The next morning, everyone was in a melancholy mood and barely spoke to each other. Aya occasionally zoned out, staring into space, fresh tears streaming from her eyes. After quickly eating, Ichiro went to the gym, vowing to become strong enough so that none of his future siblings would die.
Kenshin ate quickly too and silently went about his business. In this rhythm, two weeks flew by unnoticed. Kenshin worked on creating formations, Ichiro trained, and Aya handled household chores. Kenshin made two protective amulets against physical attacks and gave them to his wife and son. On the seventieth day since arriving in this world, he had gathered nearly all the money and headed to the city, ordering Ichiro to look after his mother if he didn't return.
Aya and Ichiro were shocked and tried to dissuade him from whatever he had in mind, but Kenshin was unrelenting. He hugged his wife goodbye and left the house.
By eleven in the morning, Kenshin reached the site of the former battle; he found no traces. Grimacing at the flood of memories, he pressed on and arrived in the city an hour and a half later.
He had pondered this idea before, but it had seemed vile and repulsive. But after losing one of his sons, Kenshin reconsidered his views. No matter how disgusting the idea felt, he no longer wanted to lose any loved ones.
Full of resolve, he headed to the pre-selected high-end clothing store, and half an hour later, his pocket was 8000 ryō lighter. He had 44,000 ryō left, just enough for a night in an elite brothel with a kunoichi.
Several hours remained until evening, so Kenshin ate leisurely, then went to a local "beauty salon" where they cut his hair, styled it beautifully, painted his nails, and after changing into luxurious clothes, he looked like the son of a wealthy official.
Opening the ornate door of the elite brothel, Kenshin strode arrogantly to the registration counter.
"Hello, sir, how may I help you?" a beautiful young woman behind what resembled a reception desk asked with a sweet smile.
"Call the manager," Kenshin stated disrespectfully, in a commanding tone.
The girl was momentarily stunned, then glanced at the youth's lavish appearance and confident demeanor, and chirped, "Yes, of course. Please proceed to the waiting room, sir."
Kenshin followed the girl down a long corridor without a care, and passing one of the rooms, he glimpsed HIM through the slightly open door.
A elderly man with completely white, tousled hair, two red lines from his eyes to his chin, in a red cape and wooden sandals, lounged casually on a large sofa. Beautiful girls pressed against him on both sides, and several more stunning beauties sat on the adjacent sofa.
Seeing one of the three Legendary Sannin, a Kage-level shinobi, Kenshin nearly tripped over his own foot but quickly regained his composure and glanced at Jiraiya again. As if sensing the gaze, Jiraiya instantly turned and stared at Kenshin, still utterly relaxed.
Kenshin quickly looked away and continued to the lounge the girl politely indicated.
"Please come in, sir. The manager will be with you shortly," the girl purred and flitted away.
Several minutes later, a middle-aged woman with large breasts and an equally large ass entered the room. To Kenshin, she seemed like a caricatured "mommy" in a brothel.
"Hello, sir. My name is Fujiwara Keiko, manager of this establishment. May I have your name, sir?" Keiko purred tenderly. Kenshin noted her high professionalism. Clearly, this woman knew exactly how to unlock men's hearts.
"Pleased to meet you, Keiko-san. My surname is Nakayama," Kenshin replied politely, without giving his first name.
"Well then, Mr. Nakayama, how may I be of service?" the mature woman said in a voice sweet as honey.
"You see, I love thrills, but I've never been with a strong kunoichi. Could you arrange that?" Kenshin asked with a smile.
"Oh, I understand, sir, but unfortunately, all our kunoichi are booked this evening..." Keiko said sympathetically.
"Damn Jiraiya! He must have taken all the kunoichi. Now what?!" Kenshin thought, then said, "Hmm, and there's absolutely nothing that can be done?"
"Well... There is one other option, but I'm not sure if it's possible. Wait a few minutes, and I'll let you know for sure," Keiko said, unable to withstand the captivating gaze of the young heartthrob. She was an experienced seductress, but for some reason, she took an instant liking to this youth and decided to accommodate him.
"Yes, of course, Keiko-san. I'll wait," Kenshin replied with a smile.
As soon as Fujiwara Keiko stepped out the door, her smile vanished from her beautiful lips as she thought of the "other option." She hurried to the second floor and knocked on one of the doors.
"Natsumi, open up!" she said in a displeased tone.
Several seconds later, the door opened, and the annoyed Keiko entered.
"Natsumi, stop making scenes. Get ready; you have a client," Keiko said, barely containing her irritation.
"A client? If it's that white-haired old man or one of the fat officials, I'd rather die than sleep with them!" Natsumi snapped.
"You dare defy me?! If it were up to me, you'd have been kicked out long ago!" Keiko shouted.
"Oh yeah? Try it, we both know you won't!" Natsumi shot back.
Keiko barely suppressed her raging anger and calmed down. "No, this time it's not an old man or a fatty. A very handsome young lord has come, and if you refuse now, when Omaeda-sama returns, you'll be out on your ass! Well, decided?!" Keiko challenged.
Natsumi was furious but didn't dare escalate. She took a deep breath, looked Keiko in the eye, and set a condition: "I need to see him first. If I don't like him, you know my answer!"
Keiko suppressed another flash of anger and agreed. She led Natsumi to an adjacent room bordering Kenshin's, and Natsumi stared at the handsome youth through the glass.
Kenshin couldn't see them. From his side, it was a mirror, but from the other, the relaxed youth was perfectly visible.