The next day, since his custom-made Shihakushō wasn't ready yet, Kensei Kenzuru had to go to the 8th Division first to hand over the previously agreed-upon payment to Kyōraku.
Pushing open the door to the 8th Division Captain's office, Kensei saw the classically dressed Shunsui Kyōraku leaning against a low table by the window. A few plates of side dishes and a small carafe of sake were placed before him, while documents awaiting processing were scattered carelessly to the side.
Seeing Kensei arrive, Kyōraku hurriedly pulled out a document, putting on the act of diligently handling official business.
"Well, well, if it isn't Uncle Kyōraku. Looks like you're busy. Guess I came at a bad time."
Kensei leaned against the doorframe, his tone full of teasing.
Kyōraku cleared his throat softly and adjusted the bamboo hat on his head. "Ah, it's my junior disciple. To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from you, young man?"
"Naturally, to fulfill the promise I made when I asked for your help before."
Kensei unceremoniously sat down beside Kyōraku and picked up an empty sake cup.
Hearing this, a gleam of understanding lit up Kyōraku's eyes. He warily glanced around, ensuring no one else was present, before leaning in closer to complete their little transaction.
"Where's the book?"
"The book is dead."
Kensei pulled out a few modestly sized volumes from his robe. A mere glance at the covers told Kyōraku they were premium goods.
Before Kensei could even hand them over, Kyōraku snatched them into his arms with a speed too fast to see. As the head disciple of Old Man Yama, his prowess was displayed in just this way.
"Limited collector's edition. Stimulating content, exquisite artwork." Kensei poured himself a cup of sake as he spoke. "Perfect for you to... well, cultivate your sentiments and broaden your horizons."
Shunsui Kyōraku chuckled softly. He lifted a corner of one volume, quickly scanning a few pages of the contents inside. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the books vanished into his sleeve.
"Really, now..." Kyōraku sighed, his expression seeming to scold, yet his tone carrying satisfaction. "These troublesome, mind-wasting things... it's better to have fewer of them in the future."
"Senior Brother makes a valid point. There won't be any more."
Kensei casually pinched a peanut from the plate, tossing it into his mouth as he spoke nonchalantly.
This Kyōraku, putting on a proper front in front of him.
"Brother Kenzuru, this senior brother apologizes." Kyōraku hurriedly refilled Kensei's empty sake cup, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile. "If you need anything in the future, just come to me. I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly for you."
"Then help me resolve this Tsunayashiro family matter."
"Uh... Well, about that..."
Kyōraku's face showed difficulty. Hueco Mundo was so vast. Having him actually go search there... it'd be easier to just wait for that experimental specimen to mature and invade the Soul Society. That might even take less time.
Kyōraku's eyes shifted, and he spoke mysteriously. "Lately, in the Rukongai, there seem to be a few rowdy kids. If you're interested, you could go take a look."
Since his junior disciple aimed to become Captain-Commander, he'd definitely need plenty of subordinates. Revealing this piece of information to him counted as helping out.
For him, the Captain of the intelligence-gathering 8th Division, such matters were crystal clear.
Kensei raised an eyebrow. "Kids? Elaborate."
"Go see for yourself." Kyōraku took a sip of the sake before him. "Consider it a stroll."
"Fine. I'll go take a look then."
Kensei got up and headed straight for the door. The remaining time should be left for Uncle Kyōraku himself; he shouldn't spoil his fun.
Leaving the Seireitei, Kensei wandered to the outskirts of the Rukongai.
Come to think of it, this place held quite a few memories for him.
He'd captured Kishita Hanta here, captured Meizen here, and was even drugged by Aizen in a Rukongai laboratory...
Kensei shook his head, banishing the images replayed by Kūkon.
Whether he encountered the rowdy kids Kyōraku mentioned or not, a stroll here was fine. After all, Sōsuke was handling all matters in Hueco Mundo right now.
Just as he was walking leisurely, Kensei suddenly sensed a familiar feeling coming from one direction. He paused and looked that way.
On a street some distance away, a group of half-grown children was menacingly surrounding a little girl.
Such things weren't rare in a place like the Rukongai. On one side were a few ruffian-like thugs; on the other, the leader was a blonde girl with dust smudged on her face.
"Matsumoto, be sensible," the lead thug said, swinging a wooden stick in his hand. "This area is under our control now. Hand over the food."
Matsumoto Rangiku stared at her opponents fiercely, like a lioness. "Cut the crap. If you want to fight, then fight."
Although she was outmatched in size and numbers, Rangiku didn't feel fear in her heart. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, though there were more opponents this time.
Facing the thugs who swarmed her, Rangiku's counterattacks were somewhat clumsy, but her speed was astonishingly fast.
She sidestepped a descending wooden stick, taking advantage of the momentum kicked the opponent in the shin, causing him to stumble. Seizing the opportunity, Rangiku snatched the stick and swung it backhand into another person's abdomen.
