[Complete first teaching task - Additional rewards granted]
[Obtained random trait: Cooking Sage]
[Gained 1000 Basic Ability General Experience Points]
[Random Skill Proficiency +1]
[Gained 3 Disciple Binding Slots]
Katori Natsuki immediately allocated all newly acquired experience points to his Reiatsu.
Checking his dashboard, he noted several changes:
[Basic Abilities: Reiatsu Lv.10 | Kenjutsu Lv.50 | Kidō Lv.20 | Hakuda Lv.10 | Shunpo Lv.20]
[Trait: Cooking Sage]
[Disciples: None (0/3)]
His Reiatsu had doubled from Level 5 to 10, while his Hakuda skill improved from Beginner to Proficient.
Skill levels were categorized as: Beginner → Proficient → Advanced → Mastered → Ultimate.
New training memories flooded Natsuki's mind—as if he'd genuinely practiced these techniques for months.
Focusing on [Cooking Sage], additional details appeared:
[Cooking Sage: Your culinary skills have reached their zenith. You instinctively optimize ingredient preparation, potentially creating luminescent dishes!]
Natsuki's previous cooking had been merely functional—edible but uninspired. With this trait, he could attempt far more elaborate cuisine.
After morning classes, he hurried home, eager to test "Cooking Sage's" effects.
The Katori Dojo occupied West Rukongai's 6th District (Fugai District). In Soul Society, lower district numbers indicated safer, more prosperous areas.
Fugai District enjoyed abundant food supplies and lush forests teeming with game—home to many hunters.
Returning home, Natsuki visited a hunter neighbor to purchase meat. Their pantry was empty.
Behind the dojo sprawled dense woodlands. At the forest's edge lived a hunter family—longtime neighbors whom Natsuki frequently traded with.
Approaching their cabin, a dog's bark greeted him.
Knocking gently, he waited. After several breaths, faint footsteps approached before the door cracked open.
"Lisa-chan, it's me," Natsuki called.
The door swung wide, revealing a black-haired girl with a youthful, delicate face—appearing no older than twelve. Yet this unassuming child hunted solo in the mountains.
As she opened the door, a small dog burst out, circling Natsuki's legs while sniffing curiously.
"Lisa-chan, is this your dog?" Natsuki crouched to pet the dog.
"Found Taro in the mountains recently." Lisa scooped up the pup as it nipped at Natsuki's trousers.
"He's adorable. Once grown, he'll help your hunt. I came to buy meat—had any recent catches?"
"We bagged a boar days ago but sold most to Old Lady Sato. Only some jerky remains." Lisa stood on tiptoe to retrieve smoked meat above the hearth.
A nearby izakaya managed by "Old Lady Sato" regularly purchased their game.
"You should keep the jerky," Natsuki said, scratching his head. The marinated meat was clearly meant for preservation.
"I'll hunt tomorrow—just save me a portion." Lisa bit her lip, reluctant to send him away empty-handed.
"Prey isn't guaranteed. Keep reserves for yourself. I'll return after your next hunt."
The girl—Yadōmaru Lisa—though bespectacled in Natsuki's memories, already bore captain-level potential. Her growing body demanded constant nourishment.
Noticing pig intestines on the cutting board, inspiration struck. To truly test "Cooking Sage," he'd attempt a challenging dish.
"Lisa-chan, selling these intestines?"
"Eh?!" Her jaw dropped. "That's... Taro's dog food!"
"Hey now—why the 'he's-eating-feces' face?"
Natsuki produced 200 kan from his purse. "My cooking skills improved recently. Let me try cooking a section."
"Take it..." Lisa refused payment. "Taro can't finish it anyway."
In her mind, Natsuki's cuisine now equaled poison.
"Here." He pressed the coins into her palm, thumb pointing at himself. "I'm a Shin'ō Academy instructor now—a role model. Can't take things for free."
The orphaned girl's survival depended on unreliable hunts. Exploiting her generosity was unthinkable.
Natsuki checked Lisa's status:
[Yadōmaru Lisa]
[Talent: S]
[Reiatsu: Lv.3]
[Reputation Level: Friendly]
[Status: Horrified (People EAT intestines?!)]
Her S-rank talent confirmed her as a prime disciple candidate. He'd recruit her when possible.
"You teach at Shin'ō Academy?!" Lisa gaped. "Your swordsmanship's that good?"
"Enough for academy students." Natsuki smiled. "When you enroll someday, you'll call me Katori-sensei."
Lisa remained too young; her Reiatsu was insufficient for admission.
Wrapping the intestines in oiled paper, Natsuki patted Taro's head before leaving.
The dog's eyes tracked the stolen meal indignantly.
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