Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

Upon hearing Takitsubo Riko's voice, Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda breathed a sigh of relief. Although they still chose to remain silent, they at least received some comfort.

However, Mugino Shizuri's expression became even more unpleasant, because she sensed the conspiracy at play and felt the despair hidden beneath Takitsubo Riko's surface.

This matter... is definitely not as simple as Takitsubo Rigo said.

If Riko Takitsubo wants to use her abilities normally, she needs to consume body crystals. Each time she consumes a body crystal, it is a devastating blow to Riko Takitsubo's body.

Now, the things that Theristina asked Takitsubo Riko to do actually require first improving Takitsubo Riko's computing power. This means that Takitsubo Riko needs to exert a greater amount of force, so she must also ingest a larger dose of body crystals.

Once the limits of the Body Crystal are exceeded, Takitsubo Riko will face death. As the leader of Item, Mugino Shizuri is well aware of the relationship between Takitsubo Riko and the Body Crystal she ingested.

Riko Takitsubo... is facing death, but for the sake of her companions, she chooses to face death with equanimity.

This incident struck Mugino Shizuri's soul, now transformed into a domestic dog and whose heart had long since softened, like a heavy hammer blow.

How could Mugino Shizuri allow Takitsubo Rigo to die in vain for the sake of the three of them?

Something must be done; we must save Takitsubo Riko, we can't just leave her like this!

But... what should she do? What can she do?

After much thought, Mugino Shizuri came to only one conclusion: she was powerless to do anything about it.

Mugino Shizuri herself was not afraid of the bomb collar around her neck; she could easily turn it to dust in an instant.

However, once her attack is unleashed, even she cannot control it. The dense barrage of atomic collapses would instantly riddle the two girls beside her with holes.

Even if Mugino Shizuri can warn Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda to dodge her attack, if Mugino Shizuri cannot help Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda remove the bombs around their necks at the same time, Theristina, who has been watching the situation, will definitely press the detonator switch without hesitation.

In that case, Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda would still not escape death.

This is a dead end. Mugino Shizuri can't let Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda die just to save Takitsubo Riko, can he?

There was no way... absolutely no way. At least in her opinion, this was an unsolvable situation.

What should I do!

What should we do?!

Takitsubo Rigo... that child, that seemingly silly but actually incredibly clingy child who craves care, has decided to die for the three of them. And Mugino Shizuri, as the leader of the four girls, is he just going to sit here and do nothing?

Moreover, sitting here... I doubt it will end well for me.

Mugino Shizuri distrusted Academy City's researchers, especially those with the surname Kihara, from the bottom of his heart.

Despair gripped Mugino Shizuri's heart, and her breathing became increasingly rapid. For the first time, Mugino Shizuri felt utterly powerless, utterly helpless. Was there really no way out?

She was willing to pay any price to save Takitsubo Rigo and the two children beside her.

No matter the cost!

Even if it meant exchanging herself for it, risking her life... wait?

A sudden jolt ran through him; Mugino Shizuri seemed to have realized something.

She reached out and touched the husky ears on her head, a gift from Momo. It was still a long way from the fifteen-day period she was supposed to wear them, so she had to keep them on.

This ear-licking caused her a lot of trouble, attracted countless stares, and greatly diminished Mugino Shizuri's authority as the Item captain, but Mugino Shizuri no longer cared about any of it.

She doesn't care about anything as long as she can save her Item.

And so, Mugino Shizuri finally remembered Momo, and the day that had filled him with such rage. On that day, Mugino Shizuri had almost gone mad in his pursuit of victory, but Momo had treated victory as nothing, and their contest ended in farce.

Mugino Shizuri not only gained the ears on his head, but also Momo's promise, a promise that was almost a protection, a promise to grant Mugino Shizuri and the others a wish, a wish that a director could fulfill.

That's not all. Not long ago, Misaki Shokuhou, who caused trouble for the Item quartet, further explained the significance of this ear. It could provide much greater protection, and even save the Item quartet from dire straits.

Such a promise suddenly burst forth in Mugino Shizuri's heart. Although she didn't quite believe that Momo could extend his reach into this laboratory, what if...?

