Even Retsu Unohana was quite displeased.
"Si Gong student, I think it's necessary to suggest to Captain Aizen that he teach some good ideas."
"Good ideas should be bought for a mere ten million rings, the source of wealth?"
Shimiya Takeru's brows furrowed.
"If you're not satisfied with the price, we can always negotiate, there's no need for such veiled sarcasm."
"Being too direct would be impolite."
"…"
Do you really think you're being polite?
Even Retsu Unohana, who had lived for so many years and seen all sorts of rights and wrongs and people, couldn't help but feel astonished.
"How about this, I'll name a price too."
Shimiya Takeru also raised a finger, staring at Retsu Unohana and saying,
"One billion rings."
"…Fifty million, that's the bottom line."
Retsu Unohana closed her eyes, seemingly not wanting to look at his overly greedy expression.
Shimiya Takeru turned to look at Rindo Yu.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, Rindo Yu had special negotiation skills. He instantly understood the look Shimiya Takeru gave him and then wrote a [No] under the table.
Shimiya Takeru understood, let out a heavy sigh, and once again drew Retsu Unohana's attention.
"Captain Unohana."
"Please speak."
"Do you know why Ōmaeda sold the medicine to the Eleventh Division?"
"Of course, because there's a bigger market there."
Retsu Unohana had a vague bad premonition.
"Wrong, it's because the Shinigami of the Eleventh Division are brave and fearless warriors fighting on the front lines."
Shimiya Takeru said in a deep voice.
"I admit my medicine comes from a hot spring accidentally discovered on the outskirts of Rukongai. It's fine to call it bathwater, but without knowing that, the medicine itself also has an embarrassing side effect."
"Captain Unohana, can you understand how great the Shinigami of the Eleventh Division are? You, in the Fourth Division, probably cannot comprehend the spirit of those who, knowing there's a side effect of diarrhea, still resolutely drink it, risking their pride for the sake of re-entering the battlefield in optimal condition, vowing to protect Seireitei to the death!"
"…"
"?"
Isane looked at her Captain in confusion. Although her expression remained unchanged, she looked very stiff.
Shimiya Takeru's praise continued.
"Furthermore, they are also crazy, fearless warriors. As long as they can fight to their heart's content, they don't care about mere side effects. Constantly healing wounds are their confidence to keep fighting."
"The Shinigami of the Eleventh Division suffer greatly; they don't know Kaido, nor even Kido. They can only fight this way, pleasing the opponents they respect. Captain Unohana, you surely cannot understand their painful yet joyful feelings, can you?"
"Although I never interfered, Ōmaeda selling the medicine to the Eleventh Division was by no means simply catering to market demand, but a very kind act."
"I am touched by his actions, and looking at myself, it's truly inappropriate to haggle over a few tens of millions of rings."
Saying this, Shimiya Takeru changed the subject and seemingly sincerely made a request to Retsu Unohana.
"So, Captain Unohana, I have a suggestion: let's still sell the water source to the Eleventh Division."
"At the price you mentioned, twenty million rings. As far as I know, the combat divisions have high salaries, and Captain Kenpachi can definitely afford this money."
"With the hot spring, the Fourth Division can also reduce its workload and avoid friction with the Eleventh Division, which has different views. Why not?"
Hearing this, Isane unconsciously nodded and muttered,
"That makes some sense."
"Isane."
Retsu Unohana maintained her original sitting posture, but her head turned towards her like an owl.
Her tone and smile seemed no different from usual.
But Isane inexplicably felt her hair stand on end, her scalp almost exploding.
"P-please, what are your orders?"
"You talk too much."
"Yes!"
Isane had a sense of déjà vu at this moment.
Oh, right.
Previously, she had accidentally made a sound behind the dormitory, interrupting someone's training and almost inviting disaster.
That moment was exactly like this moment.
Hoo.
Retsu Unohana let out a breath, her gaze fixed on the young man across the table.
"Si Gong student, I'll offer two hundred million. It can't go any higher. If you want to introduce other buyers, they will also need my permission before they can participate, as this matter has already been entrusted to me."
"Two hundred million?"
Shimiya Takeru glanced at the large character that appeared under the table.
— [Yes].
"Then it's settled."
This price was indeed not low.
There would be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future; there was no need to narrow his path here.
As both parties reached a consensus, a smile returned to Retsu Unohana's face.
"The money will be transferred to the account you registered with the Household Registration Management Bureau tomorrow."
"I trust Captain Unohana's character… Here is the location. Although there's a barrier, I'm sure it won't be a problem for you."
Shimiya Takeru also readily provided the coordinates of the hot spring, appearing very sincere.
