"Mmm... gulp..." Orihime Inoue's cheeks burned as she puckered her lips and drank the warm water held to her mouth. "All gone~"
Rukia Kuchiki let go of her and gently laid her on the bed. "I'm right next door. Call me if you need anything."
"Rukia~" Orihime tugged at her sleeve.
"Hmm?"
"I'm so glad you're okay~"
Rukia Kuchiki stroked her hair. "It's all thanks to your help."
"Hehe... when we get home, let's go watch the fireworks together... and..." Orihime's voice trailed off, fading into soft, meaningless murmurs.
Going home, huh.
Rukia Kuchiki stepped outside, her gaze distant.
Going home...
"Something on your mind?" Retsu Unohana's voice called from the far end of the hallway.
"Captain Unohana..." Rukia Kuchiki pressed her lips together. "I..."
"I've watched you grow up," Retsu Unohana said, beckoning her over. "If you want to hide something from me, you'll have to try a little harder."
Rukia Kuchiki approached her. "I want to... go back to the World of the Living."
Just now, when Orihime mentioned going home, Rukia Kuchiki realized that although no one was pursuing Muten Natsu for his past deeds, he would inevitably not remain in Soul Society.
And herself?
Should she stay in Soul Society as a Shinigami, or return to the World of the Living with Muten Natsu?
The moment her hand gripped her Zanpakutō, Rukia Kuchiki made her decision.
She had come to Seireitei with Muten Natsu, so naturally, she would leave with him as well.
She'd had enough of goodbyes.
But that meant leaving behind her education at Shin'ō Academy, Retsu Unohana's care, her sister's concern, and Captain Ukitake's trust...
"Here." Retsu Unohana pulled a letter of appointment from her bosom. "Ukitake asked me to give this to you."
"Rukia Kuchiki, a member of the Thirteenth Division, is hereby assigned to be stationed in the World of the Living within a radius of one ri centered on Karakura Town. The duration of the assignment..." Rukia Kuchiki read the contents of the letter. "No time limit?"
"This is a draft; it hasn't been officially submitted yet. If you have no objections, a formal document will be issued later." Retsu Unohana smiled gently. "Is there anything you'd like to change?"
"Is this… really okay?" Rukia clutched the letter. With this, she no longer had a reason to hesitate. "Will the higher-ups approve a letter like this?"
"Someone has to be stationed in Karakura Town—why not you?" Retsu Unohana gazed at Rukia's wide, sparkling eyes, filled with surprise. "Considering the other mission, there's no one more suitable than you."
"Another mission?"
"In addition to your duties as a Shinigami, you'll also be tasked with monitoring Muten Natsu and reporting back to Soul Society regularly."
"You want me to monitor Muten Natsu?" Rukia furrowed her brow. "And report on it?"
Setting aside whether she was willing, even if she reported diligently, given her relationship with Muten Natsu, how could anyone trust her reports? Was such a task even necessary?
"Yes. Monitor his every move and watch for any abnormalities in his body." Retsu Unohana pointed at herself. "Then report to me at regular intervals."
Rukia: "..."
This task seemed necessary after all.
"This is a means of upholding the authority of Central 46," Retsu Unohana explained further. "They dare not act against Muten Natsu, but as part of Central 46's duties, they cannot ignore him either. They will certainly agree to this form of surveillance—showing that Central 46 still wields the power to maintain order without provoking his displeasure."
Rukia felt, for some reason, that this approach seemed familiar. Just like when Uryū Ishida pushed up his glasses and said, "Don't think you've won just yet." Central 46, faced with the uncontrollable Muten Natsu... was rather tsundere.
...
"You said... you're a Sage of Central 46?" Muten Natsu looked down at the girl blocking his path.
Though called a young woman, she looked more like a little girl, not much taller than Yachiru Kusajishi.
Her short, thick, bean-shaped eyebrows were somewhat cute. She wore a small crown on her head; the ends of her hair barely brushed her narrow shoulders, while the rest was tied up at the back. She wore a Shihakushō and draped a white, high-collared robe over it.
Her little face was set in a tight expression, clearly trying to project authority, but she was far too young. Her serious demeanor only made her more adorable.
"Muten Natsu. I was attacked by a Hollow in Rukongai District 78, Inuzuri, and was brought to Seireitei by Captain Unohana for training. Later, I entered Class 2, Year 1 of the Shin'ō Academy. I love sweets, and on holidays, I go with Captain Unohana to gather medicinal herbs in the Rukongai mountains..."
Muten Natsu narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"
"I am Nayura Amakado." Nayura Amakado tilted her head. "Don't let my appearance fool you—I've been appointed the first librarian in charge of the Daireishokairō. All information about you is stored there."
The Daireishokairō compulsively collects and archives all events and information within Soul Society. One reason Sōsuke Aizen slaughtered Central 46 was to obtain information about the Hōgyoku from it.
Muten Natsu's curiosity stirred. "I'm curious—how capable is the Daireishokairō's collection?"
"I understand your question. If it can record your hobbies, why didn't it foresee a more serious betrayal? Many people share that doubt." Nayura Amakado placed her hand on her chest. "Try to describe me."
"Hm?"
"Describe me based on what you see."
"Tiny..."
"...Do you think that description is comprehensive?"
Muten Natsu shook his head.
"The data recorded in the Daireishokairō about me—the one standing before you—includes, but isn't limited to, the movement of my gaze, the frequency of my breathing, the flow of my blood, the sway of my hair, the shifting of folds in my clothes, fluctuations in my Reiatsu, the circulation of my Reiryoku, and the dispersion of Reishi," Nayura Amakado clarified. "This is the cost of mandatory data collection. There's no capacity to filter content, and powerful forces can cause gaps and errors in the records. Add deliberately concealed spaces, like the Valley of Screams, or events hidden by illusions. Extracting useful information from this sea of data isn't as easy as it sounds."