Don't use Type-Moon references in Oregairu!

"You're not from the ahoge family, so where did you get your intuition from?" Fujimaru Ritsuka was a little confused.

Hachiman smiled wryly: "It's different. It feels like the impending storm, the oppressive feeling of a rabbit being watched by a tiger."

Fujimaru Ritsuka hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's head over there as soon as possible tomorrow morning."

Suddenly, he heard the sound of his phone being handed to someone else.

"Hello, I am the con artist, Kaiki Deishuu. Could you please seek help from the local Special Affairs Bureau? Mention this name, and they should send more people. I have a feeling something is going to happen at Tenmangu Shrine."

"If the other person gets angry when they hear this name, then tell them that the [Medical God] will owe them a favor."

"He's a doctor, not a medical god!" Fujimaru Ritsuka seemed to hear someone protesting loudly on the other end.

"Shut up, you're talking about doctors, who would understand?" Bei Mu Nishu shouted, then ignored his companion. "Please, if we don't have enough reinforcements, this time we might be in big trouble."

"Even though you say that, I'm pretty sure the Special Affairs Bureau won't be able to help us this time."

"Why do you say that?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed helplessly: "There was a fierce battle over there, and someone came right up to our door. Most of them are injured now."

Kaiki Deishu gasped. Hikigaya Hachiman seemed to have gotten the phone back. He smiled wryly and said, "Mr. Conman is now advising us to run away as fast as we can."

"So, is Tenmangu Shrine the first choice for Hikigaya?"

"Yes, I would say it's the best choice."

"Then hang in there. We'll rest tonight and get there as soon as possible tomorrow."

Fujimaru Ritsuka hung up the phone, not giving the other person a chance to be sentimental.

"Girls, we have work again!" he announced loudly.

The previous chapter was published incorrectly; it has been corrected and a small amount of compensation has been provided.

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As an apology, I will update with a free extra chapter or a free chapter.

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65. Bei Mud Boat dislikes trouble and hates owing favors even more.

From the top floor of the Hotel Okura, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Fukuoka city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Even late at night in the city, you can still see many police cars with their warning lights flashing, rushing around under the cover of darkness.

"So the Fukuoka branch is currently unable to send personnel to Fukuoka City?" Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, Fujimaru Ritsuka was talking on her phone with Kurosaki Hisatsu.

A wry laugh came from the other end of the phone: "That's right. Fukuoka City may seem to be the most important center of the Kitakyushu economic zone outside of the three major metropolitan areas, but in reality, it is not very powerful. In addition, with the festival approaching in the city, the Fukuoka branch is empty, and I have already used a lot of face to invite the nearby Onmyoji and Shinto priests and shrine maidens."

"The rest must remain stationed at their own headquarters or family territories. Whether they are big shots in Kansai or big shots in Tokyo, they all need to patrol their own territories during this Golden Week."

Is even a warning from a successor not enough?

Fujimaru Ritsuka understood his unspoken meaning—these guys were all acting independently and had differing opinions, so it was impossible for them to come over based on just one side of the story. But the Tenmangu headquarters didn't have many like-minded people.

"So, what were the results of the interrogation of those prisoners?" He tried to find a breakthrough here, hoping to get some substantial confessions and perhaps even get help from others.

“They all signed self-imposed coercive contracts, and we don’t even know if they were assigned here or if they gathered voluntarily.” Kurosaki Kuzu comforted Fujimaru Ritsuka instead, “If the high priests of Tenmangu Shrine knew something was wrong, they would definitely react. Because we’ve contacted them and there’s been no unusual activity, it’s difficult for us to persuade the Shintoists to come and help. Interfering in other people’s affairs is taboo.”

Meat-eaters are despicable.

So this is a microcosm of the country, isn't it? Everyone's department has its own jurisdiction, and you can't interfere in the area I'm in charge of. Even reasonable and well-intentioned suggestions will only be met with closed doors.

They just patch things up and make do, living their lives as best they can. It's like a couple who had a prenuptial agreement but still live separate lives after marriage.

He thanked them, slowly hung up the phone, and sent a text message to Hachimangu, who was far away at Tenmangu Shrine. He hoped something good would happen to them there.

-------------------------------------

"I am Masaki Yumei, and I am the acting head of the [Shinsengumi]. I have come here today for the sake of the safety of Tenmangu Shrine." This clean-cut man, who usually enjoys running around naked, is now properly dressed in a suit and kneels solemnly to greet the chief priest of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

"Oh ho ho? So it's the Invincible Swordsman of the Shinsengumi. Your reputation is renowned throughout Japan. May I ask what brings you here?" As the second-in-command of the shrine, Kamiyama Gonji casually asked, pretending to elegantly cover his mouth with a bat-shaped fan.

