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In the days that followed, Ishikawa enjoyed a rare period of leisure.
Of course, this leisure was only relative.
Every day, Ishikawa led a group of ruffians in rebuilding the Everything Store, as well as repairing residential houses and streets.
Under Ishikawa's leadership, a brand-new Everything Store and tavern rose from the ground in just a few days.
With the Everything Store rebuilt, Ishikawa returned to his previous life, completing various commissions throughout Seireitei every day.
"Ishikawa-sama."
"You're finally back!"
"I thought you didn't want us anymore."
"..."
Entering the Surveillance Building, before Ishikawa could even enter the Surveillance Division, the Supervisory Team Squad Members had already swarmed around him.
Looking at everyone, Ishikawa couldn't help but smile.
Ever since he forced his way into Central 46, Soi Fon had revoked all of Ishikawa's authority within the Onmitsukidō.
And after Aizen's betrayal, there were the Espada attacks and the tracking and peeping, so it wasn't until yesterday that Soi Fon returned the revoked authority to Ishikawa.
Of course...
The main reason was that the Maggot's Nest had been unmanaged since Ishikawa left.
The prisoners inside basically refused to obey anyone except Ishikawa!
There were even rare instances of casualties among the jailers.
Finally, after some hesitation, Soi Fon decided to let Ishikawa regain control of the Supervisory Team.
Her hesitation wasn't because she didn't trust Ishikawa, but rather because Ishikawa was currently also serving as the Squad 9 Captain, and Soi Fon felt it was somewhat inappropriate for a Captain from another Squad to manage a subdivision of the Onmitsukidō.
But...
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed Ishikawa hadn't spent much time in the Supervisory Team before, only visiting the Supervisory Team every few weeks or when there were matters that needed to be decided.
Furthermore, with Ishikawa's work capability, even simultaneously serving as the interim Captain of the Supervisory Team and the interim Squad 9 Captain was not a difficult task for him.
Moreover, Ishikawa also held a part-time position at the Comprehensive Relief Station; although he didn't have a formal title, his influence within the Comprehensive Relief Station was actually comparable to that of Kotetsu Isane, the Vice-Captain.
The two had always cooperated, jointly managing the affairs of the Comprehensive Relief Station.
"Go do what you need to do."
Ishikawa waved his hand at everyone: "I've only been gone for a few months, not years. There's nothing to welcome."
"I just came to pick up some cleaning tools and then go clean the Maggot's Nest. As for the Supervisory Team's affairs, Kiyohara Tsumugiya, you can compile them first, and I'll review them when I get back."
"Yes, Ishikawa-sama."
Even the usually reserved Kiyohara Tsumugiya showed excitement on her face at this moment.
As the Vice-Captain of the Supervisory Team, he naturally knew that Ishikawa had now become the Squad 9 Captain, so... he had always felt as if his own Captain had been snatched away by the Ninth Division.
But now it seemed that Ishikawa had not abandoned them.
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Ishikawa retrieved the cleaning tools from a cabinet in the Surveillance Division and walked straight towards the Maggot's Nest.
Upon entering the Maggot's Nest, Ishikawa's brow immediately furrowed.
Looking around, he saw that the Maggot's Nest was once again in disarray, with trash everywhere.
And as the two stone doors opened, fierce gazes were cast upon Ishikawa, but upon recognizing Ishikawa, everyone's bodies stiffened.
Squeak, squeak, squeak—
Accompanied by a heavy sound, the two stone doors behind Ishikawa slowly closed.
Ishikawa, meanwhile, put down the cleaning tools he was carrying, rolled up his sleeves, and put on a waterproof apron.
Bang~!
The sound of the stone door closing rang out, and almost simultaneously, screams, pleas for mercy, and curses... immediately erupted from within the Maggot's Nest!
...
Two hours later, Ishikawa walked out of the Maggot's Nest feeling refreshed, casually tossing the blood-stained waterproof apron into a trash can.
The people in the Maggot's Nest were, to varying degrees, mentally unstable.
It was easy to make them submit, but it was almost impossible to make them remain subservient to his power when he wasn't around.
Moreover, most of these people were very intelligent. Simply based on Ishikawa's prolonged absence and observing the reactions of the Supervisory Team Squad Members who came there, they could deduce that something might have happened to Ishikawa.
With the first person causing trouble and not attracting Ishikawa, a second person would risk trying, constantly probing...
So, after Ishikawa regained control of the Maggot's Nest, he didn't waste words. He directly beat everyone into submission, then healed them, then beat them again... After a few more beatings, these people would naturally learn their lesson.
Returning to the Surveillance Building, Ishikawa reviewed the affairs and records from the time he had been away.
