Chapter Summaries

At the Shin'ō Academy graduation ceremony, new Eleventh Division captain Zaraki Kenpachi and Vice-Captain Kusajishi Yachiru tried to recruit graduates, while Chiba Makoto kept a low profile. Afterward, representatives from the other divisions explained their duties and benefits as the graduates considered where to serve.

• Zaraki Kenpachi interrupted the headmaster and announced that he had killed Kenpachi Kiganjo to become Eleventh Division captain, then urged the graduates to join his division.
• Kusajishi Yachiru sat on Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder and sweetly invited the graduates to join the Eleventh Division and play with her.
• Chiba Makoto recognized Zaraki Kenpachi and Kusajishi Yachiru, avoided drawing their attention, and recalled that he had already chosen his division and goal.
• Representatives from the other divisions described their responsibilities, benefits, work environments, and advancement opportunities to the graduates.

After the division representatives finished their speeches, Chiba Makoto tried to choose a division but Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika pressed him to join the Eleventh Division. Yumichika suspected Makoto’s healing-focused Shikai concealed something, and the pair kept him trapped as they prepared to bring him along.

• The headmaster announced that graduates could choose a division and undergo its representative’s assessment.
• Madarame Ikkaku grabbed Chiba Makoto and urged him to join the Eleventh Division, claiming Captain Kenpachi would favor him.
• Ayasegawa Yumichika joined Ikkaku and suggested Makoto could heal them while they fought on the front lines.
• Chiba Makoto tried to refuse by pointing out his poor combat skills and the danger of dying in the Eleventh Division.
• Ayasegawa Yumichika recalled Makoto’s calm healing during battles and suspected his Zanpakuto’s visible Shikai was only a half-Shikai state.
• Ikkaku and Yumichika tightened their hold on Makoto, intending to bring him into the Eleventh Division and investigate him further.

Madarame Ikkaku tried to recruit Chiba Makoto into Zaraki Kenpachi’s Eleventh Division, but Makoto insisted that his dream was to pursue Kaido and medical skills. As Zaraki considered Makoto’s weak combat potential, Ayasegawa Yumichika revealed that Makoto’s Zanpakuto could heal many people continuously and supply them with Reiryoku without end.

• Ikkaku urged Makoto to join the Eleventh Division, promising to protect him, while Makoto explained that he wanted to save lives through medical skills rather than fight.
• Ikkaku insisted Makoto only needed an opportunity to develop his battle-loving side, and Makoto struggled to escape his friend’s recruitment pitch.
• Zaraki Kenpachi arrived, and Ikkaku and Yumichika pledged to follow him as subordinates; Kusajishi Yachiru greeted them by calling Ikkaku “Baldy.”
• Ikkaku introduced Makoto and asked Zaraki to let him join the Eleventh Division, but Zaraki showed little interest after learning Makoto lacked combat talents.
• Yumichika told Zaraki that Makoto’s Zanpakuto could heal on a large scale and continuously supply Reiryoku to others.

Zaraki Kenpachi forced Chiba Makoto to demonstrate his healing Zanpakuto, which rapidly healed Kenpachi’s wound and replenished some of his Reiryoku. Chiba secretly used the opportunity to plant the Seed of the Forest in Kenpachi, leaving his covert plan successful but risky.

• Zaraki Kenpachi demanded that Chiba Makoto release his Zanpakuto to prove his healing ability.
• When Chiba cited the arena rules, Zaraki stabbed himself and ordered Chiba to heal him or face being cut apart.
• Chiba realized Yamada Seinosuke would not intervene and decided to demonstrate his full ability to attract the Fourth Division’s interest.
• Chiba released his Zanpakuto, All Things in Nature, and used a flowering sapling to heal Zaraki’s wound and replenish some of his Reiryoku.
• Chiba secretly delivered a Seed of the Forest into Zaraki during the healing, and Zaraki did not notice it.

Chiba Makoto used his Zanpakuto, All Things in Nature, to heal Zaraki Kenpachi and secretly planted a Seed of the Forest in him to absorb his Reiryoku. Though Kenpachi invited him to the Eleventh Division and promised to protect him, Makoto insisted he wanted to join the Fourth Division as a physician.

