The next moment, a fair, delicate hand rested on Chiba Makoto's forehead, interrupting his thoughts.
"Makoto, why is your spiritual pressure still so low? Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?" Unohana Retsu asked.
Though somewhat weak, Chiba Makoto still put on an apparently relaxed smile and answered.
"I'm fine, Teacher. I kept All Things in Nature active to heal the Tenth Division members, then I was caught in the blast from a Cero and had to treat my own injuries in an emergency. I probably just overexerted my Reiryoku."
Hearing that, Unohana Retsu seemed to finally be completely reassured. She slowly rose to her feet and said, "I've given your injuries preliminary treatment. Rest here for now. I'll take you back to the barracks for further treatment later."
"Mm."
Chiba Makoto nodded and said, "Teacher, you don't need to worry about me. Go take care of your work first. I'm Captain Unohana's disciple—I can take care of myself. Once I recover a little more spiritual pressure, I can handle the rest of my injuries myself."
The more considerate and sensible this pure and obedient disciple of hers was, the more guilt Unohana Retsu felt within her outwardly gentle and approachable, yet fundamentally cold-blooded heart.
If she had waited for Makoto a little longer instead of rushing back to attend that so-called emergency captains' meeting, perhaps he would not have been injured so badly.
Then, in the gentlest possible tone, Unohana Retsu asked, "What? Are you planning to defy your teacher now? You won't even listen to your teacher anymore?"
"I... I wouldn't dare..."
Only after hearing Chiba Makoto's instinctively submissive reply did Unohana Retsu turn gracefully and head toward the temporary treatment tents set up by two Medical Relief Squads on the other side.
As he watched Unohana Retsu's beautiful