Who would have thought that the first head of an organization that specialized in Hakuda and Shunpo, and excelled at stealth, would be a limping man who leaned on a cane?
Lin Nan watched Sennichi's retreating back and couldn't help grumbling inwardly.
"With all due respect, your arrangements are fine. It's just that our safety isn't guaranteed during the first fifteen days. So—please forgive me for speaking plainly—I'm afraid you'll have to offer us some other assurances."
Lin Nan stayed seated, looking up at the towering Shihoin Sennichi.
As soon as he said that, Kyoraku and Ukitake—and even Shihoin Yota, who was guarding the door—all froze.
He was haggling with the Shihoin House, a family known for its "Heavenly Gifted Armament"? What did he take the head of the house for?
Shihoin Sennichi hadn't expected Lin Nan to make such a demand out of the blue. He paused, then asked, "What kind of assurance?"
"An equivalent exchange that makes it worth the risk—and proves your sincerity," Lin Nan said gravely.
After all, the three of them weren't Soul Reapers yet. They had no obligation to risk their lives for the 2nd Division, let alone the Four Great Noble Houses. And Sennichi had admitted himself that danger lay ahead.
A fair price was better than working like oxen for free.
Even if Yamamoto were here, Lin Nan would still say his demand was perfectly reasonable.
Ukitake's eyes went wide with shock. Kyoraku suddenly found that the fruit in his hand didn't taste so sweet anymore. They both stared at Lin Nan.
What was with this kid? Was he serious? Wasn't he afraid the other man would get angry? That was the head of the Shihoin House!
Sennichi smiled faintly. "I understand. Let me think about it."
The young man's request wasn't entirely unreasonable. They were being asked to take on a life-threatening task, and they were still students at the Spirit Arts Academy. It was only natural that they'd want some reassurance.
Sennichi could certainly offer them a modest reward. The Shihoin House wasn't some stingy family like the Tsunayashiro Clan.
It was just that he was used to giving orders and having his subordinates obey. This was the first time anyone had bargained with him.
And as a noble, he'd never personally bought anything, let alone haggled over a price.
He scratched his head, troubled.
"Well... if the matter is resolved successfully, I promise you can join the 2nd Division as soon as you graduate. How does that sound?"
Lin Nan shook his head with a smile. "As disciples of Gen Style, joining the Court Guard Squad is the most basic aspiration. I'm afraid that offer is a little low."
"Uh... then, once the other Stealth Force squads are established, how about making you squad leaders?"
"With all due respect, that's not much different from your last offer..."
Sennichi tried one offer after another, thinking hard each time. Lin Nan countered each one in turn.
Kyoraku and Ukitake were completely dumbfounded. The head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses was haggling back and forth with a new student from the Spirit Arts Academy like some Rukongai commoner.
"Lord Sennichi is very easygoing. Anyone else would've had Lin Nan thrown out by now, wouldn't they?" Ukitake whispered to Kyoraku.
Kyoraku shook his head slightly, then leaned over to whisper in Ukitake's ear. "You've got it backward. Only Lin Nan would dare haggle with Shihoin Sennichi. Nobody else would have the nerve. He even dares to challenge Kenpachi to a duel. What wouldn't he dare do?"
Ukitake glanced at Kyoraku uneasily. "Then... what if Lord Sennichi gets angry?"
Kyoraku gave him a sheepish look and murmured, "Don't ask me. If I'd known he was going to do this, I wouldn't have eaten so many of their candied fruits..."
After a long back-and-forth, Shihoin Sennichi gave up completely. He hadn't had much experience shopping in the first place, and he'd utterly lost this round of negotiations.
"Why not just make you the Second Division Captain? I honestly don't know what else to offer."
Seeing how dispirited Sennichi looked, Lin Nan knew he'd pushed things far enough. He quickly smiled and said,
"You misunderstand, Head of the House. I'm not asking you to give us some high-ranking post or a maid or anything like that. As disciples of Gen Style, what we need most is a chance to grow. That's how we can become stronger and accomplish great things..."
