The group's interest was piqued by Hasumi Ren's words.
Ganju stared at Hasumi Ren in surprise; he hadn't expected the man to speak up for him.
Hasumi Ren paused for a moment before speaking softly.
"A few eateries in Rukongai offer delivery, but they're limited by manpower and transport efficiency. The range is usually restricted to nearby blocks, so the service has never really taken off."
Hasumi Ren continued at a measured pace.
"I suppose I should admit it—I'm actually the owner of Ichiraku Ramen. I manage several branches throughout Rukongai, and business is doing quite well."
"You're the one behind Ichiraku Ramen?"
Their eyes widened at the revelation.
"That's amazing!"
Stars twinkled in Kukaku's eyes as she excitedly leaned closer to Hasumi Ren.
"I wasn't trying to keep it a secret; it's just not something I felt the need to broadcast, so I never brought it up."
Kaien also marveled, "I understand. I just didn't expect you to have such a head for business, Senior. To make it so successful..."
Hasumi Ren chuckled and shook his head before getting back to the point.
"Lately, I've had an idea. I want to get steaming hot ramen into the hands of customers in distant districts much faster."
"Old Man Ichiraku and I have been looking into it. We've developed a technique to keep the broth and noodles separate and discussed a pre-ordering system."
"Once the customer receives their order, they just pour the hot broth over the noodles. While it might not match the experience of dining in, it preserves the texture of the noodles as much as possible."
He looked at Ganju and smiled.
"Ordinary delivery boys rely on their feet, which limits their speed and range. But if we had a special courier who knew every shortcut and back alley—someone fast and reliable—the scope and efficiency of the business would change completely."
Ganju's eyes grew wider. Although he was often thick-headed, he was sharp enough to catch the drift.
A vague but exhilarating vision began to unfold in his mind.
Kaien and Kukaku were also stunned. After a moment's thought, Kaien was the first to react.
"Senior Hasumi, are you suggesting that Ganju join this delivery network?"
"Exactly. And this is just the beginning. If we can deliver food, we can naturally deliver other things as well."
"I've observed many porters and couriers in Rukongai making a living with their legs. You see people moving belongings or transporting goods everywhere, but there's no system to it."
"This is an untapped market. The key lies in how we build the logistics network and coordinate personnel. Of course, that's a conversation for later."
Having finished his explanation, Hasumi Ren turned his gaze toward a pensive Kaien.
"This isn't just a simple employer-employee relationship. Ganju offers unique transport capabilities and an intimate knowledge of Rukongai's terrain. Those are his distinct advantages."
"We can treat this as a partnership. For a trial period, he would be responsible for express deliveries in specific areas and receive a percentage of the profits from this new expansion."
"The more he does and the better he performs, the more he earns. This way, he's doing something he enjoys and excels at while creating real value."
"Naturally, this is just a proposal. The final decision rests with you."
Kaien immediately grasped the heart of the matter.
This wasn't about Ganju being a simple errand boy; it was about leveraging Ganju's eccentric skills as valuable capital for a business venture.
It gave Ganju meaningful work, motivation, and dignity, while subtly cultivating a sense of responsibility.
Ganju stood there, dazed. He tried to imagine it.
Riding Bonnie at the front, followed by a gang of pig-riding subordinates, weaving through the streets and alleys in perfect order under his command, delivering meals and packages to every customer...
'Too cool.'
Ganju looked pleadingly at the contemplating Kaien, then back at Hasumi Ren. His head was spinning, and his throat felt parched.
He wanted to do this. He could do this.
He needed to say something right now to prove he was up to the task.
While Hasumi Ren and Kaien were sipping tea, Ganju, who had been silent for a long while, looked directly at Hasumi Ren and spoke with a deep voice.
"Brother-in-law."
Hasumi Ren: ?
Kaien: ?
Kukaku: ?!
Hasumi Ren, mid-sip, coughed and nearly choked on his tea.
Kaien spat out his tea and immediately smacked Ganju upside the head.
"What the hell are you calling him, you brat?!"
"Ex-exactly! Hasumi and I aren't in... that kind of relationship yet..."
Kukaku retorted with a crimson face, but as she spoke, her eyes instinctively drifted toward Hasumi Ren.
Hasumi Ren felt like he had just stepped into a trap.
To hide his awkwardness, he had no choice but to lift his cup and pretend to sip his tea, using it as a distraction.
It took a while for the chaos to subside and the topic to be dropped.
Kaien remained silent for a long moment, observing the spirit and determination in his brother's eyes—a look he hadn't seen in a very long time.
He let out a soft sigh, the frustration on his face finally melting away into a relieved smile.
"Since you're truly intent on trying and Senior Hasumi is willing to guide you, I won't stand in your way."
Kaien bowed solemnly to Hasumi Ren.
"Senior, you've not only pointed Ganju toward a proper path but also preserved his dignity and catered to his interests. If the brat causes any trouble due to his stubbornness or recklessness, feel free to discipline him as you see fit. Or just let me know, and I'll handle the punishment personally."
"There's no need for that, Kaien. This is meant to be a win-win partnership. If Ganju didn't have this talent, I wouldn't have suggested it."
Kaien turned back to Ganju, his expression exceptionally grave.
"Ganju, Senior Hasumi has given you a golden opportunity and shown you immense respect. This involves the reputation of his business. You must follow the rules strictly and ensure every delivery is handled with care. Remember, you aren't just representing the Ichiraku Ramen brand—you're representing the face of the Shiba clan."
Staring at Kaien's solemn face, the flush of excitement on Ganju's cheeks slowly faded into composure.
"Don't worry, big brother."
"I've spent years roaming these streets. No one knows the shortcuts or the alleys better than I do. There's nobody better for the job."
Seeing Ganju look so much more mature, a flicker of pride appeared in Kaien's eyes.
The meal ended in a warm, harmonious atmosphere.
Watching Ganju excitedly plan for the future and Kaien raising a glass in gratitude, Hasumi Ren knew his proposal had been the right move.
Observing the bickering yet affectionate Shiba siblings, Hasumi Ren felt a long-awaited sense of ease.
The gloom that Aizen had cast over him seemed to have been swept away by this lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.
After dinner, Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko began clearing the table.
Seeing Ganju trying to pester Hasumi Ren with more questions, Kukaku grabbed him and dragged him off to a side room, leaving Hasumi Ren and Kaien with some rare peace and quiet.
The two stepped out into the backyard. As the moon rose, Kaien brewed a pot of fresh tea, and they chatted in the quiet courtyard.
Eventually, the conversation drifted naturally toward their training.
Hasumi Ren's heart stirred.
"Kaien, since we're here, why don't we have a quick sparring match?"