Chapter 640 Become a Plagiarist Again in Another World

Several years had passed since they were chosen by the Reincarnation Game and sent to this place called the Soul Society.

Although Makoto wasn't by their side, the girls had all done quite well for themselves.

With the Nakiri sisters' cooking skills, Eriri's painting, Utaha's writing... they had made quite a name for themselves in the liveliest First District of the Rukongai.

The old thatched hut had long been replaced by a street-side shop and courtyard. The once anxious and uneasy faces now carried a bit more composure and confidence.

And today was the book signing event for the novel [Hokage], written by Utaha.

That's right, it was the version where the protagonists were adapted into 'Uzumaki Makoto' and 'Uchiha Utaha'.

This book had already been completed for several years in the real world, but now Utaha had brought it out again, changing worlds and selling it once more.

The street was lined with eager readers. Many had brought stools to save their spots before dawn. A few young people were arguing loudly, their faces red, over 'who bore more blame, Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzo?'.

Unohana, who had come here with Shinji, stood at the street corner, looking at the sea of people at the signing event from a distance, and couldn't help but remark, "It's rare to see such a lively scene in the Rukongai."

Shinji was about to respond when his gaze suddenly caught a familiar figure in the crowd. He blurted out, "Captain Yoruichi, you're here too?"

What came into view was a graceful figure wearing a Captain's Haori. The pure white haori hung over her shoulders, with the prominent '2' on the back revealing her identity.

The Captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, and the current head of the Shihoin Family, one of the Four Great Noble Houses… Shihoin Yoruichi.

Hearing the voice behind her, Shihoin Yoruichi turned around, revealing her petite yet shapely figure.

Her short purple hair shimmered with a soft luster under the sunlight. Her skin was a healthy wheat color. The corner of her mouth curved up like a lazy yet cunning cat.

When she saw Shinji and Unohana standing side by side, Yoruichi's eyes lit up. She walked over to them with light steps, her signature smirk curling up. "Yo~ Hana-nee, Captain Hirako. Are you here for the book signing too?"

"You read this book too?" Shinji raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.

"Of course! I'm a devoted fan!" Yoruichi gave a thumbs up.

She pulled out a well-worn copy of [Hokage] from her sleeve, its cover showing clear signs of repeated reading. "I think this volume, the Utaha Rescue Arc, is the best. Especially the scene where Uchiha Utaha spits blood on Uzumaki Makoto's face. It almost made me want to fall in love. Do you read it too, Captain Hirako?"

"I'm reading it, but not as obsessively as you."

Shinji scratched the back of his head, then added in a lower voice, "But I think Sakura is pretty good too. She's devoted to Utaha. The love between girls is beautiful as well."

Clearly, he had done some homework before coming.

"Isn't she just a plot device?"

Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively.

Even after finishing the first part, she still couldn't figure out what the point of Sakura's character was.

The appearance of three Captain-class figures at once quickly caused a stir among the civilians on site.

For them, even an ordinary Shinigami who had joined the Gotei 13 was already an unattainable existence. They would step aside whenever they saw a Shihakusho in the street.

And Captain-class figures were to them like the Celestial Dragons compared to non-affiliated nation citizens.

Utaha, sitting behind the signing table, paused her pen for a moment, raised her eyes, and glanced at the three Captains, silently thinking, 'So these are the pinnacle of power in this world?'

In the years they had spent in this world, they had completely figured out the basic structure of the Soul Society.

Based on the intelligence they had gathered so far, the Captains of the Gotei 13 were the highest level of power in the Soul Society, at least on the surface.

Nayuta, Kaguya, Hinata, and the other girls who ranked among the top tier in strength among the Mrs. Nishikawa, after sensing the immense Reiatsu radiating from the three Captains, were rapidly comparing in their minds:

How did their own power measure up against these people?

And at the same time, they couldn't help but think of that man.

If he were still here, they wouldn't even need to think about this kind of question.

Just then, a hand rested on Utaha's shoulder.

Yukino had somehow appeared behind her, her fingertips pressing lightly on her shoulder, a silent signal… don't act rashly.

Back in high school, Utaha hadn't liked Yukino very much.

But after all these years together in the One Piece and Soul Society Worlds, their relationship had eased considerably.

Utaha subtly withdrew the probing look in her eyes, picked up her pen again, and said calmly to the three Captains, "Even if you're Captains, you still have to wait in line."

The civilians waiting in line collectively gasped. A few fans standing at the front turned pale, frantically signaling her with their eyes.

Those were Captains, the absolute pinnacle of power and authority in the Soul Society, and Utaha was making them wait in line?

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, the three Captains had no objections to this.

After all, the three of them were among the more easygoing Captains.

