"Fine. First of all I am interested in strong kunoichi." Kenshin said, which greatly surprised Masao and Takahiro. His request was completely atypical for a person not deprived of strength. Strong kunoichi were usually ordered by rich but weak feudal lords to experience sharp sensations.
"Umm, fine sir, the client's words are law for us. Here is a small list of the strongest kunoichi available at the moment. But before you choose one of them, I must warn you. Strong kunoichi are incredibly dangerous, and our House of Flowers is not responsible for what happens after the deal." Takahiro said respectfully. He knew perfectly well how dangerous these beasts were and never in his life took to himself any of the slaves possessing chakra and strongly recommended all clients to change their minds although at first glance this harmed business. However, a bad reputation harmed business even more which was formed after the client relaxed and decided to remove the chakra-blocking fuin from a "sweet and affectionate" girl.
"I understand this perfectly, how treacherous and dangerous women can be. Especially women possessing chakra." Kenshin answered with a smile and took the offered book.
Each page was dedicated to a separate girl. Kenshin was quite surprised to see very realistic portraits of the girls. However, in the rest the list disappointed him more than pleased.
The description was practically useless or frankly harmful. Of useful information about the girls only their rank was known, and Kenshin decided to ignore everything else because of unreliability. He did not understand whether the rest of the clients were interested in something else or whether he was the only one who immediately saw through all the lies.
"I have only one question. Are these all the strongest kunoichi of the House of Flowers?" Kenshin asked. He was interested in the best of the best and the strongest of the strongest without regard to character and appearance.
"Ahem, there is one more… But most likely she will not suit you. This kunoichi is not a 'flower' and is here only because she is a woman. Her purpose is to be a sparring partner for those clients who want to fight to the death with an enemy one step away from the Jonin rank." Takahiro said respectfully. He did not even like to think about this aggressive kunoichi, that is why she was always locked up without the opportunity to contact the other 'flowers'.
Hearing that this kunoichi was on the verge of the Jonin rank, Kenshin had already decided everything for himself, and something unimaginable had to happen for him to refuse the idea of taking this incredibly useful woman.
"Excellent! Bring her, I want to look at her." Kenshin said imperiously, pleased with such an incredible prospect.
"Umm, there is a small problem… She is very aggressive, and I cannot bring her to this room…" Takahiro said in an apologetic tone.
"Hmm? Is there no strongest chakra suppression fuinjutsu on her?" Kenshin asked in surprise. He did not understand what kind of problems a kunoichi with blocked chakra could cause.
"The thing is that fuinjutsu intended for a strong Chunin is applied to her shackles. However, she went beyond these limits, and even with suppressed chakra has strength equal to a very strong academy student. This is our miscalculation, but unfortunately at the moment we do not have a stronger fuin available, so we have to keep her in a safe place." Takahiro said apologizing.
"Shackles? Is it possible to chain a woman in shackles?" Kenshin asked discontentedly. New inputs in this equation were already beginning to irritate him.
"When you see her, you will understand that she ceased to be a woman long ago. Please follow me, Nakayama-san." Takahiro said respectfully and led Kenshin accompanied by Ichiro and the Fifteenth through the entire building to the basement.
With every second Kenshin's face frowned more and more. He understood that he would see in the basement not at all what he expected, but he was not going to refuse the strongest kunoichi under any circumstances.
"We have arrived. Nakayama-san, please prepare yourself for what you will see or hear. Do not blame our House of Flowers for the fact that you yourself wanted to purchase a weed." Takahiro said with a smile and opened a strong iron door.
"Hey, Saru. Perhaps luck decided to smile at you, and you will not rot here. Greet the gentleman from the Nakayama Family. If he likes you, perhaps you will get out of here." Takahiro said in a mocking tone. He could not restrain himself in communicating with this kunoichi, and even a respected guest did not prevent him from releasing a little bile.
"Go to hell, bastard, along with your 'gentleman'. I'm not a whore to you, so you can sell yourself to him, greedy son of a bitch!" The woman spat angrily.
