Chapter 32: The Dark Sparrow
"Secret?"
After his initial 'shock,' Su Xiao entered a state of calm, completely avoiding the topic of Komamura Sajin's death, as if the man's demise had no effect on him. If Su Xiao were truly just a researcher, that might indeed be the case.
"I'll tell you quietly."
Nan Que leaned closer to Su Xiao, and he caught a faint fragrance—the scent of some summer flower from the Soul Society, a fresh, floral aroma.
"I overheard this by chance. Apparently, among the suspects for Captain Aizen's death, you rank fifth."
"..."
Su Xiao looked at Nan Que with 'surprise.' This wasn't an act; he was genuinely puzzled. The situation had only two possibilities: either Nan Que was lying, or someone was making wild guesses.
But soon, Su Xiao figured out why such rumors existed. He hadn't been in Seireitei long, and when Aizen was murdered, the first to be suspected would naturally be newcomers.
Second, Su Xiao had close contact with Aizen, which could also be seen as him creating opportunities to assassinate Aizen.
Understanding these two points, Su Xiao relaxed, though his expression remained unchanged.
"There's certainly reason to suspect me. After all, I've only just arrived in Seireitei."
"..."
Seeing Su Xiao's reaction, a hint of disappointment flickered deep in Nan Que's eyes. This wasn't the response she wanted.
"Lord Bai Ye, should we visit the scene of Captain Komamura Sajin's murder..."
"What for?"
"Eh... well..."
Nan Que scratched her head.
"I'm not familiar with him. Aizen's death hasn't been cleared up yet, so I don't have time to deal with that matter for now."
"That... does seem to be the case."
Nan Que stood up, smoothing the wrinkles in her shihakusho.
"Lord Bai Ye, rest assured. I'll protect your safety."
She puffed out her chest, returning to her usual cheerful demeanor.
"Don't worry. I don't want to die yet, so I won't go out at night. I thought Seireitei was peaceful, but it seems that's not the case."
After chatting for a while, Nan Que left the room. Su Xiao's smile faded. From the moment he first saw her, he knew something was off about this girl.
Nan Que felt too familiar. Though her disguise was decent, her aura was very similar to someone he had encountered not long ago. In fact, Nan Que's temperament matched that of the Little Assistant by over 40%.
Their temperaments wouldn't be identical, but anything over 20% would give a familiar feeling. Over 80% would only occur with twin sisters.
According to Su Xiao's known information, Nan Que was talented but timid at critical moments, which is why she wasn't given important tasks.
Of course, that was just her surface profile. When Su Xiao was on Blue Star, he knew the Little Assistant's personality inside out. She was cheerful, sometimes had a brain freeze, but as a soldier, she possessed a toughness and courage most men lacked.
The Little Assistant could shoot an enemy in the head without flinching, then happily enjoy dinner the next moment, even cheering at a lavish meal, completely unfazed by the nearby corpse.
Nan Que's similarity to the Little Assistant wasn't in cheerfulness or brain freezes. It was in their indifference to the lives of enemies.
Su Xiao was certain Nan Que had killed many Shinigami or Hollows, mostly through assassination. Her bloodlust wasn't heavy, but no matter how she disguised herself, she couldn't completely change her habits.
For instance, when Nan Que picked up the water jug earlier, she first used her lips and tongue to extensively contact the water inside, checking for poison. The swallowing motion in her throat was purely habitual camouflage.
Don't think this is simple. Without professional training, it's impossible to do so naturally.
Proficient in assassination, always vigilant, able to fully disguise herself as another personality—Nan Que's affiliation with the Second Division was practically screaming out.
More importantly, if Nan Que didn't have these skills, would Yamamoto Genryusai and Unohana Retsu have assigned her to attend to Su Xiao's daily needs? Remember, even now, the two still hadn't let their guard down around Su Xiao.
If following a new contractor's mindset, Su Xiao should eliminate Nan Que as soon as possible. But he would never do that. In fact, Nan Que was his best cover.
Komamura Sajin had just died, and Nan Que immediately sought out Su Xiao, seemingly concerned, but in reality, she was observing. Only after confirming nothing was wrong did she leave.
It was precisely because of Nan Que's presence that Su Xiao's alibi was easier to verify. From her perspective, Su Xiao had been drinking in his room all night. She would never know that during dinner last night, three trackers had been added to her stomach. Who tampered with her food? Bubu Wang, of course.
Su Xiao could confirm Nan Que's location 24/7. Why would he risk exposure by eliminating her?
That night at 3 a.m., as Su Xiao slept soundly in bed, a slender figure approached the door. The figure was silent, not even making a faint footstep.
The figure lingered at the door for about ten minutes before leaving, as if it had never been there. Su Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
In the dark room, two pairs of eyes met. No verbal communication was needed. Bubu Wang stood up, merged into the environment, pushed open the door, and disappeared somewhere.
In a room within the First Division barracks.
"Captain-Commander, nothing unusual found for now."
"Hmm."
Only two words were spoken before the room fell into silence. Yamamoto Genryusai sat cross-legged on a straw mat, while Nan Que knelt on one knee not far before him.
Neither of them noticed that Bubu Wang was sitting right beside Yamamoto Genryusai, occasionally yawning.
"Dismissed."
Yamamoto Genryusai's eyes slightly opened. Nan Que acknowledged and withdrew. As she opened the door, Bubu Wang took the chance to leave the room.
Bubu Wang glanced at Nan Que. He had been sleeping soundly until this guy dragged him out.
Just as Bubu Wang was about to head back for more sleep, Nan Que walked out of the wooden building. Noticing this, Bubu immediately followed.
Nan Que was hard to track, but in the eyes of Bubu Wang, who excelled at stealth, she was just a kindergartener. Even half-asleep, Bubu could keep up with her.
Nan Que didn't want to be seen by other Shinigami. She slipped through alleys, heading toward the Second Division barracks.
Soon, she stopped between the First and Second Division barracks, near a water tower, as if waiting for someone.
With a whoosh, a figure appeared.
"Milady..."
Nan Que started to speak but was cut off: "Report directly. I'm busy."
The newcomer was a woman. Due to the darkness, Bubu Wang couldn't make out her face.
Bubu Wang's paw flipped, and a monocular night vision device appeared in his grip. He saw the woman's face clearly and started recording. He was about five meters from Nan Que, keeping that distance as a courtesy.
Bubu Wang recognized the woman. She was the captain of the Second Division, Soi Fon.
Nan Que was connected to Soi Fon. Su Xiao had guessed this from the start. The Second Division was the Onmitsukidō, or more pleasantly put, Seireitei's assassination unit.
Soi Fon was Nan Que's captain and the one who trained her.
"Based on my observations, Bai Ye's daily routine is very regular. Every day..."
After Nan Que reported for at least five minutes, Soi Fon waved her hand.
"That's all?"
Soi Fon seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
"Yes, Milady."
Hearing Soi Fon's displeased tone, Nan Que looked at a loss. She clutched the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"If there's anything important, report to the Captain-Commander first, then find a way to contact me."
Soi Fon turned to leave, but noticing the disappointment in Nan Que's eyes, she stopped and placed a hand on her head.
"Good work."
"Mm!"
Nan Que blushed inexplicably, nearly tearing the hem of her clothes.