Chapter 189: First Soul Spirit Strengthening

Uesugi Toru naturally didn't indulge it.

With a slap, he used his mind to click hard on the glowing 【Effect 1: Tsujigiri】.

Immediately, a further prompt popped up—

【Tsujigiri strengthening requires Soul Spirit Points ×500.】

500 Soul Spirit Points, that would be equivalent to 500 Soul Ash?

Perhaps.

But this couldn't be confirmed yet; Uesugi Toru had only killed one Miasma Ghost and it dropped 1 Soul Spirit Point, and he still hadn't figured out the drop pattern for Soul Spirit Points.

Uesugi Toru looked further down and discovered that besides 【Soul Absorption Slash】 which itself could produce Soul Spirit Points, all other effects could be strengthened.

Including the unique effect Wakare no Yaiba that only appeared after killing Aibetsuri.

This was very reasonable.

Because if 【Soul Absorption Slash】 could also be strengthened with Soul Spirit Points, leading to even higher production efficiency of Soul Spirit Points, that effect would be a bit too unreasonable.

Uesugi Toru clicked through them one by one and found that the strengthening costs for thrusting and slashing were the lowest, both requiring only 500 Soul Spirit Points.

Next was Hyakuren Nyoi, requiring 800 points.

Then came the two major effects just acquired, Fukushima Blaze and Spirit, each requiring 1500 Soul Spirit Points for one strengthening.

Finally, the terrifyingly priced Wakare no Yaiba—

【Wakare no Yaiba (Unique) strengthening requires Soul Spirit Points ×5000.】

【Note: Strengthening unique effects requires significantly increased Soul Spirit Points.】

The rarer and more powerful the effect itself, the higher the Soul Spirit Points needed to strengthen it, the more expensive.

This was still reasonable.

"Strengthening Fukushima Blaze once, or Xiao Jia's own spirituality, would probably require the Soul Ash equivalent of one ten-pull."

Uesugi Toru fell into subtle contemplation.

But, was it worth it?

A moment later, Uesugi Toru answered in his heart.

This was naturally worth it.

Unlike harvesting the unknown, where a ten-pull might only yield a pile of junk from the gacha pool, the returns from strengthening Kaga Kiyomitsu with Soul Spirit Points were certain.

At the same time, Kaga Kiyomitsu with high growth potential would also serve as the main battle weapon and walk down the path together with him.

It could be said that no matter what, investing in it at any time was an absolutely non-losing choice.

Although a single pull might produce a miracle representing the gacha pool's charm, in the vast majority of cases Uesugi Toru was the black-faced unlucky one who hit the pity system.

So when temporarily unable to pull from the gacha pool—for example, right now.

Or when the need for Yokai Avatar wasn't that strong temporarily, converting the Soul Ash gained from killing Yokai into Soul Spirit Points that could verifiably transform into one's own combat power was naturally a very good choice.

Speaking of this...

Uesugi Toru's mind moved, and he took out ten portions of Soul Ash from his Storage Backpack.

Then he tapped Kaga Kiyomitsu's hilt, making Xiao Jia spring from the sheath, letting it press its blade against the Soul Ash.

Under Uesugi Toru's expectant gaze, Kaga Kiyomitsu flicked away quite disdainfully, buzzed twice in dissatisfaction, then shrank back and didn't move.

Mountain Whale King, lying behind the saddle, stared at "Uesugi Toru attempting to make Kaga Kiyomitsu inhale powder" and retreated half a step back.

—This human, looks somewhat abnormal.

But Uesugi Toru gazed at this scene and sighed in his heart,

"Looks like exploiting the bug loophole failed; existing Soul Ash cannot be directly converted into Soul Spirit Points."

Since that was the case, he could only rely on pure effort.

"Also don't know if the effect enhancement is simply strengthening the original effect, or will produce new effects on this basis..."

Then, in the next several days of sweeping the surrounding villages, he'd use Sickness Retainer to accumulate some Soul Spirit Points.

