"You're certain you didn't misspeak?" Touko stared in disbelief. An ancient monster asking her to unlock Magic Circuits—had she misheard, or was the woman unhinged?
Fujino's eye twitched; she had caught the thought but let it pass. "You heard correctly. Help me open my circuits and, in return, I'll grant you a favor or teach you something."
It hadn't been part of her plan. Originally she meant to sneak into Misaki City, steal tomes from the witch's house, and awaken the circuits herself. The System could do it—for 1,500 points—but its goods were outrageously priced. Better to manage alone—until she ran into Touko. A small price for the Magus's aid beat weeks of study.
"You're sure?" Touko asked, doubtful.
"Positive." Fujino nodded. "If you don't need a favor, I can teach you that mind-hearing skill instead."
She had deliberated before offering Observation Haki. Even in One Piece, mastering it enough to hear thoughts would take twenty years without the System's help.
"Deal!" Touko agreed instantly. Whatever scheme the monster harbored, the trade was absurdly lopsided; a trivial task for the power to listen to hearts was pure profit.
"Then I'll count on you after we arrive." Fujino's eyes—black once more—flickered with a faint gleam Touko failed to notice.
"You're bound for Misaki City as well?" Touko asked. She had her own business there; conflict would be troublesome. She carried trump cards, but against ancients their worth was uncertain.
"Relax. Your affairs don't interest me, and that Phantasmal Species you're after poses no threat." Noting Touko's somber face, she added, "You open my circuits, I pay what I promised, then we part ways. What you do afterward is your own concern."
"Very well. I'll be in your care then." Touko nodded, saying no more. Fujino likewise fell silent, closing her eyes to recover her mental strength. This body belonged to the original Asagami Fujino; her soul needed time to adapt. Most of her vast spiritual power lay suppressed. She had to complete the fusion before her strength and Observation Haki could function fully. Reading Touko's thoughts for even a moment had tired her; she needed her power restored as soon as possible. With the future sight Observation Haki granted, she could act—or avert—much.
"We're here." Fujino opened her eyes as the train's loudspeaker announced their arrival.
"I'll leave the rest to you." Looking at Touko Aozaki, the woman nodded, stepped out of the car, and Fujino Asagami rose to follow her.
Walking behind Touko Aozaki, Fujino Asagami swept her gaze across the surrounding scenery, finally settling on a mansion perched atop a distant hill—home of the witch Yuzuha Kuonji and of Aoko Aozaki, soon to be a full-fledged Magus.
"Host has arrived in Misaki City; mission complete. 500 points awarded." The system's synthetic voice chimed, and Fujino's total leapt to 2,402.
"Next mission issued: subdue or slay the witch Yuzuha Kuonji. Reward will be distributed based on final outcome."
"Subdue Yuzuha Kuonji: one League of Legends universe skill draw."
"Slay Yuzuha Kuonji: special item Witch's Terminator."
Fujino stopped dead. She had never seen the system issue a mission like this; only two had come before, yet the rewards dwarfed any mere points.
The League draw captivated her. She had played the game; she knew the universe's might eclipsed even the Type-Moon World.
Cosmic Dragon King Aurelion Sol, the celestial wanderer Soraka from beyond Mount Targon, the realm-roaming Bard, demons, Aspects, the Void, and gods—beings beyond mortal imagination.
Even reduced to skills their power remained immense. The system shop sold them—for prices she could never pay. Had her hundred million One Piece points survived, she might have afforded one lesser ability—yet on this world it would still be overwhelming.
"System, what counts as subduing?" she demanded. Whatever the draw yielded would be worth it; the Witch's Terminator, searchable in the shop, was useless here—Type-Moon held too few witches.
"Conquest of mind and body," the system replied. Fujino's brows knit; before she could speak, a shadow fell—Touko stood before her.
"Something wrong?"
Fujino shook her head. "Nothing—just found something interesting."
"I see." Touko didn't press. Glancing toward the mansion, eyes briefly alight, she turned back. "Come, my workshop's close."
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