NOVEL NEXT Chapter 108: Chapter 108
Seireitei, Southern District.
A luxurious garden estate stands here.
This is one of the Tsunayashiro family's properties, specifically responsible for managing commerce.
The person in charge is named Takatori, a direct descendant of the Tsunayashiro family and a prominent figure among the third generation.
At this moment, Takatori sat in his study, his expression gloomy, listening to the continuous reports being delivered.
"Report! Lord Takatori!"
"The meat market in South Rukongai that cooperates with us—all supplies have been bought out by the Ōmaeda family!"
"Report! Lord Takatori!"
"Our two largest spice suppliers are both saying they have no stock!"
"Report! Lord Takatori..."
Listening to his subordinates' reports, Takatori trembled with anger.
The Ōmaeda family... This upstart clan suddenly seems to have gone mad, buying up most of Rukongai's supply of goods at prices double or even higher than the market rate.
Although the Soul Society is vast, due to traditional systems, everyone's roles are predetermined.
Families that raise pigs have been pig farmers for generations.
Families that grow vegetables have been vegetable farmers for generations.
Therefore, if these people are taken over, it's nearly impossible to find replacements in a short time.
Has the Ōmaeda family gone insane?
Doesn't he know the consequences of opposing the Tsunayashiro family?
As he was feeling irritated, a Shinigami appeared in his study using Shunpo.
"Lord Takatori, the family elders have sent people to inquire about the situation."
Takatori gritted his teeth with a crunch.
These damned old fogeys—usually they ignore everything, but when something goes wrong, they're more eager than anyone to hold others accountable!
Soon, several middle-aged men wearing ornate, patterned robes walked in.
These people were subordinates of the family elders.
As expected, as soon as they entered, they bombarded him with questions that seemed caring but were actually reproachful.
Then they urged him to resolve the incident quickly.
To these elders, the family's future and external conflicts were no longer important matters.
All they cared about was that setbacks in business would reduce their own tributes.
After the people sent by the elders left, Takatori stood up.
"Someone come."
"Summon all the guards of the mansion; come with me to the Ōmaeda residence!"
Takatori was brimming with killing intent.
That insignificant Ōmaeda family—do they really think that with the Shihōin family backing them, no one dares to provoke them?
Compared to the declining Shihōin family, his own Tsunayashiro family is the true number one noble house in the Soul Society!
He walked out of the study and happened to see a young man with fox-like eyes approaching.
The man wore clothing emblazoned with the Tsunayashiro family crest, his gaze frivolous, with a few streaks of green highlights in his hair.
Seeing him, Takatori frowned slightly.
"Tokinada... What are you doing here?"
Tokinada, the lowest rank of the branch family, an insignificant underling.
Because his father had requested it, Takatori had allowed this guy to stay and learn some management knowledge.
Under his gaze, Tokinada smiled and bowed to him.
"Cousin Takatori, are you going to see the people of the Ōmaeda family?"
Hearing Tokinada reveal his intentions, Takatori's frown deepened.
"So what if I am?"
Tokinada chuckled softly: "If I were you, I wouldn't go and engage with those people."
"There might be some trap involved here..."
"Tokinada!!"
Before Tokinada could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Takatori's angry shout.
Under Tokinada's somewhat surprised gaze, Takatori loudly reprimanded: "Tokinada, remember your status! When did a mere branch family waste dare to point fingers at me, a direct heir of the main family?"
"You bastard, do you want to taste the family's punishment?"
Hearing this, Tokinada quickly displayed a fearful expression and bowed to Takatori.
"I'm sorry, Cousin Takatori, I overstepped."
"Hmph, as long as you know."
After dropping this line, Takatori flicked his sleeve and left.
Watching Takatori's departing figure, Tokinada slowly straightened up, a smile curling on his lips.
"Cousin Takatori... You're fine in every way, except your pride is too strong."
"Perhaps, originally you might have noticed the problems here, but after I, a branch family waste, pointed it out, you absolutely won't consider that possibility anymore."
"Heh heh, the way things are developing is getting more and more interesting..."
He clasped his hands together, smiled, and turned to leave.
...
...
On the streets of Seireitei, over a hundred swordsmen gathered silently, heading toward the Ōmaeda residence. (t/n: Btw their personal guards aren't actually Shinigami's, Only people from Gotei 13 can be called that. They are more like samurais/swordsmen working for their noble)
Some patrolling Shinigami saw this and wanted to approach and ask what's going on, but were pulled back by their colleagues.
"Idiot, don't go near them... Didn't you see the family crest on their clothes?"
"Family crest?"
"That's the crest of one of the Five Great Noble Families—the Tsunayashiro family!"
"So many Tsunayashiro swordsmen moving together—this isn't something we can get involved in.
Quickly report to the captain!"
Before long, under Takatori's lead, the swordsmen arrived at the gates of the Ōmaeda estate, surrounding the entrance tightly.
Looking at the gate before them, the swordsmen felt a bit strange.
The gate of the Ōmaeda family was actually made of gold.
Under the sunlight, it shone brilliantly.
Normally, even if one wanted to show off wealth, they would use precious wood.
Some woods, at the same weight, aren't much cheaper than gold.
It would both show off and avoid appearing vulgar.
In a way, the Ōmaeda family was indeed confident.
Such blatant flaunting of wealth isn't something ordinary people can do.
Takatori sat in the palanquin and gave a signal to the people outside.
A swordsman nodded knowingly and stepped forward:
"Ōmaeda Marenoshin!"
"Takatori of the Tsunayashiro family is here; come and pay your respects immediately!"
Although the Ōmaeda family is very wealthy, their noble status isn't actually high.
With a direct descendant of one of the Five Great Noble Families arriving, as the head of the family, Ōmaeda Marenoshin naturally had to come out personally to greet him.
After hearing the shout, shortly afterward, the gates of the Ōmaeda family slowly opened.
Takatori sat in the palanquin, a smile curling on his lips.
On the way here, he had already planned how to reprimand Ōmaeda Marenoshin.
At this moment, the formation here had already attracted the attention of many people around.
In front of so many people, if Ōmaeda Marenoshin, as the family head, was reprimanded by an outsider, his control over his subordinates would naturally diminish.
An insignificant upstart trying to monopolize the market with money... truly foolish.
He had someone roll up the palanquin's curtain and put on a hat that concealed his face.
This was a way to display status.
Not allowing the other party to see his face—this is a mannerism only those of higher status can use!
Under his gaze, the golden gate fully opened.
Ōmaeda Marenoshin's figure walked out.
Takatori snorted and was about to say something.
But then he saw that a few more people followed behind...
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