Hearing those words, Hanatarō couldn't help but show an expression of guilt, yet his voice remained hesitant and uncertain.
"B-but… Makoto-kun, my success rate is only 50%. If it were you instead, with your skill—"
Before Hanatarō could finish, Shinro Bansho interrupted him.
"Hanatarō, stop calculating meaningless success rates. As a healer, your duty is to save lives with unwavering conviction."
Pausing briefly, Shinro Bansho turned his back to Hanatarō and began walking away. His gentle voice carried a newfound weight.
"As for me… I must always be prepared to protect the entire expedition force. After all, Vice-Captain Sasakibe is lying unconscious near the camp. Isn't that proof enough that the enemy is closing in?"
Hearing this, Hanatarō finally realized the situation.
Of course! That's why Makoto didn't treat Sasakibe himself. It's not that he didn't want to—it's because he isn't just a healer anymore. He now bears the responsibility of protecting the entire expedition!
Realizing the difference in their perspectives, Hanatarō felt a deep admiration. Compared to Makoto, his own resolve was still far too lacking.
With newfound determination, Hanatarō lifted his head and declared, "I understand now, Makoto-kun! I'll do everything I can!"
Shinro Bansho, still mimicking Makoto's persona, paused briefly, then turned slightly to glance at Hanatarō.
"Then I'll leave Vice-Captain Sasakibe in your hands, Hanatarō."
"Yes, sir!" Hanatarō responded with enthusiasm before immediately getting to work on treating Sasakibe.
Seeing this, Shinro Bansho let out a silent sigh of relief.
The whole 'enemy approaching' thing? Yeah, I totally made that up.
But now that I think about it… that possibility does sound pretty exciting.
Fighting is great. Nothing beats a good battle.
Maybe, just maybe, if the whole camp got destroyed in the chaos, I could totally avoid handling all that paperwork.
With that thought in mind, Shinro Bansho swiftly changed direction and headed toward Nanao's tent, where she was receiving medical treatment.
Compared to Sasakibe, Nanao's injuries were much less severe. According to the reconnaissance team, Sasakibe had not been attacked at the location where he was found unconscious. Instead, it seemed like Nanao had carried him all the way to camp before collapsing herself.
By the time Shinro Basho arrived at the tent, Nanao was just regaining consciousness. The first thing she saw was Makoto's concerned expression, tinged with urgency.
Immediately, her tense expression softened. "Vice-Captain Senju… did you rescue me? Did you bring me back?"
However, Shinro Basho was far less interested in pleasantries and far more concerned about the enemy.
"Vice-Captain Ise, what happened? Who attacked you?"
To Nanao, though, his words sounded completely different.
Instead of a straightforward question, she heard deep, burning concern—a sign that the normally composed Makoto was genuinely enraged on her behalf.
For Nanao, a devoted admirer of Makoto, this moment was almost too much to handle.
"To be protected by Lord Senju like this… it's too wonderful…!"
Her usual composed and intelligent demeanor momentarily shattered. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she awkwardly adjusted her glasses, trying to calm herself down.
"Th-thank you, Vice-Captain Senju…"
…??
Shinro Bansho blinked in confusion.
Why is she thanking me?
Still, keeping up Makoto's carefully crafted persona, he responded with his usual humility. "No need to thank me. This is simply my duty."
Duty…?
Nanao felt another emotional shockwave hit her heart.
It was as if the entire barren desert of Hueco Mundo vanished, replaced by a vivid, blooming meadow.
A soft breeze swept through the air. Makoto stood before her, gazing deeply into her eyes, whispering his heartfelt confession—
"Nanao-chan, you are the one I cherish the most. For you, I would give up my very life."
"I… I…"
Still mentally and physically exhausted from her ordeal, Nanao's mind overloaded from the sheer force of emotions.
With a blissful expression, she fainted on the spot.
Shinro Bansho: "…Huh?"
Staring at Nanao's unconscious form, Shinro Bansho was completely dumbfounded.
I barely said anything.
What the hell just happened?!
But given that he was currently impersonating Makoto, there was no way he could call for the medical team. That would completely ruin Makoto's carefully crafted image.
Checking her pulse, Shinro Bansho sighed in relief.
"Okay… she's just unconscious. That's good."
To avoid suspicion, he decided to carry her back to his tent himself.
As he walked, several squad members curiously watched him pass by.
With a gentle, composed expression, Shinro Bansho spoke in his usual polite tone. "No need to worry. Vice-Captain Ise's spiritual energy is slightly depleted. I'll be taking her to my tent for some acupuncture treatment to restore her vitality."
His words were flawless. His demeanor was perfect.
But deep inside, Shinro Bansho was having a personal crisis.
"Wait… was it 'restore her vitality'? Or was it 'replenish her energy'? Or maybe… 'fill her with energy'?!"
Screw it. They all mean the same thing, right?!
"Master, I really did my best here!!!"
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