Chapter 8 - The Sealed Path

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Aaron, having mastered the Realm of Slashing Iron, was in an exceptionally good mood. He didn't waste any time and made his way straight to the largest black market in Zaraki District.

"Come take a look! We've got newly arrived Reiatsu techniques at a bargain price!"

"White Hits performance is starting—come and join us!"

"Imitation sealed states, low prices! A must-have for home security and self-defense!"

"Cheap smuggled gunpowder! And even more dangerous, deadly finished fire mines—take a look!"

"…"

Aaron, familiar with this area, couldn't help but pause and think as he listened to the various merchants shouting their wares.

The variety of goods here was astonishing, but what struck him even more was the audacity of these merchants. They were shouting their offers without fear, completely unbothered by the risks.

After a moment of reflection, Aaron couldn't help but relax.

In his eyes, these merchants were likely just strong wandering souls at best. However, the fact that they could acquire such diverse and often dubious goods suggested that they had access to certain hidden channels.

Who knew what kind of power lay behind each merchant? Thus, while the black market was chaotic, it was clear that the influence of various forces from Seireitei could be felt here.

As he casually walked through the bustling market, Aaron's attention was drawn to the numerous weapon vendors.

It was then that he noticed a young man with black, curly hair.

"Yoyoyo~ sealed state, the real sealed state!" the man called out, grinning cynically, while eyeing the surrounding merchants. His tone was practiced, but his unrefined demeanor suggested he was a newcomer to this market.

Though the curly-haired man's boisterous cries drew a few curious glances, the passersby merely scoffed before walking away.

"Hey, hey, hey! It's really a sealed state! What's with those expressions? Come on!"

Despite his best efforts to attract attention, no one was buying his pitch. The man grew increasingly frustrated, seeing more potential customers flock to the other, more reputable vendors.

Nearby, another weapon dealer sneered at the curly-haired man's antics. "What a joke! To claim that he's selling genuine sealed states—ridiculous!"

"I've been in Zaraki for over thirty years, and I've never seen someone so brazen!" one passerby chimed in.

"Right! That guy's clearly a fraud!" another added.

A third laughed, "He'll regret it when the Shinigami get their hands on him. They'll show him what happens when you open your mouth too recklessly!"

The group laughed, enjoying the spectacle as they moved along.

Seeing this commotion, Aaron took a few steps toward the curly-haired man, who was now looking dejected as the crowd dispersed around him.

"Move along! Don't mess with that troublemaker!" some of the onlookers called out.

"Brother, get out of there! That guy's gonna be in for it now!" others whispered.

Aaron couldn't help but chuckle at their reactions. He'd earned quite a reputation during his time in Zaraki. With the countless murderers he'd eliminated, the legend of the "young killer god" had spread.

In the time since he'd acquired the system, a number of smaller organizations had dared to challenge him, only to meet their demise.

It was no surprise that people were now wary of him.

"Hey, don't go! It's a sealed state! If you don't believe me, try it out!" the curly-haired man called out in desperation.

However, the crowd had already dispersed, leaving him talking to the air. In frustration, he slumped down on the ground, his head hanging low.

"Boss, can I see that sealed state?" Aaron's voice cut through the silence.

Looking up, the curly-haired man saw Aaron squatting in front of his stall, eyeing the "sealed state" with intense curiosity.

It was no surprise to Aaron. After all, who else could have been the one to show interest in his stall?

The curly-haired man snapped back to attention, quickly straightening his posture. "Ah! Interested in the genuine sealed state, little brother?"

Aaron didn't immediately answer. Instead, he asked calmly, "Let me see it."

"Yes! Yes! Take a look! These are real treasures!" The curly-haired man eagerly picked up the items and began to show them off.

Aaron, using his "All-Knowing Almighty" and the recently learned "Breathing of All Things" technique, began to analyze the sealed states.

The curly-haired man, watching Aaron's focused expression, couldn't help but puff his chest out. "How about it? Pretty good, right?"

A few minutes later, Aaron looked up, his expression neutral. "I'll take this one. What's the price?"

The curly-haired man, clearly caught off guard by the straightforwardness, hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure you want this? Aren't you worried it's a fake?"

Aaron, unphased, simply responded, "Just name your price. I'll determine whether it's real or not."

The curly-haired man's grin faded for a split second, replaced by a calculating look. But quickly, he recovered, now sizing up Aaron with a more playful demeanor.

"Well, if you really want it, you'll need to offer something in exchange that satisfies me. Otherwise…" he trailed off, his tone laced with an unspoken challenge.

Aaron, who had anticipated such a response, didn't show any surprise. He gave it a moment's thought, then casually set the sealed state back down.

"I'll think about it," Aaron said before turning to walk away.

The curly-haired man, stunned by the sudden departure, watched as Aaron left without a second glance.

"Zaraki isn't as fun as I imagined…" he muttered to himself, resigned to the situation.

But just as he began to pack up his goods, Aaron, who had only just left, appeared right in front of him again.

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