Invitation

"Is that so? Such moving will and conviction... Captain Shihoin is truly fortunate to have a subordinate like you. It's quite enviable."

Chiba Makoto spoke with a hint of admiration and respect. His indirect praise of Yoruichi Shihoin's charisma unconsciously brought a smile to Shaolin Fon's face.

Perhaps... praising Shaolin Fon directly would not have worked nearly as well. But praise Yoruichi Shihoin, and Shaolin Fon would become your good friend.

Makoto's gentle gaze took in Shaolin Fon's reaction, and he could not help but sigh over how far she still was from the cool yet prickly captain she would become in the future.

The current Shaolin Fon really was so young and innocent...

"How about this..."

An idea came to Makoto, and he said, "I have a special hereditary medical massage technique that can somewhat alleviate developmental delays. If you don't mind, you can come to me regularly for treatment. What do you think?"

Under Makoto's gentle concern and harmless gaze, Shaolin Fon's hostility toward him had almost faded by half, replaced with a measure of trust.

And Shaolin Fon... lowering her head to look at her overly slender and petite figure, understood that her development really had been somewhat delayed.

If... I grew a little more, Lord Yoruichi would like it too, right?

Shaolin Fon hesitated for a long while before slowly nodding, agreeing to it.

Seeing this, Makoto could not help but smile.

This way, he could treat Shaolin Fon's developmental issues while also building as good a relationship with her as possible. Moreover, his regular, open contact with Shaolin Fon would effectively ward off surveillance from the rest of the Second Division.

Three birds with one stone.

"Since that's settled, shall we begin today's treatment right away?" Makoto asked.

"Okay."

Shaolin Fon nodded.

Then, Shaolin Fon lay back down on the bed. Her mood had calmed considerably, and she even had the leisure to begin studying Makoto.

Black hair, black eyes, delicate features, and eyes that always seemed to reveal gentleness. Once the treatment began, his gaze became incomparably focused...

Gradually, as Shaolin Fon settled into the situation, her instincts as a member of the Punishment Force led her to begin recording information about Makoto: his estimated height and weight, the appearance of his Zanpakuto, the length of his fingers...

Suddenly, Shaolin Fon felt something pierce into her body, and she instinctively let out a somewhat coquettish moan.

"Ah~~"

The next instant, Shaolin Fon's entire head flushed crimson, and even her jade-like feet seemed to have been dusted with a layer of pink once more.

Makoto glanced in surprise at those feet, which seemed capable of revealing Shaolin Fon's true thoughts. As he continued administering acupuncture, he began chatting with her to distract her attention.

"Miss Fon, is this your first time visiting the Gynecology Department?"

"Mm."

"Coming alone... that's very brave of you, Miss Fon."

"Actually... not really..."

"No, Miss Fon. Among people your age, you really are quite outstanding..."

"I... am only trying my best to catch up to Lord Yoruichi's back..."

"What kind of person is Captain Shihoin? She bears the title of Goddess of Flash, so she must be incredible, right?"

At that question, Shaolin Fon's eyes lit up, as though he had struck her G-spot.

For a time, the subtly guided Shaolin Fon became completely animated. Her earlier cool demeanor vanished as she excitedly began talking at length, even completely forgetting that her body was being manipulated.

While responding to Shaolin Fon in a gentle tone, Makoto continued treating her without pausing in the slightest.

The "seed" was also planted without a sound, taking firm root and sprouting within Shaolin Fon's body.

At once, Makoto clearly felt the rate at which his Reiryoku accumulated rise by a small margin. It was naturally far inferior to Zaraki Kenpachi's, but it still far surpassed the "nourishment" provided by Madarame Ikkaku.

Makoto's gaze toward Shaolin Fon immediately gained a few traces of genuine goodwill. He sincerely hoped that Shaolin Fon would become a captain-class Soul Reaper as soon as possible.

After a long while, Shaolin Fon, who had been continuously extolling Yoruichi Shihoin's strength, beauty, nobility, and so on, finally became a little parched and had to pause. Only then did she realize that her entire body... seemed hot and pleasantly warm.

"Miss Fon, the treatment is over. It would be best to hold off on intense training or combat for the next few days," Makoto said with a smile.

"It... it's over?"

Shaolin Fon asked blankly. She tried hard to recall what had happened, but only remembered Makoto's gentle hands touching various parts of her body from time to time. She had paid no attention at all to what specifically had occurred.

Then, Shaolin Fon got up and tried moving her body. She felt as though she were in better condition than ever before.

"Thank you, Physician Chiba."

At that moment, Shaolin Fon sincerely thanked Makoto.

This young physician looks so kind and gentle—no matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem like some strange person, does he?

Those strange moans and cries of pain I heard outside earlier were perhaps problems with those Eleventh Division members themselves?

I almost misunderstood him...

At the very least, in Shaolin Fon's heart, Makoto's image had changed from a strange pervert into a gentle fellow admirer of Lord Yoruichi with quite impressive Medical Skills.

"You're welcome, Miss Fon. If you want to thank me, just take better care of your body from now on. Otherwise, even Captain Shihoin would probably feel distressed over such an outstanding subordinate, wouldn't she?"

Hearing Chiba Makoto's gentle, caring tone, Shaolin Fon's approval of him silently rose another notch.

Just as Shaolin Fon was about to turn and leave, she suddenly remembered something.

Damn it! I got so caught up talking about Lord Yoruichi that I completely forgot to probe Physician Chiba for information...

After hesitating for a moment, Shaolin Fon turned back to look at Chiba Makoto somewhat awkwardly.

"What is it?" Chiba Makoto asked gently.

Shaolin Fon gritted her teeth and asked, "To show my gratitude, could I... treat you to a meal?"

"A meal?"

Chiba Makoto met Shaolin Fon's nervous yet shy gaze.

Just a meal?

Normally, Chiba Makoto would refuse invitations that were merely for a meal, but he also understood that Shaolin Fon's real purpose was probably to gather intelligence.

So I should play along...

Besides, Lisa seemed to have gone out early with the Medical Relief Squad on a mission today, so I don't have to worry about being caught slacking off...

Chiba Makoto mused silently, then glanced at the sky outside the window and said, "Sure. It's about time for the shift change anyway."

Afterward, Chiba Makoto tidied up the office, then headed with Shaolin Fon toward the commercial district inside the Seireitei, chatting and laughing along the way.