Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

"You said it yourself, his physical abilities are only three times that of an average person. When I was fighting him, I felt that he was about that level. In that case, needless to say, a single SAT team would be enough to take him down, right?"

SAT is the abbreviation for the Anti-Terrorism Special Assault Unit of the National Police Agency of Japan, also known as "Eagle". It is a professional anti-terrorism unit, and its specific nature is similar to that of a special forces unit.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa smiled slightly and shook his head.

"Yes, Yokota's physical abilities are indeed only this much, but he is a Ritualist."

"You don't actually think that those mystics who believe in ghosts and gods only get some physical enhancements, do you? Uesugi-kun, although I don't know how you took him down, Yokota isn't some cannon fodder you can just find anywhere."

"His body has been dissected and analyzed in detail by the association's researchers."

"The abilities he was given by the gods he believed in were—a certain degree of physical immunity, super-strong self-healing ability, and the ability to survive even fatal wounds."

"Ordinary cold weapons can hardly leave wounds on him. Even if a wound is left, it will heal quickly. And even if you dig out his heart and cut off his head, he will not die. He will still stand up and continue to fight."

"Who knows, as the fight goes on, his heart and head might grow back on their own—there are precedents for this."

"Imagine Yokota, with this ability, if no superhuman intervened, wouldn't he be able to turn the port upside down? Even if he were eventually killed by a barrage of heavy weapons, he could still cause as much destruction as possible before he died, reaping the lives of a large number of innocent people."

"It's not an exaggeration to call it a regional disaster."

"Above the regional level are even more powerful demons and spirits that, if left unchecked, could destroy the entire Tokyo metropolis or wreak havoc within a prefecture. These are called the Tenshu-class."

The prefecture-level administrative unit in Japan is not the same as the county in China. Although they cannot be compared in terms of area alone, in terms of administrative level, a prefecture in Japan is equivalent to a province in China.

"Above the Sky Guardian level is the Territory level, which carries the risk of national annihilation."

"Above the national level is the legendary catastrophe level—Jormungandr is a god of this level."

"These things are too far removed from us. I've been in this line of work for ten years, and the most serious supernatural disaster I've encountered is only at the level of a Heavenly Guardian. Therefore, those who can handle regional-level incidents on their own are already the backbone of the association."

Uesugi Kiyoshi nodded thoughtfully and asked, "So, Inspector Akutagawa wants me to..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his question was clear. Ryunosuke Akutagawa smiled knowingly and affirmed, "I naturally invite Uesugi-kun to become a [Collector]."

"I'm not afraid to admit it, but the association only has three collectors residing in Tokyo, including myself and Kudo. If Uesugi-kun could join, it would be a huge help."

Uesugi Kiyoshi pondered for a moment, but something felt off. This organization was too strange. How could they recruit "cadre-level" members so casually? Shouldn't such organizations for superhumans have strict standards for recruiting members, at least checking the information of the newcomer's ancestors for three generations to determine if the person was an undercover agent?

He didn't keep it to himself and asked the question directly.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was speechless after hearing this.

He shrugged and said bluntly, "I can roughly understand Uesugi-kun's thoughts. The Shinsengumi and Heian-kyo do indeed follow the recruitment pattern you described. As for us, we are different."

"I can't go into the specific reasons, but our collectors' association only needs two formal collectors as guarantors to accept new collectors, and then they need to pass an ability assessment."

"As for the new member's loyalty, if he does something that harms the association, we will hold his guarantor accountable."

"If Uesugi-kun is willing to join us, Kudo and I will act as your guarantors. Don't worry, that's not a problem."

"Ah, I don't think I've mentioned the issue of compensation yet. I'm a bit of a chatterbox, so please don't take offense, Uesugi-kun."

"The Collectors' Association is called the Collectors' Association because it possesses many [collections], all of which are extraordinary!"

"There are [Demon Artifacts] that can threaten even ghosts and gods, [Heroic Soul Lenses] that can enable the transcendent awakening of linkers, and extraordinary equipment painstakingly crafted by the Association's true knowers."

“New collectors can choose one item from the list we provide as a welcome gift from the association.”