• Chiba Makoto sensed that the Seed of the Forest planted in Zaraki Kenpachi drew far more Reiryoku than the seeds he had placed in Shin'ō Academy students, and he considered planting one in Kusajishi Yachiru.
• Zaraki Kenpachi's wound healed within moments, impressing him and the watching seated officers with the potential of Makoto's Zanpakuto.
• Zaraki Kenpachi approved Makoto's application to join the Eleventh Division, and Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika welcomed him.
• Chiba Makoto apologized and said he wanted to join the Fourth Division to become a physician.
• Zaraki Kenpachi pressured Makoto with his spiritual power, then offered him Yachiru's status and promised to carry him on his shoulder during missions if he joined the Eleventh Division.
• Chiba Makoto was left stunned by Kenpachi's offer.

Chiba Makoto feared being recruited into Zaraki Kenpachi’s Eleventh Division, but Yamada Seinosuke intervened to claim him for the Fourth Division. Unohana Retsu arrived as Zaraki challenged the refusal, leaving the graduates tense as the two captains faced off.

• Zaraki Kenpachi invited Chiba Makoto to join the Eleventh Division, while Kusajishi Yachiru welcomed him as “Brother Makoto.”
• Yamada Seinosuke refused to hand Chiba Makoto over and warned Zaraki that the Fourth Division might mishandle Eleventh Division patients if he threatened its members.
• Zaraki demanded that Yamada bring Unohana Retsu before negotiating, and Unohana appeared at the arena entrance.
• Zaraki released his spiritual pressure toward Unohana, alarming the graduates, who feared the newly appointed Kenpachi might attack the gentle Fourth Division captain.

At the Shin'ō Academy recruitment event, Zaraki Kenpachi backed down from taking Chiba Makoto and left recruitment to Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, while Unohana invited graduates to join the Fourth Division. Chiba recognized how dangerous Unohana was and resolved to prepare for survival in Soul Society, believing he had about a hundred years to develop.

• Zaraki Kenpachi ended the tense standoff with Unohana and told Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika to recruit rookies who could take a beating.
• Unohana invited graduates interested in Kaido or medical skills to join the Fourth Division, prompting many to reconsider their division choices.
• Chiba Makoto recalled Unohana's history and feared that provoking her would put his life at risk.
• Chiba reflected that he needed to become a Shinigami to survive Soul Society's dangers, but still had around a hundred years to develop.

Chiba Makoto secured a place among the graduates applying to the Fourth Division, then followed Yamada Seinosuke into the Seireitei for their assessment. Yamada declared that the applicants were already Fourth Division members and joked that they might be assigned to corpse transport, leaving the graduates dismayed.

• Chiba Makoto told Yamada Seinosuke that joining the Fourth Division fulfilled his dream of healing the wounded.
• Yamada Seinosuke told Chiba Makoto to wait while he recruited the other graduates, and Chiba warned Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika not to drag him into the Eleventh Division again.
• The preliminary division selections ended, and Yamada Seinosuke led Chiba Makoto and seventeen other graduates into the Seireitei.
• Kotetsu Isane asked whether the graduates had passed the Fourth Division assessment, and Yamada Seinosuke told them they were already members despite the pending assessment.
• Yamada Seinosuke joked that graduates who knew no Kaido could still transport corpses, angering and disheartening the applicants.

Yamada Seinosuke introduced the graduates to the Fourth Division Barracks and its Gentian Flower traditions, then assigned them to the Mortuary. Chiba Makoto dreaded being stuck among corpses, but Yamada stopped Aoki Risa from taking him inside, saying he needed Chiba for something.

• Yamada Seinosuke led the graduates to the Fourth Division Barracks and explained the history and symbolism of its Gentian Flower.
• Yamada brought the graduates to the Mortuary and told them they would begin their work there.
• Fourth Division members eagerly welcomed the newcomers and began handing over their Mortuary duties.
• Aoki Risa pulled Chiba Makoto along and reassured him that Mortuary work offered opportunities to study Kaido and medical skills.
• Yamada Seinosuke interrupted Aoki Risa at the Mortuary entrance, saying he still needed Chiba Makoto for something.

Chiba Makoto left the Fourth Division Mortuary with Yamada Seinosuke, who explained the purpose of exposing recruits to death before bringing him to meet Captain Unohana Retsu. Unohana praised Makoto’s record in Kaido and Medical Skills, and Makoto caught himself before responding to her praise with an inappropriate phrase.

