"Hasn't the expedition corps for Hueco Mundo always been filled from the 11th Division?"
Although Arata is a time traveler, for now he's only a student of the Shinō Spiritual Academy, so naturally he doesn't know what was decided at the captains' meeting.
Just because Kotetsu Isane knows a few things doesn't mean he knows everything.
"Well, actually, it's like this..." Isane summarized and organized the information she had heard from Unohana Retsu, and then told and explained it to Arata.
Although it could be considered leaking a secret, Isane no longer cared about the so-called principle of confidentiality once she thought that Arata had been seriously injured precisely because of this operation.
Through Isane's words, Arata gradually understood how everything had come to be and began to respect Captain Yamamoto in his heart.
Although he is old, old Yamamoto still isn't foolish. He himself knows that the order issued this time by Central 46 is utterly absurd.
Letting a group of shinigami whose Zanpakutō can't even be called by name take part in the expedition to Hueco Mundo is the same as telling Muguruma Kensei to challenge Yhwach alone. It's simply ridiculous.
Utterly ridiculous!
However, as the Supreme Captain of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto could not openly refute the orders of Central 46, so he could only act covertly.
Through the captains' meeting, an agreement was reached that the Gotei 13 would do everything to ensure the success of this final exam.
It was also decided that members would be selected from the 2nd, 4th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Divisions to form a support team independent from the expedition corps for Hueco Mundo.
The sole mission of that team is to ensure the safety of the six reincarnated individuals who will participate in the expedition to Hueco Mundo.
"So, Miss Isane and Captain Unohana are the ones being reassigned from the Fourth Division?" Arata snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Isane, who had already applied the medicine.
"Yes, as soon as I heard the news, I decided to join the support team." Isane paused mid-sentence. "As for the captain, she decided to come along because she's worried for my safety."
Arata nodded thoughtfully and said with a smile, "I see. Captain Unohana cares so much for Miss Isane. She really is a very gentle and considerate person."
"The captain will surely be happy to hear that Saito-san praises her like that." Isane had a sincere smile on her face, and she placed her palms on Arata's chest and stomach as she replied.
The medicine just applied only treats external injuries. If internal injuries are to be further healed, it can only be done through a delicate Kaidō treatment.
Fortunately, Arata himself has the bloodline of the Soul King, and his strong self-healing ability had already made much of the damage retreat overnight. As the vice-captain of the Fourth Division, Isane was well-acquainted with such injuries, though not particularly skilled.
After about five minutes of maximum concentration, Arata could feel the cold that had been tormenting his body and soul gradually disappear, replaced by warm and gentle spiritual pressure.
Although both Kotetsu Isane's and Unohana Retsu's spiritual pressure felt warm to Arata, upon closer comparison, there were subtle differences between the two.
The first is like a cheerful and open older sister from the neighborhood, while the second is more like a mature woman full of maternal tenderness.
It's impossible to say which one is better, only that each has her own virtues.
After the treatment was completed, Isane took out another roll of bandages and wrapped Arata's wound, circle by circle.
He didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but in the end the bandage took the shape of a bow, which made Arata feel a little embarrassed.
"Miss Isane, do you usually wrap other people's bandages in this shape too?"
Fortunately, the upper clothing could cover it. If others saw such an embarrassing bow, they would probably mock him to death.
"Of course not, I only do that for Saito-san." Isane's smiling eyes made Arata feel a chill, as if something was piercing him with a look. "This way, Saito-san will remember not to get hurt again during training."
Kotetsu Isane clapped her hands, signaling that the treatment was officially finished. Arata got off the bed and got dressed. He also asked her whether Unohana Retsu was at the Division quarters today.
The answer was that Unohana Retsu had gone to a meeting early in the morning.
Isane had asked what the meeting was about, but hadn't received a clear answer.
Arata scratched his chin; calling a meeting at a time like this probably meant further deployments for the expedition.
He said goodbye to Isane and then returned to the Kendo Club of the Shinō Spiritual Academy, but it was empty.
Most of those six students who had earlier joined the Kendo Club had already triggered, the destiny assessment, so they were no longer of value to Arata. That's why Arata, under the pretext of final exam reform, canceled the upcoming classes.
The students also showed understanding. Arata had generously and selflessly held free kendo lessons for them for a while, and they were too embarrassed to bother him further.
However, Arata made a promise that the Kendo Club classrooms would always remain open and offered to everyone as free training spaces.
At this time, Renji and the others were probably still in regular classes, so it was normal that there was no one in the Kendo Club.
Arata actually enjoyed this kind of time alone. He simply brewed some tea in the lounge, tore open a packet of flower cookies, and made himself a simple afternoon tea break.
Unfortunately, he didn't get to relax for long, someone knocked on the door.
Who could it be at this time?
Arata was a little confused, but still set down what he had in his hands and went out.
As he approached the door, he caught a familiar scent with a trace of alcohol.
When he opened it, a beautiful silhouette entered his field of view. None other than Matsumoto Rangiku.
Her long golden hair casually fell over her shoulders, gently shimmering in the sunset. In her hand, she held an elegant food box, and from inside a faint aroma of food spread.
"Hey, Arata~" Rangiku leaned against the doorframe with a lazy smile on her lips. "I heard you got seriously injured during training? I 'spat out' my work to come visit you."
Arata was momentarily stunned, then smiled wistfully: "Miss Rangiku is very well-informed."
He had just left the Fourth Division, and hadn't told anyone else what had happened, how did Rangiku find out so quickly?
Was it Isane who tipped her off?
"Of course." Rangiku shook the bentō. "Isane can't hide anything when she's upset. I ran into her just after leaving the 10th Division. I saw her panic, that's when I knew something was wrong."
"Just ask her and she'll tell you everything about you."
Arata sighed inwardly, just as he had suspected.
Rangiku was speaking as her eyes slid across Arata's body and eventually stopped at his chest.
Even though he had straightened his clothes, it seemed that Rangiku could clearly see the bandages wrapped underneath through the fabric.
"Aren't you going to invite me in to sit down?"
"I brought dried persimmons and sake. I'm not going to drink your tea for free." She winked, and a mischievous smile appeared on her face.