"Thank you for your trust. If possible, I truly wish this trust had come a little earlier, so that Si Gong student wouldn't think I would have so many… incomprehensible things."
Retsu Unohana's eyes narrowed into a line, and she chuckled, covering her mouth,
"Just a humble opinion, please don't mind it."
"How could I? Si Gong student is a future pillar of Seireitei, and even before joining a division, he has splendid military achievements. It would be truly inappropriate to delay your training with such a small matter, so if you don't mind, shall I accompany you to continue your unfinished training today?"
"…"
Shimiya Takeru looked at Retsu Unohana, who was slowly getting up, and pressed his lips together, not making a sound for a long time.
"What's wrong, Si Gong student? I am a Captain, after all, and I have a little confidence in my swordsmanship. I should be fine as your sparring partner."
Retsu Unohana tilted her head slightly, her tone unusually gentle.
"…"
A faint sense of oppression washed over him.
Shimiya Takeru was silent for a moment, then turned to Rindo Yu and said, "I remember Ichigo's Kaido doesn't seem to be progressing very smoothly. Captain Unohana happens to be free, so quickly go and call him to seek guidance from the senior."
It was still that place.
The hillside where Shimiya Takeru had previously trained.
Bang!
Ichigo lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
The sky was so blue, the sun so bright. Such a beautiful scene, yet it brought him no spiritual solace, and he even began to question life.
Seeing his deeply affected appearance, the onlookers, Shimiya Takeru, Rindo Yu, and even Hachihara who had come upon hearing the news, as well as Isane, who was an outsider, couldn't help but feel pity.
But as for sympathy, there was none at all.
Because after the transaction, Ichigo, upon hearing that the Gotei 13's strongest Kaido master intended to offer guidance, immediately ran back without a word.
What he didn't expect was that Retsu Unohana, a mere woman and the Captain of a medical division, actually preferred real combat.
Ichigo, out of kindness, suggested using wooden swords and bamboo swords to avoid accidental injury.
After all, he was growing too fast.
After mastering Shikai, his spiritual pressure was rapidly increasing every day, and he had now entered the realm of a Captain-level Shinigami.
This was a terrifying achievement that even Shimiya Takeru had not yet reached.
Therefore, even when facing a Captain of the Gotei 13, he felt no pressure at all; instead, he worried about injuring the opponent.
Furthermore.
Medicine, after all, should be peaceful.
You couldn't really cut someone and then demonstrate how to treat them on the spot, could you?
That would be too extreme.
If it was absolutely necessary to demonstrate how to multitask and heal oneself during high-intensity combat.
Then, at the current stage, bruises and hematomas caused by wooden and bamboo swords were already sufficient as training subjects.
Ichigo thought so.
After he fully expressed his concerns, Retsu Unohana gladly agreed.
The result was…
"Kurosaki-kun, how much longer are you going to lie on the ground? Enemies won't give you time to lie there and slowly heal."
Retsu Unohana held a wooden sword in one hand. Her loose Shinigami uniform and haori made her look graceful and plump, not like a combat stance.
Her calm tone and gentle smile all proved that she hadn't used her full strength at all, and there were even no signs of having fought.
After all, a closer look would reveal that her entire face, as well as her clothes and hair, were so clean and tidy.
Even her spiritual pressure always remained in its most natural state.
As casual and composed as sleeping, eating, drinking, and talking.
"…Hiss!"
His thoughts returned, and Ichigo was about to get up, but almost stumbled to the ground. This was due to the sharp pain and weakness in his knees.
"It seems you've reached your limit."
Retsu Unohana's gaze seemed to be able to penetrate his Shinigami uniform and see the injuries on his knees.
"No! I can still do it… Again!"
Although he realized he had severely underestimated her combat power, especially her swordsmanship, after a brief moment of doubt, Ichigo's fighting spirit did not decrease but increased. He immediately used his wooden sword as a cane to force himself to stand up from the ground.
Retsu Unohana was slightly surprised.
"You can stand up so quickly?"
"Ah, after being knocked down so many times, I've finally somewhat grasped the trick of immediately healing injuries after getting hurt."
Ichigo grinned, as if showing off.
Onlookers, including Shimiya Takeru, could all notice the Kaido spiritual pressure gathered around his knees, wrapping his skin like a plaster. This way, even if he forced himself to stand up, or even moved vigorously, he wouldn't have to worry about his injuries worsening.
Being able to do this was already a remarkable feat.
Retsu Unohana also couldn't help but look at him with new eyes.
"I have to admit, Captain Aizen's judgment was correct; Kaido is indeed very suitable for you."
"It is my honor to receive Unohana's recognition, so… let's continue!"