Chapter 100: Mutual Benefit
The three dining together in the twilight-filled private room created an especially peaceful and warm scene.
Both women soon set down their chopsticks one after another.
Suoh remained focused on the food before him, his eating pace showing no hesitation whatsoever despite their pause.
With efficient and steady rhythm, he continued delivering rice and dishes methodically into his mouth.
Unohana Retsu didn't rush him, simply watching quietly.
"Tsukasa's eating habits are wonderful. He really seems to enjoy his food."
Kotetsu Isane tidied the trays before herself and Unohana Retsu, gathering them gently before settling beside the captain. She spoke in a soft voice.
Her words carried barely loud enough for the two of them to hear, careful not to disturb Suoh's meal.
Having eaten in the Fourth Division cafeteria for decades, today watching Suoh's focused manner beside her made even her bland rice porridge taste exceptionally sweet.
"His consumption today wasn't small. He should replenish properly."
Unohana Retsu responded with a gentle smile, her voice equally low.
Immediately after, she turned and gave a warm instruction.
"Isane, go prepare some tea."
"Yes, Captain."
Kotetsu Isane acknowledged softly, taking up the trays and rising quietly, her movements gentle as she departed the private room.
Moments later, Suoh finally swallowed his last bite, setting down his chopsticks with satisfaction.
Kotetsu Isane returned at precisely that moment, carrying a tea set.
Suoh raised his head, meeting both their gazes openly, smiling.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I ate a bit too much."
"No matter."
Unohana Retsu shook her head gently, indicating he needn't mind.
"Please, have some tea."
Kotetsu Isane had already placed a freshly brewed cup of hot tea gently before him, speaking softly.
"Thank you."
Suoh accepted the teacup with both hands, blowing lightly on the surface before taking a shallow sip.
The tea's fragrance penetrated his heart, intertwining with the satisfaction of a full meal.
Unohana Retsu also lifted her own cup, watching the wisps of steam rising from within, her tone peaceful.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Suoh."
"You're too kind, Captain Unohana."
"I should be thanking the Fourth Division for the treatment, and your careful instruction today."
"Without your personal guidance, I would have struggled to grasp the essence of Kaidō."
Suoh set down his teacup, his expression sincere.
"I merely helped you avoid some detours. After all—"
Unohana Retsu's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile at his words.
"Encountering a young person with such natural talent for Kaidō is something worth celebrating for me as well."
She paused, her tone carrying deeper meaning.
The private room fell into brief silence, only the tea's fragrance drifting slowly between the three.
Kotetsu Isane sat quietly to the side. Seeing this, she spoke up.
"Tsukasa, Kiyone mentioned that besides seeking treatment at the Fourth Division, you also wanted to learn about medicinal herbs?"
"My own knowledge in this area remains quite shallow. Since the captain is here, if you have questions, why not ask her directly?"
"Would that be acceptable, Captain?"
She looked toward Suoh before her, her gaze carrying encouragement.
"Oh? I didn't realize you had knowledge of herbs as well?"
Unohana Retsu turned slightly, regarding Suoh with a gaze now holding additional scrutiny and interest.
"I wouldn't dare claim knowledge. I merely learned a few basics from elders at home in the past."
Suoh also raised his head to meet her gaze, nodding in acknowledgment.
The medicinal pills he'd concocted relied on limited herbal knowledge from before his transmigration. For his current development stage, their effectiveness had begun falling behind.
This visit to the Fourth Division served dual purposes beyond purchasing higher quality ingredients—he genuinely sought to improve his formula.
He reached into his clothes, retrieving a plain white porcelain bottle.
Leaning forward slightly, he placed it gently on the table surface, sliding it toward Unohana Retsu's position.
"The formula I currently use takes Solomon's seal, ginseng, and angelica root as primary ingredients, supplemented with red dates and honey for balance."
"The intent is strengthening the foundation and cultivating essence, gently nourishing the spiritual body to offset training consumption."
Unohana Retsu extended her hand, taking up the porcelain bottle. She removed the wooden stopper and poured out a single black pill into her palm.
Bringing it close to her nose, she sniffed lightly at the fresh medicinal fragrance before swallowing it.
A moment passed.
"Solomon's seal replenishes spiritual energy, ginseng restores essence, angelica root promotes circulation, supplemented with red dates and honey to harmonize the properties and reduce drying heat."
"Clear logic, balanced formulation. As a nourishing medicine, quite excellent."
"Though the ginseng ratio is slightly lacking."
Unohana Retsu sensed the pill's effects within her body, slowly articulating its properties, her tone remaining steady as always.
"You're too kind."
Suoh acknowledged this readily.
He'd wanted to add more ginseng, but Rukongai's conditions didn't allow it. Sustaining his supply until now had already proven remarkably difficult.
If he hadn't reduced the dosage, his ingredients would have run out long ago.
"Not at all. It's an excellent formula."
"The basic framework has no issues. What limits its efficacy is more the quality of the ingredients themselves."
"My suggestion would be adding purple reishi mushroom to promote the medicine's circulation throughout the body while calming the mind and spirit."
"Especially suitable for consumption after high-intensity training."
Unohana Retsu smiled warmly at Suoh, explaining meticulously.
She truly deserved her reputation as the Gotei 13's medicine expert, immediately providing an improvement plan.
"Thank you, Captain Unohana. Also, there's another matter I'm embarrassed to mention."
"I cannot purchase these medicinal ingredients anywhere else in Seireitei. I wonder if the Fourth Division might sell me some?"
Suoh thanked her sincerely, his face showing slight awkwardness.
At these words, Unohana Retsu's smile remained gentle, but she shook her head lightly in refusal.
"I wouldn't mind giving you some ingredients."
"However, I must be honest—the Fourth Division's medicinal supplies are also quite scarce currently."
"The Fourth Division's reserves, especially high-quality ingredients, are extremely limited. The division's rescue duties are heavy, daily consumption is enormous. We cannot provide long-term external supply."
"I see—"
Suoh's expression showed slight disappointment, though he understood.
As the medical division, the Fourth Division's resources naturally prioritized maintaining internal operations.
"However—"
Yet.
Seeing Suoh's disappointed expression, Unohana Retsu drew out the word, creating brief suspense.
She didn't close the matter completely. Her calm eyes regarded Suoh, as though she had other calculations in mind.
This answer wasn't deliberate bureaucratic deflection.
She spent many of her own holidays personally traveling to deep mountains in Rukongai, seeking wild rare medicinal herbs.
Then she leaned forward, elbows resting on the table surface, fingertips lightly interlaced beneath her chin, her eyes brightening with a smile.
"If you're willing to pay through other means, perhaps we can reach a long-term arrangement beneficial to both parties."
"The Fourth Division perpetually lacks personnel, especially those like you who've already mastered advanced Kaidō techniques."
"I witnessed your performance today. Excellent work."
"My proposal is this: you could regularly visit the Fourth Division to assist treating critically wounded patients that ordinary squad members struggle to handle."
"As compensation, you may access the Fourth Division's medicinal stores, drawing ingredients in proportion to your labor and needs."
She lowered her hands, her posture returning to dignified composure, extending the invitation with complete sincerity.
"What do you think of this proposal, Suoh-san?"
"Absolutely!"
Without any hesitation, Suoh nodded in acceptance.
This arrangement not only solved his ingredient shortage, but also provided a stable platform for improving his Kaidō proficiency through practice. Undoubtedly an extremely attractive option.
It simply meant adding part-time work. That meant nothing to him.
Being busy was good. Being busy was wonderful!
"Agreed!"
Unohana Retsu smiled with satisfaction. This transaction represented a complete win-win for both parties.
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