Behold this astonishing scene—everyone present stood frozen in disbelief.
Ishida Uryū, Sado Yasutora, and Kurosaki Ichigo were finally out of danger. While Inoue Orihime tended to Sidanbō's wounds, the three of them watched quietly from the side. Yet it was not just them who were stunned. Even the Shinigami, including Captain Ukitake Jūshirō and Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division, were speechless.
It was simply impossible for anyone to restore Kurosaki Ichigo's body in mere seconds. Even with Unohana's mastery of Kaidō, complete recovery would have required days of treatment.
"This healing ability is truly extraordinary…" Shiraha murmured under his breath, having observed the process through his Kenbunshoku Haki.
Inoue Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka—her Fullbring manifestation—was indeed worthy of Aizen's praise as a power that violated divine law itself. For someone who had only recently awakened her ability to already perform such feats… how terrifying would her powers become in the future?
"Thank you, Shun Shun Rikka, Santen Kesshun, Ayame, Shun'ō," Orihime said softly, smiling as the two fairies nodded and turned back into their hairpins.
"Kurosaki, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm fine now. Thank you, Inoue," Ichigo replied gratefully.
"Shiraha, this girl's ability is remarkable," said Ukitake with a warm smile. "It's hard to imagine such power coming from a human."
"Captain Jūshirō, you should know of Fullbring," Shiraha replied with a calm expression. "Aside from Kurosaki and Ishida, both Inoue and Sado possess it as well." He gestured toward Sado Yasutora, whose arms still shimmered faintly with spiritual energy.
Compared to Orihime's miraculous restoration, Sado's ability was far more straightforward—a manifestation of raw offensive strength.
"Fullbring…" Ukitake echoed softly. He had heard rumors of such powers among humans, though never witnessed one firsthand.
"Miss Inoue," Kotsubaki Shintarō and Kotetsu Kiyone suddenly stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Could you… perhaps heal Captain Jūshirō's illness?"
Having seen Orihime's miraculous ability, the idea had immediately formed in their minds. After all, their captain's chronic illness returned again and again, leaving him weak and coughing blood. It was the very reason he was often unable to personally manage the affairs of the Thirteenth Division.
"Eh? Heal Captain Ukitake?" Orihime blinked in surprise, scratching her cheek. "I—I've never tried treating something like that before."
"Inoue, give it a try," Ichigo encouraged gently. "Captain Ukitake's been nothing but kind to us humans. If you can help him even a little, it's worth it."
"Inoue-san, please," Rukia added earnestly. The thought that Orihime's ability might ease her captain's suffering brought a glimmer of hope to her eyes.
"Okay then, I'll try," Orihime said, gathering her resolve.
But Ukitake shook his head with a gentle smile. "No, thank you, Miss Inoue. I appreciate your kindness, but I know my own body well."
He knew that his illness wasn't something that could be healed through ordinary—or even extraordinary—means. His life had long been tied to the left arm of the Soul King, the power of Mimihagi that sustained him at the cost of his lungs. No human ability could restore what had been taken by a god.
"Captain…" murmured Kotetsu Kiyone softly, wanting to protest, but Ukitake raised a hand to silence her. "That's enough, Kiyone. I truly am all right."
Seeing his calm resolve, she could only nod reluctantly.
"Inoue-san," Rukia spoke again, "could you perhaps try healing my brother's eyes?"
Orihime blinked. "Mr. Shiraha's… eyes? He can't see?"
Until now, she had simply thought Shiraha kept his eyes closed by choice. His movements were so precise, so composed, that she had never realized he was blind. The realization struck her with unexpected sorrow. Someone so powerful, with such an air of quiet strength, living without sight—it felt profoundly unfair.
"Heal me? There's no need," Shiraha said lightly, smiling.
The truth was that his vision had long since returned when he unlocked his second template. His blindness had only been part of a daily training task derived from the Satoru Gojō template. Though that template's progress had reached completion, Shiraha continued to keep his eyes closed deliberately—to deny Aizen any chance of activating Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion. With Observation Haki, his awareness of his surroundings far surpassed ordinary sight.
"My brother…" Rukia looked at him uncertainly.
"Shiraha, why not let Miss Inoue at least try?" Jūshirō suggested kindly. "Unlike me, your condition might be something she can truly heal."
"Yeah, Shiraha," Ichigo added, smiling. "Let her help if she can."
"Mr. Shiraha, please," Orihime said softly, determination in her eyes.
Shiraha sighed helplessly. "Really, it isn't necessary. My eyes are almost healed anyway," he said casually, offering a vague excuse. In truth, he could have opened them at any moment if he wished.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Rukia exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief.
"That's good to hear, Shiraha," said Jūshirō warmly.
"Rukia," Shiraha said, his tone turning calm again, "tell Inoue why we came to find her."
Rukia nodded and explained their purpose. After listening carefully, Orihime clenched her fists with newfound confidence. "If it's about Miss Kūkaku, then I'll do my best!"
"Well then," Ukitake said with a gentle smile, "I haven't seen Kūkaku in some time. I'll come along as well."
"In that case, let's go together," Shiraha said quietly.
With a soft hum, spiritual energy rippled outward. Shiraha raised his hand, activating the technique Cang. In an instant, the group vanished from sight.
——
West Rukongai, District One.
The sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the Shiba estate in a warm amber glow. Sitting beside the massive Flower-Crane Cannon, Shiba Kūkaku gazed silently into the distance, her expression unreadable.
"Sis, what are you doing out here all alone?" asked her younger brother, Shiba Ganju, still covered in bandages.
"I'm waiting," she said softly, her voice laced with quiet emotion. "Waiting for someone to apologize."
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