Arrival at the Inner District.
Yuan stood at the street corner. The scene before him was a vibrant, living scroll of an old-era village that one would see in a Japanese period drama.
Along both sides of the gravel-paved road, wooden houses were lined up one after another. Although not grand or luxurious, they were bright, clean, and mostly looked sturdy and neat, with solid doors and windows.
Souls of both men and women rubbed shoulders. The intermingled sounds of conversation and the laughter of children running on the side of the road rose up, brimming with the vitality of a bustling marketplace.
If it weren't for the squad of Shinigami that had passed by earlier, Yuan would have no real sense of having crossed over into the world of Bleach.
His appearance drew some attention—some curious, some scrutinizing—as unfamiliar young faces rarely appeared in the Rukongai. Teenagers are in a relatively healthy and vigorous stage of life, so their mortality rate is naturally lower than other age groups.
Aside from simple curious glances, there were naturally some gazes with ill intent.
A few young, sleazy-looking souls, leaning against a wall and chatting, let their eyes wander between the stone axe at his waist and Yuan himself, exchanging whispers.
Yuan noticed their slightly aggressive glances. He turned his head and calmly swept his gaze over each of them in turn.
His look was brief yet powerful, showing no fear, as if he were simply observing ordinary roadside scenery. Before the group could react, his gaze moved on, continuing to observe the Inner District environment.
This composed demeanor made the group at the corner withdraw their eyes. This unfamiliar youth showed no sign of timidity and looked physically strong. He clearly wasn't an easy target to bully, and they didn't want to court unnecessary trouble.
Moreover, they could tell what Yuan had on him with just a glance. Besides the broken stone axe at his waist, he didn't even have proper straw sandals on his feet, making him worthless. So, they resumed their laughter and conversation, no longer paying him any attention.
Yuan took in their reactions with the corner of his eye, making a mental note.
In this world where the weak are prey for the strong, excessive weakness invites oppression, and making enemies for no reason is foolish.
The most important thing now was to familiarize himself with the environment and find a place to gather information. As for these rogues, as long as they didn't actively seek trouble, he couldn't be bothered to deal with them.
He didn't linger at the street corner, stepping forward to merge with the crowd, his eyes scanning the houses along the street.
Walking a hundred meters along the main street, he soon came to a place where the noise was more boisterous. He saw a wooden structure, wider than the surrounding houses, situated by the street—the source of the lively atmosphere.
This was a typical Edo-period-style izakaya. The building was constructed from plain wood, with the passage of time leaving many marks of varying depths on the grain.
A deep blue noren (curtain) hung at the doorway, with a white character for "Sake" printed on it. It swayed gently with the occasional breeze as souls entered and exited, making it particularly conspicuous among the relatively humble dwellings nearby.
"Found it!"
Yuan smiled slightly, his guess confirmed, feeling quite pleased.
Although ordinary souls do not need to eat to survive, as long as they are "alive," they possess the seven emotions and six desires, and appetite is one of the most instinctive desires of living beings.
The vegetable patch in the wilderness and the izakaya before him both proved this point.
He quickly tidied his appearance, brushing off the dust that had clung to his clothes during the journey, and raised a hand to push aside the deep blue noren.
Behind the noren was a half-open sliding door, offering a glimpse of the figures moving inside.
Ka—la—
"Welcome—"
Pulling open the door, Yuan stepped inside. An aroma mixing the scents of food and sake, along with the sweet and enthusiastic greeting of a waitress, immediately met him.
The greeting came from a young waitress wearing a light blue kimono with a white apron tied around her waist, weaving through the diners. Seeing a customer arrive, she quickly approached.
However, when her eyes fell upon Yuan's face, her signature professional smile involuntarily froze slightly.
The young man before her was completely different from the rough-faced, street-smart souls she usually interacted with. He looked young and full of spirit, with black hair and eyes, a clean and handsome face, and an undeniable presence in his demeanor.
Most notably, his eyes were bright and firm, showing a self-driven will to progress, unlike the resigned, apathetic attitude of many Rukongai residents.
Although Yuan's clothes and general appearance showed a bit of road wear, it did nothing to conceal his distinguished air.
She was momentarily stunned, for about two or three seconds, until Yuan met her gaze calmly with a smile. She suddenly snapped back to attention, a faint blush rising to her pale cheeks. She lowered her head slightly to hide her lapse.
"C-Customer, just one person? P-Please, follow me."
With that, she led Yuan towards a relatively quiet corner. As she moved, her eyes couldn't help but stealthily glance at Yuan beside her.
"What would the customer like to eat? Today's skipjack tuna is excellent."
Once Yuan was seated, the waitress recommended softly.
"Thank you."
"However, I don't need a meal right now. I'd like to ask, is the owner in? I'd like to inquire if you are hiring."
Yuan spoke with a smile. He had done this often when looking for part-time jobs during his time in Japan, and his experience made him feel completely at ease.
"Eh?"
The waitress was stunned again, this time by Yuan's words. She blinked, re-examining the young man before her.
"Looking for the owner... You want to work here?"
She confirmed, her voice filled with confusion.
"Yes. I've just arrived in the Inner District from the outskirts. I see the business is very good here, so it must be quite busy. I thought I might be able to find a job."
Yuan's words were clear and his purpose direct. Seeing his earnest expression, the waitress finally noticed that Yuan was barefoot. Thinking about how difficult it must be for a young person to survive alone, she couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic.
"The madam boss should be busy in the back kitchen. I'll go ask her for you. She's a very kind person; there should be a chance."
The waitress's tone became gentler, even carrying a hint of determination that she hadn't noticed herself.
"In any case, thank you very much."
Yuan nodded slightly, expressing his gratitude. This girl's kindness was the second friendly gesture he had received since arriving in the Soul Society.
"Please wait a moment."
The waitress, slightly embarrassed by his solemn thanks, softly replied, then quickly turned and walked toward the back kitchen area.
Yuan sat quietly, sensing the lively atmosphere around him, feeling neither nervous nor anxious.
This was the first step in his plan to put down roots in the Soul Society, and he was confident he could achieve it.
The wait wasn't too long. Soon, the madam boss, wearing a dark patterned kimono with her hair neatly tied back, emerged from the back kitchen with the waitress.
The madam boss's eyes held the sharp competence of a business owner. A few stray strands of hair had escaped her knot and, dampened by the kitchen steam, softly clung to her neck.
On her way to Yuan, familiar customers greeted her with smiles, and she responded to each with a kind smile, appearing very approachable and friendly.