"Good. First of all, I'm interested in strong kunoichi," Kenshin said, greatly surprising Masao and Takahiro. His request was completely atypical for a man not endowed with strength. Strong kunoichi were usually ordered by rich but weak daimyo to experience thrills.
"Um, alright sir, the client's word is law for us. Here's a small list of the strongest kunoichi currently available. But before you choose one, I must warn you. Strong kunoichi are incredibly dangerous, and our House of Flowers is not responsible for what happens after the deal," Takahiro said respectfully. He knew perfectly well how dangerous these beasts were and never took any slave with chakra into his home, strongly recommending all clients to reconsider, even if it seemed to harm business at first glance. However, a bad reputation harmed business even more, formed after a client relaxed and decided to remove the chakra-blocking fuin from a 'sweet and affectionate' girl.
"I understand perfectly how cunning and dangerous women can be. Especially women with chakra," Kenshin replied with a smile and took the proffered booklet.
Each page was dedicated to a separate girl. Kenshin was quite surprised to see very realistic portraits of the girls. However, the rest of the list disappointed him more than pleased him.
The descriptions were practically useless or outright harmful. Of the useful information about the girls, only their rank was known, and Kenshin decided to ignore everything else due to unreliability. He didn't understand whether other clients were interested in something else or if he was the only one who immediately saw through all the lies.
"I have only one question. Are these all the strongest kunoichi in the House of Flowers?" Kenshin asked. He was interested in the best of the best, the strongest of the strong, regardless of character or appearance.
"Khm, there's one more... But she probably won't suit you. This kunoichi is not a 'flower' and is here only because she's a woman. Her purpose is to be a sparring partner for clients who want to fight to the death against an enemy one step from Jonin rank," Takahiro said respectfully. He didn't even like thinking about this aggressive kunoichi, which was why she was always locked up, without the opportunity to contact the other 'flowers.'
Hearing that this kunoichi was on the verge of Jonin rank, Kenshin had already decided everything for himself, and something unimaginable would have to happen for him to refuse the idea of taking this incredibly useful woman.
"Excellent! Bring her, I want to see her," Kenshin said authoritatively, delighted at such an incredible prospect.
"Um, there's a small problem... She's very aggressive, and I can't bring her into this room," Takahiro said in an apologetic tone.
"Hm? Isn't there the strongest fuinjutsu chakra suppression on her?" Kenshin asked in surprise. He didn't understand what kind of problems a kunoichi with blocked chakra could cause.
"The thing is, her shackles have fuinjutsu meant for a strong Chunin. However, she exceeded those limits, and even with suppressed chakra, she has the strength of a very strong academy student. It's our oversight, but unfortunately, we don't have a stronger fuin at the moment, so we have to keep her in a safe place," Takahiro said apologetically.
"Shackles? Can you chain a woman in shackles?" Kenshin asked displeasedly. The new variables in this equation were already starting to irritate him.
"When you see her, you'll understand that she long ago stopped being a woman. Please, follow me, Nakayama-san," Takahiro said respectfully and led Kenshin, accompanied by Ichiro and Fifteenth, through the entire building to the basement.
With each second, Kenshin's face grew darker and darker. He understood that he would see in the basement something far from what he had hoped for, but he had no intention of refusing the strongest kunoichi under any circumstances.
"We're here. Nakayama-san, please prepare yourself for what you see or hear. Don't blame our House of Flowers for you wanting to buy a weed yourself," Takahiro said with a smile and opened the sturdy iron door.
"Hey, Saru. Maybe luck has smiled on you, and you won't rot here. Greet the lord from the Nakayama Family. If you please him, maybe you'll get out of here," Takahiro said in a mocking tone. He couldn't restrain himself in communicating with this kunoichi, and even the respected guest didn't stop him from venting a bit of bile.
"Go to hell, bastard, along with your 'lord.' I'm not a whore, so you can sell yourself to him, you greedy son of a bitch!" the woman spat in anger.
