Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Resonance
"Senju Makoto…"
Upon hearing Unohana recount the incident with a hint of mild regret, Makoto's expression instantly became one of sheer disbelief.
What did she mean by "assigned according to my area of expertise" and "deliberately placed in the gynecology department"?
Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's just shameless misdirection!
Clearly, my area of expertise was surgery back then. It was you… manipulative, shameless, underhanded you, who forcibly placed me in the women's department devoid of any other male doctors!
That line was pure misdirection! Aren't you completely skipping over the part about "filling in the gaps in understaffed areas"?
Though Makoto was silently cursing Unohana in his mind, outwardly, he wore a helpless, aggrieved expression.
"Makoto…" Unohana called out in a tone that was both gentle and a bit chiding.
"Yes, sensei, I'm here."
"You don't blame me for accidentally mentioning your name in front of others, do you?" she asked tenderly, as though she was on the verge of an apology.
Makoto straightened his back, feeling as if some unbreakable resolve was taking root within him. Without hesitation, he replied:
"Of course not! As your disciple, I would never question your judgment, no matter the time, place, or circumstance. I am steadfast in my support of your will and decisions! The path you tread, I shall follow; the future you envision, I shall pursue; the enemies you face, shall also be my enemies!"
To put it simply, the underlying message was clear: wherever you lead, Sensei, I'll follow without question.
This impassioned, unwavering declaration left not only Unohana momentarily taken aback, but also rendered Yamada Seinosuke, kneeling nearby, utterly speechless.
In that moment, Yamada could feel the vast, insurmountable distance in spirit and devotion between himself and Makoto.
Where he spent his days sniping at subordinates and parroting responses like "yes, yes," "whatever the captain says," and "understood," Makoto could effortlessly voice his dedication with a sincerity that seemed both heartfelt and resolute.
Watching Makoto's pure and determined expression, Seinosuke almost began to believe in his words, despite the theatrical tone. It was just that Makoto's delivery was…more eloquent, to say the least.
No wonder he hadn't earned Unohana's favor after following her for centuries, unlike Makoto, who had earned the rare honor of being her disciple. The gap…was just too wide!
As for Unohana, she simply smiled and said, "You're overdoing it, Makoto."
"No, Sensei. These words come from the depths of my heart. Please, allow me to stay by your side for the rest of my days."
Makoto spoke with utmost seriousness and sincerity, his gaze toward Unohana shining with a genuine admiration.
"Oh, that won't do, Makoto. You're soon going to grow enough to stand on your own—you can't always stay in my shadow." Though she appeared to chastise him, her softened expression betrayed a hint of gentle pride.
Makoto, still looking as stoic as ever on the surface, couldn't help but internally sigh at her response.
'Are you kidding me? My dear, sly teacher, Captain Unohana. You're the one who pushed me into the spotlight in front of the higher-ups in the Seireitei. You exposed me to who knows how many risks—why would I even think of letting go of this opportunity to stay close to you?'
'At least a hundred years… no…'
With a quick turn of thought, Makoto recalculated. It would probably take around a hundred more years for that substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki, to appear. To play it safe…
Makoto pressed his hands firmly against the tatami mat, adopting an unwavering stance. "Two hundred years at the very least, teacher. Please allow me to use those two hundred years to repay your kindness."
Unohana regarded him silently for several seconds. "Makoto, are you serious? Do you understand what that entails? Based on my judgment, you have the potential to achieve Bankai within a century. Taking over as Captain of the Fourth Division may very well be within reach."
Captain?
Makoto felt no surge of excitement—in fact, he found it almost amusing.
'A regular captain? In front of that monster Aizen Sosuke? That's practically like paper in the wind—he could manipulate you without you even realizing it.'
'Kyouka Suigetsu… Now that's a power impossible to guard against. The higher your position in the Seireitei, the greater your chances of drawing Aizen's attention.'
Makoto had no intention of testing that terrifying feeling—seeing a beauty turn into a sow, or worse. Especially the latter.
For now, keeping a low profile behind Unohana's presence was undoubtedly the safest choice.
Although a part of him had once wanted to assert himself and say "no" to her, Makoto couldn't deny that the softer, more yielding path often led to greater peace of mind.
"Of course, teacher," he replied without a trace of hesitation or regret. "As long as I can stay by your side, I don't care if I never become a captain or a seated officer."
At that moment, Unohana's expression softened with genuine emotion. She opened her eyes slightly, studying Makoto with a depth of appreciation.
Although… sometimes she couldn't fully grasp his inner thoughts, his actions today spoke volumes about his sincere and straightforward nature.
Two hundred years—an extraordinarily long time, even from her perspective. And for Makoto, who had barely been in the Fourth Division for two months, it was an eternity. For some Shinigami with weaker spiritual energy, two hundred years was nearly the span of their entire existence.
Strangely, Unohana felt a stir in her heart that she had never experienced before.
'Could it be… that even someone like me, bearing the weight of past sins, could inspire someone to willingly follow me, even at the cost of a future as captain?'
"Leave!"
Unohana's voice suddenly cut through, startling both Makoto and Yamada Seinosuke, who hadn't expected such a sharp and uncharacteristic shift from her usual gentleness.
Before they could respond, a suffocating pressure filled the room, weighing down on them. Her voice, cold and devoid of any warmth, echoed again.
"Must I repeat myself?"
In an instant, both Makoto and Yamada shivered, hastily retreating out of the room.
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