If it had been the current Captain of the 11th Division, Kiganjo Kenpachi, with his violent temper, he would have at least started cursing even if he didn't draw his sword.

But then again, with Kiganjo Kenpachi's appearance, which looked like a wild gorilla, he didn't seem like the type to line up for a novel anyway.

Although the three Captains obediently went to the back of the line, the civilians standing nearby didn't dare to stand in front of them. They all turned pale and scattered to the sides.

So the three Captains quickly reached the front of the line.

Yoruichi was the most excited. She strode up to the signing table and handed over her nearly worn-out copy of [Hokage].

While Utaha was signing, Yoruichi leaned forward, her hands on the table, her golden eyes full of undisguised anticipation. "Hey, why don't you come stay at the Shihoin estate? That would probably help with your writing, right? My family's library is the most complete in all the Soul Society. It's quiet and undisturbed. Room and board included—"

Yoruichi was already planning her next steps: first, trick this author into her home, feed her well, then lock her in a small room and force her to write novels every day.

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline." Utaha didn't even look up, her pen tracing the two words [Kasumi Utako] on the title page.

"How could you—"

Yoruichi deflated like a punctured balloon.

Then Unohana stepped forward, gently placing the first volume of [Hokage] she had just bought on the table, and said with a smile:

"What an interesting story. Was it inspired by the living world?"

Utaha looked up and met her gaze. The other's eyes were warm and gentle, yet fathomlessly deep.

Kasumigaoka nodded slightly. "Something like that."

The two of them chatted idly.

Meanwhile, Unohana'ss gaze also discreetly swept over the girls behind Utaha, who were either sitting or standing, each with their own demeanor.

They were indeed, as rumored, a group of stunningly beautiful women.

At the same time, although only a few girls, Saeko, the Kocho sisters, and Nishikawa Hiyori, were standing guard with swords at the moment…

As one of the most senior veterans in the Gotei 13, Unohana could tell at a glance that many of the seemingly delicate girls without weapons were also not ordinary.

The fact that they could meet her gaze without looking away was enough to show that these were no ordinary women.

Even if they weren't particularly strong in combat, they had at least seen the world.

'But why had so many impressive young women suddenly appeared?'

'And so coincidentally, all at the same time?'

'There hadn't been any major incidents with mass casualties in the Living World recently. This sudden influx of so many high-quality souls was truly abnormal.'

However, since she didn't sense any Hollow's Reiatsu from these women, Unohana didn't pry further.

She simply smiled, put away the signed book, said a soft "thank you," and stepped aside.

Just then, a rough man's voice came from the street corner, startling everyone: "Hey! Busujima! I'm going to fight you to the death today!"

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice.

A burly middle-aged man with messy black long hair, carrying a large jagged Zanpakuto on his shoulder, was striding over.

On his other shoulder sat a pink-haired little girl, bouncing with each step, her face full of carefree laughter.

"Yo! We're here to play with you guys again!"

Kusajishi Yachiru waved at the girls with a smile, her voice high-pitched and childish.

Seeing this arrival, Unohana's expression visibly changed for a moment.

But within less than half a second, her gaze quickly reined in, returning to its usual gentle calm.

Reze stood with her hands on her hips, chin raised, and scoffed at Zaraki, "Hey, Zaraki-san, you're not falling for Saeko, are you? Sorry, but we already have someone we like."

"Ha?"

Zaraki Kenpachi… no, at this point, the man only had the surname 'Zaraki'. He hadn't yet obtained the name 'Kenpachi'.

Upon hearing Reze's words, Zaraki looked as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke, his face twisting exaggeratedly as he said:

"What are you brats talking about? I just want a good fight with this girl! Hey— You feel the same way, don't you?"

With that, Zaraki raised his chin toward Saeko, his grin, combined with the scar on his face, looking even more ferocious.

There was no romantic interest in his eyes, only pure fighting spirit.

It started about a year ago.

A group of reckless thugs had come looking for trouble, coveting the theater actresses, Ichika and Mai.

Then Saeko killed them.

Coincidentally, Zaraki and Yachiru had passed by that day and saw Saeko standing in a pool of blood, showing that calm and satisfied smile.

Zaraki immediately sensed a kindred spirit.

That was the smile of someone who enjoyed battle as much as he did.

From then on, Zaraki would come looking for her to spar whenever he was free.

Seeing this, Saeko instinctively wanted to refuse.

Although fighting this man, who shared her battle-freak nature, was indeed exhilarating,

With three Gotei 13 Captains present,

It would be very hard for her to fully control her instincts and power in a fight against someone of Zaraki's caliber.

If she accidentally used abilities like the Three Haki, which didn't belong to this world, and raised the Captains' suspicions, the consequences would be hard to manage.

After all, against an opponent like Zaraki, her body often reacted faster than her mind.