Gin Ichimaru's Value

At once, Taume Yoshigami's interrupted expression turned a little strange, like a peacock slowly spreading its tail only to be smacked back into place mid-display.

"Akira, do you not need to rest for a while? I can tell you my story in the meantime," Taume Yoshigami said, smacking his lips as if his interest had not yet faded.

"I really do not need to. Because I already know it," Akira said.

Taume Yoshigami froze. "Akira, you have heard my story?"

"No."

Akira smiled gently and answered, "But your face is full of stories, and I prefer to read them slowly myself rather than hear them from your mouth."

Yoshigami felt a jolt run from the top of his head straight into his heart. His whole body trembled.

That trembling came from meeting a kindred spirit.

Ever since he had become a Shinigami, this was the first man willing to actively and deeply understand his inner self.

Who said pure friendship and true understanding could not exist between men?

"Akira, thank you," Taume Yoshigami said, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.

Thank me?

Why was he thanking me?

Akira looked at Yoshigami in confusion, feeling that he seemed unable to understand the man in front of him.

However, Akira also felt the atmosphere suddenly beginning to drift in a strange direction, so he quickly said, "Next patient, please."

"Good. I will arrange it right away."

Yoshigami wiped away his tears and quickly went to make arrangements.

After the first successful case, the next resident who had a relative willing to provide what Soul Transplant required soon arrived. After resting briefly, Akira again entered his working state and treated the residents without stopping.

...

For a time, as news about Akira spread completely, among the residents who had suffered soul loss, it was as if a spark of life slowly opened in a mournful, deathly autumn. A trace of hope appeared in the eyes of residents whose emotions had nearly gone numb.

As the Nineteenth Seat, Yoshigami also organized his subordinates to run among the residents, confirming one by one whether any relatives or friends were willing to provide what Soul Transplant required.

However, just as Retsu Unohana had said, this was a mostly meaningless effort.

Very few Rukongai residents had the chance to reunite with relatives from their lives. And outside family, friends in Rukongai who were truly willing to offer part of their souls for each other were vanishingly rare.

Even though Yoshigami ran back and forth to confirm things, in the end, the number of volunteers could still be counted on one hand. The proportion was even lower than five percent.

"Damn it..."

As one subordinate after another returned with their results, Yoshigami's face could not help showing a few traces of defeat.

It was rare enough in the Gotei 13 to meet another fool like himself. Yet in the end, fewer than five people had a chance to survive because of that. For Yoshigami, this was undoubtedly difficult to accept.

"Right!"

Suddenly, Yoshigami thought of something and turned to the subordinates beside him.

"Keep asking whether there are any residents we missed, and strictly confirm that anyone who volunteers is doing so willingly."

After that, he hurried away, heading straight toward a sparsely inhabited area.

Soon, a lonely house halfway up a hillside entered his view. Around the house, holes had been crudely boarded over to barely block the wind and rain.

Seeing that, Yoshigami did not hesitate at all. He pushed open the door, which was more decoration than protection.

The instant his vision darkened, a short blade pressed directly against his neck.

"Do not move!"

Yoshigami was slightly startled. His gaze slowly moved upward. Only then did he discover Gin Ichimaru clinging close to the eaves above like a vicious snake, the "fang" in his hand aimed at Yoshigami's neck.

Yoshigami raised both hands and moved them away from the Zanpakuto at his waist, showing that he had no hostility.

"Kid, you should remember me, right? I am the one who deliberately left rations where you could easily get them several times."

Slowly, Gin Ichimaru moved the short blade away from Yoshigami. His light body dropped from the eaves. His cold voice seemed intentionally softened as he said, "I remember you, Taume Yoshigami. What do you want?"

"Tch. Just like Akira said, you really are a rude brat."

Yoshigami looked around the room as he spoke.

Gin Ichimaru remained silent and did not answer.

However, when Yoshigami's gaze fell back on Gin Ichimaru, he suddenly noticed the short blade in Gin's hand. His eyes contracted, and he cried out in shock.

"A Zanpakuto? Kid, where did you get that?"

Hearing that, Gin Ichimaru lowered his head and looked at the Zanpakuto in his hand.

"So this thing is called a Zanpakuto? I originally picked up a Shinigami's weapon and kept it by my side for protection. Later, when I woke up one day, it had become like this."

"!!!"

Taume Yoshigami.

A genius.

This kid's spiritual body looked so young, yet he had already awakened Shikai on his own.

There was no doubt. He was a genius rarely seen in Soul Society in a hundred years. No, perhaps even several hundred years.

Almost instinctively, Yoshigami said, "Kid, do you want to become a Shinigami? With your aptitude and talent, you could absolutely become one of Soul Society's most outstanding Shinigami. In the future, even becoming a captain would not be impossible."

"A Shinigami?"

Gin Ichimaru's eyes moved, as if he were chewing over something. Then he asked, "My value... is very great?"

"Very great. You are unquestionably a genius," Yoshigami said firmly.

Then, under Yoshigami's shocked gaze, Gin Ichimaru slowly knelt before him and spoke as someone making a plea.

"I hope to use my value in exchange for one favor from you."

Yoshigami's expression turned solemn.

"Tell me. Even if I cannot do it myself, I will do my best to ask my lieutenant for help."

Gin Ichimaru suddenly raised his head and stared at Yoshigami.

"No. Please try not to involve any more Shinigami. I only hope you can use your connections to find one trustworthy Shinigami to treat a friend of mine."

"Treat?"

Yoshigami froze.

"Yes."

As Gin Ichimaru spoke, he rose and lifted a nearby tatami mat. Beneath it lay an unconscious little girl with orange hair.

"Hahaha..."

Seeing this, Yoshigami could not help laughing. He felt that everything was unbelievably coincidental.

What Yoshigami did not notice, however, was that the short blade in Gin Ichimaru's hand was already aimed discreetly at his throat.

Gin Ichimaru's narrowed eyes carried an icy light. He was already prepared to shoot down the Shinigami in front of him the moment Taume Yoshigami said anything like, "So you were the brat who kidnapped this little girl."

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