(T/N: Hello!! This is the first Chapter of the day! If you like the novel, don’t forget dropping Power Stones!! That will be greatly appreciated!!)
"How much would it cost if we took half the fish?" Kyōraku Shunsui asked.
"No need. Just a fish I caught in the river," Komamura Sajin replied. He felt it wasn’t right to charge for sothing he got for free.
Nanatsuki now understood why Komamura was living so frugally. Despite being in such a pitiful state, he was still willing to share food with them.
"No charge? Then thanks a lot!" Kyōraku cheerfully tucked his coin pouch away.
"If you’re not taking money, then use my homade sauce instead." Nanatsuki pulled out a bottle of pre-mixed barbecue sauce from his cloth backpack and tossed it to Komamura.
Komamura caught the bottle, twisted the cap open, and sniffed. His whole body perked up, and even his ears beneath the bamboo helt twitched slightly.
"What a fragrant sauce!" Komamura could feel his mouth watering uncontrollably.
He couldn’t wait and drizzled the sauce all over the grilled fish.
The fish skin turned golden and crisp as it roasted, juices and sauce mingling into a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
The group’s rate of swallowing noticeably increased.
Even the crows gathering on the withered tree above were increasing in number, drawn by the sll.
Once the fish was done, Komamura divided half for the others.
"This fish may look big, but the at’s quite tender," Nanatsuki said after taking a bite. The crispy skin gave way to moist, delicate flesh, a flavor with real depth.
"Delicious!" Kyōraku pulled out a jug of wine and so cups from his bundle. He poured a cup for each of them and began drinking.
"And the flavor’s excellent. Katori-kun’s sauce is top-notch too," said Ukitake Jūshirō with a smile.
"Getting to enjoy sothing this good out in the wild is a blessing," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said, his expression relaxing.
Even as he ate, Komamura didn’t remove his bamboo helt. He simply opened a slit near the front and slipped food through it.
"Your sauce is indeed delicious," Komamura said at last, breaking his silence.
"Just sothing I whipped up. It works well outdoors, but if we’d had ti to marinate the fish beforehand, it would’ve tasted even better," Nanatsuki replied with a smile.
"I doubt anyone in the entire Soul Society could match Katori-kun’s cooking skills," Ukitake added with praise.
"You flatter ," Nanatsuki waved it off with a laugh. "In fact, Miss Kirio’s cooking is at least on par with mine."
"Ah yes... Kirio-san’s cooking. I’ve had the pleasure, it really is excellent," Ukitake said, recalling those flavors with a warm smile.
Komamura remained silent, quietly finishing his grilled fish.
He didn’t touch the wine Kyōraku had handed him.
The sauce was fine, they were all eating it together, so he wasn’t worried.
But wine was different. He wouldn’t drink sothing offered by a stranger.
Though Komamura had been wandering alone for so ti, it hadn’t been without lessons. He’d been burned a few tis and had learned to be cautious.
After eating, the group returned to the front hall of the ruined shrine to rest.
Just then, Komamura’s ears caught a new sound from outside the shrine.
He listened carefully, hooves, wagon wheels, and voices.
"If I rember right, there’s an old shrine up ahead. My lord, shall we rest there tonight?"
"That rundown place? You sure it’s safe? It might collapse in the middle of the night."
"It should be fine. I’ve rested there a few tis. My lord, madam, please wait while I go check inside first."
A figure entered the shrine shortly after, and quickly noticed there were already people inside.
Seeing that Nanatsuki and the others were dressed like commoners, he relaxed. It wasn’t surprising, this desolate place was a known resting point for travelers who knew the area.
He didn’t speak to them. After surveying the shrine’s condition, he left.
"My lord, the shrine’s in decent shape. Should be fine for one night. But there are already a few people inside..."
"No problem. Let’s go in."
Eight people entered in total. Three of them, like the first man, were dressed as bodyguards.
Among the last four were a well-dressed noble couple and two maids.
One of the maids supported the woman, who appeared to be pregnant judging by the curve of her abdon.
The other maid spread out a mat for her to lie on.
"Apologies for the disturbance. We’ll be staying here tonight as well," the nobleman said politely.
"No trouble," Yamamoto replied calmly.
Yamamoto didn’t recognize the man, but the nobleman had seen Yamamoto before.
However, with no lighting in the shrine and visibility poor, even without straw hats or cloaks, no one could make out anyone’s faces clearly.
No one would ever guess that the Captain-Commander himself was resting in a place like this.
The three groups kept to themselves and didn’t disturb one another. The night passed in peace.
Early the next morning, Komamura quietly left the shrine.
Yamamoto, not wanting to be recognized either, had Nanatsuki and the others leave shortly after.
"Hey, big guy! Where you headed?" Kyōraku called out casually to the figure ahead.
"To... the Sakun District," Komamura said offhandedly.
In truth, he had no idea where to go. He didn’t even know where the Sakun District was. He’d only heard it ntioned before and thought he might as well check it out.
"If you’re headed to the Sakun District, then we’re going the sa way. Why don’t we travel together? Strength in numbers and all that." Nanatsuki smiled.
Kyōraku smirked slightly. As expected of his good brother Nanatsuki, he’d caught on imdiately.
They hadn’t encountered much of anything on the road so far. It was starting to get a bit boring. Ti to stir things up a bit.
Kyōraku had already guessed that this wolfman was carrying so kind of trouble with him. But Old Man Yamamoto definitely wouldn’t intervene.
So... why not tag along and see what happens?
"Yeah! Let’s go together!" Kyōraku said enthusiastically.
"No need..." Komamura was reluctant. He hadn’t cleared up the ss he’d made yet, and didn’t want to drag others into it.
"What’s wrong with a little company? Let’s say we’re hiring you as a bodyguard. Big guy like you must be pretty tough, right?" Nanatsuki said with a grin.
He wasn’t about to miss the chance to recruit Komamura.
Komamura was the loyal and brave type. If he could win him over, he’d be a valuable ally.
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