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"Finished!"
Ishikawa Katori packed all sorts of tools into a bag and nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the brand-new wooden house in front of him.
"Ishikawa-sama, your craftsmanship is truly getting better and better." The middle-aged man beside him smiled and said, "It would be great if my child was a daughter; I would definitely marry her to you."
"I'll remember that."
Ishikawa Katori smiled slightly and took the commission fee the man handed him.
"Just wait until I have a second child." The man burst into laughter upon hearing this.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ishikawa Katori looked at the sky and said, "Then, Uncle Inaho, you go back to your work. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first. If there are any issues with the house, you can always come to the Everything Store to find me."
After bidding farewell to the uncle, Ishikawa Katori pulled out several commission slips from his pocket and examined them carefully.
"This is the commission from the elder of West 1 District yesterday… This one is from the textile factory, and there's also a commission for building a house… Commissions are really getting fewer and fewer." He shook his head, and as he passed by a trash can, he directly tore up the duplicates of these commission slips and threw them in.
In previous years, the month before winter was always the peak season for commissions. It was only after winter began and until spring of the following year that commissions would become as scarce as they were now.
But this year, work had dried up much earlier…
However, Ishikawa Katori didn't pay too much attention to it. Firstly, there was always a period of leisure like this every year; this year it just happened a month earlier. Secondly, it was because the Everything Store branch in Seireitei was almost finished, and he should be able to receive some commissions then.
Besides…
Given the current popularity of the Yorozuya Tavern, even if Ishikawa Katori did nothing, the money Uzuki earned for him would be enough for Ishikawa Katori to splurge for a while.
However, unless he urgently needed money, Ishikawa Katori generally wouldn't take money from Uzuki.
"I've been clearing the existing orders these past few days, so I wonder if Ōmaeda has helped me build the branch store." Ishikawa muttered to himself, "And he still hasn't given me that seven million Kan commission fee from the Human World a few days ago."
Last time, due to the Zanpakuto, Ishikawa Katori completely forgot about asking for the commission fee after returning.
Then, after 'treating' people at the Comprehensive Relief Station for a night, he left Seireitei the next morning and started running all over Rukongai, clearing the commission slips he had. This resulted in Ishikawa Katori still not having retrieved his Zanpakuto and the commission fee, nor did he know how the branch store was progressing.
"After I send the tools back to the store, I'll make another trip to Seireitei."
…
"Hmm?"
As soon as he entered the tavern, Ishikawa Katori saw Ganju and the three Hawks sitting inside drinking. He said with some surprise, "Have you finished the commission slips you took?"
"Are you kidding?"
Ganju said proudly, "A mere three commissions for harvesting crops, could that stump me? You know, I am Shiba Ganju, who calls himself the 'Commission Slip Clearing Expert' of the Rukongai Everything Store."
Is there anything to be proud of in that?
Looking at the dusty and disheveled appearance of Ganju and the four, Ishikawa Katori's mouth twitched slightly. No matter how fallen the Shiba family was, they were once one of the top Five Great Noble Families of Seireitei. How could such a person emerge, one who would be so proud of completing a few low-priced commissions…
If Sister Kukaku knew about this… well… she would probably be very relieved.
Compared to Ganju leading a few subordinates to cause trouble everywhere and embarrass the Shiba family, Sister Kukaku clearly preferred Ganju to lead a few subordinates to do some proper work. Otherwise, she wouldn't always kick him out and throw her own brother into the Everything Store.
"...I suddenly understand why Sister Kukaku kicked you out."
Ishikawa Katori shook his head, scanned the tavern, and asked Uzuki, "Where are Nishijin and Himura? I feel like I haven't seen them since I got back a few days ago."
"Ishikawa-sama, I know this!!"
Before Uzuki could answer, a ruffian at a nearby table spoke up first, "Brother Nishijin and Sister Himura have been fighting over territory with people from North Borough 80 recently. The fighting has been fierce! It's said that North Borough 79 and North Borough 78 have also joined the battle. When Brother Oyama heard about it, he immediately led our people from West and South Sections 78 and 79 to assist."
"He also told me to tell you that when he returns, the entire North will become your territory, Ishikawa-sama!!"
"…" Ishikawa Katori's face darkened.
What the hell is 'my territory'? Just fight; why drag me into it?
"How did the fight start?"
Ishikawa Katori frowned. Could another 'Tsunayashiro' type of experimental subject have appeared?
If so, Ishikawa Katori would need to prepare in advance.
