〈 Location Check-in: Retsu Unohana's Private Ward! 〉
〈 Obtained 1000 EXP in Zanjutsu! 〉
〈 Zanjutsu Level increased! Currently at Level 20! 〉
〈 Obtained Exclusive Trait: Miraculous Healing! 〉
〈 Miraculous Healing: Exceptional medical skills and the ability to restore life. Firmly believes that as long as there's life, there's hope! Kaidō (Healing Spell) effect increased by 100%! 〉
An unexpected delight! Akira's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting the bone-chilling pain in his right hand.
He had assumed only significant locations like the Shin'ō Academy would meet the Check-in conditions, yet a mere private ward also fulfilled the requirements.
Kaidō, or Healing Spiritual Arts, is a branch of Kidō. While it lacks destructive power, it's indispensable in logistics. The 4th Division is the largest among the Gotei 13!
Unlike Akira, who stared at the black-haired woman before him with an unabashedly lewd gaze, Aizen instinctively tensed up the moment he sensed her presence, naturally suppressing his vast Reiatsu.
The pure white, voluminous captain's haori — embroidered with the character "four" — draped down. Her thick black hair, braided and falling in front, concealed an impressive figure. Her exquisitely beautiful face bore a gentle, kind smile, exuding an innate warmth.
The respectful, admiring gazes of the guard Shinigami and 4th Division members nearby clearly indicated her high status within the division.
4th Division Captain, Retsu Unohana.
However, in Aizen's eyes, it was an entirely different scene.
A vast sea of blood pressed down from above. An extreme, bone-chilling cold permeated the surroundings. Endless killing intent seeped through every pore, reaching deep into his internal organs.
It was truly spine-chilling!
He subconsciously ignored her beautiful, gentle face. The person sitting there wasn't the beloved Captain Unohana, but a vicious demon returned from the depths of hell!
Was this the true worth of a Gotei 13 Captain?
Aizen had never encountered other captains before; Unohana was the first he'd met since arriving in the Seireitei.
{T/N: I'll also call her Unohana. Like Aizen, no one knows her by her given name.}
The slight contempt he had harbored before vanished instantly. If all the Captains were like this woman, perhaps the Seireitei wouldn't be as dull as he had imagined.
Suppressing his inner thoughts, he supported Akira as they approached Unohana.
Two peculiar young men in blue and white Shin'ō Academy uniforms stood before her — one with an inappropriate gaze, the other wary of his surroundings.
How odd. Neither seemed to show a hint of due respect.
"Academy student, please come closer." Unohana said gently, "Your injury can't be left untreated any longer."
Hearing this, Akira snapped back to reality. He sat directly opposite her, lifting his numb right hand and placing it on her thigh — the most convenient position given how they were seated.
Unohana was momentarily taken aback but didn't dwell on it. Adhering to her professional ethics, she carefully examined his injured hand and began the healing process.
She extended her fair hands, her fingers moving gracefully as emerald green Kaidō light blossomed from her fingertips. Strong Reiatsu flowed into the deep purple skin. A tingling sensation arose from deep within the bones, accompanied by crisp sounds as the twisted bones realigned.
To her surprise, Akira remained stoic throughout the treatment, not uttering a single cry of pain.
As the 4th Division Captain with the highest Kaidō and medical skills in Soul Society, she had treated countless patients and encountered many individuals with strong willpower.
But a contradictory existence like Akira was unprecedented.
His lecherous gaze suggested he was cut from the same cloth as Shunsui (Kyōraku). Such men usually lacked willpower, their minds clouded by their lustful nature.
A young man both lecherous and strong-willed was truly a rare sight.
Even Aizen seemed surprised as he reassessed Akira, as if seeing him anew.
"Well, well, no need to look at me with such admiring eyes, Sōsuke." Akira said with a grin, "As a man, this little pain is nothing! Even if it were ten times stronger, I wouldn't show the slightest—"
Before he could finish, his face suddenly contorted, his features scrunching up to their limits.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot to warn you." A gentle voice reached both their ears as Unohana smiled, "To correct fractured bones, they need to be crushed and then reconstructed. This way, there won't be any after-effects."
Looking at the gentle face so close to him, Akira gained a clear understanding of a demon's smile for the first time.
How devious!
The treatment process was mercifully brief. As the Kaidō light faded, Akira felt his right hand regain its former vitality.
"For follow-up treatment, you'll need medication." Unohana said, instructing a squad member to bring external-use ointment. She explained the method and frequency of use in detail, then added, "Also, the treatment fee comes to ₭1,123 (₭=Kan). Will you two be paying on credit or in cash?"
Akira's eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined such cruel words could come from such a pretty mouth.
"I never said the treatment was free, you know." Unohana said with a smile.
"Akira, this was mentioned in class." Aizen sighed, "Except for Shinigami squad members injured on duty, all other injuries and illnesses require paid treatment. Don't tell me you weren't listening?"
Our poor, naive little priest's face fell.
He had no interest in anything other than Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. In most classes, he usually passed the time daydreaming and dozing off.
Come to think of it, he was clearly the victim — so why did he have to pay the bill himself?
"Sōsuke, we're friends, right?" Akira's eyes rolled, "Could you possibly—"
Before he could finish, Aizen cut him off flatly.
"No, I can't. I'm broke."
Both were commoners, and even though Akira was a shrine priest at Sakahone Shrine, he hadn't managed to save much money.
As for Aizen, his pockets were emptier than his expression. Strictly speaking, he didn't have much desire for money. Otherwise, with his abilities, he could easily achieve financial freedom.
Seeing his good friend abandon him, Akira miserably chose to pay on credit, promising that if he couldn't repay before joining a squad, he'd join the 4th Division and start from the bottom as a squad member.
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On the street outside the squad barracks, Akira stood with his arms folded, brows furrowed.
After this incident, he realized the importance of money.
With this thought, he suddenly raised his head.
"Sōsuke... Let's go make some money together!"
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more Chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
/mrblackwing