The Fourth Division barracks were divided into a front yard and a back yard. The front yard, shaped like a courtyard, had its main treatment hall directly across from the gate. Patients brought in through the entrance were carried straight into the hall for immediate care.
On both sides of the gate were duty rooms, each staffed by Fourth Division members who monitored arrivals. These duty rooms also doubled as waiting areas, especially when casualties overwhelmed the healers. Lightly wounded patients often stayed there, awaiting treatment.
Kurotsuki Renya rushed into the waiting room and quickly spotted Renji Abarai, Momo Hinamori, and Izuru Kira sitting together in the corner.
Renji's left shoulder bore a long, shocking wound, hastily bandaged but still raw. Kira had a scar across his cheek, and Momo's ankle was injured; she sat with her leg stretched out, her expression clouded with gloom.
Renya hurried over and asked softly, "Are you all alright?"
"Renya? What are you doing here?" Renji blinked, surprised.
"I heard from the patrol that Academy students were gravely injured in an attack," Renya explained. "I was worried, so I came to see you."
Renji sighed. "We're alive… but…"
Kira gave a bitter smile. "Many of our classmates weren't so lucky."
"Let me treat you first, Renji."
Renya knelt beside him, placing his hands over the wound. His palms glowed faintly as he channeled Kaido, slowly knitting the torn flesh.
Renji's eyes widened. "You know Kaido?"
"Only a little," Renya admitted. "I've managed to learn some basics—enough to handle flesh wounds."
Normally, Kaido was taught in the fifth year. Gifted students could then enter advanced medical training, strengthening their Kaido and later joining the Fourth Division upon graduation. Renya's healing was weak, required both hands, and was slow—but with so many wounded, even this helped.
As he worked, Renya asked, "Renji, what exactly happened out there?"
Renji's voice grew grim. He described how they had followed Hisagi Shūhei and Kanisawa Tōji to the Human World for Konsō training. But they were ambushed by massive Hollows. Tōji was killed, and Aoga perished seeking revenge.
To let the others escape, Hisagi charged forward, fighting recklessly. Renji, Kira, and Momo had joined him, helping resist the Hollows' assault. But the numbers were overwhelming.
Those who fled toward the Senkaimon were intercepted by Hollows and slaughtered. Fewer than ten escaped with light wounds. Nearly thirty were critically injured.
Renji sighed again. "If Captain Aizen and Lieutenant Ichimaru hadn't arrived when they did, we'd all be dead."
Momo nodded earnestly. "We really owe Captain Aizen our lives."
Hearing their gratitude toward Aizen made Renya's chest tighten with rage. They didn't know—the Hollows had been orchestrated by Aizen himself. How could they thank the one who had set the trap?
But Renya swallowed his fury. He couldn't reveal the truth. He forced himself to focus on healing Renji's wound.
At that moment, a calm voice drifted in.
"But many others were not so fortunate."
Renya turned sharply. Aizen Sōsuke entered the duty room, black-rimmed glasses perched on his face, his smile gentle, his aura refined.
"Captain Aizen," Momo gasped, standing quickly. Her ankle gave out and she fell back to the floor.
"Don't move." Aizen placed a steadying hand on her shoulder and crouched before her. "Let me heal you."
He extended his hand, Kaido glowing faintly as he treated her ankle. Momo's eyes shimmered with tears. To be treated so personally by a captain, and so humbly at that—it moved her to her core.
Renya stiffened. Aizen had seated himself mere feet away.
Then Aizen turned his eyes on him. "You must be Kurotsuki Renya, correct?"
Renya's heart skipped. How did Aizen know him? Forcing composure, he asked, "Captain Aizen… you know me?"
Aizen nodded warmly. "Of course. You are a rare talent—one of the finest Seireitei has seen in decades. I would very much like you to join my Fifth Division."
Renya lowered his gaze, masking his unease with modesty. "I'm still not comparable to your lieutenant."
