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Seireitei, Outer Commercial Street.
"Is this the place?"
Kikkawa frowned slightly as he looked at the shop in front of him, then turned to the woman behind him and asked.
"That's right, this should be the shop that Ōmaeda-dono mentioned."
The woman pondered for a moment, then continued, "As per your instructions, I investigated the owner of this 'Everything Store'. He is very well-known in Rukongai and the outer Seireitei, so the investigation wasn't difficult."
"According to my investigation, he was originally a commoner from Rukongai, but somehow obtained a communication permit issued by Onmitsukidō, allowing him to freely travel between Rukongai and Seireitei."
"He himself is extremely capable; any commission he accepts is perfectly completed, leaving customers very satisfied. While running the Everything Store, he also works at the Comprehensive Relief Station of the Fourth Division. It is said that his proficiency in Kaido is completely on par with the Fourth Division Vice-Captain, and many Squad Members of the Gotei 13 who have received his treatment can attest to this."
"However, these are merely his superficial identities. Following your orders, I conducted an investigation through the Golden Seal Association's internal channels and found that he has very deep ties with Onmitsukidō, but any further investigation was halted by Onmitsukidō. However… there are rumors that the person who fought Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division not long ago was precisely this Ishikawa Katori."
Kikkawa nodded upon hearing this, his face showing no surprise. The information Hoki Aoi had investigated was consistent with what Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had said; the information he had received from Vice-Captain Ōmaeda was even more detailed.
With mutual corroboration, it could be basically confirmed that Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had not deceived him.
Thinking of this, Kikkawa did not hesitate further and walked directly into the Everything Store.
"Welcome, how may I help you?"
As soon as he stepped into the shop, a man and a woman came forward to greet him, but when they saw Kikkawa, both were startled and subconsciously said, "President Kikawa?"
Are they from the Ōmaeda Residence?
A hint of surprise flashed in Kikkawa's eyes. He had no impression of the male shop assistant, but he had seen the female shop assistant yesterday when he visited the Ōmaeda Residence; she was the one who had led him to Ōmaeda.
"Excuse me, is Ishikawa Katori in?"
Kikkawa asked in a calm tone, completely devoid of the condescending air typical of nobles, and even better than the attitude of many ordinary customers.
Kanon and Jōze exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
Even setting aside his identity as the President of the Golden Seal Association, Kikkawa, as the head of the Kikkawa family, a high-ranking noble clan, held an equally noble status. Kikkawa himself was an extremely rigid noble; he viewed not only Rukongai residents but even Seireitei residents as commoners.
It was precisely for this reason that he had initially opposed Sixth Division Captain Kucihki marrying a commoner from Rukongai.
However, it was rumored that his audacity at the time was also due to the support of the Kucihki family elders behind him.
But generally speaking…
Even with support from behind, very few dared to stubbornly refuse when the head of one of the Four Great Noble Clans personally came to visit. This indicated that, in addition to the support of the Kucihki family elders, he himself did not approve of the Kucihki family head marrying a commoner from Rukongai; otherwise, his attitude would not have been so firm.
This led Captain Kucihki, who was always known for his calm and composure, to retaliate against the Kikkawa family afterwards, and the method of retaliation was impulsive and violent, completely uncharacteristic of Captain Kucihki's usual demeanor, uncharacteristically causing the Kikkawa family great suffering.
However, the Kucihki family internally was not surprised by this at all.
"Ishikawa Katori is currently handling a commission in Rukongai, but he contacted us yesterday saying he would arrive in Seireitei before noon. Judging by the time, he should be here soon." Kanon finished, then hesitated and said, "President Kikawa, if you have any commission, you can register it with us first…"
"No need for such trouble, I'll just wait for him here."
Kikkawa finished, then turned and pointed to the young girl behind him, saying, "This is Hoki Aoi, one of the council members of the Golden Seal Association, responsible for noble affairs within the Golden Seal Association. In the future, if there's a need, she will be the one to contact you."
Hoki Aoi?
Kanon quickly withdrew her gaze from the young girl, because the Hoki family, like the Kikkawa family, was also a high-ranking noble clan and one of the permanent families of the Golden Seal Association. The presidents of the Golden Seal Association were basically chosen from these two families, the Hoki family and the Kikkawa family.
However…
She will contact us?
Kanon and Jōze's eyes flashed with confusion, not understanding why the Golden Seal Association would need to contact Ishikawa Katori's Everything Store.
As if seeing their confusion, Kikkawa said, "In the future, the Golden Seal Association will select some noble affairs that are inconvenient for the Golden Seal Association to handle from the commissions it receives, and transfer them to your Everything Store as commissions. This is an agreement I have reached with your Ishikawa Katori."