Seeing that Imagawa Yoshimoto had already spoken about seeing the shadow of the next village, Uesugi Toru proposed,

"Lord Imagawa, during this time before we enter the city, you can also use carrier pigeons to send word to..."

He spoke halfway, then remembered there were no carrier pigeons in this environment, so he changed his words,

"Or use similar methods to communicate with the Matsudaira Clan in Yoshida Castle, so we can know what the situation is inside."

Imagawa Yoshimoto glanced at him slightly surprised with the corner of her eye, then nodded calmly,

"I was just thinking the same."

—Over the next five days, Uesugi Toru, together with the navigation Mountain Whale King who was well-versed in the surrounding geography, and his Flag Bearer Key Point Imagawa Yoshimoto who could raise the flag.

Cleared the villages around Yoshida Castle, and the small towns under vassal rule, eight or nine out of ten.

Arrive at the place, declare physician identity, then bring the patients, then cure some people, simultaneously use Heavenly Thunder to exorcise Yokai under everyone's watch, finally announce Imagawa Yoshimoto's arrival.

Repeated like this.

And the reason for saying cure some people was because Uesugi Toru could only use Gang Qi or Spirit Qi to expel the demonic evil qi left by Sickness Retainers in patients' bodies.

For those patients whose lesions had deepened and truly developed into objectively existing diseases, Uesugi Toru was helpless.

After all, he wasn't a real doctor.

But even so, the mere wave of a hand could treat dozens or hundreds of people with "earth-shaking medical art".

Was completely enough to convince commoners with little knowledge who couldn't even read characters.

So soon, the Lord of Mikawa, Imagawa Clan Head Imagawa Yoshimoto arrived with a Physician, then the news that plague and Yokai would disappear rapidly spread across East Mikawa.

This reputation and news naturally also quickly reached inside Yoshida Castle.

…

Five days later.

Above the Matsudaira residence, the sun wheel hung high.

A monk who looked somewhat simple sat in the seat of honor, gently stroking the arm of a trained carrier pigeon that could be sold at markets throughout East Mikawa.

He read the contents of the paper scroll once more in full, muttering,

"It seems the rumors from the outside world are not false news meant to deceive this poor monk."

The wooden fish beside the monk's hand suddenly trembled and emitted laughter, causing ripples on the surface of the water in the teacup,

"Hahaha! Damo, you've finally grown a mental eye!

This old man is truly comforted!"

Damo lightly rubbed his fingertips, turning the paper scroll into crumbs, then spread his palm and let it return to heaven and earth in one breath.

The simply dressed monk replied calmly: "Teacher, this disciple is no longer just a wooden fish that goes bang when struck; so much experience was not undergone in vain."

Damo seriously lifted the teacup, nodded his chin toward it, drank it down, then continued,

"Being deceived, gaining experience, and thus remembering not to be deceived again. Without one of these links, a disciple will not grow."

Behind Damo, the elders and men whose clothes bore the Matsudaira Clan Crest all bowed their heads, clutching their fists tightly, not daring to speak.

Because those with the most hot blood, the pure samurai who dared to draw their swords, had already been beaten into a pile of minced meat by the monster in the seated monk's outward appearance within moments.

Fundamentally, they could not match it.

And the Hatamoto Guard, who should have mobilized at this time, for some reason still could not arrive.

Actually, this was not the reason for the anger of the Matsudaira Clan's elders and samurai.

They were angry because now being able to survive was entirely thanks to this monk monster!

This was simply a great humiliation!

Someone wanted to roar and draw their sword to die for their resolve.

Those present were probably not easy characters.

Once they thought that if they all died, the Matsudaira Clan, which had been inherited for over a hundred years, would thus be destroyed, the anger in their hearts diminished.

From this came even greater humiliation.

Damo did not know the various thoughts in the hearts of these Matsudaira family members behind him.

He did not care.

In Damo's view, they had no essential difference from the ordinary commoners within Yoshida Castle.

"Greeting, this tea is once again a new flavor."

After swallowing the tea leaves along with the tea water, Damo pressed his palms together and sincerely bowed slightly once more toward the already empty teacup.

