Simulation: Starting from Under One Person

Oboro didn't say anything about taking you to see him. As a traitor to the Tenshoin "Naraku", Imai Nobunaga's going to "Naraku's" territory was purely a suicidal act.

Don't expect much humanity from the current Utsuki. The existence named Yoshida Shouyou has humanity, but Utsuki is purely a monster driven mad by all sorts of things.

“…Okay.” After a moment of silence, Imai Nobunaga did not dwell on the matter further, since Oboro’s decision was correct.

only……

Her hopes are likely to be dashed.

But she still tried to plead, "Can you tell me where she is?"

"No." Oboro's answer was decisive. Telling Imai Nobue the location information would not bring any benefit; it was almost certain that something would go wrong.

“…Okay!” Imai Nobuyo was disappointed.

She didn't say anything more, but quietly stayed with her senior brother, watching the interactions between Sakata Gintoki and the others.

As fellow disciples of Yoshida Shōyō, they were heading in different directions, each rushing headlong in their chosen path, their paths seemingly never intersecting...

As for whether there will be a turning point in the future...

Thinking of the certainty in someone's tone, Nobuyo Imai fell silent. There was no doubt that there would be a turning point, and the paths they took would intersect again.

Because of someone...

On the other side, because someone's gaze was not concealed at all, the F4 who had fought their way out of the battlefield were aware of it, but there were too many spectators and they were well hidden, so they could not find the source of the gaze.

They were merely on high alert, guarding against a possible attack, while also exchanging information and discussing the matter with the others.

Fang Rui, who was standing to the side, listened to the conversation of the group and showed a thoughtful expression. After examining the surrounding situation, he had already determined who was secretly spying on them.

'So it was Oboro, I thought it was Little Monkey…'

'Speaking of which, if we could bring Oboro to our side, that would be a pretty good option.'

Fang Rui carefully reviewed his memories regarding Long. He had limited information and lacked understanding of Long, but one thing he was certain of.

Like Yoshida Shoyo's other disciples, Oboro cared a lot about Yoshida Shoyo, and would definitely be willing to help if Yoshida Shoyo could return.

So... the problem now is how to convince Oboro that he has the ability to bring Yoshida Shōyō back.

The soul remains the same, but with each birth, an additional personality is added to the illusory body. In the early stages, the situation was relatively stable, and the newly born personalities were quite stable. Unfortunately, due to persecution by a group of people, the personalities gradually developed towards extremes.

Later on, it becomes rare for a normal personality to emerge; most cases are extreme, and Hypocrisy is the most extreme example...

With the secret techniques Fang Rui has mastered, severing a personality is no problem; in fact, it's quite easy.

They can even accomplish their goals without anyone noticing, and without the person being aware of it.

Of course, the prerequisite is to see the person. Now, Fang Rui has no way of knowing where Xu is hiding, so even if there is a solution, it is useless.

"In short, let's talk to Long first."

Fang Rui was somewhat confident in persuading Long, after all, a more direct approach to proof was very persuasive.

Without further thought, he simply sent a paper doll shikigami towards Oboro's location. Once the paper doll shikigami stuck to Oboro, he would have a way to pinpoint Oboro's location and prevent her from escaping...

As for whether he would be discovered, Fang Rui had confidence in his skills.

Chapter 572 Negotiation

During the competition, no one will notice the scraps of paper floating in the air.

Therefore, the paper doll shikigami arrived at Oboro's location without attracting any attention.

Because of its remote location, and the fact that there was no one else there except for Imai Nobunaga, Fang Rui did not wait and started talking directly.

One of the functions of paper dolls is to act as communicators, which can be used as walkie-talkies.

"Nice to meet you, Oboro! I'd like to talk to you about Yoshida Shōyō."

An unfamiliar voice emerged in the quiet space, and Oboro's body tensed instantly as he drew his kunai and cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

As a member of an assassination organization, he was quite vigilant. The moment he heard the sound, he began to search his surroundings for its source.

If his mission hadn't been to secretly protect someone, he would have immediately left the area upon hearing the sound, keeping himself in motion before searching for its source.

However, his search was ultimately in vain, since the paper doll shikigami was stuck to his back.

Imai Nobuyo remained calm. The moment she heard the voice, she guessed who it was—someone she had recently made contact with, someone with unimaginable power…

A person referred to by Sakata Gintoki and others as a "wishing machine" and "the key to the success of the anti-foreign movement."

Since they are acquaintances, there is no need to search for them, and there is no danger anyway.

Seeing Imai Nobuyo's calm demeanor, Oboro gradually regained his composure. People who come out of "Naraku" will not let their guard down. Since Imai Nobuyo is so calm, it means that she knows the situation, and it can be determined that the danger is very low.

"Speak! What do you want to talk about?"

Yoshida Shoyo is a shared regret for Sakata Gintoki, Takasugi Shinsuke, Katsura Kotaro, Imai Nobuyo, and Oboro. The first three regret not being able to save Yoshida Shoyo; Oboro regrets not being able to enjoy Yoshida Shoyo's gentleness and her choice; and Imai Nobuyo regrets being powerless to help...

But suddenly someone came to him wanting to talk about his teacher and tell him the truth. Long was on guard, because few people knew anything about his teacher.