Like clutching at a last straw, Mugino Shizuri placed her hand on the hair clip; it was time for her to make a decision.

Should we choose to accept Momo's protection?

Should you become Momo's lover and sacrifice your own body to save your three companions?

Recalling Takitsubo Riko's determination, Mugino Shizuri steeled his resolve and made up his mind as well.

Author's Note:

P.S.: Don't even think about lying to me about the 1000 updates I promised! It's definitely not 1000! I need to think about how much I owe...

243 That was just a joke

Mugino Shizuri reached out and grasped her husky hair clip.

According to Momo, if she decides to stop wearing the hair clip, it will trigger another contract between them: she will become Momo's lover and be protected by him.

She wasn't sure exactly what Mugino Shizuri should do. She had checked it before, and besides some strange mechanical structures, the husky hair clip contained some sensors that Mugino Shizuri couldn't understand.

Mugino Shizuri had initially intended to investigate and figure out how this thing worked, as its effects were truly unbelievable to him. However, he couldn't study it without damaging the strange hair clip, so he had to abandon the idea and leave it at that.

Now, Mugino Shizuri had made up her mind. Under the puzzled gazes of Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda, she slowly tightened her fingers, seemingly intending to remove the hair clip.

"Mugino!"

Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda's expressions changed drastically, and they exclaimed in surprise. Mugino Shizuri, however, had a serious expression and said, "Shut up and rest quietly!"

Mugino Shizuri seemed to have reverted to his harsh and cold self, instantly silencing Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda. However, while feeling icy cold all over, the two also sensed a warm flame emanating from Mugino Shizuri.

Mugino Shizuri... wanted to save them, and in order to save them, she was willing to sacrifice herself and seek help from that despicable Momo.

"I can manage on my own. I'll test the waters first, so please don't bother me."

Faced with Mugino Shizuri's determination, Frenda and Kinuhata Saiai fell silent and lowered their heads. Though outwardly quiet, their hearts burned with a raging inferno of powerless pain.

Everyone craves power, and Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda, as members of Item, are no exception. Originally ordinary girls, if they hadn't encountered darkness they couldn't resist, and hadn't possessed the power to fight against it all, how could they have become members of that darkness?

Now, even Mugino Shizuri, whom they admire and envy, has reached a point of helplessness and can only ask others for help...

This feeling seemed to transport them back to the moment they fell into darkness, allowing them to relive that feeling of helplessness.

While Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda were enjoying their exhaustion, Mugino Shizuri suddenly changed her expression. She had imagined many possible scenarios and wondered how Momo would fulfill his promise. However, she never expected that Momo's voice would suddenly appear in her ear.

"I'm so glad, Ms. Mugino Shizuri, that you've finally fallen for me and are planning to become my lover?"

"Oh, right, you just need to communicate with me using your thoughts, you don't need to actually say it out loud, because your situation is really bad."

Mugino Shizuri was taken aback. He forced himself to calm down, then seemed to realize something, and his face turned red.

"You bastard, does this thing have a surveillance function? Have you been monitoring my every move, my words, and my actions all along?!"

"Could it be... that you were watching me while I was showering and sleeping? You lecherous monster, I'll kill you one day!"

The thought of being watched by that bastard Mo Mo these past few days made Mugino Shizuri feel a burning rage within her. The flames scorched her, leaving her weak and her breathing heavy.

That alone would have been fine, but Mugino Shizuri remembered the feeling of extreme contrast between ice and fire that she experienced when Momo and Best worked together that day.

Filled with shame and indignation, Mugino Shizuri really wanted to use his ability to destroy something to vent his anger.

"Ahem," Mo Mo coughed and said, "Don't worry, Ms. Mugino Shizuri, I would never be so shameless, would I? How could I possibly do something like that?"

Mo Mo isn't a peeping tom, so why would she keep checking on Mugino Shizuri's condition?

“I have a lot of things to do, and I have beautiful girls by my side. I value them more than wasting my time on you.”

“Also,” Mo Mo’s voice softened, “this hair clip actually has the function of shallow consciousness connection. It’s not just about telepathic communication; I can also sense some of your intense thoughts.”

"ah!"

