Capítulo 25: Chapter 25: The So-Called... Genius
Facing the subtle probing from Aizen Sosuke, Makoto's mind instinctively tensed.
The term "probing" is only used when there's a specific target, or when suspicions and guesses have arisen about someone.
So, as soon as Aizen Sosuke spoke those words, Makoto immediately realized that he had caught the attention of this formidable man, Aizen.
It didn't matter anymore whether this encounter was a mere coincidence. The important thing was that Makoto had been noticed by Aizen.
Makoto's thoughts raced, but his face displayed just the right amount of youthful innocence one would expect from a naive boy receiving praise. He responded, "Vice-Captain Aizen, you flatter me. I'm just a newcomer."
For the past two months since joining the Fourth Division, playing the role of the naive, innocent young boy had almost become second nature to Makoto. Despite his complex thoughts, his outward demeanor remained impeccably smooth, betraying no hint of his internal struggles.
After a pause, Makoto shifted the conversation, subtly reclaiming the initiative with a question of his own. "Vice-Captain Aizen, earlier, you called me by name. Do you know me?"
Though, for Makoto, this seemed almost like a pointless question—one that might raise unnecessary suspicions and invite deeper scrutiny—the real issue was how to quickly escape the conversation without drawing further attention from Aizen.
Even though they were within the Fourth Division's headquarters and it was unlikely that Aizen would make a move within the Seireitei, Makoto knew that with Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, capable of controlling the senses of the most powerful Shinigami, no one could be sure how many had already fallen under his illusion.
Thus, Makoto understood the extreme risk of being alone with Aizen Sosuke.
However, there were two reasons Makoto asked the question. First, he needed a topic to shift the focus onto Aizen, distracting him and buying some time. Second, from an ordinary Shinigami's perspective, being addressed by name by a Vice-Captain in the dead of night would surely lead to a question. Such a reaction was only natural.
Aizen smiled gently in response to Makoto's inquiry.
"How could I not know your name, Makoto-kun? You are the disciple of Captain Unohana, recognized by her as a 'genius whose skills in the Kaido and medical techniques rival her own.' You are also the first male Shinigami in the history of the Seireitei to join the Gynecology Department."
???
Senju Makoto.
Unohana, is she really out there boasting like this?
Makoto didn't consider himself a genius. Over the past two months, he had been working tirelessly to learn, barely managing to keep up with Captain Unohana's daily guidance.
In fact, Makoto had even applied much of the medical knowledge from his past life. But sadly, despite having just graduated from medical school in his previous life, the medical system in the Soul Society was entirely different from the one he knew. More importantly, the physical and spiritual realms were completely separate, with entirely different concepts governing them.
So, much of the medical knowledge from his past life only provided Makoto with alternative perspectives and ways of thinking, but little that was directly applicable.
"Teacher, why drag me into your bragging outside?"
Inside, Makoto couldn't help but quietly complain, but on the surface, he appeared startled and helpless, responding with a sigh.
"Captain Aizen, I think this is just a rumor. I've only been with the Fourth Division for two months. At best, I've barely finished learning the essential medical skills and the basic healing spells from the gynecology department."
Upon hearing this, Aizen raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Makoto-kun, don't you know that for an ordinary Shinigami in the Fourth Division, it typically takes three to five years to fully master the healing techniques and medical skills required for their assigned department? Shinigami lacking in talent might even struggle to fully grasp these skills."
"What?"
At this moment, Makoto was genuinely shocked.
This basic knowledge… No one had told him this!
Makoto hadn't gone through the Fourth Division's standard training at the burial grounds. Instead, he was directly assigned to the gynecology department by Unohana. Later, he discovered that Risa, who had just joined the department, had already mastered the healing techniques and medical skills perfectly.
This led Makoto to develop the false impression that his abilities were just average compared to the general standard of the Fourth Division.
"No wonder… Teacher Unohana gave Risa special permission to join the rescue unit. Risa must have been studying healing techniques and medical skills since she was young. She's probably quite talented herself…"
Makoto muttered softly, suddenly understanding some of the small details he had previously overlooked.
"Makoto-kun, what did you say?" Aizen asked, confused.
Makoto scratched his head, then spoke in a manner typical of a naive young man who had just realized something. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that I must have misunderstood something before…"
Aizen casually patted Makoto on the shoulder, acting friendly and warm, "Makoto-kun, your talent is truly impressive. Please take care of the Fifth Division in the future."
Makoto responded with the perfect reaction of a boy who had never seen much of the world and was solely focused on studying healing techniques and medical skills. He felt somewhat overwhelmed by Aizen's warm approach and responded awkwardly but gratefully.
For a moment, the atmosphere between them was remarkably harmonious, almost like a scene of mutual respect, with a subtle sense of brotherly humility.
Just as Makoto felt it was time to find an excuse to step away from Aizen, the latter, who had been engaging him in conversation, casually mentioned,
"Makoto-kun, is there any way to separate a Zanpakuto from its spirit body?"
Makoto froze for a moment, then looked at Aizen in surprise, his wariness creeping in. He feigned ignorance and responded,
"Captain Aizen, is that even a question? Of course, you just pick up your Zanpakuto and place it on the ground beside you."
"Not that…"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, the light reflecting off the lenses, making his gaze hard to read. His tone remained gentle as he asked,
"I mean complete separation—the kind where you extract a Shinigami's power from their spirit body entirely."
??!!
Makoto's mind went blank.
Such a thing… Is it really appropriate to ask me so bluntly?
If I didn't know better, I'd almost think you and I are in on some secret plot to do something drastic.
Immediately, Makoto reacted as any cautious and serious individual would. He appeared alarmed, but also spoke with the gravity of someone trying to dissuade Aizen from making a dangerous suggestion.
"Vice-Captain Aizen, that's a dangerously reckless idea. The Seireitei would never allow something like that."
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