Chapter 9

An overbearing silence took over the place as nobody else dared to oppose Nero, they had seen first hand what he could do, and didn't dare think they could take him on under any foreseeable circumstance.

Ichigo returned soon after holding the hand of the treacherous Akira. He took the head from Ichigo's grasp and made sure everyone present could see it before tossing it like some piece kf unwanted trash.

Everyone else felt like puking at the scene but their fear was much stronger than any other urge at the moment.

Seeing as everyone was on their best behavior Nero nodded in approval. He looked at Ichigo fondly and wiped the blood stain on her cheek.

"You did well today Ichigo, what reward do you desire?" Nero asked affectionately

" If my lord views my contributions large enough then I humbly request a new arm." Ichigo said with a serious tone. Everyone looked at her weirdly but didn't dare say she was asking for the impossible since to them such a thing was beyond their comprehension.

"Is that all? I already planned to give you a new arm so that isn't really a reward, how about I build you a powerful armor?" Nero said casually, everyone else stared at him, they were shocked to hear him speak so casually about giving a fully functional limb to someone.

"This servent humbly accepts my lord, no words could describe my gratitude and loyalty to you." Ichigo spoke strongly and confidently as she looked at Nero.

"It is no issue, for now wake those worthless people and have them place their 'targets' inside inside the carriages, also amke sure Ryōshi coorparates with us by any means. The plan remains the same so tell him.what he needs to know and then handle the rest according to your judgment. When you arrive at the location you are to contact me." Nero said seriously and carried the unconscious Ayaka with him back to base, his plans were already in motion.

He also gave Ichigo this mission as a sort of test to see if she was loyal, even if she went rogue he was confident in finding serpent through other means while also disposing of her, but he wanted to delegate this mission to Ichigo and see if she would deliver.

.....

Ichigo POV

Hearing the promise of rewards from lord Rūy's mouth caused my heart to flutter excitedly, I watched his back as he left me with my newest mission and vowed to not fail.

So far he'd given me powers and upgrades I thought were simply impossible in this lifetime, and now he promised me a powerful suit, I had seen him use it but I never thought he'd also gift me one I was excited to say the least.

Although I tried hard to deny it, my time on this world had forced me to accept reality, mo matter how much I really wanted power. I was destined to go through this lifetime without it, I had refused this reality and worked to gain power by any means, but I lacked the talent to become a ninja and I had no money or influence to speak of.

But he arrived, like am answer to my prayers he arrived and used his amazing powers to totally annihilate our group, like a cruel enforcer he mercilessly butchered us, but by some strange luck or twist of fate he let me live on a whim. It was strange indeed, the very man who had caused me so much pain was also the man I felt like cared about me more than anyone else.

I desperately wanted to hate him, but I simply couldn't will myself to, not when he gave me what I always longed for, I couldn't bring myself to hate him no matter what.

He used his strange contraptions to give me a boost in strength and gifted me with chakra, maybe he could also use his contraptions to give me a new and better arm, something that could let me wield my sword faster and much more precisely. I knew it was a stretch but if anyone could do the impossible it would be him.

I looked at the trash lying on the floor and clicked my tongue, after confiscating all the weapons they had and also doing a headcount of the remaining slaves, I also took away all their weapons, they offered zero resistance and let me yake take guns and ammunition to another carriage. I counted to make sure all of the guns were there and after that I ordered the bait to enter the remaining carriages and wait.

A few more hours ticked by and Ryōshi seemed to be stirring into conciousness as his eyelids fluttered visibly.

Thanks to my improved hearing I could hear his heartbeat quicken as he looked at me fearfully, his eyes started darting around looking for lord Rūy. Seeing as he was on around he let our a relieved sigh.

"This is no time to relax, my lord showed you mercy and let you live but now you have to repay his kindness and help him, I don't imagine I have to tell you what happened when you refuse, and don't think that killing yourself will be possible. Unless my lord wills it, you are his eternal slave and shall do his bidding."I said calmly as I looked down on him, the pleasure running through me felt better than sex as he looked at me with fear and realization that my words were true. My lord couldn't let him die afterall.

I almost climaxed off the pleasure of seeing a powerful man below me, but rationality soon kicked in and let me regain control.

"If I help you you won't do that to me again right?" He asked calmly.

"If you stay in line and do as my lord says then you'll only receive good fortune but disobedience will bring only misfortune." I warned and poured chakra into my blade that hummed in a menecing tune.

"I understand, I'll do as you say." Ryōshi said with resignation, his eyes dimmed as he realized he no longer had control over his life.

"Wake up your men and prepare to move, we'll be heading towards the place you were meant to go after capturing these people. Also never approach that carriage" I ordered and warned him, the carriage in question contained the guns that I collected from everyone.

"Y- yes." Ryōshi agreed immediately and did as ordered, soon the carriages started moving. Most of Ryōshi's men also realized the dilemma the were in and decided that obedience was the best option.

Like that the carriages moved under the sun, their destination unknown but their purpose was clear.