Yamada's Warning

Fourth Division.

A faint scent of herbs filled the air as several team members hurried past carrying baskets of herbs, nodding to Wang Xun in greeting.

Everything was as usual, quiet and peaceful.

After finishing his work for the day, Wang Xun walked along the corridor towards his dormitory, his pace slower than usual.

His mind was still replaying the events of the past few days.

Aizen's guidance, the breakthrough in Kidō, and those experimental data.

And the plans that Kisuke Urahara devised.

He can't tell anyone these things; he needs time to process them.

"Wang Xun."

A voice came from behind, gentle and steady.

Wang Xun stopped and turned around.

Kiyōnosuke Yamada stood at the other end of the corridor, holding a document in his hand, his face bearing his usual gloomy expression.

He walked over slowly, his gaze lingering on Wang Xun for a moment.

"Lieutenant Yamada."

Wang Xun nodded slightly.

Yamada walked up to him and looked him up and down.

The gaze was calm, but Wang Xun always felt that something was hidden within it.

Are you busy with tasks lately?

"Fortunately, we had a joint mission with the Second Division not long ago, and we went to Rukongai to provide support."

Yamada nodded, without asking any further questions.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke.

"Your Reiatsu has increased quite a bit."

Wang Xun was taken aback.

Yamada continued, his tone remaining calm.

"If I'm not mistaken, we should be at the fourth tier by now."

Wang Xun did not deny it.

"Yes, there have been some breakthroughs recently."

Yamada remained silent.

He just stood there, watching Wang Xun.

A very faint, complex emotion flashed in those eyes.

It was a kind of astonishment that was deeply suppressed, only revealing the Ikkaku the iceberg.

Kiyōnosuke Yamada, a Soul Reaper who has served as the lieutenant of the Fourth Division for countless years, is currently doing his best to conceal the turmoil in his heart.

"Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure."

He repeated those words softly, as if savoring their meaning.

"You've been in the Fourth Division for less than a year."

"Yes."

"In less than a year, Spiritual Might rose to the fourth level, and he had fully mastered the organ repair technique, and also achieved some skill in soul repair."

Yamada looked up at the sky outside the corridor.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his face.

Even without all that I did, I'm afraid Captain Unohana would still favor you more.

"I've walked this path for many years to get to where I am today."

Kiyōnosuke Yamada's voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself.

"I thought I was fast enough, but you... ha, there's always someone better."

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

"Lieutenant Yamada is too kind."

Yamada shook his head.

"No, I'm just stating a fact."

He turned around and looked at Wang Xun.

"You know, Captain Unohana hasn't cared about anyone this much in a long time."

"She's teaching you Kendō, isn't she?"

Wang Xun was slightly taken aback, opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

He knew what Yamada was talking about.

On the training ground behind the mountain, Unohana, wielding her Zanpakuto with him in a real sword fight.

However, they did not deliberately avoid anything within the Fourth Division.

With a little attention, you can find the overlap in the times when Unohana and Wang Xun disappeared.

Yamada, seeing his silence, already knew the answer.

However, Yamada didn't seem to care and continued talking.

His tone was calm, but there was a subtle hint of melancholy in his words.

"She taught you the Kaidō, she taught you the Kendō, and she let you learn by her side."

He looked into Wang Xun's eyes.

Do you know what this means?

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

Yamada smiled.

The bitterness in that smile deepened.

"You know what? I've never seen her draw her sword."

Yamada's gaze drifted into the distance, as if he were recalling something.

"Having been in the Fourth Division for so many years, I've witnessed Captain Unohana treating countless wounded soldiers."

I've seen her sitting at the tea table arranging flowers, I've seen her strolling in the courtyard, but I've never seen her draw her Zanpakuto.

Wang Xun fell silent.

He sighed softly.

"She treats you differently."

Wang Xun didn't know what to say.

He just stood there, watching Yamada.

Yamada remained silent for a long time.

Then, he suddenly laughed.

The bitterness in that smile had faded, replaced by a sense of relief.

Cherish it.

He patted Wang Xun on the shoulder.

"Captain Unohana doesn't have many people she values. You're lucky to have gained her approval."

Wang Xun nodded.

"I will."

Yamada withdrew his hand, his usual calm expression returning.

"If you have any questions about the Kaidō, feel free to ask me. Although your current level means you don't need me to teach you anything."

Wang Xun shook his head.

"Lieutenant Yamada is too modest. Your expertise in soul repair is far beyond my reach."

Yamada glanced at him, seemingly surprised by his answer.

"You certainly know how to talk."

He paused, his smile gradually fading, and he became serious.

"However, there's something I need to remind you of."

Wang Xun's heart stirred.

"What's up?"

Yamada hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"I've recently had some dealings with the powerful nobles. Someone has been asking me about you."

Wang Xun frowned slightly.

"Ask me about me?"

Yamada nodded.

"They asked about your performance in the Fourth Division, and about your current situation. Although the questions were phrased subtly, the meaning was clear."

He looked at Wang Xun.

They're interested in you.

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

Which nobleman is it?

Yamada looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and then softly uttered a name.

"Tsunayashiro."

A hint of coldness appeared in Wang Xun's eyes.

It's Tsunayashiro again.

Shunsui Kyōraku had already helped him deal with it once before, but now it seems those people haven't given up.

Yamada, observing the change in his expression, did not press further but continued speaking.

"I don't know what grudge you have against the Tsunayashiro Clan, but you'd better be careful."

He paused.

"With your current strength, while you're not afraid, it's hard to guarantee that they won't do anything unpredictable."

"I'm just reminding you, it's best not to stray too far from Seireitei these days."

Wang Xun a deep breath and suppressed his emotions.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lieutenant Yamada. I'll keep that in mind."

Yamada nodded and turned to leave.

He took a few steps, then suddenly stopped.

"Wang Xun."

Yamada did not look back.

"Don't let Captain Unohana down."

Wang Xun watched his retreating figure, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

"I know."

Yamada said nothing more and strode forward.

His figure gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Wang Xun stood there, watching the departing figure, and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he looked away and turned to walk back to his dormitory.

Tsunayashiro.

The name echoed repeatedly in his mind.

Those people haven't given up yet.

But that's okay.

His current strength is no longer that of a rookie who could be easily manipulated.

Moreover, he has Unohana, Urahara, and even... Aizen behind him.

A slight smile curved the corners of Wang Xun's lips.

Trying to take him down won't be that easy.

He pushed open the dormitory door and went inside.

Behind me, the sun still shone brightly, and the faint scent of medicine still lingered in the air.

Everything was the same as usual.

But Wang Xun knew that some things had changed.