The next morning, Amamiya Miyako was woken up by loud voices right outside his door. He groaned, rubbing his temples, and finally slid the door open to check.
Outside, a group of Eleventh Division members were loudly clamoring about being discharged, while the Fourth Division members were desperately trying to restrain them.
"Oi! If you keep making so much noise in the hospital, I'll kill you!" Miyako threatened with a sharp glare, his tone laced with irritation.
"Eek! It's Vice Captain Amamiya Miyako of the Thirteenth Division!" one of them stammered in panic.
"That guy?! I heard Renji Abarai lost to him… and even Madarame-san got taken down after that!"
The Eleventh Division troublemakers instantly fell silent, shrinking under his presence. It seemed that his previous victories had left a deep impression.
"Ah… Vice Captain Amamiya, please lie down. Your injuries have only just stabilized, you can't be walking around like this," Unohana-taichō's calm voice cut through the tension as she walked down the corridor with Isane Kotetsu by her side.
Isane, flustered at the sight of him standing, quickly added, "Miyako-kun, please return to your bed."
"Then you'll have to ask what these idiots are arguing about," Miyako said, pointing lazily at the Eleventh Division men.
"Oh, is that so?" Unohana's eyes curved into a gentle smile, yet the quiet menace in her gaze froze the two rowdy Shinigami on the spot. They stiffened, barely daring to breathe.
Clicking his tongue, Miyako turned back into the room and slumped into bed, staring idly out the window.
Just then, Isane Kotetsu entered, making Miyako raise a brow.
"Ah, Vice Captain Amamiya," Isane explained with a gentle smile, "Captain Unohana said the weather is nice today. She asked me to open all the windows in the patients' rooms. Since I'm here, I'll open yours as well."
"Thanks, Kotetsu-san," Miyako replied with a nod.
"Vice Captain Amamiya… just call me Isane," she said softly, almost shy. "Kiyone told me that on the day of Kuchiki Rukia's execution, you stopped her from heading up to Sōkyoku Hill, right? If she had gone… she might not have survived."
"It was nothing. I'm a fukutaichō. I know the dangers up there—there's no way I'd let my subordinates take such a risk," Miyako answered calmly. In truth, he knew Kiyone would have been crushed by Suì-Fēng's merciless attacks. Since he had been there, he couldn't allow that.
"Then you should just call me Miyako, Isane," he added.
"Miyako-kun, huh…" Isane's cheeks flushed faintly. "Still, thank you… Miyako-kun."
Her expression was unusually serious. "Kiyone was right after all…"
Miyako blinked. "Kiyone? You're not talking bad about me behind my back, are you?" he muttered. After all, his first attempt to fool them during that incident had been exposed, and although he'd covered it up later, he couldn't be sure how much Kiyone had really noticed.
"No, no! How could that be?" Isane waved her hands quickly. "Kiyone always praises you. She says Miyako-kun is approachable, calm-headed, and reliable…"
"Eh? Really?" Miyako scratched his cheek, looking away with embarrassment. He hadn't expected his bluffing skills to earn him that much praise. "What Kiyone said… that's a bit much, though."
"Not at all… I actually think Kiyone was right," Isane said softly, lowering her gaze.
She had already heard much of what had happened from Unohana-taichō and other patients. Without a doubt, a huge part of the credit for halting Aizen's betrayal belonged to Amamiya Miyako. That made her curious about this newly appointed Vice Captain of the Thirteenth. And after speaking with him today, she realized he really was just as her sister had described.
"Nani? What are you saying, Isane?" Miyako asked, leaning forward slightly, but she shook her head quickly.
"No… nothing, Miyako-kun. I'll be going now. I still have many patients waiting for me," she said hurriedly, excused herself, and practically ran off.
