A Joint Mission for Multiple Divisions

Kirio Hikifune put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed slightly to Unohana.

Having found the answers to everything she wanted to know, it was time for her to take her leave.

Since someone had come, she felt embarrassed to continue bothering Unohana was handling team affairs.

"I've troubled you for a long time, and I should head back now. Thank you very much Captain Unohana, for clearing up my doubts today."

Unohana also stood up and nodded slightly.

"Captain Hikifune, you're too kind. Please feel free to visit the Fourth Division anytime you need."

Kirio Hikifune smiled and nodded, then turned and walked towards the door.

Hiyori followed closely behind, and as she passed by Wang Xun, her large eyes gave him a once-over, a look of scrutiny mixed with disdain.

Wang Xun calmly returned the gaze and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Hiyori gave a soft snort, pursed her lips, and quickly followed Kirio Hikifune.

As they walked out of the Fourth Division Barracks, the afternoon sun shone on the stone path, casting long shadows of the two of them.

Hiyori, who had been holding it in all the way, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Captain, don't you think that new Fourth Seat guy is a bit pretentious?"

Kirio Hikifune kept walking, turned his head to look at her, and smiled.

Why do you say that?

"It's just... hard to put into words."

Hiyori frowned, struggling to find the right words.

"His gaze was too calm. When he saw you, Captain, when he saw me, he didn't react at all."

"Even the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division should show some respect to the captain of the Twelfth Division, right? He just nodded indifferently, as if he didn't take us seriously at all."

Kirio Hikifune chuckled softly.

"Haha, Little Hiyori is quite observant."

"Of course!"

Hiyori puffed out her chest, then pursed her lips.

"I just felt something was off about him, there wasn't a good feeling about him, just like... that Captain Unohana, he gave me the same feeling."

Kirio Hikifune stopped, smiled, and reached out to ruffle Hiyori's hair.

Hiyori subconsciously shrank her neck, feeling Kirio Hikifune's caress, her face slightly flushed, and she muttered softly.

"Captain, I've told you so many times, stop treating me like a child..."

"Yes, I know, but..."

Kirio Hikifune's voice was gentle, yet carried a hint of seriousness.

"Little Hiyori's temper needs to be changed."

"If you really do go to Zero Division in the future, and I'm not by your side, you must get along well with the people around you."

"Don't easily provoke the people around you; it's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."

Upon hearing Hiyori's eyes.

She lowered her head and muttered something under her breath.

"Okay, okay, I'm not a three-year-old, I understand these things..."

Seeing her like this, Kirio Hikifune suddenly burst into laughter. His hearty laughter drew the attention of several passing members of the Fourth Division.

"Little Hiyori so cute and straightforward, no one could dislike you."

Hiyori's face flushed bright red instantly, and she abruptly raised her head, her voice rising in pitch.

"Captain! I've already told you I'm not a child anymore! What do you mean by cute or not? I'm the vice-captain of the Twelfth Division!"

She waved her hands, looking determined to argue to the end, which only made her appear even more petite and adorable.

Den Shū Kiryu laughed even harder, and only managed to stop laughing before continuing to walk forward.

Hiyori followed behind, pouting, muttering under her breath, "I'm not a child anymore, this is too much."

After walking a distance, Kirio Hikifune's pace gradually slowed down.

Her thoughts drifted back to the captain's room she had just been in.

That white-haired boy.

She didn't really pay much attention during their brief encounter.

But looking back now, something feels off.

Kirio Hikifune narrowed his eyes slightly.

The fact that Unohana suddenly transferred someone to serve as the Fourth Seat is rather strange.

While the Fourth Division doesn't prioritize strength like the 11th Division, the Fourth Seat seat isn't a position anyone can just take.

Moreover, the fact that they were transferred from the Second Division makes it seem even more special.

She remembered a rumor she had heard before.

The nobles have recently been pushing for the expansion of the Shin'ō Medical Institute, and their efforts are quite significant.

She had also heard that Kiyōnosuke Yamada was about to be transferred.

The position of vice-captain of the Fourth Division is about to become vacant.

At this time, Unohana brought in a young man and placed him directly in the Fourth Seat seat.

