What needed attention was the rather murky liquid in the bottle.
It looked a bit like sake, slightly yellowish.
Even after uncorking it, no smell could be detected.
However, according to the Eleventh Division's testimony, after drinking it and using the restroom, all injuries on the body would disappear.
Of course, overly severe injuries were an exception.
For example: severed limbs, missing organs, and other critical wounds.
But besides that, even a deep sword wound, from the shoulder blade to the lower abdomen, visible to the bone, could be easily dealt with.
This was quite extraordinary.
The Fourth Division, in such cases, often needed to dispatch one or two medical teams, a dozen or so people, working for one or two hours to stabilize the injuries, and then several days of careful recuperation for complete recovery.
Yet, those barbarians from the Eleventh Division could be lively again just by chugging this small bottle, at most a hundred milliliters, and then using the restroom.
Initially, when Isane and Iemura heard this news, they found it hard to believe.
But the facts were before their eyes, leaving no room for disbelief.
Fortunately, Retsu Unohana, with her strong charisma, managed to obtain several samples of the medicine from some squad members for research.
To determine if it was harmful.
As for anything else, they would wait for the analysis results.
After several hours of work, Isane and Iemura were drenched in sweat.
"We can't figure out the ingredients at all."
"90% is water with minerals? How is that possible? What kind of water has such terrifying effects?"
"It's hot spring water."
"?"
The two subconsciously looked at Retsu Unohana.
"Captain? What did you say?"
"It's hot spring water."
Retsu Unohana repeated softly.
But, the two still didn't understand.
It was even more incomprehensible than when they learned it was water.
Hot... spring... water?
During this time, Ōmaeda was thriving.
Counting money until his hands cramped wasn't important.
Because he was already very rich.
Compared to increasing wealth, Ōmaeda hoped to enhance his reputation and expand his influence in the Gotei 13. To put it plainly... it was to make everyone look at him with new eyes, and it would be even better if they could be more deferential.
Ōmaeda felt he was not far from this goal.
After all, he had already preemptively conquered the most difficult "stubborn elements"!
"Heh heh, those bastards from the Eleventh Division initially looked down on my medicine, but now each and every one of them has to force a smile when they see me, just to buy a bit more than others. I thought they were all brainless brutes, but it turns out they can be a bit clever."
"But that's good. If they were truly brutes, I wouldn't dare sell it casually. Only the clever ones know how to keep a secret, making it easier for me to slowly conquer other divisions."
"When the matter has fully fermented and can no longer be hidden, when Grandpa Ōmaeda is forced to step into the spotlight, I wonder how many people's eyes will pop out. Even if the business goes bankrupt and I quit, it will still be the biggest news in years. Isn't fame and popularity just going to come rolling in?"
Just as Ōmaeda was lying on a chair, leisurely basking in the sun and reveling in the joy of becoming a big star of the Seireitei, a cold, clear voice dispelled the warmth brought by the sun and joy.
"—Ōmaeda, can you explain to me what this so-called 'medicine' is all about?"
Ōmaeda was greatly startled, directly tumbling from the lounge chair onto the ground, getting covered in dirt, but he couldn't care less.
"Cap... Captain? Why are you here? No, weren't you at a meeting?!"
"I was at the Captains' regular meeting. If I hadn't gone, I wouldn't have known you were secretly selling illegal drugs."
Suì-Fēng strode over, her face extremely grim.
"What illegal drugs! Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding! That's just a simple laxative. I was kindly sharing my homemade folk remedy. Besides, I wasn't intentionally selling it for money. They forced the money on me to express their gratitude. This isn't a transaction!"
Ōmaeda nearly peed himself in fear. He didn't want to be sent to prison.
"You really are from the Onmitsukidō, aren't you? You've learned your spiritual law well."
Suì-Fēng laughed in anger.
"But your excuse might work on others, it won't work on me."
Seeing Suì-Fēng seemingly about to make a move, Ōmaeda's face changed drastically.
"Wait a moment, Captain Suì-Fēng."
Suddenly, a voice interrupted the conversation.
Retsu Unohana, accompanied by Isane, appeared before Ōmaeda, coming from the same direction Suì-Fēng had.
Despite her gentle nature and beautiful appearance.
And bearing the loving responsibility of healing.
Yet, the first thing Ōmaeda felt when he saw Retsu Unohana was even more terror.
"Ca-Captain Unohana?!"
"Oh, good afternoon, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda. The weather is truly lovely today."
