"Captain, do you have a moment?"
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
In the Captain's office of the Fourth Division.
"Come in," Retsu Unohana's gentle voice drifted from within.
Kotetsu Isane pushed the door open and stepped aside, signaling for Suō Tsukasa to enter first. The room was filled with a faint, elegant fragrance. Unohana was kneeling by a tea table near the window, lifting a pot to pour tea, the water flowing softly into the cups.
The afternoon light filtered through the paper windows, spreading softly across the tatami and lending the interior a sense of tranquil detachment. Dressed in her Captain's haori, with her thick black braid resting submissively against her chest, Unohana's posture was refined and elegant, like a Yamato Nadeshiko stepping out of an ancient painting.
As the sunlight cast peaceful shadows across her, she looked up and saw the visitors. A customary, gentle smile appeared on her face.
"It's Tsukasa. Please, come in. Isane, come and sit as well."
Unohana's gaze settled on Suō Tsukasa, her smile soft and gracious. Deep within those smiling eyes, there always seemed to be an ability to see through everything.
"Captain Unohana, good afternoon," Suō Tsukasa entered the room and bowed respectfully.
"No need for such formality. What brings you here today?" Unohana raised a hand in a composed gesture.
Tsukasa stepped forward and took a seat at the tea table, with Isane following suit on the opposite side.
"The medicinal herbs I planted a while back have yielded a harvest. I've brought them for you to see."
He then placed all the herb bundles from his robes onto the table, stating his purpose directly.
"How thoughtful of you."
Unohana nodded slightly, a flicker of interest crossing her eyes. Her fingers gently untied the strings, revealing several types of meticulously processed, full-bodied medicinal ingredients.
"Captain, although the growing period wasn't very long, I've examined them. The quality is not inferior to the output of the squad's direct medicinal gardens," Isane added from the side, clearly speaking up in Tsukasa's favor. "Tsukasa has truly put his heart into this."
"It is more than just putting in heart. To be able to cultivate medicinal materials of this quality in such a short time, a great deal of effort must have been expended. Tsukasa, I see the painstaking care you have put into this," Unohana said after a brief inspection. She placed the herbs back down and looked at Isane and Tsukasa with an understanding smile. Her tone was peaceful, and her gaze toward Tsukasa held both encouragement and affirmation.
Tsukasa smiled and took a written list from his robes, handing it over frankly.
"You flatter me, Captain. This batch of seeds grew well, though I have already used a portion of the herbs to refine finished medicines for the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions. The raw materials I can provide to the Fourth Division amount to about sixty percent. This is the detailed quantity list."
When he had originally obtained the seeds from the Fourth Division, no explicit agreement had been made. However, out of friendship, he felt it necessary to account for their use.
"It matters not," Unohana took the list, her eyes brightening slightly as her gaze fell upon it. She waved a hand with a smile. "The seeds were earned through your own hard work; how you choose to allocate and use the herbs is naturally your decision. Moreover, this is a pleasant surprise for the Fourth Division. It is already quite rare and commendable that you thought to help replenish our medicinal stores."
She placed the list by the table, her fingertip tapping it lightly. Then, her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Tsukasa, how much do you know about the Shin'ō Pharmaceutical Institute?"
"It is a medical unit directly under the nobility, backed by the Tsunayashiro family. I understand the sensitivity involved; my original intention was merely to accumulate resources for my own cultivation. It's just that as I kept doing it, I didn't hold back, and things got a bit out of hand," Tsukasa replied honestly, scratching his head.
This information was no secret in the Seireitei; one only had to pay a little attention to find out. From the moment he decided to plant herbs on a large scale in secret and extend his influence to the Tenth Division, he knew that his existence and actions were, in themselves, a potential challenge to the established order. After integrating into the Seireitei, Tsukasa had gained a clearer understanding of the rules governing this place. Consequently, some of his ideas and plans had died in the womb before they could even begin. There was simply no field where he would be given the opportunity to spread his wings freely.
Unohana took a shallow sip of tea and set the cup down. The vessel met the wooden tabletop with a pleasant sound. Her tone remained composed.
"Then the conversation becomes simpler. Possessing a source of high-quality drugs independent of the existing system is, in itself, an 'untimely' matter within the Seireitei. However, you need not worry too much about this; the Fourth Division can provide cover and endorsement for you."
"The Fourth Division can pay you a certain amount privately for the medicinal materials you provide. As for the pills you refine, if anyone asks, we can publicly declare that they were produced within the Fourth Division. Isane, go and arrange a secluded medicinal room later. Hang Tsukasa's nameplate on it; you will handle the procedures and the layout personally." She looked at Isane, whose expression was somewhat tense, and gave her instructions.
"Yes, Captain," Isane immediately complied, her expression solemn. Now that things had been spoken of so openly, she understood the weight of the matter. This was intended to formally incorporate Tsukasa's activities under the jurisdiction and protection of the Fourth Division.
"As for the Shin'ō Pharmaceutical Institute... as long as you do not actively expand the scope of your drug supply further, there will be no problem. After all, each division enjoys a great degree of autonomous authority." Unohana explicitly expressed the Fourth Division's support, while also drawing a relatively safe boundary for Tsukasa's actions.
"I am grateful for your kindness, Captain. I will keep it in mind," Tsukasa understood the implication and nodded in acknowledgment.
While money was useful, its utility was limited in the Seireitei, serving only to acquire certain commodities circulating on the market. Normally, Tsukasa used it for daily personal expenses and the maintenance and expansion of his base. He had no intention of being overly flamboyant or high-profile. If he truly drew too much attention, he would have to consider the possibility of being summoned by Central 46.
His hand had already reached into the domain controlled by the nobility, and common logic simply did not apply in front of them. As the backers of many seats in Central 46, it would be quite easy for the Tsunayashiro family to suppress a mere Third Seat. These were all foreseeable outcomes, which was also why he had proactively exposed some of his secrets. His experience and seniority could not compare to those of the Captains; getting advice on how to proceed was far more beneficial for him to avoid risks and formulate plans.
Unohana smiled faintly and lifted the teapot again, refilling the three cups with warm tea.
"What you are doing is a good thing for the Seireitei as a whole. What I am doing is merely making it all look a bit more in line with the rules to avoid unnecessary trouble. As the Captain of the Fourth Division, it is my responsibility to ensure that valuable medical resources benefit more people who need them. I am simply fulfilling my duty."
Unohana set the teapot down, her gaze resting on Tsukasa's face. Her smile now held a touch of a warning from an elder. She could see the hidden ambitions and desires in his heart. Since he had proactively brought the problem before her and sought her opinion, she was not stingy with her guidance and help.
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