"I don't know about that."
"What else could it be? He got provoked." Uzuki said irritably from behind the bar.
"Huh?" Ishikawa Katori looked at Uzuki, completely bewildered.
"After Nishijin was injured by that Kenpachi Zaraki, as soon as he recovered, he went to challenge 'Kenpachi Zaraki's' subordinate… Ikkaku Madarame… He couldn't even beat his subordinate, then after recovering for a few days, he turned around and went to North Borough 80 with Sister Himura."
Uzuki finished speaking, her pretty face showing annoyance: "Because of him, the tavern has so few customers left recently."
"…" Ishikawa Katori's mouth twitched slightly.
When he heard that Nishijin had actively provoked trouble and gone to North Borough 80, Ishikawa Katori wasn't surprised at all.
This guy wasn't stubborn for the first time.
Back then, Genji was so much stronger than him, yet he dared to take Himura directly to South 80 Section. This time, after losing to Kenpachi Zaraki, whom he considered his lifelong enemy, and then losing to his subordinate, he was clearly provoked. It was normal for him to do something like this.
Ishikawa Katori shook his head, immediately losing the desire to inquire further.
As long as no more 'experimental subjects' appeared, he didn't care at all if they fought. Friction between two areas wasn't new; it just hadn't escalated into a large-scale battle like this before.
"I was wondering why there were so few people in the tavern these past few days."
Ganju first mumbled something in realization, then a gleam flashed in his eyes: "As a member of West Rukongai, I…"
"Uzuki, keep an eye on him."
Before Ganju could finish, Ishikawa Katori said to Uzuki behind the bar, "If he dares to run off, immediately inform me. If you can't reach me, inform Sister Kukaku."
"Mmm."
Uzuki couldn't help but stand up from behind the bar, glaring sternly at Ganju: "If you dare to run off, don't come to the tavern anymore."
Although these ruffians became well-behaved once they arrived at the tavern.
But both Ishikawa Katori and Uzuki knew very well how malicious these people fundamentally were. Even drinking buddies who gathered at a table in the tavern could be stabbed to death by their tablemates after returning to the lower-numbered sections.
Except for those with solid strength who were regulars, the customers in the tavern were always a cycle of Outer Deities leaving and new ones arriving.
Those people never needed a reason to kill; if they wanted to kill, they just did.
It could be said…
If you closed your eyes and threw a stone to hit someone among these customers in the Yorozuya Tavern, you would definitely not hit an innocent person.
Compared to these people, Ganju was actually just a hooligan who liked to brag, was fundamentally kind, and extremely loyal.
If it weren't for the Shiba family and Ishikawa Katori backing him, how could those lunatics call him 'Ganju-nii' one by one?
"I was just saying."
Looking at Ishikawa Katori and Uzuki's serious gazes, Ganju's mouth twitched slightly: "How come you two are becoming more and more like my elder sister? Uzuki, that's fine… " Ganju first smiled at Uzuki, then glared at Ishikawa and said, "Don't forget, I'm the boss!!"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm—"
Ishikawa Katori nodded, coaxing him like a child, "Ganju-nii, if you want to find someone to fight, your little brother here is at your beck and call, absolutely at your service. As for those ruffians, how can they be worthy opponents for you, big brother, without defeating me first, don't you agree?"
"...Do you think I'm stupid?"
Ganju's mouth twitched slightly, and he gave Ishikawa an annoyed glare: "Don't worry, I was just saying. I know my own strength very well. I just heard that Oyama also went, and that gave me some ideas, after all, I like that kid quite a bit and have always planned to take him on as my sixth subordinate."
"As for the others… I'm completely uninterested in their lives or deaths."
Ishikawa Katori smiled faintly, not surprised by Ganju's words. Although he usually appeared carefree, Ganju wasn't a fool who couldn't read people at all. He knew better than anyone who was suitable for interaction and who wasn't.
But it was precisely because of this that Ishikawa Katori felt worried.
Because as long as someone he recognized needed help, no matter how dangerous the situation, this guy would impulsively get involved.
"Oyama…"
Ishikawa Katori chuckled, narrowing his eyes, "Even if we don't talk about Nishijin and Himura taking care of him, even without them, that guy would still come back alive."
He had known Oyama for more than a day or two. If he encountered danger, he would run faster than anyone.
Oyama getting involved was for one of two reasons: either Himura asked him for help, or he was bored and wanted to cut people, and it was even more likely to be both.