"You mean Ichimaru Gin?" Aizen asked, smiling faintly.
Renya nodded. "He had Sixth-Class Reiatsu at the Academy, graduated in a single year, and became a seated officer immediately. Meanwhile, I'm only an adjutant of the Patrol Unit."
"But you are still young," Aizen countered. "Gin lived in Rukongai for many years before entering the Academy. You are only fifteen, already wielding Fifth-Class Reiatsu. Your potential is no less."
Renya's pulse quickened. Fifteen. Aizen knew his exact age—details that could only come from close, deliberate observation. Why was he being watched so carefully?
Still, Renya forced an embarrassed smile. "Then I'll strive to reach Senior Gin's level."
Aizen withdrew his hand from Momo's ankle. "Your injury is healed," he told her gently.
"Thank you, Captain Aizen!" she said, eyes shining.
He gave a mild wave, then moved on to heal Kira's cheek. Meanwhile, Renya's own Kaido was still slowly closing Renji's wound.
Aizen glanced back at him. "Then I'll tend to the others."
He left the waiting room. As soon as he was gone, Momo's voice rang out, full of awe. "Captain Aizen is so kind. He treated me himself!"
Renji nodded. "He's strong, yet so humble. Truly a great captain."
Momo clenched her fists, eyes sparkling. "I've decided. I want to join the Fifth Division and serve under Captain Aizen!"
Renya's stomach knotted. He knew this path—Momo would join the Fifth, rise to vice-captain, and one day be cut down by the very man she idolized, only to be struck again by Hitsugaya in his blind fury.
He couldn't let it happen. "Momo… maybe you'd be better suited to the Thirteenth Division. They purify souls and protect the balance. You could help countless spirits."
But she shook her head. "The Fifth Division is also about protecting others. And Captain Aizen… he's the one I want to follow."
Renya clenched his fists, helpless. He couldn't alter her choice without risking suspicion.
Meanwhile, Kira touched his healed cheek. "I want to study Kidō more. If I can master healing, I could save more people."
"Then you belong in the Fourth Division," Renji teased.
Kira chuckled. "That wouldn't be so bad."
Renya frowned slightly. If Kira truly longed for the Fourth, why did he end up in the Third in the original timeline? Another twist caused by his presence?
Renji leaned back. "As for me, I just want to fight. Whichever squad takes me, I'll go."
Renya's thoughts sharpened. In history, Aizen's influence drew Renji and Momo into the Fifth. But perhaps he could steer Renji elsewhere.
"Renji, don't you crave real combat?" Renya asked carefully. "I know just the place."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"The Eleventh Division," Renya said with a grin. "They're all warriors. You've seen their captain, Zaraki Kenpachi."
Renji's eyes lit up. "The Eleventh…?"
Renya nodded. "They are Seireitei's combat corps. They thrive on head-to-head battles. Only fearless warriors can enter. No Kidō. Just pure strength."
"That's me exactly!" Renji laughed, his grin broad. "Then it's decided. I'll join the Eleventh!"
Relief washed through Renya. If Renji avoided Aizen's grasp, even a little, history would already be shifting.
He finished healing Renji's shoulder. "Try moving it now."
Renji flexed his arm and grinned. "No problem. Thanks, Renya."
"Good. Then let's get back to the Academy."
The four rose together and left the Fourth Division. Renya followed behind, determined to see them safely back.
Inside the barracks, Unohana Retsu stood beside Aizen. She gave him a soft smile. "There are too many casualties, and too few healers. Your assistance has been invaluable, Captain Aizen."
Aizen smiled humbly. "I'm only glad to help. These students are Seireitei's future."
Unohana nodded. "I'll check on the more severe cases. Please continue here."
"Of course, Captain Unohana."
Aizen resumed healing. Sweat beaded his brow, his expression serene, his hands steady. To the wounded, he was their savior—kind, strong, admirable.
And many, gazing upon him, silently dreamed of joining his Division, to live and fight under his command.