To be honest, Kazuma couldn't tell whether the warrant card was real or not.
However, his cheat allowed him to see very clearly that, at Jigen Style 15, this man in front of him was an expert.
After a few rounds of actual combat, Kazuma had gained a considerable amount of understanding of his cheat. Jigen Style 15 should be very powerful indeed. At least, this man wouldn't have any problem with defeating Kazuma's previous master, Hasegawa Masato, if he could transmigrate.
Usually, Jigen Style experts were either policemen or people who worked closely with the police.
Hence, it was highly likely that the person in front of him was a real police officer. With this judgment, Kazuma said, "Officer, we are just ordinary high school students. Is there anything we can help you with?"
The police officer narrowed his eyes to size up Kazuma and Chiyoko as he said leisurely, "Ordinary high school students would not enter the Sumitomo Construction Headquarters in broad daylight with bamboo swords on their back. Just a moment ago, we were worried that someone would be thrown down from the broken window upstairs."
Kazuma looked up. Even though the Sumitomo Construction Headquarters building was not too tall, it had 15 floors. It looked quite oppressive when one's looking up from downstairs.
At this moment, Chiyoko said, "That sounds like a movie plot, the part about being thrown down from the 15th floor. I'd say Takakura Ken should probably be the main character."
Kazuma laughed out loud. It was 1980, the golden age of Japanese movies, and Takakura Ken was extremely popular nowadays. One of the movies which he starred in, "You Must Cross the River of Wrath," had become a blockbuster.
In another five years, this movie would drift across the sea under the name of "The Pursuit," gaining huge popularity among its Chinese audience.
One of the most well-known scenes in the movie was when the villain drugged the protagonist and made him jump off a building. That gave birth to a famous line in the history of Japanese movies.
Kazuma took the opportunity to say that line, "Morioka, look how blue the sky is… Walk over and become one with that blue sky."
The policeman looked back at his partner, who was standing some distance away, and smiled too.
Kazuma saw that the policeman's partner was at Jigen Style 7, which was similar to his own combat power. So he determined that this man in front of him was the leader between the pair.
Besides, the criminal investigator before him looked older, so it was sensible that he was paired with a less experienced younger policeman.
"We were here to discuss matters regarding our dojo with Sumitomo Construction," Kazuma explained.
After hearing some brief explanation, the younger investigator who had been standing at the back sighed. "It's not easy for you either. It doesn't seem like it has anything to do with our investigation…"
The older policeman who took the initiative to talk to them interrupted the young man. "Don't say that, Takayama-kun. Sometimes, breakthroughs are found in seemingly unrelated places. How should I address you two?"
"Erm, I'm Kiryuu Kazuma, and this is my sister Chiyoko."
"Kiryuu-kun, if you hear anything strange or notice anything related to criminal activity, please call this number."
The old policeman handed over a name card, but there was no name or position on it. There was only a phone number.
"Any information is fine, please."
Chiyoko could not help but ask, "Is it considered a crime for Sumitomo Construction to collude with the yakuza?"
"Do you have any evidence?" the old policeman asked.
"Evidence? We are the evidence. We can testify in court…" Chiyoko immediately volunteered.
But the old policeman shook his head. "That's useless. Even without the help of those big lawyers who charge exorbitantly high prices, Sumitomo Construction's legal representatives alone can nullify the testimony of witnesses like you. If you want to prove that Sumitomo Construction is connected to criminal organizations, you have to at least have a recording of their conversation."
"How can that be? How are we going to get this kind of recording?" Chiyoko was shocked. It seemed that she had gained a deeper understanding of Japanese society.
The old policeman gave her a helpless smile. "That's how things work. Anyway, please, call this number as soon as you hear anything that might be related to crimes. I mean, other than the case where Sumitomo Construction is colluding with the yakuza to force a sale."
Seeing that the old policeman was about to leave, Kazuma asked, "What benefits can we get?"
This was the key.
Kazuma was certain that these two policemen were investigating some major crime—and it was more serious than a case of a real estate company colluding with the yakuza.
In this era, those construction companies that did not collude with the yakuza were the anomalies. There was no way they could survive.
These two criminal investigators had definitely not been guarding the entrance of Sumitomo Construction Headquarters for the company's crime of colluding with the yakuza. There must be something more serious.
