"Only someone who's killed countless people would have such a cold gaze. So this Unohana really was a lunatic before she became Fourth Division Captain." Lin Nan thought.
He forced down the discomfort of his racing heart and kept his expression calm as he said:
"I'm only tough because the thugs are so weak. If you'd honored us with your presence, they probably would've dropped dead from a single look."
Unohana remained unmoved and said flatly:
"Thugs who can't even beat you aren't worth discussing. My subordinates have all seen me draw my blade. If they say you can fight, that at least proves you're much stronger than an ordinary person..."
As she spoke, she gently stroked the hilt and looked at Lin Nan before asking once more, "Why don't you spar with me?"
Her gaze kept wandering around Lin Nan's neck, as if searching for a convenient joint in his cervical spine to strike.
The look in Unohana's eyes sent a chill down Lin Nan's back. He gave an awkward laugh.
"Don't joke like that. I just enjoy a good brawl. How could I dare cross swords with a Kenpachi?! You're already the strongest swordswoman, aren't you? I'm not worthy of sparring with you...
"Besides, I'm no rebel. You can send someone to check Rukongai if you don't believe me..."
Lin Nan knew full well that even if his stamina and physical strength let him beat up thugs, he still had no chance against a notorious villain like Unohana in Soul Society.
If he fought her, he'd be killed in an instant.
Flattery never hurt anyone. Right now, he could only do everything in his power to stay alive and avoid facing her head-on.
But no matter how hard Lin Nan tried to butter her up, Unohana wasn't swayed in the slightest.
Her expression stayed cool as she said, with a hint of caprice, "I'll accept your compliments. But whether you're a rebel or not doesn't matter—you can go back only after you beat me!" As she spoke, she rested her right hand on her sword hilt and made as if to draw.
An invisible pressure spread through the area. A tangible chill of killing intent instantly enveloped Lin Nan.
In the original manga, after Unohana took charge of the Fourth Division, which was responsible for medical care, she had always been portrayed as a kind and gentle older sister. But the Unohana standing here now was the very image of the Grim Reaper.
Lin Nan felt a chill run through his entire body, while his danger instincts kept blaring warnings in his mind. He thought, I didn't know Unohana was this blunt back when she was Kenpachi. Flattery doesn't work on her at all?!
"Wait... aren't you going to investigate a little more? There's no need to resort to violence. What if I really am not a rebel, and you end up killing me? That wouldn't be right."
"It's fine. The death of non-rebels caught in the crossfire is a normal cost of war." Unmoved by Lin Nan's false courtesy, Unohana nudged her Zanpakuto a few inches out of its sheath with her thumb.
Seeing that she was about to draw, Lin Nan hurriedly backed away, waving both hands in front of him as he shook his head. "No, no, no! I'm just a nobody. I still want to live! I'm only good for throwing punches at thugs. I've never even touched a sword..."
At that moment, Nakata Ryunosuke said with a straight face, "You can borrow my Asauchi."
Unohana shot Nakata an approving look.
Lin Nan glared viciously at Nakata, wishing he could tear his heart out.
Unohana stared at Lin Nan, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if she were trying to confirm something.
Before long, she spoke in a low voice, her expression filled with a longing for battle and her words brimming with encouragement. "Running away won't help. Your spiritual pressure is already starting to fluctuate.
"It's flickering in and out, but even that tiny trace is enough for me to tell you have great potential! Come, let's fight to our hearts' content! You might even be able to kill me. Come... You have no choice, after all."
She made no effort to hide her intense craving for battle and killing.
Lin Nan nervously swallowed. The way this lunatic spoke made her sound like a wicked woman trying to seduce a minor.
I don't know whether I have spiritual pressure, but if something really is leaking out, it's probably my urine.
With a sharp shing, Unohana drew her sword and quietly instructed, "Nakata, hand him a sword."
At her words, Nakata obligingly drew his own sword and held it out to Lin Nan.
Lin Nan's eye twitched with anger. He shoved away the hilt being offered to him and snapped, "Wait, why do I have to die here?! People from Rukongai are people too, aren't they?
"I don't even know how to use a sword! What the hell am I supposed to fight her with? I'm not Zaraki Kenpachi..."
Nakata looked Lin Nan in the eye and quietly reminded him, "If you draw your sword, the captain will at least show you the respect you deserve. Otherwise, she'll only hit harder... Better a short agony than a long one."
