Chapter 11: Treatment

Note: I know there is no official name for a healing-type Kidō, but I've given it a name here. This change won't have any future impact on the story. Give me your Power Stone!

Yamahiko lay on the ground, gritting his teeth as he endured the pain. Kenji Hata, the swordsmanship instructor, turned his gaze towards Momo Hinamori, furrowing his brows. He said, "Hinamori, didn't I tell you not to use Reiryoku?"

Tears welled up in Momo Hinamori's eyes as she replied, "I was just desperate to win at that moment and unconsciously used my Reiryoku."

Kenji Hata's expression showed his displeasure, but he didn't say anything more. He simply waved his hand and bent down to attend to Yamahiko.

Yamahiko's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he tried not to make a sound. After a while, the door was pushed open, and Renji Abarai entered with a tall woman.

The woman had short, light purple hair with a few thin braids hanging over her shoulders. She wore red ribbon-like earrings and had a tall, androgynous figure.

Upon seeing her, Yamahiko immediately thought of someone - Isane Kotetsu, who would later become the Captain of Squad 4 after the retirement of Retsu Unohana.

Isane Kotetsu was exceptionally tall, nearly 1.9 meters in height, and had a physique even taller than Kenji Hata. She carried a medicine pouch and walked briskly into the room, asking, "Where's the injured party?"

Kenji Hata immediately stepped aside and said, "Isane-sensei, the injured student is here."

Isane Kotetsu approached Yamahiko and knelt beside him. She extended her right hand, with two fingers close together, and lightly traced them about an inch above Yamahiko's shoulder.

Yamahiko felt the spread of Reiryoku, but the others couldn't see anything unusual. However, Isane Kotetsu said, "The shoulder bone is shattered, and the clavicle is fractured. I'll immobilize it first, but complete healing will take some time."

At this point, Isane Kotetsu raised both her hands and placed them on Yamahiko's shoulder, using a healing technique.

The healing technique Isane Kotetsu used was known as "Reikō," a specialized form of Kidō dedicated to healing injuries. Unlike common spells, Reikō required a high level of talent and was primarily practiced by members of Squad 4. Only a select few could master this advanced healing technique, making it an invaluable asset within the Gotei 13.

Reikō, unlike typical Kidō spells, didn't require an incantation, allowing for immediate healing. Its mastery was judged by one's ability to manipulate Reiryoku to mend injuries effectively.

Another method was time and space restoration. It could target a specific person and restore the space or time within a certain area to the state it was in before the injury occurred.

Among these, space restoration was a healing method particularly favored by Hachigen Ushōda, the former Vice Kidō Chief of the Kido Corps. It allowed him to stabilize injuries within a certain space, even if he couldn't heal them himself. For example, when Ushōda hand was decapitated by Sosuke Aizen, he couldn't heal himself, but he used his space restoration Kidō, Goyōgai, to maintain the stability of his injuries until he was rescued by Rojuro Otoribashi.

In addition to Reikō, there were other methods of healing, such as Zanpakuto abilities. For example, Retsu Unohana's Zanpakuto, Minazuki, could heal injuries when the target was swallowed by it.

There were also time-based healing methods. Orihime Inoue's Shun Shun Rikka included the Hachigen Ushōda technique, which could restore an object to its previous state.

Aside from Reikō, there were various other auxiliary treatments, such as bandages, braces, casts, catheters, and modifications, depending on the situation.

As Isane Kotetsu performed Reikō, the shattered shoulder bone started to mend, and the fractured clavicle began to align properly. Yamahiko could feel the warmth of Reiryoku flowing through his body as the healing took effect. While the pain persisted, it became more bearable.

Yamahiko slowly straightened up and said, "Thank you, Sensei Kotetsu."

Isane Kotetsu tidied up her medical kit, smiling gently as she replied, "It's my duty; no need to thank me."

Despite her imposing height, Isane Kotetsu had an incredibly gentle disposition.

Meanwhile, Kenji Hata, who had been present throughout, asked sincerely, "Sensei Kotetsu, when do you think Yamahiko will fully recover?"

