"Returned to its rightful owners..."
Hearing this familiar phrase, Miko Yotsuya showed a thoughtful expression and murmured to herself.
"Thinking about it carefully, the last time we did this kind of operation was during spring break. Time really flies - it's been almost four months now..."
Halfway through her sentence, Miko Yotsuya suddenly paused, as if having a sudden realisation.
"Wait, only four months!?"
Because her recent experiences had been so incredibly eventful, Miko felt the first semester had seemed particularly long.
As it happened.
Rio Futaba and the others felt the same way.
But upon careful consideration.
It had been less than four months since their last operation to steal Onimaru Kunitsuna!
At this rate.
That would be three times a year.
Even if they only "returned to their rightful owner" once each time, within a year and a half, all five of Japan's legendary-grade famous swords would belong to the Supernatural Society.
By the time they graduated from high school, most of the top national treasures should have been acquired.
And by the time they graduated from university...
Wouldn't the museums be completely emptied?
Just then, Saki Kawasaki belatedly exclaimed in shock.
"Wait a moment... Mikazuki Munechika? That legendary sword of Japan? Returned to their rightful owner? You're planning to steal that sword!?"
"Tch."
Ye Xing frowned slightly and reiterated what he had said before.
"How can you call it stealing? Such powerful spiritual objects rightfully belong to our Supernatural Society."
Saki Kawasaki, who still didn't know about the existence of evil spirits and spectres, the Reverse World and Gates, didn't understand the logic behind this and instinctively responded.
"How is that even possible!? That's stored in the Tokyo National Museum..."
Just as Saki Kawasaki was halfway through her sentence, she noticed the somewhat complicated expressions on Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima's faces, and couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Oh, right, you haven't seen it yet."
Ye Xing said with a light laugh, then reached out his right hand, from which a long sword in an ancient scabbard slowly materialised.
Then, he tossed the long sword, scabbard and all, to Saki Kawasaki, who was sitting on the opposite sofa.
"This is...?"
Seeing Saki Kawasaki holding the long sword in both hands with a puzzled expression, Ye Xing replied casually.
"This is Onimaru Kunitsuna."
"Eh?"
Saki Kawasaki first froze for a moment, then looked down at the long sword in her hands.
After a few seconds, her beautiful light green pupils gradually widened.
"Oni... Oni... Oni..."
"Now you're stuttering?"
Hearing Ye Xing's amused words, Saki Kawasaki looked up at him, her lips slightly parted.
"You... you... you..."
"Let's just stop there."
Ye Xing waved his hand, thinking that if he let Saki Kawasaki stammer out each word like this, today's internal meeting would never finish.
"My beloved consort, I leave this to you."
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses, looking somewhat resigned but accustomed to Ye Xing's lazy behaviour, and took the initiative to explain to the bewildered Saki Kawasaki.
"Saki, it's like this..."
Rio Futaba carefully explained how Ye Xing and Miko Yotsuya had met, along with everything that had happened since the Supernatural Society was established, including the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident, the break-in at the Kyoto City Museum, and Hina Amano's connection to the abnormal weather, providing a detailed account of it all.
She also took the opportunity to explain the nature of the Reverse World, the dangers Gates posed to human life, and the two necessary conditions for awakening the Soul Materialisation ability.
After hearing this, Saki Kawasaki's entire worldview was completely overturned, leaving her so shocked she couldn't speak.
If she hadn't witnessed Ye Xing's transformation process with her own eyes, she would never have believed such things were possible, even if beaten to death.
Soul Materialisation? True Soul Form? Real Inner Self? Evil spirits capable of influencing human hearts? Kyoto City in imminent danger?
It was utterly unbelievable.
Just as Saki Kawasaki was organising her thoughts and trying to digest everything she'd just heard, Onimaru Kunitsuna, resting on her lap, suddenly emitted a metallic chime, its blade automatically sliding halfway out of its sheath.
"This is...?"
Seeing Onimaru Kunitsuna actually unsheathing itself, Saki Kawasaki's pupils contracted in shock as she stammered helplessly.
"Did... did I do something wrong?"
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya exchanged glances, both showing resignation before shaking their heads with wry smiles.
"It's trying to please you."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Saki Kawasaki looked down at Onimaru Kunitsuna's constantly trembling black blade. For some reason, an image suddenly surfaced in her mind - that of a puppy desperately wagging its tail and begging for pats to please someone.
"Er..."
Saki Kawasaki cautiously reached out and gently placed her hand on Onimaru Kunitsuna's blade.
To her surprise, this legendary Japanese sword actually responded, actively rubbing its dark blade surface against her slender, pale fingers twice.
It really was...
Quite like a puppy.
"That's enough now."
Hearing its master's words, Onimaru Kunitsuna immediately abandoned this submissive demeanour. The blade quickly returned to its sheath and automatically flew back into Ye Xing's hand before disappearing into thin air.
Only then did Saki Kawasaki's expression change, covering her mouth in shock as she exclaimed.
"You actually... gained Onimaru Kunitsuna's recognition!?"
What level of famous sword was Onimaru Kunitsuna?