"In addition, there is a base salary of three million yen per month, extra bonuses and special rewards for completing tasks, and one mandatory task per month that must be participated in. In principle, you can choose not to participate in the other tasks."

"Of course, if Uesugi-kun chooses to join, I still hope you can take on more missions. We are really short-handed. Kudo has no combat ability, and I can't find my other colleague all the time. I've been so busy lately that I'm losing all my hair. I have to handle all the affairs of Tokyo by myself."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa poured out his grievances, but Kiyoshi Uesugi ignored him.

All he can think about right now is that phrase, "a base salary of three million yen every month"!

Does your collectors' association own a gold mine?!

The average annual salary in Japan is over four million yen, and it's slightly higher in Tokyo, at over six million yen.

In other words, an ordinary white-collar worker in Tokyo can work themselves to the bone for half a year and earn the same amount as these collectors can do in a month of leisure!

This is still the base salary?!

He swallowed hard, forcibly suppressing his desire to agree to Akutagawa Ryunosuke's offer—he was terrified of poverty. Even a hero can be brought down by a penny. He possessed unparalleled swordsmanship skills, but they couldn't generate income for him. He had always lived a frugal life. When he went to work, his hourly wage was only 1,000 yen, barely enough to make ends meet.

Uesugi Kiyoshi's expression turned serious, and his gaze toward Akutagawa Ryunosuke became more fervent.

"Inspector Akutagawa, please rest assured!"

"I will seriously consider it!"

As they spoke, they arrived at the door of a lounge on the third floor. After solemnly making a promise to Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Uesugi Kiyoshi pushed open the door and went inside, much to Akutagawa's surprise.

Chapter 37 Homeless

The fluorescent lights in the lounge cast a warm yellow glow. Behind a desk, Kyoko Nohara's petite figure was faintly visible. She leaned over the desk, burying her head in her arms, and Kiyoshi Uesugi could faintly hear her sobbing.

Kyoko Nohara also had a bento box and a glass of water in front of her, but she didn't touch it at all, and even the sound of the door opening didn't wake her up.

Uesugi Kiyoshi gave Akutagawa Ryunosuke a questioning look, and Akutagawa Ryunosuke understood and spoke in a low voice.

"I've already made arrangements. Uesugi-kun, just take Nohara-san with you. No one will make things difficult for you."

"I need to finish up the Yokotano matter now. I look forward to Uesugi-kun's reply. Well then, I'll take my leave."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa, with great tact, gave the two of them some space, performed a polite bow, and then disappeared into the dimly lit corridor.

Uesugi Kiyoshi sighed, quickened his pace, and stepped into the lounge.

The sudden footsteps finally woke Nohara Kyoko. She hurriedly raised her head, wiped away the tears on her face with her slightly numb hands, and tried to open her swollen eyes wide to see who it was.

When she saw that it was Uesugi Kiyoshi who had come, she was overjoyed. She forced a smile onto her face, which was originally filled with sorrow, and spoke in a hoarse, choked voice.

"Uesugi-kun! Are you alright?!"

"I'm so worried about you! But when I asked the police about your situation, they didn't tell me anything."

"I followed Uesugi-kun's instructions and explained everything to the police officer who came to question you. They didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

The girl's eyes were wet with tears, but her smile was tinged with undisguised concern for him. For a moment, Uesugi Kiyoshi felt a lump in his throat—he felt a pang of guilt.

Uesugi Kiyoshi is a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment. He believes in the principle that you should get something in return for what you give. If someone offends him, even if he tolerates it in person for the sake of the bigger picture, he will hold a grudge until he gets revenge.

However, if someone is kind to him, he will definitely repay the kindness tenfold. In his previous life, he was lonely and helpless, and no one helped him. He survived by relying on his own efforts. So he secretly decided that if someone was willing to help him and be kind to him, he would repay them a hundredfold, at least so that they would not regret helping him.

Therefore, he respected his mentor, Kamiizumi Hidekawa, as if he were his parents, and he regarded Kudo Yuichi, who showed him kindness upon their first meeting, as a close friend.