Then he opened his mouth and slowly asked the empty air: "Several benefactors, among you, who is most skilled at disguise?"

In the silence, a withered old man carrying a medicine box on his back bowed his body, suddenly stepped forward, and said hoarsely to Damo,

"Master, I am skilled in this way."

In the horrified gaze of the people behind him, the old man who originally emitted an ominous and rotten stench transformed into an old medicine-gathering man with white hair and white beard and a kind face.

If they saw him normally, they would not feel anything wrong at all, and might even think the other was a Barefoot Doctor.

Damo stood up and bowed to the kind and amiable Sickness Retainer,

"Then, please trouble you, benefactor."

Evening, the sun westward.

In a small village not far from Yoshida Castle, with only about a hundred people.

Uesugi Toru tied two horses at the Village Chief's doorway.

As for the three of them, they had moved into the original Village Chief's home—at the latter's strong request.

The shrunken Mountain Whale King lay at the doorway basking in the sun, while Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had just given a small speech, leaned against the wall napping.

Uesugi Toru also sat on the ground, placing Kaga Kiyomitsu before him, and viewing its Panel.

【Soul Spirit Points: 812】

In these five days of constant clearing, Uesugi Toru, having slain countless weak and suffering retainers, finally saved up enough

But over these past few days, Uesugi Toru discovered that compared to sporadic Half-Star Demons which could drop ten or even dozens of Soul Ash,

The Soul Spirit Points they dropped were basically around 1~9 points.

It could be said that under the condition of only slaying weak demons, Soul Spirit Points were a more precious existence than Soul Ash.

—No time to lose, let's strengthen one now and see the effect.

Uesugi Toru stroked the Sword Hilt of Kaga Kiyomitsu and said softly to it: "Xiao Jia, it might hurt a bit later, bear with it."

Hum?

Kaga Kiyomitsu trembled in confusion.

Uesugi Toru looked at the only three effects available for strengthening, and after not thinking too long, decided.

—Strengthen 【Tsujigiri】.

Because this basically did not need too much consideration.

Hyakuren Nyoi was not of much help for the current situation, and his most skilled Tennen Rishin-ryu's Three-Stage Thrust was precisely "thrusting."

Compared to slashes that were almost all Basic Attacks, it was definitely more important to increase the damage of the ultimate move.

【Whether Choose to Consume Soul Spirit Points ×500, Strengthen "Tsujigiri"?】

"Yes."

Uesugi Toru chanted in his heart.

Then in an instant he saw Soul Spirit Points deducted by five hundred.

Using this as nourishment, the exposed part of Kaga Kiyomitsu's blade suddenly bloomed with a faint Glow.

Kaga Kiyomitsu itself swayed left and right; adding some "mm-mm-mm oh-oh-oh" sounds would have made it even more vivid.

But in less than ten seconds, the glow vanished with a slap, and Kaga Kiyomitsu lay motionless on the spot like a shy maiden.

As if nothing had happened.

Uesugi Toru raised an eyebrow.

That's it?

However, the upgrade completion prompt did pop up properly.

【Your Kaga Kiyomitsu: Blade of Parting's effect "Tsujigiri" has been strengthened!】

【Your Kaga Kiyomitsu gained a new effect — Thrust Specialization!】

"Thrust... Specialization?"

Uesugi Toru looked at the newly popped-up effect explanation with confusion.

【Thrust Specialization: When using thrust-type sword techniques, massive additional damage will be dealt, and Kaga Kiyomitsu will better understand "how to perform a thrust".】

Uesugi Toru touched his chin,

"You mean, Xiao Jia, you yourself now understand what a thrust is in sword techniques, and can assist me in performing better, faster thrusts?"

Hum!

Kaga Kiyomitsu responded approvingly, stood up from the ground, swayed slightly, and was eager to let Uesugi Toru use it to try the effect.

Uesugi Toru:?

Really?

Can weapons understand sword techniques nowadays?

If this continues, what will his Kaga Kiyomitsu become?

A demon sword princess who understands eighteen types of sword techniques?

Uesugi Toru was somewhat speechless.

