Members of the Fourth Division rarely placed much value on increasing their own combat prowess, instead focusing solely on improving their skill in Kaidō and medical techniques.
Because of this, their barracks housed only two training halls. Additionally, since many members were unwilling transfers who didn't intend to remain long-term, they often used their spare time for personal training, hoping for a future transfer.
As a result, finding a quiet place for Nobu to train privately was rather difficult.
Thus, he took the initiative to approach Kotetsu Isane.
"Training?"
In the Vice-Captain's office, Kotetsu Isane considered his request seriously for a moment. "We do have quite a few unused treatment rooms. You could just move aside the beds and equipment; the rooms themselves are spacious enough. Though it might be a bit inconvenient…"
"It's no trouble at all. Can I use one?" Nobu asked.
Kotetsu chuckled softly. "Of course. Those rooms just sit empty most of the time anyway. We only really use them when there's an influx of injured personnel. Just be careful not to damage anything important."
"Thank you, Kotetsu-fukutaichō."
She smiled gently, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you adjusting well to life in the Fourth Division?"
"It's going well. Iemura-senpai has been very helpful."
"That's good," Kotetsu said with a relieved smile. "I was worried you might find it difficult here—like the cleaning duties assigned to new members around Seireitei."
Nobu inwardly grumbled at this, but replied calmly, "It's not like I never swept floors back at Shin'ō Academy."
This wasn't exactly a lie. Lower-year students at Shin'ō Academy indeed had cleaning duties, though Nobu himself often skipped out on them back then.
Kotetsu continued, "Actually, I was planning to transfer you to the Pharmacology Unit soon, but Captain Unohana assigned you to Emergency Relief instead. She probably thought you'd be more suitable there. And I've heard from Iemura that you're performing very well."
Pharmacology Unit…
Suddenly Nobu remembered—Kotetsu Isane was the leader of the Pharmacology Unit.
He'd missed out on a chance to interact with her daily. As for Captain Unohana, he'd barely seen her since joining.
"Could you tell me a little more about the Pharmacology Unit?" Nobu asked with genuine curiosity.
Kotetsu was delighted to explain, smiling warmly. "It's essentially a medical research group. Members don't work on the frontline, but require deeper expertise in Kaidō compared to regular division members."
"For example, we research new medications and Kaidō techniques, and collaborate closely with the Twelfth Division's Technology Development Bureau to create new medical equipment."
Pausing briefly, Kotetsu laughed again. "Your Zanpakutō would've been particularly interesting to the Pharmacology Unit. Several members have already asked if you could cooperate in some experiments."
Nobu felt a faint headache at the thought. His Zanpakutō wasn't a purely healing-type weapon. If he cooperated too deeply, he might inadvertently expose something troublesome.
"It sounds like very advanced, specialized work," Nobu remarked diplomatically.
Kotetsu nodded earnestly. "Exactly. Everyone in the Pharmacology Unit is genuinely committed to staying in the Fourth Division."
She suddenly sighed, seeming discouraged. "Every year, though, many members request transfers out of our division. We constantly lose people—sometimes before they've even gotten comfortable. But everyone has their own aspirations…"
A thought stirred in Nobu's mind. "Have you and Captain Unohana ever considered addressing this internally?"
Kotetsu smiled helplessly. "How could we address it? The previous Vice-Captain tried extensively—he even promoted us vigorously at Shin'ō Academy. The Academy cooperated fully, but still, not many graduates wanted to join us."
Nobu clarified, "I mean, making changes from within our own division."
Kotetsu seemed puzzled. "In what way?"
Nobu paused thoughtfully. "Just like what I came to you about today. Our division is so large, yet we only have two training halls. Clearly, the Fourth Division undervalues a Shinigami's personal strength. We have so many unused medical rooms sitting idle."
Kotetsu explained quickly, "Those rooms aren't exactly useless—they're meant for emergencies. Sometimes, even those aren't enough."
Nobu shook his head gently. "But emergencies don't occur so easily. Why not convert them into training rooms for daily use? They could easily revert to medical rooms in a crisis. That would be far more practical."
Kotetsu fell silent at this.
Truthfully, the medical rooms held nothing particularly special—just beds and basic medical equipment.
And Nobu's doubts weren't limited to the Fourth Division alone; he had similar concerns about the functions of the entire Gotei 13.
Many squads had overlapping roles.
For example, the Sixth and Seventh Divisions—one guarded the nobility, while the other secured the Inner Court. Then there was the Ninth Division responsible for prisons, even though multiple divisions maintained their own holding cells. The Fifth Division handled rescue missions, yet frequently needed support from the Fourth Division, requiring duplicate orders.
It wasn't that their duties were identical; it was simply inefficient. In Nobu's opinion, restructuring seemed long overdue.
"You have a point. I'll bring this up to Captain Unohana," Kotetsu said, nodding seriously. "Was there anything else? You mentioned changing our internal practices—I doubt that was your only suggestion."
Kotetsu saw Nobu as someone insightful, having founded the Student Council back at the Academy, and thus was eager to hear more from him.
Nobu carefully continued, "The fundamental problem lies with our division's self-perception."
"What do you mean?"
"The Fourth Division is focused entirely on healing, which means it doesn't value members' combat strength. But who said the Fourth Division's members must only be healers?"
Kotetsu stared blankly. "I don't understand."
Nobu shrugged. "Precisely because we're medics, we need combat abilities. Not necessarily to charge into battle, but simply to protect ourselves. Right now, our members are weak like paper. On the battlefield, other divisions have to expend effort to protect us. No wonder the Eleventh Division looks down on us."
"But… how does this relate to the issue of nobody wanting to join our division?" Kotetsu still looked confused.
Nobu explained patiently, "Adopting this mindset means we'll begin emphasizing strength alongside healing abilities. Imagine if our members could both fight and heal. Wouldn't the other divisions respect us more? If we're respected, wouldn't our own members feel a greater sense of pride and belonging? Wouldn't academy students then be less resistant to joining?"
Kotetsu felt slightly dizzy hearing this reasoning, yet her doubts persisted. "But a person's energy is limited. Expecting them to master Kaidō and improve their combat ability—isn't that asking too much?"
Nobu chuckled lightly. "Kotetsu-fukutaichō, look around our division. How many people genuinely want to deeply study Kaidō? Most are just waiting to transfer out. If we directed them to enhance their combat strength instead, they certainly have enough energy for that."
Healing-type Zanpakutō were rare even within the Fourth Division. Most members wielded Kidō or attack-type blades; expecting them to master Kaidō was unrealistic.
"Isn't that straying from our original purpose?" Kotetsu pressed.
"It wouldn't go that far. After all, the threshold for joining the Fourth Division still remains the same."
"…"
Kotetsu sat in thoughtful silence, absorbing Nobu's words.
Surprisingly, after hearing Nobu's detailed analysis, Kotetsu Isane's favorability towards him increased slightly.
[Favorability: 65]
Whether having come to a realization or something else entirely, Kotetsu suddenly turned to Nobu, her bright eyes determined.
"I understand now, Nobu. Everything you've said is valuable. I'll relay it all to Captain Unohana!"
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