Ding-ling…
The crisp ring of the doorbell pulled Aizen's chaotic thoughts back to reality.
Both he and Ron looked toward the entrance.
Creaaaak—
The tavern door opened slowly.
A middle-aged man stepped inside.
Pale skin.
Black pupils.
A simple green tracksuit.
Tall, slim frame, slicked-back hair, gold-rimmed glasses—
At first glance, he looked like a gentle big brother next door.
Or… a tired office worker.
"A murderous heart… yet he restrains it as if suppressing instinct."
"How interesting."
Aizen smiled faintly at the newcomer.
He was intrigued—
but his mind was too stirred to stay any longer.
After placing money for the roasted sheep on the counter, he quietly walked out of the tavern.
He needed time to process today's absurdities.
Everything he witnessed had shattered expectations.
Ron put the money away and smiled toward the man.
"Welcome, Mr. Xiao Zizai."
Xiao Zizai.
A temporary worker of the Quanhe Group from the world of [Hitori no Shita / The Outcast].
Former disciple of a Buddhist sect.
Extremely powerful—
with a taste for killing and a unique philosophy behind it.
He wasn't a "featured" guest, merely one of the tavern's random daily invitees.
"I hurt you, yet you laughed it off…"
Xiao Zizai hummed softly as he studied the tavern with interest.
When he heard Ron call his name, he wasn't surprised.
He took a seat at the bar.
"So, you know me."
"Well," he chuckled, "this place clearly isn't in my world. If you can invite me, knowing my name is normal."
Ron nodded.
"My name is Ron. I'm the owner here. What would you like to drink?"
Xiao waved a hand.
"Anything. I'm not that interested in alcohol."
"I only accepted your invitation because I killed a man who deserved it. A drink is fitting for celebration."
His pupils flashed blood-red for a moment, satisfaction blooming on his face—
the release of a desire finally fed.
Yes, you only enjoy killing.
Especially spine extractions…
Ron mocked silently as he handed him a bottle of Maotai.
Xiao Zizai didn't bother with a glass.
He twisted the cap off and drank straight from the bottle.
The moment the liquor touched his tongue, his expression flickered—
surprise, followed by a soft laugh.
"So all the Maotai I drank before was fake."
"Compared to yours… utter garbage."
"Should find a reasonable excuse to kill some fake wine sellers. Break their limbs a bit. Teach them a lesson."
He lowered the bottle, slapped both cheeks sharply.
"No. Calm."
"Can't spoil my appetite. Must suppress the urge."
Ron watched his twisted expression with quiet understanding.
Xiao Zizai didn't kill for pleasure.
To him, killing was like hunger—
not necessary, but impossible to ignore forever.
So Ron changed the subject.
"You said you killed someone who deserved it. Zhao Guizhen?"
Xiao nodded.
"Yes. That water-brained idiot."
"He murdered seven children."
"Seven brilliant little lives, fragile as morning dew… gone.
And he worries about some shitty mystical spells?"
His voice grew more erratic, expression warping:
"So to let him experience the feeling of life slipping away, I gave him glucose and oxygen so he stayed conscious…"
"And then, bit by bit, I killed him. Lingchi first. Then I removed his spine—whole."
"A beautiful process. Like savoring a supreme delicacy."
Then he stopped.
Folded his hands.
And began chanting sutras.
Praying… mourning the dead children.
In that moment—
the monster vanished.
A compassionate monk sat in his place.
He dwelled in darkness, yet longed for the light.
He drifted between Buddha and demon, caught between his killing instinct and the law.
This…
was Xiao Zizai in his truest form.
After a few minutes, he finished his chant and quietly drank again.
Ron lit a cigarette.
"You're a contradiction."
Xiao replied evenly:
"I merely follow a proper procedure to eliminate the wicked."
"This way, I stabilize my mind—
and keep my killing urges under control."
It was his agreement with his master:
If it wasn't self-defense or slaying evil, he would not kill.
That thread of Buddha nature was the only reason Quanhe Group allowed him to stay.
"Wicked people," Ron murmured—an idea sparking.
"Quanhe isn't the right place for you."
He smiled.
"Why not stay in this world instead? Join the Navy."
"This sea is full of pirates. Evil men everywhere. You'll never run out."
"And you won't need to worry about losing control. Come by the tavern regularly— I'll suppress your urges."
Tomorrow Sengoku was coming to negotiate.
A perfect moment to introduce Xiao Zizai.
Ron also wanted to see—
what kind of storm a man like him would stir in the world of pirates.
If he became a high-ranking officer—
would he get along with Akainu?
Would he push the Navy into true reform?
Cleanse the sea faster?
If so…
this ocean would become far more entertaining.
Xiao fell silent.
It was his first time meeting Ron—
but the offer was too tempting.
His killing desire urged him to agree immediately.
But that lingering Buddha nature tugged him back.
After finishing the entire bottle, he finally spoke:
"I need to think."
"To be honest… I'm very tempted."
"Killing the occasional scum is like snacking on bread crumbs. Hardly satisfying."
Ron nodded.
"You have one night. I need your answer tomorrow."
Xiao Zizai stood, placed some bills on the bar, and left.
Ron watched his silhouette disappear into the distance—
and laughed softly.
In the countless worlds, perhaps everyone was a Xiao Zizai.
That distorted killing instinct—
was simply the exaggerated form of common desires:
lust, power, wealth…
Weren't those temptations the same as Xiao's inner demon?
Ron was about to close shop when—
A mechanical chime echoed in his mind.
The System.
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