The Murderer

"The head of the Police, Takatsukasa Isamu, had been assassinated." When Allen heard that sentence, his mind went full speed and quickly a name appeared in his head, Kujou Takayuki.

The Takatsukasa Clan was one of the most powerful of Inazuma, having important positions as the Police Head and the Internal Affairs Head. They had served the Tenryou Commission for years and where considered the right hand of the Kujou Clan. However, that was only on the outside.

Thanks to Sayu's and his own investigation, Allen had found that while the Kujou and Takatsukasa Clans seemed to be cooperating, they had multiple feuds about the leadership of the Tenryou Commission. It was especially true over the last years between Takayuki and Isamu.

Isamu was slowly increasing the Police's strength and started taking work from the military, gaining more power in the progress. It was clear that he was becoming a sore side to Takayuki and that he couldn't allow him to continue.

Killing might seems too excessive but it wasn't anything too strange and Takayuki was certainly capable of that and much more to keep the Kujou's prestige.

If Allen had any doubt, all of it evaporated when he saw the scene of the crime. It was too well prepared, making it too clear that someone close to Isamu killed him under Takayuki's order, leaving a poor low ranked officer as a scapegoat.

"Can I?" Allen asked as he started inspecting the body. 'This wound... Yes, is that type of sword, but in what way was it stabbed' Allen positioned in a stab position, trying to linear the katana with the sword holding it with his right hand.

'It's not like that...' Allen frowned and changed the sword hand, perfectly pointing the sword 'Left-handed' Allen grinned for himself 'Too easy.'

Everyone had his own style, showing some little preference and customs, making it have minuscule differences from other people that practiced the same style.

Of course, those differences were almost imperceptible and at least you were extremely close with the person in question it would be impossible to say. However, that was no problem for Allen.

Allen's Sword Eating talent was simply too strong. He had trained and sparred with a great deal of people over this year, eating their owns styles and making them as his own. Of course, while hiding his own talent and only showing the Niwa style as his talent would be more useful hid as he didn't want to attract the envy of others or the fright, trying to keep their techniques away from Allen.

Sword styles were incredibly important for a clan as it was what defined them so they were quite secretively about them, only teaching the people of the clan and punishing any intent to teach it outside. But for Allen simply seeing through it, it was like actual teaching for years so it was like sharing their secrets. Something that knowing it, they would never permit it.

So over this year, Allen created his own records for every person he had sparred, being close to police records of fingerprints, being able to relate the stab with a person, the stab being made by a left-handed only making it easier as there were less people to compare, instantly finding the culprit.

'Shiroyama' Allen discovered.

As Allen was guided to see the scapegoat and meet Heizou, Allen was thinking only one thing 'What can I win with this?'

In the end, Allen opted to let the case to Heizou and prepare his own movement.

...

As night fell, Allen was in his room. From a secret compartment under his bed, he took one box, the one given by Alina, quickly taking the uniform from it.

"It's better" Allen said looking at the mirror. He wore a black and blue suit that covered all his body, a pair of globes, a cape on his back and a blue top-hat, with a final mask hiding his face. In all, he seemed to be dressed like a typical show magician of his previous world.

At first, Allen thought that Alina had given him his previous uniform, but he was wrong. As the same as with his new position and emblem, his uniform had also changed, being a personalized one.

It was quite similar to the previous one and he seemed to still be kid cosplaying but at least he no longer seemed a girl. Moreover, this new uniform was exclusively made for him, tuning better to the use of his Vision, increasing his power and also came with a little new perk.

"I'm ready" Allen said easily creating ice knives with his Vision and eliminating them and then quickly dashing towards Inazuma's residential area.

...

At one house of Inazuma, Shiroyama was in his own office thinking about his future 'With this my position would grow, it won't be long before I became the vice leader of the Police and then I will go for the head position.' He mumbled with a smile while drinking a cup of sake.

"Celebrating something?" A voice sounded cutting his thoughts, Shiroyama quickly turned over his window, seeing what seemed to be a kid wearing a mage dress.

"Who are you?!" Shiroyama demanded, quickly withdrawing his sword and pointing at the intruder who seeing the emblem on his robes, quickly discovered from what force it was "A Fatuus?"

"I mean no harm" Allen calmly said while lifting his hands "And if you ask who I am? I suppose I'm the only one that can save you. No? Isamu's murderer?"

"What are you saying?!" Shiroyama staggered as he shouted angrily 'He knows it! I need to kill him!' Shiroyama quickly reached a conclusion and stepped forward.

