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As Kaito set foot on the soil of Hell, he saw Hakuten and Izuna waiting for him up ahead.
"Congratulations, Uchiha-san, on successfully completing my commission and obtaining a precious treasure," Hakuten greeted him very politely, a complete contrast to his sadistic demeanor earlier in front of Kibutsuji Muzan.
After several dealings, Kaito had come to understand this deity's character. He was usually quite a stickler for etiquette, but would often unconsciously reveal a sadistic side.
"Hakuten-san, I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission," Kaito responded with equal politeness.
"Izuna-senpai." He then turned to look at Izuna. "Is your exchange study also coming to an end?"
"Ah, I've mostly figured everything out. Once I get back, I can really get things rolling!" Izuna said with a laugh. "Earlier, a message came from the home front. The recruitment drive for our local Hell is currently in full swing. We'll be back just in time to observe the finals."
"Oh? What a coincidence." Kaito was also somewhat curious about this.
"Izuna's duties during this period have already been handed over," Hakuten stated. His tone when speaking about Izuna was slightly more casual than when speaking to Kaito. "You two can return to your original world via the Sanzu River at any time."
Then, he added as if offhandedly: "However, I recommend you wait three days before leaving."
"Oh? Is there a reason?" Kaito asked curiously.
At the same time, Izuna, standing behind Hakuten, frantically shook his head and made eye signals at Kaito.
"In three days is the Hell Goldfish Plant Competition, which I am responsible for organizing and will serve as a judge," Hakuten announced proudly. "I believe you shouldn't miss this grand event."
"..."
Although Kaito had received Izuna's signal to refuse, he couldn't help but be shocked upon hearing Hakuten's explanation.
Goldfish Plant Competition? What the hell is that?!
What could possibly be competed about those bizarre creatures that are neither animal nor plant, which just keep emitting unpleasant screams? A contest to see whose cry is more grating?
Such a boring competition. We really should refuse.
Thus, ignoring the faintly expectant look in Hakuten's eyes, he pretended to be anxious and said, "My sincerest apologies, Hakuten-san. I'm afraid I must decline your kind offer." He smiled very naturally, with a trace of regret in his eyes. "Although I am very curious about the Goldfish Plant competition you are hosting, matters back home simply cannot be delayed. I can only regretfully miss it."
"No problem," Hakuten was very understanding and didn't press the matter, causing both Uchihas to secretly sigh with relief.
"No need for regret," he said, quite considerately, and his attitude towards Kaito became a bit friendlier. "As a reward for Kaito-kun helping us with a major task, I've decided to gift you a batch of well-grown Goldfish Plants. Moreover, the environments of Hells in different worlds are actually quite similar; they should be easy to cultivate after introduction."
"Thank you so much!" Kaito's smile instantly became somewhat stiff.
Izuna, taking advantage of the fact that Hakuten wasn't looking at him, made an indescribable expression.
Only Nasubi, looking up, saw Izuna's disgusted face, but just as he was about to say something, Takanotsume covered his mouth.
Afterwards, Kaito and Izuna were escorted by Hakuten to the Sanzu River.
The two of them looked at the boat before them and simultaneously developed dead-fish eyes.
So efficient, Hakuten-san!
Turning around, they mustered their energy to bid farewell to the group of deities, monsters, and hell guards who had come to see them off. Then, the two of them, along with a boat full of incessantly wailing Goldfish Plants, returned to the Hell of their original world via the Sanzu River.
...
"So... you brought back local specialties?" King Enma's expression was odd as he looked at the full one hundred pots of Goldfish Plants placed below the steps, with their vacant expressions, swaying left and right, and emitting unpleasant cries.
"It's Hakuten-san's token of thanks," Kaito said, casting a disdainful glance at them. "Anyway, I leave them for you to handle, King Enma."
"..." King Enma also curled his lip in distaste, waved his hand, and had several Uchiha fellows serving as hell guards quickly remove all the Goldfish Plants.
"My ears are finally at peace," Kaito breathed a sigh of relief, then said to King Enma, "Then send me back quickly, Your Majesty." He was very concerned about the progress of the space defense line construction on the moon. He also wondered what this guy had been up to while acting in his stead.
Kaito looked up at King Enma. Although they were essentially the same person, this guy's way of thinking had diverged significantly from his own after becoming a deity.
"No need to rush." King Enma rose from his seat and instantly appeared in front of Kaito, scrutinizing him. "It seems the gains were good, huh? Your spiritual power has increased considerably."
"Indeed. So from now on, keep an eye out for me, see if there are any more such good deals," Kaito visibly brightened at this topic, temporarily setting aside matters of the living world.
"Easy enough, easy enough. Come on, it's just lunch break," King Enma patted Kaito on the shoulder. "Come eat with me, and we can talk."
"Alright." Kaito acquiesced readily.
He wasn't actually in that much of a hurry. After all, he knew that, in a way, King Enma was even more reliable than he was.
So, along with Izuna—making it uncertain whether it counted as two or three people—they went to the cafeteria behind the main hall and settled into a private room.
"I heard from Izuna-senpai that the recruitment drive is almost finalized?" Kaito asked curiously about the recruitment drive during the meal. "I wonder who has a chance to take the other nine positions of the Ten Kings?"
"The most popular candidate has to be Senju Hashirama," King Enma said. "After all, neither Madara nor Indra, nor the other members of the Sage's family, are interested in participating. It's hard to find an opponent who can match Hashirama in strength."
"Hmph!" Upon hearing this news, Izuna snorted displeased.
"Speaking of which, I was wondering if it's really suitable for shinobi to take the positions of the Ten Kings?" Kaito remarked. "They are, after all, a bunch accustomed to fighting and killing. Handling the trials of Hell might lead to some chaos."
"No problem. Those selected in this manner are the ones who can command public respect," King Enma said nonchalantly. "As for the matter of judgment, they can just find themselves some suitable assistants when the time comes. There are still many souls in Hell suited to be assistants. Many were close aides to various Daimyos during their lives; helping those guys handle such matters won't be a problem at all."
"I see. I assume that even the candidates they select themselves will ultimately need your approval," Kaito understood immediately.
"Of course," King Enma laughed. "Just like before, there were some souls who were Daimyos or nobles in life protesting to me."
"Those guys," Izuna snorted disdainfully again.
"I imagine those who can't let go of their power and status from their lifetime are also coveting the kingly positions," Kaito said, unsurprised, and shook his head. "But the method Your Majesty used to select the candidates for the kingship completely dashed their hopes, so of course they are discontent. They surely believe that they themselves are more suitable than shinobi, who held lowly status in the living world."
"Indeed," King Enma scoffed. "Pitiful fellows. They haven't adapted to the new environment and their new identities even after death, and they actually dared to talk nonsense in front of me. So I made their judgment slightly more severe."
"That must have been quite a spectacle," Izuna expressed some regret at not having witnessed that scene himself.