A flash of understanding crossed Kirio Hikifune's eyes.

I see.

Hiyori.

She suddenly spoke.

Hiyori, who was sulking with her head down, looked up when she heard this.

"Ah?"

"Next time you go to the Fourth Division, be nicer to that Fourth Seat."

Hiyori was taken aback, her face full of confusion.

"Why?"

Kirio Hikifune looked at her, thought for a moment, and finally just smiled.

"It's nothing, I just think this young man is extraordinary. Listen to me, it never hurts to be kind to others."

She didn't voice her guess.

After all, nothing has happened yet. Kiyōnosuke Yamada's transfer has not been officially announced, and it has not been determined who will fill the vacancy of the Fourth Division's vice-captain.

There's no point in saying more about this.

Moreover, given Hiyori's personality, even if she explained, she might not understand.

Hiyori looked at Kirio Hikifune suspiciously, sensing that there was something more to the captain's words.

But she knew that if the captain didn't want to talk about something, she wouldn't get it out of him no matter how hard she asked.

"Okay," she pouted. "I'll keep an eye out."

Hiyori then rolled her eyes.

"Captain, why are you so concerned about a Fourth Seat? He might die any day now."

Kirio Hikifune smiled without saying a word, but then reached out and patted her head again.

"Just listen to me."

Hiyori couldn't dodge in time and was hit squarely again, causing her to jump up and down in frustration once more.

The two figures gradually disappeared at the end of the street.

The Fourth Division Captain's Room.

After watching Kirio Hikifune and Hiyori Sarugaki leave, Wang Xun turned his gaze to Unohana.

"Captain, Captain Hikifune, is there something you need today?"

Unohana sat back down at the tea table, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip.

"Nothing much, just came to ask about a few things."

Seeing her calm tone, Wang Xun nodded and didn't press the matter further.

He walked to the opposite side of the tea table, sat down at Unohana's suggestion, took out his work documents, and began to report on the recent admissions situation.

Unohana listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

"How's your practice of organ repair techniques going lately?"

"Skilled enough."

Wang Xun told the truth.

"I independently completed two organ damage repair cases last week, with Lieutenant Yamada providing guidance. The evaluation was acceptable."

"Acceptable?"

Unohana chuckled softly.

" For Kiyonosuke to say 'acceptable' is already a very high compliment."

She put down her teacup, looked at Wang Xun, and changed the subject, her tone becoming more formal.

"You've come at the perfect time; we just need you on a mission."

Wang Xun's expression remained unchanged.

"Captain, please speak."

Unohana took out a document and pushed it in front of Wang Xun.

"A large-scale incident of soul disappearances has recently occurred in the North District 70 to District 80 Rukongai."

"Disappear?"

Wang Xun raised an eyebrow slightly.

"That's right."

Unohana stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him.

"At first, a few souls in the peripheral areas disappeared without a trace. The team members in charge of monitoring thought it was just normal fighting and didn't pay any attention."

"But later, the number of missing souls increased dramatically, and the area affected continued to expand. Patrol teams sent to investigate also never returned."

Wang Xun listened quietly, but his heart was no longer at peace.

Although I don't know what happened, I have a feeling it was Aizen who did it.

"The First Division's assessment is that Menos Grande is active in that area."

Unohana continued.

"Therefore, the newly appointed captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Kiganjō, has been assigned to lead the team to suppress the rebellion."

"Fifth Division Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen will lead the support team, while the Fourth Division will provide medical assistance."

She paused.

"As the representative of the Fourth Division, you will lead the team to set off."

A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Xun's eyes, and he nodded slightly.

This mission... well, Aizen is involved?

Wang Xun began to have second thoughts.

"Captain, do I have to go on this mission?"

"Kiyonosuke has been summoned away by the nobles these past few days, and the Third Seat is not as capable as you. You are the most suitable choice to take the position."

"What, is there something unusual about this mission?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Unohana's eyes.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xun let out a soft breath.

"No... I don't know when we'll leave?"

"First thing tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow, you will lead a team to the Kokuryōmon, the north gate of the Seireitei. After meeting up with Captain Kiganjō and Lieutenant Aizen, you can proceed together."