Chapter 406

「Eight hundred million, that's the reward I can offer right now. Also, as long as you're willing to step forward and testify against Tenkō Chikunojō, taking the blame for summoning Scorpio with the Seven Star Relic and killing many Civil Security officers, you'll only be an accomplice, not the principal offender.

「Openly speaking, though I can't erase your guilt, in terms of disposition, I can communicate with the Holy Son of Heaven to have them revoke the wanted notice against you. 」

Tenkō Kisara was very sincere; any normal criminal might have agreed, taking the opportunity to whitewash their identity.

But Hiruko Kagetane wasn't a normal person. He had his own logic, yet he couldn't help but laugh: 「Hahaha……」

「What are you laughing at? Do you think the price isn't enough? 」

「I'm not laughing because I think your price isn't enough, but because I'm laughing at myself—in others' eyes, I would actually care about money and a wanted notice. Tenkō President, are you looking down on me? 」

Hiruko Kagetane stopped laughing and threw the question back.

The other end of the phone fell silent. After a while, they said: 「Wanted notice—perhaps you rely on your own strength and don't care about this, but what about money, Hiruko Kagetane? Aren't you working for Tenkō Chikunojō behind you because of money? 」

「Don't try to trap me. Words spoken by a criminal during a phone call probably can't serve as evidence to bring down that guy Tenkō Chikunojō. 」

Tenkō Kisara, with the recording function on: 「……」

「Also, I don't need money to do things for others. If I wanted money, wouldn't robbing a bank or an armored truck be better? 」

「Then what are you doing it for? 」

「It's just a coincidence that what the other party wants to achieve is also the result I want to see. 」

Hiruko Kagetane's answer left Tenkō Kisara deep in thought.

「Destroying the Tokyo Safe Zone is the result you want to see?

No, that's wrong. Tenkō Chikunojō's goal is to stop the implementation of the Gastrea New Law.

So your goal is also to stop the implementation of the Gastrea New Law, right? 」

「Correct answer, but unfortunately there's no reward. 」

「But why? The implementation of the Gastrea New Law is to give Cursed Children their due human rights and interests. Isn't your daughter also a Cursed Child? Don't you love your daughter at all? Don't you consider her? 」

Tenkō Kisara asked.

「Hah, although I'm a madman, I still have some feelings for my only remaining biological daughter. As for you, Tenkō President, have you misunderstood something? 」

「Misunderstood what? 」

「The function of the Gastrea New Law. 」

「What's there to misunderstand? 」

「Who do you think the Gastrea New Law protects? 」

「Cursed Children, isn't it? 」

Tenkō Kisara's beautiful brows furrowed, confused by the meaning of the person on the other end of the phone.

「Partly, but more so it's protecting this world's vulgar ordinary people who lack great power but occupy most of mainstream society. 」

「What do you mean? 」

「Think about it. In the past, after giving birth to Cursed Children, the vast majority of biological parents chose to abandon them.

When those children had no cognition of this world, they were already saddled with groundless charges by the world. Though they had done nothing wrong, they had to suffer the malice of this world's vulgar people.

Of course, since they are still children ten years after the disaster, they can only passively accept everything this world gives them.

But Cursed Children won't be children forever. Some will grow up smoothly. In the next ten years, they will think, and they will form their own ideas about this world.

And when some Cursed Children start to think, why does this world treat me so unfairly, what do you think will happen?

Will those Cursed Children who receive unfair treatment ask why?

Even if they do, will anyone answer them?

Even if some people answer, will those who hurt them using the reason that they are Cursed Children recognize their mistakes and stop hurting Cursed Children?

The answer is no!

And when Cursed Children who have been hurt again and have grown up face ordinary humans weaker than themselves—ordinary humans they could kill with a casual hand—what do you think they will do? 」

「Blood for blood, a tooth for a tooth. 」

Tenkō Kisara answered in a low voice. She already understood Hiruko Kagetane's meaning.

「Exactly. Cursed Children will kill the ordinary humans who hurt them, and ordinary humans will therefore hate Cursed Children even more, whom they previously viewed as monsters. The conflict between the two will intensify, and eventually, war will break out between ordinary humans and Cursed Children, and the old social order will be completely torn apart. 」

「Do you think Cursed Children can win? 」

「I don't know, but as long as ordinary humans continue to reproduce, the number of Cursed Children will always be replenished.

Even if ordinary humans ultimately win, they will pay an extremely heavy price—probably more than what was paid during the Great Disaster. 」

「You're really a madman. Throwing this world into chaos, dragging this world into the Abyss—what good does that do for you? 」

Tenkō Kisara couldn't help but ask.

