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Emi Affection +1, gained 16 experience points, current Affection: 55
Ishikawa Katori glanced at the system prompt and couldn't help but sigh. The experience points provided by ordinary Rukongai residents were truly meager.
However, even a mosquito's leg is meat, and it's better than idling in the shop.
"Sir Ishikawa, why don't you stay for dinner tonight?" Emi smiled gently, "Kosuke has been clamoring to play with Ishikawa-nii ever since you haven't been around lately."
"Sorry, Sister Emi, I still have other commissions to attend to."
Ishikawa Katori packed up his tools and said with a smile, "When I'm not so busy next time, I'll come back to play with Kosuke."
"I see. Then your work takes priority," Emi nodded.
Seeing this, Ishikawa Katori couldn't help but marvel at Emi's transformation. Ever since she had her son last winter, Emi, who was once known throughout West 7 District for her cunning and harshness, seemed like a completely different person. Not only did her personality become gentle, but even her appearance softened.
However, the child named Kosuke was indeed very well-behaved. Although he was only ten years old when he died, he never made any excessive demands after arriving here, except for pestering Emi for a handheld game console when he first arrived.
He adapted to the environment much more easily than adults who came to Soul Society after death, not bringing any bad habits from the Human World.
He never caused trouble, didn't pursue material comforts, and was completely obedient to Emi.
It was Emi, on the other hand, who constantly wanted to make her child more comfortable.
She renovated the house last year, and this year she invited Ishikawa Katori to redecorate the interior, creating a study and a bedroom for the child to learn and live in.
Even though her financial situation wasn't great, she was still willing to spend money on her child.
However…
The child named Kosuke possessed excellent spiritual power talent. If Emi raised him, with his spiritual power talent, graduating from Central Spiritual Arts Academy wouldn't be difficult. If he worked hard enough, he might even become a Seated Officer, and then Emi would be able to benefit from her son's achievements.
After bidding farewell to Emi, Ishikawa Katori carried his tools and renovation waste directly out of West 7 District, heading towards West 38th District.
As for the 'other work' he mentioned to Emi, there actually wasn't any…
Most of the commissions before winter were already completed, and many of them were done by Ganju and his subordinates. Now, the entire Rukongai hadn't seen a customer for several days.
Comparatively, there were more commissions within Seireitei, but taking on Seireitei commissions often led to being pestered by Eleventh Division Squad Members… Those guys were practically insane in their efforts to get Ishikawa Katori to join the Eleventh Division.
Even the Eleventh Division barracks hadn't been rebuilt after a week. Every day, Eleventh Division Squad Members would come to the Everything Store and its branch to post commissions, begging Ishikawa Katori to take on the barracks reconstruction commission.
The price was very reasonable, even somewhat excessive.
However, as for the Eleventh Division's commission…
Ishikawa Katori's response was to reject them all!!
Are you kidding me?
He had been celebrating for days that Zaraki Kenpachi was confined by Central 46 and Captain-Commander Yamamoto after that battle, avoiding the fate of being hunted down by him.
How could Ishikawa Katori possibly offer himself up?
But he couldn't be completely at ease, because Soi Fon had mentioned before that Central 46 had always feared Zaraki Kenpachi's unrestrained nature and intimidating strength.
Who knew if that guy would disregard the ban and suddenly come to attack him.
...
"You, not taking a business worth tens of millions of Koku, but instead going for one worth tens of thousands."
"Katori, you're back!"
As soon as he entered the tavern, a clear and lovely voice reached Ishikawa Katori's ears, bringing a smile to his face.
Following the sound, he saw a cute pink-haired little girl sitting on the bar, swinging her legs, with a happy smile on her small face.
Such a little girl, amidst a room full of fierce-looking villains, seemed incredibly out of place. Those who didn't know her identity might even worry if she would encounter any danger.
However…
In the large tavern, none of the villains with scars all over their bodies and blood-stained clothes dared to look at the little girl, and no one even dared to speak loudly.
The reason for this was entirely due to the little girl's identity.
Vice-Captain of the Eleventh Division of the Gotei 13.
