When Yoriichi returned home, he saw Uta communicating with her Zanpakuto.
Uta had a smile on her face, completely different from the cautiousness she displayed a dozen days ago.
It was as if the two had already become friends.
Just then, Yoriichi recalled what Yamamoto Genryusai had told him earlier…
Mastering Shikai in a dozen days…
Having the will to become a Shinigami…
He would not mention the latter for now.
After all, having himself at home was enough.
If not, there were still Rukia and Rangiku.
As the mistress of the house, she did not need to personally take risks.
Even the Fourth Division, which was generally safer.
Yoriichi was mainly concerned about the former.
A dozen days… this speed already surpassed ninety-nine percent of Shinigami squad members.
Even with the tools given by Kisuke Urahara, it was still unexpected.
At least, this was a speed Yoriichi had never considered.
But then again, such things had happened in the history of Soul Society.
If he had to say, it was probably because Uta's personality was quite compatible with her Zanpakuto.
Only then would the Zanpakuto recognize her in such a short time.
Yoriichi felt quite relieved.
He walked forward, and after a short while, he saw Uta's Zanpakuto spirit slowly disappear, as the time limit for the tool given by Kisuke Urahara had expired.
Uta had not learned Sword Zen, and before she learned it, tools were used to substitute, to prevent losing some intimacy with her Zanpakuto if she did not communicate for a day.
Hearing footsteps, Uta turned around, a hint of surprise flashing across her gentle smiling face: "Why are you back?"
She asked in a rapid-fire manner, "Did the mission go smoothly? Are you injured?"
Uta quickly got up and took Yoriichi's clothes.
The haori, torn open by Shunko, was particularly glaring, and she momentarily thought Yoriichi was injured, so she quickly checked him thoroughly.
Only after confirming that Yoriichi was not injured did she breathe a sigh of relief, murmuring: "It's good that you're not injured."
Having just reunited with Yoriichi, she really did not want to see anything like separation by life or death happen.
In her eyes, Yoriichi was invincible, and anyone who could injure him must be an extremely powerful opponent.
Yoriichi did not need to face such opponents alone, because Soul Society still had everyone else.
Seeing the worry in Uta's eyes, Yoriichi gently stroked her head, softly indicating that everything was fine.
The trip to Hueco Mundo was basically concluded; with the subjugation and slaying of those few Vasto Lorde, Aizen's arrangements in Hueco Mundo had suffered a fifty percent loss.
Next, they only needed to wait for Aizen to show himself.
Kisuke Urahara was right; without knowing how many trump cards Aizen still held, waiting for the enemy to make a move was the most stable and optimal method.
Even the usually impulsive Yamamoto Genryusai would not risk deep penetration into enemy territory.
Uta nodded, indicating understanding, when Yoriichi mentioned this.
Then, she spoke with a slightly excited tone:
"Yoriichi, do you know that while you were away, she already told me her name?"
"Just as you said, she is indeed a healing-type Zanpakuto."
"Do you want to try?"
Yoriichi slowly sat down cross-legged, bathed in the warm sunlight from outside the house, facing Uta.
Seeing Uta's excited expression, a smile also appeared on his face: "What's her name?"
"Is this why you want to join the Fourth Division?"
Uta paused, then her cheeks flushed slightly, a bit embarrassed: "You already know?"
"Hmm, my teacher told me, and personally, I'm not too keen on it."
Yoriichi nodded, explaining softly,
"Because even the usually safe Fourth Division has some dangers; some enemies like to strike from the rear."
"And your reishi isn't strong; your self-defense is limited to below Seat Officer level."
"If you encounter a Seat Officer level opponent… Uta, what would you do then?"
"I will also become stronger."
Uta clenched her fists, her tone a bit stubborn.
After speaking, she seemed to remember something and quickly said:
"Oh, you just got back, don't say such mood-killing things. Why don't you try my ability first?"
"The Fourth Division isn't a combat division, and I won't take risks. I just want to help everyone as much as I can."
Uta slowly drew her Zanpakuto.
Seeing this, Yoriichi sighed and did not continue speaking.
He knew Uta had made up her mind.
He could forcibly change her will, but he was unwilling to do so.
