Kenshin had anticipated transporting his purchases, so for three hundred thousand ryō, he bought an elite "Carriage" drawn by four top steeds. It resembled home-world "carriages" only superficially—its design prioritized raw function and utility.
By the time Kenshin left the House of Flowers, the Carriage was harnessed and ready. The obliging seller bowed and rattled off details Kenshin deemed useless.
"Sir, you'll need a driver. For a valued client like you, it's free," the portly seller said smiling.
"No need," Kenshin replied, approaching the horses. To the seller's shock, he gently stroked one—which, to greater amazement, bowed its head.
These were the strongest yet most aggressive horses, distant kin to chakra-brimming behemoths. Thus, not just the seller but distant workers—who knew better than to approach without special bait—gaped in disbelief.
"Come, Makoto. Hop in," Kenshin said, ushering her aboard. She nodded eagerly and climbed in carefully. Meyumi followed, feigning grace; the ex-prisoner boarded last, grudgingly.
Ichiro and Fifteenth remained outside to handle the horses and thwart attacks.
"Sir, where to?" Meyumi asked flirtatiously, hoping to charm this handsome man and ease her fate.
"Can't you tell he's a pervert? Can't imagine what he'll do to you when he fancied a cripple like me," the woman laughed.
"Calm down, Noriko. No harm will come to you," Kenshin said smiling. She fell instantly silent, stared at him in shock, then blurted:
"H-how! How did you know?!"
"You'll understand later. Just know you're safe—and revenge may yet be yours," Kenshin replied smiling, glancing at her "Status" again.
Name: Hasegawa Noriko
Age: 30 years
Talent Level: 31
Chakra Quality: 6
Chakra Amount: 7100
Chakra Control: 76%
Rampage Lv 3
"What does this ability entail?..." Kenshin pondered silently. Beyond Noriko's aggression, nothing clicked. He tabled it for later.
"So where are we headed, sir?" Meyumi purred, still angling to seduce him.
"Makoto, Noriko, and I are going home. You'll be dropped soon—free to go wherever," Kenshin said calmly, startling everyone, Makoto most of all. She brightened briefly, then chided herself for glee at another's woe. To her, utter freedom spelled doom for the defenseless.
"Wh-what? Why? Please, sir, don't cast me out!" Meyumi cried from across, lunging for his feet to beg mercy. His offer offered slim odds at normalcy, but she couldn't return home or linger in the Land of Fire lest the Kimura Family snag her. Serving such a kind, powerful man tempted her shrewd mind.
Kenshin halted her effortlessly and sighed: "You're too corrupt. Black heart—even your looks can't redeem that."
"B-but why? I'll be good, I swear! I'll never betray your kindness, sir! Let me stay..." Meyumi pleaded.
"You couldn't harm me, even if you crave it now. But Makoto? You'd renege on arrival and bully her anew," Kenshin said, shaking his head.
"N-no, sir! Makoto and I are pals—I'd never bully her! Tell him, Makoto—no one hurts you!"
"I... Um..." Makoto faltered. She wanted to shield Meyumi yet not lie to Kenshin, tying herself in knots.
"Enough. You take me for a fool, Meyumi? My kindness won't stop me tossing you out mid-journey," Kenshin said sternly. The sly girl still irked him—no mercy.
"S-sir, I..." Meyumi began, but Noriko's raucous laugh cut in.
"Ha-ha-ha! Dump the dumb slut already—she grates on me," Noriko rasped.
"Wh-what?! How dare you! Sir, ignore her—I'm far more useful than that revolting cripple!" Meyumi huffed proudly. Unused to insults, she marveled at the "useless" woman's gall.
Before Kenshin could reply, Noriko elbowed Meyumi's gut from beside her, doubling her over in a pitiful yelp.
"Noriko! Don't disappoint me," Kenshin said displeased, telekinetically restricting her motion and floating the pained Meyumi to his bench. She still annoyed him slightly, but others' pain brought no joy.
"What'll you do—hack off my other leg? Gouge the second eye? Rape me brutally? You'd be first. Those bastards ached to but couldn't ruin merchandise! Ha-ha-ha!" Noriko rasped, rage spilling word by word.
"Nothing of the sort. Disappoint me, and you're free to go. But forfeit physical and spiritual healing," Kenshin replied evenly.
The first half stunned Noriko—she yearned to "disappoint" the lunatic pronto. But the end plunged her into silence. Total healing was her pipe dream; for months, she'd craved trading her life for her tormentors', knowing her frailty made it improbable.
"It's fine, Meyumi—it'll pass," Makoto said softly, steadying and rubbing her back. She knew gut-punches well and pitied Meyumi, who had once struck her thus to assert dominance and crush the weak.
Each second near Makoto brought Kenshin calm serenity. Even Meyumi and Noriko's antics couldn't eclipse the fulfillment from this radiant girl's deeds and thoughts.