"Ha-ha-ha, of course, of course, sir! She'll definitely be 'useful' to you," the Manager said with a joyful smile, eyeing the frozen Meyumi. He was thrilled the incident could be resolved with minimal losses.
"Th-thank you, sir!" the freed Meyumi exclaimed, attempting to fall at Kenshin's feet, but she was caught by telekinesis again and halted halfway.
"Calm down. Behave quietly, or I'll send you back," Kenshin said calmly, and Meyumi instantly feared for her life upon seeing the Manager's furious, murderously intent-filled glare.
"Nakayama-sama, allow me to treat you to the finest wine while your purchases are prepared," Takahiro offered with a smile, and Kenshin nodded graciously.
"Makoto, are you hungry?" Kenshin asked gently, sensing the girl had been tormented by hunger for far too long.
"N-no, sir, I ate last night..." the young brunette replied, blushing. If Kenshin weren't holding her hand, she would have tried to shrink into a corner and stay unnoticed.
"Hm? Takahiro, have some good food brought to her," Kenshin said, barely containing his irritation at the situation this pure and innocent girl had endured. At that moment, he grew even more resolved to change this world for the better.
Takahiro wasn't sure exactly what to serve, so he ordered everything available—at least two portions each—in case the esteemed guest from the Nakayama Family wanted to lunch himself.
As soon as the servants set the table and brought in the array of aromatic dishes, Makoto's stomach growled uncontrollably, and she blushed crimson. She was mortified and didn't know where to hide.
"Pff..." Meyumi snorted, somewhat relaxed now. With the danger past, she immediately recalled her disdain for Makoto, whom she saw as little more than a "flea."
Kenshin completely ignored Meyumi and looked at Makoto.
"Go eat, and don't be shy around anyone," he said with a smile, stroking her head.
"Th-thank you, sir..." Makoto squeaked, unused to kindness. She couldn't fathom why this elderly man treated her so warmly but resolved to obey him in everything, terrified of falling from his favor.
Seeing all the best go to Makoto fueled another surge of rage in Meyumi. As one of the highest-status women in the House of Flowers, she was accustomed to the finest food and always claimed it first. Though she didn't gorge like some "friends"—after whom Makoto often went to bed hungry—Meyumi still loved eating well and plentifully, and even before captivity, such exquisite fare was rare for her.
"Sir... May I eat? Please..." she purred plaintively, cranking her charm to maximum. Though long out of practice with men, she trusted her seduction skills.
"This food is all for Makoto—it's her choice whether to share," Kenshin replied calmly. Seeing the true emotions of this vicious woman rendered her seduction useless.
"Hey fle... Ahem, Makoto. You'll share with your friend, won't you? We're servants of the same master now—we should stick together!" Meyumi said in a friendly tone, utterly shameless.
"Um... Sure, eat," Makoto replied with a smile. It made Kenshin's heart flutter. The kindness radiating from her after endless abuse was balm to the empath's soul.
Hearing that, Meyumi smirked smugly, admiring her talent for fooling dimwits, sauntered to the table, and devoured the food, manners forgotten.
Takahiro watched silently the whole time. The two girls were no longer his property, and he feared speaking up and courting trouble. He wondered what this esteemed man intended, but only trite notions like "pity" or "compassion" occurred to him. Yet Takahiro couldn't believe someone so powerful, with flawless chakra control, would bother saving useless, dim-witted girls—plus an outspoken, dangerous cripple—for something so pointless.
The constant aura of peril from the two silent stone-faced men trailing their master unnerved him. Where their lord seemed merely relaxed and ordinary, these two struck Takahiro as razor-sharp blades poised to strike down the unworthy. He'd never seen such disciplined shinobi, but contrary to what he'd expect, they brought no joy—only chills. He had no idea what they were thinking or how to act around them. For the first time, the House of Flowers Manager longed for sloppy, chatty, rude shinobi instead.
A short while later, two powerful kunoichi brought the very woman Kenshin had glimpsed in the basement. Her hands and feet remained shackled in Shackles linked by a single chain, severely hampering movement. Missing her right leg, her wooden prosthesis prevented even normal speed, causing her considerable discomfort.
Seeing her, Kenshin sensed the emotions gnawing her soul, nearly overwhelming him with heat. He'd felt the anguish of broken souls before, but not hers. Despite her ordeals, this woman refused to yield—Kenshin clearly sensed her constant search for escape from her bonds.
"Don't do anything foolish, Saru. Your new master is merciful, so behave and rein in that reckless temper," Takahiro advised, dreading last-minute issues.
"Go to hell, bastard! When I get free, I'll come for you and the rest!" the woman snarled. Her sole eye blazed with boundless fury, and Takahiro knew she'd follow through if she escaped.
A strong Chunin himself, he feared not the crippled, weakened woman—but her resolve terrified him. He knew such people were deadly and wanted no part of her.
"You..." Takahiro started, but was cut off.
"Control yourself," Kenshin said calmly, sensing the Manager's urge to attack her.
"Nakayama-san, you're not planning to release her, right?" Takahiro asked with a smile.
Kenshin said nothing, merely producing two small leather cuffs. He stepped toward the prisoner and fastened them on her wrists. She tried to strike the insolent fool but, to her shock, couldn't budge—only with extreme effort did she twitch slightly, but by then it was done.
"Free her," Kenshin ordered, then turned to the other girl. "Makoto, time to go," he said with a smile.
"Uh-huh," Makoto nodded happily, rising from the sofa and trotting quietly to her new master, nearly pressing against him. He alone made her feel safe.
"Y-you! Wh-what ability is this?!" the freed woman exclaimed, stunned. She'd never encountered anything like it.
"You'll learn later. For now, time to go. Takahiro, send a messenger if my order arrives," Kenshin said, turning toward the exit.
"Of course, Nakayama-san—everything will be perfect!" the Manager babbled, escorting the honored guest and only returning after seeing him to the street's end.