4th Division.
After returning from the 11th Division, Toshiro headed to his ward to get some sleep.
He had fought Hyorinmaru for nearly a full day and night to master Bankai without rest, then immediately went to fight Zaraki. Toshiro was utterly exhausted.
"Ara ara, Toshiro-kun, back so soon? Didn't you stay to become the Captain of the 11th Division?" Unohana said, walking towards him.
"Oh? Captain Unohana, why do you say that?"
Toshiro was puzzled. Unohana wasn't there, so how could she know so clearly?
"Last time, Toshiro-kun won while only at Lieutenant-level. This time, having mastered Bankai, you were even less likely to lose. And a fight in the 11th Division would certainly draw many of their members as spectators, thus inadvertently fulfilling the conditions to become Captain," Unohana said with a smile.
"Moreover, even if Toshiro-kun didn't know this method of becoming Captain, based on Captain Kenpachi's personality, he would have told you himself. But since you returned so quickly, you must have declined the opportunity to become the 11th Division's Captain," Unohana continued analyzing.
"So... impressive," Toshiro couldn't help but marvel.
'Truly a millennia-old monster. Her insight was extraordinary.'
Everything unfolded exactly as Unohana guessed, as if she had been there.
When Toshiro went, he hadn't thought that far. He just wanted to vent his frustration from last time's forced fight with Zaraki and test his Bankai's power.
"Oh my, I have a feeling Toshiro-kun is thinking something rude," Unohana suddenly said, smiling.
Seeing Unohana's mischievous smile, Toshiro sensed danger.
"No, absolutely not! By the way, I'm quite tired. I'll go rest now. Let's talk another time," Toshiro said, a drop of cold sweat on his brow.
With that, Toshiro hurried towards his ward.
Toshiro's Ward.
Thump!
Toshiro collapsed heavily onto the bed and soon fell asleep.
He slept straight through until the next morning.
"Ah, that was a really comfortable sleep," Toshiro said, stretching.
"Toshiro, you're awake? Wash up first, then eat. The 4th Division's food is really good," Momo said, walking in with a lunchbox.
"Yo, Momo-chan, you're here," Toshiro said, lying back down.
When alone with Momo, Toshiro always liked calling her Momo-chan.
"Toshiro, get up. Don't laze in bed," Momo urged.
"Sorry, I feel sore and weak all over. Don't want to get up," Toshiro said lazily.
"I heard after I fell asleep yesterday, you went to fight Captain Kenpachi again. Really, you promised you'd rest," Momo said unhappily.
"I promised to rest, but I didn't say when. Well, I did rest after fighting Kenpachi," Toshiro argued.
"Don't worry. This time, I defeated him easily without a scratch," Toshiro added, seeing Momo's worried expression.
"Next time, don't keep things from me," Momo said.
"I know."
As he spoke, Toshiro pulled Momo down onto the bed.
"Ah! What are you doing?" Momo exclaimed, startled.
"Nothing. Just suddenly feeling a bit tired. Momo-chan, don't move. Let me hold you for a while," Toshiro said.
Since transmigrating to this world, he had been either training or fighting. Toshiro suddenly felt mentally weary.
"Mhm."
Though unsure what was wrong, Momo obediently agreed and lay in Toshiro's arms.
Toshiro simply held Momo, doing nothing else, just enjoying the peaceful moment.
After a while, Toshiro got up, washed up, and ate.
"Momo-chan, you should go back to class," Toshiro said after the meal.
Momo had missed several days of classes to take care of him.
"What about you, Toshiro? Aren't you coming back with me?" Momo asked.
"I'm going to the 1st Division to see the Captain-Commander. When I met Captain Kyoraku last time, he said the Captain-Commander wanted to see me. I was planning to go several times recently, but something always came up. I'll go now," Toshiro explained.
"Alright. If the Captain-Commander has matters that delay your return, have someone send a message," Momo nodded.
…
Outside the 4th Division's gate, Toshiro was saying goodbye to Momo. Beside him stood 4th Division's Lieutenant, Isane.
Unohana was really showing respect to him… twice now, when he asked for a guide, she sent the Lieutenant.
Is the 4th Division that idle?
Well, it probably was quite idle. During his stay, Toshiro had seen few patients.
Generally, unless there were large-scale casualties, the 4th Division was indeed relatively quiet.
But in Toshiro's opinion, the main reason was that this mischievous woman wanted to use Isane's fear of Toshiro to cure her timid nature.
"Hey, Lieutenant Kotetsu, you're so far away I can barely see you."
After seeing Momo off, Toshiro turned to see Isane watching him from a distance.
"G-guiding... guiding like this is fine too," Isane still refused to come closer.
"Come here! Now!" Toshiro said sharply.
"Yes!" Seeing Toshiro's 'fierce' look, Isane trembled and hurried over.
'Sigh… Some people only move when pushed.'
"Lead the way," Toshiro said.