I was the fourth disaster in Yokohama and was loved by everyone.

Fukuzawa Yukichi nodded, still with his usual serious expression: "Hello."

Okay, it seems the quest cannot be triggered. Zhu Yu manipulates the little figure to walk away.

"Wait a minute, Miss Kuko." Ranpo called out to her, and when he saw her turn around and run back, the smile on his face vanished instantly like the receding tide, and his speech slowed down.

"Are you aware that the Port Mafia is spying on you?"

Chapter 17 unlocks the local faction encyclopedia~

In a dark and damp basement room, the dim yellow light flickered, as if it might go out at any moment. Dazai Osamu sat casually in a chair, propping his head up with one hand, staring blankly at the spots on the wall.

A series of regular knocks broke the silence.

“Mr. Dazai.” A member of the Port Mafia pushed open the door and entered.

The member's voice trembled as he tried to remain calm: "The people we sent to keep watch outside the dessert shop were driven away by that detective from the Armed Detective Agency."

He secretly glanced up to observe Dazai Osamu's reaction, only to see the other man raise an eyebrow slightly, a look of interest on his face.

"Oh? He was kicked out..." Dazai Osamu asked softly, a hint of curiosity in his voice, "How did he manage that?"

The member swallowed hard and continued, "That detective seemed to see right through our people. He walked up to the monitor, said a few words, and our people slunk back. They didn't go into details about what they said."

Dazai Osamu suddenly chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the basement and sending a shiver down the spines of the members.

“That famous detective has extraordinary insight, so it’s not surprising that he discovered it.” He played with the broken listening device in his hand, then casually tossed it into the pile of discarded listening devices in the corner.

Ah... this one's useless too. The bugging device planted in that dessert shop will definitely break down within a day.

Dazai withdrew his gaze, seemingly deep in thought, and after a moment said, "Let them remove the surveillance; there's no need to go there again."

Then he waved his hand, signaling the members to step down.

The door closed again, and the room returned to silence, leaving only Dazai Osamu sitting quietly in his chair, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the walls and see into the distance.

*

Congratulations on unlocking the local Yokohama faction: the Port Mafia

This is a vicious criminal organization that has taken over Yokohama, using violence as its weapon and profit as its bait.

It is a louse hidden in a gorgeous brocade robe, exuding an aura of decay and mystery; it is also the guardian of the city's dark side, a sanctuary for those forgotten by the light.

Are you ready to unveil its secrets and explore the blood and tears hidden in the darkness?

"The Port Mafia?" Zhu Yu repeated, somewhat puzzled. She quickly racked her brains, but found no recollection of it. She shook her head and denied it, "I don't know."

Although sometimes you might see a few red-named characters in black suits loitering outside the dessert shop, players aren't monsters; they'll just rush up and beat up any red-named characters they see.

"You must have caught their leader's attention." He frowned slightly. "He suspects you're a superhuman and wants to recruit you. Be careful of the dark-skinned guy!"

Zhu Yu nodded obediently. Although she didn't know what the little detective was talking about, he was always concerned about the players!

"You..." Ranpo opened his mouth as if to say something more, but swallowed the words back and said dejectedly, "If he forces you to join the Port Mafia, the president and I will help you~ If you really run into any trouble, remember to ask us for help."

Zhu Yu blinked, making Ranbu's words a lasting memory.

Oh, the players are moved to tears.

The little detective is so caring!

Zhu Yu's eyes sparkled, making Luan Bu uncomfortable and turn his head away.

"Wait a minute!" Zhu Yu rushed to the glass cabinet, took out two full trays of cakes, ran back in a hurry, put the cakes down, and pushed them in front of the two of them.

"Thank you, it's on you."

Ranpo's eyes widened suddenly, his gaze sparkling with childlike excitement as he gripped the spoon, eager to eat. "President, this is Miss Kuko's gift! We can't waste it!"

Seeing that Ranpo was eager to start eating but had to suppress his desire due to the "dessert restriction order," Fukuzawa Yukichi's originally serious face softened considerably, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved into a faint arc.

"This is a one-time opportunity; do not overeat or move erratically."

"Yay!" Ranpo raised his hands high, cheering and jumping for joy, "Long live the president!"

Fukuzawa Yukichi preferred traditional Japanese sweets, but he didn't want to refuse Zhu Yu's kindness, so he also tasted the tiramisu she brought. The cream was delicate and smooth, and not as sweet as he had imagined.

