Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

Mugino Shizuri felt uneasy because of Frenda's words, while Frenda, with her big, teary eyes, continued, "Mugino, don't be scared by that bastard! Never become his lover! That bastard is only after your good looks!"

"We just need to wear these hair clips for fifteen days. Even though he's a director and can protect us, we can't become his lovers just because of that!"

Frenda blurted out all of this in one breath, and Mugino Shizuri, who was already feeling uneasy, blushed bright red and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't think about such a thing. I just, I just..."

Kinuhata Saiai couldn't help but cover her face again. "You two are high school students, why can't you understand it as well as I, an elementary school student?"

Frenda, Frenda, Mugino was just feeling a bit sensitive about what happened that day because her personality had changed. Her blushing was mostly because of the husky's ears being embarrassed. Why do you have to bring up emotional issues?

Perhaps Mugino Shizuri didn't originally have this idea, but after you rambled on like this, Mugino Shizuri, who has absolutely no romantic experience, might become confused herself?

Sigh... Couldn't the two of them listen to the opinion of Kinuhata Saiai, this mature observer (little scholar/monk), when it comes to matters of the heart?

"No, no, I don't believe it! Mugino looks like she's definitely smitten! What's so great about that guy? He's handsome, powerful, rich, and capable, but he's a lolicon pervert!"

"Mugino, you absolutely can't let her fool you!"

Frenda was clearly indulging in her relentless self-destructive nature. Seeing that Mugino Shizuri seemed unable to cope with her tantrums and whining, she not only showed no signs of stopping but seemed poised to take things even further.

As a result, Frenda immediately reaped the bitter fruits of her actions.

Although Mugino Shizuri has changed a lot, she is still Mugino Shizuri. Without her dark past, she no longer has the foundation for violence, but that doesn't mean she's immune to anger.

Sure enough, Mugino Shizuri clenched his fists and placed them on Frenda's temples. Frenda, who had been smug because Mugino Shizuri had done nothing to her, immediately stiffened.

"Mugino... um, can you be a little gentler?"

Frenda looked at Mugino Shizuri with a miserable expression, her face still flushed but clearly very angry, hoping that Mugino Shizuri would show mercy. However, Mugino Shizuri had already decided to teach Frenda a lesson that would demonstrate his status.

"Ahhhh!"

After a bloodcurdling scream, Frenda clutched her head, propped it on the ground, and lay there dead with her buttocks sticking up high, while Mugino Shizuri wore a satisfied smile, feeling refreshed as he let out a long sigh.

"Mugino, actually Frenda is absolutely right."

Kinuhata Saiai wisely spoke up at this moment, saying, "We really don't need to care too much about that director, after all, we can keep wearing these hair clips, right?"

"We only have to wear them for twelve hours a day. At worst, we can take a two-week break from work. Besides, isn't the second person in this lab the one planning to deal with Momo?"

"If the second place team wins, we won't have to suffer like this."

Kinuhata's favorite words made the refreshed Mugino Shizuri frown, saying, "This is something I've been hesitating about for the past two days."

"I don't really understand why I hated Momo so much before, and why I even came to this place just to go against Momo."

Mugino Shizuri looked towards the door, then through the window at the busy researchers passing by from time to time, as well as the fully armed hound squad, and said, "This place makes me feel very dangerous, not just the people, but also what they do. The most dangerous one is that second one, Kanemoto Teitoku."

"What they're doing goes beyond simple experiments. The entire Academy City is in chaos right now, and if things aren't handled properly, it could even lead to war."

"If things continue to develop like this, the entire Academy City will likely suffer enormous losses."

Mugino Shizuri said with concern, "Although I also hate that director named Momo, he was only teasing us, and he gave us enough reasons, namely, to grant our wishes and protect us."

"In contrast, all I felt upon arriving here was a chilling cold."

Mugino Shizuri's words clearly demonstrated that she had changed quite a bit. This change surprised Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda, but what they should consider now was the analysis in Mugino Shizuri's words.

"Mugino, do you have any plans? If you do, just tell us. Even if you don't tell us, just give us the orders. You are the leader of Item, and we will follow your orders."

