Chapter 1

Hey! They said the repairs to the Senkaimon are going to take a little while longer.

Orihime, Chad, and Uryu are all out. You're the only one with time on their hands.

Really? Where'd they all go?

Who knows? At any rate, everything is peaceful, and that's what matters. A few days ago, nobody would have imagined the Court Guards standing idly by the side of the road like they are now.

Hmm.

What're you doing, Hanataro?

Well, if it isn't Ichigo. Hello. And to answer your question, I'm searching for someone.

You're searching for someone? I didn't know Squad 4 did that kind of stuff too.

Come on, of course we don't. Our specialty is in medical aid and supplies.

Then why are you doing something like that?

It's an order from higher up. Plus, Orihime is helping out with the squad's jobs, so our workload's gotten a little lighter.

O-Oh, right. So that's what Orihime's up to.

How admirable. Well then, how about you help out as well?

Really? I'd appreciate that.

I don't mind, but who are you looking for?

A member of the Court Guard, probably female, called the Goddess of Miracles.

The what now?

I mean, even if you ask me to help, I don't really know anyone here. Wouldn't it be better to ask Yoruichi?

Maybe, but she seems to have disappeared, so the two of us will just have to do our best together.

What are you doing here?

I could ask you the same thing. Out for a walk?

No, my hands are pretty full, unlike yours. We're out of astringent to stop bleeding, so I came to get some more.

Huh? I'm sure I made a delivery to Squad 6 two days ago. Did I give you the wrong amount?

No, that was fine, but we had a sudden increase in the amount we needed to use.

But the delivery was for one month's worth. What happened?

Ah, it's really no big deal.

They probably just got into a big fight over something stupid.

What was that? Are you saying we're stupid?

I didn't say you were stupid, just that you guys start fights over trivial stuff.

Same thing!

There, see? You're trying to start a fight now.

You're the one who's trying to start a fight!

P-Please, stop this!

Here's some extra astringent.

Lieutenant Kotetsu is panicking about nearly running out of stock, so please think before you use it.

Running out, huh? I guess that's because we used so much of it in that whole mess from before.

It's not because of what happened with the Ryoka. We still had plenty after that, but we've had a lot of orders for extra stock over the last few days.

Apparently, there's a lot of people who are going past their own limits in training and actively trying to injure themselves.

What for?

It's probably because of that Goddess of Miracles girl.

What kinda connection could there be between her and the injuries?

During the whole business with the Ryoka, a rumor spread among the Court Guards that there was a beautiful woman who could heal injuries in an instant.

I don't know who or where she is, but a lot of people are saying she's probably in Squad 4, and they're trying to injure themselves so she'll look after them.

It's a real problem. We've had a lot of people coming just to get medicine for the same reason too, but I'm pretty sure no such woman exists in Squad 4.

Renji, don't tell me you're after that girl, too.

Shut up! We really are out of astringent!