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Early morning.
Ishikawa yawned and pushed open his bedroom door, greeted by the familiar sounds of commotion.
The tavern was as lively as ever, with burly men, each with a fierce look, shouting loudly inside.
However, today's tavern was slightly different.
Because while these big men were boasting to each other, they kept secretly glancing at a table in the center of the tavern.
Strictly speaking…
They were looking at a stunning, orange-haired girl at the table.
This girl was Orihime.
And sitting beside Orihime were Chad, Ishida Uryū, Ishida Soken, Yoruichi, Shiba Ganju, and others… practically the entire travel party had gathered here.
Ishikawa was startled at the sight, then suddenly regretted asking Commander Yamamoto to release them so early.
Two days had passed since he became a Sage, and in these two days, Ishikawa had only visited the underground meeting hall once, on the very day he became a Sage.
Since then…
Ishikawa had never gone back.
The reason was simple.
Nonsense!
He didn't know if it was because they had just become Sages, but those guys were full of verbose rhetoric, talking about the 'key' for a whole day, yet Ishikawa couldn't understand what the key was…
The most absurd thing was…
These idle, bored guys actually had the nerve to suggest continuing the meeting tomorrow.
So, after consulting Nayura, Ishikawa stopped going to the underground meeting hall; because, according to Nayura, Commander Yamamoto, to prevent Central 46 from making biased decisions due to incomplete attendance, decided to temporarily assume the respons duties of Central 46…
In other words, those guys had nothing to do; they just wanted to experience sitting in the Central 46 members' seats.
In fact, even during normal times, Central 46 members didn't sit in the underground meeting hall every day; only when important resolutions or the need to judge criminals arose would the six judges lead in gathering all forty-six members in the underground meeting hall.
If it were just that, it would be fine, but what left Ishikawa speechless was…
During the meeting, the main topic of discussion for these people was actually his living arrangements!
All Sages, except for Nayura, proposed that Ishikawa reside in Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence, and even wanted to vote on it.
The result, of course, was unequivocal: Ishikawa directly rejected the proposal.
He didn't want to live in such a deserted place where he wouldn't encounter anyone else.
Moreover, these people tried every possible way to persuade him to move into Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence, not because they recognized him, but because they wanted a free bodyguard.
When this proposal was explicitly rejected by Ishikawa, these people changed the subject and began discussing Ishikawa's work…
They claimed that the Everything Store, which Ishikawa operated, would tarnish the reputation of Central 46.
Ishikawa didn't really listen to the specifics, but the conclusion was that Ishikawa absolutely could not continue to work personally.
Are they crazy?
As soon as the meeting finally adjourned, Ishikawa immediately left Central 46, truly not wanting to continue discussing anything with these clearly overly excited idiots.
As for Ishikawa becoming a Sage, Ishikawa later informed Commander Yamamoto along with Nayura, as Commander Yamamoto was now effectively in full charge of Central 46's affairs.
Perhaps it was because all the Sages unanimously voted in favor, perhaps because of Ishikawa's dominance in Rukongai, or simply to win over Ishikawa… it's also possible that all these factors were present; in any case, Commander Yamamoto did not refuse the matter.
But he also did not end the commission, still allowing Ishikawa to act on behalf of Squad Nine, the only change being that Ishikawa could leave Squad Nine and truly had the power to move freely within Seireitei.
In short.
Where Captain-level can go, Ishikawa can go; where Captain-level cannot go, Ishikawa can also go!
For Ishikawa, the biggest benefit of this was that the business scope of his Everything Store expanded again, and the flyers for the Everything Store even reached Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence…
Although Ishikawa would not accept being their free bodyguard.
But if those few female Sages, during an invasion of Soul Society, commissioned him to stay in Pure Cleanse Tower Forest Residence for a few days, Ishikawa could still accept it.
Getting back to the main topic.
Ichigo and the others were released yesterday.
Ishikawa hadn't paid much attention to their whereabouts afterward, and he hadn't expected them to show up at his tavern after just one night.
"Ishikawa-sama."
"Morning, Ishikawa-sama."
"Want to come have a drink together?"
"…"
The greetings, which he had long grown tired of, made Ishikawa too lazy to even retort.
Hearing the greetings from the customers, Yoruichi and the others sitting in the center of the tavern couldn't help but look towards Ishikawa.
