Disappear like the Mist (Act II)

"Itto? What are you doing here?" You approached the loud individual that was causing a ruckus at the port.

"Hm? Oh! y/n, my pal! Well uh, nothing much, just trying to get a ride to Watatsumi Island but they kept telling me that I can't because I don't have enough mora to pay! Can you believe that?" The oni looked at you with a hopeful look as you could also tell that he was glad to see you.

You chuckled at him and thought that he hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him.

The first time you met Itto was when you're on a commission with Sango to try and hand him over to the Tenryou Commission for causing a disturbance. You managed to get to know him and turns out that apart from his big himbo energy, this guy is actually a sweetheart and a good person. Then again, you also wished that he shouldn't get himself into too much trouble.

"What about Shinobu and your gang? Where are they?" You tilted your head.

"Ah, well... The gang went to take care of some personal stuff and Shinobu is off somewhere again, might take a while for her to return so here I am, trying to have a vaycay here but now I can't!" He slightly whined on the last bit, you couldn't help but chuckle at it.

"Hey! Why are you laughing! Can't you at least try to feel bad?" He squinted his eyes at you.

"I don't think your pride would even allow others to feel pity for you" You giggled. "Do you want me to cover the cost for you? I have enough mora for the both of us to get to Watatsumi"

Itto's eyes suddenly starts glimmering with joy. "Really!? Man, I really owe you one, n/n!" He pats your back and ruffled your hair.

Both you and Itto finally got on the boat and headed for Watatsumi Island. Upon your arrival, you paid up and got off before taking out the case file from your bag.

"Hm? What's that? A vacation guide?" He leaned over to take a look at the file you were holding. "Why's the vacation guide filled with pictures of people instead of tourist spots? Are those supposed to be celebrities?"

You sheepishly chuckled and closed the file. "I'm not here for a vacation, Itto" You kept the file back into your bag before you started walking.

"Wait, then what are you supposed to be here for?" He tailed behind you.

"Why, I'm in the middle of an investigation of course"

"Ohhh, yeah I knew that– was just confirming"

You then just slowly shook your head as you both made your way to Borou village.

***

"Halt!"

You suddenly stopped on your tracks as Sangonomiya soldiers then ordered you both to.

"Huh? Why are we stopping?" The silver haired oni was puzzled and looked over the soldiers.

"You two don't seem like tourists, state your business" One of the soldiers said.

"Oh- uhm, I actually came here to investigate on the missing people case... And uh.." You looked at Itto. "My friend here came for sightseeing"

"An oni on sightseeing? That's a strange thing to hear"

"Wh- hey! That's just discriminating!" You felt offended having to hear people talk like that to your friend.

"Whoa, whoa, there! Okay, let's all chill out. How about we all settle this with a duel?" Itto then tried to calm both sides, to which you then raised your eyebrow, trying to figure out what he's up to.

"A.. duel..?" You repeated while feeling confused.

"Heck yeah! What's better than settling dispute with an Onikabuto duel?"

There was an awkward silence in the area while you could only hear the loud noise of the waterfall from the background.

"... Uhm.. Itto.. I don't think that's possible" You sweatdropped as you broke the silence. "There's no Onikabuto in Watatsumi Island.."

"Aw shoot, darn it. I thought I could finally use the opportunity to show off my new champ" He snapped in disappointment.

"Is this guy for real..?" The soldier muttered.

"What's going on here?" A voice of strong authority can be heard behind you, which made you turn almost immediately to see who it was. A short man with brown hair, a fluffy pair of doggy ears and a soft-looking tail. He seemed to be wearing a soldier's uniform, you then thought that he must be a part of the military units of this island. Judging from how the two soldiers suddenly stood attention upon his arrival, he must be someone from a higher position.

"General Gorou, these two suspicious individuals claimed that they came here for sightseeing"

"Oh, visitors? I do apologize, we can't allow any tourists as of now due to the recent incident of citizens suddenly going missing" The general explained as he approached the both of you.

"Oh, about that.." You immediately rummaged through your bag to take out the case file and handed it to him. "I actually came here to investigate regarding the incident.. Oh and uhm.. My name is l/n y/n. A detective from Bantan Sango Detective Agency"

Gorou accepted the file and opened it. "Ah, I see. You must be the detective who accepted our commission! I humbly apologize for rude welcome.. And uhm.. This is..?" He then turned his head to your oni companion.

"Glad that you asked, little one, for I am the Arataki, Numero Uno—"

"—Please just call him Itto" You immediately cut him off to try and save yourself from the 2nd-hand embarrassment. "He ended up tagging along since he was planning for some sightseeing here"

"Wh-wh- hey! What was that for, pal?? You just stole my thunder!" Itto complained about his introduction getting interrupted.

"I-I see... Well, I guess it should be fine as long as you two just stick together. We can't afford to have your friend being one of the missing people later on while you're out investigating" Gorou gave you both permission to stay then you sighed in relief and thanked him.

"Oh right, is it okay if we ask more about the missing people from the locals here?"

"Sure, I'll be heading back to the shrine to report to her Excellency about your arrival. You can ask the soldiers for directions if you need anything from me" He then finally took his leave.

"Thank you so much! Cmon Itto, let's get a move on!" You then grabbed your oni companion and drag him with you towards the village.

[Gorou's POV]

I finally feel relieved to hear that the detective finally came to help on investigating the matters of this island.

"Huh, now that I think about it.. I thought the detective who accepted the request was that odd man from the Tenryou Commission.."

I placed a hand over my chin as I slowly paused from my tracks. Probably there was a mistake while delivering the request? No, that can't be. I made sure that the request was specifically addressed to the Tenryou Commission.

"Hmm.. Perhaps I should discuss this with her Excellency as well.." I then continued on walking towards the Sangononiya Shrine.

[y/n's POV]

You spent hours asking the locals in this village regarding the missing people and fortunately, you managed to get a hold on some useful information on their routines before their disappearance.

You then started heading for the rising area of the island where Itto was sitting and patiently waiting despite being terribly bored.

"n/n are you done yet? I'm getting bored here!" He slightly whined as he turned to look at you.

"How about we go and grab something to eat? I just finished collecting information from the locals" You suggested as you put your notes into your bag along with the case file. Itto then bounced up from the ground, feeling pumped.

"Oh yeah cuz I'm already starving!"

You chuckled. "Same here, now cmon" You then started to lead the way as your companion followed.

'I wonder how is Heizou's investigation going..?' You thought to yourself as you looked at the sky that is slowly getting dark. It's already dusk and you guessed that the questioning must've really taken that long.