—Kusajishi Yachiru!
Of course, if it were just her identity, it wouldn't be enough to make these lawless individuals so quiet.
Although Yachiru, like Zaraki Kenpachi, joined the Gotei 13 directly without an entrance exam and immediately became a Vice-Captain, her strength was genuinely Vice-Captain-level, and her Reiatsu intensity was among the top of the Vice-Captains.
"Want some candy?"
Ishikawa Katori's smile was incredibly gentle. He pulled out a small bag from his person: "These are Konpeito I bought for you when I went to work in West 7 District."
Yachiru's eyes lit up, and in the next second, she vanished from the bar and appeared in front of Ishikawa Katori.
Taking the candy bag, Yachiru immediately took out a few pieces and put them in her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a hamster. She mumbled indistinctly, "Katori, when are you going to play with Ken-chan?"
'Kusajishi Yachiru' Affection +1, gained 320 experience points, current Affection: 14
Never in this life…
Ishikawa Katori replied inwardly, but his face remained expressionless. He reached out and ruffled Yachiru's little head: "I'll definitely go when I have a chance."
"If you come back to our Squad now and help us rebuild the barracks, that's a great opportunity! Don't you claim to take on all kinds of jobs? Our Eleventh Division isn't not paying you, so why won't you take our business?"
"Nah, Yachiru, these are toys I made for you from the leftover wood from the renovation. This is a car from the Human World, this is a rooster, this is…"
Ishikawa Katori rummaged through his tool bag again, pulling out various toys and introducing them to Yachiru with a gentle expression.
"…And this… Bakudo #8: Seki."
Ishikawa Katori raised his right hand, and a repulsive barrier immediately appeared on the back of his hand, blocking the Zanpakuto slashing towards his head.
Looking along the blade, Ikkaku Madarame's bald head, covered in bulging veins, came into view:
"Bastard, there's a limit to ignoring people!"
"Oh, isn't this Ikkaku, Third Seat of the Eleventh Division?" Ishikawa Katori said with narrowed eyes, "Should I report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto of the First Division that a dignified high-ranking Seated Officer of the Gotei 13 comes to a small shop in Rukongai every day to attack the poor shop owner?"
"Can't you die without playing dumb?"
Ikkaku Madarame's face darkened: "The only reason I'm here every day is because you bastard destroyed our barracks!"
"Customer, slander is illegal. You guys clearly destroyed it yourselves."
"Hmph, don't forget, this incident was caused by someone who forcibly entered our barracks without permission and attempted to assassinate me, the Third Seat of the Eleventh Division!"
Ikkaku Madarame sneered: "Even setting aside the assassination of a Seated Officer, merely trespassing into the Gotei 13's Squad territories is a capital offense. What's more, you even offended a Captain!"
"We helped you cover up the entire incident, and not for free. We're even paying you, one of the 'destroyers,' to help us repair the barracks. Is that too much to ask?"
"…" Ishikawa Katori.
Couldn't refute.
"Setting aside how long it would take me to rebuild the barracks by myself, can you guarantee…" Ishikawa Katori's mouth twitched slightly: "that your Captain won't try to chop me up if I go?"
Ikkaku Madarame blinked, his momentum deflating like a punctured balloon.
"Hmm… what's there to guarantee? Our Captain isn't some… chopping maniac…" Facing Ishikawa Katori's unwavering dead-fish eyes, Ikkaku Madarame's voice grew softer and softer, until finally his mouth twitched slightly.
"I can't guarantee it, but you still have to take responsibility for this, right? Kenpachi won't rebuild the barracks no matter what he says, and hundreds of us in the Squad are sleeping on the ground in a pile of rubble; anyway, I can't stand living like this anymore, you absolutely have to help us build the barracks."
"As long as you come, all the Squad Members in our Squad can help you."
"I do have a responsibility, and rebuilding your barracks is not impossible, but you at least have to guarantee my safety, right?"
