Chapter 17
The future president hesitated to ask further questions.
However, he hadn't actually read the Bible; he only knew from hearsay that Christianity was generally a religion that encouraged people to atone for their sins and do good... Perhaps the original text really did contain these ideas.
Fortunately, the two people in the cell noticed his presence in time and turned their heads to look at him.
Although he also wanted to ask about the black-haired boy who had been sitting next to Ranpo, the situation was urgent and there was no time for idle chatter.
He came to see Oda Sakunosuke.
"What's life like in the detention center?"
Standing outside the cell, a man in a kimono broke the silence with a brief greeting.
Ye Yihe, who had only recently started learning Japanese using the Bible, naturally wouldn't answer such a question, while Oda Sakunosuke gave him a calm response.
"It's not bad. Not only is the air conditioning on full blast, but I also have someone to keep me company."
Living in such a dark, damp, and cramped room without any light, the fact that one can still answer questions well is already quite remarkable in terms of willpower.
Not to mention that Oda Sakunosuke himself was only fifteen or sixteen years old, yet he had already become famous as a top-notch assassin in the industry.
"I've come here today because I have something I'd like to ask you."
The future president said this and showed a cylindrical memory to Oda Sakunosuke.
When a person with superpowers is under witness protection and needs to exchange intelligence with relevant government agencies discreetly, they can use this portable, hidden storage device found in the cane of a gentleman in a suit.
His purpose in coming to ask Oda Sakunosuke for help was to obtain information about the organization's base related to [V] or the Angels.
Assassins of Oda Sakunosuke's caliber would be approached by countless organizations and individuals seeking to make contact, whether for revenge, profit, or to silence witnesses. Invitations to their services would arrive in droves, like postcards.
“That organization targets people with superpowers, and those who are operating under the protection of state agencies… Have you received any missions to capture someone alive recently? Even just hearing about it would be helpful. I would like to know the location of their base.”
This was his idea—a more efficient way to find the location of the random step.
"..."
Oda Sakunosuke watched him silently.
Ye Yihe, who was listening in, was deeply shocked.
Not only the bishop, but even this seemingly serious and composed man in a kimono was talking about government agencies and superhumans in a very formal manner... Could it be that the concept of superhuman abilities really exists...?
He needs to properly digest the new world view after this major version update.
As for the word "[V] organization," Ye Yihe recalled the phone call he received when he first woke up; the caller claimed to be from the "[V] organization."
Unfortunately, he didn't know the person's name or identity, and his phone was confiscated by the guards at the detention center.
So he was invited to the theater to watch the play arranged by the other party, but the ultimate goal was to kidnap a superhuman with a very important identity.
Ah... but according to him, the superhuman was not captured alive in the end, and secretly slipped away after leaving behind his cane.
So who exactly is his target for doing good deeds? Ranpo, the gentleman in the suit, or Oda Sakunosuke? Why is it a three-way choice? This isn't some detective drama...
I never imagined that doing a good deed could cause me so much trouble.
"I cannot disclose the identity of the client."
Oda Sakunosuke spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse. He might still be quite young in age and appearance, but his blue eyes never reflected any emotion, only a bonfire burning out deep in the icy plains.
"It doesn't have to be a mission request. Perhaps you've heard of people posting bounties on the black market, recruiting those who can capture a superhuman under important national protection. All I need is a little information to help me find them. Do you know where they usually imprison people?"
The superhumans portrayed in dramas are real, and the supernatural weapons mentioned by the priest are also real. This kind of supernatural power, which has not yet been fully understood by mankind, exists in this world, but this miracle has only been bestowed upon a very small number of people.
On the surface, governments around the world have maintained a consistent stance, not revealing the existence of people with superpowers, nor have they tried to cover it up by strictly controlling all information. Instead, they have allowed it to be treated as some kind of urban legend or story setting circulating among the people.
However, in private, powerful superhumans have been used as weapons of war.
The previous world war, which involved most countries, ended less than two years ago.
Now another organization has set its sights on individuals with state-protected superpowers, and has kidnapped Ranpo, who doesn't actually have any superpowers—this is absolutely terrible.
"...I have no obligation to tell you."
