Pleasure Working With You

"Huh?"

Duan Mu almost doubted if his ears were malfunctioning. These villains were actually asking him to help them guard their territory?

What a joke. This was a Yorozuya, not some criminal headquarters.

"I'm sorry, but all commissions accepted by this shop have one prerequisite: we only accept those that do not conflict with Seireitei. This kind of commission, guarding territory for you, is something this shop cannot accept. Furthermore, if Soul Reapers come to clear you out, this shop won't be able to help you."

"No!"

Daimaru quickly explained, "No matter how arrogant we are, we wouldn't bother those killers from Seireitei. Besides, it's not like we're looking for trouble; trouble found us."

"Hmm?"

Seeing Duan Mu adopt a posture that indicated he was willing to listen further, Daimaru gave a wry smile. "Actually, the main reason is because of you..."

"Customer, please don't shift the blame so casually," Duan Mu interrupted directly.

"Ah, I misspoke. The main reason is that Daimaru courted death."

Upon hearing this, Daimaru corrected his wording decisively. "We're actually indifferent to his death. Moreover, with him dead, I'll be the boss of District 79, which is something worth celebrating for me."

Duan Mu looked at Daimaru with a strange expression. These guys truly exuded an 'evil' aura from the core. Did they not even need to conceal such things?

However, Daimaru's next words made Duan Mu understand that these guys were truly unreserved.

"So, I led the remaining brothers and celebrated for several days and nights."

This brotherhood was truly eye-opening.

Duan Mu narrowed his eyes, too lazy to critique their behavior. "Continue."

"But somehow, the news of Daimaru's death spread, even reaching District 80."

Duan Mu's cheek twitched.

Somehow it spread? Was he serious? They celebrated so grandly for days and nights, and now he was telling him he didn't know how it spread?

But, District 80...

A flicker of surprise flashed in Duan Mu's eyes. After all, even though they were both later-numbered districts, District 80 of West Rukongai could be considered an independent region.

Even without actively seeking information, Duan Mu had heard many rumors about District 80.

Great Villains!!

The people there, without exception, found pleasure in killing and were known as 'Great Villains'.

Their very reason for existence seemed to be solely for slaughter. It could be said that anyone in West Rukongai with confidence in their strength would gather there; it was also the haven for villains.

There wasn't a single person who could survive in that area who wasn't formidable. Even the Soul Reapers of Seireitei dared not tread there lightly.

"Don't misunderstand."

Daimaru explained, "We're not being targeted by the Great Villains of District 80. Those lunatics only think about fighting stronger enemies every day; they have no interest in dealing with us, whom they consider trash."

"Then why did the customer mention District 80?"

Duan Mu frowned. Perhaps it was due to his infrequent interactions with people, but he found that these guys had no idea what 'getting to the point' meant.

"District 80 is vast. While those Great Villains aren't interested in forming factions, they have gained followers through constant battles, gradually forming spheres of influence and dividing the entire District 80. Newcomers to District 80 mostly join these Great Villains' factions, strengthening themselves through continuous battles with opposing forces."

"It can be said that those who are constantly fighting for territory are merely followers of the Great Villains. These followers vary in strength, but even the weakest are not much weaker than that idiot Daimaru."

"And the one targeting us is precisely one of the Great Villains' followers."

"That's enough."

Duan Mu interrupted with a cold tone, "I'm sorry, this shop will not accept this commission."

If it were a dispute between minor factions, he wouldn't mind taking on the commission, but involving District 80 was not worth it.

Moreover, these people were all in tattered clothes and didn't look like they had money.

"200,000 Rings!!" the scarred man blurted out urgently.

Duan Mu, who was about to stand up and see them out, sat back down upon hearing this. For the first time, an incredibly gentle smile appeared on his face.

This was definitely worth discussing further.

Making money was nothing to be ashamed of!

"..."

The scarred man and the others looked at Duan Mu with peculiar expressions. How blind were the residents of Rukongai to consider this 'moody' lunatic a good-natured person?

"This is all the money we've gathered. If it's not enough, we can raise more."

"Esteemed Mas... cough, esteemed customer, could you please elaborate on the commission details and the specific implementation methods so that this shop can assess the price for this commission?"

As Duan Mu spoke, he mentally calculated. 200,000 Rings would be enough for him to eat and drink well for two to three months, even if he bought the best wine and snacks every day.

Not only him, but Uzuki behind the counter also came forward at some point, clearing the tea from the table and then, with a smile, poured some of Duan Mu's stored good wine for them.

In the month Duan Mu was away, the shop's income and expenses had shown a deficit. Forget about drinking strawberry milk; she had almost eaten all the noodles in the shop.

200,000 could buy so much strawberry milk.

Duan Mu's eyes flashed with a hint of pain at the sight, but he didn't stop it.

Diao Ao was quite nonchalant. He took a cloth bag from an subordinate behind him and slapped it onto the coffee table. "Here's 200,000 Rings. The request is simple. No matter what method you use, just make sure the guys in District 80 of West Rukongai don't target us."

It's just a matter of a word from the person behind you anyway.

Although Duan Mu was strong, it was only relative to them. Duan Mu, who couldn't even defeat Daimaru, was not expected by Diao Ao to help them resolve this trouble.

However, Duan Mu was the younger brother personally acknowledged by the 'woman' who had crushed Daimaru with one hand. As long as he asked the head of the Shiba Clan for help and had that person say a word, this trouble could be easily resolved. After all, even the great villains in District 80 of West Rukongai were unwilling to easily provoke the Shiba Clan.

As for why they didn't directly ask the Shiba Clan for help, the reason was simple: they were afraid of being crushed like Daimaru. They had wanted to capture his brother not long ago, and now they were coming to him for help. How could he possibly assist them?

But if Duan Mu were to step forward, it would be different.

"No problem, my shop accepts this commission!"

Duan Mu placed his hand on the money bag. Since the money had been brought here, he naturally wouldn't let it leave his shop.

Moreover...

He could take this opportunity to test his current strength.

If he were only as strong as Daimaru, it shouldn't pose any threat to him.

"Really?"

Diao Ao looked at Duan Mu with suspicion. This guy actually agreed so readily. Could he really easily get that person to intervene?

"Of course. Customers can go out and ask around. My shop, once it accepts a job, will always do its utmost to complete it. There has never been any slacking off."

Diao Ao nodded upon hearing this, but then, as if thinking of something, he quickly pressed down on the money bag and said, "Let me state this beforehand, you can't turn around and help the other party eliminate us just because they offer more money."

"..."

Duan Mu was astonished. What kind of logic were these guys operating on to even come up with such a scheme?

"How could that be? My shop, once it accepts money,"

Duan Mu tugged at the money bag. "will absolutely never do anything to harm the client, no matter how much more they offer. After all, the most important thing in running a business is credibility. Otherwise, who would come to us for commissions?"

"That's true."

Diao Ao released his hand. Regardless of the shop owner's character, the reputation of the 'Yorozuya' was something he had heard of, even though he had never paid attention to it.

"Then... I'll be counting on you."

"Pleasure doing business with you!"