Those who had wielded it were all renowned figures in Japanese history—Hojo Tokimasa, founder of the Kamakura period, and Nobunaga Oda, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven who sought to rule all under heaven...
"Hold on there."
Before Saki Kawasaki could finish being astonished, Ye Xing pulled her out of her thoughts, commenting drily.
"There's no need for you to be shocked about something everyone else has already been shocked about. The content is repeating."
"Back to business."
Ye Xing looked at the members present and smiled.
"Then let's set the travel destination as Tokyo City. All members of the Supernatural Society should try to participate. Saki will handle Kitagawa-san's side, and Yukinoshita-san's side will be left to you, Yui."
"OK."
"That settles it then. We'll disband for today. Futaba, Miko, Yui, Mai, Menma - you five come with me. The rest of you are free to do as you please."
...
Meanwhile, at Yukino Yukinoshita's home.
"And this one... needs to go up too."
Yukino Yukinoshita stood in the living room, murmuring to herself.
On the wall before her were dozens of printed materials densely pasted.
Some were self-media reports from the internet, while others were official announcements from the Metropolitan Police Department.
They were arranged in chronological order.
'Kyoto City Crime Rate Skyrockets! Frequent Occurrence of Violent Incidents!'
'Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Affairs Director Soichiro Yagami Issues Announcement, Advising Kyoto Citizens to Reduce Nighttime Outings and Avoid Remote Areas.'
'The Case That Shook Japan! Kyoto City Kindergarten Gun Hostage Crisis!'
'The Emergence of a Miracle! No Casualties Among Kindergarten Teachers and Students, All Hostage-takers Shot Dead On Site! No Losses Except for Building Explosion and Collapse!'
'Kyoto City Museum Invaded by Unidentified Persons, Metropolitan Police Department Acts Swiftly and Responds Promptly, National Treasures Including Onimaru Kunitsuna Remain Safe!'
'Bloody Scene at Violent Gang Site! Two Heroes of Justice, or Gang Rivalry Killing!?'
'Exclusive Interview with Train Suspension Parties, Gun-wielding Men in Black Appearing in Tunnels? Saviours or Culprits Behind Train Malfunction?'
'Mask is More Than Just a Legend! In-depth Analysis of Kyoto TV's Live Broadcast, Dark Hero VS Serial Killer Rainy Night Battle!'
These news reports were all collected and organised by Yukino Yukinoshita.
For the past week, except for going to the convenience store to buy things, she hadn't even left her house, throwing herself completely into this work.
"The rising crime rate..."
Yukino Yukinoshita drew a circle around the first news report and Soichiro Yagami's announcement, then turned her gaze to the report about the Kyoto City kindergarten incident, murmuring to herself.
"Taking a kindergarten hostage with guns, this kind of mentally deranged behaviour... doesn't follow logic."
"If Ye... if Mask is involved in all these strange incidents..."
"This guy's operational logic, overall speaking, leans towards justice... chaotic good?"
Yukino Yukinoshita analysed in her heart and noticed something.
According to online rumours, during the Kyoto City kindergarten incident, Mask alone appeared.
By the time of the violent gang incident, eyewitnesses at the scene said that, besides Mask, there was another mysterious person of similar height—around 180cm—wearing magnificent white clothing.
And during the recent Sunny Doll Killer incident, four people appeared in the live broadcast footage, not including the white-dressed person.
Setting aside the possibility of changing outfits and freely adjusting height for disguise for now.
Judging by normal logic, there were at least four confirmed assistants around Mask.
Yukino Yukinoshita had a vague feeling.
As time passed, the number of capable assistants around the other party was gradually increasing.
But...
Was Mask's operational purpose to combat criminals in Kyoto, or to confront some unknown source causing the rise in Kyoto's crime rate?
Even for Yukino Yukinoshita, it was impossible to deduce the other party's motives based solely on online rumours and brief mentions in news reports.
However...
Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at the three news reports she had set aside separately.
'Accident-Prone Construction Site? Cursed Chiba Construction Company?'
'Yukinoshita Construction Company Resumes Office Building Project, First Step Beyond Chiba!'
'Sensational Large-Scale Move in Japan! Former Nationally Popular Idol Actress Mai Sakurajima's Promotion? Yukinoshita Company's Extensive Connections!'
Yukino Yukinoshita carefully examined these three news reports.
The content of these three news reports had absolutely no connection to Mask.
But if Ye Xing had participated in these matters through some unknown means, then the doubts that had been lingering in Yukino's heart would be answered.
Why the other party knew her elder sister Haruno, how they became connected with upperclassman Mai Sakurajima, and why Mai Sakurajima—who had long retired from the entertainment industry—would suddenly reappear to promote the Yukinoshita company's completed construction site.
Everything connected together.
Just then, Yukino Yukinoshita's phone rang.
She answered the call, speaking in her usual calm tone.
"Hello."
"What do you mean by hello..."
Yui Yuigahama, on the other end of the line, chuckled helplessly.
"Yukino-chan, you have my number saved, why are you being so formal as if you don't recognise me?"
