Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

"Isane?"

Unohana's voice remained as gentle as ever, yet Makoto felt an invisible chill sweep through the air. The warmth of the hot spring seemed to drop dramatically in an instant.

Makoto's mind went blank. He felt like a cat caught red-handed with stolen fish, inexplicably flustered.

"Se... Sensei... I... let me explain..."

"Explain?" Unohana's crescent-moon eyes curved softly, her lips parting ever so slightly as she asked, "Why does Makoto feel the need to explain? Did you do something wrong?"

However, Makoto couldn't help but notice Unohana's left hand shift slightly beneath her wide sleeves.

That stance… It was unmistakable—Unohana's hand was gripping the hidden blade she always kept tucked away in her sleeve.

But seriously, who brings a Zanpakutō into a hot spring?!

Instinctively, Makoto glanced towards Shinro Bansho, his Zanpakutō, neatly placed alongside his shihakushō near the edge of the spring.

This left him, clad in nothing but a bath towel, completely defenseless.

Fight? Without a blade, how could he?

Run?

Makoto would rather die by Unohana's hand than have his reputation ruined by streaking under the moonlight in the Seireitei!

Unohana seemed to notice his reflexive glance. A faint smile graced her lips as she said, "Makoto, you've certainly grown. You've even developed the instinct to reach for your sword, haven't you?"

Makoto, still clinging to reason, frantically waved his hands. "No, no, no, Sensei, it was just a slip of the tongue! Absolutely just a slip of the tongue..."

Pausing, he looked at her earnestly and said, "Sensei, you know me. I was just overwhelmed from handling squad duties, so I came to soak in the hot spring to ease my fatigue. I must've been so lost in thought about work that I dozed off, and when I woke up, I instinctively called out 'Isane.'"

"Oh?"

Unohana's tone stretched slightly, and she asked, "Makoto, you're not the kind of student who would deceive their teacher, are you?"

"No, no, of course not!" Makoto nodded obediently like a child.

Unohana gently stroked the hilt of her Zanpakutō at her waist as though caressing a lover, her crescent-moon eyes shimmering as she stared at Makoto.

"Since that's the case, Makoto, you must remain honest! Are you absolutely sure you didn't take Isane to the courtyard while I was away at the banquet, soaking in the hot spring and doing things you wouldn't want me to know about?"

What?!

Makoto was aghast.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Makoto blurted, swearing without hesitation. "Sensei, please, you must believe me!"

Hearing this, Unohana's gaze flickered slightly, her demeanor softening. The suffocatingly dangerous aura dissipated, allowing Makoto to breathe a sigh of relief.

"So, Isane wasn't here?" Unohana asked gently.

Makoto hesitated. He hadn't sensed Isane's spiritual pressure in the courtyard…

'That means she must've left after I fell asleep, right?'

Makoto quickly surmised and decided not to stir the pot. Instead, he added a touch of finesse to his answer, planning to clarify with Isane tomorrow.

"Sensei, it was definitely just me here soaking in the hot spring," he replied tactfully.

"Is that so?"

A smile spread across Unohana's face as her left hand reached into the air beside her.

In an instant, the air rippled like water, and a translucent barrier resembling a veil was pulled back, revealing none other than Isane standing behind it.

What?!

Makoto was dumbfounded.

This level of Kido, one capable of concealing spiritual pressure from his senses, was far beyond Isane's abilities. Moreover, she had no reason to set up such a barrier.

That could only mean… this barrier had been set up by Unohana herself?

She… she had planned this trap in advance?

How could she be so calculating?!

I'm your innocent, pure-hearted disciple! Did you really think I'd fall for this?!

Unohana's smile deepened as she observed Makoto's stunned expression.

"So, Makoto, how do you explain this?" she asked, her voice almost playful.

"I… I..."

Caught red-handed, Makoto glanced helplessly at Isane.

Isane, on the verge of tears, lowered her head and stammered, "I… I'm sorry, Makoto-kun. I saw you asleep and was worried you might slip underwater, so I stayed to make sure you were safe. Then the Captain returned and forbade me from making a sound…"

Makoto sighed heavily. It was clear this wasn't Isane's fault.

"It's fine, Isane," Makoto said. "You can leave now. Oh, and for the next few days, I'll be resting, so I'll need you and Risa to handle squad duties in the meantime."

Isane hesitated, glancing nervously at Unohana.

Unohana's expression remained soft as she gave a slight nod, granting her permission.

Timid as ever, Isane turned to leave but hesitated after a few steps. Summoning her courage, she turned back and said, "Captain Unohana, please don't punish Makoto-san. He's been working so hard. He just wanted a brief moment to relax in the hot spring."

Makoto looked at her in surprise, a wry smile forming on his lips.

You fool, do you really think Sensei's upset because I shirked squad duties to soak in the hot spring?

If anything, your words just made things worse!

Unohana remained serene as she waved a hand. "Little Isane, what are you worrying about? Makoto is my beloved disciple. Why would I punish him? I just want to discuss something with him."

Isane, oblivious to the underlying tension, breathed a sigh of relief, bowed deeply, and hurried out of the courtyard.

As soon as Isane left, Unohana turned her soft gaze back to Makoto.

"So, Makoto, shall we discuss this? Or would you prefer to grab your Zanpakutō and try resisting?"

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