However, since they did not say it out loud, Kazuma felt that it was not appropriate to ask directly, so he asked about the rewards instead.
The two policemen looked at Kazuma strangely. The old policeman said, "Aren't you troubled by the yakuza? If you can forge connections with criminal investigators, the yakuza won't dare to have their way with you, right?"
'Hmm, that makes sense.'
However, this was Japan, after all. Criminal investigators were restricted by a string of complicated procedures. They probably posed less deterrence toward the yakuza as compared to the "municipal uniformed police" that Kazuma had been more familiar with in his previous life.
"If we hear anything suspicious, we will report it to you," Kazuma promised them. "It's getting late, we'll take our leave first."
After that, Kazuma and Chiyoko bowed to the two investigators. Just as they were about to leave, the old policeman suddenly said, "I have a piece of advice for you. Don't think about using your kendo skills to fight against the yakuza. They are vicious people, and there are plenty of martial arts experts among them. Moreover, be it kendo or judo, if you treat martial arts as just a skill, you will definitely be at a disadvantage.
"You might be a better fighter than some of the yakuza members, but if we really fight, I'm afraid you won't be able to gain any advantage."
Kazuma understood immediately. The old policeman was beating around the bush, trying to remind Kazuma that the old saying "mind and skill as one" was not totally ill-founded.
A strong will and mind could really be used in martial arts.
Although Kazuma had already found out about this through his cheat, he still bowed to the policeman and thanked him. "Thank you for your advice."
The old policeman stared at Kazuma for a few seconds and suddenly said, "I like your attitude. I'll give you another piece of advice. If you really have to fight against the yakuza, remember, don't kill anyone. As long as you don't kill, the police will support you. Even if you handicap hundreds of yakuza members, as long as no lives are lost, you will not get into trouble with the laws."
Kazuma took a second to ponder over the validity of the advice. In the end, he believed that there was no reason for the old investigator to lie to him on this matter.
Kazuma was not clear about the situation in Japan in his past life, but in this life, the Japanese police and judicial system would probably ignore the yakuza as long as they didn't kill.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kazuma replied sternly before pulling Chiyoko away.
***
After the Kiryuu siblings had left, Criminal Investigator Takayama said, "Shiratori-senpai, was it really necessary to talk to those two children? We are here to investigate a murder case, not to deal with criminal organizations or financial crimes…"
Investigator Shiratori touched his graying hair and said, "The Sumitomo Construction receptionist saw that we talked to them. They will report to the higher-ups.
"This way, their Relocation Department would not dare to go too far. After all, they don't know why we are here. Although we can't help the kids directly, it's helpful to slightly deter the company. This is called accumulating good karma, do you understand? Who knows when this bit of kindness will be rewarded."
"Oh, I see… But Shiratori-senpai, do you really think that that child can handicap hundreds of yakuza members?"
"Don't be silly. How is that possible?" Investigator Shiratori glared at Investigator Takayama.
Fujii Mikako skipped along the way to the Kiryuu family's dojo.
Although she was not a child anymore, she could not help but skip like a little girl as she walked.
Fujii had been to the Kiryuu family's dojo only twice. The last time she had been there was more than a year ago. At that time, Kiryuu Kazuma's father was still alive. He'd looked at Fujii as if she was his daughter-in-law.
That had made Fujii feel very awkward. Since then, she had been too shy to visit the Kiryuu family again.
Besides, at that time, Fujii and Kazuma were not as close as they were now.
If that had been the case, Fujii would probably have gone to the Kiryuu dojo every day.
'It's not too late to start going to his dojo every day,' Fujii thought happily.
'I will definitely practice until late every day to prepare for the qualifiers. It doesn't seem to be a bad idea to let Kiryuu-kun send me home every day.'
She thought about this as she turned the corner of the street following her memory.
The door of the dojo was already in sight.
Suddenly, Fujii noticed a few sneaky people lurking at the entrance of the dojo.
They saw her too. Their gazes made Fujii nervous.
The leader took out a big device with an antenna and seemed to be saying something.
Fujii sensed danger.
She took the bamboo sword from her back. She did not know how much her kendo skills could help, but…
Fujii recalled how Kiryuu-kun had beaten up the yakuza hooligans yesterday.