The only one Ishikawa Katori was somewhat worried about was Himura…
This fierce woman was usually fine, but as soon as she went out to fight with her Nishijin, she would turn into a madwoman, just as crazy as Nishijin.
However, it was only 'somewhat'.
In the lower-numbered sections, there were many talented people. Even without guidance, many could become Seated Officers if they joined the Gotei 13.
And Nishijin, as one of the outstanding ones, was also a great villain once favored and spared by Kenpachi Zaraki. His talent could be rated as top-tier even within the Gotei 13.
Coupled with his frequent sparring with Ishikawa Katori whenever he had the chance, his strength progressed extremely quickly.
Even if Genji came back to life, he might not be a match for the current Nishijin.
With him around, Himura's safety was completely assured.
Moreover…
He, as the boss, had recently shown signs of becoming Himura's exclusive bodyguard.
And for Himura, who had 'full friendship' with him, Ishikawa Katori spared no effort in cultivating her.
Whether it was Kido or Kaido, as long as she wanted to learn, Ishikawa Katori would teach her everything.
Oyama would sometimes learn from Ishikawa Katori too, but he wasn't interested in Kido or anything else, only Hakuda.
As for Nishijin…
He firmly followed Kenpachi Zaraki's path, only interested in fighting Ishikawa Katori.
With these three together, even if several great villains from the north united, they might not lose!
Although Ishikawa Katori had absolutely no such intentions, without realizing it, he had actually gathered a considerable force under him. Coupled with his prestige in West Rukongai, the entire West Rukongai could be said to be his sphere of influence, and also his home base.
But precisely because of this…
Recently, Ishikawa Katori always felt that Soi Fon's gaze towards him was becoming increasingly displeased.
This made Ishikawa Katori feel extremely wronged!!
He truly had no intention of developing any influence, but for some reason, Nishijin, Himura, and Oyama were all considered his subordinates, and the three of them never denied it.
This led to him, someone who had only been to the lower-numbered sections a few times, becoming the most mysterious and terrifying great villain in the eyes of the ruffians.
After chatting with Ganju and Uzuki in the tavern for a while, Ishikawa Katori left the tavern and headed towards Seireitei.
…
By the time Ishikawa Katori arrived at the Second Division, it was already dark.
"I thought you didn't want your Zanpakuto anymore."
In the Captain's Office, Ōmaeda, holding a large plate of fragrant fried pancakes, was rolling meat into them while pointing to a corner: "The Zanpakuto has been sealed. Commander Yamamoto's reaction was somewhat unexpected though."
"What is it?"
Ishikawa Katori's expression immediately became tense upon hearing this: "Are they not allowing me to possess a Zanpakuto?"
"Allowed." Ōmaeda bit into a pancake, mumbling indistinctly, "And he agreed very readily. Captain Soi Fon originally thought it might take some persuasion to convince Commander Yamamoto, but he agreed so readily that Captain Soi Fon was a bit bewildered when she returned."
"Also, I've taken care of your shop for you."
Ōmaeda pulled out a piece of paper from the desk and handed it to Ishikawa Katori: "This is the address. I've selected two servants from my family to work at the shop, and I've also put that seven million commission fee in the shop."
"Thank you."
Ishikawa Katori pinched a corner of the paper, looked at the address on it, memorized it, and then directly threw the paper into the trash can. After being handled by Ōmaeda's greasy hands, the paper was already soaked in oil…
"Is it already sealed?"
Ishikawa Katori picked up the long sword in the corner, drew it from its sheath, and examined it carefully. He found that the blade's surface was not covered in bandages or inscribed with runes as he had expected. Instead, there was just a faint, subtle glow on the surface, almost imperceptible unless examined closely.
However, the feeling of soul fusion that existed before it was sealed was much weaker, as if an invisible barrier separated Ishikawa Katori and the Zanpakuto, blocking their connection.
"If I take it to fight someone, will I accidentally break the seal?"
"Heh heh, if it were that easy to break, it wouldn't be called a seal." Ōmaeda chuckled strangely, "The divine artifact seal of the Heavenly Garment Brigade is much stronger than you imagine. Unlike temporary seals like bandages, the seal on your Zanpakuto can be said to completely seal off your possibility of releasing your Zanpakuto."
"Of course, in Asauchi state, injecting Reiatsu will not be hindered at all."
"That's good."
Ishikawa Katori nodded and put the Zanpakuto into the cloth bag he had prepared.
"Then you keep eating. I'm going to see what's on the menu at the cafeteria tonight."
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