After all, this was the first time Uta wanted to help others since she entered Soul Society.
Yoriichi had no reason to interfere.
He would wait and see for now.
If there truly was a risk, it would not be too late to intervene then.
If all else failed, he could mention it to Captain Retsu Unohana; although their relationship was distant, under permissible rules, there was no harm in providing limited care to a newcomer.
Thinking of this, Yoriichi let go of his slightly troubled heart.
Immediately after, Uta released her Zanpakuto.
"Nourish, Harusame."
As the gentle words fell, countless green light particles emanated from the blade.
They hovered in the air, seemingly searching for a target, then found Yoriichi and swarmed into his body.
At that instant, Yoriichi felt his body and mind become much clearer, as if every single cell in his entire body had tiny hands gently massaging it.
The fatigue accumulated in Hueco Mundo instantly vanished, and even his spiritual pressure increased slightly, though infinitesimally, it was indeed there.
Yoriichi quietly closed his eyes, observing his body with Transparent World, and quickly came to a conclusion.
—This fatigue-erasing effect ignored spiritual pressure differences.
Hoo… Yoriichi slowly exhaled, opened his eyes, looked at Uta, and said:
"Is this why you want to join the Fourth Division?"
"How many people can it cover at once?"
Uta was slightly out of breath at this time, and seeing Yoriichi's mental state return to normal, she smiled again, put away her Zanpakuto,
and nodded:
"About three to five people. Any more and my reishi can't quite sustain it."
"It might seem like a small number, but Yoriichi, you saw it, she can even eliminate the fatigue of a master like you."
"In other words, even for a master like Grandpa Yamamoto, she can still have some effect."
"I don't know much about Shinigami matters, but Rukia always tells me that Shinigami casualties are too high."
"Even with the weapons you and Ms. Yoruichi jointly developed, injuries and deaths are unavoidable."
"So I thought, if I could join the Fourth Division, would my ability be able to help reduce casualties?"
"Even if it's just a little bit."
"…" Yoriichi understood Uta's thoughts completely upon hearing this.
She was still the Uta from his memories, kind and optimistic.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, Uta's ability indeed had great use in high-level battles.
Fatigue was something even Kaido could not erase.
Considering this, Yoriichi remained silent for a while.
A moment later, he slowly stood up and walked towards the door, his voice following closely behind:
"If you've made up your mind, then follow me."
"Don't think about being a full-time Shinigami, but part-time might be possible. After all, don't forget, you are the mistress of this house…"
Uta was stunned for a moment at his words, then chased after him with a beaming smile.
She did not care whether it was part-time or not; as long as she could help others, that was enough.
…
Fourth Division.
When Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Uta arrived here, they did not see Captain Retsu Unohana.
After some inquiry, they learned that due to certain matters, she had gone to the Noble District and was currently at the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office, expected to return in about half an hour.
The Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office, Yoriichi Tsugikuni remembered that it was a medical facility exclusively for nobles.
He did not particularly care for the place; he had been there once, and the decorations inside were extremely luxurious.
However, considering that the patients who came were all nobles, such luxury was understandable.
What was Captain Retsu Unohana doing there?
Yoriichi Tsugikuni was filled with doubt and decided to wait patiently.
At this moment, not far away, Kiyone Kotetsu, who had come from the Thirteenth Division at her sister's invitation and was currently moving medical equipment, saw him.
The sight of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and his wife, Uta, sitting quietly, occasionally chatting intimately, reflected in her eyes, and for a moment, her heart felt as if it had shattered.
The last time she saw him, he was still single, just like Captain Ukitake, but after only a little over a year of not seeing him, he actually had a wife.
Her heart was filled with sorrow and a slight sense of loss.
Suddenly, Isane Kotetsu came from behind Kiyone Kotetsu, patted her shoulder, and asked: "What are you doing?"
She looked in the direction Kiyone was staring, and the figures of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Uta came into view.
Somewhat familiar… he should be the Captain of the Ninth Division.
The person beside him…
Isane Kotetsu blinked, then immediately understood something, looked at her sister, and said with surprise in her voice:
"No way, you're not still thinking about what happened back then, are you?"
