บท 143: Chapter 144: Shihōin Yūshirō
Makoto quickly gave a simple set of instructions to the Fourth Division members, allowing the majority, who had been working tirelessly through the night, to take a well-deserved rest.
Returning to his own tent, Makoto eyed a bottle labeled "Forest and the Spiraea," retrieved from the Courtyard of Unohana, and quietly waited for something.
Not long after, a member of the Omnitsukido appeared at the entrance of his tent, kneeling as he spoke.
"Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, Senju Makoto, under the orders of the Shihōin family, you are urgently requested to proceed to the Shihōin Manor for treatment."
"Understood," Makoto replied, entirely unsurprised.
Emerging from the tent, Makoto deliberately presented himself as exhausted, rubbing his reddened eyes as he asked, "The Shihōin family? Has someone been injured or fallen ill?"
"My apologies, I am not privy to the specifics. However, I implore you to head there immediately," the Omnitsukido member said, bowing deeply in earnest sincerity.
"I understand. Lead the way," Makoto nodded and, utilizing shunpo, swiftly followed the guide towards the Shihōin Manor.
In truth, Makoto was fully aware of who required treatment—Shihōin Yoruichi. Unlike other Hollowfied Shinigami who had been detained in prison, Yoruichi had been granted an exception and returned to the Shihōin Manor.
With Unohana temporarily confined by Central 46, and Yamada Seinosuke unconscious due to Hollowfication, the most skilled healer in the public eye of the Soul Society was now none other than Makoto, the newly appointed Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division.
Upon entering the Shihōin Manor, the heightened security was immediately apparent. The entire estate was tightly guarded, with members of the Omnitsukido stationed in every corner.
Clearly, an incident involving the captain of the Second Division and commander of the Onmitsukidō was a source of profound shame on the Onmitsukido itself.
"This way, please…"
Guided by a member, Makoto soon arrived at the grandest room in the manor, its doors guarded by Ōmaeda Marenoshin, Vice-Captain of the Second Division, and a young boy with dark skin, whose presence seemed to command deference.
"Lord Yūshirō, this is Senju Makoto, disciple of Captain Unohana and the newly appointed Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division. His medical expertise is widely recognized in the Seireitei. My lady has often praised his exceptional skill," Ōmaeda Marechiyo introduced respectfully, bowing towards the anxious yet composed boy.
Makoto understood immediately that this boy was Shihōin Yūshirō, Yoruichi's younger brother. The significant age gap between the siblings was evident, as Yūshirō appeared to be about the same size as Kusajishi Yachiru—a mere child.
Yūshirō's eyes brightened at the introduction, and he stepped forward, bowing deeply to Makoto.
"I have heard of your reputation from my sister many times, Vice-Captain Senju. Thank you for coming. I must ask for your assistance in treating my sister. I, Yūshirō will forever be deeply grateful."
Makoto, who had been about to return the bow, froze in apparent shock. His expression turned incredulous as he asked, "Did you say the patient is Lady Yoruichi? Wasn't she…"
He trailed off, as if realizing something, before nodding resolutely.
"Rest assured, Lady Yoruichi has been a mentor to me, and I hold her in the highest esteem. I will do everything in my power to help her."
"Thank you, Vice-Captain Senju," Yūshirō said, a strained smile crossing his face as he opened the doors and led Makoto into the room.
The grandeur of the Shihōin family, one of the four great noble houses alongside the Kuchiki family, was immediately apparent. Unlike the Kuchiki's understated elegance, the Shihōin Manor exuded opulence and luxury.
At the center of the room lay Yoruichi, surrounded by four golden, intricately patterned pillars. Each pillar was bound to her limbs with what appeared to be slender white cloths.
Noticing Makoto's confusion, Yūshirō offered an explanation.
"Vice-Captain Senju, the Shihōin family is known as the Tenshi Heisōban (天賜兵装番, Guard of the Heavenly Gifted Armaments) due to our collection of various divine artifacts. One such artifact has been employed to restrain my sister, who, during her Hollowfication, lost all sense of reason. You need not worry about safety."
"I see," Makoto replied, stepping forward to examine Yoruichi.
Though Yoruichi no longer displayed the constant signs of Hollowfication, a Hollow mask still covered her face, and her spiritual pressure bore a resemblance to that of a Hollow. Despite her semblance of normalcy, she remained unconscious, her spiritual pressure fluctuating unnaturally.
Makoto, lacking personal experience with Hollowfication, understood that both a Shinigami's Hollowfication and a Hollow's transformation into a Shinigami were not mere shifts in form.
Peering into the microscopic spiritual structure of Yoruichi's spiritual body, Makoto noted its extraordinary and peculiar state.
"Yūshirō, I will need to conduct a more thorough examination of Lady Yoruichi," Makoto said gravely.
"Of course, Vice-Captain Senju. Please, proceed," Yūshirō replied, his tone anxious.
"What I mean to say…" Makoto carefully chose his words, "Could you give me some space? The next steps might not be suitable… for young eyes."
Yūshirō blinked in surprise, his face flushing as he realized Makoto's implications. Despite his youth, he had been teased enough by his sister to react like this.
"You mean to say…" Yūshirō stammered, motioning toward Yoruichi's clothing with increasing embarrassment.
Makoto adjusted his glasses with a composed expression and nodded solemnly.
"I understand," Yūshirō said, visibly distressed yet determined. "Please hurry. I fear my sister's body may not endure much longer under the Hollow's erosion."
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