Even in the dimly lit environment, Ye Yihe could still see that Oda Sakunosuke had very large eyes. The latter was quietly looking at the man in the kimono, and the light falling into his eyes made his irises reflect a soft, deep blue hue.
That's correct.
The other party nodded slightly in agreement, "But if you're willing to speak, I can testify that your shooting of the secretary this morning was in self-defense. In that case, you can be released tomorrow."
"..."
Oda Sakunosuke did not answer immediately. Ye Yihe noticed that he turned his head slightly and glanced at him.
Ye Yihe was surprised and asked inwardly, "Hmm?"
He was feeling down because the Japanese teacher he had finally managed to catch was about to run away, but unexpectedly, the teacher seemed to be worried about him...?
“That boy is the same; I can prove he’s not an illegal immigrant,” the other party said at the opportune moment.
Oda Sakunosuke's gaze returned to the man in the kimono, and he seemed to be genuinely surprised at this moment.
"real?"
"yes."
“That’s surprising… I thought you wouldn’t do something that violates moral justice and legal procedures.”
As his gaze gradually lowered from the other person to the floor, Oda Sakunosuke's voice was low and his speech was not fast.
He then began to talk about himself.
“I have always carried out my assassin work alone, and I don’t want any partners or superiors. A martial arts master like you, who has reached the pinnacle of skill, is usually extremely firm and unwavering in his adherence to personal beliefs and principles.”
"But you actually went against your principles to search for someone... Your subordinate is really lucky."
"I'm a little... envious."
The underground cell was poorly lit, and the overall environment was somewhat dim. Even the man in the kimono could only be outlined in a rough shape and his face was blurry.
But when Oda Sakunosuke, who had remained indifferent until now, spoke these words, Ye Yihe, sitting next to him, could clearly discern that there was a distinct emotion in Oda's expression, an emotion that came from the heart.
"...Is that so?" The man in the kimono paused for a moment before replying.
Rather than affirming something or an idea, the words here seem more like a mechanical echo, a kind of thought that even the speaker himself cannot clearly articulate.
“Okay, I agree to your price.” Oda Sakunosuke agreed to the deal. “I’ve heard of you; you’re well-connected with the higher-ups in the city police. It’s not difficult for you to do something like this.”
“I know some of the buildings they use for the transactions; you can try starting your search from the place closest to the kidnapping location.”
………
After the other party thanked him sincerely and left in a hurry, Oda Sakunosuke turned back to look at Ye Yihe, who was still wrapped tightly in the quilt to keep warm.
"That way, you won't have to worry about your identity."
He said, "Although I don't know why you surrendered so easily, since we don't dislike each other, taking you out is just a small favor."
If you only hear these few words spoken in a still indifferent tone, you might think that Oda Sakunosuke really just happened to rescue Ye Yihe from the detention center.
But Ye Yihe knew that people who could work as assassins in such a fantastical world at the age of fifteen or sixteen were usually much more capable than they appeared.
It's simply impossible for an ordinary local detention center to hold him.
On the contrary, if he stays here and can't find a chance to go out... there is a high probability that he will drag it out until the incident fails to be resolved and return the body to the original owner.
Failure is one thing, but Ye Yihe is also very worried about the original owner's weak and frail body.
It's basically impossible for them to fight their way out on their own. If they stay here for too long, they might even catch a bad cold and die.
It was precisely because Oda Sakunosuke saw this that he made a deal with the other party and even helped solve the subsequent identity problem.
"I……"
Recalling what he had just learned, Ye Yihe carefully considered his words and sentences, his expression extremely serious.
As he said this, he placed his hand on Oda Sakunosuke's shoulder and patted him reassuringly.
"If you don't want a partner, or a boss,"
Ye Yihe spoke with some stumbles, but still quite fluently.
"Then, my friend, may I become one?"
You don't need to envy the other person's subordinates; I can do the same things for you.
So don't be disappointed by this.
Ye Yihe failed to convey the implied meaning of those words, but Oda Sakunosuke understood.
"…………"
He opened his usually indifferent blue eyes wide, revealing a vulnerability he had never shown before.
He stood there, stunned.
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