章 35: Chapter 49&50
Chapter 49: The Reason for Betrayal
Tokisaki Kurumi, naturally, wouldn't be privy to the investigations Mori Ogai had been conducting behind her back. However, even if she did know, she wouldn't interfere. After all, she was from a different world altogether no amount of probing would uncover anything real about her.
"Ahem," Kurumi cleared her throat and began her explanation. "You could understand my ability as a sort of gift, a time related one, named Zafkiel. The power of Bullet Eight allows me to summon other versions of myself from alternate timelines."
Hearing Kurumi reveal her ability so openly, Mori felt his calm resolve waver slightly. A time based ability? Such a formidable power actually existed? If Zafkiel indeed referred to the large clock that appeared behind her during battles, and Bullet Eight allowed her to summon duplicates, did this mean there were also Bullets One, Two, Eleven, and Twelve?
Could she truly possess twelve unique abilities all related to manipulating time?
Mori suddenly felt the urge to interrupt her to demand more details about each of these time-manipulating powers. However, his strong self control held him back. Even if he asked, Kurumi wouldn't necessarily answer, and pressing her might cause resentment. So, he took a deep breath and continued to listen intently.
"Most of the time, Bullet Eight only summons versions of myself from recent timelines like a second or a minute ago. But occasionally, I'll summon a version from a far-off timeline, such as the one in that photograph, a much older version of me. You see, people change over time, and I'm no exception. In the distant past, I was as innocent as any ordinary girl, drawn to all things good and beautiful."
Kurumi chuckled lightly. "Yes, my past self is hard to look back on, but even I once shone brightly, as though I were a defender of justice. But as you can see, my past self and my current self, though both me, have vastly different personalities and values. These differences led to friction, which eventually turned into outright conflict. My past self no longer recognizes who I've become, so…she chose betrayal. And that's the story."
Mori carefully processed each piece of information hidden in her words, contemplating the intelligence she had just revealed. Kurumi's explanation was brief, yet conveyed a lot.
In essence, it was a conflict between her past self and her present self. The old Tokisaki Kurumi had been a pure hearted, justice seeking girl, while the current Tokisaki Kurumi was a chillingly ruthless nightmare in the dark. While both versions shared her name, it was clear that meeting would only spark inevitable conflict.
Mori wasn't curious about the exact nature of their dispute. He was more interested in another question: What had she gone through to transform so completely?
People certainly change, and Mori acknowledged this fact. But what sort of despair had Kurumi endured to make her abandon her innocence and embrace darkness so thoroughly? His intuition told him that she had experienced some pivotal event that drove her into this twisted path. And that event likely hid a crucial part of her secret.
As the head of the Port Mafia, Mori had witnessed numerous dark secrets that became the root cause of many people's descent into darkness. He was convinced that Kurumi had suffered a similar fate. If he could uncover her past, he might pierce through the layers of mystery surrounding her.
However, extracting such a secret wouldn't be easy, and certainly not something he could achieve overnight. And it would be unwise to pursue it openly. Given her vigilance, Kurumi would be quick to notice any deliberate probing, which could backfire.
Mori tucked the thought away for now. Although learning about Kurumi's past was important, the more immediate concern was the betrayal of her duplicate.
"Does your double possess the same level of knowledge about the organization's secrets as you do?" Mori asked, frowning slightly.
Kurumi knew a lot of classified information about the Port Mafia Mori was fully aware of that. That knowledge was why he had insisted on bringing her into the organization in the first place, to prevent her from revealing anything outside. But now, with her duplicate defecting, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
"Rest assured," Kurumi replied with a sigh, "that duplicate is from an earlier timeline and doesn't know any of the organization's secrets."
"But you know the organization's secrets thanks to Zafkiel, don't you? Couldn't she do the same?"
"She can't. Duplicates don't have access to Zafkiel's powers; they only fight using flintlocks and shadows," Kurumi explained.
"Ah, I see," Mori nodded, visibly relieved. Knowing that the duplicate couldn't wield the same time altering powers as the original Tokisaki Kurumi lifted a burden off his chest. After all, if each duplicate could wield time manipulation powers, her threat level would be practically nation toppling. Even though they could still use shadows and flintlocks, it was reassuring to know that duplicates lacked Zafkiel.
"While it's a relief your duplicate doesn't know the organization's secrets, she still knows all your abilities, correct?" Mori asked cautiously. "Even if she can't use Zafkiel, she would still know its full range of powers."
"Precisely," Kurumi confirmed. "She can't use Zafkiel, but she understands it."
"Which means…there's a high chance the Armed Detective Agency already knows everything about you from her," Mori speculated.
"I doubt she would reveal that information to them."
"Oh? Why not?"
Kurumi laughed lightly. "My past self may have been naive, but she wasn't foolish. If she were to share my abilities with them, it would be easy for them to discern her true identity, which would only drag the Agency into my conflict with her. Knowing her, she'd avoid involving innocent parties."