「I don't think the end of chaos is the Abyss. On the contrary, I think the end of chaos is a staircase.

After war breaks out, is fought, and ends, the wrong world will be corrected. Everything will be reshuffled in the war, and a New World will be established.

And those who survive—whether Cursed Children, ordinary humans, or modified humans like me from the New Human Project—will receive the correct identity corresponding to their own value and strength in the New World. 」

「What if the human world is destroyed because of this? 」

「Then it proves it should be so. 」

Hiruko Kagetane wasn't a typical antisocial madman. On the contrary, he was a fanatic who pursued the realization of his own value, pursued the manifestation of every person's value in this world, and thus wanted to change this world.

Such people have one trait: before their convictions are completely crushed, there is basically no possibility of being persuaded by others.

「Broly, can you catch Hiruko Kagetane for me? 」

Tenkō Kisara had no choice but to shout loudly at the other end of the phone.

Since the phone was amplified and placed on the table, Broly heard it.

「Xiaobinai……」

Just as he looked hesitant, Hiruko Kagetane also shouted decisively.

「What is it, Daddy? 」

Hiruko Kohina poked her head out from the side room, her hair stuck to her forehead with sweat.

"Come here, tell Broly not to grab your dad, me."

Hiruko Kohina puffed up her cheeks, but still walked up to the Saiyan and ordered Broly bossily: "I forbid you from grabbing my dad!"

"President Tendo, did you hear my daughter's words? The ones who can influence Broly boy aren't just you alone."

Hiruko Kagetane said into the phone.

"Sorry, Broly, I put you in a difficult spot. Just pretend I didn't say what I just said. You can come back now."

Tendo Kisara fell silent for a while on the other end before speaking.

Broly wanted to agree, but was forcibly retained by Hiruko Kagetane: "Don't be so hasty, Kohina. Didn't you find solo training boring? Broly's here now, you can ask him to spar with you."

Half an hour later...

"Come visit Kohina more often when you're free, to cultivate feelings. My daughter rarely plays with kids her own age."

Before Broly left, Hiruko Kagetane pulled him aside and instructed him.

"Wuu~"

Kohina pouted, but didn't voice any opposition. This kid is somewhat like Esdeath and Jibril — they're all the type who like fighting and killing.

Broly just accompanied her in sparring for a bit, and Hiruko Kohina's Happiness Value rose considerably; her attitude toward him also improved a lot.

When Broly returned to Scorpio's side, Scorpio's place had new guests.

"Broly~"

The new guest was very enthusiastic, waving and greeting the Saiyan boy.

"What are you doing here, you bastard?"

Due to Hiruko Kagetane's refusal, Tendo Kisara's mood was a bit bad. Upon seeing her mortal enemy, she became even more ill-tempered.

"This is the Old Port District, not your Tendo Agency. Some people really mind an awfully wide range of business!"

Sima Wei Zhi replied in a sarcastic, yin-yang tone.

"Miss Sima, what business do you have with me?"

Broly was comparatively polite.

"What Miss Sima? Just call me Sister Wei Zhi. I came to check on you, and conveniently brought some tasty food for my future little husband."

Sima Wei Zhi said with a beaming smile, shaking the luxury bento in her hand.

"Broly already ate the food I brought."

Tendo Kisara blocked the other's path and said.

"I heard Rentaro say this kid Broly eats a lot. The cheap bento you brought — he definitely didn't eat his fill."

"Oh my, didn't you used to call him Rentaro? How come you're so distant now, calling him Rentaro?"

"A gentleman doesn't snatch what others cherish. Although I'm not a gentleman but a woman, I also don't snatch what others cherish. Miss Kisara, I heard you and Rentaro are childhood sweethearts with deep feelings since childhood, yet I wonder if you've ever confessed your hearts and privately pledged your lives to each other?"

Sima Wei Zhi, with an offhanded air, opened her mouth to inquire.

"Hah, Rentaro and I are just siblings. Currently there's only pure familial affection. Unlike someone with impure thoughts who always likes to view others' pure relationships through colored glasses."

Tendo Kisara made a veiled sarcastic remark, and the two of them clashed head-on with Sima Wei Zhi.

And this huge change in these two's attitudes was only because the value Broly displayed was too high.

To the extent that in their attitude toward Broly, they could no longer use personal feelings to consider the problem.

Whether it's Sima Heavy Industry's Thousand Gold Sima Wei Zhi, or the former Tendo Family Big Sister Tendo Kisara who wants to avenge her parents — these two are both figures leaning toward rationality.

