"Thee, stop right there!" – shouted the Shinigami on patrol as his eyes landed on Ren, who was only a few meters away. – "I haven't seen your face around this area before. Who are you, and from which Division?"
"My apologies for the disturbance. I'm from the 4th Division, but I've never left the barracks before, so I got lost and don't know the way back now." – Ren smiled awkwardly, rubbing his hands together nervously, intending to trick the fool standing in front of him into giving directions, since this cursed place was far too vast for him to figure out where he was.
"I see, so you're from the 4th Division." – Upon hearing that, the man's stern face softened into a light smile. – "It's rare to see someone from the 4th Division outside, so it's no surprise you lost your way in this vast place."
The 4th Division specialized in healing and also served as the main hospital of Seireitei. Everyone came there for treatment, and no one was foolish enough to antagonize those who healed them, especially lower-ranked Shinigami who were often injured during missions.
"To get to the 4th Division barracks, just walk straight down this path." – the Shinigami said warmly, pointing him in the right direction.
"Thank you very much, you've been a great help." – Ren smiled gratefully, as though looking at a savior, before quickly heading toward the 4th Division barracks.
'Finally… I found the right way,' Ren sighed inwardly with relief as he followed the given directions, beginning to feel a sense of ease after wandering aimlessly for over an hour.
As he walked, he spotted the large gates of the 4th Division from a distance. The place bustled with activity: nurses and assistants moving in and out, arranging files, and transporting the wounded.
"At last…" – he muttered under his breath as he approached closer.
When he reached the gate, one of the assistants greeted him with a curious look.
"Do you need something? I haven't seen you before." – the young Shinigami said, narrowing his eyes at Ren.
"I was lost, but a patrol officer guided me here… My name is Ren. I was recently assigned, and this is the first time I've left my room." – he answered with a slight bow, his tone shy, exactly as he had practiced.
"Oh, I see. Well then… Come, help me carry these documents, and I'll show you to the recruits' quarters after." – the assistant replied with a small smile, motioning him to enter.
Since the 4th Division rarely fought and focused mainly on healing, their numbers were the smallest among all Divisions. Most Shinigami preferred combat against Hollows or sought noble assignments with better pay than that of healers. This made the assistant especially happy to see a new recruit in the 4th Division—especially one from whom he sensed relatively strong reiatsu, hinting at good potential.
Ren stepped forward, picking up a bundle of thick files that had been stacked haphazardly on a table, and followed the assistant down a long corridor filled with the scent of herbs and medicine.
"By the way, my name is Kaito. I'm in charge of training new recruits, so if you need anything, don't hesitate." – Kaito said as they walked toward a section of the barracks that was clearly more elegant and refined than the rest.
"By the way, where are we taking these documents, Kaito-senpai?" – Ren asked politely with a modest smile, playing the role of the meek lamb to infiltrate without trouble.
"We're delivering them to Unohana Taichō's office." – Kaito answered with a gentle smile, clearly unbothered by a curious recruit. – "Also, be cautious when coming and going. It seems some Ryoka have entered Soul Society and even tried to break into Seireitei, though Ichimaru Taichō stopped them."
"I see. I'll be careful not to wander out again." – Ren said in a soft, feigned tone of worry, nodding slowly as if the news had shaken him.
Inside, however, he hid a faint smile.
'If Ichigo has started moving, then chaos is about to begin… and that could play perfectly into my hands.' – he thought as he followed Kaito quietly.
They reached the end of the corridor, standing before a polished wooden double door bearing a simple yet elegant carving symbolizing the 4th Division.
Kaito paused, then knocked three times lightly.
"Enter." – a soft yet commanding voice came from inside.
Kaito opened the door gently, then gestured for Ren to go in first.
"Follow me… and don't be nervous." – he added with a sideways smile as he stepped in behind him.
Ren entered the room and instantly felt the weight of the atmosphere.
The room was immaculately arranged, carrying the faint fragrance of calming herbs. Large windows on the back wall opened to a serene garden.
At the center sat a woman with long hair styled in neat front braids, her gentle eyes lowered as she skimmed through some papers on a low desk before her.
Unohana Retsu—the serene and dignified captain of the 4th Division. Her tenderness embodied a terrifying contradiction, for those who knew of her past… the first killer in Shinigami history, the White Angel of Merciful Death.
She slowly raised her head as Ren entered, her calm gaze piercing through him as though it could strip away flesh and reach his very soul.
"I've brought the requested files, Taichō… and with me is the new recruit who was assigned this week, named Ren." – Kaito said with a respectful bow.
Unohana did not reply immediately. Instead, she studied Ren in silence for a few seconds before closing the file she had been reading and setting it aside gently.
"I see. Place the files on the desk over there and leave." – she said to Kaito, her eyes briefly fixing on him before returning to Ren. – "As for you, new recruit, stay. I want to speak with you for a while."
"As you command, Taichō." – Kaito bowed deeply, set the files where instructed, and respectfully left the room.
"…" – Unohana stared at Ren without blinking, and Ren mirrored her gaze, though his blindfold hid the crystalline blue of his eyes.
"You're not a new recruit, are you?" – Unohana asked calmly, her eyes locked on him. – "I personally select all new recruits, and I don't recall you among them. So, who are you?"
Though phrased as a question, her tone carried the weight of a declaration.
"Looks like Nee-san forgot to mention something this important to me." – Ren muttered in mild annoyance as he set down the files on the same desk where Kaito had placed his earlier.
"The truth is… I'm one of the Ryoka. I infiltrated here to scout the situation before my comrades arrive, since we know nothing about Seireitei in order to carry out our mission." – Ren spoke casually, feeling no real concern despite the strong reiatsu he sensed from Unohana. Even with his Six Eyes, he could not detect any killing intent or malice from her. Besides, she was a healer—no matter how vast her reiatsu, she stood no chance against him, especially now that he had unlocked his Bankai.
"Ryoka… I've heard reports of some infiltrating Soul Society, though none mentioned anyone fitting your description." – Unohana raised a brow in slight puzzlement, yet showed no alarm at facing someone with unknown intentions. – "So, will you tell me your purpose in invading Soul Society?"
"Of course there's no information on me. I slipped past the barrier around Seireitei the moment I arrived, and no one noticed." – Ren shrugged with a faint smile, having already decided to knock Unohana unconscious and confine her somewhere to avoid being reported. – "As for our goal? Naturally, it's to rescue Kuchiki Rukia. I owe her for saving my family, and I cannot allow her to be executed for that reason."
"I see… Though you didn't mention it, I can tell that's not the whole truth." – Unohana rose to her feet, a strange, chilling smile spreading across her face, sending a shiver crawling down Ren's spine. – "You desire battle—I can feel it. You're someone like me… one who loves fighting and destruction."
...
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