• Yamada Seinosuke explained that the Mortuary visit was meant to teach Fourth Division recruits about death and the value of life, while Makoto suspected he was indulging his twisted humor.
• Yamada Seinosuke brought Makoto to meet Unohana Retsu in a quiet courtyard where she was arranging flowers.
• Unohana Retsu invited Makoto to sit and asked whether she could address him by his given name.
• Unohana Retsu recited Makoto’s outstanding Academy record, including his top marks and treatment of 315 students during field exercises and missions.
• Makoto nearly blurted out “You’re happy too soon” in response to Unohana’s praise, then realized he had relaxed too much.

Chiba Makoto explained to Unohana Retsu that he had hidden his spiritual pressure to avoid fighting and to improve his chances of joining the Fourth Division. Unohana offered to take him as her disciple, leaving him genuinely stunned.

• Chiba Makoto praised his interest in Kaido and Medical Skills, and Unohana Retsu encouraged him.
• Unohana Retsu confronted Chiba Makoto about concealing his powerful spiritual pressure, and he said he disliked fighting and killing.
• Chiba Makoto quoted a saying about death, and Unohana revealed that Kiyosuke had learned it from her.
• Chiba Makoto told Unohana Retsu that he dreamed of joining the Fourth Division and studying under her.
• Unohana Retsu asked Chiba Makoto to become her disciple, and he was genuinely surprised.

Chiba Makoto accepted Unohana Retsu as his teacher and was invited to stay in her courtyard, while Unohana privately reflected on her violent nature and hopes for the Fourth Division. Yamada Seinosuke was stunned by the news and abruptly changed his attitude toward Makoto.

• Unohana Retsu offered to make Chiba Makoto her disciple, and Makoto readily accepted.
• Unohana reflected that Makoto’s devotion to Kaido and Medical Skills made him a fitting choice to inherit her knowledge and potentially lead the Fourth Division.
• Unohana told Makoto to rest in a side room in her courtyard, and he left while wondering about her unsettling smile.
• Yamada Seinosuke told Makoto to return to the Mortuary, but Makoto explained that Unohana had asked him to stay in her courtyard.
• Yamada Seinosuke reacted with shock when he learned Makoto was Unohana’s disciple, then turned warmly deferential and asked Makoto to take care of him.

After joining the Fourth Division and becoming Unohana Retsu’s disciple, Chiba Makoto reflected on how the position would help him study Kaido and Medical Skills while keeping him safer. He entered sword meditation and met his Zanpakuto spirit, All Things in Nature, whose playful attack left him dazed.

• Yamada Seinosuke left the courtyard resentful that Unohana Retsu had chosen Chiba Makoto as her disciple.
• Chiba Makoto put on his Fourth Division uniform and considered the benefits and risks of becoming Unohana Retsu’s disciple.
• Chiba Makoto reflected on his interest in Kaido and Medical Skills before entering sword meditation.
• Chiba Makoto met the tiny fairy-like spirit of his Zanpakuto, All Things in Nature.
• All Things in Nature accused Chiba Makoto of having rude thoughts, rammed his forehead, and left him rolling across the grass.

Chiba Makoto endured another brutal training session against All Things in Nature in his spiritual space, where she killed him repeatedly before he could subdue her. The next morning, he met Unohana Retsu and concealed the ordeal by claiming he had trained hard to improve his healing abilities.

• All Things in Nature attacked Chiba Makoto with a storm of towering trees and crushed him into jam before he could escape.
• Chiba Makoto revived on the tree and tried to fight back, but All Things in Nature overwhelmed him again.
• After being killed more than ten times, Chiba Makoto woke the next morning exhausted and noticed that his Shunpo had improved.
• Unohana Retsu found Chiba Makoto and asked whether he had trained instead of sleeping.
• Chiba Makoto told Unohana Retsu he had trained to develop All Things in Nature's abilities and strengthen his healing, and she encouraged him.

Chiba Makoto showed Unohana Retsu his Zanpakuto, All Things in Nature, and she quickly deduced ways its healing grass could restrain and drain enemies or sustain its wielder. Her sudden bloodthirsty intensity frightened him, so she stopped probing and offered to teach him Zanjutsu and promised him the future lieutenant position if he awakened Bankai.

• Chiba Makoto released All Things in Nature, and Unohana Retsu tested the grass and noticed its unusual resilience.
• Chiba Makoto explained that the grass healed minor injuries and replenished Reiryoku and vitality by absorbing Reishi.
• Unohana Retsu proposed that All Things in Nature could drain enemies, restrain them, and replenish Makoto during battle.
• Unohana Retsu's bloodthirsty expression frightened Chiba Makoto, and she apologized before ending her speculation.
• Unohana Retsu offered to teach Chiba Makoto Zanjutsu and said he could become Fourth Division Lieutenant if he awakened Bankai.

