The reconstruction of the Seireitei was proceeding in an orderly manner.
Everything was developing in a positive direction...
8th Division Captain's Office.
"Batsu'unsai, are you alright?" A mostly recovered Saitō went to find Batsu'unsai, who had been cooped up in her captain's office.
For the past few years, aside from attending captain's meetings, Batsu'unsai had barely left this small room.
The lively 8th Division captain was gone, replaced by a reclusive girl.
Saitō looked at Batsu'unsai. Her eyes had grown dim and lifeless, as if she had lost all passion and motivation for life.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
'Damn you, Satou Kazuma. Just wait till you wake up, see if I don't beat you up.'
"Unohana sent you, didn't she? I'm fine," Batsu'unsai said faintly, her voice tinged with exhaustion and helplessness.
Saitō sighed, walked over to Batsu'unsai, and gently patted her shoulder.
"Batsu'unsai, we can't go on like this. The Seireitei has begun to rebuild, and we should pull ourselves together too."
Batsu'unsai looked up at Saitō, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "But, I don't know how to face it. I've lost too much. I don't know if I can ever go back to the way I was."
Saitō clenched her fists.
She knew Batsu'unsai needed time to recover slowly, but she didn't want to see her wallowing in sorrow.
She decided to help her out of this predicament and find the once vibrant and confident 8th Division captain.
"Batsu'unsai, pull yourself together. Kazuma will wake up one day, and we're here by your side. Kazuma would be heartbroken if he knew you were like this," Saitō earnestly persuaded.
A flicker of emotion crossed Batsu'unsai's eyes.
She knew Saitō was speaking from the heart.
Although she couldn't completely let go of her past pain just yet, she was willing to try to trust Saitō and accept her help.
"Thank you, Saitō. Maybe I really do need some time to adjust. But I will try to get back on my feet and work with everyone for the future of the Seireitei," Batsu'unsai said.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. In the recent captain's meetings, the Captain-Commander proposed reforming the Gotei 13 and turning his Genji School into the Shin'ō Academy to recruit ordinary Souls from the Rukongai to replenish the Gotei 13. I want to know what you think."
"It can't be helped. The Gotei 13 suffered heavy losses in the war with the Quincy and is in urgent need of new blood. Otherwise, we'll have the name of the Gotei 13 but not the power to protect. Right now, the captain positions for the Fourth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Divisions are all vacant. We're severely lacking in strength." Batsu'unsai was still lamenting the loss of so many comrades in this war.
"The Seventh Division is fine, with you and Vice-Captain Ichiro helping to manage it. But the other five divisions are almost at a standstill. I support this reform," Saitō also shared her thoughts.
"The Captain-Commander has also redefined the duties of each division. The First Division remains the head division, commanding the Gotei 13. That hasn't changed. The Second Division is also unchanged. The Third Division is now a support unit. The Fourth Division is designated as the medical unit. Unohana has requested a transfer from the Eleventh Division to become the captain of the Fourth, saying she no longer wishes to fight."
At this, both of them fell silent for a moment.
After taking a sip of tea, Batsu'unsai spoke again, "The Fifth Division is designated as the rescue team. Your Sixth Division is unchanged. The Seventh Division is designated as the Inner Court Guard. My 8th Division is designated as the intelligence unit. The Ninth Division is designated as the prison guard unit. The Tenth Division is designated as the patrol and security unit. The Eleventh Division is designated as the combat unit. The Twelfth Division has no changes for now, and the Thirteenth Division is designated as the purification team. In addition, the Captain-Commander also proposed establishing an expeditionary force to be stationed specifically in Hueco Mundo."
"Sounds good," Saitō nodded. "Such a reform can better utilize the strengths of each division and improve the overall strength of the Gotei 13. However, establishing an expeditionary force will probably cause some controversy."
"Indeed. After all, Hueco Mundo is a dangerous place, and once the expeditionary force is dispatched, it means direct confrontation with the creatures of Hueco Mundo. The casualties will certainly not be small," Batsu'unsai said worriedly.
"But it's a necessary measure. If we don't take the initiative, the threat from Hueco Mundo will always exist," Saitō said firmly. "We can't just sit and wait."
"You're right. We must be prepared to deal with Hueco Mundo at any time," Batsu'unsai took a deep breath.
"We also need to hurry up with the selection and training of personnel for each division."
"Yes, I'll discuss the specific plans with the other captains," Saitō said, then looked at Batsu'unsai.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself either. Satou Kazuma will definitely wake up."
Batsu'unsai smiled faintly. "Thank you, Saitō. I'll take care of myself."
"Let's go see Kazuma," Saitō invited Batsu'unsai, who hadn't been out in a long time.
The two walked side by side towards the Eleventh Division.
Before long, they arrived at Kazuma's sickroom.
"Captain Batsu'unsai, Captain Saitō, are you here to visit Captain Satou-sama?" Someone was already taking care of Kazuma in his room and spoke up when they saw the two arrive.
"So its you Ichiro, you're here taking care of your captain again? as expected of you." Saitō responded.
"You're too kind, Captain Saitō. This is what I should be doing as his subordinate. Since you're here, Captain Batsu'unsai, I'll be taking my leave."
After speaking, Kotsubaki Ichirō bowed slightly and quietly exited Kazuma's room.
Only Batsu'unsai and Saitō remained in the room.
Batsu'unsai slowly walked to the bedside, reached out, and gently caressed Kazuma's pale cheek, her eyes filled with concern and affection.
She murmured softly, "Why haven't you woken up yet? Do you know that I miss you? I still want to eat nabe with you, to sit on the roof with you, feel the evening breeze, and watch the stars... Please wake up, don't sleep anymore."
As she spoke, tears streamed down Batsu'unsai's face.
Kazuma's finger twitched, as if he was about to wake up.
(Just kidding. As if he'd wake up just like that) It was actually Batsu'unsai's hand shaking as she held his.
"Alright, Batsu'unsai. Let's not disturb Kazuma. Let him rest quietly, let's go find Unohana."
Seeing Batsu'unsai losing control of her emotions, Saitō quickly pulled her away from the sickroom.
"Batsu'unsai, you've been crying again," Unohana said, looking at the two who had arrived together.
Batsu'unsai's eyes were still tear-stained.
"I'm fine. It's just that Kazuma still hasn't woken up, so I got a little too emotional." Batsu'unsai forced a smile, but it looked strained.
"Oh, you! Don't worry too much. All these years, Kazuma's vital signs have been stable. He just hasn't woken up. You have to believe that he'll wake up one day," Unohana comforted Batsu'unsai.
"Is there something you came to see me for?"
"It's nothing much. We just heard that you've grown tired of fighting and only want to study Kaidō, so we came to ask. Also, we wanted to know if you've already submitted your application to Yamamoto to transfer to the position of Fourth Division Captain," Saitō said, explaining the reason for their visit.
"Oh, so it's about that. After this war with the Quincy, I have indeed grown a bit weary of battle. Seeing so many comrades die... I don't know when I developed this compassionate heart, but I just want to peacefully study Kaidō and heal more people."
As Unohana spoke, she became lost in her memories.
Seeing the conversation turn somber, Saitō started joking, "Eh? The most infamous villain in the Soul Society is no longer cutting people down and has switched to saving them instead? If word of this got out, everyone would think it's a joke. Haha..."
A dark expression crossed Unohana's face.
If the two of them weren't best friends, she really would have wanted to cut Saitō down with one slash!
Just because Unohana was studying medicine didn't mean she couldn't lift her sword anymore!
The three of them, Batsu'unsai and the others, talked all night about everything, as if they had returned to those joyous days from centuries ago....