"You mean...?"
"If possible, could you give us two or three of the Shihoin House's sacred weapons?"
Sennichi was utterly defeated. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you say?"
The Shihoin House had long been known as the "Heavenly Gifted Armament" because it had inherited many sacred weapons said to have been bestowed by the Soul King.
A hint of regret stirred in Sennichi's heart. I asked you to come armed and help with a job, and now you want to rob my house.
Behind them, Kyoraku Shunsui wore a pained expression. It looked like they were bound to offend the Shihoin House today...
He began quietly plotting to stick his fingers down his throat later and make himself throw up everything he'd eaten.
"You're asking for too much, kid." Sennichi tried to suppress his anger. "The Shihoin House's armaments can't just be given away..."
Lin Nan pretended to look troubled and replied, "That's too bad. But with our current abilities, it'll be difficult to handle the mission unless we have some way to strengthen ourselves..."
At that, Lin Nan flashed Sennichi a sly smile. "How about you spare some time to teach us the Shihoin House's unique Shunpo and Hakuda techniques?"
Before Sennichi could answer, Yota's voice suddenly rang out from farther away. "That's fine! I can teach you!"
Shihoin Yota had just noticed his father's expression and worried that anger might affect his health. Now that Lin Nan had changed his request, he quickly chimed in.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Afraid his father would object, Yota spoke quickly. "Come by whenever you like. I can teach you personally. Father, I can handle this. Please don't get worked up."
A glint of cunning flashed in Lin Nan's eyes. He'd never intended to get his hands on the Shihoin House's sacred weapons. He'd only used a little trick.
When you ask to open a window, people may refuse with all sorts of excuses. But when you say you want to tear off the roof, they'll be the ones to suggest opening a window instead...
Lin Nan grinned at Yota. "I'd have to be blind to turn that down. But I only said half of what I wanted to say. There's still the other half..."
Seeing Lin Nan's expression change, Shihoin Sennichi immediately realized the kid had led him into a trap. He'd been aiming to learn the Shihoin House's techniques from the start!
This little rascal was much more interesting than Yamamoto.
"Go ahead. As long as it's not too outrageous, we can talk." Sennichi nodded in reluctant amusement.
"As long as you're not asking to become head of the house or take a sacred weapon, I can grant the rest."
Lin Nan pursed his lips. "In that case... could you give us some spending money, too?"
After agreeing to Lin Nan's demands and sending someone to escort the three of them away, Shihoin Sennichi sat alone in silence, then laughed in spite of himself.
"Stubborn Yamamoto somehow ended up with a slippery disciple like this. He nearly fooled me, too.
"He'd even blackmail one of the Four Great Noble Houses just to learn a skill. That does remind me of Yamamoto's own tenacity when he was learning. This kid's ruthless! What a character..."
Lin Nan and the others quietly returned to their dormitory. The investigation outside was still underway, and the entire dormitory building was silent.
Kyoraku was still shaken. "I'm never getting involved in anything again. You nearly scared me to death back there!"
Lin Nan turned around, looking completely unbothered. "What's there to worry about? We're all fine, aren't we? We got ourselves a reward without offending the Shihoin House."
Ukitake smiled faintly. "That's true. Lord Shihoin didn't look angry at the end. And each of us gets ten thousand Kan. Lin-san handled that beautifully!"
For Ukitake, who'd grown up in Rukongai, spending ten or twenty Kan on a meal was already a luxury. Ten thousand Kan was an unimaginable fortune.
"Hey, it was nothing. Shihoin Sennichi himself called this the Seireitei's biggest case. Asking for some spending money in advance is only fair." Lin Nan poured himself a glass of water, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
If you could make money from a rich sucker, why make it from poor people?
"The Seireitei's biggest case?"
Kyoraku didn't care much about money. He just lay on his bed, clutching his chest with a look of utter despair and lingering fright.
"You dared to extort one of the Four Great Noble Houses. I'd say that makes this the Seireitei's biggest case!"
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