"Yo, Ishikawa."
Yoruichi had one foot on the chair, her posture more unrestrained than any of the villains around: "We came to play with you."
Ishikawa's face immediately broke into a smile upon hearing this.
Although Ichigo and the others were troublesome, Ishikawa was extremely welcoming of Yoruichi and Orihime's arrival.
"Mr. Ishikawa."
Orihime and Chad also greeted him.
Although they had all been captured by Ishikawa, both of them had a great impression of him, because during their days in the Squad Nine prison, Ishikawa had always taken good care of them.
Ishikawa nodded, then turned his head to look towards the tavern's backyard.
On the arena behind the tavern, Ikkaku Madarame and Ichigo were engaged in a fierce clash.
On one side of the arena stood the tavern's villains, and on the other were members of the Eleventh Division, cheering them on!
"These bastards, do they really think this place is their training hall?"
Withdrawing his gaze, Ishikawa shifted his attention to Ganju, a strange glint in his eyes: "How are your injuries?"
"Completely healed!"
Ganju flexed the muscles on his arm, then pointed to Orihime: "After the Fourth Division treated me, Orihime helped me again, and now I'm completely fine."
Indeed…
Ishikawa had been observing Ganju's condition ever since he arrived.
After being slashed by Aizen, although Hanatarō had performed emergency treatment under Ishikawa's secret direction at the first opportunity, his injuries couldn't have healed in just three short days; yet, after observing him just now, Ishikawa found that Ganju had no traces of injury left on his body.
Orihime's ability possessed a terrifying healing power.
"Don't talk about me."
Ganju changed the subject, sizing up Ishikawa: "How are your injuries? I heard from Ichigo that you were also seriously injured at the time. Do you want Orihime to treat you too? Her 'Rejection' thing is much stronger than your broken Kaido."
"…" Ishikawa.
Although it was true, why did it sound so annoying?
"Do I look like I'm injured?"
Ishikawa shook his head: "Don't worry, my injuries have long since healed."
With that, Ishikawa pulled out a chair and sat down next to Ishida Soken.
Ishida Uryū, on Ishida Soken's other side, had all his attention on the bowl of unknown substance in front of Ishida Soken, not even noticing Ishikawa's arrival.
What is this?
Ishida Uryū looked at the bowl of unknown substance in front of his grandfather with a darkened face.
Was this kind of pig-slop-like food really for humans?
Abuse?
Although he had learned from Ganju that his grandfather's work performance since coming to the Everything Store had been… well, rather poor.
But they couldn't possibly abuse his grandfather with this kind of staff meal, could they?
Ishida Uryū, with reddened eyes, glared angrily at Uzuki, who had brought the bowl of unknown substance to his grandfather.
He didn't believe this was Ishikawa-sama's idea, because whether from the words of the Rukongai residents or from his own experience, Ishikawa was an incredibly gentle and extremely kind person.
Not only did he take good care of them after capturing them, but he also stepped forward to protect Kurosaki and Rukia, fighting until he was severely wounded and near death.
Such a person would absolutely not abuse his employees.
It must have been a private small act by a colleague who was dissatisfied with his grandfather.
And just as he looked at Uzuki, he saw that the waitress named Uzuki was coming over with another large bowl.
Then…
She placed it next to his grandfather.
Only then did he notice Ishikawa's arrival, which made the corner of his eye twitch, having just defended Ishikawa in his mind.
Immediately, he looked into the large bowl in front of Ishikawa.
Upon seeing the unknown substance in the bowl, a look of confusion immediately appeared on his face.
Even the boss is abused?
"Oh, this noodle soup tastes good today." Ishikawa took a sip of the noodles and praised it sincerely.
"Right?"
Ishida Soken said with a gratified expression: "Uzuki's cooking has improved greatly. Even Wei Zhi, who always resisted eating breakfast, occasionally comes down to have a small bowl recently."
"Tsk, that's quite an improvement then."
"Of course!"
Uzuki said proudly: "I learned the art of making noodles seriously from Kin'en and Gin'en."
"…"
The conversation between the three made everyone at the table, except Ganju, look at each other with strange expressions.
This is a great improvement?
"Ishikawa-sama, is your… um, breakfast, always this special?"
"You'll get used to it."
