Disturbing the Peace

Soujiro sat at the table outside the shop with his hands on his on his chin and a indifferent look on his face. He sighed before he asked,

So this guy here has been constantly raiding your shop?

He pointed nonchalantly at a man who was being held back by several men nearby. The old man sitting opposite him nodded nervously

And he says his boss has had enough of you not paying for protection?

The old man nodded again and Soujiro could swear he could hear the rattling of teeth from inside the man's skull. Soujiro brushed his short hair back while he tried to remain calm. If this was someone getting back at him because of a practical joke it was not funny at all. It was bordering on distasteful. Even if it wasn't a vengeful act why had he been sent to deal with this domestic squabble. Where were the vice captains? Where was his vice-captain? He couldn't remember even if he tried. He'd just begrudgingly followed the orders relayed to him via a hell butterfly that a disturbance had sprung up in East Rukongai and that he was to investigate. He didn't even take the time to put on his haori because he was half asleep and he was certain it was a hoax. He wondered how many other shinigami got the same message, if it was real at all. He sighed one more time before leaning back and looking at the man who was being held back. He got up and approached the him, signaling them to release him.

Who is your leader?

He asked as politely as he could muster. The man remained quiet obviously refusing to answer any questions. Soujiro sighed and scratched his head. He was certain someone else could have come to take care of this. Just as he was about to announce his departure a voice caught his attention. "So you're the shinigami who was hired by this old man?" Soujiro turned to see a large man making his way through the crowd accompanied by at least a dozen others who had katanas by their sides, "I suggest you move on unless you intend on taking on all of us." The large man whistled and several other people around the area withdrew their katanas obviously in league with this man. Soujiro looked around, he couldn't accurately determine their numbers but there were at least twenty maybe thirty men. "Go back home to your captain shinigami, you are outnumbered." Soujiro now remembered that he had left his haori and was dressed in the normal black robes. He could maybe use this to his advantage. He would've wanted to stall these men until someone else arrived but that was an uncertain factor and he was not sure he could fight all these men without seriously injuring a few of them.

Nobody hired me,

He finally said

Anyone who disturbs the peace within Soul Society will be rendered a swift and righteous punishment.

He knew they weren't the type to idly stand by as he provoked them but if he had learned anything it was that a leader's arrogance would sometimes cloud the clearest of opportunities. He needed to keep this man talking for as long as he could and try to avoid confrontation, but it seemed inevitable.

I suggest you all leave here if you value your lives.

What! No! Stall them, not provoke them! Soujiro cursed to himself as he waited. He looked straight at the leader and smiled faintly. He had decided to take matters into his own hands and dispose of them while he still held an advantage.