Surprisingly delicious.

The tiramisu was quickly devoured.

He put down his fork and, while Ranpo was struggling with his dessert, began to talk to Zhu Yu.

He was genuinely curious about how Zhu Yu and Ranbu had met.

Zhu Yu answered truthfully: "Ah, it was on my way to collect trash... (several words about the encounter are omitted here)"

Upon hearing the first sentence, Fukuzawa Yukichi's brows furrowed slightly, until Zhu Yu finished recounting how the two met.

His eyes were filled with complex emotions as he asked, "Are you short of money?"

Zhu Yu thought about her million-dollar debt. Although she had already paid back 100,000, she was still far from being able to pay off the debt.

Thinking of this, she suddenly felt dejected: "I'm very poor."

Edogawa Ranpo suddenly poked his head out from the pile of desserts, with cream still on his lips: "President, don't get the wrong idea, Kuko is just picking up trash as a hobby!"

"But it's true that we're poor." After saying that, he continued to bury himself in the pile of desserts.

So, are the NPCs trying to help the players? Zhu Yu selectively ignored the little detective's hurtful words.

"I want to make money. How can I make money quickly?" she asked politely.

The afterglow of the sunset shone through the glass, casting warm yellow light and shadows that enveloped the little girl. She looked no more than thirteen years old, with her jet-black hair casually tied into a low ponytail, a few strands falling beside her cheeks, making her small face appear even more childlike.

He is still a child who should be in school.

"Ku-ko." Fukuzawa Yukichi deliberately used a more intimate form of address, his voice steady and gentle. He leaned forward slightly and clasped his hands together. "Although I don't know if you will find it presumptuous, I can sponsor your schooling if you are willing."

As he said this, a hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes, as if he could already see her relaxed and carefree on campus.

Considering that Zhu Yu is already able to support himself at such a young age, he must be very proud. Therefore, he added, "Of course, this is not charity, but an investment. If possible, after you have completed your studies, I hope you can work at the Armed Detective Agency for a period of time."

Congratulations on unlocking the Yokohama local faction: Armed Detective Agency

The guardian of twilight, the everlasting lighthouse.

It resembles a brilliant star high in the sky from ancient mythology, dispelling darkness with its own radiance and infusing the soul of this city with the power of hope.

Along with this encyclopedia unlock hint, the following also appeared:

[The president of the Armed Detective Agency, Fukuzawa Yukichi, wants to sponsor your schooling so you can work at the agency after graduation. You decide—(Please note that different choices will lead to different story branches, so choose carefully!)]

Chapter 18: We're setting sail tonight!

A. "I love learning! Please let me go to school!"

B. "Sorry, studying won't save Yokohama people, I'm setting sail tonight~"

C. He pushed the two out of the shop, leaving behind a lonely and aloof figure: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. I just want to live my life as an ordinary person."

Go to school? What kind of school?

Although going to school in a game sounds interesting, this is the time for her to be ambitious and enterprising, so how can she let something as trivial as going to school hinder her progress!

And... Armed Detective Agency? Judging from the name, they're supposed to be private detectives. She's not very interested in deduction and crime-solving; she prefers mindless, hand-to-hand combat games.

Without hesitation, she said, "Sorry, studying won't save the people of Yokohama. I'm setting sail tonight!"

"And... I really don't want to go to school." She asked again earnestly, "How can I make money quickly?"

Mrs. Nakamori had mentioned sponsoring her schooling, but due to her undocumented status and personal wishes, she stayed to work at the dessert shop.

Seeing that the dessert shop was doing very well, Mrs. Nakamori generously gave it to her, saying that once her immigration status was resolved, she would register the shop in her name.

So, in a sense, the dessert shop is also Zhu Yu's property. She cherishes her property very much!

Unfortunately, the dessert shop's revenue was still within a normal range, which was not enough for her to become rich overnight and pay off her debts.

#How to get rich overnight? I need help urgently!#

*

Zhu Yu's words caused Fukuzawa Yukichi's mind to freeze for a moment. After thinking about it carefully, he finally understood what Zhu Yu meant.

Fukuzawa Yukichi: ...This child has a really unique way of speaking.

"Hey, Miss Kuko." Ranpo, finally finished with his dessert, spoke up with a clear and loud voice, breaking the silence in the dessert shop, "I have a brilliant idea that will definitely make you a fortune!"

Zhu Yu's eyes lit up, and she sat up straight expectantly.