Upon hearing this, Mugino Shizuri exclaimed in surprise, drawing astonished and suspicious glances from Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda. Mugino Shizuri kept a straight face, maintaining her icy expression, but she truly didn't want to think about it any further.

"What exactly do you want?!"

Mugino Shizuri's voice was filled with anger, but also with unease and anxiety. She desperately needed the power to save everyone from Momo; if Momo was merely toying with them, then Mugino Shizuri would truly be left with no way out.

"Ahem, okay, I won't joke around anymore."

Mo Mo's voice suddenly turned serious. "I have a general understanding of the situation on your side. And I think we both know why you came to me, so I can tell you the result directly."

"Right now, we will not directly attack Huan Gendi's research institute. We need to wait for a while before we can take action, for the sake of our etiquette."

Mugino Shizuri's pupils contracted, and he said, "But this is the best opportunity! Kanemoto Teitoku hasn't woken up, and you've defeated everyone here. You also have a powerful Devil Fruit user like Accelerator. If you act now, you can crush this place immediately!"

“That’s right,” Mo Mo said with an undeniable firmness, “However, unfortunately, we are seeking greater benefits, benefits that are far beyond what defeating a sleeping emperor like Huan Gendi can bring.”

Mo Mo's words almost instantly extinguished Mugino Shizuri's hopes, causing her heart to sink to the bottom. A feeling of grievance welled up in her heart, making her want to cry.

For the first time, she faced an insurmountable difficulty; for the first time, she harbored the mindset of sacrificing herself to save her companions; for the first time, she planned to sacrifice herself and give herself to a man for someone else. Was this the ending she would get?

Just when Mugino Shizuri thought her last glimmer of hope had turned into despair, a sigh came from Momo's side. The soft breathing startled Mugino Shizuri, because she felt a gentle feeling coming from Momo.

Although I don't understand what's going on, it's probably just like what Mo Mo just said: the two of them can now sense each other's superficial emotions.

"Although I heard from Misaki Shokuhou that you had changed, I didn't confirm it until I saw it with my own eyes."

Mugino Shizuri was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Since you've changed, I naturally won't communicate with you in the same way as before. Please allow me to apologize first. I wouldn't do something so blatant to someone who is kind-hearted and acts like an older sister."

"What exactly does that mean?!"

Mugino Shizuri was even more confused, but a surge of hope welled up inside her. She sensed that Momo might bring a turning point for Item.

"To put it simply, forget our previous agreement. If you were still the mad dog-like Mugino Shizuri of the past, I would naturally try to make you remember me with drastic measures. But as the Mugino Shizuri you are now, I'll just say it directly."

Before Mugino Shizuri could ask anything more, a massive amount of information flooded her mind: Momo's invitation to the Hall of Heroes. If Mugino Shizuri accepted, she would also become Momo's Heroic Spirit.

Mugino Shizuri's face turned ashen due to the overwhelming thoughts swirling within her. It took her a long time to finally understand what had happened. The doubts that had been nagging at her were now resolved, and she did indeed see hope in saving herself and Item.

However, for some reason, Mugino Shizuri felt a faint sense of loss. Because she had finally realized that Mo Mo's suggestion of making her his lover was merely a tactic to provoke her.

"Heroic Spirits... You approached us and did those things just so that we, Items, could become such heroic spirits to serve you?"

"That's true."

"So the danger we're facing now was all something you foresaw? You put dog ears on us just so you could wait until this moment to threaten us with real danger?"

"how is this possible?"

Mo Mo chuckled and denied it, saying, "I don't have the means to predict the future, nor am I a god descended to earth. Naturally, I don't know what you will encounter. The reason I did those things before was simply because I wanted to forcefully get closer to you."

"As for the husky ears on your head, besides the fact that I feel they really suit you and make you look cute, I just wanted Mugino Shizuri to be a little gentler in her daily actions and to make you less irritable. Otherwise, I wouldn't have accepted you as a Heroic Spirit."

"Now, I've said everything I needed to say, Ms. Mugino Shizuri. What's your answer? I'm not forcing you; this is simply your own choice."

"Actually, you can think of me as a businessman. Right now, it's not convenient for us to save you, but I can offer you a way out. As a price, you've seen the obligation of becoming a Heroic Spirit."