The voice expressing gratitude was very soft, but Hasumi Ren heard it.
Ren didn't say anything. He simply took out the sack from his back, rummaged for some herbs, and handed them to Ichimaru Gin.
"Here, these are some basic healing herbs."
Ren explained their effects and how to administer them in detail.
"If she wakes up later and her body is weak, you can brew some of these for her to drink. But use an appropriate amount; don't overdo it."
Gin took the herbs, looking down at them.
A moment later, he raised his head and looked at Ren.
In those eyes, the wariness and scrutiny from earlier were gone.
There was only a complex emotion.
Looking at Ren, Gin suddenly asked, "What is your name?"
"Hasumi Ren. And you?"
Gin fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
"Ichimaru Gin. She is Matsumoto Rangiku."
Ren nodded, indicating he understood.
He didn't say much else, standing up and walking toward the door.
It was about time; he needed to head back and regroup with his squad members.
As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped.
"Gin."
"Hmm?"
Ren looked back.
"Both of your spiritual pressure levels are quite high."
"With your aptitude, your ultimate destination should be heading to the Seireitei to become Shinigami."
He paused.
"If you are willing, you can come back with me."
Silence lingered behind him.
Then, Ren continued.
"I'm out on a mission this time and will be staying in this area for a few more days."
"Before the mission ends and I return to the Seireitei, I will come here one more time."
"If you've made up your minds by then, you can leave with me."
Ren paused again.
"Of course, she should wake up in a day or two, so you can also ask for her opinion."
With that, he pushed the door open and walked out.
At that moment, Gin's voice suddenly drifted over.
"Why are you helping us?"
Ren's footsteps faltered slightly.
"No special reason. I just couldn't leave someone to die."
Without looking back, Ren waved his hand, his figure vanishing into the night.
He had said and done enough.
As for the rest, it was just a matter of seeing how this seed would take root and sprout.
Inside the hut, Gin stood rooted to the spot, watching the door slowly close.
After a long time, he lowered his head and looked at Rangiku on the tatami mat.
Under the moonlight, her complexion had improved significantly. She was no longer as pale as before, and her brow had relaxed.
She was sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Gin crouched down, reaching out to gently smooth her messy hair.
He simply crouched beside her, quietly watching her for a long time.
By the time Ren hurried down the mountain, the personnel had mostly returned.
The Fourth Division members had already gathered at the rendezvous point, their sacks stuffed to the brim.
They were taking inventory of their harvest and conversing in low voices, their faces showing varying degrees of exhaustion.
"Fourth Seat Hasumi!"
One member spotted him first and hurriedly came over to greet him.
"You're finally back! We thought you might have run into some danger."
His tone carried a hint of worry, along with a sense of relief.
Ren shook his head.
"I'm fine. I just wandered a bit far."
He walked over to the squad members, his gaze sweeping over the bulging sacks.
"How was the harvest?"
"Great!"
The member said excitedly, unable to hide the joy on his face.
"There are more herbs on this mountain than we imagined. Probably because no one comes here to pick them, the mountainside is covered in aged medicinal plants."
As he spoke, he pointed to the bulging bundles behind him.
"We gathered a sufficient amount. Even if there are more wounded, this should last us for a while."
Ren nodded.
"Good. Pack up and get ready to head back to camp."
"Yes, sir!"
The members immediately sprang into action, retightening their sacks and taking stock of the gathered supplies.
Some were quietly discussing how to process the herbs once they returned.
Ren turned around, his gaze sweeping to the side.
Aizen was still standing there with his hands behind his back, his posture calm and composed.
Sensing Ren's gaze, he turned his head, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"You're back?"
Ren walked up to him.
"Yes. We've gathered enough herbs, so we can head back now."
Aizen nodded, his eyes falling on Ren.
A moment later, he suddenly spoke.
"Thank you for your hard work," he paused. "Did something happen? Your spiritual pressure is quite depleted."