*Clank!* Just as Shiroyama was about to stab Allen, Shiroyama's sword flew from his hand, Allen pairing it with a glowing ice knife.

"H-how?" Shiroyama was shocked at how easy he was countered and he froze solid as Allen's knife was rested over his neck.

It has been quite easy for Allen, Shiroyama used the Police style that focused more on defense than attack. It wasn't a bad style, but created an opening when changing from defense to attack and this opening was quite amplified by Shiroyama's state of mind, not really thinking of a fight as he also thought that Allen was unarmed.

"As I said, I'm no here for a fight" Allen withdrew the knife, letting Shiroyama breath again.

"What do you want?" Shiroyama asked confused while panting.

"You have been discovered. Your scapegoat had some witnesses and was discovered as not guilty and you have left some tracks over you, it won't be long before the military and Police discover the truth" Allen said calmly. Of course, it was all false, he didn't know if there was some proof against him, but the important was for Shiroyama to trust it.

"That if you are not found by Takayuki's men before who wouldn't doubt to take care of someone like you that can pose a problem for them."

Shiroyama's eyes went wide, clearly knowing what meant to be discovered.

"Two options, be captured for life or being killed by Takayuki's forces" Allen explained "It might be only be one as I really doubt that Takayuki would let yourself keep your life captured. In the end, the Tenryou Commission is under his power."

Shiroyama fell over his knees, despair reflecting on his face "It's my end."

"It should, but that's why I am here. To give you an opportunity" Allen offered him his hand "No Inazuman can protect you, but I am different. I can take you out of the region, assuring your life."

"What would the Fatui gain from me?" Shiroyama seemed to calm a little, asking intelligently.

"A weapon against Takayuki. Having a proof of his wrong doings would be great of us." Allen answered happily "Of course, what we do with that is our problem. You only need to stay alive and wait until you are of use."

'It makes sense, I can testify that I was working under Takayuki, I even have some little proof' After thinking for some time, Shiroyama took Allen's hand, standing up again "I will do it, if you give me protection, I will cooperate with the Fatui." 'In the end, this is the only way to live.'

"Great, I like intelligent people" Allen said happily "Let's go, I have a ship prepared." Allen said preparing to leave.

"Wait a moment! I have something important" Shiroyama quickly went to his desk, opening a drawer, and from it taking some documents.

"Those are my exchanges with lord Kujou" Shiroyama gave the documents to Allen, with them his position became stronger, his voice carrying more importance with a little proof. It could seem that he was betraying the Tenryou Commission and his country, but his life was more important.

"Great" Allen smiled "Let's go."

"Buarg!" Just as Shiroyama stepped to leave his room, he vomited blood. He lowered his face seeing the tip of a blade surging from his chest, piercing his own heart.

"What it feels to be stabbed at your back?" Allen whispered.

"W-why?" Shiroyama stuttered with his last remaining strength, he really couldn't understand why the Fatui gained with his death, he was more valuable alive.

"You think too much of yourself. Did you really think someone, as Takayuki is not prepared against this." Allen said waving the documents "Good bye." Allen let go the sword, and Shiroyama fell to the ground dead.

"Now, I only need to wait a little" Allen said before leaving the place.

...

"Who could have it been?" Heizou whispered confused.

'Good luck next time' Allen grinned in his insides as he showed a surprised face 'You were simply too slow as you were doing things officially. Proofs? Witnesses? I don't need them. A simply thought is enough to act outside the law.'

Allen looked over the room, seeing it all moved under a minute search 'It seems that Takayuki's men had really acted, most probably they were trying to take care of him, making it seem like a suicide but seeing him dead in such a matter, they quickly change for a robbery.'

In the end, Shiroyama was declared as the murderer of Isamu and Ryuuji was left free. But being disappointed by the Police actions and as a thanks for the detectives that found him not guilty, he started working independently under Sango.

Heizou was unable to find the culprit of Shiroyama's death and while it was thought that it was the true mastermind in the case, there was not enough proof to point to the culprit, closing the case as unresolved. Nevertheless, Heizou showed a great mind and potential and he was promoted to detective of the Tenryou Commission.

...

At Tenshukaku, over the Tenryou Commission's headquarters, Kujou Takayuki was doing some work over his office, when from thin air a kid dressed as a mage appeared in the middle of his room.

"It's an honor to meet you, lord Kujou" Allen bowed respectfully.