Kenshin was a bit surprised by their bickering, and first of all by the name the manager called her. He had no doubt that such a name was just an offensive nickname, as that's what wild monkeys were called.
"You ungrateful bitch! We'll see how you sing after sitting a week without food!" Takahiro barked in irritation. He was deeply offended by this kunoichi's disobedience, especially in the presence of a respected client on whom he hadn't made the proper impression yet.
"You think I'm afraid of hunger? You cowardly son of a bitch, take these shackles off me, and everyone will see who you really are!" the kunoichi barked angrily, a bit hoarsely.
"You..." Takahiro began, but Kenshin was tired of listening to their bickering, so he decided to intervene.
"Turn on the light. I want to look at her," Kenshin said in a calm tone. He could only see a dim silhouette and couldn't make out this woman.
"Ha-ha-ha! Yes, turn on the light, 'manager lord.' Let the respected client look!" the kunoichi said with laughter. From her strongly hoarse voice, Kenshin concluded that something was wrong with her vocal cords.
"Well, Nakayama-san, I warned you and even tried to dissuade you..." Takahiro said regretfully and activated the lighting fuinjutsu.
Kenshin barely maintained his composure mask when he saw the thin, emaciated woman chained to the wall. All her hair was matted, her nose broken to the side, indicating she had been beaten often and hard. Her left eye was missing, and instead of a gleam, Kenshin saw only a gaping void. Instead of her right leg, Kenshin saw only a cloth-wrapped stump.
"What, don't like it? Ha-ha-ha! Get the hell out! Go back upstairs and pick a fragrant flower if you're not a pervert!" the woman barked hoarsely.
"Why was she mutilated like this?!" Kenshin asked angrily, barely restraining himself from hitting Takahiro.
"W-with all due respect, sir, discipline matters are not discussed. If you're dissatisfied with the goods, you can just leave, but don't show aggression," Takahiro replied. He really didn't like Kenshin's tone, and most importantly, the House of Flowers manager couldn't understand the reason for this anger.
"How much do you want for her?" Kenshin asked in a calm tone, looking him straight in the eye.
"Khm... Her original price is one million ryō, but considering the damage, my House of Flowers is ready to let her go for eight hundred thousand," Takahiro replied with a smile. He was pleasantly surprised by Kenshin's question about the price and immediately forgot his displeasure at the client's unethical behavior.
"Eight hundred thousand? Five hundred, and I'll take her," Kenshin said authoritatively. He was fully convinced of his desire to take this unfortunate woman out of hell. Being a good empath, he perfectly sensed what was going on in her soul and wanted to help her. He had always liked people with an unyielding character, and this woman, though ugly on the outside, was completely pure on the inside. All her thoughts immediately manifested in words and actions, without cunning or malice.
"Fine, but only out of respect for you," Takahiro said with a smile. He was afraid to haggle with such an authoritative man and was ready to get rid of this hated woman even for two hundred thousand, so Kenshin's offer was still very profitable.
"I'll slit your throat while you sleep, 'lord,'" the kunoichi said in a hoarse voice, mimicking a smirk.
"You ungrateful bitch!" Takahiro barked and caught Kenshin's displeased gaze.
"I hope I won't hear you insulting my people again. Otherwise..." Kenshin trailed off suggestively, making it clear the consequences wouldn't please him.
"Y-yes, Nakayama-san, of course. I just forgot myself..." Takahiro apologized jokingly. More than anything, he didn't want to run into trouble because of this kunoichi, so he decided to ignore her until the end.
"Wow! Nakayama-san, you must be a big shot if this bastard fears you so much. Takahiro, didn't it occur to you to offer him your wife to strengthen relations with the respected guest?" the woman said with laughter.
Takahiro could only silently bare his teeth, controlling all impulses to rush and knock out her teeth for the hundredth time.
"Have her washed and dressed in clean clothes. A mandatory condition is that women do it," Kenshin ordered, and the manager could only smile, agree, and nod.