"Spirit network connection stable."

"Commencing examination."

"Hey, you jerk over there! Who told you to stop the Kaido?"

"Is the technique ready yet?"

The operating room buzzed with chaotic activity.

The unconscious young man lay secured on a bed enveloped by a Reishi-based Kido barrier. Shijima Chigiri, the Soul Society's premier medical expert, and Kirinji Tenjiro, another top healer, worked side by side, a rare collaboration. Around them, over a dozen renowned healers from across the Seireitei bustled about as assistants.

In the Soul Society of this era, only Makoto warranted such treatment.

Outside, in the pristine courtyard of the operating room, Saito and Meira waited quietly for news.

Compared to the composed former Quincy, Saito's demeanor was noticeably more anxious. She sat cross-legged, fidgeting with her knees, then abruptly stood, pacing the courtyard while biting her thumbnail and muttering curses under her breath. Eventually, she forced herself to sit again, only to repeat the cycle minutes later.

Nearby, Unohana sat calmly under the veranda, sipping tea.

Her lowered eyes occasionally flicked toward Saito.

She's grown much steadier than before.

In the past, Saito would have been hopping around like a monkey or outright ignoring someone's fate. Unohana's lips curved into a faint smile as she shifted her gaze back to the operating room.

This is all your fault, Makoto.

Compared to the two women, the other Shinigami bustling through the corridor seemed far more ordinary, too busy to linger outside.

A symbolic guard, a ten-man Shinigami squad led by a Tenth Division fifth seat, stood watch at the door, their wary eyes fixed on Meira.

The war between Shinigami and Quincy had just ended, and suspicion of anything Quincy-related ran deep.

But, as noted, their vigilance was merely symbolic.

Against someone like Meira, a high-ranking Sternritter, these low-ranking Shinigami stood no chance if she chose to act.

The survivors of the war had already witnessed the terrifying power of those bearing "Sternritter Schrift."

Thus, some in the squad behind the fifth seat wore skeptical expressions.

No need to flee a small threat, but you can't escape a big one.

Guarding? Guarding nothing!

Whoosh!

After a while, a sound came from within.

Saito, who had sat and stood countless times, shot up the moment she heard it, shouting instinctively, "Hey, Tenjiro, you jerk! How's Makoto?!"

Tenjiro, just stepping out, froze at her outburst, ready to retort. But seeing Saito's furious, single-eyed glare, he wisely shut his mouth and waved dismissively. "He won't die! Just a bit of trouble, that's all."

"Huh?!" Saito's lone eye narrowed, her voice sharp with dissatisfaction. "What do you mean, a bit-"

Before she could finish, Tenjiro, eager to avoid hassle, vanished with a Shunpo.

Shijima Chigiri, following behind, barely had time to speak before Saito grabbed his collar.

"Calm down, calm down!" Shijima forced a smile, waving at the irate captain. "Makoto's Saketsu and Hakusui are intact, and his physical condition is stable. His life's not in danger."

"He's been unconscious for five days! You call that fine?" Saito snapped, her voice brimming with frustration.

Her clenched, pale fist betrayed the tension in her heart.

"That's a separate matter," Shijima explained, his expertise as the first Fourth Division captain evident. "His prolonged coma is due to unleashing an excessive amount of Reiatsu in a short time, far beyond what his body can currently handle. The coma is his spiritual body's protective response."

"For the next few months, he'll likely be unable to use Shinigami powers due to severe Reishi disruption. But once that stabilizes, he might even benefit from this."

His detailed explanation finally eased Saito's nerves, taut for days. She clapped Shijima's shoulder with a grin. "Thanks!"

She turned to enter the operating room.

"No problem…" Shijima blinked, then realized something and chased after her, shouting, "Hey, Captain Saito! You can't go in yet! Makoto's not dressed!"

"Fuck off!" Saito shot back, her voice a mix of urgency and irritation. "I'm going in now!"

Behind Unohana, Katori, who had appeared unnoticed, pushed up her glasses with a slender hand, a smile spreading across her face. "Captain Saito really loves Makoto, doesn't she? Right, Captain Unohana?"

Unohana, smiling at Saito, turned to Katori, her expression flattening. "Something to say?"

"Captains' meeting," Katori replied, her innocent smile cautious. "But, Captain Unohana… why are you always so cold to me?"

Unohana glanced at her calmly. "If there's nothing else, I'll head over."

Sensing Unohana's disinterest, Katori fell silent, her usual caution prevailing.

But as Unohana passed by, she spoke softly, "You don't like your own kind either, do you?"

"?" Katori froze, looking up.

Unohana was already walking toward the newly rebuilt First Division barracks, her figure receding.

Katori watched, thoughtful, then called into the operating room, "Captain Saito-"

"Shut up! All of you!" Saito's voice rang out, increasingly exasperated.

