Unohana extended a hand and said softly, "Can I see it?"
Seinosuke Yamada quickly and respectfully handed the novel to her.
Retsu Unohana took the small book, which gave off an ominous feeling, and slowly flipped to the first page.
Her gaze fell upon the preface poem titled "Blood Flower"—
Part 1: Blood Flower
At the end of the river paved with skeletons
I heard
The sound of the first flower bud opening
It was the soft sound of a neck bone snapping
— Asahana
The moment her eyes touched those few lines of text!
Buzz—!
Retsu Unohana's pupils shrank instantly!
Her body stiffened for a tiny fraction of a second!
These words... this imagery!
"Skeletal river," "Blood flower," "the soft sound of a neck bone snapping"...
These words acted like keys, suddenly prying open memories she had kept buried for a thousand years!
Countless bloody scenes and the screams of battle from the era of "Yachiru Unohana," which had been buried by time, almost broke through the gentle mask she had worn for a millennium!
This is...?!
Luckily, a thousand years of time had given her more than just power. It had given her absolute control over her emotions and Spiritual Pressure.
That moment of losing her composure disappeared before it could spread, forced down by a deeper calm.
Her expression didn't show even a tiny crack. She remained as gentle and peaceful as ever.
Her fingertip lightly brushed over the last two characters of the poem. In a voice only she could hear, she whispered:
"Asahana...?"
Others might think the name sounded poetic and beautiful. But how could she, Retsu Unohana, not know?
"Asahana" was a delicate flower with white, jagged petals that bloomed in early April.
And the name "Asahana" was a direct hint toward—Unohana (The flower of April)!
She narrowed her eyes, which were usually full of smiles.
There were only a few Captains currently in the Gotei 13 who knew about her past.
As for those nobles who knew the truth...
With their lack of courage and their way of doing things, it was impossible for them to put these things into writing and show them to the public.
With a snap, she gently closed the novel. Her eyes fell on the two characters of the author's name on the cover—"Shika."
She looked up at Seinosuke Yamada. Her tone was still gentle, but it held a hint of a question that couldn't be ignored:
"This... who is he?"
Yamada didn't have time to answer.
A female squad member nearby, who was clearly a fan of the author, couldn't hold back her excitement. She spoke first, her voice full of worship:
"Captain! The author is Mirai from Squad 9! He is known as the 'Soul Society's Most Beautiful Noble' and has the 'Most Beautiful Zanpakutō'!"
"Yes, yes! He is Mirai, the 5th Seat of Squad 9! His writing and stories are truly amazing!"
"Oh? Is that so..."
Unohana listened to her squad members chatter. Her face once again wore a perfect, gentle smile like a flower, and she nodded in agreement.
However, beneath her lowered eyelids, a very dangerous light flashed for a moment.
Mirai... 5th Seat of Squad 9... Most beautiful noble of Soul Society...
Heh, it seems... I need to find some time to "visit" him personally.
She whispered this in her heart.
Mirai, who was humming a tune as he walked toward the "Maple tavern, had no idea that the "Killer" he wrote about in his book was already looking at him.
And she was planning to come and talk to him soon.
As soon as he stepped over the tavern's threshold, he felt two very strong gazes lock onto him.
He turned toward the familiar corner and saw Shunsui Kyōraku and Shinji Hirako.
Both were staring at him with eyes that said, "You finally showed your face."
A warm smile immediately appeared on Mirai's face as he walked forward quickly:
"Oh! Captain Shunsui! Captain Shinji! What a coincidence, you two are drinking here too?"
As he spoke, he naturally pulled out a chair and sat down. At the same time, he shouted toward the counter with a loud voice:
"Boss! Bring two bottles of the best 'Spiritual Sake' first! And clear all my previous tabs too!"
He pulled out his money bag and put it directly on the table. He spoke in an "arrogant" way: "Take it all. Keep the extra here and tell me when it's gone!"
With his nose in the air, he didn't look like a "noble" at all. If anyone overheard him, rumors would have started the next day.
"Coming, Mr. Mirai, please wait a moment!" The boss's voice was more enthusiastic than ever. He quickly brought two precious bottles of "Spiritual Sake" and even some extra fancy appetizers.
After setting down the food and drink, he took a new copy of The Killer of Meteor Alley from his shirt and handed it to Mirai with both hands.
"Mr. Mirai, um... could I trouble you for an autograph? These snacks are a small gift from the shop. Please accept them!"
"No problem!" Mirai waved his hand, took the book and pen, and signed his name with a stylish flourish.
After sending away the grateful boss, Mirai finally picked up a bottle of Spiritual Sake and filled his own glass. He smiled and raised his glass to the two Captains:
"Captains, don't just watch! Come on, it's my treat today! Let's drink until we're under the table!"
"Hmph!" Shinji Hirako rudely grabbed the other bottle of Spiritual Sake and filled his glass. He curled his lip and said in his lazy tone:
"I thought you made a lot of money and grew eyes on top of your head. I thought you were hiding from the tavern and didn't contact me... Do you look down on your Captain?"
Shunsui Kyōraku also smiled and took the bottle Mirai had just opened. He poured a cup for himself. He narrowed his eyes and said as if it were a casual comment:
"Speaking of which, the book Killer has been selling very well lately. You're getting both fame and money~"
He lightly swirled his glass. His tone was still lazy, but it held a hint of deep meaning that was hard to notice:
"However, I'm quite curious... did such a terrifying 'Killer' really exist in that 'The Killer of Meteor City' you wrote about?"
Just as he finished speaking, his glass was filled to the brim.
Then, he acted as if nothing happened and gently placed the bottle back on the table. He naturally pointed the nozzle toward Mirai and pushed it over.
He just looked at Mirai with a smile, waiting for an answer, while his index finger rubbed the edge of his glass.
Next to him, Shinji also raised his glass to his mouth and looked over with a sideways glance.