Female Swordsman Training Dojo

That said, are these three people really the same three people from before?

Looking at the three people, some gentle and quiet, some heroic and dashing, and some clever and quirky, Tsuruhara Shigeshige always felt a sense of unreality.

Were those three people, exuding murderous intent and whose every strike was deadly, covered in blood, really them?

Tokyoites are terrifying—

The author says:

Author's note: I ended up playing some adult games. How come there are so many NTR scenes in BYD's adult games? The Japanese are really perverted.

Chapter 260: It was all done by the Tongxin Society

After obtaining Harunobu's permission, Tsuruhara Shigeshige fled the black market as quickly as if his pants were on fire, and he would definitely spread the news about what happened there afterward... Even if he kept his mouth shut, the matter would still get out.

Because the commotion was just too loud. The fight between Hirako and her two companions against the black market thugs was noisy enough, but then there were gunshots and the sound of the fire bull monster charging around. Not to mention the thunderous sound when Hirako and her companions unleashed their power; this "side effect" of Thunder Breathing was truly deafening in Asakusa and the surrounding districts.

It won't be long before the area is packed with people coming to watch the spectacle.

Under these circumstances, it would be unrealistic to try to block the news. Besides, judging from Miss Fox's straightforward approach, she didn't even intend to block the news—otherwise, she could have brought more ninjas or used a soundproofing spell more directly.

"So, what else do you want to do?"

Harunobu habitually stroked the kitten's still somewhat dry hair. "Or can I go now?"

"Almost done." Shiranui Ran said, prying open a nailed wooden crate with her bare hands, and took out a fine, brand-new rifle that still gleamed with oil. She nodded in satisfaction.

“You wouldn’t be thinking of…” Harunobu guessed, but before he could finish, Shiranui Ran interrupted, “That’s right, I’m going to try sniping, the target is a naval general.”

"As expected." Harunobu said while stroking the kitten's head, "I won't ask why the target is a Marine, but do you have to go through all this trouble to kill someone?"

"Killing is just a means to an end. Going straight over and slitting his throat won't achieve the result I want." Shiranui Ran explained frankly, "I want to make those idiots who are only in their fifties or sixties but think no one is smarter than me realize reality and know that their so-called shooting experience is nothing but a piece of waste paper."

At this point, Harunobu understood.

Clearly, Miss Fox's large-scale counter-sniping strategy was being opposed by some people—presumably from the military. After all, let alone in this era, even in the era of her past life, sniping with a rifle at 5,000 meters was a legendary level of difficulty.

—Unless it's a "sniper rifle" with a three-digit caliber.

Single-shot, can be aimed, large caliber, it's a sniper rifle.

But this world contains not only science but also metaphysics, so the world and its constitution cannot be generalized.

After explaining her motives, Shiranui Ran jumped onto the rooftop on the left side of the alley and assumed a less-than-perfect shooting stance.

Then, she took a deep breath and began to cast a spell. Blue, red, gold… multicolored lights lit up one after another until they engulfed Shiranui Ran's entire body, at which point the dazzling light show finally stopped. And the instant it stopped, a gunshot rang out from the alleyway, which had been filled with a low, mournful wail.

The brass bullet, gleaming with cyan and red light, flew from the solidified earthen yellow and azure blue barrel, leaving a straight, dazzling tongue in the air like a shooting star. The sturdy [King Kong], propelled by the [Train], violently rubbed against the air; however, the [Clean Wind] and [Damp Water] silenced the otherwise incredibly sharp noise, so the bullet emitted only a slight whistling sound, precisely piercing through the small square of the izakaya's carved window, striking the head of the current naval rear admiral who was drinking heartily while being fawned over by a courtesan.

【Burning Flame】Ignites the moment the bullet hits the target. When the bullet passes through the rear admiral's head, his body is burned to a black skeleton, and everything else turns into black semi-colloidal material on the floor and the skeleton.

Moreover, it was very environmentally friendly and did not harm anything else. Even the courtesan lying on top of him was not burned in the slightest. As for the psychological trauma of having a living person's head blown off and burned to a skeleton in front of her, one can only hope that she has a strong enough mentality.

To become the top courtesan, one must have a certain level of mental fortitude, at least enough to withstand pressure.

