The Ramen Shop's New Business

Wang Xun's words piqued the group's interest.

Ganju looked at Wang Xun in surprise. He hadn't expected Wang Xun to speak up for him.

Wang Xun pondered briefly, then spoke softly.

"A few restaurants in Rukongai offer delivery, but with limited staff and slow transportation, they can only deliver to a few nearby blocks. That's why the service has never really caught on."

Wang Xun spoke at an unhurried pace.

"I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I'm actually the owner of Ichiraku Ramen. I run several Ichiraku Ramen shops in Rukongai, and business has been decent."

"You're the one who opened Ichiraku Ramen?"

The group's eyes widened.

"That's amazing!"

Stars appeared in Kūkaku's eyes as she excitedly moved closer to Wang Xun.

"I didn't mean to hide it from any of you. It just wasn't really worth publicizing, so I never brought it up."

Kaien marveled as well. "I understand. I just didn't expect you to know how to run a restaurant too, senior, much less make it so successful."

Wang Xun smiled and shook his head, then returned to what he had been saying.

"Actually, I've had an idea for a while now. I want to get piping hot ramen to customers in more distant blocks faster."

"Uncle Ichiraku and I looked into it before and worked out a rough method for keeping the soup and noodles separate. We also discussed letting customers place orders in advance."

"When customers receive their orders, they pour the hot soup over the noodles. It won't be as good as eating at the shop, but it will preserve the texture of the noodles as much as possible."

He looked at Ganju and smiled.

"An ordinary worker can only go so fast on foot, and can't cover much ground. But a special delivery worker who knows the shortcuts through the streets and alleys, and is quick and reliable, would make a world of difference to the range and efficiency of the business."

Ganju's eyes grew wider and wider. He might have been careless, but he was clever enough.

A vague but exciting picture slowly unfolded in his mind.

Kaien and Kūkaku were both stunned as they listened. Kaien thought it over briefly and was the first to catch on.

"Senior Wang Xun, do you mean to have Ganju help build this logistics and delivery system?"

"That's right. This is only the beginning. What matters comes afterward. If we can deliver food, we can naturally deliver other things too."

"From what I've seen, quite a few peddlers and laborers in Rukongai make a living using their legs. You can find people who carry things and transport goods for others, but there's no organized system yet."

"This is still an unexplored field. The important thing is how to build the logistics network and coordinate the workforce. Of course, all that can wait until later."

When Wang Xun finished, he turned to Kaien, who had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"This isn't a simple employer-employee relationship. Ganju would be contributing his unique transportation abilities and his familiarity with Rukongai's terrain. Those are advantages unique to him."

"We could try a partnership for a while. He would be responsible for making fast deliveries in designated areas and receive a set share of the earnings from this new business."

"The more he does and the better he does it, the more he'll naturally earn. That way, he'll be doing something he's interested in and good at, while also creating real value."

"Of course, this is just an idea and a proposal of mine. The final decision is yours."

Kaien immediately understood the key point.

This wasn't simply having Ganju do odd jobs for his senior. It turned Ganju's unusual skills into valuable capital he could contribute to the business.

It would give Ganju proper work to do, along with ample motivation and dignity, while gradually fostering his sense of responsibility.

Ganju was already dumbstruck. He tried to picture it.

He rode Bonnie at the front, followed by a bunch of pig-riding underlings. At his command, they moved in an orderly fashion through the streets and alleys, delivering meals and items to customers.

That's so cool.

Ganju gazed eagerly at the pensive Kaien, then turned to look at Wang Xun. His thoughts were in a jumble, and his throat felt exceptionally dry.

He wanted to do this, and he could do it.

What should he say now to prove he could do it?

While Wang Xun and Kaien were drinking tea, Ganju, who had been silent for some time, looked straight at Wang Xun and spoke in a low voice.

"Brother-in-law."

Wang Xun: ?

Kaien: ?

Kūkaku: ?!

Wang Xun, who was drinking tea, coughed twice and nearly choked.

Kaien sprayed out a mouthful of tea, then gave Ganju a hard smack.

"What are you calling him, you brat?!"

"Th-that's right! Wang Xun and I aren't in that kind of relationship yet..."

Kūkaku protested, her face red, but as she spoke, her eyes drifted toward Wang Xun of their own accord.

Wang Xun felt as though he had fallen into a trap.

To hide his embarrassment, he could only hold up his teacup and pretend to drink, using it to divert attention.

After a while, the subject finally came to an end amid the commotion.

Kaien fell silent for a long moment, looking at the sparkle and determination in his younger brother's eyes that he hadn't seen in so long.

He breathed out softly, and the helplessness on his face finally melted away, replaced by a relieved smile.

"Since you really want to try, and Senior Wang Xun is willing to take you along, I won't object."

Kaien bowed solemnly to Wang Xun.

"Senior, you've shown Ganju a proper path while taking his pride and interests into account. If this brat causes you trouble through mischief or recklessness, feel free to scold or beat him. Or let me know, and I'll punish him severely."

"You don't need to do that, Kaien. This is a partnership that benefits us both. If Ganju didn't have the talent for it, I wouldn't have brought it up."

Kaien turned to Ganju, his expression especially serious.

"Ganju, Senior Wang Xun has shown you a clear path and paid you a tremendous honor. His business's reputation is at stake too. You must follow the rules strictly and make every delivery safely. Remember, you represent not only Ichiraku Ramen's name, but the Shiba Clan's honor as well."

Ganju looked at Kaien's grave face, and his own face, flushed with excitement, gradually relaxed.

"Don't worry, big brother."

"I've spent so many years getting around Rukongai. No one knows better than me which roads are shortest or which alleys you can get through. There's no one better suited to this job than me."

Seeing how much more mature Ganju seemed, Kaien's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.

The meal ended in a warm, happy atmosphere.

Watching Ganju excitedly plan for the future and Kaien raise his cup in thanks, his expression relaxed, Wang Xun knew his proposal had been the right one.

Looking at the Shiba siblings laughing and squabbling before him, Wang Xun felt a sense of ease he hadn't felt in a long time.

The gloom Aizen had brought him seemed to have lifted considerably in this lively, homey atmosphere.

After the meal, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko began clearing away the dishes.

Seeing that Ganju still wanted to pester Wang Xun with questions, Kūkaku reached out and dragged him into a side room, giving Wang Xun and Kaien a rare moment of peace.

The two went to the backyard at ground level. Kaien brewed a fresh pot of tea, and he and Wang Xun chatted in the courtyard as the moonlight gradually spread.

As they talked, the subject naturally turned to training.

Something stirred in Wang Xun's heart.

"Kaien, this is a rare opportunity. Want to spar?"