Yoshiwara Entertainment District, the city that never sleeps.
When night truly fell, this bustling pleasure quarter finally came alive. Red lanterns lined both sides of the street, lighting the entire district as brightly as day.
The heavy scent of cosmetics, the gentle twang of shamisen strings, and the coy laughter of courtesans calling out to customers blended together into a decadent, living ukiyo-e scene.
In a secluded corner of the street, a rather outrageous "human trafficking" performance was underway.
Tengen Uzui had changed into an eye-catching kimono and even stuck a fake mustache above his lip, disguising himself as a shady middleman who looked half like a trafficker and half like a pimp.
With a flourish of his hand, he shoved the three "young girls" behind him—each wearing gaudy, overdone makeup—forward in front of several brothel madams.
"Ladies, don't miss this opportunity! Take a look at these three lively girls. They may look a bit rustic now, but with a little training, they'll definitely become top earners in the Yoshiwara Entertainment District!" Tengen Uzui declared, enthusiastically pitching his goods.
The madam of Kyogoku House frowned, her gaze sweeping over Tanjiro's face, which was caked in white powder, the large scar on his forehead still clearly visible.
"This one… isn't that scar a bit too noticeable? Still, she looks like a diligent and honest worker." The madam sighed. "Never mind. Tokito House happens to be short on help for laundry and chores, so I'll take this girl."
"Thank you very much, ma'am! I'll work hard!" Tanjiro immediately bowed at a full ninety degrees, his voice ringing out loudly.
"Alright, alright, no need to shout." The madam covered her ears, quickly paid the money, and led Tanjiro away.
Next came the madam of Ogimoto House.
She narrowed her eyes as she critically examined Inosuke, who stood in the center.
"Isn't this girl built a little too sturdily? And why is the way she stands like a bandit…?" The madam was about to refuse when her gaze suddenly landed on Inosuke's face, thickly coated in cheap white powder.
She leaned in, took out a handkerchief, and scrubbed hard at his cheek.
The heavy makeup smeared away, revealing Inosuke's face—more delicate and beautiful than most women.
"Oh my!" The madam's eyes lit up instantly. She slapped her thigh as if she had discovered a rare treasure. "What a face! A bit rough around the edges, but as long as she doesn't speak, this face alone will draw in crowds! This girl belongs to Ogimoto House!"
Inosuke snorted loudly, about to let loose a string of curses, but Tengen Uzui quickly pinched the back of his neck from behind, forcing him to swallow his words. The deal was sealed.
Now, only one person remained.
Zenitsu Agatsuma stood there with two crooked buns on his head, his thick, bright red lips trembling slightly. His eyes, lined crudely with makeup, were already brimming with tears.
He watched as his two companions were taken away one after the other. Meanwhile, the remaining madams, upon seeing him, recoiled as if they had seen a ghost. Some even covered their mouths, looking on the verge of gagging.
"This one… absolutely won't do."
"She looks too miserable. We wouldn't take him even if you paid us. She'd scare all the customers away!"
"Go, go, don't stand here and ruin the view!"
Hearing these merciless judgments, Zenitsu's heart shattered completely.
"Why?! Why am I the only one nobody wants?! Am I not even as good as that wild boar?! I'm a golden-haired, beautiful blonde… a sweet girl with rich emotions and a delicate heart! You blind women!"
Zenitsu screamed inwardly, tears carving two deep tracks through the powder on his face. Paired with his resentful expression, he looked just like a vengeful spirit crawling out of a well.
Even Tengen Uzui found the situation troublesome. He cleared his throat twice and grabbed the madam of Kyogoku House, who was about to turn and leave.
"Madam, please have some mercy. This girl may look a bit shabby, but she can play the shamisen! She's also strong—no problem carrying night soil or sweeping floors! I'll give you a ninety percent discount—no, I'll give her to you for free! Just feed her, alright?"
The madam of Kyogoku House looked down at Zenitsu, who was clinging to her leg and crying his heart out, and curled her lip in disgust. But hearing that the girl was free, and considering that the house did need someone for rough work, she reluctantly nodded.
"Fine, fine. I must have terrible luck. Hurry up and come with me—don't stand here being an eyesore."
Zenitsu was dragged away by the staff of Kyogoku House like a limp sack.