Masahiro Meizou flashed a bright smile, revealing eight teeth: "I've recently been traveling around the area with my team member, Hachiman Hikigaya, to relax, but we seem to have spotted some suspicious figures recently, who appear to be connected to cult members. Therefore, I've come to warn Kōji to be careful."

Hachiman Hikigaya knelt down a little behind, lowered his head, and tried hard not to let his distorted expression show on the other side: Boss, you're here to remind me, not to teach me how to do things!

The priest, Kamiyama Gon, snapped his bat-shaped fan shut. His polite smile vanished instantly. He straightened up, his face hardening, and replied in a curt tone, “No need for you, Lord Invincible Sword, to worry. Our shrine has nothing that would be coveted by them. Even the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane has been taken to Tokyo Tenmangu Shrine for a joint worship ceremony by the priest. Besides, our priests and shrine maidens are not useless; there is no need for you to specifically [remind] them, as this would disturb the worshippers.”

"I urge the Invincible Swordsman not to listen to the slander of juniors." He glanced contemptuously at Hachiman Hikigaya behind him and murmured, "Indeed, some commoners are fond of making sensational statements."

Jie Xiongming stood up abruptly, looking down at Shenshan Quangongsi. The latter was intimidated by his astonishing aura and couldn't help but clutch his bat fan tightly, stammering, "Lord Invincible Sword, why are you so agitated, swayed by the reckless words of a mere junior?"

"I believe in the Hikigaya crew! And I ask Kamiyama Gonji to believe in me too!" Machio Meizou spoke deeply, each word distinct and clear. "Our every word and action is as clear as a mirror, just like this—"

"Boss, stop!"

"A perfectly muscular physique!"

Brush and pull!

As Jie Xiongming's suit ripped open, pieces of fabric flew off, revealing his perfect muscles. He flexed his gleaming pectoral and biceps and said, "Look! I swear by these muscles that everything we do is for justice!"

"—"

After a moment of silence, Kamiyama Kōji screamed hysterically, "Get out of here!"

The two were slinked out of the house, but Masahiro Meizou didn't care that he was only wearing a rag and walked upright on the approach to Tenmangu Shrine.

He spoke in a deep voice: "Hachiman, I've realized you're right. Something's very wrong with Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Even on his own territory, that Grand Master of Ceremonies shouldn't be so rude, and I have a vague feeling that he harbors resentment towards me..."

"Hey? Why are you so far away from me? Come here quickly."

"Don't come any closer, boss. You came out of the visitor's room where the Palace Master is, naked, late at night. Didn't you see the strange look the priestess gave us when she passed by?"

They finally made their way to the outside of Tenmangu Shrine, playfully bickering. A middle-aged man with a gloomy face and dark circles under his eyes was waiting for them with another boy wearing headphones around his neck.

"Hmph, I can tell from your expressions. I warned you long ago. The people in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine are already obsessed with making money. Expecting them to be more vigilant is more ridiculous than throwing money into the water."

The gloomy middle-aged man, Bei Mu Nishu, continued speaking his mind with a cold face: "Listen to my advice, young man. As long as you're alive, good things will always happen. Your keen intuition is like a mouse that can sense an earthquake in advance. If you don't leave now, it will be too late."

The boy wearing headphones yawned: "I just want to go back to playing games."

“Ishigami, I need a confirmation.” Hachiman Hikigaya grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Is it only Dazaifu’s Tenmangu Shrine that can solve this problem?”

“No, but where are you going to find another place where a deity has left the shrine, where there is strong faith and no master?” [Doctor] Ishigami Yu curled his lip. “There aren’t many gods that can compare to the faith of Sugawara no Michizane.”

Hachiman Hikigaya stopped talking and turned to look at Deishuu Kaiki—the final ceremony could not be completed without him this time.

Yuya Ishigami stared at him: "Since the patient's family has agreed, Mr. Deishu Kaiki, I really hate it when the scalpel can't be found. People who interfere with my treatment of patients cannot be let off lightly."

"Tsk, really, these little brats are such a nuisance. It's not pleasant to owe them favors." Bei Mudshou tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, looking at them with disdain. "Let's make this clear beforehand: if the reinforcements you mentioned can't solve the problem, I'll be running away in advance."

"Thank you! Mr. Kaiki, you worthless scoundrel! By the way, I've always wanted to ask, don't you twist your neck when you tilt your head back like that?"

"Shut up, you dead-eyed rat!"

66. How did the battleground turn into a sworn brotherhood? (1/3)

Fujimaru Ritsuka's forehead was covered in beads of cold sweat. He sat on the bus to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, his neck stiff, staring straight ahead, not daring to glance at the two people beside him out of the corner of his eye.

