Draw Your Sword!

"Only someone who has killed countless people could have such icy eyes. As expected, before this Unohana became the captain of the Fourth Division, she was a total lunatic," Lin Nan thought to himself.

He suppressed the discomfort caused by his racing heart and kept his expression neutral, saying:

"My prowess is actually all thanks to those thugs being so weak. If you were to grace them with your presence, I imagine they'd be scared to death by a single glance."

Unohana remained unmoved, stating coolly:

"Thugs you can defeat are not worth discussing. My squad members have all witnessed my blade; if they said you are capable, it at least proves you are far stronger than the average person..."

As she spoke, she gently stroked her hilt, looked at Lin Nan, and asked once more: "How about it? Shall we have a spar?"

Her gaze drifted repeatedly around Lin Nan's neck, as if searching for the cervical vertebrae that would be easiest to sever.

Watching Unohana's eyes, a chill ran down Lin Nan's spine. He gave a dry laugh:

"Don't joke like that. I just enjoy a good scrap; how could I dare to challenge a Kenpachi to a duel?! You are already the strongest in swordsmanship, aren't you? I am simply not qualified to spar with you...

Besides, I am no rebel. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to the Rukongai to investigate..."

Lin Nan knew clearly that even if his current physical strength and endurance were enough to beat up thugs, he was in no position to fight in front of someone like Unohana, a notorious villain of the Soul Society.

If he made a move, he would undoubtedly be killed in an instant.

Flattery is the safest armor. Right now, he had to do everything in his power to survive and avoid a direct confrontation with her.

However, no matter how hard Lin Nan racked his brains to flatter her, Unohana remained completely unmoved.

With a cold expression, she said somewhat capriciously: "I will accept your compliments. But it doesn't matter whether you are a rebel or not—only by defeating me can you return!" Having said that, she placed her right hand on her hilt, making a move to draw her blade.

An invisible pressure instantly permeated the surroundings, and a chilling, palpable killing intent enveloped Lin Nan.

In the original manga, after Unohana took charge of the medical Fourth Division, she always maintained the image of a kind and gentle sister. Yet, the Unohana before him now was a living Yama.

Lin Nan felt a shiver run through his entire body, his intuition for danger screaming warnings in his mind. He thought to himself: I never expected Unohana during her Kenpachi days to be this straightforward—does flattery really not work at all?!

"Wait... couldn't you investigate a bit more? All this killing is so unnecessary. If I really am not a rebel and I die by your hand, wouldn't that be quite inappropriate?"

"It doesn't matter. The death of non-rebel personnel due to collateral damage is a normal war loss." Facing Lin Nan's feigned politeness, Unohana remained entirely unmoved, her thumb pushing the Zanpakuto out of its scabbard by an inch.

Seeing her about to draw her blade, Lin Nan retreated in a hurry, waving his hands in front of him and shaking his head: "No, no, no~ I'm just a nobody, I still want to live! I'm only fit to throw punches at thugs; I've never even touched a sword..."

At this moment, Nakata Ryunosuke spoke up solemnly from the side: "You may borrow my Asauchi."

Unohana cast an approving glance at Nakata.

Lin Nan glared viciously at Nakata, wishing he could swallow him whole.

Unohana stared at Lin Nan, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if confirming something.

After a moment, she spoke in a deep voice, her expression filled with a thirst for battle, her words laced with provocation: "Escaping is useless. Your spiritual pressure has already begun to fluctuate.

Although it appears and disappears, based on the traces leaking out, I can confirm you have great talent! Come, let us have a grand fight! Perhaps you might even be able to slay me; come now... after all, you have no choice."

She made no effort to hide her intense craving for battle and slaughter.

Lin Nan couldn't help but swallow nervously. The tone of this lunatic sounded like a bad woman hitting on an underage boy.

I'm not sure if I have any spiritual pressure, but if something is leaking, it's probably my urine.

With a "shing," Unohana drew her blade and ordered softly: "Nakata, pass him the sword."

Hearing this, Nakata complied by drawing his own blade and handing it to Lin Nan.

Lin Nan's eye twitched in anger; he shoved the hilt away and snapped in frustration: "No, why must you force me to go to my death?? Are the people of the Rukongai not human?

I don't even know how to use a sword, for heaven's sake! How am I supposed to fight her? I'm not Zaraki Kenpachi..."

At this, Nakata looked into Lin Nan's eyes and whispered a serious reminder: "If you draw your blade, the Captain will grant you the corresponding respect; otherwise, the Captain will only strike more ruthlessly... A long pain is worse than a short one."

