Chapter 18 Unohana's Attention
"Does Miss Rangiku know this Tachikawa Shin?"
Retsu Unohana asked upon seeing Matsumoto Rangiku's reaction.
The top students of the Spiritual Arts Academy each year were always highly sought after by Squad Thirteen, and Matsumoto Rangiku was the Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division, so Retsu Unohana immediately sensed Matsumoto Rangiku's thoughts.
Matsumoto Rangiku asked, "Did you just say that this Tachikawa Shin's Zanpakuto is a Healing Arts System one?"
"That's right. It's been a long time since the Spiritual Arts Academy produced a Zanpakuto like this. This is rare good news for our Fourth Division," Retsu Unohana said.
"…"
Matsumoto Rangiku froze in place. Kusajishi Yachiru, beside her, seemed not to have heard their conversation, only caring about why Matsumoto Rangiku had suddenly stopped feeding her.
Tachikawa Shin…
How could that boy possibly have a Healing Arts System Zanpakuto?
Matsumoto Rangiku simply couldn't believe it. That Tachikawa Shin didn't look like a doctor at all. It wasn't that his Koten was bad; it was just that compared to Tachikawa Shin's other various strengths, his Koten was the most unremarkable subject.
That boy had been saying just a few days ago that he would first consider their Tenth Division after graduation, but if his Zanpakuto was a Healing Arts System one, then after graduation, he would only have one place to go: the Fourth Division.
Because only in the Fourth Division could a Healing Arts System Zanpakuto be most effectively developed.
Matsumoto Rangiku's thoughts were a bit chaotic. From the talent Tachikawa Shin had displayed, he was already at the level of a high-ranking seat officer, and reaching the Vice-Captain level in the future was only a matter of time. Becoming a Captain was not impossible either.
Was she just going to watch such a talent slip away?
She had already done so much work for this!
"Miss Rangiku?"
"No… nothing," Matsumoto Rangiku replied with a forced smile.
If Shin didn't have a Zanpakuto, Matsumoto Rangiku would have some confidence if others tried to poach him for their Tenth Division. But Shin already had a Healing Arts System Zanpakuto, which made Matsumoto Rangiku completely abandon that idea.
This boy, why did he have to have this kind of Zanpakuto…
Matsumoto Rangiku thought it was such a pity. Seeing Yachiru looking at her eagerly, she tossed another flower from her hand towards her.
Ise Nanao, beside her, looked at her somewhat strangely.
Although Retsu Unohana guessed that Matsumoto Rangiku had probably interacted with this Tachikawa Shin, she didn't take it to heart. A Spiritual Arts Academy student with a Healing Arts System Zanpakuto—no Squad had the capital to compete with their Fourth Division for him.
She casually handed the document back to Kotetsu Isane and continued her flower arranging.
After Matsumoto Rangiku left, she went straight to the Squad Ten Barracks.
As soon as she pushed open the door to the Captain's office, she saw her Captain, as expected, napping at his desk. This infuriated her, and she went up and slammed her hand hard on the desktop.
"Captain!"
Shiba Isshin was startled, abruptly lifted his head, and looked around blankly, "Huh? What happened?"
"Captain, he's been snatched away by someone else, and you're still slacking off! You might as well just resign now!"
Listening to Matsumoto Rangiku yelling, Shiba Isshin slowly stretched, "Is someone trying to poach you? Every Squad should have enough Vice-Captains now, shouldn't they?"
Matsumoto Rangiku rubbed her forehead and said, "I'm talking about that Tachikawa Shin!"
"Him?" Shiba Isshin was a little surprised.
"It's not even graduation season yet, what's wrong with him?"
"I was at the Fourth Division just now and heard the news that Tachikawa Shin already has a Zanpakuto, and it's a Healing Arts System one."
Shiba Isshin's attitude became slightly more serious then, and he mused, "Are you serious?"
"The Spiritual Arts Academy sent the file to the Fourth Division, how could it be false?" Matsumoto Rangiku said.
"…I see," Shiba Isshin rubbed his chin.
"If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do. The Fourth Division is where he belongs, Rangiku. This is an irresistible force."
Matsumoto Rangiku was helpless, "It was so hard to find someone I liked, but if only you, Captain, could be a bit more responsible, I wouldn't have to go around scouting for talent for our Squad."
Shiba Isshin was slightly displeased, "Rangiku, being a Captain is very hard work, okay? Today is your day off. I've been working diligently all morning, and you show up just as I'm taking a short break."
Matsumoto Rangiku didn't believe it. If her Captain really worked diligently, the sun would rise from the west.
Shiba Isshin persuaded her again, "Regardless, Tachikawa Shin is a talented junior. He'll be able to achieve greater things once he joins the Fourth Division. Who knows, we might even have to rely on him to heal us if we get injured during a mission in the future."
Ultimately, he was just an ungraduated Spiritual Arts Academy student. Top students appeared every year. Perhaps this Tachikawa Shin was more outstanding, but he was far from the point where Shiba Isshin would overly exert himself for him.
And the Student Council he had helped Tachikawa Shin establish earlier was also a worthwhile endeavor, and he didn't feel like he had lost anything.
It was Matsumoto Rangiku who had gone to the Spiritual Arts Academy many times because she wanted Tachikawa Shin to join the Tenth Division. Now that the cooked duck had flown away, she felt extremely unbalanced.
No, she had to find someone even more excellent than this guy!
It had to be someone like Shiba Kaien and… and Gin!
Meanwhile, at the Fourth Division.
After the Female Soul Reaper Association's team-building event ended, although it was a holiday, Retsu Unohana and Kotetsu Isane did not return home.
"Yune, take some time to go to the Spiritual Arts Academy and investigate Tachikawa Shin's situation. Miss Rangiku seems quite interested in him," Retsu Unohana instructed.
If this Tachikawa Shin's talent and character were both excellent, then he could quickly assume a high-ranking seat officer position after joining the Fourth Division.
The Fourth Division was a medical Squad, and the internal ranking of seat officers didn't place much emphasis on a Shinigami's combat strength. A Healing Arts System Zanpakuto, if properly developed, could far surpass ordinary Squad members who only relied on Koten.
Even in the Fourth Division, there were only a few members with healing-type Zanpakuto.
"I understand, Captain."
Retsu Unohana glanced at the file contents on the desk again.
"This child also created a Student Council. Wasn't it quite well-known a few days ago? He might be a very interesting person. Our Fourth Division hasn't had new blood injected in a long time."
Shinigami have long lifespans, and their concept of time is somewhat vague. The "few days ago" Retsu Unohana mentioned was already a month ago.
"Born in Rukongai's Zaraki District, his best subject is Kendo, and he even defeated his Kendo instructor…"
She just didn't know how "proficient" this so-called proficiency was.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Retsu Unohana's gentle face. Her eyes flickered, as if recalling something.