But speaking honestly, if this description is true, then those five hundred Soul Spirit Points were well spent.

Because letting the weapon in hand fully understand and comprehend the owner's intent for this one move... the effect brought is not as simple as one plus one equals two.

Hum~

Hum hum~

Uesugi Toru slapped Kaga Kiyomitsu's sword butt and sheathed it: "Stop fooling around, can't you see everyone is resting? It's not too late to try after encountering yokai."

Imagawa Yoshimoto was indeed resting beside them.

So Kaga Kiyomitsu obediently shrank into the sword sheath, not moving at all.

Uesugi Toru placed it on his crossed legs, revealing a smile.

This first Soul Spirit Points strengthening effect... got off to a good start.

—And during these five days of purging, apart from Corona Breathing Technique, the proficiency of the other two skills also increased significantly.

【Your skill, Tenrai Rishin-ryu Proficiency +335!】

【Your skill, Gora-ho Kiai Proficiency +240!】

Nowadays, both are on the verge of breakthrough —

【Tenrai Rishin-ryu (Mastery 2680/3000)】

【Gora-ho Kiai (Proficiency 1241/1400)】

Uesugi Toru rubbed internal energy and electric light in his palm, sizing up the proficiency of both while silently thinking.

Although Five Thunder Technique is about to break through, it is currently only Proficient Level, and the upper limit is very high; even if it breaks through to Mastery Level, there probably won't be a particularly big change...

All that can be said is, hope Five Thunder Technique can give him an extra surprise.

The key is Tenrai Rishin-ryu, which is about to break through to 【Expert Level】.

Expert Level.

Uesugi Toru recalled the knowledge Shizuku had instilled in him before, and he compared this knowledge roughly with the proficiency levels.

Expert Level can be said to be the true dividing line between "ordinary and supernatural" in sword techniques, the starting point of sword techniques transforming into the supernatural, and also a fundamental change in the essence of a Sword Saint's "sword".

If it were merely Mastery Level swordsmanship, then many dojos have it, and even high school students with relatively high talent might be able to train to it.

In past Gyokuryō Flags, among the opponents Shizuku defeated were not a few prodigies whose sword techniques reached Mastery Level.

But Expert Level is different.

There are far too many veteran swordsmen and young talents who have been stuck hard outside this supernatural threshold, unable to advance an inch.

In all dojos, no matter what school is practiced, the vast majority of Menkyo Kaiden, Master Instructors, and even some small dojo instructors, only have the level of Expert Entry.

And the Expert Level tier also includes countless swordsmanship prodigies who, from bottom to top, have with great difficulty crossed the chasm.

Between them, the gap is equally huge.

Even before the Wave Coming, despite Shizuku having Sword Heart Penetration and having contacted Corona Breathing Technique, in the field of sword techniques she was only at Peak Expert.

Thousands of days and nights, unable to advance an inch.

It can be said that Expert Level sword techniques are the peak that ordinary people can touch.

Because above that, it would be the legendary Sword Saints who can be famous throughout a region.

So back then Uesugi Toru was also puzzled.

Why could Shizuku, who had Peak Expert sword techniques, be scared like that back then by a mere Half-Star Fox Dog Raccoon?

Shizuku's answer back then was —

"A mere Fox Dog Raccoon, I could hack it to death in a dozen or so strikes, okay? The key is that Hannya appeared behind it!"

"That Hannya was stronger than me in pure numerical value."

Back then Shizuku rolled her eyes: "It's not like now with Sword Domain, and I was still using a bamboo sword... what do I care about fancy sword techniques, one claw from them and I'd lose too much blood, understand?"

Moreover, at that time she still had the "Empty Hand Sword" debuff.

This little story made Uesugi Toru realize that weapons and mental state are also a very important link in the display of strength.

Uesugi Toru murmured in his heart: "Expert Level Sword Art, perfect Xin Zhi Chen, Gang Qi circulation."

These are the three entry tickets to the path of the strong that Shizuku spoke of.

Only by mastering these three can one be considered to have completed the basic accumulation of the three aspects of "Technique," "Heart," and "Body," and stand on the boundary of the path of the strong.

