Putting Knowledge to Use

Hearing that, Akira fell into thought, understanding Retsu Unohana's meaning from the perspective of the spiritual body.

Unlike the physical bodies of humans in the World of the Living, the bodies of humans in Soul Society were essentially spiritual bodies formed by reishi attached to the soul. Reiryoku was the energy produced by reishi within that spiritual body, while reiatsu described the density and quality of that reiryoku.

Therefore, when the soul was incomplete, the spiritual body suffered continuous reishi loss because the soul anchor corresponding to that portion of reishi had been lost, causing the spiritual body to collapse.

To reverse the loss of reishi, one had to find a way to recreate a corresponding soul anchor and ensure the reishi in the spiritual body stabilized again.

It sounded complicated, but it had certain similarities to organ transplantation in humans from the World of the Living. Even if a normal soul was willing to donate, it would cause part of that normal soul to become incomplete.

Under the control of Kaido and medicine, the normal soul likely would not suffer a severe condition like reishi loss. But the best result would merely change the situation from one dying soul and one living soul into two incomplete souls.

To put it simply, it was like cutting off one leg from a healthy person and transplanting it to someone who had lost both legs and fallen into suicidal despair. In the end, both people could barely stand on one leg.

But from the standpoint of Seireitei and Central 46, deliberately doing such a thing was entirely unnecessary, meaningless, and without value.

Retsu Unohana looked at Akira, who had fallen into thought and conflict. Her gaze was gentle, and she did not interrupt him.

Or rather, this was the main reason Retsu Unohana had deliberately brought Akira outside this time.

Some things had to be experienced personally.

'When you witness something cruel and impossible to resolve cleanly, how will you choose your path? Will the convictions you have held until now collapse, or will they become firmer?'

Retsu Unohana thought quietly.

'Akira, you have mentioned more than once that what you hope for is to save one confused life after another from suffering and illness. Now the path lies in front of you. Although it looks so meaningless, Teacher hopes you can hold to it. Only then will it prove that everything you have done in the past, even if hidden beneath exaggeration and disguise, came from your heart.'

Under Retsu Unohana's gaze, after a moment, Akira raised his head, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Teacher, I want to learn the Kaido for Soul Transplant."

Hearing that, Retsu Unohana's gaze seemed to soften a little.

"Are you certain, Akira? They are only Rukongai residents. Even if you spend a great deal of time saving them, Seireitei will not give you any reward. They themselves may not have anything they can offer in thanks either."

Akira smiled shyly and answered, "It is fine, Teacher. I am only putting what I learned to use."

"Hahaha..."

Suddenly, Retsu Unohana truly laughed, something she rarely did.

"Akira, I thought you would take the chance to make another grand moral speech. Putting what you learned to use. That is a very good phrase."

After a pause, Retsu Unohana sighed and reminded him.

"However, Akira, there is one point you need to understand. Most residents of Rukongai came here after receiving Soul Burial in the World of the Living. Although their relatives from life may also later be sent to Rukongai, the district where each soul arrives is entirely random. They may spend their whole lives without meeting again."

"And souls truly born through reproduction between spiritual bodies are extremely rare in Rukongai. Therefore, even if you learn the Kaido capable of performing Soul Transplant, normal souls willing to undergo it... may not exist."

However, while listening to Retsu Unohana's serious voice, Akira's attention was unconsciously drawn by the word "reproduction."

Gentle, intellectual Teacher Unohana, saying that word so calmly... felt deeply out of place.

It made Akira feel, for no clear reason, that compared with Teacher Unohana, his own rank was still far too low.

Seeing Akira apparently lost in thought, Retsu Unohana frowned.

"Akira?"

"Yes, Teacher..."

Akira quickly came back to himself and answered seriously, "Whatever happens, leaving them with a sliver of hope is, I believe, a doctor's kindness."

Hearing that, Retsu Unohana looked at Akira with eyes full of approval and praise.

This disciple truly was what she had initially hoped for: a child focused on Kaido and medicine, possessing a pure doctor's heart most Fourth Division members lacked, one who hated battle, was gentle and kind, and also had unique talent in Kaido and medicine.

'Perhaps Akira truly can fulfill my original hope, perfectly inherit my medical arts, and succeed me as captain of the Fourth Division.'

As Retsu Unohana thought that, she paid no mind to the terrible environment of Rukongai and began seriously teaching Akira the Kaido for Soul Transplant. Akira, in turn, focused with unusual intensity, absorbing the knowledge she taught him.

Soon, Akira, whose overall accomplishments in Kaido and medicine were already quite good, had initially mastered it under Retsu Unohana's approving gaze after spending half a day. Even though Soul Transplant counted as one of the advanced Kaido techniques and Seinosuke Yamada might not have mastered it yet, Akira still grasped the basics.

After that, Akira directly found Taume Yoshigami, Nineteenth Seat of the Tenth Division, and explained that he could use Soul Transplant to treat these Rukongai residents. He hoped Taume Yoshigami could assist with screening.

After all, this area of Rukongai fell under Tenth Division jurisdiction. No matter what, if Akira performed Soul Transplant on those residents, he could not bypass the Tenth Division.

More importantly, with Akira alone, if he did not borrow the Tenth Division's strength, he had no idea how much time he would waste simply screening suitable residents.

"So as long as there is a normal spiritual body willing to undergo Soul Transplant, you can stop the continuous reishi loss?" Taume Yoshigami asked again, his tone excited.

"Correct."

Akira nodded and said, "However, there is one point I need to state especially clearly. The normal spiritual body that undergoes Soul Transplant will also suffer a certain degree of soul loss. Although it will not threaten their life, an incomplete soul will inevitably cause many problems. That cannot be avoided. You must explain that clearly to every normal spiritual body willing to undergo Soul Transplant."

"I understand."

At that moment, Taume Yoshigami's expression also became completely serious. He asked, "Akira, how confident are you in this Soul Transplant?"

"In any case, it will not get worse, right?"

After a pause, Akira continued, "But at least above ninety percent."

Taume Yoshigami nodded. Remembering Akira's identity as Captain Unohana's disciple, his confidence grew a little heavier, and he said solemnly, "Akira, I agree. I will screen the residents with soul loss as quickly as possible."

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