News From Kuroka part 1

Arriving at the lodging in the training ground, Kisuke served Kuroka steamed fish for her breakfast, "Thank you for the food nya~." Without any hesitation or reservation, Kuroka took a mouthful of fish.

"It seems that you're busy these past few days. Mind telling me what you're up to?" Kisuke then took out a tea for himself and sat in front of Kuroka.

"We're really busy, nya. But thanks to certain someone attracting everyone's attention, some jobs became easier for me."

"Hehe, then you ought to thank me."

"Fine... I'll tell you what you want to know without hiding anything. You can also request me something as thanks for saving Shirone and sparing Vali."

"Great. Then please start with the general movement of everyone."

"Let's start with the Fallen Angels. Due to Kokabiel's actions, the two other big factions are trying to corner them. However, Azazel is already expecting this and his move is to propose a tri-faction conference to explain his side to the other leaders personally."

"Heh... So due to his subordinate's actions, he was able to strengthen the reason for initiating a conference. This way, he would have more chances of signing a peace treaty with the other leaders if that is what he really wants. That explains why he didn't take any action in stopping Kokabiel. From what I heard, it seems that he's an intelligent and cunning person, so a suspicious activity coming from his direct subordinate shouldn't have escaped his eyes."

"D-don't you think that it's just a coincidence?"

"No way~. If that's the case, then that Vali guy wouldn't have the leisure to watch my employees get pummeled to the ground~." Kisuke smiled.

But to Kuroka, this smile of his is far from agreeable and gave her chills, 'This guy is still pissed at what happened...'

"Ehem... Anyway, if what you're saying is true, behind that carefree attitude of his, is a cunning snake... Still... I can't believe it... From Vali's story of him, Azazel seems to be a lazy leader who is only interested in his hobbies and would always act carelessly..." As Kuroka reached this point, she finally remembered someone who also fits the bill, 'Dammit! I have an example of a carefree guy who's only interested in his projects but the worst enemy you can make in front of me!'

"See my point?" Kisuke chuckled at her difficult expression.

"...Yes... I'm thoroughly convinced." Kuroka sighed and just resumed eating, "Should that be the case, then chances of him knowing Vali's alignment with Khaos Brigade is really high. Why hasn't he already done something?"

"Who knows? Maybe he still has other goals and Vali's activities will be better for him."

"..." Kuroka only stayed silent. Just by listening to Kisuke, the situation just became deeper than what she currently understand.

"Don't think about it too much. What I said is just conjectures from the information I have. The real situation might be entirely different from what I guessed." Kisuke took out another cup and poured hot tea on it for Kuroka.

"Even if you say that, I couldn't take it off my mind now. It feels that we're only moving on someone's script without our knowledge." Kuroka thanked him for the tea and let out her concerns.

"As I said, no use thinking hard about it. You can just think of something you can actually do."

"...What I actually can do... Is it?" Kuroka then looked directly into his eyes, "What you need is information, right?"

"Yep~. That's what I need the most right now."

Kuroka sighed and said, "Good. I'll actively gather information around from now on."

"Oh? You aren't going to question the way I led this conversation? You do know that I'm trying to get your cooperation without me needing to force you to do my bidding, right?"

"Nope, nya~. Although I'll be dancing in your tune, you're actually someone who takes care of Shirone which is someone I'm more than willing to sacrifice my life for. Besides, If I'm going to go against a cunning snake, then all I have to do is to get the help of a more cunning and annoying snake, nya~." With a bright smile, Kuroka drank the rest of her tea.

"Hahaha~. You're overestimating me~. I'm just a candy storekeeper. How can I scheme? See my shop? It has been in red for a few months now."

Kuroka rolled her eyes on him, not buying his nonsense, "Whatever. Let's continue. The next one is the Devils. As you already know, their attention is on you, especially after your display of strength of unknown origin. Some of them are interested in inviting you to their household while some are also seeing you as a threat that has to be eliminated, though the latter is just an extreme minority."

"That is some unreasonable hate... Do you know something else about those guys?"

"Indeed. I knew some information about them, mainly their reason for such an extreme conclusion. Have you heard about the disappearing Devils of prominent households?"

"Yes. I heard from Sona-chan that there are some missing Devils and it's unknown whether they were kidnapped or left on their own as most of them are those in lower stratus of their family despite being a pureblood."

"That is correct. But to the recent activities of my group, I was able to gather more information regarding that, and it's worst than those in rumors." Before continuing, Kuroka glanced at her empty up and Kisuke understood what she wants. He poured her another cup of aromatic warm tea.

"Thank you, nya~." After taking a sip from her tea, Kuroka continued, "First of all, I discovered that it's not only purebloods that are missing. All those who are documented to have disappeared have some sort of blood connection to these prominent households. It doesn't matter whether they're are almost purely human, as long as there is some ancestry from these houses, even those houses that already extinct, he or she could become a target since that's the only common denominator among all of those who already disappeared."

"Documented, is it?"

"Yes. In reality, there could be more that has gone missing but are unknown to the Devils."

"What are their higher-ups are doing then?"

"I'm not really sure, but it seems that they are trying to block this news to prevent panic among the citizens. The last thing they want is the rumor of another civil war is coming."

"I see. What you want to say is that those minority wanted to blame me for those Devil disappearances due to my unknown origin?"

"Exactly. And the strength you showed that night, along with your connection to this enigmatic Yoruichi became the biggest reason why they thought of this. And although I did say that only the extreme minority thinks of this, they kept getting more and more numerous as the incident of disappearances suddenly went away the moment you revealed yourself."

"Hmmm... So someone is targeting me." Kisuke scratched his chin in contemplation, 'The only one who could do this without getting caught as far as I know is Hades with his minions with invisibility helmet, but I could also be wrong. However, now I'm sure that someone is targeting me whether they want a scapegoat for their actions or something else... That nagging feeling... Could it be related to this?'