Chapter 419: Office Romance
A hospital room in the 4th Division.
Six captains—Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, Shinji Hirako, Isshin Shiba, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Yūshirō Shihōin—lay side by side in hospital beds. Several Lieutenants sat nearby, either at their bedsides or in chairs.
Among the Gotei 13, these six captains had sustained the most severe injuries and could only lie here to receive treatment. Other Lieutenants were present as well, including Lisa Yadōmaru, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kaname Tōsen.
Notably, Love Aikawa and Kensei Muguruma were the most gravely injured among them. It couldn’t be helped. Their Reiatsu levels were average, and their Zanpakutō abilities weren’t particularly exceptional—yet they still bore the responsibilities of captains and had to face those monstrous enemies in battle. The fact that they even made it out alive was already remarkable.
At the end of the fight, both Aikawa and Muguruma had been on the brink of death. Fortunately, Retsu Unohana arrived just in time and personally treated them, saving their lives. Even so, the damage was too severe—they still required a lengthy recovery.
Given the large number of seriously injured captains, it clearly wasn’t practical to set up all the hospital beds in the 1st Division’s meeting room. So, the captain’s meeting was held here, in a room of the 4th Division. Besides the active captains, the attending Lieutenants were also present.
When Masatsuki Aozaki appeared, Jūshirō Ukitake greeted him with a bright, warm smile like the spring sun and waved cheerfully.
"Masatsuki, over here, over here!"
Everyone around seemed accustomed to Ukitake’s friendly enthusiasm. After all, they all knew well enough—this captain of the 13th Division, who had battled illness for centuries, had become noticeably more cheerful lately, and had grown especially fond of his junior.
In contrast, Shunsui Kyōraku seemed a little more mischievous. Grinning slyly, he teased with feigned rebellion,
"Captain Masatsuki really stole the spotlight this time. At this rate, replacing the Captain-Commander is only a matter of time."
"Go for it, Captain Masatsuki. Just a little more effort and you’ll knock the old man off his throne!"