# and today when I opened up the inkstone for the first time after a while I got 69 new power stones, Nice.
--
Jin Goda, my father in law, came.
"Father"
"I told you many times that pursuing this will not end well for you, it's good that Akira's just in time to stop a stupid mistake from happening."
"Tch."
Jin Goda looks compassionately towards Ryuji which gives him a disdainful glare
"Dai Jin Kim where do I find him? And did you know all this time but did nothing! AND YOU SAID YOU LOVED MOTHER!"
"I loved her, that's why I did nothing. I need to protect all three of you, it matters more than getting my revenge."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THREE OLD MAN? CAN'T YOU COUNT? THERE'S ONLY ME AND IZANAMI!?"
"I guess you haven't figured that out huh. Fine I guess it's time to tell you, you have another sister, not touched by the underworld, yet still dragged into it."
"HUH?"
"Her name's Kaoru Sayama. She's your half sister."
"Wait what!?"
Ah it seems that Ryuji still hasn't figured everything out. Since my job is done, I decide to leave both of them to their heart to heart. It seems like my fist no jutsu leveled up.
---
Outside the club I can see the cleanup process has finished. As pedestrians are already plenty. I looked towards the person in charge and he looked familiar.
"Maou-sama"
"Ah, it's you."
"Sarutobi at your service."
He looked quite experienced, with messy brown hair and sharp eyes. (WN: Sarutobi Sasuke Sengoku Basara.), he wore a suit like everyone else, the only difference is that his stance, which seems relaxed, had little to no opening, a sign of a veteran fighter.
"Hmmm? Where is Iwai? I thought he was always with the chairman?"
"He is out as an inside man in the PubSec, your request came through and he volunteered. Seeing he needs a 'real job' with his name on it."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Oh you don't know? Well you're the maou so it's fine...."
He offered me a cigarette before starting to narrate. It seems that Iwai, a few years ago, picked up a kid out of nowhere, and have been acting as his father ever since. But one day when he was asked about his job, he panics, and even considered quitting the Yakuza, but the chairman bought him an 'airsoft' gun store, which doubles as OA's hideout. Which he had been managing ever since. And when my request came along, he volunteered himself to get inside PubSec. Saying that it'll be better for his kid if he is seen working away from the Yakuza, the chairman reluctantly agrees, but in the condition that Iwai move to Tokyo, seeing that Tokyo's PubSec is more active than the rest.
"I mean I kinda get the man. I would've done the same if I got a kid one day. Hell isn't that everyone's wish? To get a kid but not let them worry about us."
"Yeah, that's the future I'm making."
A smile rose up from sarutobi's mouth
"That's why they call you maou-sama, the leader of us, demons and lost souls of the underworld."
He gestures with his hands as he points out towards people in the crowd, which greets us as he pointed, it seems that there's also men from TJC here helping the cleanup. Lost souls huh.
"So where are you headed after this?"
"I was planning on meeting up with Izanagi to then go to TJC HQ together with the old man."
"Ah the young miss? I heard she's been recognized by a research institute and was researching something groundbreaking. Imagine, a Yakuza princess, researching with scientists. Without you here, I doubt this could happen."
You had no idea my friend, you had no idea. I silently finish the cigarette, while looking at the pedestrians minding their own business.
--
As the rain keeps pouring I was thinking of how to get to TJC. I can walk there enjoying the scenery of Tokyo, but where's the fun in that?
"Hey Sarutobi."
"Yeah?"
"Why are you following me?"
"To make sure you keep the public stunt to the minimum."
I wanted to retort but my recent track record says otherwise, damn.
"Do you know any good bath houses nearby?"
"Hmmm I'm not familiar with the area, lets ask around."
I have the sudden urge to cleanse myself. I still had time before the meeting tonight. Mind as well.
Sarutobi is as efficient as Iwai is. It seems that everyone he asks points him into the same direction. So without further ado, we head straight towards the bath house.
---
Inside the bathhouse the smell of sulphur penetrates my nose, it immediately warms my body even when I haven't submerged myself.
I took my time cleaning my body first before submerging in the hot bath.
"Ahhhh… this is the stuff."
"Yep hits the right spot."
"Is this establishment in our control? and is it fine to reserve the whole thing, I don't mind the company you know."
"It's TJC's property, I'm sure they wouldn't mind their maou-sama using it."
I soaked into the warm water. I felt warm throughout my whole body. The comforting warmth is addicting. I close my eyes to enjoy the moment.
But then I suddenly heard a commotion outside.
"Noisy."
"Would you like me to handle it?"
"Do as you like."
---
Sarutobi POV:
"Do as you like."
Heh, Maou-sama is more laid back than I thought, and here I am expecting trouble like those days when I used to escort Ryuji.