By the time all matters were handled, it was already nearing noon. Ishikawa did not stay in the Second Division for lunch, but instead walked straight towards the Comprehensive Relief Station.
As Ishikawa walked, he pondered his next arrangements.
Originally, according to his plan, he intended to completely halt the Everything Store's operations before Aizen's arrival and focus... on making friends.
However, the existence of the Everything Store was an important channel for him to make friends.
Ultimately, Ishikawa merely halted the Rukongai operations, citing renovations at the main store, while the Everything Store within Seireitei continued to operate as usual.
Yesterday, Ichigo and his group had returned to the Human World, while Rukia remained in Soul Society.
Their departure made Ishikawa feel even more pressed for time.
However, making friends was not something that could be rushed.
Ishikawa actually wasn't without a method to quickly gain a large amount of experience points.
The method was very simple...
Please Unohana Retsu!
But before pleasing her, he needed to make some preparations, at least enough experience points, to avoid being cut down due to insufficient experience points.
As for how much was enough, Ishikawa wasn't very sure.
In any case, the more the better, and he also needed to wait until his Zanpakuto was fully recovered before proceeding.
Current experience: 1864
Not enough~ Still far from enough.
Ishikawa rubbed his head, deciding to take it one step at a time for now. As long as he kept working at the Comprehensive Relief Station, who knew, Unohana Retsu might just increase her favorability towards him one day.
"Hey~ Ishikawa-sama!"
A rather excited call came, and Ishikawa looked in the direction of the sound. The scene that met his eyes made Ishikawa vaguely hear 'Duang, Duang, Duang' sounds.
Matsumoto Rangiku.
Running all the way to Ishikawa, Matsumoto Rangiku said with an expectant look: "Ishikawa-sama, it's been a long time. Let's go drinking together."
Drinking—
Ishikawa's eye twitched slightly. The reason he was able to abstain from alcohol and satisfy his cravings with dori monaka every day was entirely because of drinking with this person.
And Ishikawa never stepped into the same pit twice.
So he absolutely, absolutely would not drink with this alcohol-aggregate again!
"Sorry, I still have Comprehensive Relief..."
Ishikawa subconsciously went to refuse, but when he saw the dimness and sadness in the depths of Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes, he couldn't help but swallow the rest of his words.
"Then let's go."
Ishikawa pondered for a moment, then bit his lip slightly: "This time, we won't stop until we're drunk!"
"Really?"
Matsumoto Rangiku's dim eyes immediately brightened.
"Really."
Ishikawa smiled slightly: "Only for today, however you want to drink, we'll drink."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked deeply at Ishikawa upon hearing this, and said with a bitter smile:
"Should I say, as expected of Ishikawa-sama, who is hailed as the one who understands women's hearts best in Soul Society?"
[Matsumoto Rangiku favorability +1, gained 2560 experience points, current favorability: 44]
Looking at the system prompt in his mind, Ishikawa glanced at Matsumoto Rangiku and understood that she really needed to get thoroughly drunk right now.
As for the reason...
Even if she didn't say it, Ishikawa could guess.
It was a pity that besides getting drunk with her, he couldn't help with anything else.
Getting her in touch with Ichimaru Gin wouldn't be difficult, but Ishikawa was unwilling to expose Tier Harribel's existence.
On one hand, the time wasn't right, and on the other hand, it was because...
Ishikawa simply couldn't trust Ichimaru Gin, even though he knew his target was Aizen.
Because, in order to gain Aizen's trust, he would stop at nothing.
Even if they cooperated, if it was necessary to sacrifice himself, Ichimaru Gin would not hesitate in the slightest. For this reason alone, Ishikawa had absolutely no trust in Ichimaru Gin.
Having made up his mind, Ishikawa did not continue towards the Fourth Division.
Instead, he took Matsumoto Rangiku towards the Commercial Street. Upon arriving at the Commercial Street, he told Matsumoto Rangiku to wait at the Arakawa Izakaya while he first returned to the Everything Store to give Kanon some instructions.
Then, he walked towards the Arakawa Izakaya, which was across from the Everything Store.
Matsumoto Rangiku was already seated inside the izakaya.
"Yo, Ishikawa-sama, long time no see!"
Upon seeing Ishikawa, Arakawa Boss immediately greeted him warmly, smiling: "Just in time, Vice-Captain Matsumoto is here too. Would you like to recreate that spectacular scene with Vice-Captain Matsumoto again?"
Arakawa Boss's words were actually just a joke. Ever since Ishikawa drank with Vice-Captain Matsumoto here last time, he had been avoiding Vice-Captain Matsumoto, unwilling to drink with her again.
