"Looking for something?" Sekibanki taunted, her voice echoing ominously in the dim alley as the Templar whipped around, startled by the floating head that hovered just out of reach.

The Templar stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief, but before he could utter a word, Sekibanki's body surged from the darkness. Her form was a blur of movement as she closed the distance with uncanny speed, tackling him to the ground with an agility that caught him completely off guard.

With a quick twist, she pinned him down, pressing his face against the cobblestones. The Templar struggled beneath her, but Sekibanki's strength was deceptive; he was no match for her. "You're not going anywhere," Sekibanki hissed, securing his arms with her own as she straddled him.

As she held him down, she summoned more of her heads to float around them, each one a replica of her own, watching him with gleaming red eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. "You see, I have a few tricks up my sleeve," she smirked, her neck twisting in a serpentine fashion as she leaned closer to his ear. "And right now, you're my captive audience."

The Templar growled, attempting to free himself, but Sekibanki tightened her grip, feeling the adrenaline surging within her. "Struggling won't help you," she warned, shifting her weight to keep him pinned. "Now, let's talk about that envelope you received."

With the replicas of her head circling ominously above him, he stared back, a dawning realization hitting him: he was outmatched. "You'll regret this," he spat defiantly, his voice a mix of bravado and uncertainty.

"Regret? Hardly," she replied, grinning wider, the dim light catching the glint in her eyes. The weight of the Templars' plans pressed down on her—she could already envision the chaos their machinations would unleash if she failed to extract the information. "Now, tell me what's inside that envelope, and maybe I won't have to give you a proper introduction to my other heads."

He struggled against her grip, but his resolve was beginning to crack. The adrenaline coursed through Sekibanki as she relished his growing panic. She could sense the tension radiating from him, a familiar determination that marked those entrenched in the Templar's cause. But as she prepared to press him for answers, something caught her attention—a glint of silver flashed from his mouth, hidden and ready to be activated at a moment's notice.

Realization struck her like a lightning bolt. "Oh no, you don't!" she growled, adrenaline surging through her veins. Without hesitation, she jabbed her fingers into his mouth, forcing it open with unexpected ferocity. The Templar gasped in shock, his eyes widening in horror as Sekibanki was relentless in her pursuit.

"Say 'ahh'!" she mocked, yanking the small, deadly cyanide pill out, the object gleaming menacingly between her fingers. "Not today! You're not getting out of this that easily."

The Templar sputtered, his expression shifting from anger to disbelief. "You'll regret this, you—"

"Save it," Sekibanki snapped, tossing the pill aside as it clattered against the cobblestones. Each second spent here could lead to disaster for the Assassins if the Templar's plans came to fruition. "Now, you're going to tell me everything you know about that envelope." She tightened her grip, ready to force him to reveal the Templars' plans.

Realizing he had lost his advantage, the Templar's expression shifted from bravado to a calculating calm. "You think you can intimidate me? This isn't over," he said, his voice low and steady, though the tremor in his body betrayed him.

"Oh, I don't need to intimidate you," Sekibanki replied, her lips curling into a smirk. "I just need to make you uncomfortable enough to talk. You're going to spill the details, or we can do this the hard way."

She leaned in closer, her breath ghosting over his skin as she maintained her grip, the alley feeling increasingly claustrophobic, the shadows closing in around them. Sekibanki reveled in his discomfort, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I can make this very painful for you, but I'd rather not waste my time. Just tell me what's in that envelope."

For a heartbeat, the Templar hesitated, calculating his next move. But the weight of the situation pressed on him, and cold sweat trickled down his brow. "You won't get anything from me," he hissed defiantly, though the tremor in his voice betrayed the uncertainty lurking beneath his bravado.

Sekibanki rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Suit yourself. But if you don't talk, I can think of a few ways to make you regret it." She lifted one of her other heads slightly, grinning mischievously, letting it hover just above him, its gaze boring into him with unnerving intensity.

"Fine!" he finally spat, his resolve crumbling like a house of cards. "Just—just let me go. I'll tell you what you want to know."

Sekibanki tilted her head, feigning innocence. "That's more like it. Now, what's in the envelope?"

"The letter details our plan to escalate the unrest against the Shogunate," he said, his voice shaky as he quickly glanced around to ensure they were still alone. "We intend to shift the public's anger towards Naosuke, making him the scapegoat for all their frustrations."

Sekibanki's grip tightened as she felt the tension in his body. The implications of his words sent a chill through her—if the Templars succeeded in their scheme, it could ignite chaos across the region, placing her allies at risk. "And why do you want to do that?"

"Because chaos works in our favor," he explained, desperation creeping into his voice. "With Naosuke painted as the enemy, the people will be more susceptible to our influence. It will weaken the Shogunate, making it easier for us to—"

"To what? Gain control?" Sekibanki interrupted, her tone sharp, a hint of mockery lacing her words. "You really think the Templars are some kind of saviors?"

He narrowed his eyes, frustration bubbling over. "We seek order in a time of chaos. The people need direction, and the Shogunate is failing them. We simply provide an alternative."

"An alternative that involves manipulation and deception?" Sekibanki sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How noble of you."

"Enough!" he snapped, his patience fraying. "Just let me finish! The envelope has instructions for mobilizing our agents, aligning them with the protests. It's all planned out!"

Sekibanki's heart raced with the weight of this information, but she held her composure. "Good," she said, satisfied but still holding him tightly. "Now, where is it? I want that envelope."

He hesitated again, weighing his options, panic flaring in his eyes. "I can't just give it to you. If I do, they'll know I talked."

Sekibanki leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that sent shivers down his spine. "You won't be able to warn them if you're on the ground, unconscious. I can make this very quick. Or you can simply hand it over and walk away. Your choice."

The Templar swallowed hard, the reality of his predicament sinking in deeper. "It's in a safe house, a few blocks from here. I'll give you the address, just don't hurt me," he finally relented, desperation spilling from his lips.

"Smart choice," Sekibanki said, releasing her grip slightly but keeping him under control. "Now, tell me the address."

As he recited the location, Sekibanki felt a thrill of triumph coursing through her. This was just the information Léopold needed, and she would secure the details. Yet, a nagging doubt crept in, the earlier tension rekindling as her instincts whispered that something was off.

Was it possible that she had fallen for a trap? A sudden chill coursed through her, a ghost of uncertainty. The Templar had portrayed himself as a low-ranking lackey, but how much of that was true? The way he had clung to his secrets and then, just as quickly, capitulated sent a flicker of doubt through her.

With the address committed to memory, she gave him a final, scornful look, her victory palpable in the air. "You're lucky I don't have time to deal with you further. Now get out of my sight."

He scrambled to his feet, dusting himself off with a mixture of fear and anger as he hurriedly retreated down the alley, glancing back at her, the shadow of her multiple heads lingering ominously in his mind.

As Sekibanki watched him go, she felt a surge of exhilaration from the confrontation, but the unease gnawed at her. "Like a doomed spy, perhaps," she muttered under her breath, recalling the teachings of Sun Tzu that she had overheard in passing. The thought of the Templar being nothing more than a pawn in a greater game began to gnaw at her.

The Templars were cunning; they had been known to set up decoys. She couldn't shake the feeling that this whole encounter was too convenient. She resolved to investigate further, determined to uncover any hidden motives. With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed the floating heads, focusing on the address she had obtained.

"Time to pay a visit," she said, her voice a low growl of determination. The stakes were rising, and she couldn't afford to be complacent. The Templars might not expect a youkai to show up at their door, but she would ensure they would remember her name.