"Yare yare… Fourth Division is really busy," Miyako sighed, leaning back into the futon. "And it'll only get busier in the future…"
Speaking of which, the Fourth Division's healing kidō really was outrageous. During the Thousand-Year Blood War, even when Shinigami like Kiyone Kotetsu and others had their chests pierced, they were saved. It made Amamiya Miyako wonder—was the Fourth Division's healing truly that miraculous, or were Shinigami souls themselves just incredibly resilient?
"Shinigami souls are truly amazing…" Miyako sighed, folding his arms as he sat on the bed.
Just then, there was a gentle knock at the door.
"Come in."
"Miyako-kun, I'm here!" a bright, cheerful voice called. The door slid open, and Inoue Orihime walked in with her usual warm smile.
"Inoue? What are you doing here?" Miyako raised an eyebrow. He had been planning to seek her out later, but she appeared before him instead.
"It was Ishida-kun," Orihime explained, tilting her head slightly. "He said he had something to ask of me. But really… if it's about treating Miyako-kun, there's no need to ask at all."
Miyako smirked inwardly. That Ishida… always pretending to be composed, but deep down he's curious about everything. Yare yare…
"Thank you, Inoue. To be honest, these injuries have been a real bother. Fourth Division is strict—they won't let me leave until I'm fully healed."
"Hehe, it's nothing. Besides, Miyako-kun, you helped everyone rescue Rukia, didn't you? I heard about all the efforts you made behind the scenes." Orihime's eyes softened with admiration.
Miyako clicked his tongue lightly. "That idiot Rukia is my subordinate, after all. Of course I wouldn't just stand by and let her be executed so foolishly. But you guys…" He gave her a sideways glance. "Rushing into the enemy's headquarters for the sake of a friend you've only known for a few months? That's what's really strange."
"It's not that exaggerated…" Orihime rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, a small laugh escaping her lips. She didn't seem to realize that Miyako wasn't exactly praising them. "Anyway, alright, alright, let me treat you, Miyako-kun."
She walked over and raised her delicate hands. Six golden, petal-like Shun Shun Rikka appeared, arranging themselves in their usual formation.
"Shiten Kōshun, Santen Kesshun, and… Sōten Kisshun!" she chanted softly. The protective abilities hovered, but soon the healing shield—Sōten Kisshun—glowed brightly, unfolding like a warm, golden curtain that enveloped Miyako completely.
Miyako closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation. Soon, a tingling warmth spread from his wound. The sharp, lingering pain left behind by Gin's Shinsō began to fade, until finally it vanished altogether.
"…This is truly a divine power," Miyako whispered in awe before catching himself.
"Huh?" Orihime tilted her head innocently.
"No, it's nothing. Thank you, Inoue." He shook his head, hiding his thoughts. No matter how many times one witnessed this ability, it was impossible not to marvel at its miraculous nature.
After a few minutes, Orihime lowered her hands. The golden shield dissolved into faint sparkles, and Miyako rose from the bed. He stretched his arms, testing his body, and realized that all the weakness and pain had completely disappeared.
"How is it? Do you feel better?" Orihime asked, her smile hopeful.
"Yes… too good, honestly." Miyako rolled his shoulder with a small grin. "Thank you, Inoue."
"Mm! That's great then. If you're fine, I'll be going now." She began to turn, but Miyako stopped her with a call.
"Wait, Inoue."
"Eh?"
"Where's Uryū now?" Miyako asked.
"Ishida-kun? Hmm… I think he's with Ganju-san. Ganju-san said he was heading home today, so we were going to see him off."
"I see… that's perfect." Miyako nodded to himself. "Inoue, wait for me a bit. I also want to see Ganju off."
"Sure thing," Orihime agreed cheerfully, stepping outside to wait.
Miyako then called for a passing Fourth Division member, asking them to notify Unohana-taichō or Isane-san that his injuries were healed enough for him to be discharged.
It was perfect timing—he could leave Seireitei together with Shiba Ganju, and at the same time, call Ishida Uryū aside to speak with him about certain matters.
After all… some things were better not discussed inside the walls of Seireitei.