Chapter 30: A Change of Heart

Ran Mouri looked concerned.

"I wonder how Sonoko is doing. I hope she wasn't too frightened."

Shinichi Kudo, while observing his surroundings, replied casually, "Don't worry. That girl was almost back to normal by the time she left. Her family will surely arrange for a psychologist."

Given the Suzuki family's resources, they would certainly provide the best care possible. A mere psychological trauma? If they could pull someone back from the brink of death, a little trauma was nothing.

Although she knew that was the case, Ran pouted slightly as she watched Shinichi, who was completely immersed in his own world of searching for clues.

"It's still too pathetic for Sonoko, saying that yesterday..."

She stopped abruptly.

Being at the center of the incident, there was no way to run, and the non-disclosure agreements that had to be signed were binding in every detail. Although Shinichi had also signed one, having seen the truth of this world with his own eyes, how could he possibly let this golden opportunity slip by?

"Those unsolved cases from the past likely involved them as well. I have to uncover them, and I'll start with the Inari God!"

Watching the "washing machine" (Shinichi) obsessed with the case, Ran sighed softly and had no choice but to follow.

—

Japan. The recent turmoil continued.

Anyone with any real influence in Tokyo had received word of the events. This included the Black Organization—the "Liquor Factory"—which was currently being tracked and hunted by Interpol.

Inside a rare black Porsche A564, Gin, with his long silver hair, black trench coat, and black fedora, lit a cigarette and issued an order to Vodka in the driver's seat.

"Head to Tokyo."

"Understood."

The burly Vodka nodded and started the vehicle smoothly. Seeing Vodka’s honest, unquestioning demeanor, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Gin's eyes. He didn't need subordinates who were overly capable; he only needed loyalty and for them not to drag him down. Vodka fit these criteria perfectly.

However...

Opening the window and slowly exhaling smoke, Gin narrowed his eyes, recalling the task the Boss had personally issued just moments ago.

Supernatural...

Did such things really exist?

—

Meanwhile, in a typical Japanese-style residence, Ryo Yamada leaned against the doorframe of the entryway, using the smartphone of a local yakuza boss he had just "checked out" to browse the internet.

"Crow Tengu..."

The newly appeared post was deleted and taken down within two seconds. Ryo Yamada gave a look of disdain at this almost futile attempt to cover things up.

They always try to paint a peaceful picture, no matter what. Such an ugly facade. People offer their trust, only to receive the betrayal they have grown accustomed to.

There is a peculiar phenomenon in the election of Japanese politicians. Grassroots politicians often cannot compete with those who have strong backgrounds. This, of course, is not because the ruling class has suddenly developed a sense of benevolence or mercy; it is simply a matter of pragmatic selection.

When grassroots politicians in this island nation rise to power, they almost always hoard wealth recklessly, attempting to squeeze into the upper echelons of society. Politicians from established families, however, are more protective of their reputations and are not as brazen.

Holding the belief that neither side is good, and wondering why they should vote for the bigger scoundrel, the public often casts their votes for the candidates from established families—a way of finding bitter amusement in their circumstances.

After browsing for a while longer without finding any useful information, Ryo Yamada tapped his knee and slowly stood up. In the Showa-era living room, an elderly bald man with a terrified expression lay in a pool of blood that had soaked into the tatami mats.

"Thirteen. Too slow," Ryo Yamada muttered, frowning slightly.

He had worked so hard, and yet he had only collected thirteen souls of heinous criminals. Two of those had been harvested during an attack on the Self-Defense Force. Strictly speaking, this speed was already quite fast; he lacked the ability to discern them easily and could only use the most time-consuming and laborious method of hunting down various yakuza organizations, all while keeping his movements hidden.

He would not be going to Tokyo anytime soon. The Buddha-light from that Master was too blinding, and he was no match for him right now. If he were caught, he feared he would be purified in an instant, losing all the wandering souls he carried. He needed that power, so he could not afford any mistakes.

"Whoosh, whoosh."

At that moment, a sound like a large fan waving came from the sky. A shadow gradually deepened in the courtyard. Looking up, Ryo Yamada’s expression froze.

"Crow Tengu?"

Descending from the sky was indeed a fully-formed Crow Tengu, though this one lacked the iconic katana at its waist, nor did it carry a fan or a treasure mallet. Facing this monster, Ryo Yamada’s expression remained unchanged—he had already seen a Tsuchigumo, so one Crow Tengu was nothing new.

Slowly flapping its wings, the Crow Tengu stopped at a height of one meter above the ground and said arrogantly, "Human, you are fortunate to have caught the attention of the Lord. There is a task that needs to be done."

Ryo Yamada remained expressionless. A black pool slowly expanded, and a dozen wandering souls crawled halfway out from beneath his feet, glaring at the Crow Tengu.

The Crow Tengu moved up another half-meter without changing its demeanor and continued, "The Lord knows you are seeking souls. As long as you complete the task the Lord has assigned you, the Lord promises to give you ten souls of heinous criminals—ten souls for each completed step."

With that, it dropped a moon-white gourd. In Ryo Yamada’s perception, there were ten souls surging within it.

"This is a gift from the Lord."

The wandering souls that were about to crawl out froze. Ryo Yamada’s eyes widened slightly. He looked at the creature with utmost seriousness for a long time before finally speaking.

"If it's not there, I will kill you, and then I will kill that 'Lord' behind you."

The Crow Tengu snorted coldly, threw something with its right hand, and a fang landed in Ryo Yamada’s palm.

"Take this fang and visit every shrine in Tokyo. As long as nothing goes wrong, the ten souls I promised will be yours, and not a single one will be missing. Ten for each well-known shrine. Remember that."

The figure of the Crow Tengu faded into a black speck and slowly disappeared.

Ryo Yamada examined the fang in his hand. Even as a half-layman, he could feel the immense demonic power contained within it. If a single fang was this powerful, its owner must be a formidable Great Yokai. Much like that Tsuchigumo.

"...Visit every famous shrine."

Thinking of the countless shrines in Tokyo, Ryo Yamada’s eyes flickered.

It seemed there was hope after all. Even though Tokyo was dangerous for him, as long as he kept his presence hidden and did not use his powers, he might not be discovered. Besides, in such a short time, Master Jirobo—given the injuries he had sustained—should not have recovered so quickly. This was a rare opportunity.

He had to seize it.

Ryo Yamada knew that a Great Yokai of this caliber must have malicious intent in asking him to do this; the target was Tokyo. But the reward offered was something he could not refuse.

—

Senso-ji Temple.

Haku Mizunuki looked at this historic ancient temple and wandered around. The Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva worshipped here was quite famous, but there was a funny thing about it: this Bodhisattva, who possessed boundless magical power in every legend, actually had no famous legends of subduing demons in this island nation.

And yet, it was famous. That was quite interesting.

Glancing slightly to the side, at the gate of Senso-ji, stood several white and black men. They were American soldiers. The Japanese citizens passing by would subconsciously avoid them, though there were exceptions. Several tourists from the West looked at them with curiosity, as if they were observing some rare animal.