Mirai's brain was working very fast. He looked at Captain Unohana's kind smile. He felt like he was in a very dangerous situation.
He was not fooled by her kind look or her healing power. He knew she became a Captain during a very violent time.
She fought until she became the "First Kenpachi." Her mind was definitely as sharp as her Zanpaku-tō.
She was very good at watching people. She could see what was in their hearts. Her skills could save a person or send them to a bad place.
Mirai needed a story that made sense. It had to make the theme of his book sound important.
He could not just say it was all from his imagination. He organized his words and thought carefully about every sentence.
After a moment, he spoke slowly. He tried to sound like an honest writer sharing his ideas.
"Actually, the story of The Killer is based on what I saw in the back districts of Rukongai. I thought a lot about that special environment."
He stopped for a moment. He looked at Retsu Unohana. She kept her eyes narrowed in a smile. He did not know if she believed him.
This smile put too much pressure on him. Mirai felt very scared.
He looked at Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. That Captain seemed easier to trick. He continued his explanation.
"I personally have never gone into those far Rukongai districts. Because I do not know them well, I imagine many things about them."
"I thought that in a place with no order, someone like 'Asahana' would naturally be born. This happens where only the basic laws of survival matter."
He did not give many details about the place. Then he talked about the main point.
"As for why I used the name 'Asahana'..." Mirai's voice became calm.
"The plant called 'Asahana' grows in very difficult places. Its stems and leaves have hard thorns shaped like hooks. If people or animals touch them, they get cut and bleed easily."
He stopped for a moment to let them think about that image. Then he changed the topic.
"However, this plant seems mean and makes people stay away. But it can grow very beautiful white flowers at certain times."
He looked up at the two Captains. He spoke a little louder.
"I did not write this story just to show how sharp the thorns are or how scary the blood can be."
"I wanted to show that in the cruel places of outer Rukongai, there might be people like the 'Asahana' plant. They struggle to survive in hard conditions."
"In the end, they grow with a special beauty. Even if that beauty is hard for others to understand or seems dangerous."
He finished with a point about society. He looked very sincere.
"I hope this story makes the people of Seireitei care more. We should not give up on the souls living in those areas. They have parts of them that are important."
Mirai finished speaking and was quiet. He slowly picked up his cold tea and took a small drink.
His throat moved as he swallowed. He used the act of drinking tea to hide his nervousness.
He thought this should work. He did not just explain the name.
He turned "killing" into a way to survive in hard places. He called it a special beauty. He even added a meaning about helping society.
This logic was strong. It seemed enough to trick them. The room was quiet for a few seconds.
Retsu Unohana did not speak. She picked up her tea cup and took a slow drink. Her eyelashes were low, so her eyes were hidden.
Kuruyashiki Kenpachi rubbed his hair hard. He looked confused. He thought it made sense, but he also felt something was wrong.
Deep meanings were not his style. He probably only cared if the fight in the book was good.
Kensei Muguruma broke the silence. The Ninth Division Captain had a proud smile.
He nodded hard. He looked at Mirai with a lot of praise.
"Well said, Mirai!"
He turned to Unohana and Kuruyashiki. His tone became serious.
"Mirai's words are very smart. The Gotei 13 should think about how we manage the outer Rukongai districts. I will find a chance to report this to the Captain-Commander."
He looked back at Mirai with happy eyes.
"You are right. We cannot simply give up on the souls in those back districts."
He even started to judge himself.
"I used to think the books you wrote were just... well, strange stories for children. They did not seem real at all."
He paused, and his voice became more honest.
"Now I see I was wrong. Your new book is very deep! I'll go buy a copy of The Killer in Rinrinan later and read it!"
"Thank you for your understanding, Captain." Mirai put down his cup and bowed a little.
He kept a humble smile. But inside, he was annoyed.
He thought to himself that Captain Kensei was not the problem. He needed to get past the dangerous woman sitting next to him who was smiling and drinking tea.
He knew that Kensei's approval might not mean anything to her. Retsu Unohana put down her cup gently.
She still had that perfect, kind smile. She looked at Mirai and her voice was soft.
"So the name 'Asahana' has such a beautiful and tough meaning. That is very impressive."
She nodded as if she believed the explanation. Then she changed the topic like an excited reader.
"Now I am even more excited for the next part of the story. 5th Seat Mirai, please make sure to keep writing."
Mirai felt a chill. Something was wrong. He did not like her tone or her look.
He could not find a mistake, but his gut told him she did not believe a word he said. He had to change the subject immediately.
Mirai put on a forced smile and laughed.
"Oh, Captain Unohana, you think too highly of me. Writing the next part is not that easy."
He sighed and began to complain.
"My style of writing uses fighting and killing as a way to show meanings."
"It requires a very understanding of battle, life and death, and how people act in extreme situations."
He held out his hands and looked innocent.
"But look at me. I am just a normal member of the Ninth Division. I mostly do paperwork and work in the prison. How could I see high-level combat?"
"I want to write it, but I do not have the ability. The progress is slow. Please understand, I need time to think..."
"That's easy!" Kuruyashiki Kenpachi hit his leg and laughed.
"You haven't seen real battle? You want material? Just follow the 11th Division on missions for a few days!"
He looked at Mirai with a lot of energy and gave an invitation.
"Lately, I do not know what is happening in the World of the Living. Many people are dying, and the soul energy is strange."
"The 11th Division and the 13th Division go there often to help. The 13th Division handles the souls. We handle the Hollows."
He liked the idea more as he talked.
"You come with us! You can watch from a safe distance!"
"See what a human battlefield looks like! See how we Shinigami handle things! That is real information!"
"I bet after you watch a few fights, your inspiration will come rushing in!"
Mirai looked at the excited Kuruyashiki. He could not speak.
He thought to himself that Captain Kuruyashiki was interfering in things that were not his business.
He had only complained a little. He did not want a field trip.
He looked at his own Captain for help. The Ninth Division handled prisons. Killing Hollows was a different job.
He hoped the Captain would use his authority to say no.
Kensei Muguruma saw Mirai's look. He thought about it.
He crossed his arms and rubbed his chin. He was thinking about the choice seriously.
A moment later, he looked at Mirai. He spoke like a Captain giving an order.
"Hmm... Captain Kuruyashiki has a point. It is hard to write a work if you just stay inside. Since it is for your writing and a rare chance to train..."
He made his decision.
"Mirai, you will temporarily follow the 11th Division to the World of the Living for a few days to observe and learn. Stay safe and follow orders."
Mirai opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He could only stare at his Captain.
He felt like his Captain had just given him away.