"The one from the Shiba family?"

After leaving the Fourth Division barracks, the squad led by Yoruichi advanced toward their destination. As the medical officer sent by the Fourth Division to assist with the mission, Ethan normally did not need to know the specific details. His job was simply to follow the Stealth Force members and treat any injured allies.

If someone else had been leading the team, they would not have bothered explaining anything to him. However, since the leader this time was someone he knew, she briefly explained the situation.

One of the Second Division’s duties is to monitor the Soul Reapers in the Seireitei to prevent the appearance of scum who might harm the Soul Society.

This time, a certain Soul Reaper had been placed on the Second Division’s watch list. That person was very alert and immediately went into hiding after sensing something was wrong.

Originally, this was nothing unusual. After reporting the situation, besides the Second Division continuing the search, the Tenth Division, which guards the Seireitei, also joined in.

This time, a patrolling member of the Tenth Division discovered the target. While having a comrade report the information, he continued pursuing the target himself to prevent him from escaping again.

Hearing this, Ethan understood why Unohana had assigned him to this mission. Because it required extreme mobility, no one in the Fourth Division besides Unohana herself was faster than him.

Not only was he not left behind by the Second Division members, he could even speak with Yoruichi while moving at high speed, something the other Stealth Force members beside them could not do.

"The one tracking the target is from the Shiba family..."

"Isshin Shiba!"

Ethan had originally thought it would be Kaien Shiba. In the plot, Yoruichi and Kukaku Shiba were old acquaintances, so it would be normal for her to know Kukaku’s older brother, Kaien.

He did not expect it to be Isshin Shiba.

But thinking about it, had Isshin already joined the Tenth Division by now?

Calculating the timeline, it seemed about right. Isshin was Kaien’s uncle.

Considering that Yoruichi had left the Soul Society a hundred years before the main story began, and she was familiar with Isshin’s niece Kukaku, it made sense that Isshin had already become a Soul Reaper by this time.

"However, he will not become a Captain until after Yoruichi leaves the Soul Society. He should still be an ordinary member now, right?"

In reality, although Isshin was not yet a Captain, he was not just an ordinary member either. Otherwise, he would not have had the confidence to pursue a dangerous suspect alone.

However, his strength was far from what it would be in the future, because when Ethan found him, he was already lying on the ground, severely injured.

"How is he?"

"He will not die."

After a brief examination, Ethan gave his judgment. Once Yoruichi confirmed that Isshin’s life was not in danger, she immediately asked about the target.

Isshin, who currently looked quite young and clean-shaven, pointed toward the forest ahead while receiving treatment.

They had already left the Seireitei and entered the Rukongai. The Rukongai was vast and not entirely urban. Each district contained large areas of wilderness. They were now in the outskirts of North District 34.

After treatment, Isshin regained mobility and stood up. After thanking Ethan, he prepared to continue fighting.

"The rest will be handled by the Second Division. What you need to do now is return and recover."

"I have to go with you. A comrade from the Tenth Division has already chased after him."

"There are Tenth Division members as well?"

"They rushed over to support after receiving the message while on patrol."

While explaining, they entered the forest. Although they wanted to find the enemy quickly, they could not advance recklessly and had to stay alert.

The experienced Second Division members performed well in this regard. Isshin was not a reckless hot-blooded youth either and carefully observed his surroundings.

Only Ethan looked around casually. In his view, he was just accompanying them. Treating any injured allies would complete his task.

If there were no injured, he could save some effort. Unfortunately, that would not be the case, because he soon spotted two injured Soul Reapers lying ahead.

After a quick check, their injuries were far more severe than Isshin’s. Without immediate treatment, they would soon die.

"It seems I have to be a bit more serious."

Ethan stood up. Isshin, who was beside him, thought he was about to give up treatment, but then saw him draw the Zanpakutō from his waist.

Yoruichi, who had been scanning the surroundings, turned to look at him. She had never forgotten that Ethan claimed his Zanpakutō had healing abilities. He had never shown her before. Now she could verify his words.

"Bloom, Flourishing Flowers."

"???"

Yoruichi almost asked, "Isn’t your Zanpakutō called Sad Glee Breeze?" Even after two years, the name still made her recall that overwhelming weakness.

However, the others did not find it strange. Ethan’s posture was a common one for releasing Shikai.

They soon saw the effect.

After speaking the release command and lightly touching the tip of his blade to the ground, the grass-covered earth suddenly sprouted vibrant flowers.

Before anyone could ask what they were for, they saw the two injured Soul Reapers lying among the flowers begin recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye. Their wounds closed, their spiritual pressure stabilized, and their breathing became steady.

"Such powerful healing ability."

Isshin glanced at Ethan again. He had heard of him. A Soul Reaper who could beat up Eleventh Division members, even thrashing a seated officer, and remain unharmed himself was rare.

If that Soul Reaper also belonged to the Fourth Division, he was truly unique.

Ethan did not realize it, but he had already become quite famous within the Gotei 13. This was also why trouble in the Fourth Division had decreased in recent years. Even the most hot-tempered individuals tried to restrain themselves there. After all, Ethan dared to beat the Eleventh Division’s madmen.

He did not know that he had indirectly improved the Fourth Division’s working environment.

Like many others, Isshin wondered why such a powerful Soul Reaper chose the Fourth Division. After witnessing this healing ability, he understood. With a Zanpakutō like that, it would be strange not to join the Fourth Division.

Just as everyone was marveling at the healing ability, several figures suddenly rushed out and lunged toward Ethan in the middle of treatment.

The nearby Second Division members reacted instantly and clearly saw what had appeared.

"Hollows?"

It was not unusual for Hollows to appear in the Rukongai, but their timing was suspicious.

The nearest Second Division member delivered a flying kick, sending the attacking Hollow flying. Before he could pursue, more Hollows appeared around them.

"It seems we’ve fallen into a trap."

It was obvious. The enemy had deliberately left the injured Soul Reapers to lure them and had somehow drawn many Hollows here.

"These weak Hollows cannot truly harm us, so their goal must be to stall us."

At first, Yoruichi had not taken this mission seriously. Now she felt she had been underestimated.

"Do not waste time on these Hollows. Continue pursuing that man."

The Second Division members immediately obeyed.

As for how Ethan and the injured Isshin would deal with the Hollows, that was their problem.

Isshin drew his sword, ready to fight, not noticing Yoruichi mischievously wink at Ethan before leaving.

"..."

After silently calling her a troublemaker, Ethan lifted his sword and, under Isshin’s astonished gaze, sliced the first charging Hollow in half.

"The injured should rest quietly. Your two comrades are stable now. They are no longer in danger."

"Ah? Oh." Isshin finally reacted. The person before him was not a typical medical officer lacking combat ability, but someone who could defeat Eleventh Division fighters. "Do you need help?"

"Do I need help against a few Hollows?" Ethan glanced at the group filling the space before him. "Eight Blades Flash."

Isshin saw several flashes of light. Instantly, the Hollows charging at Ethan were reduced to pieces.

After cutting down those medium-speed Hollows, only the largest remained, lagging behind due to its slow pace.

Facing the giant Hollow, Ethan gripped his sword with both hands and waited for it to come closer.

"Nine-Headed Dragon Flash."

(To be continued.)