Hasumi Ren stood where he was, reflecting on the conversation he just had.
Tsunayashiro Tokiying was far more complex than he had imagined.
Aside from the invitation and the terms offered being genuine, Ren didn't take much else of the conversation to heart.
It was a mix of truth and lies, a classic move to win someone over.
Ren didn't even know if Tsunayashiro Tokiying had truly seen through his disguise.
As Tsunayashiro had said, growing up in that environment meant he could appear to be baring his soul while simultaneously planning where to bury your body.
As for the suggestion to use his name, Ren disregarded it entirely.
If Ren actually used it, he would inevitably be labeled as a subordinate of the Tsunayashiro family, and there was no telling what kind of butterfly effect that might trigger.
Being a retainer for a noble family might seem prestigious, but there were too many rules and the risks were far too high.
Ren wouldn't accept the invitation, but there might be a time in the future when their paths crossed again.
After all, they were at the very top of the Seireitei's elite class.
Furthermore, in Ren's memory, the Tsunayashiro family had always been conducting bizarre research in the shadows.
Eventually, they even managed to manually craft a crude, half-finished artificial Soul King.
As for those final remarks regarding Nanao, Ren was naturally aware of the truth behind them.
As a family of Shinto priests dedicated to enshrining a sacred treasure, the Ise family was led by women in every generation, continuing their lineage through matrilocal marriage—however, they were husband-killers.
Every man who married into the Ise family died shortly after fathering a child, without exception.
One shouldn't dwell on the reasons why.
But it seemed a bit too early to worry about such things.
Who could say what the future might hold?
Ren opened his panel and looked at the special abilities section at the bottom.
[SYSTEM: Hogyoku (Awakening: 0.05%)]
That tiny fragment was currently inside him, feeling as if it had grown from his own body, completely fused with his soul.
Yet Ren could sense that as long as he didn't actively stimulate it, the fragment was as if it didn't exist.
Just like the spiritual pressure provided by his Hollowfication skill, it lay silently hidden within him.
This put Ren at ease; he didn't have to worry about being suddenly discovered by Aizen and hauled off for dissection.
He just didn't know yet what this Hogyoku fragment could offer him.
Ren remembered that a fully evolved Hogyoku possessed the power to manifest one's heart's desires.
The future looked promising.
Things had been peaceful for the past few days since returning from that valley, which was a genuine relief.
If the person hiding in the shadows back then was Urahara Kisuke, that was fine—he likely just didn't want to expose his own research on the Hogyoku.
But if it was Aizen, then there was a serious problem.
'I won't just wake up one day and get sliced into mincemeat, will I...'
Looking at the darkening sky, Ren sighed.
It had already come to this; there was no point in overthinking it.
First, time to eat.
He turned and walked toward the cafeteria.
When Ren reached the cafeteria, only a few students were scattered about; after all, mealtime had already passed.
To his surprise, a petite figure was still sitting inside, quietly flipping through a book.
Ren looked at Nanao in surprise and walked over with his tray of food.
"Why haven't you gone back yet?"
"I'm eating dessert."
Nanao pointed at the small cake and fruit in front of her.
"Is it really just for the dessert?"
"Of course."
Seeing Ren sit down with a beaming smile, Nanao shifted her gaze slightly.
"What did you two talk about for so long?"
Nanao looked back, her tone seemingly casual, though she couldn't quite hide the curiosity in her eyes.
"Well, Tsunayashiro Tokiying wanted to recruit me as a retainer."
He hadn't mentioned it to Nanao before, but after thinking it over, Ren decided it wasn't something he needed to hide, so he just told her.
Upon hearing this, Nanao's hands paused.
An invitation from one of the Four Great Noble Houses was a rare opportunity, even for lower-ranking nobles.
But for Ren?
"Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe he thinks I have potential."
Nanao remained noncommittal.
"Did you agree?"
"No. I feel like that kind of life wouldn't suit me."
"That's true. You're used to being lazy. I can't even imagine you acting as someone's subordinate."
"Is that a compliment?"
"How did you get that out of what I said?"
Nanao rolled her eyes at Ren, yet she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Taking a small bite of her dessert, she soon frowned again.
"The Tsunayashiro family is one of the Four Great Noble Houses. Won't you be in trouble for turning down his invitation?"
"Probably not," Ren shook his head, looking unconcerned. "He seemed pretty easy to talk to."
Being easy to talk to wasn't exactly a reason.
Nanao stared at Ren for a few seconds before whispering, "As long as you know what you're doing."
"By the way, Ren, is there a squad you want to apply for?"
Although he was only a fifth-year student, he was in the elite class, so the entrance exam wouldn't be an issue.
It wasn't too early to consider such questions.
Ren thought for a moment.
"You know I like moving around; I can't sit still. I'll probably go to Squad 8, which handles intelligence gathering, or maybe Squad 10 for security patrols."
"Is that so? If I had a Zanpakuto and we could go to the same squad, that would be nice..."
Nanao muttered under her breath; after all, she had already decided to apply for the Kido Corps.
Ren looked at the slightly dejected Nanao, feeling puzzled.
This girl used to be so strong-willed.
Lately, for some reason, she had become rather sentimental.
Ren clicked his tongue.
"Hey, once the exams are over tomorrow, let me take you to Rukongai for some Ichiraku Ramen."
"Ichiraku Ramen... your shop?"
"Yeah. It's been a while, right? A new branch just opened, and they have a lot of new dishes."
Hearing this, Nanao's eyes lit up, but she immediately looked at Ren with suspicion.
"Your treat?"
"Of course."
"You said it was your treat last time too, but I ended up paying."
"Did that happen?"
Ren froze for two seconds as his memory suddenly came flooding back.
That was a few months ago.
The second branch of Ichiraku Ramen had opened in the West 2nd District, and he had specifically brought Nanao there to try it out.
After the meal, Ren patted himself down and found he hadn't brought any money.
The female manager of the second branch was a shrewd and capable woman who stood by the table with a beaming smile.
"Master Ren, this is a small business. You know the rules: no credit."
"I'm the boss. I still have to pay for food?"
"Even the boss has to pay. If the boss eats for free, every customer who comes in later will claim to be the boss's friend. If everyone wants credit or a free meal, how are we supposed to stay in business?"
Looking at the smiling woman, Ren suddenly felt like a student caught cheating by a teacher.
He had chosen her to be the manager specifically because of her intense presence and toughness, which could keep the peace in the chaotic Rukongai.
He hadn't expected it to be turned against him.
"Then... can I get a discount? I am the boss, you know..."
"Sure. From now on, anyone who mentions the boss's name gets a twenty percent discount. Now, where's the money?"
"I—uh—"
Just as Ren was about to be hauled off to the kitchen to wash dishes, Nanao sighed and counted out the payment from her pocket, effectively saving his life.
"Ah... I remember now."
"That time I simply forgot my wallet. I didn't expect to almost meet my end in my own shop. Don't worry, Nanao-chan, it won't happen this time."
Ren patted his chest in a guarantee.