Early spring.
On the streets of Rukongai, puddles formed everywhere from the melting winter snow, while piles of snow were still melting in the shade behind the houses.
"Sure enough, our Rukongai can't do without your Yorozuya."
Uncle Watanabe, the owner of the tavern in District 1 of Runlin'an, laughed heartily as he pulled out the prepared payment. "I heard from the elders that you've been studying at Kūkaku-sama's place for the past three months. What exactly have you been learning? Don't tell me your Yorozuya is planning to start selling fireworks, too?"
"No."
Duan Mu accepted the payment and put away his tools. "I just took advantage of the fewer winter commissions to learn a few things from Big Sis Kūkaku." After saying that, Duan Mu glanced into the shop and smiled. "Your tavern's business is still as booming as ever, Uncle Watanabe."
"Booming, my foot."
Uncle Watanabe shook his head. "Don't let the number of customers fool you. Without your Yorozuya, I wouldn't even make enough in a day to pay for the repairs to the building. Those Soul Reapers act like obedient grandsons inside Seireitei, but the moment they come to Rukongai, they all turn into arrogant pricks."
"Heh. If you need me to, I can teach them a lesson." Duan Mu chuckled. "Of course, I'll charge you!"
"Forget it. I don't want you getting beaten up by them again because of this old body of mine."
Uncle Watanabe sighed. "Those bastards hit harder than the last. Last time, a customer made a few remarks because he couldn't stand the sight of one of them, and that bastard Soul Reaper nearly beat him to death. Fortunately, another customer was quick-witted. When he saw something was wrong, he immediately went and invited Jidanbō-sama over."
"As far as Seireitei