Outside the bus, Fukuoka City had returned to its usual bustling state during the day. The festival procession formed a long line of people dressed in traditional festival attire, carrying the festival's palanquins, beating drums and gongs, and celebrating with great joy.

Tourists either watched the lively parade or wandered among the stalls, enjoying delicious snacks and browsing for trinkets. The other passengers on the bus also peered out the windows, captivated by the scenery below.

Only his area was quiet.

Their happiness is all theirs, while I have nothing. Human joys and sorrows are not shared, and all I find is their noise.

Yukino Yukinoshita leaned against the window, resting her chin on her hand, gazing calmly outside, while her peripheral vision occasionally swept over her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat to his left, her arms crossed over his chest, smiling as she looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, occasionally glancing at Yukino Yukinoshita.

Not many years later, when Fujimaru Ritsuka was caught between the two, he remembered the night Haruno made that suggestion to him.

That was after Fujimaru Ritsuka hung up the phone, when they discussed the itinerary.

At the time, Yang said that even if the Fukuoka branch was unable to provide support, it would be easy to borrow a vehicle from them, or she could call a car from the Hotel Okura.

Fujimaru Ritsuka objected to her idea: "Although Branch Chief Kurosaki Hisatsu promised not to expose our identities for the time being, and all the traitors who turned against us during the battle were dealt with on the spot, I have to say that Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a bit suspicious."

He counted on his fingers: "First, we've passed messages through the Special Affairs Bureau, so assuming there's a mole among the higher-ups there, they should know someone is planning to interfere. Second, Hachimanya just emailed me about what he saw at Tenmangu Shrine. They seem to value worshippers, especially wealthy ones. Will we get harassed by the priests in charge of entertaining us if we take a private car there? Third, since we've already alerted them, we might consider concealing our identities and probing to see if anyone slips up, creating a situation where one side is in the open while the other is in the shadows with Hachimanya and his group."

After a series of swift and decisive actions, everyone finally agreed to take the bus and blend into the group of ordinary tourists.

You reap what you sow.

Fujimaru Ritsuka raised her lifeless eyes, inwardly lamenting, "I'm so stupid, so incredibly stupid. I only knew that blending in with ordinary tourists would conceal my identity, but I never imagined that Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sakura Hibiki would also be ordinary tourists. I got on the bus early this morning, and I didn't expect them to be there too. My teammates are all scoundrels; they'll do anything when it comes to teasing, grabbing all the seats in no time, except for these two seats in the back row, specially reserved for Yukinoshita and me. I've been tricked by these bad guys..."

He stared blankly at his teammates in front of him, his eyes devoid of any sparkle. Yui Yuigahama was pulled to sit with Komachi. At first, she felt a little guilty for teasing her, but after Komachi showed her the grand procession of the festival, she forgot all about it.

Only Komachi and Haruno were openly grinning mischievously as they looked back. Meanwhile, Sakura Hibiki sat on the far left, drooling over the delicious food at the food stall.

What's so interesting about it? I, Fujimaru Ritsuka, am perfectly aboveboard. I haven't done anything to Yukinoshita or Kasumigaoka!

He shrank back a little guiltily. It had been almost ten minutes since he got on the bus, and no one in the back had said a word, a stark contrast to the lively scene outside the window and the quiet discussions of the tourists in the front.

“By the way, Fujimaru-kun, what a coincidence! Are you also going to Tenmangu Shrine? We’re really destined to meet.” Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him with amusement for a long time before finally breaking the silence.

Relieved, Fujimaru Ritsuka tried to ease the awkward atmosphere and started chatting with Utaha: "That's true, but most of the tourists here seem to be students and their parents. Is Kasumigaoka-san also a senior high school student?"

But that's not all. There were also some elderly solo travelers on the bus, and as we passed by, we heard them muttering, "I hope Sugawara no Michizane will bless me so I won't fail the University of Tokyo entrance exam again."

Most tourists from other places who visit Tenmangu Shrine are hoping to get good luck and achieve their desired results in exams. Therefore, the older people are either ronin (similar to students who failed their college entrance exams) or parents accompanying their children.

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head, her expression somewhat gloomy: "No, I just hope to pay homage to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, so that my novels can reach a higher level."

Yukino Yukinoshita, who had initially looked indifferent, now became interested and turned to look at them.

She enjoys reading, especially general and classical literature, so she became somewhat interested in this author who seemed to be her age: "May I ask what kind of books Kasumigaoka-san writes?"

Hibiki Sakura, who was standing nearby, overheard the interesting topic and chimed in without permission: "Kasumi Shiko is really amazing. Her novel, 'Love Metronome,' is so touching in its depiction of the tender feelings between men and women! Even someone like me, who doesn't like this kind of sweet and sour love, found it very interesting."