Chapter 137: Drawing Lines
"Captain, do you have a moment?"
A gentle knock on the door.
Fourth Division captain's office.
"Come in."
Unohana's warm voice came from inside.
Isane pushed the door open, stepping aside to let Suoh enter first.
The room carried a faint fragrance—elegant and pleasant.
Unohana knelt at the tea table by the window, lifting a pot to pour tea. Water flowed gently into the cups.
Afternoon light filtered through the paper windows, softly spreading across the tatami mats, making the room feel peaceful and serene.
Unohana wore her captain's haori, thick black braid lying obediently across her chest. Her posture was graceful, like a Yamato Nadeshiko stepped out of an ancient painting.
Sunlight cast peaceful shadows around her.
She looked up, seeing her visitors, face showing her customary gentle smile.
"Yes, please come in. Isane, you sit as well."
Unohana's gaze settled on Suoh, smile warm.
Those smiling eyes always seemed to see through everything.
"Captain Unohana, good afternoon."
Suoh stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
"No need for formality."
"What brings you here today?"
Unohana gestured with her hand, manner composed.
Suoh stepped forward and sat down with Isane on either side of the tea setting.
"The medicinal herbs from before have yielded results. I brought some to show you."
He placed all the packages from inside his uniform on the table, stating his purpose directly.
"How thoughtful of you."
Unohana nodded slightly, interest flickering in her eyes.
Her fingers gently untied the strings. Several properly processed, well-formed medicinal herbs appeared.
"Captain, even though the time wasn't long, I've checked—the quality matches what our division's direct gardens produce."
"Tsukasa really put his heart into this."
Isane spoke up with praise from the side.
Clearly taking Suoh's side.
"More than just heart. Growing such quality herbs in such a short time required tremendous effort."
"Tsukasa, I see the dedication you've put into this."
Unohana only glanced briefly before setting the herbs back, looking up at Isane and Suoh with a knowing smile.
Her tone was calm, gaze toward Suoh carrying encouragement and affirmation.
Suoh smiled, pulling out a prepared list from his uniform and handing it over frankly.
"You're too kind, Captain. These seeds grew well. However, I've already used some of these herbs to create pills for Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions."
"I can only supply about sixty percent of the raw materials to Fourth Division."
"This is a detailed quantity list."
When he'd originally obtained the seeds from Fourth Division, there'd been no explicit agreement.
But out of good faith, he felt it necessary to explain their use.
"No problem."
"You earned those seeds through your own hard work. How you distribute and use the herbs is naturally your decision."
"Besides, this is an unexpected bonus for Fourth Division. Your willingness to help stock our medicinal stores is already remarkably generous."
Unohana accepted the list, gaze falling on it, eyes brightening slightly as she smiled and waved dismissively.
She then placed the list at the table's edge, fingertip tapping it lightly. Her tone shifted, speaking seriously.
"Tsukasa, how much do you know about Central Pharmaceutical Institute?"
"A medical unit directly under the nobility. The supporting power behind them is the Tsunayashiro family among the nobles."
"I understand the sensitivity here. My original intention was only to accumulate resources for my own training."
"It's just... as I got into it, I couldn't help myself. Couldn't hold back."
Suoh scratched his head, answering honestly.
This information wasn't particularly secret in Seireitei. Anyone paying slight attention could learn it.
From the moment he'd decided to secretly cultivate herbs on a large scale and extend his influence to Tenth Division, he'd known his existence and actions posed a potential challenge to the established order.
After integrating into Seireitei, Suoh had gained clearer understanding of how this place operated.
Therefore, many of Suoh's ideas and plans died in the womb before even starting.
There simply weren't any fields where he had room to flex his abilities.
Unohana took a light sip, setting down her cup.
The cup touching the wooden table made a pleasant sound. Her tone remained composed.
"Then this simplifies matters. Your possession of a quality medicine source independent of the existing system—in Seireitei, that's inherently inappropriate."
"However, you needn't worry too much about this. Fourth Division can provide cover and backing for you."
"The herbs you provide—Fourth Division can pay you privately at agreed rates. And the pills you produce, if asked, can be claimed as completed within Fourth Division facilities."
"Isane, arrange a secluded workshop later. Put Tsukasa's nameplate on it. Handle the procedures and setup directly yourself."
She looked toward Isane, whose expression had tightened, giving instructions.
"Yes, Captain."
Isane immediately complied, expression solemn.
With everything laid out so clearly, she understood the weight of this matter.
This would formally place Suoh's activities under Fourth Division's jurisdiction and protection.
"As for Central Pharmaceutical Institute—as long as you don't actively expand your supply scope further, there won't be problems."
"After all, each division enjoys considerable autonomous authority."
Unohana clearly expressed Fourth Division's supportive stance, while also drawing a relatively safe boundary line for Suoh's actions.
"Thank you for your kindness, Captain. I'll remember this."
Suoh understood completely, nodding in acknowledgment.
Money had its uses, but in Seireitei it was quite limited. Could only buy commercially available goods.
Normally Suoh mostly used it for daily personal consumption and base maintenance and expansion.
He had no plans to be overly flashy or high-profile.
If he drew too much attention, he'd have to consider the possibility of being summoned by Central 46.
His hand had already reached into territory the nobility controlled. Ordinary logic simply didn't apply to nobles.
The Tsunayashiro family, as backers of many Central 46 seats, could easily squeeze a mere Third Seat like him.
These were all foreseeable results.
This was also why he'd voluntarily exposed some secrets.
His experience and knowledge couldn't match veteran captains. To decide his next moves, getting their opinions would better help him avoid risks and formulate plans.
Unohana smiled faintly, lifting the teapot again to refill all three cups with warm, clear tea.
"What you're doing benefits Seireitei as a whole. I'm merely making everything look more rule-compliant, reducing unnecessary trouble."
"As Fourth Division captain, it's my duty to ensure valuable medical resources benefit more people who need them."
"Simply fulfilling my responsibilities."
Unohana set down the pot, gaze settling on Suoh's face, smile carrying an elder's warning.
She could see the ambition and desire hidden in Suoh's heart.
Since Suoh had voluntarily laid the problem before her, seeking her opinion, she didn't mind offering guidance and help.