Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

The Hollow's deafening roar momentarily drew the attention of both Aizen and Makoto, who had been solely focused on each other.

"Makoto-kun, since you're already here, why don't you take care of this Hollow as well?" Aizen remarked casually.

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "In that case, doesn't that mean you came all this way for nothing, Captain Aizen? You don't mind?"

"It's fine. As long as no one gets hurt, that's all that matters," Aizen replied with his usual gentle demeanor.

"In that case, I'll—"

Just as Makoto accepted the task, he suddenly felt a tug on the hem of his shihakushō. Turning, he saw Rukia looking at him with a mixture of urgency and concern.

"Are you an idiot?!" she blurted out. "That thing broke free from Rikujōkōrō! You won't be able to handle it—don't try to act tough!"

…???

Makoto and Aizen.

Both of them paused for a moment, momentarily stunned by the sheer innocence of Rukia's words. Then, unable to help himself, Aizen let out a quiet chuckle.

"Makoto-kun, since when did a mere Number 61 Bakudō become the benchmark for measuring your strength?" Aizen said, amusement lacing his tone.

Makoto coughed awkwardly, finally realizing that Rukia had misunderstood something.

Most likely… all the times he had teased her in the past had somehow convinced her that he was weaker than he actually was.

Aizen, clearly entertained, continued. "Would you like my assistance in dealing with this Hollow, Makoto-kun?"

Given that Makoto always maintained a cautious distance from Aizen, he wasn't about to give the man any chance to stab him in the back—figuratively or literally. Without hesitation, he refused.

"That won't be necessary."

Then, as if by habit, he reached out and ruffled Rukia's hair before casually walking toward the Hollow.

Rukia's anxious expression deepened.

But the moment Makoto started approaching, the Hollow—perhaps sensing some kind of imminent threat—began to shrink back. Its once menacing presence waned, its entire body tensing as though ready to lash out at any second.

"No need to be nervous," Makoto spoke softly, his tone almost soothing. "As a healer, I adhere to a strict code of ethics. I'll make sure you don't feel any pain…"

The instant his words fell, Makoto's figure blurred.

A heartbeat later, he reappeared behind the Hollow, standing as if he had merely taken a casual step. His Zanpakutō was already being sheathed with a quiet click as he calmly continued.

"I told you—there's no point in resisting. There won't be any pain."

At that precise moment—

Before Rukia, Momo, Renji, and Kira's stunned gazes—

With the final sound of Makoto's blade locking into its sheath, the Hollow suddenly split in two, its body cleanly severed down the middle. It didn't even have time to scream before it disintegrated into a cloud of spiritual particles.

"That was incredible!"

"W-Wait, isn't the Fourth Division supposed to be a medical unit?! Their Vice-Captain is this strong?!"

"Unbelievable… I couldn't even see his movements, let alone his sword strike…"

Rukia, meanwhile, was completely flushed with embarrassment.

She had finally realized the truth—Makoto, that damn bastard, had been playing with her all along.

(TL/N - 😂)

"What do you mean? Rikujōkōrō is an immensely strong bakudo. Even I would not be able to break free if I was caught by it…"

"Do you want to learn it? I don't mind teaching you, but little Rukia, you'll have to give me something in return~"

Memories of his teasing words flooded back, along with the moment he had made her kiss him before reluctantly "agreeing" to teach her the spell.

Rukia wished she could find a hole to crawl into and drown in her own tears.

But before she could unleash a righteous tirade against Makoto, Momo suddenly clung to her arm, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Rukia! Did you see that? Lord Senju is amazing! He's so strong and so kind—"

Rukia gritted her teeth. "No, he's an infuriating, insufferable bastard…"

Immediately, Momo's expression shifted.

For a brief moment, Rukia thought Momo had actually listened to her words.

She was just about to continue exposing Makoto's villainous nature—including, but not limited to, the time he had blackmailed her with the fact that he had once carried her as a baby while she was still in diapers—when Momo suddenly adopted a stern look.

"Rukia," Momo said, her voice serious. "How could you say something so awful about Lord Senju? He saved us! How can you slander our benefactor behind his back like that? That's disgraceful!"

…??!!

Rukia.

For the first time in their nearly year-long friendship, Rukia saw an unfamiliar side of Momo.

This was the same Momo Hinamori who was always kind and gentle, who never knew how to refuse people.

And yet, the serious expression she was wearing now—this was the first time Rukia had ever seen it.

In fact, from the way Momo looked at her, Rukia had no doubt that if she dared to badmouth Makoto any further, Momo would actually get angry.

Betrayal.

That bastard Makoto had actually turned her best friend against her!

Rukia glared daggers at Makoto, who was now tending to Renji and Kira's wounds with the practiced ease of a skilled healer. She swore to herself that one day, she would expose him for the scheming, manipulative fraud he was.

But before she could act on her vow, Momo suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her line of sight.

Meanwhile, Makoto had intentionally taken the chance to show off in front of these first-year students—not just for the sake of their admiration, but also to subtly disrupt Aizen's plans.

Still, when he noticed the way Momo's eyes gleamed with admiration, as well as the deeply respectful gazes from Renji and Kira, an idea began to take shape in his mind.

Rukia… was probably a lost cause.

He had exposed too much of his mischievous and manipulative side to her as a child, to the point where his image in her mind had been irreparably tarnished.

But Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Izuru Kira…

These three would grow into some of the most vital Vice-Captains in the next fifty years.

In other words, they were highly valuable assets.

If he could fully win them over and guide their development through "Spiritual Body Overlap" techniques, they could become powerful allies in the future.

With that thought in mind, Makoto became even more deliberate in his actions, ensuring that his care for Renji and Kira was as warm and reassuring as possible.

Gentle touches, a soothing presence, a smile that radiated kindness—

It didn't take long for Rukia to realize, to her horror, that it wasn't just Momo who had defected.

Renji and Kira, too, had fallen completely under Makoto's spell.

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