"What is a Fatuus doing here?" Takayuki answered calmly seemingly to be quite used with the Fatui. If he was somewhat nervous, he clearly didn't show it.

'Quite different to work against true powers' Allen thought but nevertheless continued his polite greeting "I only came for a simple friendly greeting."

"Coming at night when I am alone does not seems quite friendly." Takayuki answered "It seems quite the threat."

"Quite far from the truth" Allen answered "I would prefer a more traditional greeting, but unfortunately, I can not afford it. Our reputation is not the best one and some people might talk about our meeting. I do not want to tarnish your impeccable reputation."

Takayuki squinted his eyes at that "What is your purpous-" Interrupting him, Allen gave him Shiroyama's document.

Takayuki carefully took them, reading them attentively "And you say you are not threatening me?"

"I would not dare. This is my greeting present" Allen answered bowing again "I found some unruly dog trying to bite his owner and I punish it him before he was able."

"What do you want?" Takayuki asked.

"Nothing. This is simply a present to show my own good will" Allen answered "I only hope that we will have a good cooperation in the future."

"A cooperation? With the Fatui?" Takayuki lifted his right eyebrow.

"Yes, I think that we can have a rich relationship, good for both parts" Allen said "These are tumultuous times and the scale of power is always changing. We cannot allow unqualified people to take such positions from the honored Kujou Clan. We can help to stabilize your position." Allen offered.

"Lord Kujou, we heard some noise. There's some problem?" Interrupting their conversation, a guard from outside the office called.

'They sure are quick and efficient' Allen thought grinning 'Perfect timing to finish today' He turned towards Takayuki waiting for an answer.

Ordering the guard to enter would cancel any deal, putting his standing against the Fatui and making them enemies. On the other hand, chasing away would create an opportunity.

"There are no problems, you can retire" Takayuki answered, the guard leaving.

"I am glad for your decision" Allen bowed "I am Joseph. I will look forward to our future cooperation." Allen said before completely disappearing, leaving a thoughtful Takayuki behind.

"Working with the Fatui will certainly cement my position with their resources, but it can become dangerous for Inazuma..." Takayuki shook slowly his head "The Shogun is almighty, they can do nothing against her."

...

Allen appeared outside the Tenshukaku and left the place through the shadows of the night, finally stopping at a safe cave.

"It went quite well" After not long he stopped, a blue blob of light came towards him, revolving around him.

"Good job, Cicin" This blob was in truth a Cryo Cicin.

Cicins were elemental insects that while they haven't much power to attack, they have quite peculiar abilities, like minacious control of elements, great speed and after resounding with a Vision or Delusion, the most useful one, teleporting.

Teleporting take quite some time and preparations so it was not meant to attack, but it was quite useful to scape and infiltrations.

Cicin Mages usually tamed them and used their abilities, gaining a good power and making them elite of the Fatui's forces. However, there were some problems. Cicins were quite difficult to tame, needing a lot of time and would only follow the tamer's orders. That was why Allen didn't used Cicins, not wanting to spend years of time living with them for in the end die and lose all that time.

That's why Allen's Cicin was even more peculiar and special. It was a mutant Cicin gifted by Pantalone. It has no attacking ability but was capable of turning transparent, making it great for stealth, plus rather than bounded with him, it was bounded with the uniform, not needing to waste time taming them.

"It went quite well" Allen smiled at the results, not ordering the guards to enter, instantly creating a relationship between them, not that Allen had let any option than that.

For idiot people, be amicable and give them good and obvious opportunities.

For intelligent people, make them seem that they are the ones in front, let some false or little weaknesses be discovered, while in truth they are walking in the palm of your hand.

And for the truly intelligent and the ones with experience? Do everything! Interchanges favors, threats and goodwill, confusing them and forcing them to overthink, creating their own opinion that would always be shrouded with doubts.

That was what he learned of Pantalone and his people and while he hated when they do it to him, it was quite effective.

Allen could have clearly shown goodwill making Shiroyama's death seems like a suicide, but giving him the documents, that in truth were already copied just in case for future use, it would confuse him.

In that state of confusion, he needed time to think and make be sure, so of course the cutting answer of chasing him and being captured was a no go, letting himself open to future cooperation.

"To destabilize a country, the best way is to attack from both sides, inside and outside." Allen smiled "With this, the first step to the inside has been made. Now..." Allen turned over the ocean looking at the far away island "I'll need to work on the outside."