Unohana looked at Maki, who was sitting on the ground. She could clearly see he was bleeding, but then in an instant, his wound closed and healed itself without leaving a trace. She smiled, her expression both creepy and beautiful.
"You're really my type," she said. "But are you worthy of me?"
Maki still looked drowsy, as if he might puke at any moment. He slowly raised his head and said, "Hey, you're going too far now. You almost hurt me."
Unohana looked at him and replied, "Then play with me. I know you want to have some fun."
"Fun? Of course I want to have fun," Maki said, his head lowered. "But what's the price?"
Unohana chuckled softly. "If you ever satisfy me, then I'm yours."
Everyone was completely shocked by the two of them. It felt like they were watching some bizarre love story unfold, and no one could protest or say anything because they could feel the shift in the atmosphere.
Then Maki raised his head and tilted it to the side. "What? You'll be mine? But aren't you already mine? No, let's change it. If I win, hehe~ I'll be eating you, and you'll have to call me daddy." He pointed his index finger at Unohana.
The girls gasped at his words and actions. They all turned their heads toward Unohana, silently wondering what she would say.
Slowly, Unohana replied in her cold voice, "Only if you win."
The girls were stunned. Unohana had actually agreed.
Then they heard Maki laugh.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha—"
He stood up.
"Better not forget what you said, honey—"
Once again, they slammed their palms against their foreheads at this strange conversation between the two. Unohana calling someone younger than her "daddy"? That was a really… really absurd and unbelievable idea.
They watched as Maki cracked his neck.
"I see you use swords now… that's really dangerous," Maki said. "But did you know I also have a weapon? Do you want to know its name?"
Unohana grew curious. "Tell me."
"It's called—"
Maki whispered his words.
"Materialize for me… Santa Teresa."
His voice echoed throughout the silent clearing. As he spoke the name of his sword, red-like particles condensed in the air above him. Slowly, two large crescent-moon-shaped blades appeared in front of him. He stretched out his hand and grabbed the middle of the polearm.
They heard him speak again, his voice almost reverent.
"Do you see this beautiful creation? Its head is like a living moon, made of two large crescent blades fused together at their backs. It's telling you that, there are always different sides to everything. Good and evil. Evil and good. Life and death. Death and life. It represents reality, my love. Its long shaft shows how one's lifestyle must go on. But these chains attached to it are a symbol that, as we live, we are bound by the chains of fate."
"So tell me, why is this sword named Santa Teresa? Is it because its blades are like those of a mantis? Honey, what do you think?" Maki asked Unohana.
Unohana simply stared at the Zanpakutō in his hand, her smile widening. Slowly, the braided hair resting on her chest loosened and fell, flowing freely and revealing the scar across her chest. She no longer looked like a motherly figure. She looked like a beautiful widow, her hair cascading down.
She looked at Maki and said, "At first, I couldn't really believe it… but you… you're really an Arrancar… "
Every one of them heard Unohana's words clearly.
"W-what did Mother say?" Isane asked, shocked by the revelation.
"H-he's an A-Arrancar…" Gion repeated.
"T-that's impossible," Monet said, staring at the man holding the crescent-moon sword as tall as himself.
Black Maria's eyes gleamed with desire as she looked at the man before her. No question needed — she wanted him… really, really wanted him.
"W-wait. If he's an Arrancar, then how can he use Chakra?" Konan asked.
That question made them fall silent once again. The bewilderment deepened.
"That only means one thing… he has a d-double A-Authority," Mabui said, clearly shaken by the discovery.
"T-that's impossible. N-no one in history has ever had a double Authority," Nejire said, covering her mouth with her hand.
"S-sister… don't tell me you knew this all along? Is that why you were going so far just for him?" Soi Fon asked.
Yoruichi smiled faintly.
"I was curious from the very first moment I saw him. And you're all right — he does possess two Authorities. And if you want to know why I was chasing him, it wasn't because of that. I wouldn't lower myself for such a thing. It's because he's different, and—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Then she smiled at the others. "Why don't you discover it yourselves? It's more interesting that way."
They stared at her, then turned their attention back to the battle.
Their minds raced with countless possibilities — a man with two Authorities, and most of all, a male Arrancar.
They gulped at his serene beauty and at the weight of what he truly was.
Maki stared at his sword.
Then, using his right hand, he gripped the end of Santa Teresa's polearm and swung it down toward the ground.
Buuuuuuuuuuuz—
The downward slice produced a sharp whistling sound.
He looked at Unohana and said, "Honey, are you ready? I'm really not good with swords, but I won't lose the bet. So forgive me for being ignorant."
Unohana had already lost herself. She wanted to fight him. She wanted him more than anything else.
"your the one," she replied. "Don't worry, because I'm still going to be the one who wins."
"Then please go easy on me. It's my first time," Maki said sarcastically.
"Don't worry. I'll guide you deep within," Unohana answered.
The rest of them could only stare, watching their roleplay and the inappropriate words exchanged — words that shouldn't belong in this kind of battle.