And the reason it is these three nodes is that once a cultivator reaches this step, even without subsequent cultivation methods and external help, they can rely on themselves to continuously become stronger.

No matter how slow it may be.

There are still 300-plus proficiency points.

It should be possible to reach full completion before a positive encounter with Sickness and Suffering.

It's also possible it will be full when exorcising Yokai at Yoshida Castle.

Outside the door, sunlight like blood fell beside Uesugi Toru's hand.

He withdrew his thoughts.

The time is about right.

"Lord Imagawa, I will temporarily depart for one night."

Uesugi Toru spoke, gazing face to face with Imagawa Yoshimoto who opened his eyes two seconds later: "To obtain a method to deal with Sickness and Suffering, I said so before as well."

"Since it is something that must be done, then go."

Imagawa Yoshimoto did not say "time is tight" out loud.

"Good."

Uesugi Toru wasted no more time, directly rising and addressing the Mountain Whale King lying at the doorway: "Lord Whale Three, I will go out alone briefly; Lord Imagawa's safety will be..."

"Hmph."

The Mountain Whale King coldly snorted, still somewhat reluctantly: "No need for you to say more; what Heavenly Craft Adult entrusted to me, even if I stake this life I will certainly accomplish."

Uesugi Toru cupped his hands: "Many thanks."

These past few days, Whale Three has performed very reliably in many aspects, and is very smart, completely lacking the usual stereotypical impression of this race.

The Zashiki-warashi's eye for people is still quite good...

But Uesugi Toru also didn't feel at ease because of this.

He took out the Komainu Bell, pouring Spirit Power into it without much reservation until nearly half his Spirit Power was devoured by the Bell.

The next moment, three imposing Two-Star Half Komainu Hatamoto suddenly appeared in the small courtyard, causing even the Mountain Whale King to startle and look sideways.

The Mountain Whale King could sense that these three armored, dog-like wolf-like monsters were not weak at all, and quite intelligent.

If the three attacked together they might even give it no small trouble.

"They are..."

"Count as my little Shikigami, used to give Lord Whale Three you a helping hand, so that for small matters there's no need for you to personally act."

Uesugi Toru replied with high EQ.

Seeing the three imposing Komainu immediately turn around, sticking out their tongues at him in a fawning, panting manner, the pink little pig also nodded with a smile all over its face,

"That is very good."

Uesugi Toru turned and left, disappearing into the evening sun.

The still calm water pressure brushed past.

Uesugi Toru opened his eyes, took out his mobile phone and discovered just over eight hours had passed.

He also didn't go do the red dots on Line, check out, and a series of other operations that would waste time.

Instead he directly opened the hotel window, and in two or three steps leapt from the room onto other rooftops.

In just a few minutes, Uesugi Toru rushing at full speed had already seen the familiar gate of the Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Division.

With another leap, he landed steadily with a clang at the Special Affairs Division's doorway.

Slap.

A fair palm reached out from the darkness to the side, accompanied by a somewhat dazed and weary voice,

"Uesugi-kun, long time no see."

The drowsy Akatsuki Ran even wore her mask crooked.

She emerged from the shadows, yawning: "Nanjo Daimyo had me come... hah, had me come hand things over to you."

Uesugi Toru blinked, sizing up the Akatsuki Ran before him who completely didn't match the gloomy landmine-type girl from a few days ago.

This is Akatsuki Ran?

How did Nanjo Sister make her like this in just a few days?

Damn, no wonder Nanjo Sister herself looked so pleased; turns out there really is someone bearing the burden and pressing forward.

Probably due to Akatsuki Ran's ability to traverse through shadows, she was called by Nanjo Ai to run errands no small number of times.

Including this time.

He was expressionless, laughing twice in his heart.

Immediately after he saw Akatsuki Ran feel around everywhere, finally pulling out from under her skirt a small box that looked cheap and strange.

"Here, Nanjo Daimyo's little medicine pill for you."

Uesugi Toru said thanks and took it, opened the box, and saw a Dan Pill lying inside with glittering Blue Runes flashing on its surface.