From the alleyway of the black market to Tsuruya, Yoshiwara's most famous izakaya, there's a distance of about 3,200 meters. However, due to the building height and terrain, there are few obstacles in between, allowing for a straight path. That's why Shiranui Ran chose this location.

Now, with the [Heavenly Eye] empowered, Shiranui Ran watched with satisfaction as the fat, big-eared general was burned to the last drop of oil, then broke the rifle in her hand, threw it into the pool of blood in the alley, and jumped back in front of Harunobu.

"Alright, all done. Next, we should send out messages condemning the Tongxin Society." Shiranui Ran clapped her hands with a smile. "Despicable, hateful, evil, and ungrateful reactionaries, the non-national organization Tongxin Society, on the auspicious day of the Emperor's Tenran Shigatse, have committed a shocking and despicable act..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking." Qingxin quickly interrupted the righteous and outspoken fox lady, "What about these survivors? And with a general dead, soul searching is quite possible, isn't it?"

"?" Miss Fox tilted her head, correcting Qingxin's mistake. "What do you mean by 'alive'? These are all accomplices of the Tongxin Society. We are righteous people who came to stop their conspiracy. After their desperate resistance failed, they stubbornly committed suicide by taking poison. The poison was swift and potent, even dissolving their souls..."

The black market thugs and merchants who were originally wailing have all shut their mouths, but their bodies are trembling as if they are running naked in the freezing cold.

Qingxin was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "You seem to be going a bit too far."

"I'm a ninja, after all." Shiranui Ran shrugged lightly. "Killing witnesses is a skill that every ninja must master."

"That's not what I meant." Harunobu shook his head. "I meant to be more careful next time."

Chapter 283

In certain situations, there might be children present.

Little Eta, the information broker, blinked, looking innocently at Shiranui Ran.

Shiranui Ran's lips twitched, and she tapped Tsuchimikado Haru on the head with her other hand: "Look at other people's kids!"

"???"

After slacking off for a whole day, Tsuchimikado Haru finally came in handy. He had set up a large magic circle with fresh human blood and flesh, but he was full of questions. However, he dared not object to Shiranui Ran and could only pout in grievance.

Finally, with the sound of hurried footsteps and police whistles—walkie-talkies were not common at this time, and there were no sirens; the police used whistles as a means of warning and short-range communication—Shiranui Ran transformed from a serial killer back into Miss Fox.

She channeled her magic into the underground magic circle. This was certainly not a magic circle capable of creating a deadly poison that could dissolve souls. With such a short time and such rudimentary materials, it was impossible to set up such a magic circle.

This is just a spell that can alter the memories of targets within range, and this alteration is quite easy to detect; almost any caster can see it.

But that's good, because this way their memories can't be used as absolutely valid evidence to accuse Hiraharu and his group. Because their memories have been altered, it's very likely that their memories of being with the Tongxin Society have been deleted, or even that everything they saw was a lie.

But the fire bull is real, and the guns are real.

Therefore, both Taira no Harunobu, the retainer holding the position of honorary head of the Special Higher Police, and Shiranui Ai, the imperial ninja, could easily reclaim the moral high ground. No, they were already on the moral high ground to begin with.

As for why she said that to Taira no Harunobu, it was because she wanted to.

Shiranui Ran fidgeted with her fingers in frustration, refusing to admit that she was deliberately using this aggressive attitude to distance herself from Hirahara Harunobu in order to avoid deeper contact. Hirahara Harunobu was a good person; her extreme behavior would definitely alienate her.

Harunobu was oblivious to the fox-girl's complex emotions, nor did he harbor any intention of distancing himself. Whatever was lying on the ground wasn't anything of value, and while it wasn't something he was going to be utterly destroyed, there was nothing he could do about it.

I hope they won't be bad guys in their next life.

"I'll head back now. Remember to come through the main entrance next time!" Qingxin waved goodbye to the two of them.

Seeing that the plan had succeeded, Shiranui's pretty face under her blue mask frosted over, and she exuded a cold aura, which startled the police officers who had rushed over. They became more alert and began to search the horrific scene with utmost care.

It's gratifying, it's gratifying.

The author says:

Author's Note: The Innately Evil Shiranui Ninja.JPG

Chapter 261: Yakumo Kurenai's Backup Plan

Yakumo Kurenai's Secret Hut No. 4.

