favor."
"Of course, in the end, the credit goes to you for making the connection, Kiyone-san. If you hadn't taken me to the Fourth Division, it wouldn't have been resolved so smoothly. I am eternally grateful!"
With this masterful combination of deflection and flattery, he explained the situation while remembering to give Kiyone a "high hat" to wear, pressing his palms together in thanks.
"Well, of course! Who do you think my sister is?"
"The night before I took you for treatment, I gave her a thousand instructions and ten thousand warnings to take good care of you. At least you have a bit of a conscience!"
Hearing him say this, Kiyone puffed out her chest, a look of minor triumph appearing on her face. This credit really was hers!
"Kiyone, well done!"
Shiba Kaien looked at Tsukasa's slippery demeanor, feeling both annoyed and amused. After praising Kiyone, he pulled a formal communication document from his robes, waved it in his hand, and asked curiously:
"Since Captain Unohana personally handled the treatment, we'll consider that matter settled. But what is this appointment letter for a 'Special Relief Squad Leader' all about...?"
"You brat, you were only at the Fourth Division for a day—how did you manage to stir up such a big commotion?"
"What?"
"An appointment letter?"
Now, the office became lively once again. Even the triumphant Kiyone immediately shifted her gaze to the document, her pride instantly replaced by shock and suspicion.
"Tsukasa, you aren't... transferring divisions, are you...?"
"Could it be that Captain Unohana only agreed to treat you on the condition that you join them...?"
Her voice carried disbelief as a terrifying thought took shape in her mind. Instantly, she filled in the blanks of yesterday's events in her imagination.
In her mind's eye, Tsukasa was pale and dejected, kneeling before Unohana Retsu. That Unohana Retsu, who always wore a gentle smile, looked down on him from above and proposed joining the Fourth Division as the price for his treatment. Tsukasa had no choice but to agree through the pain, while a powerless Kotane Isane stood by with an awkward expression.
How scandalous!
"You brat, how could you agree so easily!?"
Reaching this conclusion, Kiyone looked at Tsukasa with eyes full of sympathy and indignation, as if he had suffered a monumental grievance, speaking with great agitation.
"Huh!?"
Tsukasa was stunned.
"Ahem—"
This outrageous speculation caused Shiba Miyako, who was drinking tea, to almost lose her composure. she quickly covered the corner of her mouth with her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly as she struggled to suppress her laughter.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Kiyone, your imagination is a bit too vivid."
Shiba Kaien was also choked up by her bizarre logic. He pressed a hand to his forehead, speechless, as he looked helplessly at the wildly imaginative Kiyone.
"Kiyone-san, that's a very dangerous line of thought!"
"The truth isn't like that at all. How could Captain Unohana do something like that? Besides, I have no intention of transferring divisions."
"It's a part-time job! Just a side gig!"
"I help the Fourth Division handle patients with severe injuries, and Captain Unohana provides me with medicinal ingredients and guidance in Kido. I'm the one profiting completely!"
Tsukasa finally managed to reclaim the floor and hurriedly clarified. He felt like sweat was about to break out on his forehead.
"Ah— so that's how it is!"
Only then did Kiyone feel at ease. The others, who had been in the dark, also breathed a sigh of relief; they had truly been startled by her baseless theory.
"Oh, right, I have something for everyone."
"If you feel weak or are in pain, you can take one pill, and it will help your condition."
"For general injuries, one pill is enough for a full recovery. If you run out, just ask me for more."
As he spoke, Tsukasa pulled out six porcelain bottles from his robes, handing one to each person present.
The previous Sanyuan Pills didn't have much of an effect on others, so he usually just ate them himself. This new version had a completely different effect; one pill was essentially equal to a bottle of Purple Half-Restorative Medicine.
The effect would be slightly weaker for Shiba Kaien, and for that reason, he had adjusted the potency for Mitsuru Hikaru and Kuchiki Rukia to varying degrees, lest the supplement be too strong for their bodies to absorb.
"Ho? Good stuff."
"Your 'compensation' is quite generous!"
Shiba Kaien was the first to take one. He pulled out the cork and leaned in to sniff it. With his vast experience, he immediately made a judgment on the item in his hand, praising it with a raised eyebrow.
"Tsukasa, this is too precious."
"You've only just recovered; you should keep them for your own use."
Miyako felt the warmth of the bottle with her fingertips and spoke with concern.
"Exactly, exactly."
The others chimed in one after another, all attempting to return the items.
"Oh, please don't refuse."
"I refined these myself, and I have plenty more. The important part isn't the materials, but the techniques Captain Unohana taught me."
"Besides, I caused everyone a lot of unnecessary worry yesterday. Consider this my apology."
"Moreover, as long as everyone stays safe and healthy, that is more precious than any miracle medicine."
Looking around at his gathered companions, Tsukasa spoke with a sincere tone. His words were so heartfelt that the group fell silent for a moment.
"I really have to hand it to you, brat—you certainly have a way with words!"
Shiba Kaien laughed and gave him a firm pat on the back.
"Since it's Tsukasa's sincerity, let's not be overly polite! Everyone, keep them!"
With his word, the group finally and carefully tucked the bottles away.
"Alright, the 'trial' is over, and the gifts have been received."
"Everyone, get back to your posts and get to work."
Shiba Kaien clapped his hands. He then looked specifically at Tsukasa with a smile playing on his lips and continued.
"Especially you, Tsukasa. Since you've received instruction from Captain Unohana, and a happy heart makes for a clear mind, I imagine processing a few extra documents should be no trouble for you, right?"
"Miyako and I had to handle your portion yesterday."
"Understood!"
Tsukasa straightened his back and accepted a thick stack of paperwork, responding with a cheerful grin.
The sunlight outside was just right, illuminating the office brightly. Accompanied by the sound of rustling pages, it wove together a peaceful morning—no different from any other for the Thirteenth Division.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi