After dinner in the dormitory cafeteria, Shigū Takeru and the others left for the Rukongai without delay.
It was still early. Although something had happened, it hadn't seemed to cause a major disturbance. The atmosphere in Junrinan was the same as always.
People lit lanterns and hung them under their porches. Children ran around, the night becoming their playmate. The sounds of laughter and chatter drifted through the streets on the evening breeze.
A few children and adults even greeted Takeru and Ichigo when they saw them.
"We only stayed here for a few days, but they're treating us like one of their own." Ichigo was touched, but also a little confused by this simple, pure kindness.
Takeru, however, understood completely.
"The residents of the Rukongai come from all over, and even from different eras. They're used to forming new 'families' with strangers they're not related to. That's why they're so friendly to outsiders and even happy to accept new family and friends... It's practically the perfect breeding ground for a yakuza organization."
"That last part was unnecessary."
Ignoring the bickering up front, Yayahara looked around like a curious cat.
"I'd heard the public order in the districts near the Seireitei was good, with lots of interesting shops that attract Shinigami. Looks like it wasn't just a rumor."
Rindo Itaru was extremely quiet, as if he were in a daze, or perhaps he was silently observing everything around him, gathering clues.
Soon, the four arrived at the Elder's residence.
They knocked and entered, only to be almost pushed back by a palpable, powder-keg atmosphere.
The large wooden house was as spacious as a warehouse, able to accommodate many children playing, eating, and sleeping.
But at this moment, not a single child was in sight.
Only the Elder and a man and a woman were in a standoff.
In the middle, a pot hanging over a fire pit bubbled loudly, seeming to reflect the mood of the two sides.
However, when Takeru looked closer, he realized the standoff was between the man and the woman. The Elder, in contrast, looked like a helpless mediator, just sitting there.
And he recognized the pair immediately.
The woman was Shiba Kūkaku. That wasn't surprising; it was perfectly understandable for a fireworks master living in West Rukongai to be out and about.
But seeing Ōmaeda Marechiyo, a Shinigami, here... that felt out of place.
"Hah? Who are these brats? Who let them in!?"
Ōmaeda, who had just been in a shouting match with Kūkaku—or more accurately, had just been thoroughly chewed out—was already fuming. Seeing more people show up to interrupt, he couldn't hold it in.
"This is the Elder's house. Who are you to butt in? If you've got a problem, crawl back to the Seireitei. Have your Captain come here personally, before you make this worse."
Before Takeru, the others, or the Elder could speak, Kūkaku shot back.
"You...! I've had enough of you! Don't think you can walk all over me just because you're from the Ōmaeda family! I am the Vice-Captain of the 2nd Division and the Captain of the Patrol Corps of the Onmitsukidō!"
"I am here to investigate a case! You have no authority to order me around. In fact, you should be obeying my orders! Cooperate and hand over your intel like this old man, or when my Captain gets here, it won't end well for you!"
Ōmaeda's face turned beet-red with rage. He shot to his feet. His large, burly frame was indeed intimidating, and the small amount of Vice-Captain-level Reiatsu he let leak was not to be underestimated.
At the very least, Ichigo and Yayahara both tensed up, ready for a conflict.
But Kūkaku remained seated, legs crossed, completely unfazed by Ōmaeda.
"Ha! Trying to use Suì-Fēng to scare me? Then go get her! That would be perfect. Go on, hurry! I'll wait. When she gets here, I'll dump all the intel on her without a second word."
"You bastard!"
That casual tone, as if Suì-Fēng was just her subordinate who cleaned up her messes, made Ōmaeda want to draw his sword and cut off her other arm. But he didn't have the guts.
In the end, he could only throw out a hollow threat—"I'll catch the criminal even without you!"—and storm off.
As he brushed past them, Takeru moved aside and offered a seemingly helpful suggestion. "Perhaps you'll find an unexpected lead if you look for the Shinigami in charge of this area."
"...Hmph."
Ōmaeda shot him a sideways glance and snorted gruffly.
"You brats should go home to bed. Otherwise, you'll be late tomorrow and get a chewing out from your Academy teachers."
Having said that, as if he'd finally gotten a word in, he stormed off.
"That guy is so annoying. He's nothing like the people in the 5th Division," Ichigo 'tsked'.
"—So don't you dare become that kind of Shinigami in the future. Or if I run into you, what just happened to him will be your fate," Shiba Kūkaku's voice came from inside.
Takeru and the others were still in their Academy uniforms, so their identities were obvious.
"This is..."
"She is Shiba Kūkaku, the most famous fireworks master in the Rukongai," the Elder introduced her.
"I've heard of her! She handles the fireworks for almost every ceremony in the Seireitei! She's a huge influence among merchants in both the Rukongai and the Seireitei. She's my mom's idol!" Yayahara's eyes lit up.
"Ha! That's the first time I've heard myself introduced like that. And your mother has good taste, little lady."
"Can I... Can I have your autograph?"
"Easy. I'll sign one of my custom-made fireworks. You can take it back as a collector's item. Guaranteed to hold its value, no fakes~"
"Awesome!"
Watching the two social butterflies hit it off, even Takeru felt a bit speechless. He turned to the Elder, who was pouring them water, and made small talk, taking the chance to introduce Yayahara and Rindo Itaru.
As the conversation progressed, Kūkaku gradually learned their story.
"Oh, so you're the geniuses the Elder was talking about. Kids these days are really something else."
Kūkaku looked Takeru and Ichigo over with interest. For some reason, her attention seemed to linger more on Ichigo.
"We're just grateful for the Elder's help back then."
"Don't mention it. I'm relieved to see you're doing well at the Academy and have made new friends. I just... didn't expect you to come back at a time like this."
Takeru and Ichigo exchanged a look. Finally, Ichigo stepped up to explain why they were there.
The Elder's expression cleared.
"I see. You were worried that the disappearance of your classmate might somehow involve this old man, so you hurried over."
"But with Ms. Kūkaku here, it seems our worries were unnecessary," Takeru said meaningfully.
"Don't flatter me. This whole thing is giving me a headache, too," Kūkaku waved her hand, annoyed.
"Is it because the Shinigami in charge of Junrinan also had an 'accident'?"
"?"
Takeru's sudden question made Kūkaku freeze, and stunned the others.
-------
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