Kikkawa looked at their shocked expressions, shook his head slightly, and said nothing more.
He had already lowered his stance as much as possible.
If the other party were merely the owner of a small shop, he naturally wouldn't have this attitude. But according to Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, the other party's identity within Onmitsukidō was enough for Onmitsukidō to constantly monitor his son and protect his son's safety.
Thinking of this, Kikkawa couldn't help but sigh.
Because what Vice-Captain Ōmaeda told him, rather than a transaction, was more like a threat.
Perhaps because of generations of business, that bastard didn't bring a contract or anything when he came to discuss the transaction with him, but rather…
A death toll report of Shinigami dispatched to the Human World, a strength analysis of a Hollow code-named 'Grand Fisher', and a transfer order given to Ishikawa Katori by Captain Soi Fon.
After showing these to Kikkawa, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda then revealed the purpose of his visit.
He said a lot, but it could basically be summed up in one sentence:
"Your son's life is in Ishikawa Katori's hands!"
So he couldn't afford to have a bad attitude. After all, his son had already departed for Karakura Town in the Human World this morning, and according to his investigation, Karakura Town in the Human World was indeed as dangerous as Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had said.
"Yo, Ishikawa Katori, are you back from your work?"
Just then, a greeting came from the street outside the shop, causing the few people inside to look out.
A young man in black work clothes was seen walking from outside, carrying a large package on his back. The young man seemed very popular on the Commercial Street; everyone who saw him would come out to greet him, and the young man also politely smiled and responded to each one.
It really is him!
Kikkawa thought to himself. In fact, when Vice-Captain Ōmaeda came to him, he had already vaguely guessed that 'Ishikawa Katori' might be the young man who was sitting next to Ōmaeda at the time.
Meanwhile, Hoki Aoi, upon seeing Ishikawa Katori, frowned and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes; when Ishikawa Katori walked into the Everything Store, she even moved aside as if avoiding trash.
Has he finally arrived?
Looking at the two people in the shop, a hint of brightness flashed in Ishikawa Katori's eyes, and he showed his signature smile, extending his hand and saying, "Sorry, I had quite a few commissions, so I kept President Kikawa waiting."
"No problem."
Kikkawa looked at Ishikawa Katori, who was covered in dust and wood shavings, then looked at his hands, which, although somewhat fair, were also covered in dust. His cheek twitched, but he still extended his hand and shook Ishikawa Katori's, saying, "I just arrived here myself."
"Please have a seat first. I'll go put away my tool bag and change my clothes."
Ishikawa Katori finished, then glanced at Hoki Aoi, who had moved aside, and smiled, "Otherwise, with how I'm dressed now, this beautiful lady might not be able to communicate with me properly."
Very observant.
Kikkawa nodded secretly. As someone who had always worked with Hoki Aoi, he naturally couldn't be unaware of her severe mysophobia.
But to be able to immediately notice this upon entering the door was enough to show that Ishikawa Katori was very observant.
He didn't know, however…
In fact, before entering the shop, Ishikawa Katori's gaze was already on Hoki Aoi, and his mind instinctively began to think about how to befriend her.
Compared to a male like Kikkawa, who couldn't provide him with experience points, leaving a good impression on this female, whose Reiatsu was comparable to that of a high-ranking Seated Officer, was clearly more important.
Hoki Aoi subconsciously nodded, then, as if realizing that doing so was a bit impolite, she shook her head slightly again.
Ishikawa Katori smiled upon seeing this and entered the lounge.
First, he meticulously cleaned the dust off himself with water in the bathroom, then changed into a brand new set of black work clothes and walked out of the lounge.
When Ishikawa Katori walked out, Hoki Aoi looked him up and down. Once she confirmed that Ishikawa Katori had meticulously tidied his appearance, she couldn't help but feel a little fond of this Ishikawa Katori, whom she was meeting for the first time.
Although her first impression wasn't very good, his attitude of leaving President Kikawa aside and considering her feelings had reversed her impression.
Moreover, given the nature of the Everything Store's work, it was understandable that he would appear before her in such a state.
It was her own reaction that had been a bit too extreme.
[Hoki Aoi's favorability +1, gained 80 experience points, current favorability: 1]
The system notification in his mind brought a gentle smile to Ishikawa Katori's face: "Given the nature of my shop's work, getting clothes dirty is unavoidable. I didn't know of your arrival beforehand, Miss, so please forgive any impoliteness."
"No, it was I who was impolite."
Hoki Aoi smiled: "This is my own issue, it has nothing to do with you, Ishikawa Katori." She then extended her hand and said, "Hello, I am Hoki Aoi, one of the council members of the Golden Seal Association, specifically responsible for recording noble-related matters. Please guide me in the future."
