I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Heiemon—the name that Aoto copied from the birthmarked face of the "Wind Sensory One".

After fiercely complaining and cursing the oil that failed to protect them, and the fox and cat monks who caused all the oil they purchased to vanish, Jinno put on a stern face again.

"Lord Rakshasa, our anti-barbarian group is about to implement a plan that requires a large amount of oil."

"The kerosene we bought from Heiemon and the others has all been used up, and we can only find other ways to raise new kerosene."

“Currently, the Southern and Northern Magistrates’ Offices in Edo and the fire-fighting thieves are strictly monitoring the buying and selling of oil. It will be difficult for our Extermination Group to collect enough oil in a short period of time on its own.”

"Therefore, I would like to ask for your help. Please help us raise 150 bottles of kerosene within 7 days if possible. The price is negotiable!"

Rakshasa narrowed his eyes slightly, a thoughtful and intriguing light flashing beneath his eyelids.

"...Kano-kun, it's no problem for us to help you collect kerosene."

"but--"

Rakshasa changed the subject.

"I need to know what plan you intend to implement first."

"I need to decide whether to help you based on the content of your plan."

"After all, at my core... I'm a businessman."

Rakshasa grinned, revealing a smile that made people feel uneasy.

“We never do anything that is a losing proposition that does us no good.”

When Rakshasa asked him to reveal the plan their anti-barbarian group was preparing to carry out, which required a large amount of oil, a shadow of hesitation crossed Kamino's eyes.

However, the hesitation in his eyes vanished quite quickly. A moment later, Kamino took a deep breath and said softly:

"……I see."

……

Kamino described their plan in a calm and measured tone.

The quiet listening of Rasetsu and the others left only Kanna's voice echoing in the spacious tea room.

About half an incense stick later, Jinno finished explaining their plan.

As Kamino finished speaking, Rasetsu and the others showed drastically different expressions.

Shimizu Eiichi frowned deeply.

Kamaitachi glanced at Kamano a few more times with a look of surprise.

Rakshasa was taken aback for a moment, then laughed loudly.

"Hahaha! Not bad, Kamino-kun, you guys are pretty bold, actually planning to attack that place!"

"Interesting! Interesting!"

The Rakshasa, laughing heartily, clapped his hands vigorously several times.

"Okay! I approve! We'll help you collect the kerosene!"

"Rongyi".

Rakshasa tilted his head and looked at Shimizu Eiichi, who was sitting behind him on his right.

After the Rakshasa looked over, Shimizu Eiichi quickly and humbly placed his hands on the ground and bowed his body.

"Kano-kun wants us to help them collect 150 bottles of kerosene within 7 days... Do you have a way to accomplish this task?"

Shimizu Eiichi's lips curled into a confident smile:

“Lord Rakshasa, this mission is far too easy for our ‘Clear Water Clan’.”

"Others fear the magistrate's office, the fire department, and thieves, but we 'Shimizu clan' have nothing to fear."

"Not 7 days, just 5 days... no, just 4 days! I can present you with 150 brand-new bottles of kerosene!"

"Hmm." Rakshasa nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, then I'll leave this matter to you."

"Yes!" Shimizu Eiichi lowered his head and loudly agreed.

With a grateful expression, Kanno followed closely behind Shimizu Eiichi and bowed deeply to Rasetsu: "Lord Rasetsu, thank you for your help! I will certainly repay the purchase funds in full..."

Before Shenye could finish speaking, Luosha waved her hand, interrupting him: "No need for money. I won't take a penny of this kerosene."

"Are you going to give us all this kerosene?" Kamino was stunned.

"Anyway, this little bit of kerosene won't cost much." Rakshasa propped up his head with one arm again. "However... it wouldn't be accurate to say that I'm giving all this kerosene away for free."

"I also have my own conditions."

“Kano-kun, after we’ve helped you collect the oil for free, you must carry out your plan faithfully.”

"I'm really looking forward to your big plan!"

That unsettling smile reappeared on Rakshasa's cheeks.

"I decided to help you collect oil because I was looking forward to seeing you burn that area to ashes."

"So... don't let me find out you took the things and didn't do the job."

Throughout his entire speech, Rakshasa did not utter a single threatening word. On the contrary, he stated that his tone had been consistently friendly.

But even such kind words made a bead of cold sweat appear on Jinno's forehead.

"That's natural! Our anti-barbarian group has been preparing for this plan for a long time!"

"To burn that hateful region to the ground is our long-cherished wish!"

"If we could, our Extermination Group would burn that area down today and kill everyone who lives there!"

