Twenty days later.
The period of restriction had ended, and today, Suō Tsukasa regained his freedom.
While his presence had influenced some of the original characters, it had not brought significant trouble upon him. He was merely a somewhat unique Seated Officer; within the vast hierarchy of the Seireitei, his strength was not particularly conspicuous. He had passed an exceptionally quiet month in total stability.
The good news didn't stop there. Recently, the casualty rates in the reports from three divisions had shown a clear decline. It was as if to confirm Nemu Kurotsuchi's previous conclusion regarding periodic phenomena—after a normal peak, a downward trend had finally arrived.
Tsukasa sat in the office, his eyes resting on the statistical data on the pages before him.
"Ho, the numbers have dropped quite a bit."
"Tsukasa, you can breathe a little easier now, can't you?" Shiba Kaien leaned over to take a look, his tone relaxed.
"Yes, though I still feel that staying vigilant is never a bad thing," Tsukasa nodded, filing the documents away.
"That's true." Kaien smiled, then, as if suddenly remembering something, he lowered his voice. "By the way, have you considered that matter my uncle mentioned? He asked me to check in with you again."
"You should know, your pills are being hailed as 'miracle medicine' in the Tenth Division. The price is negotiable."
"We're all family; we won't let you lose out." At this point, his tone carried a hint of playfulness as he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.
Influenced by Suō Tsukasa and the previous accident, the Tenth Division had recently implemented official tactical adjustments and medical stockpiling. When it came to medical supplies, the pills Tsukasa refined had significant effects. Combined with the endorsement and support of mutual acquaintances, they naturally became the Tenth Division's priority target for procurement.
"I don't have many Sanyuan Pills left, but the Qi-Replenishing Pills aren't much of an issue."
"However, I can only give you an answer tomorrow. I need to confirm the situation."
It wasn't that Tsukasa was intentionally being difficult. The raw materials for the last batch of Qi-Replenishing Pills for the Thirteenth Division had required Ukitake Jushiro himself to negotiate with Unohana Retsu. Although he had planted a batch of herbs in his underground space, he hadn't tended to them for a month and didn't know their current state.
"I get it, I get it!" Kaien nodded with an air of mutual understanding.
He and Shiba Miyako had long since guessed that Tsukasa had a secret base. After all, he disappeared every day after work, and if one wanted to find him later, he was nowhere to be found. Only the other members of the squad were too thick-headed to notice.
"What are you two whispering about? So mysterious!" Kotetsu Kiyane's voice suddenly cut in. She stared suspiciously at the two huddled figures and spoke loudly.
"It's a secret, I'm not telling you!" Kaien stood up straight and grinned triumphantly.
"How spiteful!"
"Tsukasa, then you tell me." Kiyane pulled a dissatisfied face and turned huffily toward Tsukasa.
"Kiyane-san, it's a secret!" Under the warning gaze of Kaien beside him, Tsukasa winked playfully. He held a finger to his lips and lowered his voice.
"Curse you—!"
"Miyako-san, they're bullying me!" Kiyane stomped her foot in frustration, turned, and lunged into the arms of the newly arrived Shiba Miyako, acting spoiled.
"Now, now."
"Don't mind them."
Miyako's body swayed slightly from the impact. She chuckled, gently patted Kiyane's back, and offered comfort.
At that moment, a figure at the doorway caught Tsukasa's eye. He raised a hand in greeting.
"Ah, Rukia, come on in!"
"Yes!"
Kuchiki Rukia entered, looking at the scene of Kiyane hugging Miyako with a touch of envy. Seeing the familiar and peaceful atmosphere within the office, her gaze softened slightly.
Since Shiba Miyako had finished instructing her, Rukia rarely appeared in the office. As a standard soldier, her daily duties were numerous; she could no longer linger in the office to listen to teachings as she had when she first joined the division. She had recently been sent to the World of the Living for support and had only just returned to the squad to submit her mission report.
"Rukia, it's been a long time."
"Have your missions been going smoothly lately?" Tsukasa saw her and offered a few words of friendly greeting.
"Third Seat Suō, it has been a while. Thanks to you, everything has gone well." She stepped forward and offered a proper, disciplined bow of greeting.
"That's good." Tsukasa smiled slightly.
He keenly sensed that her mood was slightly off. It was a feeling he knew all too well—self-doubt born under the weight of pressure. His gaze swept over the Asauchi at her waist; he could feel it was already on the verge of Shikai. He offered a casual word of encouragement.
"It seems you haven't slacked on your training. Keep up the hard work during this period."
"I feel that given your current situation, there's a high probability you'll earn a seated position in the year-end squad evaluations. Put in the effort!"
"Oh, really? Thank you!" Rukia's spirit surged at his words, her eyes filling with hope. Her voice carried an irrepressible mix of joy and uncertainty.
"You should trust Tsukasa's judgment; I also believe your prospects are very good." Shiba Miyako approached with Kiyane, offering a gentle word of encouragement.
"Yes!"
Having received two consecutive "shots in the arm" of confidence, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in Rukia's eyes. Recognition and encouragement acted like an invisible force, supporting her from the inside out, causing her to stand taller instantly.
Tsukasa rubbed his chin to the side, watching the scene with great interest. He felt that if he and Shiba Miyako gave her a few more words of encouragement like this every day, then with her talent, the Thirteenth Division might just gain another Lieutenant-level figure in a few years.
Although the Kuchiki family was strict, they certainly didn't neglect her in terms of the resources she deserved. None of the young soldiers under Tsukasa's command could progress as quickly as she did.
"That's right, that's right," Kiyane chimed in, before changing her tone and teasing in a drawn-out voice. "Lie~u~te~nant Kai~en, look at Tsukasa; he knows exactly how to care for and encourage his subordinates."
"Unlike someone who only thinks about bullying people all day long. If you ask me, Tsukasa is much more like a Lieutenant than you are!" As she spoke, she winked at Tsukasa, her mischievous expression saying: Just say the word and I'll support you as Lieutenant immediately.
Kaien was stunned by the sudden accusation. He clutched his chest in an exaggerated display of grief.
"Kiyane, you brat, those words are too hurtful! Am I not good enough to you all usually?" He then widened his eyes and pointed a trembling finger at her, his tone becoming increasingly indignant. "You ungrateful girl! You want to revolt? Give me back all the food I've treated you to over the years before we talk!"
Having said that, he spread his arms wide and made a move as if to pounce and pry her mouth open.
"Aah—Miyako-san, save me! Your husband is so fierce!"
"See, see? I hit the mark! He's acting out in anger!" Kiyane shrieked, giggling as she hid behind Shiba Miyako, poking out only half her head to continue her death-defying provocation.
"Kaien-aniki, you know me; I've always been your biggest supporter!"
"One cannot easily trust such divisive words. Rebels and traitors should be beheaded on the spot." Tsukasa spoke up leisurely from the side, making a playful throat-slitting gesture with a smile.
Hearing this, Kiyane, who had just escaped Kaien's grasp, glared at Tsukasa with disdain. "Tsukasa, you ungrateful boy! You're no good either. Have you forgotten how well I treated you before?"
"Pah!"
Miyako ignored the group's antics and turned to Rukia. "Rukia, division duties aren't too busy lately, and I happen to have some free time. If you have any confusion regarding your training, feel free to come find me at any time."
It wasn't a random thought; she too had seen the young girl's inner longing for guidance.
"Miyako-sama, I will!" Rukia faltered for a moment, deeply moved.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi