Crashing the Party

The response from First Division finally came regarding the equipment requisition form Kotetsu Isane had submitted.

Funds were approved—half the amount requested.

Vice-Captain Sasakibe's formal reply stated: although Fourth Division indeed hadn't updated their internal facilities in some time and was therefore eligible for subsidies, it was still hoped the division would focus primarily on developing its medical capacity.

Isane hadn't expected more. In her view, getting even half the requested budget was already a win.

Her mindset leaned conservative; she couldn't fully determine if Shin's direction was truly correct, and any change brought her unease.

When Shin heard, he remarked:

"Seems even getting half was already a small miracle."

Isane smiled gently.

"You don't need to worry too much. If this reform works out, all the better. If not, there's no loss either. Vice-Captain Sasakibe isn't wrong—medical research is our core."

"I know that, of course. Don't worry, Isane-neesan, I'm not about to get obsessed or reckless. I just want to do something meaningful for the Fourth."

Her smile softened.

[Affection: 67]

Later, Shin visited the Sixth Division barracks.

He didn't go inside—he passed along a message and soon met with Kasumiōji Kōgorō.

"Long time no see, Kōgorō!" Shin greeted him brightly.

Kōgorō raised an eyebrow.

"Are we that close? First name basis now?"

"And here I thought we were good friends."

Kōgorō didn't buy the act. Back in the Academy, Shin always wore that grin when he wanted someone to fund a student council project. He'd long since grown immune.

So what was he up to this time?

"What do you want?"

"Nothing major. Just missed you and thought I'd treat you to lunch."

Yeah, right.

"I'm busy. If there's nothing—"

"You Sixth guys are really that overworked? You're still a regular seated officer, and I'm already Third Seat in Fourth. Even I have free time."

Kōgorō's eye twitched. He'd been in Sixth for over a year and was still a rank-and-file officer. Meanwhile, Shin had joined Fourth and rocketed to Third Seat in a month. This smugness was unbearable.

"Do you have a point?!"

"Over food. Let's go."

Shin practically dragged him into a nearby izakaya and got them seated.

"Feels like just yesterday we were running the student council together…"

"Spare me. Just get to the point."

"So your family forges weapons, right? One of the largest arms producers in Soul Society."

That caught Kōgorō's attention. It was common knowledge, but for a Rukongai-born Shinigami like Shin to bring it up was unusual.

"What of it?"

"We're looking to purchase training equipment for Fourth. Budget's tight. I was hoping…"

Shin poured Kōgorō a drink with a beaming smile.

Kōgorō chuckled coldly.

"How much are you after?"

"Not much. Enough for three training halls."

"You even have that many halls?"

"They're new. Our Captain believes medics need to be strong too, so we're expanding."

Kōgorō stared at him for a moment.

"This was your idea again, wasn't it?"

"Just a humble proposal. The Captain agreed."

Kōgorō sighed.

"I don't hold much sway in family matters. Besides, our prices are standardized for all Gotei squads."

"Still, I can bring it up at home."

"You'd really do that, Kōgorō? I knew you were a good guy!"

"You should be calling me 'Kasumiōji-senpai' or 'Kōgorō-kun.'"

"Then call me Third Seat Tachikawa."

"..."

Two days later, Kōgorō returned with news.

"We'll give you a 50% discount."

"...What?!"

"Fifty percent."

Shin stood frozen for several seconds before muttering:

"You sure you don't have clout?"

"This has nothing to do with me. The steward heard it was a Fourth Division order and slashed the price."

The Kasumiōji rarely did business with Fourth. Medical supplies were usually sourced through the R&D Department. This was clearly a political move—either to curry favor with Captain Unohana or secure a long-term partnership.

Shin decided he'd better inform Unohana. After all, they were extending this deal in her name.

But her response was calm, even casual:

"You handle it."

A week passed.

Four new training dojos were completed within Fourth Division grounds.

