Bleach: I'm picking up attributes in Seireitei

The next morning, just after Wang Xun finished the light breakfast delivered by the Fourth Division, there was a gentle knock on the door of his hospital room.

"Please come in."

Wang Xun was curious, wondering who had come to visit.

The door opened, and Kisuke Urahara's face peeked in.

"Wang Xun, I've come to see you!"

"Urahara Sansuke," Wang Xun sat up straight, "what brings you here?"

"Not only me, Captain Yoruichi and Vice-Captain Ōmaeda are here too."

Kisuke Urahara walked in, revealing Yoruichi Shihouin and Kinoshita Omaeda behind him.

"Hey kid, you look pretty energetic."

Yoruichi Shihouin walked in with two skewers of yakitori in her hand.

The same was true for Ōmaeda behind him, who was holding a paper bag stuffed with chicken skewers from yakitori.

Yoruichi wasn't wearing her captain's haori today; she was just dressed in a simple dark purple casual outfit, her long purple hair tied in a high ponytail, looking neat and casual.

She sat down naturally on the empty bed next to her.

Wang Xun greeted the two men and examined the roasted birds in their hands.

"Is this from Ichiraku Ramen?"

"That's right, that shop in the West Rukong district, I think it's yours, isn't it?"

Yoruichi took a bite of the chicken skewer in her hand and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

"It's just a bit far away, so I have to make a trip every time I want to eat there, which is a hassle."

"How are you recovering? I heard from Soi Fon that your injuries weren't serious?"

"Some superficial injuries have basically healed. Thank you for your concern, Captain Sifeng."

Wang Xun looked at Yoruichi and asked the question that concerned him most right now.

"I wonder how things are at the shop. Since Captain Yoruichi was able to buy food, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that."

Urahara picked up the conversation.

"Captain Yoruichi sent people to set up surveillance near the shop in advance. There were a few down-on-their-luck Shinigami who went to cause trouble, but they were basically subdued as soon as they showed up, so there's no need to worry."

Wang Xun was silent for two seconds, then looked up at Urahara.

"You knew Captain Yoruichi would send people, right?"

"Oh dear, what a way of saying that."

Urahara scratched his head, his smile unchanged; he knew what Wang Xun was referring to.

"I'm just a third-in-command responsible for guarding suspects; how could I possibly know the captain's plans?"

"However, it's always good to be prepared, don't you think?"

Wang Xun stared at him for a few seconds, and finally sighed helplessly.

"Never mind," Wang Xun shook his head, "It's good that the people in the shop are alright."

Kisuke Urahara brushed off the topic and then changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, that production-increasing research you commissioned before is progressing smoothly recently."

Wang Xun became interested. This was one of the few pieces of good news recently.

"We designed some small-scale spirit realm barriers to regulate the concentration of spirit particles in the local environment. Then, using a special spirit particle construction intervention technology, we adjusted the spirit particle gene fragments of the plants themselves..."

"It is estimated that the growth cycle of several crops in the experimental field can be shortened by nearly 40%, while the yield can be increased by 50% to 70%."

Urahara spoke of it casually, but Wang Xun could roughly imagine the technical complexity involved.

The former involves altering the environment, similar to fertilizing the soil, but the latter...

"Spiritual particle structure intervention..." Wang Xun chewed on the phrase, "Why does it sound so strange? Is this thing of yours safe?"

Urahara glanced at him calmly.

"Don't worry, the spiritual structure of plants is much simpler and more stable than that of souls, and the risks and difficulties of intervention are also lower."

"If this technology matures, it will greatly improve grain production. Of course, this is contingent on obtaining technical permission and sufficient resource support from the 46th Research Office."

Wang Xun understood what he meant.

This technology is of great value, but since it involves operations at the spiritual level, it inevitably requires the review and endorsement of the Gotei 13 and even the Central 46.

"Can you handle this?"

Wang Xun said.

"I'm not sure. If Captain Yoruichi can help, it might be faster."

"What nonsense! I don't understand."

Yoruichi didn't pay much attention, quickly finished a skewer, wiped her hands, and looked at Wang Xun with her golden eyes.

"Have you ever considered opening a branch inside Seireitei?"

Wang Xun was taken aback upon hearing this.

"A branch in Seireitei?"

"Yes, that's one of the reasons I came here today."

Yoruichi smiled slyly.

"It will be located within Seireitei, in a noble district. I'll vouch for it and register it under the Shihouin family's name."

"In this way, if some people want to use underhanded methods to cause trouble, they'll have to think twice about the consequences."

Wang Xun understood.

This is not just a business proposal, but a blatant act of protection.

Opening a shop in the noble district with Yoruichi's support is tantamount to announcing to everyone that the Shihouin family has a presence behind the shop.

"However... opening a store is not that easy. You need to raise funds, as well as the necessary venue and procedures."

Wang Xun calmly listed the difficulties.

Doing business on the noble street isn't just about having a skill.

"Funding and venue are easy to discuss."

Yoruichi pointed to Omaeda beside her.

"This is the vice-captain of the Second Division, Ōmaeda Kinoshin, who is also a nobleman under my Shihōin family and the head of the Ōmaeda family."

Yoruichi explained.

"He will be in charge of investing in your shop."

Upon hearing this, Omaeda smiled slightly.

That smile was brimming with confidence in our economic strength.

Wang Xun immediately understood.

Yoruichi brought along the person who actually funded and carried out the work.

"I went there to investigate. Ichiraku Ramen is famous throughout Rukongai, and the food is quite good. If it could be opened in Seireitei, the business would be good, and it would be a worthwhile investment."

"Vice Captain Ōmaeda is too kind."

Wang Xun responded politely.

"However, opening a shop on a prestigious street raises questions about profit distribution and responsibilities..."

"Simple."

Ōmaeda clearly already had a plan in mind.

"You provide the skills, personnel, and recipe; the Ōmaeda family will provide the capital, the venue, and handle all the paperwork. How about we split the profits 70/30?"

As he finished speaking, he glanced discreetly at Shihōin beside him.

The fact that he didn't mention September 1st already represents a huge concession.

Yoruichi remained noncommittal.

Wang Xun looked at Yoruichi, then at Ōmaeda.

"I need to retain control over all formulas and core production processes, and Vice Captain Ōmaeda must not disclose or modify them without authorization."

"Of course."

Ōmaeda readily agreed.

"The recipe is the foundation of your business, and we will never touch it. As for the operation and management of the store, let's discuss that together, shall we?"

"Okay, I have no further comments. It's a pleasure working with you."

Ye Yi smiled, clearly satisfied with Wang Xun's decisiveness.

"Then it's settled. You can discuss the specific details slowly. Let Ōmaeda handle the paperwork and site selection, and get it done as soon as possible."

Even though the profit-sharing ratio for opening a shop in the aristocratic district may seem low, the potential profits far exceed his expectations.

What's more, he didn't spend much money at all.

Moreover, Wang Xun knew that the real value of this cooperation was not profit or revenue.

Rather, it provides him with security and a closer connection with the Shihōin faction.

Wang Xun nodded, then looked at Yoruichi.

"Captain Yoruichi, is this how you intend to protect me?"

Ye Yi glanced at Wang Xun.

"Indeed, the Tsunayo family failed to reveal any substantial evidence against you and your shop in response to the attack, which is something I can't explain to you."

"But you don't need to worry about the aftermath. Captain Kyoraku and I have already discussed it. He will be going to the Tsunayo family."

Yamaichi looked at the chicken meatballs in his hand.

"As for what we discussed today, consider it... a small compensation for you."