Kinuhata Saiai straightened her small chest to pay her respects to Mugino Shizuri. Frenda, who was lying dead, and Takitsubo Riko, who was still half asleep, also stood up and stood in front of Mugino Shizuri, their faces full of solemnity.

“Mugino,” Frenda said through gritted teeth, “you’re right. Although I also hate that guy named Momo, I’d rather be teased by Momo for a few days than stay here.”

"It's... I can't breathe here."

Riko Takitsubo nodded and said, "The AIM field here has a crazy feel to it. I'm being suppressed by the AIM field here."

The three people successively demonstrated their loyalty. Mugino Shizuri had experienced such scenes before, but this time she was thinking of the three people. The fear and apprehension the three people had towards Mugino Shizuri had disappeared a lot, and what remained was more admiration and respect.

The relationship between the four people has also subtly changed.

Mugino Shizuri's breathing also became slightly heavier, and if you looked closely, it seemed that there was a faint light flickering in her eyes.

"I……"

Mugino Shizuri's voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, rubbing her forehead as she said, "What have I done before... I could have trusted you all long ago and considered you my partners. Why was I so conflicted and wary of you before? Was I crazy back then?"

Mugino Shizuri shook his head, then his gaze hardened, and he said, "Then I'll speak frankly as well."

Mugino Shizuri gently touched the hair clip on her head and said, "We don't know what's going to happen here right now, but what we need to do most right now is to ensure our own safety, not to actually help Emperor Huangen and Momo fight because of my foolish attitude before."

“Academy City is already in chaos, and it might even be destroyed because of this. We may not be righteous people, but we can’t just stand by and watch this happen.”

Frenda was taken aback and said, "Mugino... do you mean we're going to betray you?"

"No, not yet."

Mugino Shizuri shook his head and said, "Let's prioritize our own safety and avoid any real conflict with Momo's side. Then we'll observe the situation. If we're sure we're safe, then we'll see how things go and find an opportunity to help the side that's in the best interest of Academy City."

“After all,” Mugino Shizuri also stood up and said, “Academy City is our home, our world. If one part of Academy City is destroyed, we will lose our only foothold.”

Mugino Shizuri's words sent a chill down the spines of the three girls, but they also revealed the biggest impact of the Academy City separation plan on everyone in Academy City.

That means Academy City is no longer just a city; it has evolved into the only home for everyone in Academy City, and the embodiment of the world in everyone's eyes.

Unless someone is truly insane, who would want to destroy the world they live in?

Author's Note:

P.S.: Two chapters for today, still 15 chapters to go...

Haha, owing to missed updates doesn't matter anymore, I can just...

232 This world is not lacking in madmen.

However, Academy City has never lacked crazy people.

Whether their madness stems from their own dark past or from their humanity driven by self-interest and research, the madmen of Academy City are not only the pillars of Academy City's development, but also bosses waiting to be defeated.

Now, several bosses have gathered here, in this base, working towards what seems to be the same goal.

What kind of consequences will this group of crazy people cause?

Shortly after the Item quartet quietly finalized their operational plan, Kihara Kazuta walked into their break room, tilted his head, and said, "Anbu, get ready to work."

Kihara Kazuta's arrival startled everyone. Mugino Shizuri stood up, her expression seemingly no different from usual, and asked, "What is the mission?"

"Many rats are planning to make a move on us. They're doing it stealthily now, not daring to act directly, but instead they've started eyeing the resources and electricity supply of our research institute."

Kihara Kazuta clenched his fists and said, "Also, you probably don't know yet, but Academy City is in complete chaos."

As he spoke, a greedy, sinister smile crept across Kihara Kazuta's lips. "The chairman's whereabouts are unknown. There are rumors that he's dead. Do you understand what that means?"

Mugino Shizuri and the remaining three girls all gasped in shock. The chairman was dead?

Currently, for everyone in Academy City, Academy City is the whole world, and the chairman of Academy City is undoubtedly the person at the top of Academy City, even more noble than a king or emperor, and in control of everything in Academy City.

And now... the chairman is dead?

Realizing this, Mugino Shizuri and the others quickly understood what the biggest conflict in Academy City was right now.