Retsu Unohana's smiling demeanor was comparable to the sun in its approachability, but this smile made Ōmaeda tremble uncontrollably.
His legs, which had intended to flee, began to buckle.
"Such good weather is perfect for a conversation, so I'd like to understand the source of the medicine from you. I hope you won't hesitate to enlighten me."
"…"
Ōmaeda opened his mouth, silently apologizing to Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo in his heart. It wasn't that he wasn't clever enough, but neither a brute nor a clever person would have the guts to lie at this moment.
Before long, he spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube.
"To think it was concocted by two first-year students. This makes things a bit difficult to handle now."
Outside the Second Division barracks, Isane sighed as she walked down the steps.
Some commotion faintly reached her from behind.
Things like, "Captain, I was doing this to improve the Onmitsukidō's reputation."
And, "You used a laxative to improve the Onmitsukidō's reputation, did you? Do you know what a terrible nickname that bastard Kenpachi gave me?"
She pretended not to hear any of it.
"Yes, it's a bit difficult to handle, but in a way, it's also something to be thankful for. At least it's not a serious crime, at most it's... hmm, a prank?"
Retsu Unohana mused.
A prank... really?
Isane heard the screams coming from the Second Division barracks and couldn't help but shiver. This kind of prank was not something an ordinary person could endure.
"Regardless, we must meet those two young people now."
Retsu Unohana looked up; the sunlight, unobstructed by tree shade, was slightly dazzling. She narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing in the direction of the Spirit Arts Academy.
...
Spirit Arts Academy, training ground.
"Hado #63: Raikōhō."
Shimiya Takeru held golden lightning in his hand.
Electric snakes danced around him, converging into a line that surged forward, piercing through the formation of puppet enemies.
These were specially made Shikigami for the Spirit Arts Academy, which would turn into Katashiro upon destruction. As they lacked higher combat capability, they were used for students' practical combat drills.
"Oh oh oh oh!"
Ichigo charged into the enemy formation through the gap.
Hachihara and Rindo Yu were responsible for covering the rear, preventing the enemies from completely surrounding Ichigo.
This way, there would always be an opportunity to retreat unscathed.
But the tactics were perfect, and with their combat power, there was no need to retreat at all.
In no time, they had cleanly annihilated over a thousand puppets.
Under the gaze of other students, who looked upon them as if witnessing a miracle, the four all achieved the best results.
"Shimiya's Kido has improved too quickly. Is Aizen-sensei's guidance really that effective?"
After class, Hachihara said with an envious expression.
"Sensei's guidance is certainly effective, but my progress is still not fast enough."
Shimiya Takeru shook his head slightly.
"After abandoning the incantation, the power is still less than one-third of the original… Kido is indeed difficult to practice. Hakuda and Zanjutsu are more straightforward."
"That's for sure."
Ichigo quipped.
"With your strength, even a Menos Grande would be humbled, and the Sword Arts Instructor looks at you with a complicated expression. The Hakuda Instructor doesn't dare to spar with you seriously."
"I think you don't need any technique at all; just swinging your fist or sword is enough."
Shimiya Takeru wasn't angry at all; instead, he seemed to have gained some insight.
"Hearing you say that, I feel I'm particularly suited for the Iai style—drawing a punch and drawing a sword. The technical content seems quite high."
"?"
Ichigo was slightly stunned.
To be honest, it made a lot of sense.
"Sigh."
Hachihara let out a heavy sigh.
"You two are getting stronger, while Rindo and I are still stagnant."
"The people in the class would cry if they heard you say that."
Shimiya Takeru glanced at her sideways.
"Isn't it true? Rindo and I still don't see any sign of Shikai. If I could master Shikai earlier, I could have given him a good beating that night~"
"That... might not be possible."
Ichigo's cheek twitched slightly.
After all, it was a Menos Grande.
He and Shimiya both had Fourth-class Reiatsu, equivalent to a top-tier Lieutenant, and it was only because their Shikai was quite special that they could defeat the opponent.
Rindo Yu also nodded, typing to indicate that being able to help was already his limit.
"Besides, you're not interested in Zanjutsu anyway. Even if you could achieve Shikai, you wouldn't be able to utilize your Zanpakuto's advantages."
"This… what if my Shikai is a Hakuda type?!"
Hachihara retorted, unconvinced.
"Is there such a type of Zanpakuto?"
Ichigo was momentarily stunned, subconsciously looking at Shimiya Takeru and Rindo Yu.
He was genuinely unsure, but in Hachihara's eyes, this was outright mockery.
"Hard to say."