Hearing Ryosuke’s earnest words, one of the ’Blossom Cherry’ liaisons sitting in the back row was momentarily taken aback.
Then, the liaison laughed.
The other party gave an affirmative answer.
Next, they elaborated.
"Normally, those who join ’Blossom Cherry’ can get one free opportunity to obtain ’Strength,’ but you can get it twice!"
"Direct strength, knowledge, or artefacts, you can choose freely."
"Afterward, with meritorious deeds, you can continue to choose."
The man sitting in the back row’s voice revealed an uncontrollable excitement.
Ryosuke cooperated by speeding up his breathing.
He sneered to himself.
If he didn’t know Onodera, he might have believed it.
Is it because there are factions within ’Blossom Cherry’?
Or does he believe Onodera will abide by the rules of ’Blossom Cherry,’ not revealing his identity?
The latter is more likely!
Because, if it were the former, he wouldn’t just be recruited again.
It should be... assassination!
Never underestimate the rivalry within the same organization’s factions.
Often, it’s your own people who are the most ruthless.
"When can I receive the conditions you promised?"
Ryosuke asked after deliberately pausing for two or three seconds.
"Today, you can get them."
"I will send someone to contact you shortly."
"The person will also be your ’partnerin secret."
As the voice faded, Ryosuke heard the sound of the car door closing behind him.
With an instinctive turn of his head, the figure in the back row had already disappeared.
"Putting on an air of mystery."
Ryosuke shook his head, critiquing as such.
Then, he picked up a cigarette once again.
The lighter made a crisp sound, sprouting a small flame.
Ryosuke took a deep drag.
Afterward, he exhaled forcefully.
A thick smoke ring struck the car window and instantly shattered into pieces.
Just like what he was about to do.
Once found out, he would be completely crushed.
The passenger side door opened, and Urashima got in.
"Everything has been arranged."
"As long as Cao Ye shows up, we will definitely catch him."
The young detective acted as usual.
Both his actions and his words were flawless.
However, his eyes communicated silently with Ryosuke.
Long-time partners, they had developed such an understanding.
"Let’s go back and rest for now."
"What follows is going to be busy."
"Oh, and you’re writing the report!"
Ryosuke communicated with his partner through his eyes while he spoke.
"Now when I see a report, I feel like throwing up."
"No worries, it’s always at first, and later..."
Ryosuke stretched out the tone.
Urashima asked as if curious.
"Later, you’ll get used to it."
Ryosuke said with a chuckle.
"Chief Ryosuke, you still owe me 3791 yen; I think you need to pay me back in advance, or alternatively, we can calculate it using the bank’s interest rate."
Urashima spoke earnestly.
"Wait until I get my salary."
Ryosuke coughed awkwardly.
"You’ve been saying that for eleven months now, and it’s also been eleven months since I became your partner."
Urashima reminded him again.
"Well, everyone has their difficulties."
"Don’t worry, as long as I have it, I will definitively pay you back."
"I don’t have it right now."
Ryosuke looked helpless at Urashima, his whole body exuding a sense of powerlessness, which made the young detective snort.
Then, the car started.
Everything was normal.
At least, that’s what the ’Blossom Cherry’ liaison thought.
He deactivated his ’monitoring’ method.
A secret technique using insects for eavesdropping.
Although it’s a rudimentary form of a core secret technique, at this stage, it’s just a little trick.
But this also cost the liaison quite a bit of merit.
Of course, relying on such means, he gained even more merit.
Likewise, such a little trick proved very useful.
Just like at this moment.
He was confident that the two ’rookies’ who had not yet truly come into contact with the Mystical Side couldn’t possibly detect his technique, hence what he heard was the unvarnished truth.
Thinking this, the liaison officer turned his head to look at Onodera.
"You’re overthinking it."
"Officer Ryosuke is not an issue."
The liaison officer stated.
"I merely reminded this new ’colleague’ of his relationship with ’Sword Saint.’"
"Everything else was your own speculation."
"It has nothing to do with me."
Bandaged up but able to move freely now, Onodera looked wronged at that moment.
Seeing this expression on Onodera, the liaison officer laughed.
"I know you want his position."
"While your experience is enough, your merits are not."
The liaison officer reminded Onodera.
Then, without waiting for Onodera to reply, the liaison officer spoke again.
"Don’t make excuses."
"Everyone knows what kind of person you are."
At this point, the liaison officer’s tone became sober, almost enunciating each word: "From now on, please focus your attention more on external matters, rather than on your own people."
After speaking, the liaison officer turned and left.
Onodera opened his mouth as if to argue.