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A few days later, Hasumi Ren, who was performing his daily medical duties in the Fourth Division, received a summons from Captain Unohana.
The door to the Fourth Division Captain's office closed gently behind him. Hasumi Ren stood before Unohana; the aroma of medicinal herbs in the room mingled harmoniously with the scent of flowers by the window.
"Sit."
Unohana gestured for Hasumi Ren to sit across from her at the tea table.
She appeared relaxed and content, moving her tea whisk and pouring two cups of clear tea with an air of leisure.
Hasumi Ren sat down as instructed.
"How have you found your studies in the Fourth Division so far?"
Unohana pushed a cup of tea toward him. The liquid was clear, shimmering with a faint golden hue.
Hasumi Ren accepted it with both hands and answered seriously.
"I have benefited immensely. Vice-Captain Yamada's instruction is meticulous and responsible, and the medical texts you gifted me, Captain Unohana, are truly precious."
He paused and added honestly.
"It is just that there are still parts of the scrolls you gave me that I find difficult to grasp through reading alone. If I had the chance to observe a senior practitioner's technique in person, I might be able to understand them more quickly."
Directly absorbing dropped experience fragments was far more efficient than painstakingly pouring over books.
Unohana Retsu picked up her tea cup and blew on it gently.
"Seinosuke reported to me the day before yesterday that you have already mastered the basic techniques for organ repair. His exact words were that there is not much left for him to teach you."
She raised her eyes to look at Hasumi Ren.
Within those eyes, calm as still water, there was now a hint of scrutiny and interest.
"I had thought it would take you at least years of study to reach this stage."
Unohana set down the tea cup, her voice soft.
"And yet, not even two months have passed."
"This progress is truly a bit frightening."
Hasumi Ren maintained a humble expression and did not respond.
He simply looked down at his reflection in the tea, quietly waiting for Unohana to continue.
"Therefore... from now on, I will personally guide you."
Unohana's voice came from across the table. It was calm as usual, but it made Hasumi Ren's heart skip a beat.
Hasumi Ren looked up.
Unohana Retsu still wore that same unruffled expression, as if she had just mentioned something trivial.
"You no longer need to participate in Seinosuke's training for the new members. From now on, you will join him in following me for medical work to observe and learn."
Hasumi Ren took a deep breath and bowed.
"Thank you, Captain Unohana."
Unohana waved it off, seemingly indifferent to such formalities.
As Hasumi Ren sat back down, he saw Unohana take out an exquisite note from beside the tea table.
When unfolded, it revealed a few gentian flowers—the Fourth Division's insignia—sketched in light ink.
"Speaking of which, the Fourth Division is planning to hold a small flower arrangement gathering this month."
Her tone suddenly lightened, carrying a hint of subtle excitement.
Unohana picked up a fine brush and began to write, speaking casually.
"I do not have many hobbies; flower arrangement is one of my few pastimes."
She paused and looked at Hasumi Ren with a gentle smile.
"When you return, please pass a message to Captain Shihoin for me. If she is free, she is welcome to come by."
Hasumi Ren felt a stir in his heart.
This was no ordinary social invitation.
Captain Yoruichi had a restless personality; she didn't seem like the type for flower arranging at all. Unohana's invitation clearly had another purpose.
Hasumi Ren nodded respectfully.
"Yes, I will certainly deliver the message."
"Please deliver this letter on my behalf."
Unohana put down the brush, tucked the invitation into an envelope, and handed it to Hasumi Ren.
After Hasumi Ren tucked it away, Unohana watched him silently, as if remembering something.
"I heard you will be studying with the Kido Corps as well?"
Hasumi Ren had not expected her to bring this up. After a moment of thought, he replied.
"Yes. I wish to improve my Kido as well. Thanks to the Grand Kido Chief's kindness, I have been allowed to observe and learn as an external trainee."
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Unohana's mouth.
"Actually, I have some knowledge of Kido as well."
She paused and looked at Hasumi Ren.
"If you have any questions regarding Kido, you may ask me as well."
She spoke nonchalantly, but her words carried immense weight.
Unohana Retsu's mastery of Kido was top-tier within the Gotei 13. Besides her specialty in Kaido, her proficiency in Bakudo was equally profound.
Her offering to provide guidance was an opportunity many Fourth Division seated officers could only dream of.
Hasumi Ren did not refuse out of false modesty.
After a brief thought, he answered honestly.
"To be honest, I have been practicing Double Incantation lately."
"I can barely manage the simultaneous weaving of different Kido spiritual pressures, but I feel like... I haven't quite captured the essence of it yet."
Unohana nodded without immediate comment.
She stood up and walked to the window, turning her back to Hasumi Ren.
Outside was the Fourth Division courtyard. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
"Double Incantation."
Her voice came from the window, calm and steady as she spoke.
"Essentially, it involves allowing two different frequencies of spiritual pressure to complete their respective spell constructs within the same space without interfering with one another."
"Which two Kido are you using for training?"
"Shakkaho and Sokatsui."
Unohana turned around.
The sunlight behind her silhouetted her with a soft golden glow.
She reached out her hands—no incantation, no hand signs.
Between her palms, two spheres of spiritual pressure pulsed at entirely different frequencies.
Yet they did not interfere, appearing like two parallel streams flowing along their own paths.
Hasumi Ren stared intently at Unohana's hands.
Several fragments drifted down the moment Unohana acted.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment x1, Spiritual Power EXP +10]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido Insight x2, Kido EXP +20]
[SYSTEM: Kido Branch Skill - Double Incantation Proficiency increased by 4%]
[SYSTEM: Double Incantation: Novice (9%)]
"Double Incantation is not about forcing two Kido to merge. It is about finding a way for them to coexist, and then using a special incantation as a guide."
She slightly lifted her wrists.
The two light orbs began to drift closer, testing, intersecting, and entwining with one another.
"Like this."
Unohana maintained the spiral structure, her voice peaceful.
"Do not force them to sync. They aren't the same thing to begin with."
"What you need is to find the node where they remain complete without conflicting."
Hasumi Ren nodded. Light orbs appeared in his hands as well, intertwining just as Unohana had demonstrated.
"I have managed to achieve this much for now."
Unohana looked at the relaxed young man across from her, a flicker of nearly imperceptible surprise flashing in her eyes.
His technique was remarkably skilled.
"Not bad. How long have you been practicing?"
"I only first encountered it when I visited the Kido Corps a few days ago. I haven't had a chance to practice seriously yet."
Upon hearing Hasumi Ren's response, Unohana dispelled the spiritual pressure in her hands and took a light breath.
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