"Is that so? Then I misunderstood."

Sima Wei Zhi said this much, then looked at the Saiyan boy.

"Broly, I heard Rentaro say your master is coming this way, but I wonder what that venerable elder likes?"

Hearing this, Tendo Kisara was stunned.

"My master isn't an elder. She likes fine wine, and also likes lively banquets."

Broly refuted Sima Wei Zhi's address for his own master, but also answered her question.

"Then we'll have to prepare more."

Sima Wei Zhi walked over, spread out a picnic mat on the ground, and opened the luxury lunch box.

"Right, but I wonder what her assessment is for women who want to become your wife?"

The kimono girl asked, picking up chopsticks, grabbing a piece of eel sushi, and feeding it to the boy.

"This, ah-mu-ah-mu, I don't know that."

Broly ate the sushi Sima Wei Zhi fed him and answered the other's question honestly.

"What assessment?"

Tendo Kisara came to the other side and sat down, then asked.

"The assessment for you to be able to join the Crystal Palace."

Broly answered.

"How come, Miss Kisara wants to become his wife but doesn't even know this kind of thing?"

Sima Wei Zhi said, then turned sarcastic again.

"Truly lacking in sincerity."

"I was just a bit busy, didn't pay attention to these matters. Broly, can you tell me specifically?"

"You all initially refused to become my wife, which made the Crystal Palace people who are already my wives very dissatisfied. They unanimously believe the Crystal Palace isn't a place just anyone can join.

How did that saying go? Right — before, you all ignored me; later, I'll make you unable to reach me.

So, you all now want to join the Crystal Palace, but you must endure my master's assessment. Only if she feels you pass can you join."

"Otherwise, even if you're willing to become my wife now, I'd still have to regretfully refuse you."

Broly spoke of regret, but in reality he didn't seem to care all that much.

When not considering the acquisition of Happiness Points, Broly also didn't care much about the so-called capture targets.

Capture targets without any bond were even less important than the friends he'd made on the Internet.

And in this world now, the ranking of important people in Broly's heart: Scorpion Sect Madman was undoubtedly first, Hiruko Kohina second, Doctor Muroto Sumire third.

As for Aihara Enju, because she was two-faced, she caused a misunderstanding in Broly, making him feel she didn't quite treat him as a friend; currently she ranks fourth.

As for Tenkō Kisara, Sima Wei Zhi, Holy Son of Heaven, Sennju Kayo — these capture targets — because they had too little intersection time, they currently rank fifth.

Only slightly better than acquaintances he knew in this world, or even not as good.

At least, Satomi Rentaro, who spent more time together and made plenty of delicious food for him every day, might even rank above capture targets with little intersection in importance.

Of course, right now, Sima Wei Zhi is gaining some Goodwill from the Saiyan boy by hand-feeding him food.

Night, at the Tendo Family front door, someone left a small box.

On the box was a letter, and inside was a small USB Drive.

"Hiruko Kagetane, what do you mean by this?"

After viewing the evidence inside the USB Drive, Tenkō Chikunojō seldom lost his composure and hurriedly called to question Hiruko Kagetane.

"Nothing much, just wanted to tell you, former Tenkō Advisor, your granddaughter came to me the afternoon before yesterday and offered quite good conditions."

"Did you agree?"

"I did not."

Hearing this, Tenkō Chikunojō breathed a sigh of relief, then asked: "To get the evidence of contact between me and you in your hands, what do you need me to pay?"

"Don't misunderstand, the reason I contacted you to let you know this wasn't to get anything, but just to see what kind of reaction a person like you would have upon knowing you could be exposed by me at any moment, arrested as a criminal against humanity — hahaha, that's it, looking forward to your performance, I'm hanging up..."

Tenkō Chikunojō listened to the busy tone on the phone, his whole state turned bad, his mindset nearly exploded.

"An unreasonable madman!"

Tenkō Chikunojō cursed inwardly, then summoned the Butler, preparing to temporarily leave the Tokyo area.

After all, if he were arrested for crimes against humanity, there'd truly be no chance of a comeback.

"Master, where to?"

The Butler asked.

"Let's go to Washington, United States."

Tenkō Chikunojō thought for a moment, then said.

The Tendo Family has connections there, and besides, he himself still holds some value.

Even if Hiruko Kagetane releases the evidence, he himself won't be easily extradited back to Japan.

He can also negotiate conditions with politicians on that side.

For example, agreeing to their coercion of Japan's side, the development of the five Safe Zones.

(Chapter End)