Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

Uesugi Kiyoshi wouldn't readily believe all the information he got from Akutagawa Ryunosuke today. He planned to visit his master tomorrow and ask Kamiizumi Hidekawa about everything. According to Akutagawa Ryunosuke, his master seemed to be a very important figure among the superhumans, and he certainly knew as much as Akutagawa Ryunosuke.

The reason my master didn't tell me these things before was probably because he thought I hadn't yet entered the realm of the extraordinary, and that knowing too much might attract the attention of certain ghosts or gods, or the occultists under their command.

He didn't intend to refuse Ryunosuke Akutagawa's invitation outright. He only had a superficial understanding of the extraordinary world and couldn't make a clear judgment. It would be safer to go back and ask his master for his opinion.

Master's flight should be on Friday morning. Today is only Wednesday, so there's still plenty of time. No need to rush.

Uesugi Kiyoshi pondered for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"Inspector Akutagawa, I appreciate your sincerity after hearing all this, but I don't even know what the [Collectors Association] does, so I really can't decide whether to join."

When Akutagawa Ryunosuke heard Uesugi Kiyoshi ask this question, his smile faded and his expression became somewhat serious.

"I was too impatient, but..."

"Uesugi-kun, I can only explain the specific details of the association to you after you join. These things are confidential to outsiders."

"However, I might as well tell you what our job is like."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa waved his black jade cane, pointing at the "Jormungandr" perched atop Tokyo Tower, and then raised his finger to the sky above.

The sky was covered with dark, gloomy clouds, and a cold wind howled, as if a torrential downpour would begin at any moment.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's expression became solemn, and his voice grew low.

"Uesugi-kun, a storm is brewing in this world."

"The ghosts and gods sleeping in another world are always thinking about breaking through the limitations of the dream world and taking our world into their hands."

"A long night is coming, bringing with it a downpour!"

"Faced with the oncoming storm, some people are at a loss and helpless, some cry out and run away, some hide under the eaves and protect themselves, while others are overjoyed, clapping and cheering, wishing they could transform into the storm."

"We are different."

"Faced with the might of Heaven, no matter how vast it may be, we will raise our weapons and meet it head-on."

"To cut through the raging winds and stop the torrential rain, I'm willing to pay any price!"

"We are prophets, pioneers, and trailblazers!"

"We foresee disasters, we harbor spirits, we protect this world."

"We are—the Collectors' Association!"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's words were rather childish, but when paired with his almost pious expression and his suddenly ethereal aura, they didn't seem so out of place.

After a moment's thought, Uesugi Kiyoshi made a rough judgment about the nature of the "Collectors Association"—an organization aimed at eliminating demons and protecting the world.

In the movie, they would seem like a respectable organization. In the previous passage, it wouldn't be wrong to change the Collectors Association to the Avengers.

Extraordinary individuals uphold justice and maintain world peace.

These are all one side of the story; anyone who believes them completely is a fool.

Uesugi Kiyoshi understood and said seriously, "I understand, Inspector Akutagawa."

"I can't agree to your request right away. I need some time to consider it, and I also need to ask my master for his opinion. Please understand."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa received a response from Kiyoshi Uesugi, and his expression gradually returned to normal, breaking into a smile.

"Of course, such an important matter cannot be decided lightly. If Uesugi-kun agrees immediately, I will feel uneasy."

"Let me digress for a moment, Uesugi-kun. There are quite a few superhuman organizations in Japan. Just those affiliated with the government include the Shinsengumi and Heian-kyo."

"As you can tell from the name, this is a gathering place for practitioners such as samurai and onmyoji."

"But if I may be frank, those Mibu wolves and charlatans are basically lackeys and henchmen of zaibatsu and political groups. They are just a knife in the hands of those in power."

"That place is not suitable for you. Back then, the Shinsengumi visited your master, Kamiizumi Kensou, three times to invite him to serve in the organization, promising him high-ranking positions and generous salaries. Kamiizumi Kensou refused without hesitation. He was a wise man. Joining that kind of organization would mean that even if he could rise to the top, he would lose his freedom."

"In comparison, the Collectors Association is your best choice."

"Well, that's all I have to say. I look forward to Uesugi-kun's official response."

Without further ado, Ryunosuke Akutagawa took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Kiyoshi Uesugi.

“I’ve been stationed in Tokyo. When Uesugi-kun makes a decision, he’ll call me. I’ll wait for good news.”

Having finished speaking with impeccable manners, Ryunosuke Akutagawa tapped his cane on the ground and gestured for him to enter with his other hand.

That's all for today.

"Let me take Uesugi-kun out. I've settled Ms. Nohara in the lounge on the third floor. Don't worry, Uesugi-kun, I know she's innocent. She hasn't been treated unfairly."

"I will handle the Yokotan incident properly and will not cause any trouble for Uesugi-kun."

"However, Uesugi-kun, Yokota died at your hands after all. Even if you don't admit it to me, it is an undeniable fact to Yokota's master."

"Those ghosts and spirits are not tolerant or magnanimous beings. Uesugi-kun would better be careful."

"If you encounter any trouble, Uesugi-kun can contact me directly. As I said, I have a personal grudge against Yokota's master, and I wish he were dead. Even if Uesugi-kun doesn't plan to join us, as long as it's related to that demon, Uesugi-kun can come to me."

"I will provide assistance to the best of my ability."

Uesugi Kiyoshi nodded slightly in agreement and followed behind Akutagawa Ryunosuke toward the rooftop stairwell door.

