The so-called "Zanpakutō evaluation" involved publicly demonstrating one's Zanpakutō abilities in front of the seated officers of the Fourth Division.
Shin followed Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane into a dical room, where Captain Unohana Retsu was already tending to a wounded soul reaper.
"Captain, Tachikawa-kun has arrived," said Isane, approaching.
Unohana turned her head, her voice serene and calm.
"Good timing."
Shin stepped forward.
"Your blade," Unohana asked, "is called Shigan Higan (此岸彼岸), isn't it?"
Shin gave a small nod, drawing the asauchi at his side.
"Sounds like a pair of blades," Unohana remarked with a soft smile. "Tell us the specifics of its ability."
Shin paused for a breath before replying:
"Its primary function is healing. It repairs all damage done to the body by external forces."
A squad mber nearby couldn't help but ask,
"All injuries? Without exception?"
Shin frowned slightly in thought.
"I haven't tested its limits, so I can't promise anything."
Murmurs of curiosity spread. Another asked:
"You're being vague. Can you explain how it repairs? Does it accelerate cellular regeneration?"
The people present were all versed in Kaidō—basic answers that could fool academy instructors wouldn't fly here.
Shin answered more clearly:
"No, it doesn't speed up regeneration. It restores damaged tissues and cells to their original state."
That statent caused a wave of shock.
All current healing techniques—whether using dical tools or Kaidō—relied on amplifying the body's natural regenerative processes.
But what Shin described was entirely different.
Even Unohana's expression sharpened, reflective.
"Then let's see what you're capable of. Heal this patient."
A team mber approached and handed Shin the case file.
The file detailed a soul reaper whose spiritual energy had gone berserk during a Kaidō training mishap, rupturing his spiritual veins, ridians, and internal organs.
Shin exhaled softly. The guy's lucky to be alive at all.
The patient lay on a cold slab, wrapped in bandages, his fearful eyes scanning the room. It was obvious he understood he was being used as a test case, but he had no strength to protest.
Shin returned the file and approached the bed, raising his asauchi slowly over the man.
A visible wave of reiryoku pulsed from the blade, spreading downward and cocooning the wounded soul reaper in a pale glow.
The observers leaned in, wide-eyed. The reiryoku signature emanating from Shin's asauchi was unlike anything they'd seen—distinctly not Kaidō, but not hostile either.
Shin, too, kept watch on their reactions.
After roughly a minute, he sheathed the blade.
"Done."
Done... already?
Murmurs erupted. Soone rushed forward to verify the patient's condition—only to be preempted.
The man sat bolt upright, tore off his face bandage, and snapped:
"What the hell, Fourth Division! Letting so fresh graduate treat like a lab ra—"
He stopped, noticing every single person was staring at him, stunned.
He looked down at his own hands.
"Wait... I feel fine?"
He jumped off the slab and flexed his limbs, stunned.
"It doesn't hurt at all. I'm... I'm healed!"
"Take him for a full diagnostic," Unohana ordered calmly.
A team mber stepped up and led him out. The man turned at the door, giving Shin a grateful nod.
"What's your na? Thanks a ton!"
Then the room went quiet.
Even Unohana had found the patient's injuries troubleso—spiritual ruptures throughout the entire body, sothing that usually took ti and effort to nd.
"Very well done," she said to Shin.
Shin smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Captain Unohana."
He knew his blade's ability didn't conform to traditional Kaidō. Where others relied on boosting healing, his blade reverted tissue to its original form—a much deeper kind of restoration.
If it were to be compared to anything, perhaps Shun Shun Rikka ca closest.
"Iemura," Unohana suddenly called out.
"Yes, Captain!" replied Iemura Yasochika, stepping forward.
She looked at Shin, then addressed Iemura:
"Transfer him to the First Advanced Field Rescue Unit."
Iemura blinked, then bead.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Unohana turned and left without another word. Isane followed behind, flashing Shin a cheerful "peace" sign as she exited.
The mont the captain was gone, the other officers gathered around Shin to offer congratulations.
Iemura wrapped an arm around Shin's shoulder and laughed loudly:
"You're sothing else! No wonder you were student council president! And I heard you took down a nos-class Hollow solo? With you on our First Unit, I can finally sleep at night!"
More people crowded in, curious.
"Your Zanpakutō ability... it doesn't make any sense!"
One began rattling off theories about tabolism, spiritual anatomy, cell division—about how Kaidō worked in theory and how what Shin just did shouldn't be possible.
Shin just shrugged.
"Honestly? I'm not sure yet. I haven't fully figured it out myself."
Elsewhere, Isane finally voiced the thought gnawing at her since the demonstration.
"Captain, I believe Tachikawa-kun is qualified to be a seated officer. His Zanpakutō's healing capacity is exceptional."
Unohana gave her a calm look.
"And which seat do you think he's suited for?"
Isane hesitated, then said cautiously:
"Sowhere between Tenth and Fifth?"
Unohana's tone was soft, but her words cut through.
"Iemura is our Fifth Seat. Do you intend to replace him? Or have them share the title?"
Isane faltered.
"I... didn't think that far."
Even a shared seat could breed tension. Iemura Yasochika was diligent, kind, and deeply respected.
Unohana's ssage was clear. In the Fourth Division, strength didn't automatically earn rank. Respect, trust, and harmony ca first.
"My apologies, Captain. I was too hasty."
Unohana's eyes gentled again.
"He's only just joined. There will be plenty of ti, and plenty of chances."
Isane finally smiled.
"You're right. There's still a long road ahead."
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