The meaning of his words couldn't have been clearer:
If Lin Nan drew his sword and fought with his life on the line, at least he'd get a quick death. If he didn't dare accept the challenge, all that awaited him was an even more brutal slaughter.
Lin Nan fell silent. He turned toward the nearby mountain of corpses and sea of blood, feeling his whole body tremble once more, ever so slightly.
All the pursuits and constant running since he'd arrived in this world had left him weary. Life was hard before I crossed over, and now it's still this hard afterward?
Did I come here just to let you people push me around?
If this is what crossing over is like, I might as well just fight the damn thing out!
"So I can't get out of this, huh?" He gritted his teeth and turned to Unohana. "Fine. I have one condition. If you agree, I'll fight you."
At that, a faint smile finally appeared on Unohana's cool face. "Let's hear it."
Lin Nan took a deep breath and pointed at the nearby mountain of corpses and sea of blood. "Your men told me that Soul Reapers are only supposed to guard Seireitei and kill Hollows.
"I've gotten along well with the old man in District 26 during my time in Rukongai. I don't want him harassed by thugs and bandits again.
"If you're willing to completely wipe out the bandits in Rust Face District, and swear on your honor that you'll do it, I'll fight you right now until you're satisfied."
Nakata Ryunosuke felt his eyes had been opened. It was the first time he'd seen anyone bargain with the captain like this—and the thing they were bargaining for was a duel, not their life.
Unohana stared intently at Lin Nan's face. After a moment's thought, she nodded. "Fine. That'll give me more people to cut down. I agree. And since you're being so straightforward, I'll even give you a handicap..."
Her tone was so casual, as if she were pondering what to have for dinner. "If you can withstand three of my strikes, you win. And I'll also clear out the bandits in nearby Districts 63 and 65."
Withstand three of your strikes? How is that any different from dying? And agreeing to clear out the bandits is just an excuse to kill even more people, isn't it?
Seeing that she'd agreed, Lin Nan gave a faint laugh, turned, and drew the Zanpakuto Nakata was holding out to him.
He had no idea how to use a sword, so he could only hold it in both hands in front of him, just as he remembered from the manga.
Unohana pointed her blade forward. Her sword intent was just about to burst forth when she suddenly remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Before we begin, I have one more question for you."
Lin Nan furrowed his brows, puzzled. "What?"
"Who was that... Zaraki Kenpachi you mentioned earlier? Is he strong?" Unohana recalled for a moment before asking. "I've never heard of a Kenpachi by that name in Soul Society..."
Without thinking, Lin Nan answered, "Who else could he be? He's..." Halfway through, a flash of lightning seemed to streak through his mind, and he froze.
Zaraki Kenpachi was from the 80th District of Northern Rukon, "Zaraki," which was how he got the surname Zaraki and called himself "Zaraki Kenpachi." Unohana didn't know him. Did that mean they hadn't met yet?
Like lightning across the night sky, a possibility occurred to Lin Nan: Could I change the storyline of the Bleach world? If I did, would this world still exist?
Seeing Lin Nan stop mid-sentence, Unohana couldn't help asking curiously, "What is he?"
"He... He calls himself 'the Kenpachi of Zaraki.' He's probably your fan..." Lin Nan's thoughts were still a mess, and he answered without thinking.
"...He calls himself a Kenpachi, so his swordsmanship must be very good?" To everyone's surprise, a clear smile appeared on Unohana's face. "I see."
Seeing her expression, Lin Nan couldn't help staring in bewilderment. She looked like a girl who'd just spotted a handbag she liked.
Just how much did this woman love fighting?
Nakata spoke up. "Captain, we've never heard of a swordsman with that surname. Be careful he isn't lying to save his own skin."
You really are a loyal vice-captain! Lin Nan shot Nakata a maliciously contemptuous glance from the corner of his eye.
Unohana's smile lasted only a second. As if she hadn't heard her lieutenant's warning, her expression returned to its usual indifference. "All right, let's begin! I have a habit of never sheathing my sword until it's tasted blood. So please take this seriously, Lin-san."
Her airy words instantly made Lin Nan tense up. He furrowed his brows and kept his eyes fixed on Unohana, wary of a sudden attack.
His hand tightened around the Zanpakuto with all his strength. Even its hilt began to creak.
The air in the temporary barracks was so hot it felt almost solid. Just then, a faint, fishy breeze swept through, and the thick stench of blood filled the air.
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