Chapter 19 ⥤ Sorry, Money Can Buy Anything
He had expected the other party to make outrageous demands, like obtaining noble privileges, entering the highest echelons of Soul Society, or becoming an Officer in the Gotei 13.
Unexpectedly, it was just a matter of money.
Akira looked at this serene piggyba— man, who seemed to have money to burn and didn't care about it at all. He faintly heard the arrogant words, "Sorry, money can buy anything."
For such an insufferable rich person, he must be fleeced mercilessly!
"₭10,000, no, ₭100,000!" Akira opened his mouth wide like a lion, instantly multiplying the previous price by a hundred.
"Alright!" Sōjun nodded in agreement, "But you must guarantee that the talismans are exactly the same as before. Also, after-sales service needs to be provided."
Seeing how readily the other party agreed, Akira suddenly doubted if he had asked for too little.
However, after a moment's hesitation, he didn't go back on his word. It's not every day you come across such a sucker. If he let this one get away, he'd be the one losing out.
"No problem!" He thumped his chest loudly, "For after-sales service, just come to me or go to the local shrine in the 76th District of East Rukongai, Sakahone. As for the talismans, there are only ten left in stock. How many would you like, young master Mone— Oh, I mean, young master Kuchiki?"
Sōjun looked suspiciously at the youth before him, feeling that this guy seemed to have wanted to say something very offensive just now.
"I'll take them all." He pondered, "As for the money, I'll have my butler bring it this afternoon."
Akira nodded, then flipped onto the bed.
Under the astonished gazes of Sōjun and Aizen, he pulled out ten talismans from under the mattress, inside the pillowcase, from a corner of the blanket, inside his shoes, and even from Aizen's bed.
Looking at his overturned mattress, Aizen's eye twitched, suddenly feeling the urge to draw his sword.
Despite his vigilance and superior strength compared to Akira, he hadn't noticed the talismans hidden in his own bed.
This guy is really something else...
As Sōjun took the crumpled talismans, considering these hiding spots, he briefly contemplated returning them.
"Hold on, one more question." Akira raised his right hand, index finger pointing skyward, "How was the previous talisman used up?"
Sōjun paused, pondered for a moment, then smiled, "It's not really a secret. You're aware I'm the Kuchiki family heir, right?"
Akira nodded, his curiosity piqued.
"Soul Society isn't as peaceful as it seems on the surface. In its dark, neglected corners, countless conflicts and wars rage on." Sōjun's expression grew serious, "To gain power, both noble factions and rebel groups outside the nobility wage ruthless wars, disregarding casualties."
"Beyond the Gotei's Shinigami, many powerful unaffiliated beings in Soul Society serve these shadow factions. To quickly boost my strength and lighten my father's burdens, I recently entered a rebel battlefield. Just as an enemy ambush nearly pierced my heart, the talisman activated. Its pattern appeared at the battlefield's center, releasing a sea of mist that instantly killed thirty-seven rebel Shinigami — including one as strong as a high-ranking Seated Officer."
Akira stroked his chin, deep in thought. No one knew the talismans' limits better than he did.
Protecting the wearer from illness and disaster might be achievable, but killing thirty-seven Shinigami, including a Seated Officer? That seemed impossible. Unless...
"Can you describe what the dead looked like?" He suddenly asked.
Sōjun was taken aback, then frowned as he recalled, "Scarred face, average build..."
"No, no, I don't mean their appearance. What did the corpses look like after death?" Akira interrupted.
"After death?" Sōjun paused, "Mummies. It was as if some force had drained the blood and Reiatsu from their bodies."
Hearing this, Akira finally understood what had happened. The talisman itself didn't possess such powerful abilities — but that didn't mean the One-Eyed God lacked them.
When it appeared on the battlefield, the cruel and bloody environment became a natural sacrificial ground. The dead became offerings, dedicating everything to Mimihagi!
"This is really..." He shook his head in amazement, "A path I never imagined."
"Is there a problem?" Sōjun asked, puzzled.
"Not at all!" Akira said decisively, "There's no one more suitable for these ten talismans than you. However, I need to clarify one point: the talismans will show different effects when triggered in different environments. Use them with caution, young man!"
Sōjun left, confused.
Despite his repeated questions, Akira didn't reveal the true meaning of his last words, only instructing him to keep one talisman for himself.
"Sōsuke, I truly am a business genius!" After seeing off the rich fool, Akira snapped his fingers proudly and boasted, "Let's go, our target is the Academy cafeteria! Today, it's my treat!"
Aizen shook his head helplessly; some people really couldn't hide their emotions. Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were all written on his face.
But this kind of person seems quite suitable to be a friend...
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After breakfast, Akira and Aizen arrived at the classroom together. The first class of the day was Kaidō again.
Akira assumed that after a night's rest, Kawai (the teacher) would have adjusted his mindset. After all, he was an elite Shinigami — a high-ranking Seated Officer of the 4th Division.
Placing his textbooks on the desk, he began idly looking around, waiting for the teacher's arrival.
Despite his innate talent in this branch of Kidō, thanks to his exclusive trait Miraculous Healing, he still needed to learn Kaidō to fully harness this ability.
However, long after the bell had rung, there was still no sign of the teacher.
Just as he was wondering if Kawai hadn't recovered from yesterday's shock, a familiar yet strange figure slowly walked past the window in the corridor.
Akira rubbed his eyes in disbelief. When he recognized the person, his eyes widened, and he involuntarily drew in a sharp breath, muttering to himself in astonishment:
"Could it be... Has the 4th Division's finances become so tight that they've come to the Academy to collect debts?!"
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