Chapter 16: Department Selection

Senju Makoto felt a jolt in his heart, but quickly brushed it off with an awkward excuse: "I dislike fighting and aim to follow in Unohana Sensei's footsteps forever."

Unohana Retsu, as if nothing had happened, continued to guide Makoto through the courtyard with the tenderness of a mentor and the warmth of an older sister. Together, they shared a quiet breakfast.

It was undeniable—captain-level Shinigami, standing at the pinnacle of the Soul Society, possessed power and status far beyond the comprehension of ordinary souls.

This breakfast was, without a doubt, the most exquisite meal Makoto had experienced since his reincarnation. In comparison, the chaotic, resource-starved streets of Rukongai and the mundane meals of the Shin'ō Academy were utterly unremarkable.

However, throughout the meal, Makoto appeared absentminded, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

Unohana Retsu noticed his distraction but thought little of it, assuming that her unintentional release of killing intent had left the freshly graduated Makoto shaken.

In truth, Makoto's thoughts revolved around her earlier words, which echoed endlessly in his mind.

Future captain of the Fourth Division?

Makoto, having endured countless empty promises in his past life, was not naive enough to treat such a statement as a binding vow.

They were all seasoned schemers, masked predators preying each other for millennia. Genuine sincerity belonged to fantasy, not reality.

But... the fact that Unohana Retsu offered to personally teach him swordsmanship? That was a different matter altogether.

As Makoto tried to view the situation from Unohana's perspective, a chilling conclusion emerged: "Have I unknowingly become her prey?"

Damn it! Just as I found a place to settle down, she had to deal me such a crushing blow...

Now I'm just a clown in this game.

All Makoto had wanted was to live a quiet, low-profile life in the Seireitei. Yet somehow, he'd caught the eye of someone as dangerous as Unohana Retsu—a threat on par with Aizen Sōsuke.

For reasons unknown, after breakfast, Unohana seemed to notice an unspoken grievance in Makoto's eyes, a subtle yet undeniable trace of resentment.

First, getting mercilessly annihilated time and again in the mental realm. Now, even the real world offers no escape from this torment?

Makoto couldn't help but speculate about her swordsmanship training—it was unlikely to involve warm, supportive guidance. It would more likely be a series of brutal, blood-soaked clashes.

Can we just pretend none of this happened and go our separate ways? Peacefully end this student-mentor relationship while there's still time?

As these despairing thoughts swirled in Makoto's mind, he suddenly felt a delicate touch lift his chin.

Startled, he looked up to see Unohana Retsu's slender, porcelain fingers gently tilting his face upward.

For a moment, her refined, beautiful features were mere inches away, so close that Makoto could clearly discern the warmth and concern in her eyes.

Makoto's pupils dilated, and his face instantly flushed pink.

Too... too close!

He could even feel the soft warmth of her breath and a faint, soothing fragrance.

The mature and intellectual charm emanating from Unohana was overwhelming, leaving Senju Makoto momentarily stunned.

In both his past and present lives, this was the first time Makoto had been so close to a woman. The proximity scrambled his instincts, leaving him flustered.

"Te... Teacher... You're... too close..."

"Haha!"

In response, Unohana let out a soft laugh. With a gentle tap of her finger on Makoto's forehead, she pushed him back slightly, then smiled gracefully.

"Makoto, reacting so strongly to either killing intent or a woman's closeness is far from acceptable."

"I'm sorry, Teacher."

At that moment, all Makoto could do was admit defeat. What else could he say?

Still smiling, Unohana continued, "I was initially uncertain about which department to assign you to, but now I've decided."

"Huh? A department?" Makoto asked, slightly surprised.

Within the Gotei 13, the number of members varied greatly depending on each Division's responsibilities. For instance, the Fourth Division, tasked with medical care, had just over 300 members due to the scarcity of newcomers.

Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Division, responsible for purifying Hollows in the World of the Living, had thousands of members stationed across various cities. Most were deployed long-term, leaving only a few in the Seireitei itself.

Consequently, aside from the standard captain, vice-captain, and seated officer roles, each squad had distinct internal management systems. In the Fourth Division, members were divided into specialized departments, handling both combat-related injuries and routine medical care.

Makoto had assumed he'd spend some time studying healing and medical techniques under Unohana's guidance before being assigned anywhere. Yet, Unohana was already preparing to assign him to a department, allowing him direct contact with patients.

This was precisely what Makoto had been hoping for. His gaze toward Unohana now carried a hint of undisguised eagerness.

From a purely logical standpoint, Makoto's Zanpakutō ability seemed best suited for the surgery department, given its exceptional effectiveness in treating the common injuries resulting from Shinigami training or sparring.

In fact, this was why Makoto had never concealed the capabilities of his Zanpakutō,

Shinro Bansho—its unparalleled advantage in handling minor wounds was evident.

Finally, a legitimate opportunity to plant the seeds of my ambitions has arrived!

As this thought filled Makoto with joy, Unohana's gentle voice broke through his excitement.

"First, Makoto, your Zanpakutō's wide-area healing ability and lack of combat experience mean you'll be listed under the Combat Support Department. In emergencies requiring the Fourth Division's intervention, you'll accompany me or Seinosuke to provide assistance. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, I will follow your orders, Teacher," Makoto replied obediently, his tone full of deference. This was precisely what he had anticipated and aligned perfectly with his plans.

However, after a brief pause, Unohana added with a warm smile, "In addition, the department where you'll conduct your regular consultations... hmm, let's assign you to gynecology."

Gy... gynecology?!

Hearing this, Makoto froze as if struck by lightning. His carefully maintained composure crumbled as he stared at Unohana in disbelief. One thought dominated his mind:

How am I supposed to plant seeds like this?!

What kind of bloodied injuries could I possibly treat in gynecology?

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