Kenpachi Decides to Go to Gomukure District

"You guys spar for a bit on your own," Kurayashiki Kenpachi waved to his subordinates.

He then strode over to Ashido, curiously took the novel, and casually flipped open the first page.

His gaze fell upon the preface poem titled Blood Blossom.

In that very instant—

"Boom!"

Kurayashiki Kenpachi's spiritual sense felt as if it were pulled into an illusion!

An boundless sea of blood surged from between the lines, carrying overwhelming killing intent and bone-chilling despair, instantly engulfing him!

He seemed to hear the crisp snap of a throat being crushed, and his nostrils were filled with a thick, unyielding scent of blood!

However, faced with this terrifying artistic conception, Kurayashiki Kenpachi wasn't alarmed in the slightest. Instead, he slowly pulled at the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile full of fighting spirit and interest.

"Heh... this is interesting."

He sat down cross-legged on the spot, ignoring the earth-shattering shouts and clashes of spiritual pressure around him. He held the thin novel and flipped through the pages with a focused expression, as if immersed in another world.

After an unknown amount of time...

"Buzz!"

A vast, wild, terrifying spiritual pressure, like that of a primordial behemoth, erupted from Kurayashiki Kenpachi's body without warning! A tangible pressure descended upon the entire training ground!

"Thump!" "Ugh!"

The squad members who were struggling to maintain their stance had no power to resist this Captain-level spiritual pressure. Like wheat flattened by a strong wind, they were instantly pressed to the ground, unable to move even a finger!

"Captain Kurayashiki..." Ashido had to speak up to remind him.

"Huh? Oh!" Kurayashiki Kenpachi suddenly snapped back to reality from the world within the book, looking at his subordinates sprawled on the training ground.

He quickly reined in his spiritual pressure, rubbed the back of his head, and revealed a sincere, apologetic smile:

"Sorry, sorry! I got too absorbed, it just happened, hahaha!"

He handed the novel back to Ashido, stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and asked with a smile:

"The 'Meteor City' written in this book, it actually refers to the 'Rukon District', right?

And the description of the street environment, no matter how you look at it, it seems to be alluding to the Gomukure District. That means..."

Ashido calmly nodded. "That should be correct. The author likely used the Gomukure District as inspiration for this story."

The usually gentle eyes of Kurayashiki Kenpachi instantly flashed with sharp light.

He grinned and let out a hearty laugh:

"Hahaha! It just so happens that there's nothing major going on in the squad lately! Ashido, get ready, we're going to the Gomukure District to 'take a look'!"

Ashido nodded again, his cold face showing no surprise.

If the Gomukure District truly harbored a "Killer" as described in the book, that would perfectly fit the recruitment standards of the Eleventh Division.

Whether the other party was a killer or a demon, as long as they were powerful enough, the Eleventh Division would take them all in!

Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Fourth Division barracks.

Unlike the solemn and murderous or fervent atmosphere of the combat divisions, the Fourth Division, as the medical and rescue team, always had an aura of peace and tranquility within its barracks.

In a Japanese-style room decorated with simple elegance and warmth, several Fourth Division squad members who had finished their work were leisurely enjoying a rare tea break.

Seated in the main position was a woman with a gentle temperament, as serene as flowing water.

She wore a pure white Captain's haori over her Shinigami uniform, her posture elegant and dignified. She was none other than the Captain of the Fourth Division—Unohana Retsu.

At this moment, she was slightly leaning forward, meticulously arranging flowers before her. Her slender fingers gently adjusted the angle of a camellia branch, her gaze focused and peaceful, as if everything around her didn't concern her.

However, a faint yet continuous "creak" sound broke the silence.

Unohana Retsu's hand movements paused slightly, and she slowly turned her head to the side.

Seated next to her was the Lieutenant of the Fourth Division—Yamada Kiyonosuke. He was holding a book, his face pale, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Unohana Retsu could clearly sense strong waves of "fear" and "trembling" emanating from him, which made her feel puzzled.

This was the core area of the Fourth Division barracks, quiet and peaceful, miles away from the battles in Hueco Mundo.

What was Kiyonosuke... afraid of?

Her gaze fell upon the cover of the book in his hand—The Killer of Meteor City.

The dark-toned cover design exuded an ominous aura.

Was he reading a horror novel? To the point where he was losing his composure like this...

Seeing that Yamada Kiyonosuke's trembling wasn't subsiding but rather intensifying, Unohana Retsu gently put down the flower branch in her hand. She slightly parted her lips, which always held a gentle smile, and spoke in a voice that was not loud but possessed a strange, soul-penetrating calmness and authority:

"Kiyonosuke, calm down."

These two simple words, like cool spring water, poured over Yamada Kiyonosuke's chaotic mind.

He jolted violently, his trembling body instantly freezing