The current Third Seat of the Fourth Division was Shingyōji Sen, who also served as the head of the First Advanced Relief Team.
Shingyōji was a long-time member, having joined even earlier than Kotetsu Isane. Nobu had met him briefly before—a rather serious individual by nature, wielding a healing-type Zanpakutō as well.
At Unohana's instruction, news of Nobu's challenge for the Third Seat quickly spread throughout the division.
Most of the Fourth Division already knew who Tachikawa Nobu was—not just because of his remarkable achievement in defeating a Menos Grande, but also due to his notable presence during Shin'ō Academy's cultural festival.
Seat-challenges like this were exceedingly rare in the Fourth Division, quickly becoming a popular topic of discussion.
Iemura Yasochika soon approached Nobu directly about it.
"Nobu-kun, you're being far too impulsive!"
He was both confused and disappointed in Nobu's actions. "With your talent and Zanpakutō's abilities, your future is already bright. Why rush into this? Shingyōji-senpai's mastery of Kaidō is second only to the Captain herself!"
From Iemura's perspective, Nobu's move was simply reckless. While Nobu could already defeat a Menos—a feat on par with senior seated officers—combat prowess held little weight in Fourth Division promotions.
In fact, among the three evaluation categories—Emergency Aid, Pharmacology, and Kaidō—Nobu's only clear advantage lay in Emergency Aid, thanks to his Zanpakutō's unique power.
After all, someone fresh from the Academy would have only the most basic grasp of Kaidō and rudimentary pharmacological knowledge.
Nobu merely smiled in response. "Are you worried I might lose, Iemura-senpai?"
Iemura sighed helplessly. "Do you realize the consequences? Ten years might not seem like much, but someone as gifted as you, stuck without promotion for that long… It could extinguish your enthusiasm."
After a pause, he suggested, "If you approach Captain Unohana now and withdraw, I can plead for you. Kotetsu-fukutaichō would support you as well. The Captain would understand you acted impulsively. As for others' opinions, they'll soon forget."
"I appreciate your concern, Iemura-senpai. But I still feel like giving it a shot."
Nobu didn't mention it was Unohana's own suggestion. He simply offered genuine gratitude.
"You…" Iemura grew frustrated, though he knew he had no right to force Nobu to reconsider.
Seat competitions inevitably stirred division tension. The Fourth Division had always maintained harmonious relationships, and Shingyōji was widely respected. Nobu's decision risked disturbing this careful balance.
Yet it was Nobu's choice, and seeing he couldn't change his mind, Iemura reluctantly left.
Not everyone was pessimistic, however. Many graduates from Nobu's Academy class cheered him on eagerly.
But Aoshika expressed worry. "Nobu, are you truly confident? Shingyōji-san is a senior officer with years of experience. Relying on what we learned in the Academy alone…"
"We'll find out by trying," Nobu simply replied.
Aoshika sighed, having hoped Nobu would rise rapidly in the Fourth Division and perhaps support him too. But if Nobu failed now, his progress would stall for a decade.
...
Two days later.
Kotetsu Isane summoned Nobu to her office.
Besides Isane, there was a young man present. Nobu had never seen him before, and his attire was unusual—beneath his white outer robe embroidered with gold was a standard Shinigami uniform. Clearly, he was someone of noble standing.
Kotetsu spoke first: "Nobu-kun, this is Yamada Seinosuke-senpai, former Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, currently the head of the Shin'ō Pharmaceutical Institute."
Yamada Seinosuke…
The name felt vaguely familiar, though Nobu couldn't place it immediately. He did recall Yamada Hanatarō from the original story.
The Shin'ō Pharmaceutical Institute, however, he recognized clearly. It was a medical institution exclusively serving Soul Society's nobility, effectively making them subordinates of the Four Great Noble Families.
"Greetings, Yamada-sama," Nobu politely greeted him.
Kotetsu turned back to Yamada: "Yamada-senpai, this is the Tachikawa Nobu I told you about."
Yamada gave Nobu a cold, assessing look. "Are all graduates nowadays so bold? Challenging the Third Seat straight out of the Academy."
His tone carried evident sarcasm, causing Nobu to raise an eyebrow slightly.
Kotetsu smiled awkwardly but still defended Nobu. "Nobu-kun is usually quite level-headed… This was actually Captain Unohana's suggestion."
Yamada's brows knitted slightly.
As the former Vice-Captain, Unohana Retsu was someone he deeply respected.
Does Captain Unohana really value this kid that highly?
No longer serving in the Fourth Division, Yamada hadn't heard much about Nobu other than Isane describing him as promising.
Nobu was still unsure why Kotetsu had summoned him.
"Well, if this was Captain Unohana's decision, she clearly expects a lot from you," Yamada continued. "Shingyōji's expertise in Kaidō surpasses even mine. Your best hope is focusing on Emergency Aid and Pharmacology. Kotetsu-fukutaichō has already informed me about your Zanpakutō's special ability; that's your greatest advantage."
Only then did Nobu realize—Kotetsu Isane had brought in outside help.
He hadn't anticipated this. Though he and Kotetsu-fukutaichō had grown closer, she'd known Shingyōji far longer. Yet here she was, quietly supporting him instead.
Kotetsu added gently, "Yamada-senpai was once head of the Pharmacology Unit. Many of the Fourth Division's current medicines and medical devices were developed under his guidance. He also co-authored the Kaidō and Pharmacology textbooks used at Shin'ō Academy. Even my pharmacology knowledge comes from him."
Nobu's respect immediately deepened. Clearly, this man was an expert among experts.
From his robe, Yamada produced a thick notebook. "This is my personal research journal. If you can comprehend this, you may still have a chance—though frankly, I doubt a recent graduate like yourself can understand half of it."
Nobu took the journal respectfully with both hands and briefly flipped through. Dense text filled the pages, the information complex and difficult to grasp.
Fortunately, Kotetsu's private lessons back at the Academy kept the contents from looking completely alien.
"Thank you very much, Yamada-sama," Nobu said sincerely.
"No need for thanks," Yamada replied coolly. "I'm only doing this out of respect for Captain Unohana and Kotetsu-fukutaichō. I don't actually believe you'll win, but perhaps losing will teach you humility."
He turned back toward Kotetsu. "If that's all, I'll be on my way. I plan to visit Hanatarō while I'm here."
"Thank you again, senpai," Kotetsu said gratefully.
Before leaving, Yamada glanced back at Nobu: "Return my notes once you've finished."
After Yamada departed, Kotetsu gave Nobu a gentle smile. "Yamada-senpai's actually a very kind person, though his words might seem harsh at times."
Nobu was still contemplating Yamada's mention of "Hanatarō."
Suddenly it clicked.
Yamada Seinosuke was Hanatarō's older brother. That wasn't especially significant—but Nobu recalled clearly that, after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc in the original story, this man had invented something truly remarkable:
Ubuginu Hikone…!
"Nobu-kun?"
Nobu smiled quickly. "I was just thinking that the name 'Hanatarō' sounded familiar."
Kotetsu explained patiently, "Yamada Hanatarō is Yamada-senpai's younger brother, just one class above yours. He's in the General Diagnostic Unit—you've probably met him already."
Nobu nodded appreciatively. "Thanks again for everything, Kotetsu-fukutaichō."
Kotetsu sighed softly. "No need. I'm not deliberately playing favorites here, it's just…"
She hesitated, an uneasy look crossing her face before finally smiling gently again. "Well, never mind. Just do your best from here on."
Nobu could guess the thought she'd left unsaid.
She's probably just trying to ensure I don't lose too embarrassingly.
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