Ishikawa Katori extended his hand and shook Hoki Aoi's, a brief touch and release, and smiled, "Miss Hoki Aoi, please take care of me in the future."
"Ishikawa Katori, you're too kind."
"…"
Kikkawa watched the two conversing happily, his lips twitching slightly. Although he was somewhat annoyed by Ishikawa Katori's behavior of leaving him aside, after a moment of hesitation, he did not step forward to interrupt their conversation.
However…
Five minutes passed, and there was no sign of their conversation stopping.
How talkative is this guy?
Unlike him, Hoki Aoi was beautiful, and despite being a candidate for the head of a high-ranking noble clan, she had no airs, treating all nobles equally when handling noble affairs, even if they were lower-ranking nobles.
She had always been very popular among the nobility and could be said to be like an image ambassador for the Golden Seal Association.
The reason he brought Hoki Aoi was precisely to leave a good impression on Ishikawa Katori, so that he could take more care of his son.
His goal was achieved, but…
You're just chatting with Hoki Aoi and leaving me, the President, aside, isn't that a bit too much!?
"Ishikawa Katori."
Finally, Kikkawa couldn't help but speak, "Shouldn't we discuss the cooperation between the Golden Seal Association and the Everything Store?"
"Huh?"
Ishikawa Katori was stunned for a moment, then he remembered…
Today's main purpose was not to make friends, but to discuss the cooperation between Kikkawa and the Golden Seal Association and the Everything Store.
The purpose of the cooperation was simple: the Golden Seal Association would act as an intermediary, transferring noble commissions entrusted to the Golden Seal Association to Ishikawa Katori's Everything Store for completion, thereby opening a channel between the Everything Store and the nobility.
"Ah, look at me, I was so engrossed in chatting with Miss Hoki Aoi that I forgot about the main business."
Ishikawa Katori finished, then nodded apologetically to Hoki Aoi, and went straight to the point: "I believe Vice-Captain Ōmaeda has already told you the specifics, so I won't repeat them. Regarding commissions, you just need to inform Kanon and Jōze of the details."
"Once I receive the information, I will start working on it immediately. However, I personally hope to have direct contact with the client as much as possible to obtain more detailed information."
"No problem."
Kikkawa nodded directly, then looked at Hoki Aoi: "Hoki Aoi, please give the recorded document to Ishikawa Katori."
"Yes."
Hoki Aoi responded, handing the document in her arms to Ishikawa Katori. After Ishikawa Katori took it, she said, "Regarding the cooperation, President Kikawa has already discussed and finalized it with the council members. However, to transfer the noble affairs entrusted to the Golden Seal Association to your Everything Store, we first need to gain the approval of those nobles."
"This document records a request submitted a month ago by the lower-ranking noble Hachi Family, the Ukitake family, and the middle-ranking noble Nagano family, hoping that the Golden Seal Association could help them find family members who had privately gone to the Human World."
"The Hachi Family member is Hachiun Hane, who went to the Human World because he did not want to follow the family rules and join Onmitsukidō; the Ukitake family member is Ukitake Hiro, whose reason for going to the Human World is unknown, rumored to be for leisure; and finally, Nagano Kasyuu, who, in a fit of pique with her parents, led the other two to privately go to the Human World using the Nagano family's Senkaimon."
"Over the past month, our Golden Seal Association has exhausted all methods of searching, but because the three were extremely well-prepared before their departure, we have been unable to track them by any means. According to the report from Onmitsukidō, the last time their Reiatsu was detected, their location was Karakura Town."
After detailing the commission in one breath, Hoki Aoi continued, "If you, Ishikawa Katori, can find the three and bring them back safely, you should be able to gain the approval of the nobles."
Ishikawa Katori nodded upon hearing this, but did not reply. Instead, he opened the document in his hand and read it carefully from beginning to end.
Ishikawa Katori knew nothing about the other two families, but he had done some research on the Hachi Family to increase Soi Fon's favorability.
The Hachi Family was a lower-ranking noble clan that had lived by execution and assassination for generations. Family members who could not join the Punishment Force would be exiled by the family.
Within Onmitsukidō, especially in the Onmitsukido, many came from the Hachi Family. Ishikawa Katori had always thought that people from the Hachi Family would not refuse to join Onmitsukidō. But now it seems… some people are unwilling to join, even running away at the risk of being exiled.
However, it's also normal. Ōmaeda once told Ishikawa Katori.
Captain Soi Fon is the youngest of the Hachi Family's ninth generation of six siblings, and her five elder brothers all died in the line of duty. If everyone were willing to join such a high-risk profession, it would be abnormal!
"No problem, but I'll need to use your Golden Seal Association's Senkaimon."
"Please rest assured, I have already had people prepare it before coming."
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