---

Thud.

The scabbard struck the ground, emitting a dull sound.

Compared to past captains' meetings, today's was sparse in both venue and attendance, a shadow of its former grandeur.

The original First Division barracks had been obliterated in the clash between Makoto and Yhwach, reduced to rubble, the very foundation leveled flat.

As for the captains, their numbers had dwindled from thirteen to eight.

Among them, Chika, Captain of the Second Division, remained gravely injured from her battle with a Sternritter during the final Quincy extermination, still recovering.

Thus, only half the usual captains attended this meeting.

Yet Yamamoto's demeanor remained unchanged, unshaken by the reduced attendance.

"Today's agenda: the resolution to purge the remaining Quincy," he declared. "Any opinions?"

His words fell, and, as was his habit, his gaze drifted past the hardened warriors to where Makoto usually stood.

Realizing the spot was empty, he recalled the Gotei 13's sole "brain" was still recovering.

A pang of regret stirred within him.

Why were there only a handful of capable people under his command?

But as the thought crossed his mind, someone raised a point worth discussing.

Kinroku stepped forward, raising a hand calmly. "What about the female Quincy Makoto captured? How will she be handled?"

"Hey, you jerk!" Saito shot up, her drowsiness vanishing as she shouted indignantly. "That's Makoto's trophy! It's not for you to meddle with!"

Kinroku's brow furrowed. "And if another Quincy inherits Yhwach's bloodline and becomes a monster? What then? The Quincy should be eradicated at their root."

"That's for Makoto to decide!" Saito retorted, her stance unwavering.

Though she wasn't the sharpest, she'd never abandon her savior, Quincy or not, acting under Makoto's orders.

Kinroku's frown deepened.

Before he could argue further, Yamamoto tapped his scabbard firmly.

Thud.

The dispute halted instantly.

"The matter of the female Quincy is tabled," Yamamoto said calmly. "It will be left to Makoto to resolve. If there are no further issues, we move to the next item."

"Yes, sir."

Though Kinroku's expression held lingering dissatisfaction, he said no more.

The other captains nodded, as if it were only natural.

Sasakibe, standing beside Yamamoto, observed the scene with a quiet sigh.

Though Makoto lay in a hospital bed, the captains treated his right to special privileges as a given, even when it meant allowing a captain-level Quincy, a ticking time bomb, to remain in the Seireitei's heart.

The reason was singular: strength.

Makoto's power had grown undeniable, a force the Soul Society could no longer ignore.

His battle with Yhwach had left an indelible mark on all present.

The meeting continued without pause, setting the policy to purge all Quincy from the Soul Society to the World of the Living.

Next came orders to rebuild the Seireitei and the Gotei 13.

After this war, the Soul Society was severely weakened, requiring a long period of recovery.

---

Beep, Beep,

In the hospital room, the vital signs monitor emitted soft alerts.

Makoto lay on a soft bed, slowly opening his eyes.

Unlike past faints, where he woke in a damp bath barrel, this time he'd had a warm, dry dream.

Yet, upon waking, his body felt inexplicably weak, as if drugged.

[Makoto, you're awake?]

[While you were out, your cute little body was poked and prodded by all sorts of burly men, you know.]

The tender, childish voice of his Zanpakuto echoed in his mind.

Its words nearly broke him.

"Shut up!" Makoto snapped weakly.

His hand instinctively checked his lower back.

Tch, nonsense. Still perfectly intact.

But the slight movement roused the girl sitting by his bed, staring out the window in a daze.

Saito, seeing Makoto's open eyes, clutched her clothes, her mouth opening as if to soften her tone.

Yet it felt too awkward.

In the end, she reverted to her usual brash self, planting a foot on the bed and glaring. "So you finally decided to wake up! Do you have any idea how long I've been stuck in this miserable place waiting for you?!"

Her single eye fixed on him, as if afraid he'd slip back into sleep.

Makoto, lying there, looked at her and let a familiar, gentle smile spread across his pale face. "Sorry for the trouble, Saito."

Her expression froze, her face flushing red. She shouted louder, as if to cover something up. "Idiot! Makoto, you're a complete idiot!!!"

Arms crossed, she turned away, her back to him, her voice growing even louder.

But her deep purple twin tails couldn't hide her burning red ears, the gradient from pale neck to crimson tips betraying her.

Makoto, puzzled by her outburst, watched her.

The commotion drew attention, and the hospital room door swung open.

Creak,

With the faint sound of wheels, Senjumaru, guided by Meira, glided into the room.

The elegant beauty maintained her usual languid composure. "Quite the racket, Captain Saito. And what's all this shouting about my precious thing?"

The room fell silent instantly.

Saito whipped around, her blush vanishing, her single eye flashing with unprecedented killing intent toward Senjumaru.

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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