Chapter 138: Team
The three people in the room each had different thoughts, yet their goals subtly aligned.
Unohana valued the potential and possibilities in Suoh.
Isane loyally fulfilled her vice-captain duties. She trusted the captain's judgment and was happy to help.
Suoh pursued his own path to strength while genuinely grateful, willing to reciprocate others' goodwill and trust.
"It's getting late. I still have division duties to handle."
Unohana glanced at the light outside the window.
"Isane, show Tsukasa to his assigned workshop first. Also, give him a bag of the ginseng seeds we have in storage."
"As for purple reishi cultivation and spore inoculation—the procedures are rather complex. Discuss the specific details between yourselves."
"Just report back to me afterward."
"Yes, Captain."
Isane immediately stood.
"Thank you, Captain."
Suoh also rose, bowing to Unohana again.
"Go on."
Unohana nodded slightly, gaze following them as they left.
The paper door closed gently. The room returned to quiet.
Unohana sat alone for a moment, gaze settling back on the herbs. Her fingertips brushed across them as she rewrapped the packages and put them away.
Moments later.
Holding his long-desired ginseng seeds, Suoh surveyed the interior.
The lighting wasn't particularly bright—warm, soft light spreading throughout.
All around he could see mushroom caps of varying colors, layer upon layer sprouting from the cultivation beds.
The air carried a rich, heavy scent—like aged wood mixed with earth.
After briefly surveying the growing environment, Suoh withdrew his gaze.
To cultivate these in his underground base, he'd need to create a suitable environment for purple reishi formation.
"These are the purple reishi currently being cultivated."
"All the spore cultures the division preserves come from the captain's past collections."
"Purple reishi prefers cool, moist conditions, but also needs some ventilation. It has very high requirements for spirit particle concentration in the growing environment."
"That's the main reason it's difficult to cultivate on a large scale."
Isane led Suoh to a cultivation bed, explaining in detail.
Her explanation was meticulous—from mycelial activation to inoculation techniques, she explained everything without reservation.
"The substrate requirements for the beds aren't quite as strict. You can see the ratios here."
"This also contains years of cultivation experience the division has accumulated, including many failed attempts and analysis of causes. Look through it first, then just return it to me later."
She pulled out a yellowed notebook from nearby, handing it to Suoh.
"I understand, Isane-neesan."
Suoh listened carefully to the explanation, accepting with both hands.
He flipped through casually while mentally simulating conditions in his underground base.
His eyes flashed with eagerness.
Kikou's precise control over light spectrum and intensity, plus Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru's excellent ability to regulate local humidity and temperature.
As long as they coordinated properly, simulating—even optimizing—an environment suitable for purple reishi growth wouldn't be difficult.
The only challenge was obtaining initial spore cultures and substrate formulas. But with Fourth Division's help, those were no longer problems.
Unless his luck was terrible, failure would be hard.
Closing the pages, Suoh spoke seriously.
"These spore cultures are extremely precious. For the actual operation, I'd like to first return and set up the cultivation room, then have you help confirm everything before arranging inoculation."
Hearing this, Isane looked at Suoh seriously, tone carrying some anticipation as she encouraged him.
"I believe you can handle it well. What's recorded here is only the division's known experience. For instance, your zanpakuto's ability to adjust lighting might create an even more stable growing environment."
"When the time comes, we can experiment together, observe, record data. Even if there are failures or setbacks in the process, that's fine. This is inherently a continuous process of experimentation and exploration."
Suddenly, she recalled that key question she'd deliberately avoided earlier, asking carefully.
"By the way, where is your base located? Is it convenient to say?"
"Other conditions are manageable, but the region's inherent spirit particle density significantly affects the final herb quality."
"The location is in the underground space beneath Sokyoku Hill."
Suoh answered frankly.
A bombshell statement.
Hearing Suoh's undisguised answer, Isane's eyes widened, mouth falling slightly open. For a moment she couldn't produce any sound.
Sokyoku Hill?
That forbidden ground symbolizing Soul Society's absolute justice and judgment power?
This answer stirred up waves of shock in her heart, completely beyond her expectations.
After a long while, she finally calmed her emotions, letting out a long breath, trying to control her expression while nodding thoughtfully.
This day had somewhat overturned her previous understanding and impression of Suoh.
"Sokyoku Hill... I see."
"That spiritual vein is at Seireitei's core. Spirit particle concentration far exceeds ordinary locations. No wonder the herbs are such high quality."
She didn't probe further, because that was Suoh's secret.
Now that Fourth Division was tightly bound to him, all she could do was firmly guard this secret.
"In an environment like that... perhaps during the early spore inoculation stage, we'll need to slightly adjust spiritual pressure saturation intensity and duration to adapt to the higher spirit particle concentration environment."
She murmured to herself, then looked at Suoh, expression already restored to professional calm.
"After you've prepared the cultivation room, we'll finalize the detailed plan based on actual site conditions."
"Understood. Thank you for all your effort, Isane-neesan."
Suoh spoke sincerely.
This was a carefully considered decision. Human energy and time were limited.
Even someone like Aizen—yes, even someone like Aizen—needed assistance from people like Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen.
To achieve greater goals, building a reliable team was necessary.
He could self-study and master cultivation of more basic medicinal herbs.
But higher-grade herbs weren't something you could just plant successfully. They required deep professional knowledge and extensive experience.
His mindset shift came from assessing current circumstances and long-term future considerations.
Suoh never just waited for fate.
How to achieve victory in future wars with minimal losses—he was already forming a rough outline in his mind.
As the base gradually improved, the most suitable partner for logistics was undoubtedly Isane Kotetsu.
Her character and abilities were both excellent. She was an indispensable team member for Suoh.
'It's still early to think about these things.'
Realizing where his thoughts had gone, Suoh pulled himself back, securing the notebook before continuing.
"Also, Isane-neesan, I'd like to trouble you to help coordinate a relatively secluded warehouse location nearby."
"In the future, I'll deliver herbs I'm supplying to Fourth Division there. It's convenient for division inspection and transport, saves considerable time, and is more discreet."
"No problem."
Isane agreed without hesitation. This wasn't difficult for her.
This was precisely Fourth Division's advantage. They had emergency treatment stations and supply warehouses throughout Seireitei's major areas and key locations.
Using these existing logistics networks for material exchanges was not only efficient and compliant, but also minimized unnecessary attention.
By the time Suoh finished handling matters at Fourth Division, sunset's afterglow had nearly completely faded.
Walking the return route, Seireitei's various locations began lighting up with scattered lamps.
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