While the Captain Commander was splitting his head over astronomical bills, the two chief culprits were already immersed in a completely different atmosphere.
Unohana Retsu walked unhurriedly, a faint, almost hidden satisfaction on her face, as if she had just enjoyed a fine meal.
Behind her followed the recruit she had "head-hunted"—Yomi.
The girl's red-and-white Spiritual Arts Academy uniform was torn in several places, stained with dust and dried blood, her hair dishevelled and rather bedraggled, yet her eyes were startlingly bright, sparkling with the exhilaration of survival and curiosity about her new surroundings.
Unlike the stern austerity of First Division or the wreckage of the Academy, the Fourth Division barracks were bathed in a gentle, soothing ambience.
A faint herbal fragrance drifted in the air, broken occasionally by distant, feeble groans from the wards and the soft consolations of squad members.
Star-point orchids planted in the courtyard exuded a calming glow.
Yet beneath the tranquillity, ripples still stirred.
The terrifying spiritual-pressure quake and thunderous roar that had rolled in from the Spiritual Arts Academy, plus the scattered rumours that "Captain Unohana had gone on a rampage," had already set the division abuzz with speculation.
Lower-seated officers gathered in twos and threes, whispering, eyes full of awe and curiosity.
The moment Unohana Retsu appeared with Yomi in the corridor leading to the captain's office, a figure shot forward like a whirlwind.
The newcomer wore the Fourth Division Vice-Captain's badge over a black shinigami uniform, handsome, refined, a pair of delicate rimless glasses perched on his nose, gaze sharp yet tinged with barely hidden tension and concern—
Fourth Division Vice-Captain, the prodigy of Kaidō, Kiyosuke Yamada.
"Captain!" Kiyosuke Yamada's voice carried obvious worry. His eyes flicked over Unohana Retsu, confirming she seemed unharmed—at least outwardly—before turning to the battered stranger behind her.
"You're back. Did the recruitment… go smoothly? The Academy…" He paused, choosing his words. "A moment ago I sensed violent spiritual-pressure clashes and… destructive fluctuations. Did something happen? Are you injured?"
His sharp gaze noted Yomi's condition, suspicion deepening.
At this point in time, Kiyosuke Yamada still served faithfully under Unohana Retsu, not yet lured away by powerful clans with promises of high office; his respect for her and dedication to the Fourth Division were beyond question.
Unohana Retsu inclined her head, the trademark gentle, spring-breeze smile touching her lips. "Mm, all right. A small hitch, but…"
She stepped aside, presenting the girl behind her with unmistakable approval. "The gains were good. This is Isayama Yomi, whom I met at the Academy and recruited personally."
"Oh?" Behind his lenses, Kiyosuke Yamada's gaze snapped to Yomi, scrutinising.
He could feel the lingering, formidable spiritual pressure inside the girl and the clear marks of combat.
A newcomer personally recruited by the captain who had also caused a ruckus at the Academy?
Suspicion bubbled within him, yet outwardly he maintained the courtesy and professionalism expected of a Vice-Captain.
He adjusted his glasses and cut to the core of their business: "I see. Pleased to meet you, Isayama-san. I'm Vice-Captain Kiyosuke Yamada. May I ask what her aptitude for Kaidō is?"
He looked at Unohana, eyes glowing with the enthusiasm reserved for promising seedlings. "If her talent is acceptable, shall I personally guide her in the basics? I've recently refined some new approaches to foundational Kaidō training…"
"Kaidō?" Unohana Retsu blinked, as if only now remembering, and turned to Yomi with almost playful nonchalance. "Oh, right. Yomi, can you use Kaidō?"
Meeting Kiyosuke Yamada's expectant, professional stare, Yomi shook her head without hesitation. "No."
The air froze for a second.
"…" Kiyosuke Yamada's expression froze, hand stalled mid-gesture, eyes behind the lenses shifting from anticipation to utter bewilderment, as if he had just heard the most inconceivable answer.
Can't use Kaidō? A recruit personally brought in by the Fourth Division Captain after causing such a commotion at the Spiritual Arts Academy… and she can't use Kaidō?!
It overturned everything he understood about Fourth Division recruitment standards! Why had the captain picked her? To form a combat squad? That violated the division's very purpose!
Almost losing his composure, he blurted, "R-really?" disbelief thick in his tone.
"Then… you must have been badly injured earlier? I sensed fierce residual spiritual clashes. Yet you seem… quite recovered. Is it your Zanpakuto's Shikai ability? Something self-healing or restorative?"
That was the most reasonable explanation he could conjure—a Zanpakuto with special regeneration would still hold value in a medical unit.
Yomi remained candid, shaking her head again. "Not a Zanpakuto." She lifted her hand; a faint, irregular halo of reishi glimmered on her palm, exuding a ripple distinct from Shinigami power.
"It's Fullbring, a special ability. But…" she added tonelessly, "for now it only works on me, speeding up wound recovery and spiritual replenishment; I can't use it to heal others." The light faded as she finished.
It was the explanation Hiroki had coached her to give—whenever anything was hard to explain, blame it on Fullbring.