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"So, where did Isane go?" Aozaki Reiji asked.
"You're truly shameless. Isane is older than you, yet you still call her 'younger sister.'"
Yamada Seinosuke revealed a serious expression and said, "She went to get medicine. She should have arrived by now."
"Could it be that she doesn't want to come because of a disgusting fellow like you?"
"How can you say such a thing? The most disgusting fellow is sitting right in front of me." Aozaki Reiji rolled his eyes. "But Captain Ukitake truly has a bitter fate, having to drink such bitter stuff every day."
"Not all medicine is bitter, you know." Yamada Seinosuke said. "And it's not prepared for Captain Ukitake."
"Are you kidding? If it's not for him, could it be for me?" Aozaki Reiji pointed to himself, scoffing, "Look at me, so lively and energetic. Do I look like someone who needs medical treatment?"
Yamada Seinosuke looked at him with pity, remaining silent.
Aozaki Reiji noticed something unusual and was startled when he looked at his hands.
These weren't hands at all; they were completely bandaged up like giant tamales, almost unrecognizable as hands.
"When did this..."
"When you fainted yesterday from spiritual power exhaustion, I personally treated and bandaged you."
Yamada Seinosuke snorted, "I really don't know how you managed to get yourself into this state."
"Are you worried about me?" Aozaki Reiji teased.
He remembered what had happened.
Although Rentaro's Shikai couldn't enhance physical abilities, those threads were extremely strong.
After fighting Rentaro, his hands were already a bloody mess.
However, the situation at the time was special, so he didn't pay much attention to such minor injuries.
Yamada Seinosuke snorted, "You're truly narcissistic... I'm just worried that Captain Ukitake might be displeased because of this."
Aozaki Reiji asked, "How long will it take for my injuries to heal?"
Yamada Seinosuke pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, and said, "About half a month."
"How did you do it? Your hand bones were broken into several pieces, yet you acted as if nothing was wrong when you arrived."
"If possible, could you give me your body?"
Yamada Seinosuke stroked his chin, "I want to dissect it and understand your body's structure."
"Perhaps it could advance the development of medicine and biology in Soul Society."
"I refuse. Let the important task of advancing Soul Society's development be handled by suitable people."
Aozaki Reiji rolled his eyes in annoyance, "You're clearly trying to kill me!"
"Was I found out? What a pity..." Yamada Seinosuke 'tsk'ed, shaking his head in disappointment.
Aozaki Reiji also said with some disappointment, "In that case, I'll lose half a month of training time."
"Those guys in the Maggot's Nest will miss me, won't they!"
Yamada Seinosuke rolled his eyes.
Despite such severe injuries, this guy is concerned about training. He's truly a weirdo.
The two chatted idly, and not long after, a knock came at the ward door.
Yamada Seinosuke responded, and the ward door was pulled open.
A gentle and serene beautiful woman walked into the ward, gently closing the door.
Unohana Retsu, whether intentionally or not, ignored Yamada Seinosuke and Jūshirō Ukitake.
She walked to Aozaki Reiji's bedside, looked at his hands, and her delicate brows furrowed.
Yamada Seinosuke sprang up from his chair, standing upright, and hastily said, "Captain Retsu, Third Seat Reiji's treatment is mostly complete. He just needs to rest quietly now."
Upon hearing this, Unohana Retsu nodded slightly.
Although Yamada Seinosuke's personality wasn't likable, his medical skills were widely recognized, and even nobles wanted to poach him from the Fourth Squad.
However, Unohana Retsu still seemed a little uneasy.
Under the gaze of the other three, She performed a Healing Technique, thoroughly examining Aozaki Reiji's body, inside and out, before finally feeling relieved.
Unohana Retsu smiled as she sat by Aozaki Reiji's bedside, nodding and saying with a smile, "You're recovering well. The chest injury is almost healed, and your internal spiritual power is abundant."
"Barring any accidents, the injuries to your shoulders and hands should recover within half a month."
"During these two weeks, you should try to avoid strenuous exercise and rest quietly."
"Yes." Aozaki Reiji said with a long face.
Seeing Aozaki Reiji's expression, Unohana Retsu found it somewhat amusing and also a little relieved.
She pretended to be nonchalant and said, "I just came from a meeting at the First Division. I heard your opponent this time was Captain-class."
"And this time, you defeated a Captain-class rebel without any assistance?"
Jūshirō Ukitake and Yamada Seinosuke both showed shocked expressions.
Yes, they were completely unaware of this.
Jūshirō Ukitake had arrived at the Fourth Squad earlier than Aozaki Reiji.
Early this morning, upon hearing that his junior brother had been attacked, he rushed over in a panic to check on him.
As for Yamada Seinosuke, his rank wasn't high enough to learn such important information in such a short time.
"You all know?" Aozaki Reiji scratched his head awkwardly. "Actually, a mere Captain-class rebel is nothing to fuss about."
Yamada Seinosuke looked at him with disdain.
This guy, humble and shy? Impossible. He's definitely showing off.
Unohana Retsu turned her head and smiled slightly, "Seinosuke, please step out for a moment."
"Captain Retsu, I..."
Yamada Seinosuke wanted to explain.
He didn't want to make Unohana Retsu angry.
Unohana Retsu merely shook her head, interrupting him, "The following conversation involves the contents of the Captain's meeting."
Yamada Seinosuke was stunned, then nodded and walked out of the ward.
Indeed, the contents of the Captain's meeting were not something he could casually listen to.
Jūshirō Ukitake, on the other hand, turned his head with interest, perked up his ears, and adopted a posture of serious listening.
Unohana Retsu did not stop him.
It wasn't the first time he had missed a Captain's meeting due to his health.
"So... what was discussed at the meeting this time?" Aozaki Reiji asked.
Unohana Retsu smiled, "Naturally, it was about your attack."
"Including the aftermath, the punishment for the rebels, and your reward."
"Oh, there's a reward?" Aozaki Reiji was a little surprised.
Merits gained during service in the Gotei 13 typically didn't come with direct rewards.
Instead, the merits would be recorded and would affect job transfers after leaving the Squad.
Normally, Shinigami of the Gotei 13 cannot leave their Squads.
There are only two situations in which a Shinigami can leave a Squad.
The first is being deemed a dangerous individual by the Central 46 and being forcibly removed to the Maggot's Nest.
The second is a job transfer.
The Seireitei is essentially the governing body of Soul Society.
In addition to numerous nobles, the Central 46, and armed forces like the Gotei 13, there are also a large number of administrative bodies and special departments.
For example, the Central Medical Institute that Reiji mentioned.
In the original timeline, Yamada Seinosuke, that sharp-tongued man, left the Fourth Squad and then joined the Central Medical Institute as its head.
For Aozaki Reiji, an active Third Seat of the Second Squad, to receive a tangible reward was unheard of.
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