"It's basic etiquette."
"Sigh, you're always like this."
After complaining, Yui Yuigahama finally said cheerfully.
"So, we just decided that since we have time during summer break, the whole club should go on a trip to Tokyo together. Marin-chan has already agreed, we're just waiting for you. Come with us? Please please?"
"I'll..."
Yukino Yukinoshita typically had little interest in such so-called group activities.
Just as she was about to refuse, she glanced at the various news reports she had collected during this period, remained silent for a few seconds, then said calmly.
"Alright."
"Eh? Really? That's great!"
Yui Yuigahama said sweetly.
"I'll call you when we finalise the specific time. That's it then, bye-bye."
"Mhm, bye-bye."
After hanging up, Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the news reports on the wall and murmured to herself.
"Relationships without any falsehood... do they only exist within the Supernatural Society..."
...
An hour later, the shopping district.
"Old man, I'm back again"
Hearing this familiar voice, Oda Noto looked up at Ye Xing, who had casually walked in, followed by Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Yui Yuigahama, and couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.
"You're all here? You're not planning to hold a tea party at my place, are you?"
Yui Yuigahama waved her hand and smiled apologetically.
"Um... sorry to trouble you again."
"Ah, no problem at all"
Oda Noto waved his hand and returned the smile.
"What would you like to drink? Tea? Or something else?"
"Just water is fine."
"Right away, I'll get some for you."
Everyone present was quite familiar with Oda Noto.
Although Yui Yuigahama had only recently awakened as a psychic, during the early days of the Supernatural Society's establishment, she had taken on the role of comparing school-related requests with the exorcism requests at Oda Noto's place. Her task was to identify areas most likely to contain genuine paranormal events, which she would then hand over to Miko Yotsuya for processing.
This was essentially information filtering, so she was naturally quite familiar with Oda Noto.
"You're here again."
Hearing the commotion outside, Godmother Granny, who had been resting inside, came out.
Ye Xing revealed a meaningful smile.
"Oh ho, living together now? Sunset romance?"
"Don't talk nonsense, you brat."
Godmother Granny rolled her eyes and spoke with annoyance, but then paused for a moment, her gaze turning towards the four girls standing behind Ye Xing.
"You four..."
Godmother Granny pulled out a deck of tarot cards from her bosom, spreading them into a fan shape with practised ease, and spoke in a serious tone.
"Each of you, draw one card."
Mai Sakurajima and the others exchanged glances, but eventually Miko Yotsuya stepped forward first, carefully drawing a tarot card.
"Strength."
Godmother Granny looked thoughtful, staring directly into Miko's golden pupils as she spoke slowly.
"From you, I sense courage, bold decisions, and firm willpower."
"Also, the courage to overcome inner fear, no longer being timid and hesitant."
"You've transformed from reversed Strength to upright Strength."
Hearing Godmother Granny's analysis, Miko said in surprise.
"You... you're absolutely right."
Ye Xing couldn't help but nod in admiration.
"Oh, you've got this skill too?"
Reversed Strength represented inner fear and cowardice, perfectly matching Miko's situation before awakening her spiritual power - facing terrifying evil spirits every day while having to pretend not to see them.
But now, she corresponded to the upright Strength card, being the most determined among all members when it came to eliminating the supernatural, and the most courageous in facing evil spirits during battles.
"Eh? That accurate?"
Rio Futaba maintained a calm expression, but as a girl, she couldn't help feeling somewhat curious about things like tarot card readings.
Seeing that Godmother Granny genuinely had some skill, she couldn't resist stepping forward, drawing a tarot card and placing it face up on the table.
"The High Priestess."
Godmother Granny stared at Rio Futaba's face as she spoke slowly.
"From you, I sense what the reversed High Priestess represents - the torment of self-esteem, distorted judgment of oneself."
"But now, through some turning point, you've transformed this card from reversed to upright, representing..."
"Profound thinking, keen insight, and recognition of your true potential."
The third to draw a tarot card was Mai Sakurajima.
Whether it was a coincidence or fate's arrangement...
The order in which members drew their tarot cards perfectly corresponded to the sequence in which they had joined the Supernatural Society.
"The Empress."
"Reversed: Insurmountable dilemmas, conflicts with family, predicaments with no apparent solution."
"Similarly, you have now overcome all of this, transforming the reversed Empress into an upright success and harvest."
When it was Yui Yuigahama's turn to draw a card, she seemed somewhat nervous. She took a deep breath first, then cautiously drew a single tarot card.
"The Hanged Man."
Godmother Granny and Ye Xing spoke in unison before the card was even turned over.
Before Godmother Granny could speak, Ye Xing said softly,
"The reversed Hanged Man represents useless sacrifice, misfortune, and avoidance."
Then, Ye Xing looked at Yui Yuigahama and smiled.
"Now, you have overcome these things, transforming the reversed Hanged Man into the upright position."
"Reborn from the flames, unafraid of hardship, willingly accepting trials, and finally confirming your own goals."
At this point, Ye Xing reached towards the Tarot cards in front of him and chuckled lightly.
"Since that's the case, I'll draw one too."