Now that Nohara Kyoko's uncle, her only support, has died by his own sword, even though Uesugi Kiyoshi did it to save her, if he hadn't done so, poor little Kyoko would probably be the next one to be chopped into pieces by Yokota. But he still couldn't help feeling somewhat sorry for Nohara Kyoko.

He sighed, lowered his eyes, and dared not meet Nohara Kyoko's sad and concerned gaze, speaking in the gentlest of tones.

"Okay, Kyoko, things are settled here. Let's go outside and talk more."

Kyoko Nohara naturally obeyed Uesugi Kiyoshi's words. She wiped away her tears, jumped off the chair that was a bit too high for her, and ran to the locker next to her to get their schoolbags. She followed behind Uesugi Kiyoshi like a little follower.

Uesugi Kiyoshi didn't want to stay at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for long. Who would want to stay in a police station? Now that things were settled, he took Nohara Kyoko and walked out of the Sakurada Gate.

The night was deep, and it was around ten o'clock at night. There were few pedestrians on the road. The night wind was a bit strong, and there was a dampness in the wind. Dark clouds still hung over the horizon, obscuring the stars and moon.

I don't know when this rain will finally stop.

Uesugi Kiyoshi and Nohara Kyoko walked silently along the roadside. Uesugi Kiyoshi carefully considered his words before speaking in a gentle tone.

"Xingzi, too much has happened today. I'll explain it to you another day. Let me take you home first."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, the light footsteps of Nohara Kyoko behind him stopped. Uesugi Kiyoshi sensed something was wrong and turned around to see Nohara Kyoko standing still, her head down, her bangs hanging down and obscuring her eyes. Her shoulders were shaking, as if she were sobbing softly.

Gradually, Kyoko Nohara's sobs grew louder and louder. She was losing control of her emotions and slowly squatted down, hugging her shoulders with both hands, looking extremely helpless.

A few seconds later, her muffled, tearful voice came through.

"Uesugi-kun"

"me."

"I have no home anymore."

Kyoko Nohara was filled with grief and fear. The police officer who came to question her did not hide anything from her and told her about the deaths of Yokota No and Yokota Ryoko. She learned that her uncle had gone berserk and brutally killed her aunt, and then tried to attack Uesugi Kiyoshi. She was not stupid. Combining the strong smell of blood she smelled at the door, she could deduce the truth of the matter. However, she was subconsciously avoiding it and unwilling to believe the fact.

The police officer's words were the final straw that broke her spirit.

She lost both her parents at a young age and was left all alone. Fortunately, her uncle adopted her, saving her from the fate of going to an orphanage.

For so many years she lived under the roof of others, and although life was not very pleasant, at least she had a home and relatives in this world.

My aunt treated me badly, but my uncle was always very gentle with me.

but.

Overnight.

She had nothing left.

She had no friends at school, no relatives now, and even her home had become a crime scene. It was obvious she could never go back.

While grieving the passing of her uncle and aunt, Kyoko Nohara felt utterly lost.

Tokyo is so vast, a cold steel jungle. Amidst the hustle and bustle, where can she find a home?

Uesugi Kiyoshi realized he had said the wrong thing and felt guilty. But when he saw Nohara Kyoko sobbing with her head down, he was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

After a long silence, he sighed.

In his previous life, when he was not yet ten years old, both his parents died of illness. On the day of their funeral, after dealing with the hypocritical guests with a numb expression, he also cried bitterly in front of his parents' spirits late at night.

That was the last time he shed tears, in both his past and present lives.

He was just like Kyoko Nohara was back then.

I have no friends, no relatives, and no home.

He looked at Kyoko Nohara and it was as if he saw his younger self in her.

Back then, I wasn't completely unlucky. At least I had relatives who were willing to adopt me, even though their motives weren't pure. They were still able to raise me until I reached adulthood.

Who can Nohara Kyoko rely on now?

For a moment, the image of Yingcao's demonic soul slaying Yokodano and Nohara Kyoko's helpless cries mingled together and swirled in his mind.

It didn't take long for him to make a decision.

He walked to Kyoko Nohara's side, leaned down slightly, and spoke softly.

"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I didn't think things through and I said the wrong thing."