Chapter 109: Batsu’unsai’s Warmth

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Batsu’unsai’s Warmth Outside the 4th Division hospital, a crowd of Shinigami had gathered. Katori Nanatsuki had finally treated the last of the critical patients. Starting tomorrow, he would no longer be stationed at the 4th Division hospital. The medical team, upon learning of his departure, all came to see him off. A girl with twin ponytails stood with tears in her eyes, speaking in disbelief: "Katori-sama, are you really stepping down from the vice-captain position?" Nanatsuki chuckled softly. "I’m a teacher at the Shin’o Spiritual Arts Academy. The semester starts tomorrow, and I have classes to teach. Being vice-captain is a full-time job—I can’t juggle both." A black-haired girl sighed. "With your talent, Katori-sama... isn’t it a waste to be just teaching?" She truly couldn’t understand why someone would give up being a vice-captain to become a teacher. Nanatsuki’s expression turned earnest. "Teaching and nurturing others is just as important as saving lives. There’s no higher or lower between the two." "I’m sorry!" The black-haired girl quickly bowed. "I didn’t mean to belittle teachers... Katori-sama, your noble spirit is truly admirable!" The medical team felt like they were melting under Nanatsuki’s gentle radiance. Their respect for him only grew. "Alright," Nanatsuki said warmly. "No need to see me off. There are still patients in the hospital—you should tend to them properly." "Katori-sama, please come visit the 4th Division often!" "Uwahhh—Katori-sama is really leaving!" "I’m going to miss him so much! Katori-sama is just too kind!" "I wish I could go back to the academy... To become Katori-sama’s student... that would be such a blessing..." By the time Nanatsuki returned to the dojo, it was already late. He saw Katori Batsu’unsai still sitting under the eaves in the backyard. "All done?" "You’re still up this late?" "I was waiting for you!" Batsu’unsai grinned mysteriously and dashed off toward the kitchen. "Come with me! I recreated that sticky rice dish you made last time. Come try it!" Nanatsuki scratched his head, an ominous premonition rising. Batsu’unsai’s cooking skill—just like his—was maxed out. Except hers... was maxed out in reverse. She had some bizarre talent. No matter the ingredients, she could always turn them into strange and horrifying Dark Cuisine. Nanatsuki followed her into the kitchen. "Tadaa!" Batsu’unsai lifted the pot lid with a flourish, proudly showing off her creation. On the tray sat a bowl-shaped mound of sticky rice. The entire thing was dyed red by syrup, looking disturbingly like freshly cooked brains. Studded atop the rice were lotus seeds. These seeds were wrapped in pitted red dates. Embedded across the surface, they looked like eyeballs growing out of brain matter. Nanatsuki fell silent for a moment. "I definitely never made anything like this... and you’re calling it a recreation?" "You really do have a gift for abstract art." "Abstract... art?" Batsu’unsai asked curiously. "Never mind..." Nanatsuki sighed. "Come on, try it! It’s actually really good!" Batsu’unsai lifted the tray and scooped out a spoonful of the rice, bringing it to Nanatsuki’s mouth. His eye twitched. It looked just like an eyeball being scooped out of a brain. But with it already at his lips, he had no choice but to open his mouth. Batsu’unsai popped the red date-wrapped lotus seed into his mouth. "Huh?" Nanatsuki’s eyes widened in surprise. "It’s... actually pretty good." The aroma of lotus blended with the sweetness of dates and sticky rice, producing a layered harmony of flavor and texture. This was completely unlike the taste he’d expected from Batsu’unsai. It far exceeded his psychological defenses. "Hahaha, right?" Batsu’unsai laughed. "Kana helped a lot—she handled the prep and seasoning. But the presentation? That was all me!" She seemed quite proud of her grotesque creation. "Kana did this?" Nanatsuki was surprised. He hadn’t expected Azashiro Kana to have any cooking talent. ’Eat enough, and you eventually learn?’ "Where is she? I don’t sense her Reiatsu in the dojo." His disciples had still been living at the dojo during his time away, to make their training easier. "She went home today. Said there was something going on at home." Batsu’unsai took another bite, then scooped another spoonful toward Nanatsuki. "Before she left, she said she had a surprise for you tomorrow." "Then I’ll make sure to praise her tomorrow." Nanatsuki smiled. The bowl of sticky rice was soon devoured between the two of them. After cleaning up, Batsu’unsai said: "You must be exhausted lately. I’ve made a special medicinal balm to help with fatigue. Come on, I’ll rub some on you." The Katori-ryu Dojo had a long history, and some secret formulas had been passed down. Nanatsuki followed her to the bedroom. He took off his upper garments, revealing his well-toned upper body. Years of sword training had given him the perfect build—not overly bulky, but with muscle definition far superior to what one gets from the gym. Batsu’unsai retrieved a bottle of the balm and uncorked it. A gentle fragrance drifted from within. The alcohol content was light—barely perceptible at first. As she poured the balm into her hands, the scent spread throughout the room. Only now could he detect the subtle notes of alcohol. The liquid had thickened into a smooth, oily salve. She rubbed it between her palms, then began massaging it into Nanatsuki’s back. Batsu’unsai’s hands were nothing like those of a seasoned swordswoman. They were incredibly soft. Nanatsuki couldn’t detect even the slightest roughness. Wherever her fingers passed, a warm sensation spread. Soon, Nanatsuki could feel the Reishi in his body becoming more active. A heat began to well up from his chest, flowing through his entire being. "Why are your muscles getting tenser...? Did I mix the balm wrong?" Batsu’unsai asked in surprise. "It’s fine... I’ve just been a little mentally stressed from everything lately," Nanatsuki replied softly, returning to his senses. "You worry too much. The war is over. Just leave things to Unohana at the 4th Division." After finishing his back, Batsu’unsai began working on his front. She moved with care. Her gentle, rhythmic breathing brushed lightly against Nanatsuki’s chest. The heat surged. In that moment, Nanatsuki felt like time had slowed to a crawl. "Your pants," Batsu’unsai said, patting his abs. "Take them off." "I’ll do it myself..." Nanatsuki replied. "Still shy?" Batsu’unsai rolled her eyes. "It’s not like I haven’t rubbed you down before." Despite her words, a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Lie down!" Nanatsuki had no choice but to obey. She tugged his pants off and resumed applying the balm. Once the balm had been spread across his entire body— The heat reached its peak. Nanatsuki felt as though every Reishi particle in him was boiling. It was like a volcano had awakened inside him—one brimming with overwhelming force, on the verge of eruption. "Nanatsuki, I think the Reiatsu in my Spirit-Converging Pill is running low," Batsu’unsai said suddenly. "Yeah? It’s about time to recharge it," Nanatsuki said, placing a hand over the pill’s location. It felt oddly hot. Moments later, the balm finally took full effect. The volcano that had been simmering inside him— Suddenly erupted. The intense heat transformed into a rush of bliss. Every particle of Reishi in his body felt renewed and free. The exhaustion from the past days vanished in an instant.