They are no longer those powerless individuals who suddenly gained abilities and wanted to unleash their boundless energy; nor are they the Imagine Breakers users who, due to excessive use of their abilities, began to faint in large numbers because of excessive computational exhaustion.

Instead, it has become a struggle for ownership of the chairmanship, the highest position in Academy City.

Any ambitious person with a certain level of strength who doesn't want to continue living under someone else's roof would be tempted to make a move at this time.

The board members want to become the chairman, and those under them want to replace him. The desire for power has begun to grow endlessly since the chairman's death. Unless a powerful force comes to an end, this turmoil will never end.

Mugino Shizuri's face was gloomy. On the surface, she was still the same Mugino Shizuri, but in her heart, she was already tired of the life of fighting to the death and her own violent and competitive mentality.

Right now, all Mugino Shizuri wants is to ensure that his Item survives this chaos safely.

However, given the current situation, even she, the fourth-ranked Level 5 in Academy City, is beginning to feel somewhat overwhelmed.

After all, superpowered individuals are merely a fighting force. What's needed to live in Academy City isn't fighting, but order.

Thinking of this, Mugino Shizuri couldn't help but reach up and touch the dog ears on his head. If he were to be protected by that Momo...

"I'm genuinely curious, when did you Item develop this kind of quirk? Have you all lost your minds?"

Kihara Kazuta glanced at the husky ears on Mugino Shizuri's head, but didn't think much of it. In his opinion, it was probably just that the woman was acting crazy.

"I'm here to ask about your decision, what you plan to do next."

Upon hearing this, Mugino Shizuri frowned, realizing what Kihara Kazuta meant.

Looking at Kihara Kazuta, who was eager to act and seemed ready to make his move, she immediately realized that while he was an extremely talented ability researcher and a key figure in discovering and leading Accelerator's ability research, he was also an ambitious man.

Otherwise, he would have focused on developing his abilities like Kihara Gensei, resorting to any means to achieve his research goals, instead of choosing to become the leader of the Hound Corps and Aleister's lackey.

Clearly, Kihara Kazuta was more interested in how to wield greater power and rise to a higher position than in using his talents for research.

"What are the benefits?"

Mugino Shizuri did not directly refuse Kihara Kazuta, after all, she had never been afraid of such matters of interest in the past.

Seeing that Mugino Shizuri did not refuse, Kihara Kazuta grinned and said, "When I become the chairman, you can choose your own lives. Whether it's freedom in the sunlight, becoming the king in the shadows of Academy City, or directly becoming a power holder like a director, it's all fine."

"Mugino Shizuri, I need your fighting strength."

Kihara Kazuta stared intently at Mugino Shizuri, who smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I can't agree to that right now."

Kihara Kazuta's expression vanished, and he said coldly, "Why?"

There's no reason why.

Mugino Shizuri maintained a calm expression, rubbing his dog ears with his fingers, and said, "You're just talking nonsense now. Do you think we Items will risk our lives for you just because of your words? Academy City isn't just controlled by your family. I won't take sides so quickly."

"For now, we at Item will continue our mission of protecting this research institute. Now that these sneaky rats have appeared outside, we'll take care of getting rid of them."

"As for your suggestion, I will consider it once you have established an advantage."

Kihara Kazuta understood what Mugino Shizuri meant; frankly, Mugino Shizuri was only interested in personal gain. And right now, Kihara Kazuta truly couldn't prove to Mugino Shizuri that he would ultimately win.

Kihara Kazuta was merely an opportunist in this upheaval.

“You must understand,” Kihara Kazuta said finally, “that adding flowers to brocade and providing charcoal in the snow have completely different results.”

“You also need to understand,” Mugino Shizuri sneered, “our Item team of four only has one chance to choose. Although your conditions are good, I will not easily use this right to choose.”

Besides, even if we had to choose... given that the conditions are roughly the same, why would we choose you, this middle-aged villain with tattoos on your face? Mo Mo would definitely be a better choice.

Of course, these words only flashed through Mugino Shizuri's mind, and she would never say them aloud.

"Hmph," Kihara Kazuta snorted coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and said, "In that case, come with me. We're about to take action. I'll give you rats some information."