His tone was casual, as if he were just asking in passing.
Ren's expression remained completely unchanged.
He had expended a significant amount of spiritual pressure healing Rangiku earlier. Combined with treating so many wounded consecutively before that, his spiritual pressure was indeed weaker than usual.
Ren let out a soft sigh, revealing a helpless smile.
"Healing the Eleventh Division members earlier took a heavy toll on my spiritual pressure. Coincidentally enough..."
"...I came across an injured soul on the way, so I healed them while I was at it."
"Although it drained a bit more of my spiritual pressure, it's nothing serious."
He spoke very naturally, as if he were merely stating the most ordinary of facts.
Hearing this, Aizen simply gave a slight nod.
"Is that so."
Afterward, the group began their return journey, heading toward the camp. Carrying their bountiful harvest, they disappeared into the night.
Behind them, the mountain forest remained silent.
The moonlight remained cold and clear.
Meanwhile, inside that dilapidated hut.
Gin was still sitting by the tatami mat, quietly watching over the slumbering Rangiku.
Her breathing was steady and long, her chest rising and falling slightly, as if she were merely asleep.
Gin looked at her, his narrowed eyes completely devoid of emotion.
The herbs Ren had left behind emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance that permeated the ruined hut, bringing an indescribable sense of reassurance.
Gin lowered his head, countless thoughts churning in his mind.
That white-haired Shinigami.
He said his name was Hasumi Ren, the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, a doctor in the medical squad.
He said there was someone in the Fourth Division who could save Rangiku.
He said that if they were willing, they could go with him to the Seireitei and become Shinigami.
*Shinigami...*
Gin's fists clenched slightly.
Of course, he knew what Shinigami were.
Becoming a Shinigami meant possessing power and attaining a higher status.
It meant...
He could get close to those people.
Gin's eyes opened slightly.
Under the moonlight, a glint of icy coldness flashed in those eyes.
He remembered their faces.
Those people wearing black Shihakusho, who had taken what was inside Rangiku right in front of him.
In the future, he would settle the score with them, one by one.
He also remembered what those people called their leader...
*Aizen.*
Gin silently repeated the name in his heart.
This name—he would remember it. He would never forget it for the rest of his life.
He was going to find that man, and then, he would take back what belonged to Rangiku.
For that, he was willing to pay any price.
His gaze fell upon Rangiku's face once more.
Under the moonlight, her youthful face was quiet and peaceful. She was completely unaware of what had happened, unaware that her destiny had been irrevocably altered.
Gin looked at her, a complex emotion flashing through his narrowed eyes.
Tenderness, heartache, guilt...
And a trace of profound agony.
If he was going to become a Shinigami, get close to those people, and seek revenge...
Could he still stay by her side?
If they found out about his relationship with Rangiku, if they discovered he was only getting close to them for revenge...
Then Rangiku would be in danger.
She would become his weakness, a bargaining chip those people could use to threaten him.
He couldn't let her fall into such danger.
Gin's hands trembled slightly.
He lowered his head, looking at his clenched fists.
His knuckles were white from the force, his nails nearly digging into his palms.
But he felt no pain.
Compared to the agony of Rangiku having her soul stripped away, what did this little bit of pain amount to?
After a long time, he relaxed his hands.
He reached out and gently smoothed Rangiku's orange hair.
His movements were very light, very gentle, as if he were afraid of waking her.
Then, he withdrew his hand.
He simply knelt beside her, quietly watching her.
He just kept his head lowered, looking at that familiar face.
After a long while, he spoke softly.
This time, there was a slight tremor in his voice.
"Once I finish what I have to do, I'll come back for you."
"When that time comes..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
Then, he reached out and gently held Rangiku's hand, feeling its faint warmth.
He just held it quietly, remaining perfectly still.
Moonlight spilled through the hole in the roof, illuminating two slender silhouettes.
The night was deep.
Dawn was still very far away.