Yan Si, Have a Seat

Kensei Muguruma strode forward, his face wearing a serious smile reserved for distinguished guests.

"Captain Unohana, Captain Kurayashiki Kenpachi, welcome to our Ninth Division. It's a rare occasion."

He first gave a slight nod to Unohana Retsu, then turned to Kurayashiki Kenpachi.

"Are the two Captains here together for some official business that requires the Ninth Division's assistance?"

He subtly shifted his body as he spoke, blocking a portion of the line of sight directed at Siwei Yan.

Hearing the Captain's question, Siwei Yan flinched again.

He plastered a humble smile on his face and lowered his voice:

"Since the Captains are here for important matters, I'm afraid I would be in the way. I'll take my leave."

As he spoke, he began to inch his way towards his room's door with extreme slowness.

Please don't be here for me. Please don't be here for me. I'm just a passing Fifth Seat, a nobody, non-existent...

Kurayashiki Kenpachi, however, had no patience for such subtleties. His booming laughter shattered Yan Si's illusions:

"Hahaha! It's nothing official! We're here because we have a personal matter we'd like to discuss with your... hmm, Fifth Seat Yan Si!"

He said this to Kensei Muguruma, but his eyes, filled with amusement, along with those of Unohana Retsu and Kensei Muguruma, all snapped to the figure by the door, who had frozen like a statue.

"Uh..."

Siwei Yan's movement ceased.

There was a stalemate for about two seconds.

He took a deep breath, straightened up abruptly, and turned around.

All extraneous expressions vanished from his face in an instant, replaced by a stern countenance, his eyes calm and unruffled.

He gave a slight bow to Kurayashiki Kenpachi, his tone steady:

"Captain Kurayashiki Kenpachi, what guidance do you have for me? Within the scope of my duties, I will tell you everything I know."

First, set the tone as "official consultation." Safety first.

Unexpectedly, Kensei Muguruma spoke before Kurayashiki Kenpachi could.

"Since the two Captains are visiting privately, it would be impolite to speak standing in the courtyard."

A warmer smile appeared on his face, and he gestured to the side, "Please."

"Conveniently, the side hall of our barracks has just been tidied up and is still quite presentable. Why don't we move there, sit down, have some tea, and chat at our leisure?"

His words were flawless. They gave face to both Captains and naturally established the atmosphere for a "private consultation," which was much better than asking questions publicly in the courtyard.

"Hahaha, that sounds wonderful! I'm quite parched after the journey!"

Kurayashiki Kenpachi readily agreed. He was a straightforward man and found the arrangement quite agreeable.

"It's better to accept your kind offer than to refuse. We'll be imposing on you." Unohana Retsu also gave a slight bow, agreeing in a gentle tone, her smile unchanged.

Kensei Muguruma nodded and turned to lead the two Captains towards the side hall of the barracks.

As he passed Yan Si, his steps didn't falter, but he spoke in a voice of moderate volume:

"Yan Si, go to the warehouse and fetch the best tea we have."

The moment he brushed past Yan Si, his gaze flickered towards him with extreme subtlety.

The meaning in his eyes was unmistakable: You brat! Hurry up and use this time to fetch tea to seriously think about what you've gotten yourself into! Why are these two showing up together! Figure out how to resolve it!

Yan Si's heart warmed, and he almost shed tears of joy.

Captain! My own Captain! Even though he always lectures me with a stern face, he still protects his own when it counts!

"Yes! Captain!" He turned and headed towards the warehouse.

Reaching the warehouse, he closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh.

There was no time for sentimentality; he had to think of a countermeasure!

He had actually... been somewhat prepared for Captain Unohana's arrival.

After all, the book Killer was too obviously thinly veiled.

Given Captain Unohana's intellect and status, it was natural for her to notice.

But Kurayashiki Kenpachi? Why would this battle-hungry Captain come here?

Yan Si's mind rapidly sifted through the contents of Killer and his recent activities.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

Could it be... Kurayashiki Kenpachi actually read the book, then excitedly went to Gomukure District for "field research," only to find no "demons" as described in the book?

So, he's here to demand an explanation? Blaming him for writing such an exaggerated book and tricking him into a wasted trip?