Kensei narrowed his eyes, observing. Rangiku's current strength was indeed not trivial. It seemed the fragment of the Soul King within her hadn't been taken by Sōsuke, boosting her natural talent considerably.
Even so, looking at Rangiku's thin, small frame, she probably hadn't absorbed much reishi here. And with the opponents numerous, she was bound to slip up eventually.
"Enough of this farce."
Having missed chances to show off before, Kensei now seized the moment when both sides' attention wasn't on their surroundings. He abruptly released his spiritual pressure, pinning the thugs to the ground. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stepped down from the sky with an air of serene detachment.
Pity he couldn't construct a complete staircase of reishi to descend; that would've been much more impressive.
Rangiku was still holding a defensive posture. Seeing Kensei suddenly appear, she warily tightened her grip on the wooden stick.
"Who are you?"
"I'm just a passing... masked... a passing Shinigami."
Kensei walked up to Rangiku, looking her up and down.
"I see you have decent talent. I want to train you to become a Shinigami and work for me. Are you willing?"
Shinigami.
Although she'd only seen them from afar, Rangiku understood it was an identity where you didn't go hungry. She looked at Kensei, then lowered her head in thought.
"Okay. I'm Matsumoto Rangiku."
After a few seconds, Rangiku nodded and gave her name.
"Kensei Kenzuru."
"You over there," Kensei turned his head to look towards another patch of shadows. "Seen enough?"
Matsumoto Rangiku warily looked over and saw a boy with pale purple short hair emerge from the shadows.
She remembered this boy. She'd often seen him wandering alone in this area before, occasionally with a few more wounds on him.
"Do you want to come with me too?"
Kensei raised an eyebrow. Come to think of it, he'd always thought Gin Ichimaru had white hair. Turns out he didn't, though this habit of smiling with squinted eyes hadn't changed.
"What use do I have?"
Gin Ichimaru was calm, displaying a maturity beyond his years.
"I'm going to capture you, throw you into an alchemical furnace, and refine you into an immortality elixir."
As soon as Kensei finished speaking, the look Rangiku gave him turned a bit strange, making him somewhat embarrassed.
"Just kidding." Kensei walked closer and with feigned annoyance rapped Gin on the head. "What use could you kids possibly have? Just don't cause trouble recklessly after becoming Shinigami."
"Even if you cause trouble, just don't say I recommended you to become Shinigami."
Gin Ichimaru rubbed the spot where he'd been hit, not crying out in pain. He looked up at Kensei, though it was hard to tell what he was thinking.
After pondering for a moment, Gin Ichimaru extended a hand towards Kensei. "Gin Ichimaru."
Whether what Kensei said was true or not, a rare opportunity was now before him. Gin naturally wouldn't let it slip away.
"Then let's go."
Kensei took the two children and directly used Kūkon to return to his residence.
"Urgh..."
Children couldn't handle the disorienting feeling of spatial transfer. They were dizzy, barely holding back the urge to vomit.
Yoruichi, who was munching on an apple in the living room, nearly dropped it when she saw Kensei return with two kids in tow.
"Have you taken up child trafficking now?"
"Sister Yoruichi, can't you think better of me?" Kensei shot Yoruichi a look. "These two have good talent. I plan to train them."
Kensei first pointed at Rangiku, then at Gin.
"Suit yourself." Yoruichi took out some snacks and offered them to the children. "Have something to eat first. Soi Fon, arrange something for them later."
"Yes."
Soi Fon acknowledged. Since they were talents valued by Lord Kensei, they naturally needed focused cultivation.
Aizen stopped writing and looked at Kensei. "How do you plan to arrange things?"
"What else can I do? Dump them in the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy." Kensei shrugged. "Do you two want to live here or in the dormitory?"
Yoruichi reached out and pinched Rangiku's cheek, poking at it like teasing a cat. "I quite like her. Let her stay here."
Disregarding Rangiku's opinion, Yoruichi made the decision for her.
"How about you?"
"I won't be a bother. I'll stay in the dormitory when the time comes."
Gin Ichimaru wanted to strengthen his power as quickly as possible, to become a proper Shinigami. Only then could he have a place here.
"Fine. Come find me directly if you need anything." Kensei nodded, saying no more. "How are the preparations for Hueco Mundo going?"
"Ready." Aizen looked at the documents in his hand, responding calmly. "This time, we can resolve all matters in Hueco Mundo."
Rangiku, while having various snacks continually shoved into her mouth by Yoruichi, let her gaze move between the several people.
Apart from the brown-haired man opposite who gave her a somewhat dangerous feeling, everyone else seemed gentle to her, filling her heart with gratitude.
In the future, she definitely had to repay this big brother who spoke strangely but was very kind, and this purple-haired big sister who was so affectionate towards her.
As for Gin Ichimaru, he was inwardly looking forward to the days after becoming a Shinigami.
***
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