The meaning of these words could not be clearer:

Draw your blade and fight for your life, and at least you might have a quick end; if you refuse to fight, you will only face a more cruel and prolonged slaughter.

Lin Nan fell silent. He turned his head to look at the mountain of corpses and sea of blood not far away, feeling his body tremble imperceptibly once more.

The constant pursuit and endless running since he arrived in this world had left him exhausted. It was hard before he transmigrated, and now it's even harder after?

Did I come here just to be bullied by you people?

If this is what transmigration is, then I might as well fight the hell out of them!!

"So there's no way to avoid this, is there?" He gritted his teeth, turned to Unohana, and asked, "Fine, I have one condition. If you agree to it, I will spar with you."

Hearing this, a faint smile finally appeared on Unohana's cold face: "Let's hear it."

Lin Nan took a deep breath and pointed to the mountain of corpses and sea of blood nearby, saying: "Your soldiers told me that Shinigami only care about guarding the Seireitei and killing Hollows.

During my time in the Rukongai, I've gotten along well with the old man in District 26, and I don't want him to be harassed by any more thugs or bandits.

As long as you are willing to completely eradicate the bandit gangs within the Rust Face District and swear on your honor that you will do so, I will fight you until you are satisfied."

Nakata Ryunosuke felt his horizons had been broadened. It was the first time he had seen someone bargain with the Captain in such a way, and the subject of the bargain was a duel, not a plea for mercy.

Unohana stared fixedly at Lin Nan's face, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "Very well. It just so happens I need to cut down more people anyway—I agree. And, seeing as you are so straightforward, I have decided to grant you a concession..."

Her tone was as casual as if she were deciding what to have for dinner, "If you can withstand three of my strikes, I will consider it your victory. Furthermore, I will also purge the bandits in the nearby District 63 and District 65."

Withstand three of your strikes? How is that any different from being dead? And agreeing to purge the bandits is nothing more than an excuse to kill even more people, isn't it?

Seeing that the other party had agreed, Lin Nan chuckled, turned around, and drew the Zanpakuto that Nakata was holding.

He had no idea how to use a sword, so he could only mimic his memories from the manga, gripping it with both hands and holding it out in front of him.

Unohana pointed her blade forward, her sword intent just about to erupt, when she suddenly remembered something and asked in a deep voice, "Before we begin, I have one more question for you."

Lin Nan frowned, feeling a bit strange. "What is it?"

"The one you mentioned just now... Kenpachi Zaraki, who is he? Is he very strong?" Unohana recalled the name unhurriedly and asked, "I have never heard of a Kenpachi by that name in the Soul Society..."

Lin Nan answered without thinking, "Need you even ask? He is—" Halfway through his sentence, a flash of lightning seemed to streak across his mind, and he froze.

Kenpachi Zaraki's origins were in the 80th District of North Rukongai, "Zaraki," which is why he took Zaraki as his surname and called himself "Kenpachi Zaraki." If Unohana didn't know him, did that mean they hadn't met yet?

Like lightning cutting through the night sky, a possibility emerged in Lin Nan's mind: Could I change the storyline of the Bleach world? And if I did, would this world still exist?

Seeing Lin Nan stop mid-sentence, Unohana couldn't help but continue, curious, "He is what?"

"He... he calls himself the 'Kenpachi of Zaraki,' he's probably a fan of yours..." Lin Nan's thoughts were still a bit chaotic, and he answered subconsciously.

"...Calling himself Kenpachi, then his swordsmanship must be very impressive?" A rare, distinct smile appeared on Unohana's face. "I understand."

Lin Nan watched her expression, stunned. That look was just like a girl who had spotted a handbag she adored.

Just how much does this woman love to fight?

Nakata, standing to the side, spoke up, "Captain, we have never heard of a swordsman with that surname. Be careful that this brat isn't just lying to save his life."

You really are a loyal lieutenant! Lin Nan couldn't help but cast a look of vicious disdain at Nakata 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 indifference. "Alright, let us begin! I have a habit: my blade does not return to its sheath until it has tasted blood. So, Lin-san, you must be serious."

The lighthearted words immediately made Lin Nan tense up. He furrowed his brows, his eyes locked onto Unohana's figure to prevent a sudden, explosive assault.

His hands gripped the Zanpakuto with genuine force, the hilt of the blade even beginning to creak under the pressure.

In the temporary barracks, where the air was as stifling as if it had solidified, a faint, foul wind suddenly began to blow, and the thick scent of blood permeated the air.