Suspicious glances were cast at Imai Nobuo, but she accepted them calmly, without the slightest hint of guilt.

'It seems...it wasn't her who leaked the information.'

Who could it be?!

"Let's talk about how to find Yoshida Shōyō." The voice coming from the paper doll shikigami was slightly ethereal, whether it was the tone of the voice or a change brought about by the paper doll shikigami's telepathic transmission.

"...Okay, I'll listen to what you have to say."

Not knowing the extent of the intelligence the other party possessed, Oboro decided to probe and try to extract some information.

"The current 'Yoshida Shoyo,' you think, can be considered the same as the Yoshida Shoyo of the past? His physical body hasn't changed, and he still has his memories, but his personality has changed..."

Listening to Fang Rui's account, Long was completely bewildered. He felt that the other person knew his teacher better than he did. There were some things that he didn't know at all, but the other person was able to say them.

'Could it be... a friend of the teacher from before?'

Long thought to himself that he had only known his teacher for about twenty years, while his teacher had lived here for much longer, so it was normal for him to have known several friends.

The more Oboro thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Of course, he didn't forget to think about the worst-case scenario: it could be the teacher's enemy, or someone who was eyeing the teacher's special physique.

As he said before, it's quite reasonable that some people would learn about its special nature by chance, given that the teachers have lived here for so long.

Unable to determine whether the other party was a friend or an enemy, Oboro did not have the courage to speak. Even though the current 'Yoshida Shoyo' was significantly different from the Yoshida Shoyo in his memory, he was still 'Yoshida Shoyo'.

Therefore, Oboro... will not leak any information, and will not betray his teacher.

After delivering the information, Fang Rui received no response and instead asked about something else, "Do you know about Onmyoji?"

“…I understand.” A few seconds later, Oboro’s reply came.

As an organization serving the shogunate, "Naraku" knew about the Onmyoji families in considerable detail, since they handled the shogunate's dirty business.

“Very good, now that you know, it will be much easier for me to explain.”

After a pause, seemingly choosing his words, Fang Rui's voice rang out again a few seconds later, "I possess a 'technique' that can solve the problem of 'Yoshida Shoyo'..."

Before Oboro could say anything, Fang Rui continued, "Yoshida Shōyō's problem, in essence, is a split personality; each time he is resurrected, a new personality is born."

"As long as the other personalities are deleted or suppressed, what remains on the surface is Yoshida Shōyō's personality."

Hearing Fang Rui's explanation, Long was a little tempted, while Imai Nobuyo, who knew Fang Rui better, was very tempted.

Yoshida Shoyo held a very important place in the hearts of his disciples; otherwise, Sakata Gintoki and others wouldn't have launched the Joui War in an attempt to reclaim their teacher...

Can you guarantee that your method will work?

Sensing a hint of interest in someone's tone, Fang Rui's lips curled into a slight smile, as if he were seeing a wild beast about to fall into a trap.

“We can do an experiment. For example, you can find a patient with schizophrenia and let me show you how effective it is.”

“Sure.” Oboro readily agreed. Given Edo’s current state, finding a few schizophrenic patients would be quite easy.

For example, in Naraku's training camp, not everyone who enters can graduate smoothly; mental breakdown and schizophrenia are common outcomes.

These people were not abandoned by the Naraku training camp, but were used as "teaching materials" for new recruits to join the camp later.

In addition, there were also prisoners in the Edo prisons.

Furthermore, many of the poisons transported by criminal organizations from other planets can cause hallucinations, and long-term use can lead to schizophrenia, which is a very normal side effect.

Therefore, finding someone who meets the criteria is very simple for Oboro.

"In that case, let's arrange a place after the competition and give it a try."

After saying that, Fang Rui disconnected.

After waiting for a while and not hearing any sound, Long guessed that the other party had left.

"I want to go with you when we meet."

Before Oboro could think of anything, Nobunaga's voice came from the side.

Upon hearing this, Oboro turned to look at her. He could understand why Imai Nobunaga would say such a thing.

“Okay.” Considering that the other party could perfectly conceal their aura during the conversation, which was enough to prove that the other party was very strong, and it was impossible to determine whether the other party was friendly or hostile, it would be a bit dangerous to go to the appointment alone.

Imai Nobuyo's request to accompany him relieved him.

Having shared the same master and worked together for a period of time, he had great trust in Imai Nobue's abilities.

"Remember to text me."

Having lived with Sasaki Isaburo for so long, Imai Nobuyo has also picked up some habits, such as liking to communicate via text message.

After saying that, Imai Nobunaga left the place.

Watching Imai Nobunaga's departing figure, a thoughtful look flashed in Oboro's eyes. His junior sister's reaction was somewhat strange!

It seems... a little too silky smooth!

Nobuyo Imai returned to the audience and sat to the left of Isaburo Sasaki.

"Where did you go?" Sasaki Isaburo turned to look at Imai Nobuyo and asked.

“I went to see an acquaintance,” Nobuo Imai replied.

As the person who raised Imai Nobue, Sasaki Isaburo knew very well how few people Imai Nobue knew. She had almost no friends, and there weren't many people she could call acquaintances...

Besides, before adopting Imai Nobuyo, he was Naraku's assassin.