Located near the famous Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa Ward, this is a simple, ordinary detached house owned by an ordinary couple. Recently, their daughter came back from Osaka to visit them.

It was a perfectly normal scene in the world, except that the daughter was a big red fox.

Of course, in the eyes of most people, she was just a pretty and dignified young woman, not at all like those so-called modern girls who dressed up messily and wandered around all day.

Although Yakumo Kurenai really wanted to go out for a stroll, she was too angry to bother going out.

Ever since the day Nine Lives Cat had the accident, she has been receiving bad news one after another.

First, as expected, Taira no Harunobu joined forces with Yakumo Ran. Then came the news of the government's full-scale crackdown on the black market and illegal gangs. Due to the Katsura Taro incident, many ministers who had initially been courted by them were now hesitant. Coupled with the political turmoil, they had neither the time nor the motivation to help the Tongxin Association.

But these are all minor matters, since her original assassination plan could have been carried out even without them. The problem is that not long ago, all high points exceeding five meters in height within a three-kilometer radius of the Imperial Palace were now manned and protected by barriers.

Even if she could easily kill those ordinary people or low-ranking ninjas, the spells cast on them and the barrier there would transmit the news of the intrusion. Of course, she could also cast a spell to break the spell—and then the Onmyoji Bureau, which was monitoring the surrounding magical energy fluctuations, would definitely rush over and turn her into a dead fox.

In other words, the method of assassination by sniper has become completely ineffective. And it's the kind of situation where even if she could seize a high vantage point again, it wouldn't matter, because unless the Emperor is stupid, he wouldn't expose himself to the open courtyard and windows as he used to.

The information she possessed as a former ninja of Shiranui, including details about the Emperor's hobbies and habits, can now be discarded.

"hateful--"

The red-haired fox slammed her fist on the bed, furious. She hadn't told anyone the details of the plan except herself, so how could that stubborn idiot, Yakumo Ran, have figured it out!

It must be Taira no Harunobu!

Although there was absolutely no evidence and it didn't make any sense, Yakumo Kurenai subconsciously blamed Taira no Harunobu. She wouldn't admit that Yakumo Ran was smarter than her! Nor would she admit that there were any ninjas in Shiranui who were smarter than her, so the only explanation was Taira no Harunobu!

Just as she was about to punch the bed again, she suddenly calmed down.

Her angry face calmed, her clenched fists relaxed, she picked up the cigarette from the bedside table, and took a light puff. A hazy mist dissipated, obscuring her alluring face and blocking the gaze from the corner of the wall.

Wheel Six Paths appeared in the corner with a pleasant smile.

He rubbed his hands together and took two steps forward: "Yakumo Hong, you seem to be in trouble? I've given you the things for so many days, why haven't you done anything yet?"

Yakumo Red glanced at him, took a couple of puffs of her cigarette, and then waved her hand dismissively: "You'll have to ask you that. Only you and Orochi know I'm buying guns, but right now Yakumo Ran is targeting the black market..."

The faint foxfire twinkled in the room, emitting a weak magical fluctuation, like the glow created by the beginner spells of spellcasters, a light so dim it was barely enough to illuminate the room.

However, Rin-yūdō took a step back with apprehension. He wasn't afraid of the fireflies themselves, but rather of the barrier they might form, and even more afraid that Yakumo Kurenai would go berserk and attract the attention of the bald man from Senso-ji Temple, who was not far away.

The head monk of Toshogu Shrine is quite skilled, and what's more, he's a monk. If he stalls for even a little while, and the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang), Ise Grand Shrine, and other factions arrive, he'll probably be torn to pieces.

As for whether Yakumo Kurenai might go mad... if she weren't, why would she give up her good position as the Fire Demon's second-in-command and come to the Doshinkai? Just because Sesshomaru took the Fire Demon's position?

That's even crazier.

However, taking a step back is enough; taking another step back would be impolite.

While preparing to flee, Rin Rokudo spoke earnestly: "Yakumo Kurenai, you know why I'm here. Orochi is waiting for your explanation."

"The explanation is that everything is under control," Yakumo Kurenai said confidently, seemingly with unwavering confidence. "Although we can't solve it with the simplest and most direct long-range sniping, that just takes a little more time."