【Compressed Gathering Spirit Pill·Extreme】

【Quality: Rare】

【Effect: After consumption... instantly increases Skill "Spirit Control Technique" proficiency by 300 points.】

——Compress a large amount of high-purity Spirit Qi together, then seal and soften it with Yin-Yang Technique, and you get the Compressed Spirit-Gathering Pill.

Correct, this is exactly what he wanted.

Uesugi Toru satisfactorily stored the medicine pill into his Storage Space.

Because later he might uncontrollably have to engage in a communication segment with Kaga Kiyomitsu, so he did not plan to take it now.

"Speaking of, if you eat this pill, Uesugi-kun, won't you become full of energy, possess infinite strength, and then me..."

Akatsuki Ran had drawn near at some point, her eyelids drooping with drowsiness curving up: "Isn't it said 'eat what you lack'? Uesugi-kun, I'm severely lacking energy right now."

Before Uesugi Toru could step back half a step, raise his hand, and open his mouth to refuse this smooth little combo, the Kaga Kiyomitsu at his waist grew dissatisfied first.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Kaga Kiyomitsu suddenly unsheathed, its silver-white blade illuminating Akatsuki Ran's pupils, forcing the latter out of "power-saving mode," startling her into squeezing out another trace of strength to widen her eyes.

"Uesugi-kun, your sword can understand what we're saying?"

Buzz~

Kaga Kiyomitsu let out a clear, short blade cry.

As if saying——

"How could the likes of you, an outsider's bewitching slut, compare to me!"

"Miss Akatsuki, look, even my family's sword is dissatisfied." Uesugi Toru continued along with this scene, "To tell the truth, I actually can't control it very well either..."

The subtext goes without saying.

Akatsuki Ran shrank back, licked her lips, who knows what she was thinking.

She again pulled out an ordinary-looking document bag from inside her hoodie and handed it over.

But in Uesugi Toru's vision, the Yin-Yang Technique talisman scripts writhing and flowing on this document bag were simply too many to take in at a glance.

Probably even air-dropping a Ghost God Level Powerhouse wouldn't be able to forcibly pry it open.

"This is the data you want, sealed with a Special Onmyo Technique that only a Specific Person Selection can open; it will automatically destroy itself after reading."

Akatsuki Ran shrugged casually,

"So no need to worry that I, an Outsider, would secretly peek first then stuff it back."

She mumbled: "According to Nanjo Daimyo, there's even a version that can destroy memories; Onmyo Technique sure is convenient..."

At this moment, Uesugi Toru, who had just taken the document bag, caught in his peripheral vision the surveillance at the Special Affairs Division doorway shifting, transforming into a silver-white small ball slowly drifting toward him.

Then, from within it actually came Minami Rituna's rustling voice full of electric current sound,

"Hello hello hello, is my mic working or not?"

What situation?

Personally witnessing a surveillance camera turn into a "microphone," Uesugi Toru was greatly shocked.

Akatsuki Ran was also baffled; she'd never heard the Superior still had to secretly monitor.

Uesugi Toru pointed at the silver-white small ball and asked doubtfully: "Nanjo Sister, this is..."

"——Oh! This is Activated Metal researched by Satoru-kun!"

A familiar voice brimming with vitality and Spiritual Power Fluctuation echoed over in layers.

Uesugi Toru raised his eyes and saw Kitano Runa, holding a takeout bag with the "Special Affairs Division" logo on its handle ring, jogging all the way toward him.

"Good morning, Uesugi-kun!"

Kitano Runa, who had just pulled an all-nighter yet was full of energy, pointed at the silver-white small ball and said,

"Satoru-kun counts as a Mononoke; his research into electronic devices and technology is quite deep. During the Red Tide earlier he also helped a lot.

That 'Defense Battle' mini-game on the phone was something he hurriedly kneaded out back then."

Hearing her say this, Uesugi Toru did have an impression.

He had wondered at the time which genius made it; never expected it was a Mononoke.