Isane Kotetsu answered, "In about seven days, he should be healed. Then, you can come to me for the removal of the fixative."

Renji Abarai, still anxious, inquired, "Will there be any lasting effects, like future problems with his arm?"

Isane Kotetsu shook her head and chuckled, "It's just a minor injury; he only needs some rest for a few days."

Renji Abarai finally felt reassured. Isane Kotetsu stood up, bid farewell to Kenji Hata, and left the room.

"It's almost time for the next class; let's go," said Kenji Hata as he walked over to Yamahiko. "Yamahiko, be sure to take care of yourself in the coming days. Don't move your right arm."

Yamahiko nodded, saying, "I'll remember, Sensei."

Izuru Kira approached, helping Yamahiko to his feet. Momo Hinamori hurried over too, offering, "Let me help."

"No need," said Renji Abarai as he pushed Momo Hinamori aside. He then led Yamahiko out of the swordsmanship training room. At the cafeteria, Renji went to get food for Yamahiko.

Momo Hinamori had followed them to the cafeteria and sat beside Yamahiko. She apologized, "Yamahiko, I'm really sorry."

Yamahiko waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's okay; it's all in the past. Don't blame yourself anymore."

Sitting beside them, Momo Hinamori still felt guilty.

Just then, Rukia stormed into the cafeteria, her temper flaring. She rushed to Yamahiko's side and asked with concern, "Yamahiko, I heard you got injured. Did you receive proper treatment?"

"I'm fine now," Yamahiko replied with a smile. "Sensei Kotetsu used her Kidō to heal me."

Rukia promptly took a seat beside him and declared, "Whoever hurt you, I'll make sure to teach them a lesson!"

Momo Hinamori's voice came from behind, "I'm the one who injured him."

Rukia shot up from her seat, her gaze locking onto Momo Hinamori, her face ablaze with anger.

She regarded Yamahiko as her little brother and naturally wouldn't let it go at that.

Yamahiko tugged at Rukia's clothing and said, "Rukia, please don't mind. It was unintentional."

Rukia huffed in response to his words and sat down, appearing even angrier than Renji.

Renji returned with food and, upon seeing Rukia, greeted her before placing the food in front of Yamahiko.

Yamahiko struggled to eat with his left hand; it was quite challenging, and he couldn't manage to pick up the food himself.

"I'll feed you," Renji offered. He picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks and brought it close to Yamahiko's mouth.

Yamahiko felt a bit uncomfortable being fed by someone else, but with his right hand being unusable, he had no other option.

He accepted the piece of chicken, and he savored it. Most of the creatures in the Soul Society were composed of Reiryoku, and not only that, but the seasonings and vegetables were also comprised of Reiryoku, imbuing the food with a rich, delicious flavor.

Yamahiko spent more than half an hour on a single meal. After finishing, Renji said, "Once you're done eating, I'll take you to your dorm, and then I'll resign from my part-time job. I won't be working for a while so I can take care of you."

During this period, Renji Abarai had found a job in the Seireitei, working in the evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays, earning a meager wage.

Although the Shin'ō Academy provided food and lodging, there were still expenses for personal items. So, Renji Abarai found a job and worked part-time after school.

Yamahiko quickly replied, "Renji-niisan, I'll get used to it on my own; you don't have to help."

Renji Abarai waved his hand dismissively, saying, "You can't be on your own."

Izuru Kira added, "Yamahiko's got more than just you as a roommate. You go to work, and I can look after him."

Rukia chimed in, "And I'll be there too. I'll come to see Yamahiko in the evenings and escort him back to the dorm."

Momo Hinamori quietly offered, "Please let me help too."

Hearing the words of the three, Renji Abarai finally relented, saying, "Alright, I'll leave it to you this afternoon."

Yamahiko saw these four friends arguing over who would take care of him, and it warmed his heart. Having friends to rely on felt wonderful.

Today, these five became the closest of friends. Four of them would go on to become captains of the Divisions in Gotei 13 in the future.