Dressed neatly with not a hair out of place, Hanakaiin Haru walked into the temple from outside.
His steps appeared leisurely, but the distance between each step was exact, as if measured, accompanied by a subtle smile, displaying exceptional elegance.
A few attendants halted at the steps of the Tongshou Temple, bowed towards Hanakaiin Haru’s retreating figure, then dispersed to stand around.
This was not only in respect of the Tongshou Temple but also a sign of trust in Jason.
They believed that Hanakaiin Haru would not encounter any danger inside the Tongshou Temple.
Of course, outside the Tongshou Temple, they needed to be fully responsible.
Hanakaiin Haru, walking into the courtyard, came straight up to Jason and greeted him with a very polite bow.
However, Jason’s gaze lingered on Hanakaiin Haru for a moment before shifting to a person beside him.
This somewhat goofy and carefree girl, upon seeing Jason, an acquaintance, immediately waved her hand and then ran over.
"Jason, what are you doing here?"
"Is the companion Mr. Hanakaiin mentioned before you?"
The carefree girl bombarded him with questions, her face full of curiosity.
"I’ve been staying here these few days."
"If you are referring to the ’King of Fighters’ tournament, I indeed will be teaming up with Hanakaiin Haru."
Jason, quite patient with a friend who could eat and had once given him a burger, answered all of the goofy girl’s questions one by one before his gaze returned to Hanakaiin Haru.
He needed an exact answer from him.
Why was Sagaraso here?
"Sagaraso is the third companion I’ve recruited."
"She will join us to compete in the ’King of Fighters’ tournament."
Hanakaiin Haru answered very earnestly.
Jason looked at Sagaraso.
The carefree girl immediately flashed a goofy smile: her mouth wide open, a canine tooth revealed.
"Fighting helps me get in better shape than working out!"
"For the ideal figure... cheer up!"
Sagaraso gave a reason that left Jason utterly perplexed.
To participate in the ’King of Fighters’ just to lose weight?
Jason stared at the carefree girl in astonishment.
"I have informed Sagaraso of the dangers involved this time, likewise, I have offered adequate compensation, a reward — and my visit this time is also to renegotiate the previous reward with you."
"As you see, Sagaraso became one of us only because I truly couldn’t find anyone reliable, she had to be involved; thus, in this competition, Lord Jason, you will inevitably shoulder more."
"Therefore, on top of the original reward promised to you, I would offer you an item similar to a ’Fragment of Inaho’s Arrow’ as compensation, paid immediately, what do you say?"
Hanakaiin Haru said, bowing deeply.
No doubt, Hanakaiin Haru was extremely polite.
He didn’t choose to notify at the start of the competition, but informed ahead and brought a gift.
However, this did not hinder Jason’s thought process.
Hanakaiin Haru was faced with more trouble than imagined.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dragged the still-studying Sagaraso into this.
Naturally, he would shoulder more of the battles as the other party said.
Moreover, without extra teammates for substitutes, the risk of failure and danger greatly increased.
Jason named his price.
Upon hearing this price, Hanakaiin Haru was taken aback, but then smiled immediately.
Hanakaiin Haru said sincerely.
He had been quite worried, but now he could finally relax.
This young Onmyoji of the Hanakaiin Family wasn’t worried about Jason naming an exorbitant price or quitting the competition; his biggest fear was Jason withdrawing.
If Jason withdrew, he would truly be doomed.
Though confident, Hanakaiin Haru wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could handle a 1v3 situation.
Especially since some of those people were his ’acquaintances.’
Moreover, those ’acquaintances’ understood him better than he had expected."
If not for seeking teammates for ’The King of Fighters’ this time, he wouldn’t have realized that those damn guys had infiltrated his surroundings so deeply."
Even among the fighters he knew, some were arranged by these damn guys."
Luckily, he unexpectedly met Sagaraso.
Otherwise, he would have been embarrassingly replaced by one of his own attendants this time.
Just thinking about that scenario made Hanakaiin Haru feel worse than death.
Lucky to have met Sagaraso!
Jason did not give up!
Hanakaiin Haru didn’t hide his relief, letting out a long sigh in front of Jason and Sagaraso.
"I was really worried you would give up."
Hanakaiin Haru showed a relieved expression, then, he sat down opposite Jason: "Three ’Inaho’s Arrow’ fragments are hard to find at once, but I have an item worth three times the total value of ’Inaho’s Arrow,’ I hope it can serve as a substitute—of course, as I said, it will be delivered to you immediately."
Hanakaiin Haru’s words made Jason smile."
Though this young man had an exaggerated demeanor, it undoubtedly made him likable.