Chapter 170: Second time is always easier than the first
(Shaoling's pov)
After the accident, I returned back home to Seireitei. I lived there for a while before I moved outside. Now, I'll train until I can't move anymore if that's what it takes.
I asked dad to train me, but at first, he refused me. I didn't give up, though. I tried for a few weeks, and during that time, I tried my own training method, but finally, my efforts bore fruit, and my dad agreed to train me. He said that it would be better to oversee my training than let me put myself in danger.
Now that I was officially part of Stealth Force, I got a codename. I inherited it after my grandmother, Soi Fon.
(Yoruichi's pov)
I left the abandoned house, and instantly next to me appeared my bodyguard. They are always near me even if I don't know it. It's annoying, but what can I do?
Bodyguard: "Yoruichi-sama, is it wise to leave them like that? Even if he is not responsible for Yan Fon-sama's death, he is still a criminal, though a petty one."
Yoruichi: "You talk like we don't commit crimes."
I dismissed his question.
Bodyguard: "We are doing whatever is needed to preserve order in Soul Society."
Yoruichi: "That's just what the old farts are saying to themselves so they can sleep better at night after they preserved their high positions. No one in Stealth Force has clean hands."
I reminded him. We are murderers. We just are telling ourselves that we are doing it for the greater good, but it doesn't change the fact that we kill and even imprison many innocents just because there is suspicion of them going rogue in the future.
Yoruichi: "Besides, the remaining Reiatsu in the place where the fight happened between the killer and Yan Fon's bodyguards feels more hollow than Shinigami's or ordinary soul's, and while this boy's Reiatsu is wilder than the norm, he isn't the only one. Captain Commander's Reiatsu also isn't textbook-like as it possesses fire attributes. The same could be said about Ryoto. Maybe."
Hearing what I said at the end, the bodyguard broke his stoic form for a second. It's fun making them lose cool while they still try to keep being respectful.
Bodyguard: "Maybe?"
Yoruichi: "I've known him for how long? 5, 10 minutes? Who knows. For all I know, he could be someone from other branches spying on us."
Bodyguard: "Then shouldn't we observe him in that case?"
God, why is everyone so serious around me? I mean, I know why but it doesn't mean that I like it. At least Kisuke and Tessai are lax around me.
Yoruichi: "Nah. Either way, we'll meet both Ryoto and Rin. The girl didn't seem like a liar to me. She was stressed out and honest. Ryoto, on the other hand, is a liar and a good one at that."
Bodyguard: "How do you know that Yoruichi-sama? Did you catch him in a lie?"
Yoruichi: "No, I just don't know if he is telling the truth or not. He reminds me of Kisuke but in a weird way. Kisuke is hiding his sharp mind behind his stupid smile and carefree attitude."
Bodyguard: "And in what way does that boy reminds you of Urahara-dono?"
Yoruichi: "I don't know. It's just a feeling, and my instincts have yet to fail me."
And once again, my bodyguard became speechless. Ah, I love doing that.
(Ryoto's pov)
After a month of recovering, I could finally move around without opening my wounds at random. I wasn't at my full strength, but I would say I'm at 60-70%. I wanted to go to work earlier, but Rin didn't let me.
I knew that she must have been stealing while I was bedridden. I didn't want her to do it and I confronted her about it, but she gave me a scary look.
In the end, as long as she is careful, there shouldn't be any problems and she has yet to return injured, so I assume she can handle herself. I'm still worried, though.
I know, however, that the kids were helping her. I do not doubt Rin's resourcefulness, but I doubt that she could steal without any problems right away. I'll need to give them some rewards. Maybe I'll get some extra candies for them before Rin and I will go to the 1st district.
But all of that is not important right now. Today I'll finish something that shouldn't be left unchecked. I could have sneaked out earlier, but I would like to be in a condition that allowed me to fight.
Yes, today I'll get my money for the job completed.
I covered myself once again in a black cloth and went to the old building where Oshima usually is. It was some kind of base for him.
Inside, Oshima seemed to be surprised to see me.
Genji: "Yuuki-kun? Is that you?!"
Ryoto: "I came to get money."
I don't want to be here longer than I need to.
Genji: "You aren't dead?"
Ryoto: "Money. Now."
I sounded annoyed and impatient since I was not here to answer questions. Genji hearing me understood that I was not in a great mood and complied with my demands.
Genji: "Yes, yes, of course. Since you didn't come back, I assumed that you met your end like many others, but I'm happy to see that you're doing well. From the first day we met, I knew that you weren't like others."
When he went to get the money, Oshima tried to make small talk, but I ignored him. When he came back with the money, I asked him something.
Ryoto: "Say, Oshima, what is your job again?"
Genji: "I'm a middle man and information broker at times, but you should know that already. I explained it to you when you first wandered here, so I don't know why you are asking me that again."
Not answering him, I went on while counting the money I got.
Ryoto: "So you are selling any information if your client has enough money, right?"
Oshima seemed to be getting nervous as the question was insinuating something dangerous.
Genji: "Well, yes, that's what I do."
I finished counting and was happy that the amount was larger than we agreed upon. It must have been the bonus he promised me before.
At the same time, Oshima was slowly backing off, ready to run at any moment.
I put the money inside my cloth and drew Zangetsu. Seeing that Oshima started running away, I was ready and released my Shikai.
Ryoto: "Pierce through the heavens, Zangetsu!"
I grabbed Zangetsu by the cloth and threw it at the old man piercing him through the chest.
Oshima dropped down and started bleeding out. To be fair, he was more athletic than he let's it on and even attempted to dodge, but my blade flew fast through the air.
I walked up to him slowly and pulled my Zanpakuto out of his body.
Ryoto: "Sorry, Oshima, but I want my information to be as exclusive as possible."
Killing him would mean no more information about me killing Yan Fon unless he already shared this info with someone, but even then, he would say that I was dead since he was genuinely shocked at my appearance. I also shared only my surname with Oshima, so finding me would be challenging unless he got information on me which is possible, and that's why I can't let him live.
Genji: "I guess I got too comfortable with my position... It has been a long time since someone tried to kill me."
Yeah, I was expecting him to be more slippery, which made me more suspicious.
Genji: "You don't need to be so on guard. I have just become older than I thought. These old bones aren't as good as they used to be."
He said while coughing out some blood.
Ryoto: "Don't you know that you should be aware of old people in professions where people die young?"
Oshima smiled.
Genji: "Wise words, but they are wasted on me. I suppose I'm just tired of this life and accept my fate. I always knew that I would die like that but who knew that I would live so long."
Ryoto: "So why were you trying to escape then?"
Genji: "Just like everyone else, I'm scared of dying. Funnily enough, now that I'm lying here down, I feel at peace. Maybe I'll meet my daughter after... so... long..."
With these words, he stopped breathing.
I observed him for a while longer and cut his head off just to be sure. He was a sly fox during his life, and I needed to be sure of his death.
Before I returned, I looked around and found some secret escape routes, and I made sure that they were unused for some time. If even one of them was freshly used, I would have a problem, but thankfully they weren't. I can say with certainty that Oshima is dead.
I left the body in that building and returned home.
*Sigh*
I hate killing.
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END
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