When Unohana returned to the 4th Division, she saw Katori Sora chatting with Rii Hoshino in the courtyard.
"Welcome back, Captain!" Rii Hoshino said.
"Lord Katori, have you come to visit Rii?" Unohana asked with a smile.
"I actually came to see you, Captain Unohana," Sora replied.
"Is there something you need from me?" Unohana asked, intrigued. She knew Sora was not one for idle visits and must have had a reason for coming.
"My skills have improved recently, and I was hoping to exchange some pointers on swordsmanship with you, Captain Unohana," Sora said directly.
"Oh~ In that case, I must see just how much you have improved, Lord Katori," Unohana said, her eyes smiling. She hadn't expected him to proactively seek her out for a spar.
"A spar is no problem, of course, but I have some business to attend to first," Unohana said, walking indoors. "Come with me, Lord Katori. This is something you should know about as well."
Sora followed Unohana's steps into a storage room.
"A major incident occurred today. Captain Takezuna has disappeared and, in all likelihood, has already been murdered," Unohana said, dropping the bombshell.
"Captain Takezuna Jigyō?" Sora was shocked. "Didn't he just retire a short time ago?"
Before leaving the Seireitei, Takezuna had even visited him at the Katori Dojo to give him two self-created Kidō spells.
To think that the next time he heard of him, it would be news of his murder. It was a lamentable turn of events.
Unohana checked the pharmacy's inventory records as she spoke. "The evidence left at the scene all points to the current vice-captain of the 7th Division, Tetsuya Asada."
"It's possible that he drugged Captain Takezuna and then killed him."
Sora watched Unohana examining the records and understood what she was doing. "I see. The drug used to murder him must not be a common one. Are you cross-referencing the pharmacy's records, Captain?"
Unohana nodded. "A powerful anesthetic capable of incapacitating Captain Takezuna is only available from the 4th Division, the 12th Division, and the Central Apothecary."
"The Detention Unit is interrogating Tetsuya Asada now. Kyōraku Shunsui has gone to investigate the Central Apothecary, and Kirio Hikifune and I have returned to investigate our respective divisions' pharmacies."
"After Captain Takezuna was discharged, he made a special trip to the Katori Dojo to thank me. I never thought something like this would happen," Sora said, stepping forward to help Unohana check the records. "Captain Unohana, do you think the probability of Tetsuya Asada being the culprit is high?"
"There are a few too many clues left at the scene. It's too strange. Moreover, it was Asada himself who reported the incident. Logically, he should have had enough time to dispose of the evidence before reporting it," Unohana shook her head. "But it's hard to say. Perhaps he really is that foolish."
Tetsuya Asada was originally just the 3rd seat of the 7th Division. Unohana and the other captains didn't know him well and would need to get more information from the 7th Division to understand his situation.
"However, if it wasn't Asada who attacked Captain Takezuna, then we have a problem," A trace of worry crossed Unohana's brow. "Lord Katori, you know about the Reigai. Spiritual pressure fluctuation data can no longer be considered key evidence."
Sora's eyebrow twitched. "You think a Reigai impersonated Tetsuya Asada, and that's why his spiritual pressure was detected?"
Unohana explained, "I myself have been attacked by a Reigai made from my own reishi."
"Do you remember the accident during that advanced Healing Kidō lecture, Lord Katori?"
"A Reigai swapped out the bottle with Hollow poison, which led to the incident during the lecture."
"She underestimated me. Mere Hollow poison is not enough to take my life."
"But this also indicates that someone in the Soul Society is collecting our reishi data to create Reigai."
"So, even if another Reigai of Tetsuya Asada were to appear, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised."
"Someone is collecting reishi data to make Reigai?" Sora searched his memories. It seemed a similar incident might occur in the future.
But the current timeline was a bit too early. Mod-Soul technology would need to mature before the created Reigai would have any practical combat value.
Creating a captain's Reigai now was pointless; it would lack combat effectiveness.
He suddenly thought of his own situation. Could it be that someone who knew the inside story saw that his Reigai body could grow and had started Reigai research again?
"Captain Unohana, besides the Royal Guard, who else knows that I am Batsu'unsai's Reigai?" Sora asked.
Only the Royal Guard should know about the Soul King's shadow. Even Batsu'unsai Katori and Retsu Unohana were unaware.
But more people might know about the creation of Batsu'unsai's Reigai.
"You need not worry, Lord Katori. Besides the Royal Guard, only Kirio Hikifune and I know about this," Unohana said.
"That's true. If the person secretly making Reigai knew about this, they would surely be very interested in me and would have come for me long ago," Sora nodded.
After Sora and Unohana finished checking the pharmacy records, they also cross-referenced the quantities of the medicines. They found no abnormalities in the records.
Unohana took out her Denreishinki to send a message to Kyōraku and Kirio. "I've finished my check here. The anesthetic did not come from the 4th Division."
Kirio's voice came through the device. "No problems on my end either."
Kyōraku also chimed in. "I've found a relevant clue here, but... why does this feel a bit off?"
"The records show—Tetsuya Asada purchased 'Sendoten' anesthetic from the Central Apothecary yesterday."
Kyōraku's complaining voice continued through the Denreishinki. "Honestly, for such a dangerous drug to be available for direct purchase at the Central Apothecary!"
"I find this whole thing very strange. I'm going to check Asada's movements yesterday and today to see if he has an alibi."
Unohana frowned. "It seems it will be very difficult for Asada to clear his name now."
It was Asada who had reported the incident, and he was the only one at the scene. It would be very difficult for him to find an alibi.
There was too much evidence now. Even if he didn't do it, it would be hard for him to walk away unscathed.
Unless they could find clues pointing to another culprit.
Sora stroked his chin. "Asada shouldn't be stupid enough to leave such obvious evidence..."
Sora was inclined to believe the killer was someone else, but with so much evidence, it meant the culprit came prepared. Finding the real killer would be exceedingly difficult.
Unohana sighed softly. "Such speculation is not enough to clear Asada's name."
She could already guess what would happen next. With this evidence presented before the Central 46, they would absolutely convict Tetsuya Asada directly.