Recalling his earlier conversation with Tokisaki Kurumi, Mori Ōgai had keenly picked up on that one crucial line.
'For me, I'd prefer finding a long-term, stable job.'
A job.
Tokisaki Kurumi needed a job.
One that would allow this otherworldly visitor to firmly plant her feet in this city.
And in Yokohama, what organization had deeper roots than the Port Mafia?
"Miss Tokisaki, I have a proposal."
Once he settled on a viable solution, a pleased smile curled onto Mori Ōgai's lips as he addressed the girl before him. "The doors of the Port Mafia can open for you. If you wish, I can arrange a position suited to your talents within the organization."
This was the optimal solution under the current circumstances.
By bringing her under his wing, Mori wouldn't have to worry about her leaking the organization's secrets to outsiders—and he'd gain a powerful, enigmatic Ability user in the process.
Two birds with one stone.
"Oh? Are you recruiting me, Mr. Mori?"
Hearing this, Tokisaki Kurumi let out a soft laugh.
Just as I expected. Mori Ōgai took the bait.
Wrapping her true intentions within seemingly idle chatter, letting the other party "discover" it themselves while making them believe it was their own deduction—
Still, she had to give credit where it was due. Mori Ōgai was sharp enough to extract the key information from just a few sentences. Had he been some incompetent leader, Kurumi might've left tonight empty-handed.
But now, her goal was achieved.
Without even hinting at her desire to join the Port Mafia, Mori had extended the invitation himself.
That said, even though her plan had succeeded, she couldn't accept his offer too eagerly.
Accepting too quickly would come off as suspicious. If Mori caught even a whiff of her true motives, with his cunning and shrewdness, he'd easily suspect that her real goal was to infiltrate the Port Mafia.
Restraint is key.
"Are you really alright with letting a complete stranger like me join the Port Mafia?" Kurumi asked considerately.
"At the moment, not only is it not a problem—it's outright beneficial."
"I can't promise I'll be a loyal woman, you know."
"This is the mafia, not some honorable yakuza syndicate. Loyalty, grit, brotherhood—none of that means anything here." Mori replied calmly. "The only thing that matters is value. As long as the value you bring is great enough, we'd welcome even a man-eating demon with open arms."
"Truly befitting of the boss who united all of Yokohama's underworld. Such magnanimity is rare indeed."
Kurumi paused, then added meaningfully, "But I am quite expensive. I wonder if you can afford my price, Mr. Mori?"
"Of course. In fact, the more expensive, the better. Preferably so costly that no other organization could possibly match it." Mori replied magnanimously. "That way, the Port Mafia can keep you firmly at its side, no? People don't join out of loyalty—they join because only here can their desires be fulfilled."
With that, Mori gave Kurumi a deep, knowing look before stating with certainty, "And I can confidently say—you're one of us."
"And where does that confidence come from?"
"Because the Port Mafia is Yokohama's—no, Japan's—largest criminal organization. To put it bluntly, every day, I see either criminals or those about to commit crimes." Mori answered. "So the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew—you're no righteous champion of justice. The darkness is where you belong."
Kurumi smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
He wasn't wrong.
That was Tokisaki Kurumi's nature.
As expected of the Port Mafia's boss. His insight is frighteningly sharp.
And precisely because of that, her wariness of him rose another notch.
Sure, she'd just successfully played him with her words—but that didn't mean Mori Ōgai was a fool.
Quite the opposite. He was dangerously intelligent.
Otherwise, how could a mere private doctor have climbed his way to the top of the Port Mafia?
The only reason she'd outmaneuvered him just now was her advantage as a transmigrator—her foreknowledge. It wasn't some grand victory of wits.
She knew everything about Mori Ōgai.
He knew nothing about her.
That gap in intel had allowed her to lead him right into her trap.
But precisely because she understood him so well, she remained on high alert.
And from now on, she'd be working under him as a member of the Port Mafia.
Having a boss like this looming over me… what a headache.
Internally sighing, Kurumi kept her expression perfectly composed.
"Well then, Miss Tokisaki—your answer?" Mori spoke again, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Since you've shown such sincerity, how could I possibly refuse?"
Lifting the hem of her dress slightly, Kurumi gave a graceful curtsy. "Mr. Mori, I look forward to working with you."
"Excellent. This is the best outcome—for both of us."
Receiving her agreement, Mori's expression relaxed marginally. "From today onward, you are a member of the Port Mafia. Your rank will be just below the Five Executives, serving directly under me as the Raiding Squad Captain. You will have the authority to mobilize combat units without prior approval, including the special unit Black Lizard, access to intelligence operatives for investigations, command over assassination teams, and discretionary use of organizational funds for missions."
"Your generosity is appreciated."
"However, before your formal induction, as part of your capability assessment, I'll need you to complete a mission."
Mori pulled a photograph from a folder—an image of a long-abandoned factory. "Investigate what the people inside are doing and which organization they belong to. This mission carries significant risk. Two operatives previously sent have gone silent. Proceed with caution."
"Understood." Kurumi replied without a trace of hesitation. "Then I'll set off immediately. I'll strive to complete it before you retire for the night."
"Confidence isn't a bad thing. My secretary will escort you to the underground garage. A driver will take you to the mission site."
Pressing the intercom button on his desk once more, Mori signaled for the mafia-attired butler to open the door.
The butler bowed respectfully, gesturing for Kurumi to follow.
"Miss Tokisaki, this is your first mission. Do not disappoint me."
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