Rin Rokudo squinted at Yakumo Kurenai, but Yakumo Kurenai's confidence was so convincing, coupled with the ever-present white smoke, that he couldn't see anything amiss.

Moreover, he didn't want to go back in such a disgraceful manner. Although Yakumo Kurenai was primarily responsible for this operation, and she would bear the blame for its failure, he, as an assistant, would also be remembered. He absolutely didn't want Orochi to remember him in this way.

Anyway, he won't confront us directly; at most, he'll just be transporting things and making conversation, so it doesn't matter if we continue.

打定

Chapter 284

At that moment, Lun Liudao also put away his annoying smirk and put on... well, a less annoying smirk.

"Alright, let's assume what you're saying is true. But that won't convince Lord Orochi. Let's get to the specifics."

Yakumo Kurenai knew she couldn't easily fool everyone this time, especially since she'd failed once before. So she simply stated her backup plan: "Tenran Trial—"

"Oh." Rin Rokudo nodded, picking up the thread. "You want to continue targeting him while the Emperor is watching the game? Indeed..."

But Yakumo Kurenai coldly rejected his idea: "No, the Fire Demon isn't so stupid as to not know to set up defenses just because it's in a different location, so we need to use explosives."

Lun Liudao said skeptically, "That thing won't kill the Emperor, will it? Unless you're bound to it and self-destruct, the time between throwing it over and the explosion will be enough for Yin Yang Tou to stuff it into the fourth layer of barrier."

“Who said we’d lose it on the spot?” Yakumo Hong sneered. “The arena for the Tenran Trial is all newly built.”

"So what?" Lun Liudao asked, puzzled. "What does this have to do with your plan?"

"Wait...you don't mean to?"

Rin Rokudo's eyes widened, while Yakumo Kurenai raised her chin slightly and said smugly, "These arenas were first built in their basic form by ordinary people, and then reinforced with magic to withstand the intensity of battles fought by powerful warriors. In other words, even if the center of the arena is empty, its strength will not be a problem."

"And if you investigate, you'll find that one of the construction companies that built the arenas is an affiliated organization of our Tongxin Association. And for the two arenas they were responsible for, I had them add a special gift."

"Next, we just need to wait for the Emperor to come and observe the ceremony, then we'll remotely detonate the gifts inside..."

Yakumo Kurenai separated her clasped hands and mimicked the sound of an explosion: "Bang! Not only the Emperor, but also Yin Yang-head and Yakumo Ran, along with all the participating samurai, will die."

"You madman..." Lun Liudao wiped the sweat that had appeared on his forehead without him noticing. "But if the Emperor is going to visit, the defenses will definitely be at their maximum. How are you going to detonate the explosives inside?"

"A tiny barrier, utterly harmless, hidden beneath cement and gunpowder, so weak it can only produce a wisp of sparks." Yakumo Hong casually sketched a small square in the air and then snapped her fingers.

A faint aura of magical power, indistinguishable from natural fluctuations, flashed by, and a weak flame suddenly ignited, then vanished into thin air before anyone could even confirm its existence.

Such a slight fluctuation would indeed be easy to evade inspection. And in a pile of explosives, let alone such a small flame, sometimes even a slight increase in temperature could cause spontaneous combustion.

“And,” Yakumo Kurenai beckoned with her finger, causing a newspaper on the low table at the far end of the bed to float over, “we can at least say hello first—”

The newspaper floated up to Lun Liudao's eyes, featuring a large section showcasing an airship with the exciting tagline: "The Empire's newest airship! A pure-blooded Yamato airship from the Tokorozawa Balloon Research Society! The king of the skies in the new era!"

The author says:

Author's note: While researching, I discovered that besides Kirov, other countries also had their own airships, and Germany was actually a major power in advanced airship technology. At that time, Japan mostly bought its airships from Germany... This has increased my knowledge in strange ways.

Chapter 262: Inventory

On March 22nd, the clear blue sky reflected the blooming cherry blossoms, making everything appear vibrant and incredibly beautiful. Meanwhile, bustling Tokyo became even more crowded.

Samurai and swordsmen from all over the country, each with their own thoughts, flocked into Ueno Park, admiring the cherry blossoms while waiting for the referees on the dozens of arenas to call out their names and those of their opponents.

The first day of the Tenran Trial began with crowds and noise under the cherry blossoms.

However, not everyone needs to squeeze into the park.