"Not good! Konan, dodge!" shouted Yoruichi.
But Konan was too late to react. She only saw the shadow of a leg coming down toward her face.
The ladies saw Maki slightly jump and twist his body midair. Then his long leg slammed down toward Konan's stunned face.
But just as Maki's right leg was about to fall on Konan—
Whoosh...
A speed-light flash shone, and from that very spot, Konan was gone. Unohana was suddenly standing there instead, her zanpakutō back to normal. The blade met Maki's right leg. The black fabric of his pants was sliced through, but his pale leg wasn't.
They all stared in confusion. What just happened?
"Yoruichi flashed forward to save Konan," said Gion. "Then Mabui used her skill to transport Unohana."
"Remember, ladies, never let your guard down," Yoruichi said, explaining to the second-year students who hadn't seen clearly what had happened.
Then they all stared at the two figures in the center of the ground.
They saw the man whose leg met Unohana's zanpakutō use the very blade as a platform. He stepped on it and flipped backward, landing safely on the ground.
And as he flipped, they finally saw what he truly looked like. What kind of man he was.
In the sinkhole, they had only seen his back. It had been too dark to see his lowered head. Even when they were closer, they had only seen his long hair flowing down his back.
But now… it was entirely different.
They could see his face.
And what could they say? He was the definition of beauty in flesh.
His long dark hair gave him a delinquent edge. His eyes were drowsy, ruby red beneath half-lowered lids. His nose was high and perfectly shaped. His lips were cherry-like. His jaw was sharp. His face was flawless. Too flawless.
The ladies gulped. They were mesmerized, intoxicated just by looking at him. Even Konan, who had nearly been attacked, forgot what had happened and simply stared.
But Unohana and Maki weren't focused on that.
Unohana's true nature was leaking out.
And with his drowsy eyes, Maki could sense it.
With his deep voice, he said, "Who are you, lady?you're Sakki … it's really leaking."
[ Sakki (Killing Intent): ]
Unohana replied, "Then you must know why I'm here."
"Well, I would love to accompany you," Maki said, "but I need to make breakfast first. Nemu's going to work."
Unohana chuckled. "You're late. She has already gone to work."
She flashed toward him and stabbed her zanpakutō straight toward Maki's chest.
Unohana expected him to dodge.
But he didn't.
He just stood there.
The force and speed of her zanpakutō didn't slow—
Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing—
The sound of metal meeting metal echoed through the entire forest. Sparks flew.
The ladies watched. They didn't understand why he hadn't moved. Why he hadn't dodged.
They watched as the blade was about to pierce his chest—
But the tip stopped the moment it touched him.
Maki stood there, unmoving.
Then he slowly began walking toward Unohana. Her blade was being pushed back. She tried to force it forward, but he wouldn't budge at all. Sparks flew from the friction as she was gradually pushed back.
Unohana wasn't fighting at full strength. She was simply intrigued.
Finally, she pulled her sword back and sheathed it.
But Maki kept walking toward her.
It wasn't rushed. It was a slow stride, almost lazy.
Unohana stood at just over 5'2", which made Maki tower over her.
She watched him approach.
Then he bent down slightly and looked into her eyes.
With his deep voice, he said, "Come on now. I'm just three minutes late. Don't be angry."
Unohana stared at him. His eyes were cloudy and drowsy.
Then she felt his arms wrap around her waist.
He was hugging her.
Unohana didn't know what was happening. In her entire life, she had never experienced something like this.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body against his.
"Now… calm down," he murmured. "No need to get angry."
Unohana stared at his face so close to hers.
Then she saw him lean closer.
She was stunned.
She felt his lips peck her left cheek.
Unohana froze.
Then she snapped out of it. Her eyes widened fully as she stared at the man before her.
She didn't know what she felt.
But one thing was certain.
She was going to kill him.
"How dare you stain me… are you worthy?" she said coldly.
Suddenly, she pushed Maki away.
He was sent flying.
Yoruichi saw Unohana's odd reaction. She wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Just looking at Unohana's eyes said everything.
She was truly pissed.
That face would kill anyone who stood in her way.
Isane saw it too. She had only heard about this side of her mother, about her past—but now she was going to see it for herself.
"Don't interfere," Yoruichi warned the others.
Everyone could tell something was off. Unohana was releasing a strange, chilling aura.
They gulped. Her eyes were full of coldness and emptiness.
They watched Maki stand up.
"Why did you push me that hard?" he asked. "Wait, don't tell me… it's that month again? When you turn into a bloodthirsty dragon?"
Everyone slapped their foreheads at his foolishness.
Unohana replied coldly, "You're right. And you'd better fight back. Because I'll make you bleed enough to kill you."
Maki heard that and shook his head.
"Whoa. When did you get this wild? And bleed me?" He instinctively covered his private part with his right hand. "No. That's a really bad idea."
Everyone's mouths dropped open at the conversation.
Unohana didn't reply further.
She flash-stepped toward Maki and swung her sword at his waist.
Shreeeeeeek—
Unlike before, the blade and Maki's skin produced stronger friction. The zanpakutō sliced through his jacket, revealing his pale skin. The blade left a deep cut across his waist. The wound opened, and blood began to drip.
The force of Unohana's swing was so strong it tore into his flesh and sent him stumbling backward before he fell to the ground.
"She's really going to kill him," said Nejire.
"Aren't we going to intervene?" asked Monet.
"Mother…" Isane whispered, staring at Unohana.
Yoruichi didn't answer.
She just stared.
And clenched her fist.