Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

With Makoto's speech concluded, the focus of the event shifted dramatically. Members of the " Capture-Makoto Association" began discussing his proposed principles with an almost fiery enthusiasm.

It felt like dry wood meeting a blazing fire, or parched earth finally receiving life-giving rain.

More accurately, it was as if these women, who had drifted for half their lives without direction, had finally found a place to belong.

By the time Risa announced the end of the event, the members were leaving in groups of twos and threes, still engaged in fervent discussions as they departed.

Meanwhile, Makoto hurriedly followed Unohana, anxious to avoid being cornered by any of the female Shinigami or noblewomen who might have lingered behind to ambush him.

It wasn't until they returned to the familiar tranquility of the courtyard that Makoto finally allowed himself to exhale in relief.

However, just as he was about to come up with an excuse to slip away into his room, Unohana intercepted him with a gentle yet unmistakably firm smile.

"Is there something else you'd like to tell me?" he asked uneasily, feeling a sudden pang of guilt.

After all, throughout the meeting, he had endured numerous close encounters with Unohana's… formidable presence. Being caught in such compromising situations in front of one's teacher was more than a little unbecoming.

That was why he had kept Kusajishi Yachiru perched on his lap the entire time—partly as a shield, hoping that Unohana wouldn't do anything inappropriate in front of the innocent little girl.

Yet, even so, he couldn't shake the nagging worry that Unohana's calculating nature meant she would hold him accountable later.

To his surprise, Unohana didn't confront him about his earlier behavior. Instead, she plucked a drifting sakura petal from the air, twirling it between her fingers as she asked softly and sincerely, "Makoto, what are your plans for the Women's Shinigami Association?"

Startled by her tone, Makoto's gaze instinctively fell on her hand, which held the delicate petal.

The sakura petal was beautiful—but the fingers that held it were even more so.

Slender and pale, soft yet seemingly boneless…

It was hard to believe these were the same hands capable of wielding a Zanpakuto with enough skill to effortlessly dispatch captain-level Shinigami.

As the silence stretched, Unohana glanced at Makoto, following his gaze to realize he was staring at either the sakura petal—or her fingers.

"Do you find it beautiful?" she asked mischievously, intending to tease him.

Lost in thought, Makoto unwittingly answered, "Extremely."

For a moment, Unohana was taken aback, her usually composed expression faltering slightly. A faint, almost imperceptible blush seemed to tint her cheeks like a fleeting sakura bloom.

Makoto, who was normally so reserved and indirect in his words, had unexpectedly blurted out something so straightforward, catching her off guard and making her believe it was an honest admission.

Recovering quickly, Unohana spoke in a tone devoid of any outward emotion, "Is this how you managed to win over the hearts of the entire Capture-Makoto Association?"

Yet, as soon as she said it, she realized the unintended implication of her words—after all, she was technically a member of that association as well.

Makoto, however, seemed oblivious to the nuance. Snapping back to reality, he quickly waved his hands and clarified, "That's a misunderstanding, Sensei! There are male members in the association too."

"Who knows? Maybe Makoto has some… unconventional ideas," she replied, her tone teasing yet subtly sharp.

Makoto met her gaze with a gentle and earnest expression, speaking sincerely, "No, absolutely not!"

Without another word, Unohana released the sakura petal and began walking toward the large sakura tree in the courtyard.

This ancient tree, transplanted from the Shihōin family's grounds after the courtyard was rebuilt, had stood for centuries and was reputedly the most beautiful and oldest sakura tree in all of the Seireitei.

Unohana had once marveled at how Makoto had managed to obtain a tree from the Shihōin family.

Now, however, she found herself wondering if Makoto had a deep affection for sakura, which had prompted him to go to such lengths to plant the finest tree in his courtyard.

Standing beneath the canopy of blooming sakura, Unohana turned back to face Makoto. A soft breeze stirred the petals, sending them swirling around her as she brushed a few strands of hair from her face. Her eyes, gentle yet piercing, met his as she asked again, "Makoto, what are your thoughts on the Women's Shinigami Association? What do you plan to do with the principles you proposed during your speech?"

Hearing her question, Makoto's expression flickered subtly.

Before today, he had never seriously considered the potential of the association. He had viewed it as nothing more than a niche club with little real influence.

However, after witnessing the members' fervent response, especially following his rebranding of the group as the Women's Shinigami Association and his improvised slogans and principles, he began to see a new possibility.

Even so, his top priority remained completing the "Perfect Spirit Body" through the accumulation of spiritual energy from the "Seeds of the Forest." Everything else was secondary.

This was precisely why he had relinquished the presidency without hesitation, partly to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to himself.

Makoto harbored no fondness for the Seireitei's power structure or the Central 46. He might not mind being subordinate to Unohana, but he certainly wasn't willing to serve as a puppet for those manipulators.

Still, Makoto was keenly aware that it wasn't yet the right time for him to openly challenge the status quo. He needed to bide his time.

Yet, as he gazed at the serene and graceful scene before him, a rare sense of calm washed over him. For a brief moment, the allure of power and status seemed insignificant in comparison.

"What do you think, Sensei?" he asked, deflecting the question back to her.

To his surprise, Unohana's gentle demeanor took on a sharper edge as she replied, "The Women's Shinigami Association has the potential to change the status and rights of women in the Soul Society. It could also become a power you wield, Makoto."

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