48 Chapter 48: Gin Ichimaru

After Suì-Fēng left, Yamahiko felt a bit bored. He looked out of the window, and the sky was just beginning to brighten. The sun was still hidden behind some distant buildings.

He and Kenpachi fought in the afternoon, and now, a day and a half later, it was only around 6 in the morning. Yamahiko waited patiently, contemplating his plans. He had ample time before he had to go to the Nest of Maggots for his new assignment.

His current tasks were to increase his reiryoku to meet the demands of his Shikai, develop his abilities for greater diversity, and master other attribute-based Shunko techniques to diversify his combat capabilities.

Yamahiko considered his future plans. Two hours later, a tall figure entered the room and said, "Yamahiko, I'm here to help you with your treatment."

Yamahiko, somewhat surprised by the visitor, exclaimed, "Professor Kotetsu."

The newcomer was Kiyone Kotetsu, the head of the Fourth Division's Medical Relief Unit and a teacher at the Shin'o Academy's Medical Training Division.

"You don't have to call me 'professor'; you can call me Kiyone," she replied.

Yamahiko had defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, and the news had spread throughout the Seireitei. Many now viewed him as an extraordinary Shinigami, no longer a mere student. This shifted the dynamics of their relationship.

Kiyone had left the academy and was now the Third Seat and head of the Medical Relief Unit in the Fourth Division.

Yamahiko shared his condition, saying, "I still feel some discomfort."

"Let me treat you," Kiyone said.

She brought a chair, overlaid her hands, and held them above Yamahiko's chest, and start using Kaido.

Yamahiko's internal injuries required more time to heal, but his external wounds were relatively simple. Under the healing effects of kaido, they visibly mended.

After about half an hour, one of the wounds had fully healed, leaving behind only minor scars.

Kiyone Kotetsu moved her arm slightly and began treating the second wound. Half an hour later, that wound was also healed.

Kiyone said, "Today, I'll focus on treating your wounds. After that, I'll address the scars."

Yamahiko smiled and replied, "No rush for the scars. Thanks for your help today, Kiyone-senpai."

"In that case, rest up," Kiyone said.

She stood up and left the room.

Not long after Kiyone Kotetsu departed, a figure appeared at the door, peering inside. Yamahiko's face lit up with joy when he saw the face of this newcomer, and he exclaimed, "Kira?"

"Hush," whispered Izuru Kira, gesturing for silence. He then opened the door, and in walked Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and Momo Hinamori.

"Kira, Renji, Rukia, Momo all of you came?" Yamahiko was surprised that they had all come to visit him at this time.

Izuru Kira chuckled and explained, "After I saw Captain Suì-Fēng leave, I went to find Rukia and the others. When I returned to the Fourth Division, I found that Kiyone-senpai was already treating you, so we waited outside."

Yamahiko was deeply moved. Kira had waited for Suì-Fēng to leave, and the rest of his friends had quickly come to see him.

Renji Abarai stepped up to Yamahiko and said with a grin, "You're something else, almost taking down Captain Zaraki. They say he got careless, but I know you were injured even when you activated your Shikai. Without those injuries, you might've beaten him even when he was at his best."

Renji hadn't seen the events after Yamahiko was injured while trying to help him. However, his guess was close to the truth.

Yamahiko had expended a lot of spiritual energy(reitsu), and he still had many wounds. Although it was possible that Yamahiko could have won without injuries, it was unlikely because Kenpachi Zaraki had been battling him head-on and enduring multiple lightning strikes and a powerful Shikai attack before.

If there were a real fight, Kenpachi Zaraki wouldn't have just stood there to be struck by lightning or attacked by the Shikai technique.

So, whether he could win or not depended on actual combat.

Yamahiko quickly responded, "I still have a long way to go."

Rukia Kuchiki walked up to Yamahiko with a worried expression on her face and asked, "Are you really okay?"

Yamahiko patted his chest and replied, "I'm perfectly fine."

Momo Hinamori expressed her dissatisfaction, saying, "I heard from Renji that they did this to trigger your Shikai. But that's too dangerous. How could Captain Suì-Fēng do that?"

Yamahiko waved his hand and said, "Captain Suì-Fēng was right there. If there was any real danger, she would have saved me."

Yamahiko sighed and continued, "But I lost the pendant that Rukia gave me. I was wearing it around my neck, but now it's gone."

Rukia Kuchiki raised an eyebrow and asked, "You mean the pendant I gave you when you graduated?"

Yamahiko nodded and said, "Yes, that's the one."

"It's been six years, hasn't it? You haven't thrown it away yet?" Rukia Kuchiki looked surprised.

Yamahiko smiled and said, "Of course not. I've kept not only the necklace you gave me but also the pen Kira gave me, the kunai from Kondo Isami, and the sunny day doll from Momo. I've taken good care of them."

Renji Abarai immediately asked, "What about me? I gave you something too, right?"

Yamahiko replied somewhat teasingly, "Sorry, Renji, you didn't give me anything."

Renji Abarai scratched his head and said, "No way, I definitely gave you something."

Seeing Renji Abarai's puzzled expression, Yamahiko laughed and added, "But, Renji, you treated us to a meal, and I'll remember that for a lifetime."

Renji shrugged it off, saying, "Let's not talk about that."

Then, Renji remembered something and asked, "With your current strength, you're already quite powerful, at least at the level of a vice-captain. Do you still plan to be a vice-captain's lieutenant?"

Yamahiko smiled and said, "I'm going to be the captain of the Detention Unit."

Renji Abarai furrowed his brow and asked, "You mean the subordinate division of the Onmitsukido? Why stay in a place like that?"

Before Yamahiko could respond, a voice suddenly rang out, startling them. Even Yamahiko hadn't noticed the arrival of this person.

They turned to the direction of the door, where a man in black Shinigami attire was standing.

"Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru?"

Yamahiko called out the person's name.

The newcomer had short light purple hair, a distinctive smile, and narrow eyes that made him look like a snake.

It was indeed Gin Ichimaru.

Why did he come here?

""We greet Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru.""

Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Momo Hinamori, and Izuru Kira quickly saluted.

"No need for that."

Gin Ichimaru waved his hand and smiled, saying, "Besides, I'm not the Vice-Captain anymore."

Yamahiko had a guess and asked, "What does Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru mean?"

Gin Ichimaru smiled and said:

"Next, I'll be taking over as the captain of the Third Division. I wonder, Yamahiko, would you be interested in joining the Third Division as my lieutenant?"

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Note- Hey, guys. I'm feeling under the weather today. I hope I'll be fine, or else I might not be able to upload the next chapter.... Who am I kidding, though? I'll do my best to get the chapter up on time, but I'm really sick, so anything can happen.