Before Ishikawa could reply, Ishida Soken paternally patted Ishida Uryū's shoulder, then turned his head and pointed at Ishikawa: "This is Ishikawa. Although you've already met him in Seireitei, I'll still introduce him to you personally. After all, since I came to Soul Society, Ishikawa has been protecting and taking care of me."
"Ishi…"
Ishikawa waved his hand, interrupting Ishida Uryū: "You can skip the thanks. It was Ganju who advocated saving your grandfather, not me; as for taking care of him, your grandfather is just exaggerating a bit. Since he works at the Everything Store, we are family, and there's no need for thanks."
"Exactly, if it weren't for me, your grandfather would have been captured by Kurotsuchi Mayuri long ago."
Ishida Uryū ignored him, because in the two days he had been confined in Seireitei, Ganju had boasted to him more than once…
"Ah, that was refreshing!!"
Just then, Ichigo walked in from the back of the tavern. His eyes lit up when he saw Ishikawa… He jogged over to Ishikawa: "Ishikawa…" He suddenly paused, then hesitated before saying: "…Ishikawa-sama?"
Although he had always called Ishikawa "Ishikawa-sama" since he was a child, he only realized when he actually saw Ishikawa…
Calling him that to his face felt strangely embarrassing!
Ishikawa?
Ishikawa's eye twitched. This address sounded so awkward.
"You can just call me by my name."
Ishikawa said with narrowed eyes: "Even if we take a step back, purely by age, you shouldn't be calling me Ishikawa…"
Ichigo was startled at his words. After a moment, he asked curiously: "Then, compared to Rukia, who is older between you two?"
"…"
Ishikawa was silent for a moment: "Forget it… call me whatever you want."
"Then Ishikawa-sama?"
Ishikawa nodded, not bothering to correct him further. From Ichigo's demeanor, he clearly hadn't considered calling him by his name, or rather… he simply ignored his previous reply and decided on the address himself.
Ichigo brightened at the sight, pulled out the chair next to Ishikawa, and sat down.
As soon as he sat down, before he could even speak, a villain from a nearby table shouted: "Hey, cute-named kid… yes, I'm talking to you. I heard you almost cut that bastard Ikkaku to death in Seireitei. Is that true or false?"
"True or false, why don't you come and find out!?"
Ichigo smirked, directly hoisting his oddly shaped giant Zanpakuto and standing up from his chair: "Anyone who's not convinced, step forward! I'll show you who's cuter!"
Ishikawa was momentarily stunned at the sight, then he remembered…
This guy wasn't a quiet person in the Human World either. Faced with the taunts of these villains, he naturally couldn't ignore them completely like Ishida and the others.
"Hahaha, quite a temper."
"Kid, when I was cutting people, your dad probably wasn't even born yet."
"Come on, come on, however you want to fight, I'll fight you. I just want to see how strong a guy who can cut down Ikkaku is."
"…"
And these villains around him were clearly no pushovers either. Provoked by Ichigo like this, they seemed ready to drag him back to the backyard again.
Ishikawa finally understood…
Why he saw Ichigo cutting people in the backyard as soon as he came downstairs.
Seeing Ichigo preparing to head to the backyard again, Ishikawa frowned slightly, and a chilling aura spread from his body.
Almost at the instant this aura emanated, the previously boisterous tavern became utterly silent in an instant, and everyone couldn't help but stop what they were doing.
The few villains who had previously provoked Ichigo with words turned pale, one after another, and sat back in their seats, their heads shrinking into their wine glasses.
This scene startled Ichigo and the others.
Slurp—
Ishida Soken took a sip of noodle soup with a practiced ease, the sound incredibly loud in the pin-drop silent tavern, breaking the quiet.
Ishikawa glanced at the few villains, then said to Ichigo: "Don't mind them."
"Uh… yes…"
Ichigo swallowed, suddenly feeling that the gentle and kind Ishikawa in his memory had become somewhat terrifying… Of course, this gentleness and kindness were entirely his own imagination…
"If there's nothing wrong, don't get too close to them. Every single person here is a villain who deserves to die ten thousand times over. Too much contact with them won't do you any good."
Ishikawa did not deliberately lower his voice when he said this.
The surrounding villains all looked indifferent, because in their eyes, Ishikawa's words were practically praising them.
Ishikawa took a sip of noodle soup, looked at Ichigo beside him, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.
After a moment…
"I'll teach you Bankai."
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