Rakshasa smiled and nodded: "That's good."

At this moment, Rakshasa seemed to remember something and began to smile meaningfully.

"Kano-kun, when you attacked the Banshu Investigation Office, you got humiliated by that Tachibana Aoto again. I thought you would take fierce revenge on Tachibana Aoto afterward, but I didn't expect you to do nothing... That surprises me."

Upon hearing the name "Tachibana Aoto," Jinno's pupils immediately contracted slightly, and his expression changed drastically.

"...After the battle at the Banshu Investigation Bureau, I did consider launching a sharp revenge against Tachibana Seito," Jinno said slowly in a deep voice, "but I ultimately held back that thought."

"Compared to the great cause of our Extermination Group, what is little Tachibana Aoto!"

"After the failed raid on the barbarian brothel, our anti-barbarian group has been weakened considerably. We must not waste our precious manpower and resources on things that can be dealt with temporarily."

"Mobilizing forces to retaliate against Tachibana Seiden would only result in losing more than you gain."

"As long as we can accomplish our great task of eliminating the barbarians, I can endure anything, whether it's Ju Qingdeng or anything else!"

After speaking, Shinno, who was glaring angrily, suddenly had a glint in his eyes—a glint of "madness" and "obsession" surged wildly in his pupils.

Seeing Jinno's expression, Rasetsu's already wide grin widened even further—his expression was as if he had witnessed some incredibly beautiful scenery.

……

……

After watching Kamino leave, the large tea room returned to just the three of them.

"...He actually wanted to attack that place...what a madman." Shimizu Sakae kept staring in the direction Jinno had left.

"Heh heh." Rakshasa chuckled a few times. "Eiichi, acting boldly and recklessly is one of the few good qualities of Kamino-kun."

Rakshasa picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip of the tea, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.

As he put the teacup back in its place, he turned his head and looked at the weasel beside him.

"Kamaitachi".

"What are you doing?" Kamaitachi glared back at Rakshasa with an unfriendly expression.

"Since you're free anyway, I'll give you a task—to secretly protect Kamino-kun."

"Concealment is your specialty, and this mission is perfect for you."

"Huh?" Kamaitachi's face suddenly darkened. "Protect that Kamino? Why?"

“Because I admire Jinno-kun quite a bit.” Rasetsu smiled calmly. “As you know, I love talent the most. When I see a valuable talent, I always want to bring him under my wing.”

"The South and North Magistrate Offices in Edo, along with the thieves Kai, are conducting a vigorous search for the Extermination Group. Although Mr. Kanno has done a good job of keeping secrets, and the Magistrate Offices and the thieves Kai have not yet discovered the Extermination Group's stronghold, even the best-laid plans can have oversights."

"It would be a pity if such a talented person died too early."

"So you'll go and secretly protect Kamino-kun for me. Just make sure he doesn't die, and you can do whatever you want with him."

Kamaitachi stared intently at Rasetsu's face, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

About two breaths later, he stood up with a "whoosh" and looked down at the Rakshasa from his high position.

"Rakshasa, who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to order me around? Do you think you're Lord Orochi or Lord Ootengu?"

The atmosphere in the tea room suddenly became suffocating.

*******

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It's almost the end of the month! I need your monthly votes! I need your recommendation votes! Please, everyone, cast all your remaining monthly votes for this seal! (Seal crying.jpg)

Can any readers guess what place Jinno and his group are planning to attack? PS: The place Jinno and his group are planning to attack is a place that appeared in previous storylines.

Please vote for me! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 167 Mr. Orange! Let's go try out Western women! [7100]

Shimizu Eiichi stared in astonishment at the suddenly leaping Kamaitachi, then instinctively looked at Rasetsu.

The Rakshasa's reaction... was extremely calm.

He calmly raised his gaze to meet the eyes of the Kamaitachi, who was staring down at him with a detached expression, as if he had expected the Kamaitachi to respond in this way.

"Why should I give you orders?" Rakshasa repeated the question that Kamaitachi had just posed in a low voice. "Because you were transferred to my service by Lord Orochi due to a mistake you made. Is that reason enough?"

"Don't you dare try to intimidate me with Lord Orochi!" Kamaitachi waved his hand impatiently, several veins bulging on the side of his neck from the force of his roar. "I only obey Lord Orochi and Lord Ōtakemaru! Everyone else, no matter how high your rank or how strong you are, don't try to boss me around!"

The weasel's roars grew louder and louder, making the atmosphere in the tea room increasingly tense.

Faced with this sudden change, Shimizu Eiichi could not hide the growing astonishment on his face.