After explaining things about Shadō to my parents, a few weeks eventually went by training and thinking about the last thing I have to acquire before starting in the military.
Though some weird rumors about ghosts are being spread around in the territory next to us, I paid no heed to it because I'm planning to get this skill:
[Hair manipulation Lvl 2, (Can now change length and color of hair)]
To unlock the skill my plan is to create an organization called Aogiri Tree with 12 core members as the backbone, but first I need a right-hand man that can help me do things when I'm too busy.
Now I'm wandering through the slums where the poor and homeless citizens live asking about rumors going around The Empire, and I must say I got some heated ones just by giving one gold coin just like right now.
"Some people have been going around asking people to join them in the Revolutionary Army as they called themselves. Then they spouted some bullshit that they will take over The Empire to stop their tyranny and give us all a better life that we deserve." said an old man sitting on the cold ground to me after he got a gold coin.
"Do you have anything else? I will pay you for it of course" I asked the old homeless man while fishing a gold coin up from my wallet.
"Ya' in fact I do" he replied while taking the gold coin.
"Ya' know a lot of people have trouble paying taxes right?" He asked me and I just nodded back at him.
"A little more than 2 weeks ago a whole family was executed by crucifixion in the middle of one of the main squares, elderly and children no matter age was killed to make an example to others," The old man told me with a straight face, so he must be used to this happening.
"But here's the thing, there's a rumor going around that the butler of the family survived because he was out shopping, and when he got to the square and saw their dead bodies hanging he kneeled in front of them for 3 whole days and nights without moving an inch or saying anything" I was told the crux of the rumor.
"Do you know the butler's name?" I asked the old man because I want to investigate the butler a little, and maybe make him the first member of Aogiri Tree.
"Sorry mate, that's all I know." The homeless man said and closed his eyes, taking a nap.
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I continued walking around asking for all kinds of intel, I realized that the slums have a lot of potentials to gather intel, so I decide to hire them when Agiri Tree is up and running.
When I was walking around a little absent-minded, I felt someone sneak up behind me without any ill intent so I decided to play a fool and continue walking.
Then just when I was about to go around a corner, I felt my bag of gold leaving my belt, but before the thief could run away I took a hold of it and pulled back. It startled the thief who fell over face-first then I sat on his back holding him in place while locking his arms being the back.
"Ah it hurts, please don't be so rough on a lady!" The thief said complaining.
"Lady? Now that I look at you, you are a girl?!" I said lifting my eyebrow on my stoic face.
"Hah? Are you blind, can't you see I'm a beautiful girl" she said sounding a little prideful.
"Why are you sounding so prideful when you are just a thief?" I asked back while still sitting on her back and locking her arms.
"Grrr, it's complicated I need money to help someone!" she didn't deny being a thief, but that she has her reasons while growling.
"Well I don't intend to probe into your reasons nor will I punish you for trying to steal my wallet," I said while getting off her back and she stood up so I can see her clearly.
She is a curvaceous and mature looking girl around 15 years old with short blonde hair with two long tufts that frame the sides of her head and golden eyes and is wearing ragged clothes.
"You like what you see?" she asked when she saw me checking her out and placed her arms under her chest squeezing them.
"Yea you are certainly beautiful!" I said honestly straight to her face.
Her cheeks reddened a little and her head turned to the side to avoid eye contact with me, clearly a little surprised by my blunt praise.
"I'm Leone, who are you?" she asked to avoid the topic of her beauty, so it won't get any more embarrassing for her.
"Kaneki Ken" I replied after thinking if I should reveal my name to her. I don't really want people knowing that I'm asking around for rumors because it can spell trouble for me and the Zen clan, so I gave a fake name to her.
When I revealed my fake name, she kept looking at my wallet hesitating to ask something, and I can already guess what she is thinking, so I just threw her the back with 20 gold coins in it.
"Here use it wisely and don't wave them around, especially here in the slums. " I warned her then walked away showing her my back.
"Thanks, I will repay you back someday and somehow, even if you want my body~," she said happily and flirtatious to my back making me almost stumble.
I just continued walking away without turning around.