Ranpo proudly waved the spoon in his hand and said, "You can go catch wanted criminals! Those wanted criminals have huge bounties on their heads."

As he spoke, he gestured animatedly: "The detective agency is short-handed and can't catch all the wanted fugitives, but you're different. You don't have to worry about your fighting skills. You cooperate with the detective agency, they provide you with clues, and you're responsible for catching the wanted criminals."

"The payment will be split 20/80, you get 80% and we get 20%. The payment will be deposited directly into your account, so you won't have to deal with the police and it will prevent your being an unregistered resident from being exposed."

Ranbu chuckled slyly, as if he could already see the future where Zhu Yu and the Armed Detective Agency would reap huge bounties together.

Oh dear, although the Armed Detective Agency is not short of money, who would complain about having too much money!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu's eyes widened instantly, a mixture of excitement and hesitation in her expression: Catching wanted criminals? That sounds intriguing, and it could even be a good way to level up, but then again, you have to share the profits with others! However, cooperating with the Armed Detective Agency would certainly be much more convenient...

Fukuzawa Yukichi, who had been listening silently, frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "Ranpo's suggestion is somewhat risky, but it is not impossible."

Rather than letting this child go down a path of crime, it would be better to start by catching wanted criminals and gradually guide her back to the right path.

He looked at her with unwavering eyes. "Capturing wanted criminals is indeed dangerous, but it's also a great opportunity to hone your abilities. In real combat, you can better master and utilize your skills."

More importantly, it allows you to learn in practice how to properly use this power to punish evil and promote good.

Fukuzawa Yukichi left his unsaid words unspoken, only hoping that things would develop in that direction in the future.

Now that things have come to this point, how can players possibly refuse to spend their money?

Zhu Yu's eyes sharpened instantly, and she said decisively, "Ninety-one points."

"Okay, deal!" Ranpo agreed without hesitation almost instantly.

Zhu Yu: Σ(▼□▼メ) You agreed so quickly!

Damn it, there's always this feeling that players' little schemes have nowhere to hide!

Of course, putting everything else aside, the atmosphere among the three was still very harmonious, like a calm stream flowing under the warm spring sun, gentle and harmonious.

On this day, the two sides held friendly consultations on the matter of "cooperation and win-win in apprehending wanted criminals" and reached an agreement on the final result, perfectly facilitating cooperation between the two sides.

On this very day, the renowned "Kihime Senra" from the underworld was born.

(Zhu Yu, who later learned of this nickname: ??? I mean, Japanese people, don't be so childish.)

*

In an inconspicuous alley in Yokohama, sunlight is fragmented into tiny spots by the skyscrapers, scattering across the mottled ground.

Zhu Yu's steps were light yet firm, as if each step was in time. She casually kicked away an empty can rolling at her feet, and the rusty pull tab was immediately rolled into the sewer by vines sprouting from the crack in the ground.

This is a gray area sandwiched between the city center and the slums. Many people with unclear identities or those involved in organized crime choose to settle here. It is a "no man's land" that the military and police find difficult to reach.

She looked up and saw a yellow striped shirt hanging on the third-floor balcony of a dilapidated apartment building. The house looked ordinary, but it was her destination.

She slowly climbed the stairs to the door of the room, stared at the dark peephole, and knocked: "Hello, I'm here to check the water meter."

"Who are you? Get out!" came an impatient voice from behind the door.

Okay, the players don't want to act anymore either.

She shouted, "I'm your dad!" and tossed a few seeds through the crack in the door.

The next moment, accompanied by the man's terrified scream, the entire wall suddenly came to life and bulged up, the door was blown away, and it hit the man behind the door, making him see stars.

The plant roots wove green shackles, tightly binding the man, who let out a trapped beast-like roar within the plant cage. Zhu Yu strolled over unhurriedly, and with two loud "bang bang" punches, knocked the man unconscious. Then, he took out a rope and tied the man up tightly.

Just as the sound of sirens came from downstairs, Zhu Yu retrieved the plants entangled on the wall, jumped out of the window, and just missed the police officers who were rushing to the scene after receiving a tip-off.

I took out my phone and sent a message to the Armed Detective Agency: "Work's done!"

Zhu Yu studied the map, darting through the alleys like a nimble fish, taking shortcuts to get back to the shop.

Just before stepping into the store, she took off her prop, the glasses with a mysterious sealing technique, and to outsiders, she reverted to the familiar image of Umekawa Kuko.