Chapter 17
I knew something was wrong the moment we arrived in Yoshiwara. The air felt suffocating, like an invisible leash had been fastened around my neck. Every move I made felt scrutinized, observed. They killed our driver and displayed his disfigured corpse as bait. And judging by the rising tension, it worked.
Running away wasn't an option— Staying in a place like this alone is very dangerous
"Hold on a second, blondie," I called out making everyone stop in there tracks
Shishiba stopped, turning to glare at me, irritation etched across his face. "What now?"
"What's the plan?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You don't seriously think we can just barge in without a strategy, do you?"
One of the lackeys stepped forward, his face inches from mine. "Oi, bastard! Who do you think we are, huh? How dare you call our brother—ack!"
I grabbed his neck without hesitation, squeezing just enough to make him panic. His eyes darted toward Shishiba, silently pleading for help.
Shishiba ignored him, his tone cold as he answered my question. "The plan is simple. You, Mumon, and I will infiltrate the castle. We'll gather as much intel as possible. If the opportunity arises, we kill the target. We cant return empty handed."
I tossed the lackey aside, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud. "Why don't we just leave?" I said, gesturing at the terrified crowd around us. One guy had even wet himself. "Look at them. Everyone's scared out of their minds. And let's not forget—this was supposed to be a school trip not a mission."
" Well it changed when our teacher died... and do think we can leave just like that ? You're unbearably naive "
" ARE YOU EVEN LISTENI-
I stopped as I felt something touching the back of my head
"That's enough," Mumon said, pressing the cold barrel of his gun to the back of my head. "We will infiltrate the palace, and that's final."
I spun around, prepared to disarm him, but stopped mid-motion. Someone stood behind Mumon—a man with a thin face, deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and short, slicked-back hair. The target. Yanagi.
"Do you know what's the most poisonous gas is?" Yanagi asked softly, his voice eerily calm for someone in hostile territory.
I didn't answer. My instincts kicked in, and I reached to pull Mumon away, but Yanagi was faster. His hand darted forward, gripping Mumon's face with precision.
Before I could react, Shishiba moved—a blur of speed and force—his kick landing squarely on Yanagi's chest. The impact sent him flying, but Yanagi twisted mid-air, landing gracefully on the rooftop of a nearby house. His composure remained unshaken, his cold eyes fixed on us like a predator studying its prey.
Everyone stared at Yanagi in confusion, their minds struggling to process the chaos that had just unfolded. Everything had happened too quickly.
Feeling a weak tug on my jacket, I turned to my right, only to freeze in horror. Mumon stood there, his face skinned, his eye sockets empty and oozing. My breath caught as I followed the trail of blood to Yanagi's left hand, where he held the skin of Mumon's face
"Stay with me!" I grabbed Mumon, trying to steady him as his body trembled
A sharp cry shattered the silence. "Eek!" One of the lackeys broke into a sprint, panic spreading like fire among the others. "I don't want to die!"
"Idiots, wait! It's not saf—" Shishiba's warning was cut short as the fleeing students were ambushed. Guards with spears emerged from both sides, their movements precise and merciless, cutting down anyone who tried to escape.
Blood pooled on the stone floor and the screams of the fallen echoed through the dim corridor. My grip on Mumon tightened, my mind racing as I watched the slaughter unfold.
The remaining group fell to their knees, bowing to the target.
"Please, my lord, don't kill us! We're just kids—have mercy!"
One of them, trembling, dared to point at us. "It's their fault! They brought us here!"
Yanagi's mocking smile widened as he glanced down at them. His gaze then shifted to me"I'll ask you one more time: what's the most poisonous gas?"
Before I could say anything, Shishiba grabbed my shoulder "Kasumi, we're retreating."
Without a second thought, I lifted Mumon onto my back and sprinted after Shishiba, who had already leaped onto the nearby rooftops.i took a final look toward yanagi who was still staring at me blankly ' creepy old fuck... I'll get you just wait for me '