Kenshin was a little surprised by their argument, and first of all by the name the manager called her. He had no doubt that such a name was only an offensive nickname, because that is how wild monkeys were called.
"Ah you ungrateful bitch! Let's see how you sing when you sit without food for a week!" Takahiro barked in irritation. He was very hurt by the disobedience of this kunoichi, especially in the presence of a respected client whom he had not yet managed to impress properly.
"Do you think I'm afraid of hunger? You cowardly son of a bitch, remove these shackles from me, and everyone will see who you really are!" The kunoichi growled angrily with a slight hoarseness.
"You…" Takahiro began but Kenshin got tired of listening to their argument, so he decided to intervene.
"Turn on the light. I want to look at her." Kenshin said in a calm tone. He saw only a dim silhouette and could not make out this woman.
"Ha-ha-ha! Yes, turn on the light, 'Mr. Manager'. Let the respected client look!" The kunoichi said with laughter. From her strongly hoarse voice Kenshin concluded that not everything was in order with her vocal cords.
"Well, Nakayama-san, I warned you and even tried to dissuade you…" Takahiro said with regret and activated the lighting fuinjutsu.
Kenshin barely restrained the mask of composure when he saw a thin emaciated woman chained. All her hair was matted, her nose was twisted to the side symbolizing that she was often and severely beaten. The left eye was missing, and instead of shine Kenshin saw only a gaping void. Instead of the right leg Kenshin saw only a stump wrapped in cloth.
"What, don't like it? Ha-ha-ha! Get the hell out! Go upstairs and choose a fragrant flower for yourself, unless of course you're a pervert!" The woman barked hoarsely.
"What was the point of maiming her like that?!" Kenshin asked angrily and barely restrained himself from hitting Takahiro.
"W-With all due respect, sir, discipline issues are not discussed. If you are dissatisfied with the goods — you can simply leave, but there is no need to show aggression." Takahiro answered. He really did not like Kenshin's tone, and most importantly the manager of the House of Flowers could not understand the reason for this anger.
"How much do you want for her?" Kenshin asked in a calm tone looking him straight in the eyes.
"Ahem… Her initial price is one million ryo, but taking into account the damage my House of Flowers is ready to give her away for eight hundred thousand." Takahiro answered with a smile. He was pleasantly surprised by Kenshin's question about the price and immediately forgot his displeasure with the client's unethical behavior.
"Eight hundred thousand? Five hundred, and I take her." Kenshin said imperiously. He was completely convinced of his desire to take this unfortunate woman out of hell. Being a good empath he perfectly felt what was happening in her soul and wanted to help her. He always liked people with an unbending character, and this woman although ugly outwardly was completely pure in soul. All her thoughts were immediately expressed in words and actions without cunning and meanness.
"Fine, but only out of respect for you." Takahiro said with a smile. He was afraid to bargain with such an imperious person and was ready to get rid of this hated woman even for two hundred thousand, so Kenshin's offer was still very profitable.
"I'll cut your throat when you're sleeping, 'sir'." The woman said hoarsely depicting a smirk.
"Ah you ungrateful bitch!" Takahiro barked and caught Kenshin's displeased look.
"I hope I will no longer hear you insulting my people. Otherwise…" Kenshin drawled with a hint letting him know that the consequences would not please him.
"Y-Yes, Nakayama-san, of course. I just forgot myself…" Takahiro joked apologizing. More than anything in the world he did not want to run into trouble because of this kunoichi, so he decided to ignore her until the very end.
"Wow! Nakayama-san, you must be a big shot since this bastard is so afraid of you. Takahiro, didn't think to offer him your wife to strengthen relations with the respected guest?" The woman said with laughter.
Takahiro could only silently bare his teeth controlling all urges to rush and knock out all her teeth for the hundredth time.
"Let her be washed and dressed in clean clothes. A mandatory condition is that this is done by women." Kenshin ordered, to which the manager had no choice but to smile and nod in agreement.