Excitement buzzed. Many squad members, once resigned to abandoning their training after being assigned to Fourth, now had reason to pick it back up.

In the Captain's office, Isane reported the progress.

"Everyone's thrilled. Each hall is busy every day. And to prevent people from neglecting their duties, Shin proposed a system: access is tied to monthly performance. General medicine needs 25 active days. Rescue squad requires at least two field missions. If there are fewer field assignments, members can substitute by helping with general care."

Pharmacology members were exempt—since even getting into that department required deep commitment, Isane wasn't worried about them slacking.

"It's a really positive change—and we owe it to Shin."

Her excitement showed in her tone.

Unohana smiled.

"You really think highly of him."

"Well, the results speak for themselves. He's also suggested a few follow-up plans. I've reviewed them—they're solid."

She handed over a folder.

Unohana skimmed through it.

"Go ahead and implement them."

"Yes, ma'am."

Just then—a knock.

"Come in."

Iemura Yasochika entered, his face tense.

"Captain, Vice-Captain—we have a situation."

Both women looked surprised.

"Explain."

"There's a group from Eleventh Division at our gates. Looks like they're here to cause trouble!"

Isane blinked.

"What…? They're picking a fight?"

"I'll go," she said at once.

She and Iemura reached the front of the barracks and found Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika standing with several Eleventh Division members, now surrounded by nervous Fourth Division staff.

"Why are you crowding us?" Ikkaku grunted. "Where's Tachikawa?"

"Madarame-san, what brings you here?"

"Didn't I say? We're here to fight."

Gasps. Stares. Fourth and Eleventh didn't get along, sure, but never like this.

Isane pushed through the crowd.

Ikkaku straightened slightly when he saw her.

"Vice-Captain Kotetsu."

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Didn't Tachikawa tell you?"

"He invited you?"

"Yep. Asked us to bring some guys."

"..."

Iemura murmured, "We've sent someone to fetch Third Seat Tachikawa."

Isane nodded, then addressed Ikkaku again:

"If it's not hostile, let's talk inside."

She led them into the barracks. Before long, they ran into Shin.

"Yo, Tachikawa," Ikkaku greeted.

"Glad you all made it. Nice turnout."

"So, what is this? Feels like we're storming your turf."

"Not at all. I wanted a friendly sparring session between our squads—to inspire the team."

He pointed toward the new training halls.

"Come. I'll show you the upgrades."

Isane leaned close.

"Shin… what's going on?"

"Didn't he explain?"

"He said you invited them to fight."

"Which is true."

Isane stared.

So did everyone else.

He was serious.

They reached the dojo area.

Two of the four were indoor halls for zanjutsu and hakuda. The outdoor ones were larger—meant for kidō. Positioned at the edge of the compound, they were already drawing a crowd.

Word had spread: Eleventh Division had come to "crash" the place.

Shin turned to the group:

"Today, I invited Eleventh Division for a friendly sparring match."

Gasps all around.

Sparring? With them?

This was Fourth Division.

Isane pulled Shin aside.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Sorry, Isane-neesan. Slipped my mind."

He turned to Ikkaku.

"You guys good with this?"

Ikkaku grinned.

"You should be asking if your squad's ready."

Fourth was known as the weakest squad. This looked suicidal.

Shin explained the rules and stakes.

Full sparring. Blood was allowed. No fatal blows.

All techniques permitted—kidō, shikai, whatever.

If a Fourth Division member won, they'd earn two months of unrestricted dojo access.

If Eleventh won, they'd receive free treatment during their next injury visit.

Murmurs rose.

Isane looked genuinely worried. This felt reckless. They weren't fighters. This hadn't even been run by Captain Unohana.

But it was too late to stop. She quietly dispatched someone to inform the Captain.

Crowds gathered as Ikkaku strode to the center of the outdoor arena, weapon on his back, looking eager.

His gaze locked onto Shin.

"Tachikawa, let's warm up a little!"