Chapter 45: I’m Tired, Let’s Silence Him!

Everyone has their own little hobbies—often strange, sometimes downright perverse—and most of them must never be revealed to outsiders.

Like the girl who once used a “leg-grab spin landing kill” to wipe out an entire town… just for a stack of BL comics. Police, bystanders—no one was spared.

Or the poor boy who enjoyed dressing as a girl for private livestreams, only to discover at a fan meet that his biggest fan was… his own father. Alive, yes—but socially dead forever.

That was exactly how Kano Chiharu felt now.

She had spent her entire life cultivating the image of a noble lady, the pride and dignity of the Kano family. And yet—her secret little hobby had just been discovered. Worse, by someone she actually knew. For Chiharu, this was absolute, inescapable social death.

The steel naginata in her delicate hands creaked under her grip. A fierce gleam flashed behind her glasses.

There was no choice. Only one solution remained.

Silence the witness.

Yamabuki Haruto was blissfully unaware of the danger closing in on him. He was still rambling about the Gotei 13’s “amazing benefits” and “sincere, loving comrades.”

Meanwhile, Chiharu silently raised her naginata.

Haruto turned, smiling:

“So, Lady Kano—would you like to join the Gotei Thir—HOLY—!?”

He barely drew his Zanpakutō in time, blocking her downward strike. The sheer force drove him to one knee, arms trembling as if they’d snap.

“Sister, are you insane?! If you don’t like the benefits package, we can negotiate!” Haruto shouted.

But he knew—if this was a real fight, he didn’t stand a chance. Chiharu’s strike carried power on par with a Captain’s. A deadly battle meant his end.

Her cheeks flushed like a scolded young wife.

“You… saw everything, didn’t you?”

“L-look…”

“You really did! And you admitted it!” she snapped, pressing harder.

Haruto’s muscles bulged. How is she this strong?!

“Look, I didn’t see anything! I was just passing by! You have to believe me—I didn’t see you kill anyone!”

Her glasses gleamed white.

“If you didn’t see… how do you know I killed them?”

Damn. Slipped up.

“I-I did see! But it’s no big deal! It’s not like I caught you bathing! Those men were bandits—you acted in self-defense! I’ll testify for you! Just… put the naginata down, okay?”

For a moment, Chiharu lowered her blade. Haruto exhaled—only for her to suddenly swing again, the naginata’s arc glowing like rippling light.

Haruto dove aside. The strike gouged a trench into the ground, spiritual pressure tearing the earth apart. If that had hit him, he’d be paste.

“Calm down! Impulse is the devil! It’s just a few dead guys, right? I kill for fun all the time! Keep this up and I’ll get angry! And when I’m angry—even I’m scared of me!”

But Chiharu wasn’t listening. She had decided: only one of them was leaving alive.

In that case… retreat is best!

Haruto prided himself on his speed—few could match his shunpo. Unfortunately, Chiharu was one of those few. Her steps mirrored his, her spiritual pressure pressing heavier.

Fine, if I can’t run, I’ll fight back. If the tiger doesn’t roar, you’ll mistake me for a housecat!

He spun, gripped his Zanpakutō, and lunged at full speed. Chiharu’s eyes widened slightly—then she answered with a two-handed swing.

Steel rang. Their positions flipped. Sparks flew.

Haruto staggered, his arm numb. She hadn’t even broken a sweat.

This isn’t a girl. This is a demon in disguise. I can’t win. I’m out!

“Meow.” He admitted: I’m a sick cat.

Turning, he bolted.

Not far away, Kano Chimaru stirred awake, her neck throbbing.

“Huh? Where’s my sister?” she mumbled.

The driver wept. “The head of the family stayed behind with the bandits! I’m racing back to Seireitei for help!”

Chimaru’s eyes widened. “No! Turn back! I can fight too—I’m part of the Gotei 13—”

But before she could finish, a familiar figure blurred past. Chimaru squinted, then brightened.

“Instructor! It’s you!”

Yamabuki Haruto appeared beside the carriage.

“Chimaru? Sounding lively—guess you’ve recovered. Training tomorrow!”

“Instructor, wait—my sister—!”

“Your sister? She’s chasing me right now! If I stop, she’ll chop me in half! Anyway, don’t forget training tomorrow!” And then he was gone.

A heartbeat later, Kano Chiharu landed in front of the carriage, her naginata carving a trench that left the driver and Chimaru pale.

Chimaru gasped. “Sister… you’re so powerful! I never knew!”

Chiharu smiled gently. “Chimaru, go home first. I have something to finish. I’ll be back soon.”

Then she vanished again, chasing Haruto.

Sweat ran down Haruto’s brow. No good. She’s gaining. Her reiatsu’s heavier.

He skidded to a halt, leveled his Zanpakutō.

“Since you force me this far… I’ll unleash my sealed power! Come, woman! Let’s settle this like true warriors!”