[Author Note]
Disc: HrPrTeam
Hola.
Here, I finally uploaded.
__________
A Few Days Later: 3rd P.O.V.
Nagumo and Shin stayed near Sakamoto in the hospital, in case Ando came back to capture him.
They couldn't do much, but with Shin able to alert and translate for Sakamoto, and Nagumo's stealth skills, they were able to keep a close watch on him.
Additionally, with Nagumo working closely with the Order, he needed to be in contact with JAA staff to discuss the circumstances that led to Sakamoto's hospitalization.
After the revelation that someone was a threat to him, Ando had no plans to attack Sakamoto until he had sorted out that issue first.
Rion and Toji had already gone back to their apartment to talk about everything that had happened.
They sat together on Toji's couch, the apartment unusually quiet.
Rion rested her palm on her chin with a complicated expression. "So, what are your thoughts on this whole thing?"
Toji leaned back, facing the ceiling. "Not sure of the specifics since all I got was a panicked call from the mind reader, but I can say one thing."
Rion turned to Toji with a steady, focused gaze. Her eyes glowed faintly, even though she wasn't using the Paths. "That is?"
He continued. "Anyone who tries to fight him will be captured or die."
Even though she could guess as much, given the state Sakamoto was in, it was still rough to hear out loud.
She clenched her fist and glanced at Toji's old room, which had a sleeping Akira.
After a few moments, she shot up and started walking out of the apartment.
However, she stopped at the door. "Meet me in the gym."
Rion's thoughts were running wild. 'If fighting that lunatic means dying... then I'll just have to get strong enough to beat his ass. Problem solved.'
Toji glanced her way before standing up and following her, lost in his own thoughts. He'd already decided this wasn't the time to sit down and be a lazy bum.
...
Toji P.O.V.
What am I going to do? There's someone out there who's a massive threat.
The question is, how do I get around all of his enhancements? I don't have access to cursed tools with the same ability they had in my previous world.
If only the inverted spear could ignore all of that shit. It would make my job much more manageable.
Even if it did function like it did back in my old world, it wouldn't turn off his abilities since he isn't using cursed energy or a technique like the limitless.
My strategy for Satoru Gojo was to tire him out enough so that I could sneak attack him from behind.
Thinking back on it, I should've cut his head off, but no use thinking about what could've been.
If I can get the split-soul katana working again, that would solve every problem I've had. One slice and the fight is over.
I doubt the people here can protect their souls.
Unless cursed energy magically appears, getting my cursed tools back up and running isn't happening.
So, how do I kill this guy?
Perhaps if I could become stronger, I could bypass anything he has, but that creates another problem.
Is it even possible for me to get stronger?
If my skills fade, I can regain my original strength, but I haven't been able to surpass it. The physical Heavenly Restriction gives you the peak of physical abilities with the 'drawback' of having no cursed energy.
Theoretically, you shouldn't be able to go past that, but maybe in this new world, the rules change.
There is only one way to find out.
...
After a few rounds, Rion was on her back, panting and sweating after losing three times in a row. "Shit, I'm still not strong enough."
She went all out from the start, but she told me not to hold back.
I stretched my arms, the inventory curse mimicking my movements.
Rion sat up, resting her right arm on her knee. "Alright, I'm good; let's go again."
Before she stood up, I sensed people walking into the gym, and I was shocked at who it was.
Sakamoto appeared around the corner, with only a few bandages on him, holding the Mind Reader by the back of his shirt.
Based on the look on his face, it looks like Sakamoto has been carrying him around for a while. He's probably being used as a translator.
Rion looked at Sakamoto with a bewildered expression. "Dude, are you okay?"
If I'm being honest, I'm also shocked that he's already out of the hospital, but I'll bet he snuck out.
Even injured, the guy is a monster.
The kid sighed. "He's no-...OW!"
Sakamoto shook the kid with narrowed eyes. "He's doing great...just has a problem speaking."
He's full of shit, but I gotta respect him for moving around after taking a beating like that, even if it's already been a few days.
I glance over at Rion, and she isn't buying it either. "Anyway, Mr. Sakamoto came here to tell you guys something important."
Rion raised an eyebrow, but I just sighed.
I had a pretty good idea where this was headed.
He nearly dies -> pregnant girlfriend wants him to stop -> goes to his assassin friends to tell them 'something important'.
There are a few other avenues, but he'll probably...
Sakamoto put the kid down and spoke in a raspy tone with a saddened look. "I quit being an assassin."
Rion tilted her head to the side. "Don't get why you told us. It's not like we're going to stop being friends over something as small as that."
I huffed a laugh. "Just remember what I told you a while ago. Keep her safe, and kill anything that gets in your way."
Sakamoto blinked, expecting a different response, but shook his head with a smile.
Rion had a wide smile. "What does the future look like for the 'Legendary Assassin'? I know you're retiring, but you better not become Toji 2.0."
I'll ignore that comment.
Mind reader replied for him. "He's working a cash register."
If looks could kill, the kid would be dead ten times over. If he weren't a child, I don't doubt that Sakamoto would strangle him.
Rion blinked before bursting out in laughter. "BWAHAHAHA! You're becoming a family man!"
A 'family man' huh?
Suddenly, the kid spoke, pointing at me. "Oh, right. Pardon my language, but what the fuck is that thing?"
Rather than pointing at me, he was pointing at the inventory curse. Ah, he hasn't seen the curse yet.
Rion spoke. "It's his son, Wormy."
The inventory curse spoke. "MoMmY."
I looked at Rion like she was an idiot. "It's my weapon storage. Also, why the hell do you and Blue Hair call it Wormy?"
She shrugged with a smile. "Beats the name you call it, and besides, it's cute."
The two girls are exactly like each other.
I crossed my arms. "I'm still calling it the inventory curse."
Rion turned back toward Sakamoto. "That reminds me. If you haven't told Nagumo yet, you probably should only tell him you're quitting. I doubt he'll leave you alone if he knows you're working a cash register."
Sakamoto returned a thumbs-up and a nod.
The kid raised his hand. "Can I go home now?"
Sakamoto ignored him as he spoke to me and Rion. "Rion. Toji. Thanks for everything over the years."
I've only known the guy for two years, but it's been quite a time.
Rion smirked, and I grunted with a smile.
*grab*
Sakamoto picked the kid up by the back of his shirt and left the gym.
He sighed. "Ah shit, here we go again."