Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

After the graduation ceremony concluded, Makoto instructed Isane to lead the newly recruited Fourth Division members back to their barracks. Her task was to introduce them to the squad's general operations and familiarize them with the environment. Meanwhile, Makoto took a slight detour to head towards District 1 of the Southern Rukongai.

Before long, a modest house where Hisana live came into view.

In the next instant, a figure draped in the elegant captain's haori of the Sixth Division appeared before Makoto. The epitome of nobility and poise, it was none other than Byakuya Kuchiki.

Much like Makoto, Byakuya had shed the youthful inexperience of fifty years ago, fully stepping into the demeanor of a man. However… Makoto knew all too well that Byakuya remained, in some ways, an innocent fledgling.

The reason? Byakuya was overly cautious about harming Hisana with his immense spiritual pressure. Not only had he refrained from any sort of deep intimacy, but he likely hadn't even held her hand.

For fifty long years, Byakuya had doted on his beloved "Onion Head," admiring her from a distance without taking advantage.

Makoto couldn't help but admire Byakuya's restraint and discipline.

Of course, Makoto wasn't exactly in a position to judge. After all, he had spent over fifty years working closely with Unohana, and yet…

He remained untouched.

Whenever such thoughts crossed his mind, Makoto comforted himself with a mantra: "Women only slow down my swordsmanship and increase my chances of getting stabbed."

In his mind, this was proof enough that he could proudly call himself a gentleman.

In fact, after every punishing night of sparring with Unohana, Makoto would carve a tally mark on his body as a personal reminder. He vowed that, one day, he would return every single one of those marks to his beloved mentor.

As Makoto approached, Byakuya's typically aloof expression barely shifted. With his usual haughty tone, he greeted, "You're here?"

Makoto adjusted his glasses and countered, "Not welcome? I can leave."

For a brief moment, Byakuya's cold demeanor faltered, his lips twitching as though he had no idea how to respond.

"You've learned to be cunning from Captain Unohana," Byakuya finally remarked.

"Not learned—refined," Makoto replied casually, waving his hand dismissively as he fell in step beside Byakuya. Together, they approached Hisana's house.

As Hisana's figure came into focus at the door, Byakuya's previously composed tone betrayed a hint of nervousness. Quietly, he asked, "Makoto, are you absolutely certain you can help Hisana withstand the effects of high-level spiritual pressure?"

Makoto nodded confidently. "Of course. You've been asking me to handle this for fifty years. If I don't succeed now, I'd have no face left to show you."

Despite Makoto's assurance, Byakuya frowned slightly. Over the years, as both captain of the Sixth Division and head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya had come to understand how difficult it was to enhance a spiritual body's tolerance to spiritual pressure.

In fact, Byakuya had even reluctantly consulted Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the captain of the Twelfth Division and president of Shinigami Research and Development Institute

Mayuri's suggestion?

Begin by modifying the soul itself. If the soul could be altered, the spiritual body would naturally adapt, potentially increasing its resistance to spiritual pressure.

Mayuri had even offered to personally handle the procedure, promising results that would satisfy Byakuya, provided the Kuchiki clan and the Sixth Division supported his future research projects.

But how could Byakuya agree to such terms?

Leaving Hisana's soul in the hands of a man like Mayuri, who had no regard for ethics, was unthinkable. There was no telling what horrors she might endure under his scalpel.

Faced with no better options and with Makoto's constant reassurances of "almost there" and "just a bit more time," Byakuya had nearly resigned himself to simply cherishing Hisana from afar for the rest of his life.

But now, after fifty long years, Makoto was finally claiming that his research was complete.

"It… doesn't involve modifying her soul, does it?" Byakuya asked hesitantly.

Makoto sighed. "Byakuya, I'm a healer, not a mad scientist."

Byakuya's expression shifted several times before settling into a mixture of hope and tension. Looking towards Hisana, who stood a few steps away, serene and beautiful as the crimson sky, he softly said, "Makoto, I'll leave everything to you."

Makoto smirked. "Don't worry. What you should be worrying about is how you'll convince your grandfather and father to accept Hisana as the future lady of the Kuchiki clan."

Byakuya's composed face turned faintly red.

After fifty years of admiration, even Byakuya's patience had its limits. Surely, he had long yearned to peel back the layers of his beloved "onion."

Makoto exchanged a brief greeting with Hisana before getting straight to the point.

"Hisana, during my earlier examination, I noticed some hidden issues in your body. I'm here today specifically to treat them. Is that okay with you?"

Hisana hesitated momentarily, then instinctively glanced at Byakuya.

Hisana was no fool; she was a perceptive and intelligent woman. Byakuya's feelings for her were crystal clear to her.

Initially, Hisana had been apprehensive about the disparity in their status and social standing. But after fifty years of unwavering visits from Byakuya—each time under the pretense of "checking on the house"—she had come to care for him deeply.

Though their conversations rarely exceeded five sentences during these visits, their quiet companionship had fostered a deep bond.

Now, hearing Makoto's veiled remarks, Hisana suddenly understood everything.

She looked at Byakuya and said softly, "If Lord Byakuya approves, then I'm willing to proceed, even if the treatment carries risks."

Byakuya's eyes flickered with emotion, and, in an uncharacteristically gentle tone, he replied, "Don't worry. No matter how dangerous, I'll handle it."

Makoto blinked.

Handle it? Wasn't he the healer here? What was Byakuya even talking about?

Besides, there was no danger to begin with!

Makoto had already successfully conducted far more complex 'spiritual body overlap' during his work with Shuhei.

But seeing the moment of mutual understanding pass between Byakuya and Hisana, Makoto decided to let it slide—this time.

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