Pulling his thoughts back from memory, Uesugi Toru let his gaze fall on Kitano Runa, who was overflowing with Spirit Power every moment from head to toe.

The Spirit Power inside Kitano Runa's body surged violently again.

Almost becoming exactly like his human body.

Uesugi Toru: "Kitano Classmate, won't you control the Spirit Power on your body a bit?"

"Seems impossible, because I can't learn any Yin-Yang Technique."

Kitano Runa scratched her cheek: "So I've just been circulating the Basic Spirit Absorption Method Shizuku taught me... practicing and practicing, it became like this."

After hearing this, Uesugi Toru seriously suspected that in the future Kitano Runa could just rely on Spiritual Power Waves to literally smash opponents to death.

Kitano Runa put her face into the takeout bag's handle ring and said seriously: "But I'll work hard at learning! Just like Aoyama Nanami from Sakurasou!"

"No, Kitano Classmate, what connection do you have with the term 'Ordinary Person'?" Uesugi Toru was speechless.

Kitano Runa herself naturally understood this point too, so she coughed twice and said,

"Although I know my meager three-legged cat kung fu definitely can't Represent Arakawa Ward in the Seed War!

But guarding the gate for Shizuku, saving her some Cultivation time, losing if I can't win — that I can still do!"

Uesugi Toru abruptly raised his head.

Having a premonition that if she waited for the other party to ask, she might still be hard-controlled in place for several minutes, Kitano Runa decisively said,

"Not talking anymore Uesugi-kun, the cafeteria takeout will get cold!"

The girl didn't wait for him to ask and ran off in a puff of smoke, leaving two people and one ball at the doorway.

Uesugi Toru:...

After Kitano Runa's voice completely disappeared, an explanatory voice that could fully charge a phone came from the small ball,

"The situation is like this: currently selecting the second participant for the Seed War."

"Will Shizuku participate?"

Uesugi Toru recalled Tokugawa Hoshizora's parting admonition, so he asked.

"——Don't know, you'll have to ask her yourself."

"Right."

Akatsuki Ran patted Uesugi Toru's shoulder, poked his chest with her finger and laughed: "At morning six o'clock, a very good-looking girl came to the Special Affairs Division.

Seems to be from the Minamoto Clan, named Minamoto Shizumi."

"The moment she came in, she asked very seriously where Uesugi Toru was, specifically asking for you by name…… what kind of suspicion could there be inside?"

As Akatsuki Ran spoke, she twisted her body with an ambiguous tone,

"Uesugi-kun, you really do leave affection everywhere."

"Ah?"

Uesugi Toru really wanted to type a question mark.

The name Minamoto Shizumi he naturally had an impression of——but this was built on the premise that the other party is currently the number one rival in the Tokyo Seed War.

But to call it social interaction.

Looking at the public data Nanjo Rituna sent him counts too?

What is this heaven-sent black pot?

"Not sisters?" Uesugi Toru immediately looked at the silver ball, "Nanjo Sister, you know my whereabouts……"

"Can't be bothered to listen, this kind of thing you go ask yourself and the other party."

Even with the electronic voice at max, one could hear Nanjo Rituna's comfortable lazy tone: "She doesn't have Line, so I had her leave a phone number, for you to call later."

Speaking, she recited a string of numbers.

Uesugi Toru had no choice but to memorize.

The electronic voice continued to spread: "Also that black telephone booth, recently started acting up again……"

"Don't rush."

Glancing at the time and seeing it was still early, Uesugi Toru rarely interrupted Nanjo Rituna's words, took out his mobile phone, and under Akatsuki Ran's gaze directly dialed that number.

Turned on speaker.

The call was instantly connected.

The next second, an ethereal female voice like a secluded valley emerged from the speaker,

"May I ask, is this Mr. Uesugi Toru, the current Seed of Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Division, who cultivates Tennen Rishin-ryu, Corona Breathing Technique, and Thunder Technique Yin-Yang Art, whose mental state has reached Heart Like Still Water, likes to use Three-Stage Thrust as ultimate technique, and lives in Special District Villa Building One……"

(End of Chapter)