After walking a few steps, he mentioned it seemingly unintentionally.

"Inspector Akutagawa, I've wanted to ask this for a long time. You seem to know me quite well?"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa didn't even turn his head, his tone becoming somewhat playful.

"Yes, the person in charge of intelligence at the association is a very reliable colleague of mine."

"Hmm, speaking of which, you should be quite familiar with him."

"What was his real name again? I haven't called him that in a long time, I can't quite remember."

"Oh, right, Kudo Yuichi, that's your name, isn't it!"

"He was in charge of Tokyo's intelligence work, and at the same time, he was a linker."

Uesugi Kiyoshi's expression changed slightly—he didn't feel betrayed at all; he didn't think Kudo Yuichi would do anything to harm him.

Looking back now, Kudo Yuichi's expression was off when he learned he was going to Nohara Kyoko's house, and what he said was also strange.

If he is a superhuman, then it makes sense.

As for Kudo Yuichi hiding his identity, he didn't care much. Who doesn't have secrets? Didn't he also hide his identity and not tell anyone? It wasn't a big deal.

When making friends, judge by actions, not intentions; judging by intentions alone, you'll find few truly good people in the world.

Is Youyi a connector?

Uesugi Kiyoshi muttered softly to himself.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa, with a wicked sense of humor, exposed his colleague's secrets. He actually had another purpose: to play the emotional card. He always felt that Yuichi Kudo and Kiyoshi Uesugi were too close. "Look, your best friend is here with us. Why don't you come along too?" he said, making it a natural progression.

You know what, this trick actually works. Mentioning Kudo Yuichi's name did lower Uesugi Kiyoshi's guard against the Collectors Association a bit.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa readily picked up where Uesugi Kiyoshi left off.

“That’s right, Kudo is the Linker.”

"The spirit he linked with was also a famous literary figure."

"He has linked to Edogawa Ranpo's Mirror of Inheritance, and can use an ability called [Super Deduction]."

"That's all I can tell you. You'll have to ask him directly for details."

Chapter 36 The Collector

In the elevator going downstairs, because it was already late at night, there were far fewer police officers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department still on duty than during the day. There were only Uesugi Kiyoshi and Akutagawa Ryunosuke in the elevator.

After pressing the button to go to the third floor, Ryunosuke Akutagawa seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about the benefits here. Look at my forgetfulness."

"It's just that I haven't personally recruited anyone in a long time, so please don't mind, Uesugi-kun."

The elevator slowly started moving, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa leaned on his cane, his face showing a look of reminiscence.

"The composition of our Collectors Association is no secret, and I won't mind telling you."

"It is roughly divided into three parts: field staff, office staff, and [the collector]."

"Field personnel are mostly ordinary people who have received systematic military training, and are divided into special agents, investigators, tactical task forces, etc., according to their duties."

“Our field personnel generally do not have direct conflicts with ghosts and gods. They are responsible for monitoring, intelligence gathering, and logistical support. They also arrest and suppress some mortals who are bewitched by ghosts and gods. Overall, it is not a dangerous job.”

"The internal staff are mainly responsible for the in-depth analysis of ghosts and gods and the research on the superhuman system. This is a huge project. In fact, many superhumans are very powerful, but they do not know why they are so powerful. What our internal staff need to do is to find the weaknesses of ghosts and gods and find convenient ways for superhumans to become stronger."

"The internal staff are all researchers, led by a few 'True Knowledgeers' who are of average ability but outstanding in their professional skills. They conduct research on some strange and unusual topics. In addition to them, there is a command center to direct the field staff, a public relations department to handle external communication, and a logistics team to handle logistical support."

"In short, everyone performs their duties to ensure the normal operation of the association in all aspects."

"As for collectors, you can think of them as [cadres] in the association."

"It is composed entirely of extraordinary individuals with certain special skills, but not just anyone who is extraordinary can be called a collector. The association has clear evaluation criteria."

“Other aspects of the assessment are very complex. I will only talk about the most common assessment criteria in terms of combat. To be called a collector, one must have the ability to resolve regional disaster events on one’s own.”

"In other words, one must be able to completely kill a regional-level ghost god or an extraordinary being of similar strength in a one-on-one fight."

Uesugi Kiyoshi seemed quite interested in these fighting and killing incidents, and he followed up with a question: "Regional level?"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa nodded.

"Reality is not a game. There is no clear standard for judging the strength of superhumans. In fact, many superhuman abilities are mutually restraining. Destructive power alone cannot be used to measure the strength of superhumans. Underdogs often defeat their superiors."

"For example, if an Onmyoji with powerful magic is unexpectedly assassinated at close range by a swordsman of Uesugi-kun's strength, then it is self-evident who will live and who will die."

"But the strength of ghosts and spirits and the degree of disasters they cause can be measured by data."

"After leaving the dream world, it can move freely in the real world. Those that take the lives of mortals and cause less than 100 casualties among ordinary people are considered the lowest level of ghosts and gods, and are called the killing level."

"Above the Killing Level are demons and gods with the ability to threaten a whole district of Tokyo, known as the Regional Level."

"Yokotano is a rite master. If his destructive power were converted into the level of a demon or god, it would be equivalent to a regional level."

“A regional-level demon or spirit, without the intervention of supernatural forces, could destroy a large district of Tokyo, or any small or medium-sized city in Japan.”

Uesugi Kiyoshi frowned, seemingly unconvinced.

He hesitated for a moment, then felt that since everyone had been open and honest, there was nothing to hide, so he said directly, "A superhuman like Yokota is considered a regional level?"