The Interrogation Begins

Kensei Muguruma set down his teacup, a relaxed smile on his face as he broke the delicate silence in the side hall.

"Yan Si," he began, his voice steady as he tried to keep the atmosphere casual.

"Actually, the two captains came to see you this time mainly because they wanted to talk about your new book, The Killer of Meteor City. That's all, so don't be too nervous."

During the brief time Yan Si had gone to fetch the tea leaves, he had already exchanged a few pleasantries with the two guests and roughly figured out why they had come.

What other reason could two captains have for visiting a Fifth Seat together, aside from the novel that had been causing such a stir lately?

In his view, it was no big deal at all. Writers and readers exchanging thoughts was perfectly normal.

He shot Yan Si a reassuring look and spoke in the tone of a captain.

"Just relax. Whatever you think, tell the two captains honestly. We rough types don't really understand literary creation, so it's fine if you discuss it in greater depth."

Yan Si kept a straight face and nodded lightly, but inwardly, he was screaming.

Captain Kensei! My dear captain! You make it sound so easy! "Speak honestly"? How am I supposed to do that?

Am I supposed to stand up, point at Captain Unohana, and say, "Respected Captain, your glorious exploits of slaughtering people by the hundreds in your youth were the inspiration for my book"?

That wouldn't be communication. That would be suicide! Was I tired of living and looking to experience Soul Burial firsthand?

Sitting beside Unohana Retsu, he felt as though an oppressive pressure was hanging over him, even though she was merely holding her teacup quietly. It was so heavy he could barely breathe, and every hair on his back seemed to be standing at attention.

He forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, shifted his gaze away from his own captain's "guileless and dependable" face, and turned toward the guest across the round table, who looked comparatively "safer"—Kurayashiki Kenpachi.

Keeping a straight face, he spoke calmly. "Then, Captain Kurayashiki Kenpachi, what would you like to discuss about the book?"

Kurayashiki Kenpachi had just taken a sip of tea. Hearing that, he set down his cup and spoke bluntly.

"I read your book and found it pretty interesting, so I made a trip to Zaraki District."

He briefly described his trip to Zaraki District, mentioning the black-haired young man, his first impression of him, how he had "accidentally" cut him badly, and his subsequent confusion.

"The Killer described in the book—the accumulated aura of mountains of corpses and seas of blood that you could feel even through the pages, that unique atmosphere..."

Kurayashiki Kenpachi stroked his chin as he organized his thoughts. He had only just fully understood the difference himself.

"It felt completely different from that 'demon' I encountered in Zaraki District. That kid was more like a 'calamity beast,' a monster charging about on instinct. His presence was strong enough, but... he didn't have the same feel as the one in your book."

He raised his head, looked at Yan Si, and asked the question that had been bothering him.

"So, the 'Shu Hua' in your book is a woman?"

Yan Si's eye twitched uncontrollably.

Kurayashiki Kenpachi had really encountered Gremmy Kenpachi!

And from the sound of it, he seemed somewhat... disappointed in that future Kenpachi? He thought he lacked the right "feel"?

That was unexpected information, but this was not the time to dwell on it.

As for Kurayashiki Kenpachi's question—the gender of Shu Hua?

Yan Si sneered inwardly. There was no way he was going to answer honestly.

His expression remained unchanged as he replied in an even tone.

"Captain Kurayashiki, whether Shu Hua is male or female is actually not important.

"He or she is merely a Killer born from the hopeless land of Meteor City, a symbol and an emblem nurtured by that soil.

"Gender is insignificant in the face of such a pure and ultimate existence."

Perfect!

Yan Si gave himself a silent thumbs-up.

This answer neither confirmed nor denied anything. It elegantly kicked the ball back while elevating the matter to the level of "literary symbolism."

It avoided directly saying that Shu Hua was male, which might have enraged the First Kenpachi beside him on the spot, while also avoiding saying that Shu Hua was female, which might have aroused even deeper suspicions from her.

After all, there were very few people who knew of Captain Unohana's past. How could a young Fifth Seat know so much about it?

Ambiguity was the best shield.

"Oh?" Unohana Retsu, seated beside him, gently set down her teacup and let out a soft sigh, a faintly regretful smile on her face.

"I thought someone with such a beautiful name as 'Shu Hua,' and such power as well, would be a beautiful and powerful woman. So that isn't the case?"

Her tone was gentle, as though she were merely an ordinary reader voicing a small regret.

Kurayashiki Kenpachi laughed twice and naturally joined in.

"Yeah! If there really were a powerful woman like the one described in the book, someone who walked out of a sea of blood and turned slaughter into art, I'd very much like to fight her! That would be incredibly satisfying!"

Yan Si nearly failed to keep his mouth from twitching. He had to pull hard at the corners of his lips to maintain his composure.

He ranted inwardly. Captain Kurayashiki! You want to fight? There's one sitting right beside you!

A genuine, authentic First Kenpachi! Go challenge her already! Stop torturing me, will you?

Hm?

As his thoughts churned, he suddenly noticed that Unohana Retsu beside him seemed to glance at Kurayashiki Kenpachi across the table for an instant.

The glance was swift and light, almost impossible to notice. Then her gaze returned to the teacup in her hands, as though she had merely looked over casually.

What? Captain Unohana wasn't interested in Kurayashiki Kenpachi?

A trace of doubt rose in Yan Si's heart.

Based on his "understanding" of Unohana Retsu's personality, the First Kenpachi should have been someone who loved seeking out powerful opponents and relished bloody combat.

Ever since she had cast aside the name Kenpachi and taken over as captain of the Fourth Division, it seemed he had never heard of her having any proper fights with the later Kenpachis.

Chiziro Kenpachi's abilities were unusual and leaned more toward the spellcaster type, so it was understandable that Unohana had no interest in him.

Kiganjo Kenpachi was said to have taken his position through less-than-honorable means. His strength might have been inflated, so it was normal for Unohana to look down on him.

But Kurayashiki Kenpachi was different.

The current Kenpachi was unquestionably powerful. Even among those monsters who had served as captains of the First Generation Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he would definitely have been capable of holding his own.

Why did Captain Unohana also seem to lack that look of... interest when it came to him?

He couldn't figure it out.

Just as Yan Si's thoughts began to drift.

Thud.

The crisp, faint sound of the bottom of a teacup touching the wooden tabletop pulled him back.

Unohana Retsu turned her head slightly, her gentle and graceful face angled toward Yan Si, her eyes curving into a lovely arc.

"I'm very curious, Fifth Seat Yan Si."

Her voice remained as soft as ever.

"How did you come up with a story like this?

"Those plotlines, that atmosphere, and the name 'Shu Hua'... where did the inspiration come from?"

She paused, then continued with a smile.

"Also, this book seems to have only written the beginning. If there is a second volume, what direction will the story take? Could you reveal just a little to me, your reader?"

Here it came!

The real "interrogation" had begun.