"I'll be back then"
"It's not like the bath is gonna run away when you come back."
Good point.
I dressed myself in a bathrobe prepared by the bathhouse. And walked to the lobby to see what all the fuss is about.
There seems to be a kid with brown long hair who's causing a scene.
"Hey, let me in the bath house"
He screamed as he flailed around, us Yakuzas usually resort to violence if there's any unruly teens, but brats though. Sigh this is a problem indeed. And what's more he seems to be in primary or middle school. What's a kid like him doing here?
"Kid, what are you doing here?"
I asked the kid as I ducked down to meet him eye to eye.
"Just let me in the bath. It's not like it's yours to begin with."
"Hahaha! Well in fact it's the boss's property."
"Huh?"
"Well you see the boss's inside and he's taking a bath."
"Why can't he share?"
"Share huh, well sometimes, you just want some things to yourself."
He's now thinking about something.
"Hey oji-san, tell me, is your boss the man in charge of everything happening around here?"
Huh where did that come from.
"Well it depends, if you're looking for the man in charge of the onsen, then it's him."
"Not that! I mean the brothels, the new schools and dorms!"
Oh I see, he is one of them huh. But seeing his eyes, those are eyes that have lost something important to the underworld. Eyes thirsty for revenge. But it's not directed towards maou-sama. Strange.
"Depends on how you look at it. The boss's no, Maou-sama is the one who came up with those plans. But the one who executed it is still the ones in charge of this area. It should be the TJC who's in charge here."
His red eyes became sharp as I mentioned the word Maou.
"Maou as in the demon king?"
"Maou as in the Demon King who goes against the heavens."
"Hey Oji-san, will the demon king listen to my request?"
Hmmm what's this?
"I don't know."
"Will my soul be enough? I heard that Demons made deals with souls as payment."
Huh where did this kid get his ideas from, it's unsettling. But before I can answer.
---
"Tell me your wish"
I said as I walked out of the bath overhearing the conversation. I'm currently wearing a bathrobe, similar to what Sarutobi's wearing.
Right now the lobby is filled with Yakuzas watching over a kid, it's a funny sight to be honest, looking at a grown man who didn't know what to do with a kid. But I guess that's the Yakuzas, we still have honors. But that doesn't mean we can become good parents. As I entered the lobby I signal with my hand to clear the lobby, which they did. And now all that's left is me, Sarutobi and the boy.
A brown haired boy with red eyes, where have I seen you before. As soon as he sees me, he bows down, head reaching the floor.
"Ooh?"
"Maou-sama, please heed my request."
I waited for a moment before looking towards Sarutobi who's also as shocked as me.
"I don't like to repeat myself. But tell me, what is your wish."
"I wish for the power to take someone's life."
"Huh… Interesting… "
He didn't wish for someone's death, but the power to kill instead, certainly interesting.
"Tell me, GORO AKECHI," I can see his small frame shook as I mention his name ",Why did you wish for the power to kill someone, and not for me to kill him for you?"
Then he faces me, with a smile not fit for a child to have.
"SO I CAN MAKE HIM SUFFER AS HE DID TO ME AND MOTHER. SO I CAN MAKE HIM FEEL DESPAIR AS HE DID TO MANY."
"So, you're asking for Justice?"
"Justice? HAHAHAHA! NO! I'm asking for is not justice. I'm asking for damnation! His damnation. I don't care what'll happen to me."
Huh interesting, he's this twisted even before meeting the phantom thieves huh. Neat.
"Sarutobi."
"Yes, maou-sama?"
"Find this kid's mother, tell her that her son is eligible for a scholarship as cover, then take him under your wings, teach him how we do things."
"But ---"
I held out my hand indicating I'm not finished speaking.
"Also train him in the art of ninjutsu, and self defense."
Now Sarutobi's the one having a shocked face. Asking how I knew. Well your name is a dead giveaway. Sarutobi, and then the way you walk and talk, even your movements are all quick, precise and silent.
"You asked how and why Iwai does things right?"
"Ah me and my big mouth huh."
"Does your family own a shop of any sort?"
"Huh? Oh. we do have inns."
"Good then it would be easier to list you as a sponsor."
*Sigh* "Are you sure Maou-sama?"
I have a feeling he's gonna say the word.
"So, Akechi-kun, what do you say?"
I can see it from his eyes, his fighting spirit is ignited. Giving hope to the hopeless huh.
"Waga Maou. I am honored to be given this chance"
"There the kid agrees, what says you Sarutobi?"
"*tch* what choice do I have?"
"Abandon all your dignity and reject him, or accept him and groom him up to be a man with honor."
"Honor have no place on the battlefield"
"But it keeps us in line in times of peace."
And with that, I got myself a psycho detective.
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