It was highly possible! Given the Eleventh Division's style and Kurayashiki Kenpachi's personality, he was perfectly capable of doing something like this!

Yan Si suddenly felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Captain Kurayashiki, Captain, the "Killer" from the book, that First Kenpachi, is right here beside you, closer than you think!

What are you even going to Gomukure District for?

He thought long and hard, but besides the book Killer, he couldn't find any other connection between himself and these two Captains.

Publication? Such a trivial matter wouldn't alarm two Captains.

Aizen? Hirako? Those private interactions were even less likely to be brought to light.

Now that the root cause was identified, it was manageable.

For Kurayashiki Kenpachi, he would stick to "literary creation" and "artistic license," admitting appropriately that "there might be some exaggeration for the sake of the plot" to smooth over the frustration of the other party's wasted trip.

Captain Kurayashiki seemed hearty and wouldn't likely make a fuss over something like this.

As for Captain Unohana... the core strategy was: play dumb and deny everything.

He would insist that the name "Shu Hua" was chosen randomly, simply because it sounded pleasant and poetic.

The image of the "Killer" was entirely a blend of terrifying legends from the Rukon District and his own imagination.

All plots in the book are fictional; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

After all, there was no evidence.

He used Urahara's spiritual pressure-blocking machine to write the manuscript, and his handwritten drafts were hidden away securely.

Captain Unohana had been a medical Captain for so many years, her gentle and kind image deeply ingrained in everyone's hearts. She wouldn't possibly draw her sword and attack over a novel, would she?

That would shatter the "Unohana Retsu" persona she had maintained for centuries.

Thinking this, Yan Si felt much more at ease.

As long as he stayed calm and reacted to each situation as it came, he should be able to fool them.

He steadied himself, retrieved a small, exquisite wooden jar from the back of a warehouse shelf. Inside was indeed the Ninth Division's finest tea, the kind the Captain rarely drank.

Clutching the tea jar, he composed his expression, resuming his usual composed and calm demeanor of a seated officer, and walked towards the side room.

The side room was not large, decorated simply with a small round table and a few chairs.

The three Captains were already seated, Kensei Muguruma at the head, with Kurayashiki Kenpachi and Unohana Retsu on either side.

Lieutenant Ashido stood quietly in the shadows behind Kurayashiki Kenpachi, like a silent bodyguard.

The atmosphere seemed... relatively harmonious? At least on the surface.

Yan Si walked in without looking aside, first offering a slight bow to the three Captains, then skillfully began to heat the water, warm the utensils, take out the tea, and brew it.

His movements were fluid, his posture steady, possessing a certain tea ceremony elegance.

After brewing the tea, he presented three cups of fragrant, steaming clear tea to each Captain, then stepped back two paces, standing respectfully behind Captain Kensei Muguruma's chair.

His hands hung at his sides, his gaze focused, his mind serene, assuming the posture of a subordinate awaiting orders.

Kensei Muguruma picked up his teacup, blew on it, took a sip, and then, as if just remembering, casually pointed with the hand holding the cup lid to the empty seat to his left, which was to Unohana Retsu's right.

"Yan Si, what are you standing for? Sit down."

Siwei Yan's head shot up, his eyes wide as saucers, looking at his Captain.

Captain! What are you doing?!

He desperately tried to convey his refusal with his eyes.

Kurayashiki Kenpachi, however, was casual, laughing heartily:

"Yes, Fifth Seat Yan Si, don't be shy. This is an informal discussion, no need to stick to the rules of the Division. It's more convenient to talk while seated."

"With several Captains present, I am merely a Fifth Seat and dare not overstep..."

Yan Si quickly bowed, attempting to decline.

Sitting between two Captains? Was that a place for a person to sit? That was the core of the execution ground!

Before he could finish speaking.

A voice as gentle as dripping water sounded from his front left.

Unohana Retsu turned her head slightly to look at him, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc, her face wearing an impeccable, gentle smile.

"Fifth Seat Yan Si..."

She gently placed her teacup down, the bottom of the cup making a faint, crisp clink against the saucer.

"Please, sit."

Her voice was not loud, and her tone remained gentle.

But Siwei Yan's throat felt dry as he swallowed, clearly hearing the sound of his own gulp.

"Yes, thank you, Captain Unohana."