Chiba Makoto worried that Unohana Retsu's offer to teach him Zanjutsu meant she had marked him as prey, but she instead assigned him duties in the Fourth Division. He accepted a Combat Support role, then was stunned when she placed him in gynecology for his regular consultations.

• Unohana Retsu showed Chiba Makoto around the Fourth Division and shared an exquisite breakfast with him.
• Chiba Makoto brooded over Unohana Retsu's promise to teach him Zanjutsu and feared she intended to slaughter him in training.
• Unohana Retsu teased Chiba Makoto about his reactions and decided where to assign him.
• Chiba Makoto agreed to join the Combat Support Division, providing medical aid during emergencies.
• Unohana Retsu assigned Chiba Makoto to gynecology for his ordinary consultations, leaving him dismayed.

Unohana Retsu assigned Chiba Makoto to the Fourth Division’s Gynecology Department so he could deepen his understanding of soul body structure. After Makoto sidestepped her attempt to bring up his Zanpakuto, she took him to the department.

• Chiba Makoto tried to avoid the Gynecology Department by pleading that his training had focused on external wound healing.
• Unohana Retsu explained that studying female soul bodies would improve Makoto’s healing skills and justified assigning him to gynecology.
• Unohana Retsu joked that she was a genuine Thousand-Man Slayer, making Makoto wonder whether she had literally studied male soul bodies by cutting them open.
• Makoto avoided discussing his Zanpakuto by promising to work harder at Kaido and Medical Skills.
• Unohana Retsu told Makoto to come with her to the Gynecology Department.

Chiba Makoto followed Unohana Retsu to the Fourth Division’s Gynecology Department for an internship, while Unohana privately questioned his attitude toward authority. There, Aoki Risa mistook his assignment for evidence that he was a woman or a noble receiving special treatment.

• Unohana Retsu led Chiba Makoto through the Fourth Division, where Shinigami greeted her respectfully and gave him curious, envious looks.
• After Chiba Makoto called Unohana popular and said he was envious, Unohana wondered whether he saw her as an equal or rejected Soul Society’s class rules.
• Unohana told Chiba Makoto to wait outside the Gynecology Department while she discussed his internship with its seated officer.
• Chiba Makoto felt awkward among the female Shinigami and suspected Unohana had assigned him there as a joke.
• Aoki Risa recognized Chiba Makoto and, surprised that he was interning in the Gynecology Department, wondered aloud if he was a woman or a great noble receiving special treatment.

Chiba Makoto was mistaken by Aoki Risa for a woman, and Unohana Retsu interrupted their flirtatious exchange before assigning them to work together. Unohana approved Risa’s entry into the Fifth Rescue Squad, giving Aoki Chiyoko and her family welcome support.

• Aoki Risa mistook Chiba Makoto for a woman and flirted with him, while Makoto struggled to correct her.
• Unohana Retsu arrived and warned Makoto to behave properly in the Gynecology Department, then praised Aoki Risa’s performance to her mother, Aoki Chiyoko.
• Unohana Retsu ordered Makoto and Risa to work as partners and approved Risa’s assignment to the Fifth Rescue Squad despite Chiyoko’s doubts about her readiness.
• Aoki Chiyoko accepted Unohana Retsu’s decision, recognizing that the approval would help secure her family’s standing, and grew more favorably disposed toward Chiba Makoto.

Aoki Chiyoko arranged for Makoto and Aoki Risa to work together in a new Gynecology Department outpatient office after Risa mistakenly believed Makoto was a woman. The chapter left Risa mortified and Makoto studying medical texts while Chiyoko worried about rumors.

• Aoki Chiyoko caught Risa clinging to Makoto and scolded her, but Makoto defended Risa and praised her lively innocence.
• Chiyoko warmed to Makoto and asked him to guide Risa, while Risa assumed he must be a great noble.
• Risa told Chiyoko that Makoto was a woman, and Chiyoko corrected her by saying Makoto was Unohana's disciple.
• Chiyoko arranged a new outpatient office for Makoto and Risa, then left with concerns about rumors.
• Risa sat in embarrassed silence while Makoto began reading Kaido and Gynecology Department medical books.