It was said that he caused a huge incident when he got drunk last time.
Although he didn't know the specifics, the incident must have been significant, as Ishikawa-sama hadn't visited his tavern again for so many years.
"Hmm, we made plans," Ishikawa said with a smile.
Huh?
Ishikawa's words made Arakawa Boss slightly stunned, and then his expression suddenly changed.
"You... You mean..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Ishikawa walk straight towards Matsumoto Rangiku's table.
Seeing this, Arakawa Boss's face instantly turned pale, and he called out to a nearby waiter:
"Quick, check the inventory. If we don't have enough, go immediately to other taverns and buy more alcohol, regardless of the price..."
After saying that, he pondered for a moment and continued:
"Hang out the 'Closed' sign, and tell the customers in the shop to finish their meals as quickly as possible and leave... No, tell them that today's food and drinks are free, but on the condition that they must finish their meal and leave the tavern within ten minutes."
"Ah?"
"What 'ah'? Just go and do it, quickly."
...
Without looking at Arakawa Boss's reaction, Ishikawa sat directly opposite Matsumoto Rangiku.
Smelling the aroma of alcohol emanating from the numerous pots on the table, Ishikawa's eyes couldn't help but reveal a look of enjoyment.
Since he had decided to drink, he would drink to his heart's content!
If he counted carefully, it had been over ten years since he last drank to his satisfaction.
During these ten-plus years, although Ishikawa wasn't a teetotaler, he only had a small cup each time he drank, and most of the time he satisfied his cravings with dori monaka.
Clap!
Ishikawa slapped the table: "Arakawa Boss, bring fifty pots of your best alcohol first."
As for what would happen after getting drunk, Ishikawa actually didn't need to worry too much.
The current Ishikawa, as long as he didn't go on a rampage in Central 46 or provoke Captain-Commander Yamamoto, he was like a crab in Seireitei, able to walk sideways!
"As expected, drinking with you, Ishikawa, is the best."
After a few drinks, Matsumoto Rangiku no longer called Ishikawa 'Boss' but began to address him directly by his name.
Ishikawa was initially a bit reserved, but after a few drinks, he completely relaxed.
When he first arrived in Soul Society, Ishikawa was always tense, and only when drinking could he relieve the pressure. So, at that time, he would drink himself drunk every night before going to bed, and then sleep until dawn in a room full of iron bars.
However, after staying in Rukongai for a long time, Ishikawa had gradually relaxed.
But drinking, for Ishikawa, was still the most relaxing pleasure.
--To his heart's content!
[Matsumoto Rangiku favorability +1...]
If Ishikawa initially drank with Matsumoto Rangiku for experience points, after a few pots of alcohol, Ishikawa was simply drinking for the sake of drinking!
System prompts, Aizen, increasing strength...
Everything was thrown to the back of Ishikawa's mind.
Although he strongly resisted drinking with Matsumoto Rangiku, Ishikawa had to admit that drinking with Matsumoto Rangiku was truly enjoyable.
She was like a barrel of alcohol, no matter how much she could drink with him.
This was something no one else could do.
Drinking alone is called drowning your sorrows; two people drinking together is called kindred spirits.
And Matsumoto Rangiku was, without a doubt, the best drinking buddy.
Provided that...
Bang~!
The sake pot shattered, and Matsumoto Rangiku slapped the table, yelling angrily: "Who does that bastard Gin think he is? I don't want anything to do with that bastard."
"Your reaction doesn't look like you don't want to deal with him."
"What are you talking about... Drink... Drink... Just mentioning that bastard makes me sick!"
Matsumoto Rangiku grabbed a sake pot in each hand and brought them both to her mouth at once. Her uninhibited posture even made Ishikawa, who was already in the zone, imitate her.
"Drink!"
Ishikawa picked up two pots of sake, drinking from them both while mumbling: "Today, I'm going to see who collapses first. If you win, I'll help you catch that guy back when I get a chance, and you can put a collar on him and train him!"
Ishikawa, already tipsy, was completely unaware of what he had inadvertently said.
"Seriously?"
"Just kidding. Do you believe that after we catch him, I can get Central 46 not to prosecute him?"
[Matsumoto Rangiku favorability +1...]
Matsumoto Rangiku chuckled at this, not taking it seriously, and slapped the table: "Then I'll definitely drink until the very end today."
"..."
Arakawa Boss looked at the bragging Ishikawa, feeling a little relieved that he had driven the customers out of the shop beforehand.
As a former Squad 10 member, he knew how much impact Ishikawa's drunken words would have if they got out.
If this reached the ears of Central 46, it would be enough to execute him.
After all...
These words were as if he was saying that he could dictate the judgment of Central 46.
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