My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 404: Chapter 149: Oh My! Miss Sazanoko, Are You Blushing?

Rakshasa shifted his gaze, looking at the arena ahead where no swordsman was competing anymore.

"Originally, I just wanted him as a toy to relieve boredom and entertainment, and incidentally collect some experimental data on the ’Mindless Pill’ for us."

"But now I’ve changed my mind."

"This Niitsuma Kan... actually has some value worth recruiting as a subordinate."

The short, stout middle-aged man raised his eyebrows: "Lord Rakshasa, are you thinking of recruiting that Niitsuma Kan?"

"Indeed." Rakshasa chuckled a few times, openly admitting, "Someone willing to take unknown pills for victory, yet possesses decent swordsmanship talent and ability... if trained well, he could potentially become a useful subordinate."

"You know me, I always welcome talents worth recruiting."

"In any case, just do as I instructed. Have you memorized everything I just said?"

"Yes." The short, stout middle-aged man nodded vigorously, "I’ve understood everything clearly."

Rakshasa nodded slightly, then redirected his gaze northeast.

Northeast... that’s the direction Aoto and the group from Shiwei Hall left earlier.

Earlier, when Aoto released his "momentum," Rakshasa was among the first to sense it and was one of those few who showed astonishment.

Rakshasa, with deep gaze, looked directly at the direction where Aoto and his group from Shiwei Hall had left.

After a moment, he spoke again to the short, stout middle-aged man:

"... When we return later, do one more thing for me."

"Go and tell Shimizu Eiichi: the gambling debt owed by Tachibana Ryuzo will be written off from now on."

"And from now on, the ’Shimizu Clan’ must actively and positively engage with Tachibana Aoto."

Shimizu Eiichi—leader of the largest Yakuza group in Edo whose Tachibana Aoto’s family still owes over 500 ryo of gambling debt.

As soon as Rakshasa finished speaking, the short, stout middle-aged man couldn’t help but show surprise: "Not needing Tachibana Aoto to repay his father Tachibana Ryuzo’s gambling debt anymore? But..."

Before the short, stout middle-aged man could finish, Rakshasa interrupted him with a smile:

"Talents like Tachibana Aoto should never be missed under any circumstances."

"I’ve decided—Tachibana Aoto must be recruited under our command!"

"Previously, I asked Eiichi to pause the debt collection on Aoto, planning to restart the ’Debt Collection Team’ after I take care of matters in the Mito Domain and return to Edo. Then, I could disguise myself and follow the ’Debt Collection Team’ to see what Tachibana Aoto looks like."

"But now, there’s absolutely no need for that."

"Unlike Niitsuma Kan who is still unknown, recruiting someone like Tachibana Aoto who has both reputation and official status requires a step-by-step approach."

"Start by gaining his favor, develop a good relationship with Tachibana Aoto, then progress slowly."

"So don’t collect on such trivial debts, they’re just small money anyway."

"Letting such small money affect the recruitment of Tachibana Aoto would truly be a loss."

At this point, Rakshasa suddenly seemed to recall something, pausing his expression and his words.

After a brief silence, Rakshasa pursed his lips, emitting a faint low laugh.

"Thinking carefully... I do have quite a connection with the Tachibana Family..."

Rakshasa mumbled to himself while raising his right hand, parting the collar of his kimono to reveal his clavicle.

Below his right clavicle was a shallow three-inch scar.

Rakshasa gently stroked the scar with his finger, reflecting his expression of reminiscence and a touch of melancholy.

"Tachibana Ryuzo... if only you were willing to join us back then..."

"Until now, I still regret having to kill you at that time..."

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These Chapters used to set up the later plot are indeed difficult to write! (Smashing keyboard)