Ishikawa Katori said somewhat helplessly: "I'll be honest with you, I fought your Captain a week ago, my Zanpakuto is being held by the Onmitsukidō, and my Spirit Core was damaged in that battle. I won't be able to freely use my Reiatsu for combat for at least half a month."
He wasn't lying. His Zanpakuto was indeed with the Supervisory Team of the Second Division, but it wasn't being held; Ishikawa Katori had voluntarily asked the Supervisory Team to keep it for him.
Firstly, it was to show Soi Fon his attitude of not causing trouble; secondly, it was to avoid the current situation.
Moreover, his Spirit Core hadn't healed yet, and even breathing caused a faint pain. He couldn't fight, nor could he practice Reiatsu through Blade Zen, so carrying his Zanpakuto with him was just a burden.
Such a long sword, and he'd have to carry it everywhere he went.
"Is it that serious?"
Ikkaku Madarame frowned upon hearing this and carefully observed the aura around Ishikawa Katori, finding that the Reishi reactions around Ishikawa Katori were indeed somewhat strange.
Normally, Ishikawa Katori's Reiatsu would remain at the level of a Central Spiritual Arts Academy student, but now it was fluctuating, sometimes strong enough to reach Vice-Captain level, and sometimes so weak that it felt as if his Reiatsu had completely disappeared.
This was clearly not something that could be faked.
However…
Ikkaku Madarame's face showed a thoughtful expression: "This is actually a good opportunity."
"Hmm?"
Ikkaku Madarame also looked towards Yachiru upon hearing this.
At this moment, Yachiru was holding a few candies in her mouth, her flushed little face filled with happiness. Suddenly being stared at by the two, she tilted her little head, her large black eyes full of confusion: "Katori, what can I help you with?"
"President!"
Ishikawa Katori said solemnly: "I have long yearned for the Shinigami Women's Association and have always hoped to have the honor of becoming a member! I don't need to be a formal member, just an Glory member will suffice."
"Improving the status of female Shinigami and safeguarding their rights has always been my goal. Therefore, I sincerely hope to communicate and work together with your esteemed members to make the Shinigami Women's Association even greater!"
"If you agree to let me join, although I cannot accept commissions for free, members of the association who come to patronize my business can receive an additional 10% discount on top of existing discounts!!"
Silence.
Upon these words, the entire tavern fell silent.
Even the villains eavesdropping nearby couldn't help but look somewhat dazed.
Uzuki, behind the bar, covered her face. This bastard was acting up again.
And she had heard these words from Ishikawa Katori countless times, although the object of 'great again' was different each time.
"You, are you…?"
After a long pause, Ikkaku Madarame said suspiciously, "Are you a woman?"
After speaking, the guy even carefully scrutinized Ishikawa Katori: "No, that's not right. Last time you fought our Captain, your clothes were all torn, and your figure was even flatter than our Vice-Captain's… Hiss… Ow, ow, ow…"
Before he could finish, Yachiru jumped onto Ikkaku Madarame's back and bit his bald head.
"Did you not only get Botox for your brain, but also fill it with muscle?"
Ishikawa Katori snapped exasperatedly, "Who says a man can't fight for the rights of female Shinigami? You should know that I am a firm defender of 'gender equality'!"
Upon hearing this, Ikkaku Madarame immediately rolled his eyes.
"…Just the discount policy in your shop is already discrimination against male Shinigami!"
"No, that's a mutually beneficial discount, not discrimination."
Pfft—
Pulling Yachiru off his head, Ikkaku Madarame curled his lips.
"Mutually beneficial? Does giving female Shinigami discounts make you stronger or something?" With that, he looked at Yachiru in his hand: "Vice-Captain, only you can truly solve this problem."
Ishikawa Katori looked at Yachiru with anticipation upon hearing this.
Shinigami Women's Association!
This was the only officially recognized association within Seireitei, known as a 'god-like powerful organization.'
Its members were even more distinguished, not only including several Vice-Captains, but even the only two female Captains in the Gotei 13 were members of this organization.
If he could seize this opportunity to join, how could he not gain experience?
Taking a little risk for this was completely worth it!
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for dozens of advance chapters for over a dozen fics | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter