Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Value of Ichimaru Gin
In that instant, the expression of Kujo Taimei, who had been interrupted, turned awkward, as if a peacock, slowly unfurling its feathers, had suddenly been struck by a one thousand year of death causing everything to fold back in on itself.
"Makoto-kun, don't you need to take a break? How about I tell you my story?" Kujo Taimei said, smacking his lips as if still riding the aftereffects of his previous excitement.
"Really, there's no need, because I already know." Senju Makoto replied.
Kujo Taimei froze for a moment and asked, "Makoto-kun, you've heard my story?"
"No…"
Senju Makoto smiled gently and responded, "But your face is full of stories, so I prefer reading them myself, rather than hearing them from your mouth."
Kujo Taimei felt a current rush from his head down to his heart, his body involuntarily shuddering.
That shudder… it was as if he had met someone who truly understood him!
This was the first time since becoming a Soul Reaper that someone had voluntarily taken the time to delve into his inner self.
Who said... that there can be no pure understanding or camaraderie between people of the same sex?
"Makoto-kun, thank you." Kujo Taimei said, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.
"Thank me?"
Senju Makoto looked at him, bewildered, not quite understanding the man before him.
However, he also felt that the atmosphere was suddenly shifting in an odd direction, so he hurriedly added, "Next, please, thank you."
"Right away, I'll go arrange it!"
Kujo Taimei wiped his tears and quickly set about making arrangements.
With the first successful case, the next resident who had volunteered a relative for the soul transplantation procedure soon arrived. After a short rest, Senju Makoto entered his working mode again, treating the residents without pause.
...
Soon, word about Senju Makoto spread throughout the community of residents suffering from soul deprivation. It was as though a ray of life had begun to spread slowly through the desolate and deathly quiet autumn, bringing a glimmer of hope to the residents whose emotions had long been numb.
As the 19th Seat, Kujo Taimei also organized his subordinates to go through the residents, confirming whether any family members or friends were willing to provide a "soul transplant".
But just as Unohana Retsu had said, it was an effort that held little significance.
Very few residents in the Rukongai had the chance to reunite with their living relatives, and beyond family, there were almost no true friends in the Rukongai willing to offer their souls for another.
Despite Kujo Taimei's repeated efforts to confirm, in the end, the number of willing volunteers was fewer than five, making up less than 5% of the total population.
"Damn it…"
As his subordinates reported their results, a sense of defeat began to show on Kujo Taimei's face.
To think that, there's fewer than five people who would get a chance to live... It was a hard pill to swallow for Kujo Taimei.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Kujo Taimei remembered something and turned to his subordinates.
"You all, keep asking if there are any residents we've missed, and strictly confirm whether they are truly willing."
With that, Kujo Taimei hurried off in one direction, heading straight somewhere.
In a sparsely populated area, a solitary house stood halfway up the mountain, with wooden planks hastily nailed together, creating gaps that barely shielded the inside from the wind and rain.
Without hesitation, Kujo Taimei pushed open the door, which seemed more decorative than functional. The moment he stepped inside, his vision darkened, and a short blade was pressed to his throat.
"Don't move!!"
Kujo Taimei flinched slightly, his gaze slowly rising, only to see that Ichimaru Gin had silently positioned himself atop the eaves, his body coiled like a venomous snake, with the blade of his "fang" aimed directly at Taimei's neck.
Raising his hands in a gesture of peace, far from the zanpakuto at his waist, Taimei spoke.
"Little ghost, you should remember me, right? I've deliberately placed dried rations in convenient spots for you several times."
Ichimaru Gin slowly lowered the blade from Taimei's neck, his light form dropping from the eaves. His tone, which had been sharp and cold, seemed to soften as he spoke.
"I remember you, Kujo Taimei. What is it that you need?"
"Cheh, just as Sejun described, you really are an impolite brat."
Taimei surveyed the area around him as he spoke.
Ichimaru Gin said nothing, his demeanor silent as ever.
But when Taimei's gaze shifted back to him, something caught his eye—the short blade in Ichimaru Gin's hand. His pupils contracted as realization hit, and he exclaimed.
"A zanpakuto?? Little ghost, where did you get this?"
Ichimaru Gin looked down at the blade in his hand, casually replying, "So this thing is called a zanpakuto? I originally picked up a Soul Reaper's weapon for self-defense. I kept it with me, and one day, I woke up to find it had transformed into this."
!!!
Kujo Taimei's heart raced.
A genius… an absolute genius!!
The spirit of this little ghost was barely that of a child, and yet he had already independently unlocked his zanpakuto's Shikai?!
Without thinking, Taimei spoke almost instinctively.
"Little boy, do you want to become a Soul Reaper? With your talent and potential, you could definitely become one of the most formidable Soul Reaper in the Soul Society. It's even possible for you to become a captain in the future."
"Soul Reaper??"
Ichimaru Gin's eyes flickered, as if he was pondering something, then asked, "My value... is it great?"
"Great? Without a doubt, you're a genius!" Kujo Taimei affirmed confidently.
At that moment, to Taimei's shock, Ichimaru Gin slowly knelt before him, his posture one of supplication, as he spoke in a calm but earnest tone.
"I wish to exchange my value for your help."
Taimei, still reeling from the surprise, straightened up and replied seriously, "Say it. Even if I can't do it myself, I'll try to ask my vice-captain for help."
Ichimaru Gin suddenly raised his head and fixed his gaze on Taimei, speaking with intensity.
"No, please, don't involve more Soul Reapers. I only hope that you can use your connections to find a Soul Reaper who can help treat my friend."
"Treat??" Taimei was stunned.
"Yes!" Ichimaru Gin said, standing up as he lifted a tatami mat beside him. Beneath it lay a comatose young girl with orange hair.
"Ha ha ha…"
Seeing this, Taimei couldn't help but laugh, marveling at how incredibly coincidental this all seemed.
However, Taimei failed to notice that Ichimaru Gin's short blade had subtly shifted, now pointed toward Taimei's throat. His narrowed eyes gleamed with a chilling light, ready to strike the Soul Reaper down should he dare to utter, "So it's you, little boy, who stole this little girl."
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