Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

In the Gotei 13, every Shinigami received an independent salary, and each division also operated with its own allocated budget.

Divisional budgets were typically supplemented by completing tasks assigned by the First Division or the Central 46. However, these budgets were also strained by a multitude of expenses—including, for example, paying for treatments received from the Fourth Division.

When Makoto agreed to Yachiru Kusajishi's request, he confirmed with Zaraki that treatment fees would need to be settled. Zaraki, having no concept of finances, agreed without hesitation before plunging into his usual beast mode.

By the end of the bloody training session, Zaraki was satisfied from the carnage, the Eleventh Division members were equally thrilled from being cut down, and Makoto felt fulfilled from healing everyone, leaving no energy or spiritual pressure unspent.

But there was a catch: nearly every member of the Eleventh Division had sustained critical injuries, many going through two full cycles of combat and healing.

When Risa, the meticulous budget manager of the Fourth Division, reviewed the treatment records, the total cost was staggering.

A total of 1,300 severe injuries treated—enough to decimate the entire Eleventh Division twice over and bring them back from the brink of death.

The already stretched budget of the Eleventh Division was officially declared bankrupt.

In the face of Ayasegawa's frantic protests, only then did Zaraki and Yachiru realize the severity of the problem.

"So, you're saying it'll be harder to get that brat Makoto to heal us next time?" Zaraki mused.

"Huh?! Does this mean I can't sneakily use the division's budget to buy konpeitō anymore?" Yachiru lamented.

Their casual reactions shattered Ayasegawa's last shred of composure.

These two… they had no idea how serious this was!

A bankrupt budget meant all expenditures—no, even basic necessities—would need to be slashed. Ayasegawa's mind reeled at the thought of his own personal funds being used to maintain his grooming routine… or worse, the entire division going hungry!

Unable to bear it any longer, Ayasegawa spent several days brooding before slamming the treatment invoice down in front of Ikkaku.

"This can't go on. The Eleventh Division's budget will be completely wiped out. I have to negotiate with Makoto about reducing the fees."

"What's there to negotiate?" Ikkaku replied nonchalantly, scratching his ear. "It's just money. Besides, Makoto has to consider the Fourth Division as a whole. He can't just waive the fees for us."

"Just money?!" Ayasegawa roared, slapping the invoice onto Ikkaku's bald head and yanking him by the collar. "This is hundreds of millions, you idiot!"

Still fuming, Yumichika muttered under his breath, "If Makoto doesn't agree to reduce the fees, I'll just stay in the Fourth Division and never leave!"

"What? You're joining the Fourth Division?" Ikkaku asked, bewildered.

"Get lost!"

Ayasegawa stormed off with the invoice in hand, leaving Ikkaku to stew in confusion.

When he arrived at the Fourth Division's headquarters, Yumichika was intercepted before he could even reach Makoto's office. Risa stood in his path, her demeanor calm yet resolute.

"Fifth Seat Ayasegawa, treatment fees are settled elsewhere, not here."

Ayasegawa's eye twitched slightly, and he forced a strained smile.

"Risa, such a direct question lacks elegance. I'm not here to discuss fees. I simply have some matters to discuss with Makoto. Could you let me know where he is?"

Risa's expression sharpened, and she asked pointedly, "You wouldn't happen to be trying to plead with Makoto to reduce the fees, would you? Or worse, propose some kind of barter?"

Caught off guard by her bluntness, Ayasegawa froze, his polite smile becoming increasingly awkward.

Risa crossed her arms and stood her ground. "Don't bother, Fifth Seat Ayasegawa. I oversee the Fourth Division's budget now, and all treatment invoices have been verified and signed by your division members. Even if you appeal to the First Division or the Central 46, nothing will change."

Yumichika's frustration boiled over. "But isn't this amount too high? Makoto treated everyone personally without using any medical equipment, and the treatments were done at our division's training grounds. How could the fees add up to hundreds of millions?"

Risa's eyes widened indignantly. "Too high? Where? The vice-captain of the Fourth Division personally treated over 1,300 critical injuries. At less than 100,000 per treatment, the charges are already reduced to one-tenth of the standard rate, and you're still complaining?"

For a moment, Ayasegawa was rendered speechless.

Indeed, under normal circumstances, treating a critically injured Shinigami would cost nearly ten times that amount. Yet, in just a few days, the Eleventh Division had effectively "died" twice and been resurrected.

It was an expense no division's budget could sustain.

At that moment, Makoto appeared at the end of the hallway, hands casually tucked into his pockets. Walking beside him was Isane, who listened intently as Makoto gently explained a treatment plan.

"Isane, I understand your concerns, but as a healer, you must consider more than just the efficacy of the treatment. You also need to account for the patient's financial situation."

"That particular patient is a minor noble and is personally bearing the costs. Your proposed treatment plan, while effective, would impose a significant financial burden on them. The alternative I've suggested might be slightly less effective but will substantially reduce the cost, which is an important aspect of being a compassionate healer."

Isane's eyes sparkled with understanding as she jotted down notes. "I understand, Vice-captain Senju."

"Good." Makoto smiled warmly, then turned and noticed Ayasegawa standing nearby. With a cheerful expression, he greeted him.

"Yumichika! What brings you here without any notice? Are you feeling unwell?"

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