"I told you from the start you two had no chance, after all, you barely knew each other."
"That rescue was just a mission."
"I know, but one must always hold onto dreams, right?" Kiyone Kotetsu sighed, her hands clutching the medical equipment involuntarily tightening.
She looked at her older sister, whose tall stature and impressive figure truly filled her with envy.
Unfortunately, despite being biological sisters, she hadn't inherited any of those excellent genes.
With that, she suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, turned around, and was about to carry the equipment indoors.
After everything was done and she had come back to her senses, Kiyone Kotetsu realized that her sister had, at some point, gone over to Yoriichi Tsugikuni's side, and the two seemed to be chatting.
She listened quietly, and it seemed they were discussing the Fourth Division's mission guidelines and matters concerning Captain Retsu Unohana.
"You're asking about Captain Retsu Unohana? I know a little; she's currently busy with matters concerning the current Vice-Captain, Kiyonosuke Yamada."
"Before, I remember some nobles invited Vice-Captain Kiyonosuke to work at the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office, but recently, for some reason, those nobles went silent."
"However, news came again today, which is why Captain Retsu Unohana went over."
"Is this your wife? She's very beautiful."
"What? You want to join our Fourth Division?"
"This… that…"
Isane Kotetsu hesitated, unsure what to say; she was just a small Third Seat.
Moreover, if she wasn't mistaken, it wasn't yet time for the Gotei 13 to recruit new members, and under such circumstances, they usually wouldn't accept anyone.
But then again, Yoriichi Tsugikuni had several identities, each of which she couldn't afford to offend.
Just then, Kiyonosuke Yamada walked over from behind Isane Kotetsu, rubbing his temples.
He had already known about Yoriichi Tsugikuni's arrival at the Fourth Division, after all, he was the Vice-Captain.
As for the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office… it was currently just a negotiation; only when the Captain confronted those nobles would they not be at a disadvantage.
This was also why Retsu Unohana had specifically gone there.
He patted Isane Kotetsu's shoulder, signaling that she could temporarily leave.
Only after all irrelevant personnel had disappeared did he invite Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Uta to the special reception room.
Before Yoriichi Tsugikuni could speak, Kiyonosuke Yamada spoke first:
"Before we formally communicate, Captain Tsugikuni, I'd like to ask you a question: Do you know Yoruichi Shihouin and Kisuke Urahara?"
"To be frank, it was the Shihouin Clan who invited me to the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office."
"Previously, it was the Tsunayashiro Clan, but a few months ago, for some reason, they seemed to have run into problems."
"After some investigation, I learned that you seemed to be involved in this matter."
"If you know them, I'd like to ask what exactly they are researching."
"Why do they all require my reishi physical creation technology?"
If there was only one noble, Kiyonosuke Yamada might not have hesitated, because it would mean they valued him.
It would be a promotion.
But if there were two nobles, and the previous noble who invited him ran into problems due to infighting among nobles.
He couldn't help but consider it.
What was the purpose of these nobles promoting him?
He couldn't handle anything too dangerous.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni pondered for a moment upon hearing this, the Shihouin Clan…
Considering this matter happened today, could it be that Kisuke's research had made some progress?
Since he hadn't gone to the Twelfth Division, he wasn't clear what the progress was exactly.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Is that so? I understand your concerns. I'll help you ask about it."
"However, the immediate priority isn't this, is it? My main reason for coming this time is…"
"I know."
Before Yoriichi Tsugikuni finished speaking, Kiyonosuke Yamada directly interrupted him,
"About your wife joining the Fourth Division, I can make that decision directly."
"Also, I remember you are a high-ranking noble…"
"How about this?"
"Considering her special status, let her join the logistics department for now."
"She won't need to fight, nor transport bodies; she just needs to occasionally come and organize supplies."
"If she knows Kaido, or if her Zanpakuto ability is suitable, she can occasionally participate in rescue work. Captain Retsu Unohana won't refuse."
"After all, she often talks about you with me."
He was about to be promoted to the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Office, and the noble who promoted him had an extremely close relationship with Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
He definitely had to foster a good relationship and look after her.
So as not to be given a hard time.
