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 said in a steady voice, trying to keep the atmosphere casual.

"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, if not the recently much-discussed novel?

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

He gave Yan Si a reassuring look and said in the tone of a captain,

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

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

Captain Kensei! My dear captain! You make it sound so easy! "Tell them honestly"? How am I supposed to be honest?

Am I supposed to stand up, point at Captain Unohana, and say, "Honored Captain, your glorious exploits of slaughtering people like grass in your youth were the inspiration for this book"?

That wouldn't be communication. That would be suicide! Was I sick of living and wanted to personally experience Soul Burial?

Sitting beside Unohana Retsu, he felt as though even though she was merely holding her teacup quietly, an oppressive pressure hung over him, so heavy it made it hard to breathe. The hairs on his back remained rigidly at attention.

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

Keeping his expression taut, he calmly asked, "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 Gomukure District."

He briefly described what had happened during his trip to Gomukure District. He mentioned the black-haired young man, his first impression of him, how he had "accidentally" slashed him badly, and the confusion that followed.

"The 'Killer' described in the book—the scent of mountains of corpses and seas of blood that seemed to seep 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 the 'demon' I encountered in Gomukure District. That kid was more like a 'calamity beast,' a 'monster' charging about on instinct. His presence was strong too, but... it wasn't the same feeling as in your book."

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

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

The corner of Yan Si's eye twitched uncontrollably.

Kurayashiki Kenpachi had actually met "Gremmy Kenpachi"!

And judging by that description, he even seemed somewhat... disappointed in that future "Kenpachi"? He thought he did not have enough of that "flavor"?

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

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

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

His expression unchanged, he replied in an even tone.

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

He or she is merely a 'Killer' born from that land of despair known as Meteor City, a symbol, a sign born from that soil.

Before such a pure and ultimate 'existence,' gender is irrelevant."

Perfect!

Yan Si gave himself a mental thumbs-up.

This answer neither confirmed nor denied anything. He had elegantly kicked the ball back while elevating it 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, and also avoided saying that Shu Hua was female, which might have aroused even deeper suspicions from her.

After all, only a handful of people knew about Captain Unohana's past. How could a young Fifth Seat know so much so clearly?

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 appearing on her face.

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

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

Kurayashiki Kenpachi laughed twice and naturally chimed in.

"Exactly! 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 tugged at it hard before maintaining his calm.

Captain Kurayashiki! You want to fight her? One is sitting right beside you!

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

Hm?

As his thoughts churned, he suddenly noticed that Unohana Retsu beside him seemed to cast a glance at Kurayashiki Kenpachi across from her.

That glance was swift and light, almost imperceptible. Then her gaze returned to the teacup in her hand, as though it had merely been a casual look.

What? Captain Unohana was not interested in Kurayashiki Kenpachi?

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

Based on what he "knew" of Unohana Retsu's personality, this First Kenpachi should have been someone passionate about seeking strong opponents and enjoying slaughter.

Ever since she had relinquished the name "Kenpachi" and become captain of the Fourth Division, it truly seemed that there had been no word of her having any proper exchanges with the later Kenpachis.

Chiziro Kenpachi's abilities were unusual and leaned toward the "spellcasting" type, so it was understandable that Unohana had no interest.

Kiganjo Kenpachi was said to have attained his position through rather dishonorable means. His strength might have been questionable, so it was normal for Unohana to look down on him.

But Kurayashiki Kenpachi was different.

The current Kenpachi was unquestionably formidable. Even among the monsters who had served as captains in the original Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he would absolutely have been able to hold his own.

Why did Captain Unohana also seem to lack that look of "interest" toward him...?

He could not figure it out.

Just as Yan Si's thoughts began to drift.

Thud.

The crisp, soft sound of the bottom of a teacup touching the wooden table pulled him back.

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

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

Her voice was 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 your inspiration come from?"

She paused, then continued with a smile.

"And this book seems to have only written its opening so far. If there is a second volume, what direction will the story take? Could you reveal just a little to me, as a reader?"

It was here!

The real "interrogation" had begun.