Chapter 96: Solution
Suoh's reaction fell within Kotetsu Isane's expectations.
In Kotetsu Isane's perception.
She'd never sensed such a peculiar state. Though her spiritual power class exceeded Suoh's by one level.
Yet the total spiritual pressure contained in his Saketsu and Hakusui couldn't be ignored—far surpassing a 3rd Seat's standard.
Even more alarming were the meridians within his body—broad and resilient beyond reason.
His physical quality level exceeded hers by more than a little.
She gazed at that unwillingness in Suoh's eyes.
Suddenly.
She realized how much Suoh had invested in training, and understood training's weight in his heart.
Even if she provided a solution, how much would he actually follow?
Recalling her sister's request, Kotetsu Isane sighed slowly.
"Wait a moment. I'll ask Captain Unohana to come examine you."
Suoh's condition was somewhat peculiar. After her preliminary assessment just now, what she'd proposed was the most conservative treatment plan.
"Thank you."
Suoh drew his top together, his gaze carrying expectation difficult to conceal.
He could understand the plan Kotetsu Isane offered as a medical practitioner. Reason told him to follow medical advice, yet his heart brimmed with intense resistance.
Hearing Unohana Retsu's name from her mouth, hope rekindled within him.
Unohana Retsu, Fourth Division Captain, thousand-year-old Shinigami.
Moreover, throughout all of Soul Society, aside from Squad Zero's Kirinji Tenjiro, she possessed the most profound Kaido mastery.
Such a figure might provide a solution more fitting to his current situation than suspending training.
Seeing the light reignite in his eyes, Kotetsu Isane's tense shoulder line relaxed slightly. She turned and left the examination room.
Fourth Division Captain's office.
The door slid open.
Unohana Retsu, wearing her captain's haori, sat inside reviewing medical case files.
"Isane, what is it?"
Hearing the door slide lightly, she elegantly raised her head. Seeing Kotetsu Isane standing at the entrance with a hesitant expression, she spoke gently.
Kotetsu Isane stepped forward twice, bowing respectfully.
"Captain Unohana, there's a patient I'd like you to personally examine."
Her words paused as she deliberated over her phrasing.
"The situation is rather unusual. I'm somewhat uncertain."
"Don't rush. Speak slowly."
Kotetsu Isane then provided detailed descriptions of Suoh's meridian condition and spiritual pressure point damage.
"Interesting. Take me to see."
After listening, Unohana Retsu smiled slightly, her eyes carrying a trace of understanding.
She said nothing more, rising to indicate Isane should follow.
Suoh waited on the examination bed for less than half an incense stick when he heard gentle footsteps from the corridor.
When he raised his head, an intellectually graceful woman with gentle bearing, her front hair braided, had already entered gracefully.
Behind her followed Kotetsu Isane with a respectful expression.
Unohana Retsu's gaze lightly swept across Suoh, as if with one glance she could perceive all secrets within his body.
"Thirteenth Division 3rd Seat Suoh Tsukasa. I've met Captain Unohana."
When Unohana Retsu entered the examination room, Suoh had already risen from the bed, bowing in greeting.
"No need for excessive courtesy. Sit."
"Isane has already informed me of your situation."
"Let me take a look."
She walked closer slowly, indicating Suoh should sit again.
She herself settled into the chair beside him, her haori's hem lightly brushing the seat.
She didn't require Suoh to remove his clothing. Her right hand directly pressed against Suoh's chest.
Spiritual pressure seeped into his body like spring rain.
Her examination proved more acute. Besides capturing the spiritual pressure points' overwork damage, she also detected a trace of warmth hidden beneath the injuries, constantly attempting repair.
"I see."
"Young man, you walk quite a unique path."
Physical qualities exceeding normal standards, pushing bodily potential to extremes, utilizing recovery ability for rapid restoration.
Trading injury for breakthrough, using recovery to promote growth—this nearly brutal training method was far too familiar to her.
The treatment method actually wasn't difficult. A treatment plan quickly formed in her mind.
Unohana Retsu withdrew her hand, turning to instruct.
"Isane, have Hanataro bring his Zanpakuto. For this type of injury, he's most suitable to handle it."
"Yes."
Kotetsu Isane immediately comprehended her intent, joyfully accepting orders.
The Fourth Division had too many people. Yamada Hanataro's entire presence was too faint.
Without the captain's reminder, she'd even forgotten the division possessed such a unique Zanpakuto.
Before long.
Kotetsu Isane returned to the room with Yamada Hanataro cradling his Zanpakuto.
His slight frame appeared especially small beside Isane. He hurried forward, bowing to Unohana Retsu.
"Captain Unohana, I've arrived."
"Isane should have already explained the specific situation to you."
"Hanataro, next you'll need to use your Zanpakuto. Point the blade tip at Suoh 3rd Seat's Saketsu and Hakusui, absorbing the accumulated damage in his spiritual pressure points."
Unohana Retsu nodded gently, gesturing toward Suoh beside them.
Then she explained to him.
"Don't worry. This is the quickest treatment method. Trust us."
"Of course."
"Hanataro-san, I'm in your hands."
Without any hesitation, Suoh nodded in agreement.
After Unohana Retsu mentioned Yamada Hanataro's name, Suoh naturally recalled his Zanpakuto's unique healing ability.
Hisagomaru's ability belonged to the healing type—it could absorb injuries through the blade tip, converting them to attacks for release. Very unique.
The treatment method sounded somewhat strange, but it precisely targeted the problem.
The examination room fell momentarily silent, only awaiting this special treatment's beginning.
Yamada Hanataro slowly approached before Suoh. After taking a deep breath, he drew his blade from its sheath.
Both hands steadily held the Zanpakuto, carefully pointing the blade tip toward Suoh's chest.
"Here I go."
"Please!"
Suoh cooperatively opened his top, facilitating the treatment.
When Hisagomaru's blade tip touched his skin, Suoh felt no stabbing pain—only slight coolness, followed by gentle suction transmitting from the blade tip.
He could clearly feel his body's changes. The burden seemed drawn away like silk threads unwinding from a cocoon.
Even more obvious was the change in Yamada Hanataro's Zanpakuto.
A blank energy bar manifested on the blade body. Eye-catching red luster slowly climbed along the groove, recording the healing process.
After treating the Saketsu, his blade tip slid downward toward the Hakusui.
Moments later.
When the blade tip left Suoh's body, the blade's energy bar had completely filled.
Suoh, having received treatment, felt his body lighten.
While Yamada Hanataro gripped the energy-filled Zanpakuto in his hands, asking somewhat nervously toward Unohana Retsu beside him.
"Uh, Captain, how should I handle this energy?"
After absorbing injuries, he needed to use the release command to discharge this energy. Where to release it became a crucially important question.
Unohana Retsu replied with a composed smile, speaking easily.
"Just release it directly. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes!"
"Fulfill, Hisagomaru!"
At the release command, the long sword in Yamada Hanataro's hand transformed into a small scalpel. Red radiance suddenly condensed at the blade tip, forming a pulsing energy orb.
Just then, a fair wrist gracefully extended before the scalpel.
Unohana Retsu casually grasped it. That restless red light flickered gently in her palm, then dissipated without trace like morning dew.
Yamada Hanataro put away his Zanpakuto with relief, his gaze toward Unohana Retsu filled with reverence.
Suoh also took in this scene, gaining slight understanding in his heart.