Before disappearing, he twisted his head back and shot a vicious glare at Tengen Uzui and Rin, who was watching from not far away, his expression filled with boundless resentment.
"Just you wait… I'll definitely become the top oiran of the Yoshiwara Entertainment District! I'll make all the men in Japan go mad for me! When that day comes, I'll trample you two scum under my feet and make you regret everything, aaaaah!"
Watching Zenitsu's retreating figure, brimming with fighting spirit—or rather, resentment—disappear around the corner, Rin couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Your infiltration methods are truly… unique." Rin shook his head and stepped out from the shadows. "Alright, now that your subordinates are all in place, let's see how I handle things."
Tengen Uzui tore off the fake mustache on his lip and let out a long sigh. "What are you planning to do? Kick down the door and fight the demon?"
"Kick down the door? That doesn't suit my current identity."
Rin reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick stack of ten-thousand-yen bills, generously provided by the Ubuyashiki family, tapping them lightly against his palm with a crisp sound.
"I heard everything just now. The 'Kyogoku House' where Zenitsu was taken is one of the most high-end establishments in the Yoshiwara Entertainment District. Since it's a place like that, the demon hiding inside won't have low tastes either."
Rin removed his black haori and tossed it to Tengen Uzui. Dressed only in a finely tailored, dark-patterned yukata, with the Kusanagi sword at his waist, his already striking features—sharp brows and star-like eyes—were even more pronounced. With just a bit of adjustment, he now carried the unmistakable aura of a wealthy young master from a powerful family, distant and untouchable, yet radiating extravagance.
"Go. Keep watch outside for me. If you spot any rats trying to slip away, cut them down."
After saying that, Rin slipped one hand into his pocket and sauntered toward the entrance of Kyogoku House.
As the premier establishment in the Yoshiwara Entertainment District, Kyogoku House was lavishly decorated. Four burly attendants stood at the doorway, smiling as they greeted the stream of distinguished guests coming and going.
The moment Rin stepped up to the entrance, two attendants moved to stop him.
"My, young master, you seem unfamiliar. Our Kyogoku House values proper introductions. Do you have a reservation? Without a referral from one of our regular patrons, you can't simply walk in—"
The man's words came to an abrupt halt.
Rin didn't even spare him a glance. He casually pulled out a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket and, without looking, flung it straight into the man's face.
Clatter—
The bills scattered across the floor like falling snow. It was real money—thick, tangible cash.
"Go. Call your madam."
Rin stepped forward, crossing the threshold without hesitation and planting himself arrogantly in the entryway. "Tell her a young master with nothing better to do wants to reserve the entire house for tonight."
The surrounding patrons and courtesans were stunned into silence.
In this den of indulgence, they had seen plenty of wealthy merchants throw money around. But someone like this—who casually slapped money into a man's face without a word and demanded to reserve the entire establishment—was something they had never witnessed before.
The madam, who had just been arranging for Zenitsu to clean toilets in the back courtyard, heard the commotion in the front hall and hurried over, lifting her skirt as she ran.
The moment she saw the money scattered across the floor—and the striking young man standing at the center, exuding wealth and authority—the irritation in her eyes instantly transformed into naked greed.
"Oh my! What fortunate wind has brought such a distinguished guest to us!"
The madam laughed so hard her makeup nearly cracked. She hurried forward, her tone dripping with flattery. "Young master, please don't be upset. My subordinates were blind and failed to recognize such an honored guest. What would you like to drink? Which of our girls has caught your eye? I'll prepare the finest private room for you right away!"
Rin's gaze swept over the heavily powdered courtesans, and an undisguised trace of disdain flickered across his eyes.
Having seen the pure, lotus-like beauty of Shinobu Kocho, looking at these overly made-up women was nothing short of an assault on his senses.
"Enough nonsense."
Rin strode straight to the VIP tatami in the center of the hall, a seat usually reserved for nobles and high-ranking figures, and sat down. With a sharp motion, he slammed the Kusanagi sword at his waist onto the table with a loud bang.
"Bring out your most popular, most expensive, and most arrogant oiran. I heard Kyogoku House has someone called Warabihime. That's the one. Tell her to come down and drink with me. Now."
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Rin embraces his big D young master energy! How will Daki react? Find out in the next ep of Dragon Ball.. ehm.
12 Advance chapters:Patreon/slept01