(T/N: Second chapter for today!)
A few days later, the four of them arrived at the Suzuka District.
Their outfits weren't any different from the average residents of the Rukongai; they even wore bamboo hats to cover their heads. Along the way, no one seemed to recognize them.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's so-called "study tour" didn't have a clear goal—wherever they went, that was the destination.
Suzuka District was located in the western 50th district. From this point onward, they were stepping into the poorer and more chaotic zones of the Rukongai.
The further in they went, the worse the public order would get.
Kyōraku Shunsui glanced around, looking for an izakaya or sake shop.
"Just one district over, and the difference is night and day!"
They had just passed through the Western 49th District, and even the spirit of the residents there felt distinctly different from those in Suzuka.
It really was like crossing from a commoner's neighborhood into a full-blown slum.
The higher-ranked districts were full of vitality, with residents who looked hopeful and lively.
But now, in Suzuka, the people on the streets resembled puppets on strings—moving around with numb expressions.
Ukitake Jūshirō tucked his hands into his sleeves and casually remarked,
"You've spent too much time lounging in the noble quarters. You don't really understand the state of the Rukongai. These lower-ranked districts are starved for resources. It's not uncommon for fights to break out over even the barest necessities."
Katori Nanatsuki chimed in casually,
"Shinigami from the 10th Division don't step in during these fights between residents, do they? Why not just station Shinigami in each district to handle security? More stable zones would mean more new souls being born in Soul Society, right?"
Residents of Soul Society were beings composed of Reishi, and like living beings in the World of the Living, they could reproduce. And due to the high density of Reishi in Soul Society, the probability of new souls being born with spiritual aptitude was higher than those who had reincarnated from the World of the Living.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni thought about it for a moment. It was true that this would benefit the expansion of the Shinigami ranks. He nodded slightly.
"A good proposal. As the division in charge of patrols, the 10th Division should take responsibility for maintaining public order in the Rukongai as well."
Up to now, the 10th Division had only been tasked with handling Hollow incursions and uprisings. Yamamoto now intended to include law enforcement within their responsibilities.
"At last!" Kyōraku Shunsui exclaimed with delight as he spotted an izakaya. "We've been walking forever. Let's get something to eat and take a break!"
Yamamoto did not object, and led the other three into the establishment.
This street-facing izakaya had a sake shop attached next to it. Once inside, they realized the two places were connected—it was clearly run by the same owner.
"Welcome, welcome! What can I get for the four of you? We just got in a fresh batch of mandarin wine from the Akita District! Brewed with seasonal mandarins—absolutely delicious! Would you like to try it?"
A cheerful young man greeted them with a smile, enthusiastically introducing the house specialty.
"Mandarin wine? That's rare. Why not give it a try?" Kyōraku Shunsui looked interested. Seeing no objections from the others, he pulled out his coin pouch.
"Whew, prices here aren't exactly cheap… Alright, four glasses of mandarin wine and some snacks to go with them."
He glanced at the menu prices, paid for the drinks and snacks.
"Right away!" The young man accepted the money, his grin widening. "Please take a seat, and I'll bring your order shortly."
The four chose a table by the window.
Since the snacks were pre-prepared, it didn't take long for the young man to return with their order.
Each person received several small plates of snacks.
Katori Nanatsuki took a sip of the mandarin wine. The flavor was excellent—lightly sweet with a faint citrus tang. The aftertaste lingered pleasantly in the throat.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni took a small sip, his brow easing slightly.
"Not bad. This mandarin wine must be from Inuyama, correct?"
"You've got a keen eye, sir!" The young man beamed. "You're absolutely right. This batch came straight from Inuyama!"
Kyōraku Shunsui laughed.
"Better than plum wine. I guess we'll have to stock up when we head to Akita."
But the youth shook his head.
"If you want more of this wine, this is the only place you'll find it."
Kyōraku raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me… your shop bought up all the mandarin wine in the Akita District?"
"Don't embarrass yourself." Yamamoto shot Kyōraku a sharp glance.
"Inuyama is territory belonging to the Wolfman Clan. They don't take kindly to outsiders. Ordinary people can't enter."
"Oh… I didn't know that…" Kyōraku scratched his cheek sheepishly.
Ukitake Jūshirō had heard a bit about the Wolfman Clan and asked the young man, "If the Werewolves forbid outsiders from entering Inuyama, how were you able to buy their wine?"
The youth appeared completely human—obviously not a member of the wolfman Clan.
The Werewolves looked quite different from humans. Their appearance resembled humanoid wolves.
"We don't dare enter Inuyama either," the youth replied with a grin.
"These mandarin wines were brought out by a Wolfman himself. We bought every batch he brought, which is why this is the only place you can taste it."
"No wonder it's so expensive…" Kyōraku muttered in realization. He had noticed earlier that the prices here were way higher than typical izakayas or sake shops.
Just then, Katori Nanatsuki noticed a fleeting look of disgust on the youth's face.
But the youth's disgust wasn't directed at them.
Nanatsuki followed his line of sight and spotted someone approaching the izakaya—a person whose head was completely covered by a helmet woven from bamboo, with cloth wrapped around their arms.
The young man turned to them with a polite smile.
"Please enjoy your meal, sirs. That beggar's back again. I'll go deal with him."
Katori Nanatsuki's expression shifted slightly upon seeing the bamboo-helmeted stranger.
Though the man had hidden his appearance, Nanatsuki could see his name through the Status Interface.
[KomamuraSajin]
[Talent: S]
[Reiatsu: lv32]
[Fame Level: Stranger]
[Status: Starving (Hoping to eat something today…)]
That bamboo-covered man was Komamura Sajin!
Nanatsuki instantly understood why he wore the helmet—it was to conceal his Wolfman features.
Komamura stood quietly at the entrance of the izakaya, not stepping inside.
The youth waved at him impatiently.
"Don't block the doorway! You're scaring away my customers!"
Komamura stepped to the side and spoke.
"Boss, I'm hungry. Could I have something to eat?"
The young man rolled his eyes.
"This isn't a charity. If you want food, pay up!"
Pakamura hesitated.
"But the mandarin wine I sold you—"
The youth's face darkened.
"We've already settled up. Don't bring that up again!"