Sword Spirit

A moment later, under Chiba Makoto's watchful gaze, Yamada Seinosuke left the courtyard with a slightly green face.

Captain Unohana... I've followed you for centuries...

I clearly joined the Fourth Division first, so why... did you choose Chiba Makoto, that brat who just graduated, as your disciple?

Yamada Seinosuke had not been this angry at first, but whenever he thought of that bastard Chiba Makoto's seemingly innocent, pure face, along with the occasional words of comfort he offered, Yamada Seinosuke inexplicably found himself growing more and more unable to let it go...

Still, Yamada Seinosuke could at least confirm one thing: Chiba Makoto was absolutely not as gentle and harmless as he appeared. Beneath that surface, he was an utterly black-hearted brat!

As he watched Yamada Seinosuke's somewhat bedraggled retreating figure, Chiba Makoto did not forget to wave goodbye, his face wearing a tender, reluctant expression.

Afterward, Chiba Makoto tidied up the room and changed into the division badge, Shinigami uniform, and other items Yamada Seinosuke had sent over.

Chiba Makoto brewed himself a pot of clear tea, sat in the corridor breathing in its delicate fragrance, gazed up at the night sky of Soul Society, and reflected on the gains and losses of the day.

Though there had been a few twists and turns, he had ultimately joined the Fourth Division smoothly enough. As a Fourth Division member, he would now have ample reason to approach the wounded and seek opportunities to plant the Seed of the Forest.

Moreover, he would be distancing himself from battles between Shinigami to some extent, avoiding the exposure of unnecessary secrets during combat.

The only unforeseen development was being taken in as a disciple by Unohana Retsu.

With the status of Unohana Retsu's disciple, he would undoubtedly be going against the low-profile policy he had established in the past. It was bound to draw some attention from Seireitei's upper ranks, and perhaps even Aizen Sōsuke, whom he had always been extremely wary of, would react.

However, given the persona Chiba Makoto had presented under those circumstances, he had no standing to refuse Unohana Retsu.

Still, this might be for the best. With Teacher Unohana's protection, I may be a little safer. And I can further study deeper Kaido and Medical Skills...

Chiba Makoto murmured soundlessly, a different glint flashing through his usually gentle, innocent eyes.

There was one thing Chiba Makoto had indeed not lied to Unohana Retsu about: he truly held a great interest in Kaido and Medical Skills.

Unlike the fleshly bodies of the World of the Living, the bodies formed after souls arrived in Soul Society were, in Chiba Makoto's eyes, extraordinarily peculiar.

Though the most fundamental element making up the souls of Soul Society was Reishi, such bodies possessed flesh and blood in the truest sense. They even contained special, meridian-like nodes such as the "Saketsu," "Hakuya," and "soul bindings."

As for the essence of Kaido, it was a technique for replenishing the Reishi of soul bodies.

Medical Skills in Soul Society were not the Western medicine Chiba Makoto remembered. Instead, they were more akin to the concept of traditional Chinese medicine, using all kinds of herbs to formulate medicines or stimulating the meridian nodes of soul bodies to treat various illnesses.

It had to be said that compared to the crude brutality of battles between Shinigami, Kaido and Medical Skills were what Chiba Makoto considered true art—an entirely new and fascinating art.

As he thought, Chiba Makoto placed Zanpakuto - All Things in Nature, which hung at his waist, between his crossed legs and slowly closed his eyes, entering a state of sword meditation.

The next instant, Chiba Makoto's vision went dark. In the brief daze that followed, he found himself in an incomparably bright world.

The sky was blue and clear as a lake's surface, while lush green grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. Only a short distance from Chiba Makoto stood a patch of what appeared to be newly planted saplings and a towering tree.

Chiba Makoto looked around as if searching for something, then called out, "Stop hiding. Come out."

The moment Chiba Makoto finished speaking, the grass at his feet climbed and grew like vines, winding around his thighs and back before finally stopping at his shoulder.

In the next moment, a flash of green passed by, and a tiny figure emerged from the tip of the grass, landing before Chiba Makoto.

She had a tiny, exquisite body, butterfly-like wings, and fair, delicate skin so soft it seemed it might break at a touch. A few green leaves covered her private areas, while her large round eyes stared at Chiba Makoto. A bright, innocent smile adorned her face, making her seem just like a little fairy from legend.

"Tch~"

Yet whenever Chiba Makoto saw this palm-sized Zanpakuto's sword spirit, he could not help turning his head away and making an indescribable sound.

"Wuwuwu~ Master, what does that mean?"

All Things in Nature put her tiny arms on her hips. With a flap of her wings, she instantly flashed directly in front of Chiba Makoto's eyes and asked with a pout.

"Sigh~"

But All Things in Nature received only a long sigh from Chiba Makoto.

Once upon a time, Chiba Makoto had imagined possessing Zanpakuto sword spirits like Sode no Shirayuki, Benihime, or Katen Kyōkotsu.

That way, he could hold his Zanpakuto during the day, and his Zanpakuto could hold him at night. Relying on each other like that would not be without its warmth, allowing him to feel dependable comfort within the cold Soul Society.

Yet Zanpakuto were clearly forged from the model of a Shinigami's own soul, and the appearance of their sword spirits should be closely related to reflections of the Shinigami's own thoughts.

For example, the Zanpakuto sword spirits of perverted old men like Urahara Kisuke and Kyōraku Shunsui, Benihime and Katen Kyōkotsu, were both absolutely gorgeous mature older women. Kuchiki Rukia's Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, was related to her wish that she would become like her elder brother in the future—cold, stern, and imposing.

So why, when it came to him, did his sword spirit turn out to be a palm-sized little thing, given his true nature?

Could it be that it had reflected Thumbelina, who had accompanied him for half his previous life?

At that thought, Chiba Makoto subconsciously glanced at his right hand.

"Wuwuwuwu~"

Seeing Chiba Makoto's reaction, All Things in Nature inexplicably thought of something. Her tiny body shot straight at Chiba Makoto's forehead and viciously rammed into it.

"You despicable, shameless, filthy Master! Don't think such rude things!!!"

Bang!!

With an explosive blast, a ring of air burst from Chiba Makoto's forehead. His whole body shot backward, rolling across the grass more than ten times before finally stopping.

Only then did intense pain travel from Chiba Makoto's forehead to his nerves.

"Ah! It hurts, it hurts... Damn it, All Things in Nature, what kind of qualified sword spirit launches a sneak attack without even a warning?!"

"Master was the one who was rude first. This is the punishment you deserve!!" All Things in Nature said, standing atop Chiba Makoto's forehead with a flushed little face.

"What did I do that was rude? You're the one who knocked me down for no reason and made me roll across the grass more than ten times..."

As he spoke, Chiba Makoto's gaze gradually went blank. Looking up from below at All Things in Nature standing on his forehead, he saw greenery swirling around her.