The members of the Sixth Relief Unit stood at attention, their eyes fixed on Shimo, awaiting his next words.

Shimo cleared his throat and continued.

"It's about one thing—getting stronger!"

"Dignity isn't something others give you. It's something you earn yourself."

"The Fourth Division has an advantage the others don't."

That statement drew puzzled expressions from the team.

Everyone knew that the Fourth Division was the weakest among the Gotei 13. Their role had always been logistics and emergency treatment.

As members of the Fourth Division, they had long occupied the bottom of the social ladder within the Gotei 13.

Some had tried to change this perception in the past… but all were eventually defeated by reality and gave up on their ideals.

Shimo scanned the room, his tone growing firm.

"That advantage... is Kaido."

"The greatest strength of the Fourth Division is Kaido!"

Rokushima Yusuke—who was gradually overcoming his introverted nature—raised his hand hesitantly.

Shimo nodded, granting him permission to speak.

"Liutenant Shimo, but… other divisions can use Kaido too."

"It's just that we're slightly more proficient than them, that's all."

Shimo was clearly prepared for this.

"You're right!"

"Kaido is a skill most Shinigami learn. But what they use is just the most basic form. The depth and mastery we in the Fourth Division possess far exceeds that of any other division!"

"And that—is our advantage!"

Shimo's plan was simple:

Train the Fourth Division not just in healing—but in combat.

Traditional Shinigami combat relies on four pillars: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.

When spiritual pressure isn't overwhelmingly lopsided, the one with better combat technique wins.

He didn't expect them to become elites overnight.

But what he did want was for them to earn the respect they deserved—through strength.

"Combat first. Kaido second."

Shimo was fired up. "Healing while fighting—like a glorious Holy Knight!"

Rokushima Yusuke raised his hand again, confused.

"Liutenant… what's a Holy Knight?"

Shimo froze for a moment, then improvised with a confident nod.

"That's… the future title for the Sixth Relief Unit!"

"When the day comes that you earn respect with your own strength…"

"That's when you'll truly be called Holy Knights!"

He painted them a bright and inspiring future, rekindling the fighting spirit that had once gone cold.

But what awaited them next—was unimaginable hardship.

Under Rokushima's coordination, the team trained in pairs, undergoing intense combat drills.

Shimo's role was simple: evaluate their progress.

"The key to getting stronger is not fearing pain! When you can cast Kaido mid-battle, you can keep going!"

Day after day, training continued—and Shimo could clearly see their combat skills improving at a rapid pace.

With death looming as a real threat, a Shinigami's potential is often pushed to the limit.

They started with one-on-one duels… then evolved into the entire Sixth Relief Unit sparring against Shimo alone.

Even though they were defeated miserably every time, they began to notice themselves growing stronger.

Word of the Sixth Relief Unit's transformation began to spread throughout the Fourth Division.

---

One year later

Inside the Fourth Division Captain's Office.

Shimo sat across from Unohana Retsu, a cup of hot tea in hand, admiring the ikebana on her desk.

"Hana-ne, you didn't call me here just to show off a new ikebana design, right?"

Unohana's lips curled into a faint smile. "You saw through me again, Shimo-kun."

"In truth, there's a new mission that requires your attention."

Shimo sighed and put down his tea.

"I knew it wouldn't be that simple."

"What kind of mission?"

Unohana gently placed a gentian blossom into the basket, the aesthetic of the piece blooming into quiet perfection.

Although Shimo didn't understand a thing about ikebana…

He did know that gentian was the Fourth Division's symbolic flower—so the mission must involve them.

"I've been watching the transformation of the Sixth Relief Unit closely."

"And now… it's time to test them."

Unohana's tone became solemn.

"Recently, a strike team dispatched to Hueco Mundo became trapped and unable to return."

"The Captain-Commander has issued an order for both the Eleventh and Fourth Divisions to each send a squad to launch a joint rescue operation."

"The Eleventh Division's team will be led by Ikkaku Madarame."

"As for the Fourth Division, both I and Captain Kyōraku recommended you."

Upon hearing this, black lines crept down Shimo's face.

"I can understand you nominating me, Hana-ne…"

"But what the hell is Captain Kyōraku thinking?"

Unohana's smile only deepened.

"Captain Kyōraku said that, as your uncle, he felt it was important to give his nephew some proper field experience."

"He believes this is a perfect opportunity—and he has high hopes for you."

Shimo took a deep breath and said with exasperation:

"So basically, you want me to lead the Sixth Relief Unit… to team up with Ikkaku Madarame's unit… and head to Hueco Mundo for a rescue mission."

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