Although, given Yoriichi Tsugikuni's personality, he wouldn't do that, Kiyonosuke Yamada wasn't familiar with him.
While he was still in the Fourth Division.
There was no better time than now.
Uta was a little displeased upon hearing this.
She really wanted to retort, saying it was fine to give her dangerous work.
But Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw through her thoughts and stopped her a step ahead.
"Quiet, Uta."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni held her hand, gently stroked Uta's head, signaling her to relax and leave the communication to him.
Uta slowly quieted down. Later, though reluctant, she ultimately accepted the job because she couldn't refute Yoriichi's words.
Everything had to prioritize her own safety.
…
Upon Retsu Unohana's return, Kiyonosuke Yamada respectfully reported the situation.
She listened quietly.
Soon.
A knowing smile gradually appeared on Retsu Unohana's amiable face.
Kiyonosuke Yamada's handling of the matter was flawless; it was both reasonable and strictly adhered to regulations.
Retsu Unohana knew Uta, the soul who had arrived in Seireitei not long ago.
Uta was Yoriichi Tsugikuni's wife, and as a high-ranking noble with little combat ability, she naturally couldn't be sent to the battlefield.
The Fourth Division was not some demonic division.
Moreover, Retsu Unohana had a great fondness for a gentle woman like Uta, because Uta perfectly aligned with the Fourth Division's founding principles.
Considering the workflow, Retsu Unohana turned to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, asking about Uta's current abilities.
She wanted to use this to determine whether Uta's desire to join the Fourth Division was out of a fit of pique or genuine sincerity.
After all, it was not uncommon for people to act on impulse to prove themselves, only to end up losing their lives.
She had to be responsible for the other Shinigami.
Soon, Retsu Unohana understood everything, including Uta's Zanpakuto.
She murmured, "Harusame?"
"A good name."
She smiled sweetly,
"Let's try Kiyonosuke's suggestion for now."
"If other variables arise, it won't be too late to rearrange her work then."
"Oh, right."
Retsu Unohana suddenly remembered something. She looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni, with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes,
"Captain Tsugikuni, I've heard about your matters. It's said you defeated Baraggan?"
"Has your reishi reached First Grade now?"
Although it was seemingly a casual inquiry, Yoriichi always felt that Retsu Unohana's tone held a hint of eagerness.
He paused for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Yes, may I ask Captain Unohana what your thoughts are?"
"What thoughts could I have?" Retsu Unohana chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling, and said casually yet directly to the point,
"Captain Tsugikuni, your swordsmanship must be very strong, I wonder if you'd be interested in a sparring match with me?"
"I'm sure you've heard about me from Kenpachi Zaraki."
"I am the first Captain of the Eleventh Division, Retsu Unohana."
"I have mastered over eight thousand types of swordsmanship in the world."
"However, your swordsmanship is unlike anything I've ever seen."
"My intuition tells me you are very strong, unusually strong."
"I want to see what the difference is between our swordsmanship."
When Retsu Unohana said this, Yoriichi subtly frowned.
He suddenly felt a tug on his wrist; it was Uta's reminder.
Uta didn't want Yoriichi to take risks. Mastering over eight thousand types of swordsmanship, even if it was an exaggeration, was still terrifying.
Moreover, Uta knew that these Shinigami Captains generally didn't exaggerate.
In other words, eight thousand was real.
Could Yoriichi win?
Even though Uta believed Yoriichi could win, because since they met, Yoriichi had never lost, she couldn't help but hesitate at this moment.
What if he got injured?
What if Captain Unohana didn't hold back?
Taking a slight breath, Uta felt uneasy. It was supposed to be a normal meeting, why had it turned into this?
Yoriichi keenly sensed Uta's complex emotions at this moment.
He gently squeezed Uta's hand, reassuring her not to worry, then turned his head to Retsu Unohana and softly asked:
"When?"
Retsu Unohana smiled; Yoriichi's answer pleased her greatly.
She replied, "You set the time, after all, you still need to comfort your wife, don't you?"
"Uta, don't worry, this is just a sparring match; no lives will be harmed."
"Ultimately, Retsu Unohana is a thing of the past; I am just an ordinary Shinigami Captain now."