"Well, that's fortunate. So, what do you plan to do next?"
"The great Port Mafia Boss is asking me how to handle a traitor?" Kurumi chuckled at Mori's question.
"Of course," she replied with a smirk. "I'll kill her."
Chapter 50: A Clever Response
Ogai Mori stared at Kurumi Tokisaki's refined face. Though they were discussing the killing of her own clone, a cruel smile still lingered at her lips.
Was it that she didn't care about her clone's fate? Or... had she done this more than once?
Either way, Mori couldn't deny that, even among the Port Mafia, there were few who seemed as monstrous as she did. There was no mercy or sentiment as she sentenced her own past self to death.
Yet, strangely, Mori didn't feel dismayed. Though his caution toward Kurumi grew, he couldn't help but admire her cold decisiveness. Those who could be ruthless to themselves would naturally be even more ruthless to others qualities perfect for someone in the Port Mafia.
The more he acknowledged Kurumi's potential, the more Mori felt a pang of regret. If only her origins and abilities weren't so obscure. Even Mori, known as one of the most cunning bosses in the Mafia's history, couldn't be sure he could bind her completely to the organization. If he could, she might become the Mafia's most formidable asset, possibly even replacing Dazai Osamu's role, and one day, maybe becoming the next Boss.
But that was only a fantasy.
For now, Mori knew that securing Kurumi's loyalty was improbable, let alone grooming her for future leadership.
"Dispose of your clone as soon as possible. The longer this drags on, the more dangerous it becomes for you," Mori advised, bringing their conversation back on topic. "I don't want the Port Mafia splitting focus between your clone and the Agency in battle."
"This is my mistake to handle," Kurumi agreed calmly.
"However, we mustn't let up on the hunt for Nakajima Atsushi. It's been nearly a month since we accepted the Guild's commission, and they're growing impatient."
"Oh? Understood." Kurumi's gaze shifted slightly, though she maintained a composed exterior.
While the Guild's impatience was bad news for the Mafia, it was advantageous for her. She'd been deliberately prolonging confrontations with the Agency, hoping to stall until the North American Guild would have no choice but to come and capture Atsushi themselves. That would give her a chance to complete her second side mission.
However, until now, she'd had no way of estimating when the Guild would arrive in Yokohama. Now that Mori had mentioned the Guild's impatience, she expected their move within a month, perhaps even sooner.
"I don't doubt your ability," Mori said, narrowing his gaze over a report, "but your attitude toward the mission concerns me. I have intel that during your recent clash with your clone, Dazai Osamu and Nakajima Atsushi were present. That was an excellent chance, yet you didn't act."
"Because I wasn't certain if other Agency members were lying in ambush," Kurumi replied, masking her unease with a hasty excuse.
It would hardly do to reveal that she had purposefully let Atsushi go. Unfortunately, Mori had caught on to her reluctance, and she was without a clear justification.
"Preparing and then acting is a sound strategy," Mori said. "To increase success rates, I'll have the Black Lizards on standby to support your next operation."
At first, Kurumi wanted to reject this immediately. How was she supposed to continue her leisurely evasion tactics with the Black Lizards watching? But she quickly reconsidered, realizing Mori might be testing her commitment. Accepting his offer would show her willingness to see the job through, while refusal could spark suspicion.
Thinking quickly, Kurumi replied indirectly. "I have other clones to aid me. The Black Lizards are better suited elsewhere."
"Oh?" Mori raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you use those clones to capture Atsushi last time?"
"Ah…"
Mori had found a gap in her excuse. She had claimed she'd been alone because she feared an Agency ambush, which justified Mori's offer of extra support. But if she truly had enough clones, why hadn't she deployed them then?
Her heart pounded as she scrambled for a new explanation. Just as Mori's suspicion peaked, she seized a solution.
"Because of my clone's betrayal," she said, feigning concern. "I thought it best not to rely on them until I know none of them intend to betray me as well."
Mori paused, then nodded, seemingly accepting her logic. "True. If multiple clones were to betray you, things could indeed spiral out of control. It's wise to sort out any disloyal ones first."
Kurumi discreetly sighed in relief, her tense nerves easing. Mori was proving a formidable adversary in conversation—if not for her quick thinking, he might already suspect her of purposefully letting Atsushi go. She resolved to be extra cautious in future talks with him; Mori's keen intellect demanded her utmost vigilance.
Composing herself, Kurumi maintained her graceful smile and said, "Give me a week. I'll take that time to discipline my remaining clones."
"A week?" Mori raised a brow. "I thought you only had four clones."
During her battle with Akutagawa, Kurumi had indeed shown four clones. But it would sound suspicious to claim she needed an entire week just for that.
"Yes, Mr. Mori, I currently have… twenty."
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