Kurotsuki Renya lay on the floor of the Zanjutsu hall, teeth clenched, fighting to endure the throbbing pain in his shoulder.
Instructor Tsuruta Hiroshi, the Academy's swordsmanship teacher, turned toward Hinamori Momo with a stern frown.
"Cadet Hinamori, how many times have I told you? You're forbidden to enhance your body with Reiatsu during sparring!"
Momo's eyes brimmed with tears.
"I… I didn't mean to, sensei. I just wanted to win, and my spiritual pressure surged on its own…"
Tsuruta's brow tightened, but he didn't scold her further. Instead, he motioned for the other students to give space and knelt beside Renya, examining him carefully.
Sweat streamed down Renya's temple, but he refused to make a sound of pain. Moments later, the door to the hall slid open and Asanjing Rensuke entered with a tall woman in a white coat.
She had short, lavender hair, red tassel earrings, and an androgynous air about her. Renya instantly recognized her from his knowledge of the Gotei 13's future — Isane Kotetsu, then a Fourth Division seated officer and disciple of Captain Retsu Unohana, who would one day serve as the Division's lieutenant.
Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, she carried a medical satchel at her side. Her calm voice filled the room.
"Where's the patient?"
Tsuruta immediately stepped aside.
"Kotetsu-san, over here. This student suffered an injury during practice."
Isane strode over, knelt beside Renya, and placed her hand gently on his injured shoulder. Concentrated spiritual energy flowed from her fingertips, though no one else could see the process.
"Fractured clavicle, clean break in the scapula. I'll stabilize it now, but he'll need several days before full recovery."
She pressed both palms to his shoulder. Her healing technique — Kaido — began to work. Unlike Hadō or Bakudō, Kaidō didn't require incantations, but it demanded exceptional skill and precise Reiatsu control.
Most Shinigami never mastered Kaidō unless they served in the Fourth Division. Unlike offensive Kidō, Kaidō was focused on repairing internal and external damage by balancing the patient's Reiryoku flow.
Renya felt warmth spread through his body as his bone fragments were guided back into place. Isane then opened her satchel, removed a brace and bandages, and secured his shoulder with practiced ease.
"There. The bone's set. Don't move that arm for at least a week."
Renya sat up slowly, bowing his head.
"Thank you, Kotetsu-san."
She smiled softly.
"It's my job. No need for thanks."
Despite her imposing height, her demeanor was gentle, almost sisterly.
At that moment, Rensuke stepped forward, concern in his voice.
"Kotetsu-san, how long until he's fully healed?"
"Seven days, if he avoids strain. Come to the infirmary for daily check-ups."
Another student, Renya's upperclassman Shōji Aika, asked anxiously,
"Will there be lasting damage? What if his arm's weakened?"
Isane shook her head.
"No permanent harm. He'll be fine in a few days."
Relieved, Aika stepped back. Isane gave a final nod to Tsuruta before leaving the hall.
"Alright, back to class," Tsuruta said. "Renya, take it easy. No training with your right hand until I say so."
Renya nodded.
"Understood, sensei."
Rensuke moved to help him up, but Momo stepped forward hesitantly.
"Let me help too…"
Aika gently pushed her aside.
"We've got him."
They left the hall and headed to the cafeteria, where Aika fetched food for Renya. Momo sat quietly beside him, her expression heavy with guilt.
"Renya… I'm sorry."
He waved his left hand dismissively.
"Forget it. It's over. Don't dwell on it."
She nodded slightly but said nothing more.
Suddenly, Rukia Kuchiki burst into the cafeteria, rushing to Renya's side.
"Renya! I heard you were injured — did you get treatment?"
"It's fine. Kotetsu-san healed me with Kaidō."
Rukia frowned, then sat down beside him, glaring across the table.
"I don't know who hurt you, but if I find out, they'll regret it."
From behind, Momo's voice came, soft but clear.
"It was me… I hurt him."
Rukia stood abruptly, her eyes narrowing. She cared for Renya like a younger brother, and her anger was immediate. But Renya tugged at her sleeve.
"Rukia, let it go. She didn't mean it."
Reluctantly, Rukia sat again, still scowling.
Rensuke arrived with a tray of food and set it in front of Renya.
Renya awkwardly tried to eat with his left hand, struggling to hold the chopsticks.
"I'll feed you," Aika offered, picking up a piece of spirit chicken and placing it at Renya's lips.
Renya, unused to such help, hesitated but accepted. In the Soul Society, even food carried high Reiryoku content — meats, spices, vegetables — all cultivated from spirit particles, nourishing both body and spiritual energy.
After nearly half an hour, he finished. Aika said,
"I'll take you to the dorms. I won't work tonight so I can look after you."
Renya quickly shook his head.
"No need. I'm fine on my own."
"Don't be ridiculous," Aika insisted.
Rensuke interjected,
"I can check on him after class."
Rukia added,
"And I'll come by tonight."
Even Momo spoke up softly,
"Please… let me help too."
Seeing them all vying to take care of him, Renya felt warmth in his chest. These were bonds worth protecting — bonds that, in the years to come, would shape captains and leaders of the Gotei 13.