'Are they here to take revenge on Kiryuu-kun?'
'Did something happen to Kiryuu-kun? Was he captured by these people?'
A bunch of terrible scenarios popped up in Fujii's mind, making her anxious.
However, she did not lose her mind.
Yesterday, she was knocked out by a bat before she could do anything. If it were not for Kiryuu-kun, she might have been tainted.
Fujii was still scared as she recalled the situation back then. She felt chills down her spine.
She glanced at her bamboo sword and decided not to rely on it. It'd be a better idea to run away.
She remembered that there was a police watchhouse on the way here.
Fujii Mikako turned around. At this moment, she heard an angry shout from behind. "Hey! Woman! Stop right there!"
Fujii ran off immediately.
***
One minute ago.
Bandō, who was still waiting in front of the Koshikawa Girls' Junior High, received Ota's report via the walkie-talkie. "Bandō-san, we saw the girl who's with Kiryuu Kazuma when he beat up the Tsuda Family yesterday. She could be Kiryuu Kazuma's girlfriend. Should we get her instead?"
Bandō frowned.
He knew very well that their boss did not like to involve innocent people. It would be fine if she really was Kiryuu Kazuma's girlfriend, but if they later found out that she was not, the boss would definitely let her go. At that time, some people on this kidnap mission would definitely have their pinkies cut off…
Bandō did not want that. He decided to follow the boss' instructions strictly and kidnap Kiryuu Chiyoko only.
So he picked up the walkie-talkie. Just as he was about to give the order, he heard a shout from the other side. "Hey! Woman! Stop right there!"
It seemed that the girl had noticed them.
"Hold on!" Bandō hurriedly shouted. "Don't chase after that girl! Ota! Wait!"
However, no one answered. There was only static noise from the loudspeaker.
Bandō cursed, "F*ck!" He started the van and shouted at the person standing outside, "Get in!"
Before the person could get inside the van, the engine had already roared to life.
Fortunately, his subordinate was rather agile. He jumped onto the moving van and got inside.
Bandō drove the van straight to the Kiryuu dojo.
***
Fujii ran quickly. After all, the Kendo Club was a sports club too. They also placed heavy emphasis on physical training. Therefore, Fujii was a fast runner.
However, the three hooligans ran even faster.
In any case, running was a survival skill for them. Whether it was chasing someone or escaping when they were surrounded, running fast would always be useful.
Fujii felt that someone had grabbed onto her bag, so she let go and threw it away.
This made her heart ache because she had secretly brought some cosmetics in her bag today.
In this era, teachers and the student union's Disciplinary Department had the right to check students' bags. They would confiscate things like cosmetics.
Usually, Fujii would not bring cosmetics to school.
She brought it today because she was saved by her hero Kiryuu Kazuma yesterday.
Before leaving her house this morning, the scene where Kazuma had beaten up the yakuza hooligans suddenly flashed across Fujii's mind. Before she knew it, she had stuffed her newly-bought lipstick and foundation into her bag.
She'd regretted it on her way to school and wanted to go home to put down those cosmetics.
But that would make her late for the morning training, and Daimon Goro would punish her to run laps on the field.
In the end, Fujii had had no choice but to bring her cosmetics to school.
Now, her lipstick and schoolbag had fallen into the hands of yakuza hooligans.
Fujii could not help but turn back to look.
It was at that moment when another hooligan screamed and pounced toward her.
Fujii did not have time to take her bamboo sword out of the cloth bag, so she hit the hooligan's head directly.
Actually, bamboo swords used to be called bamboo bag swords. Hence, it was not wrong to hit someone with it while it's wrapped in cloth.
After that, Fujii realized that she would not be able to outrun them. Hence, she took a stance to prepare for the fight and shouted, "Help!"
The watchhouse should be nearby. When the police officer on duty arrived, the yakuza would have no other choice but give up…
Fujii was quite confident in her own swordsmanship. In the past, she could even defeat "assistant coach" Kiryuu Kazuma. Even though Kazuma had suddenly become stronger than her, she believed that she'd have no problem fighting off a few small fries!
She had lost yesterday only because it was a sneak attack!
Fujii encouraged herself and held the bamboo sword as she assumed a stable stance.
The hooligans sprang toward her.
"Face!" she shouted, striking her opponent's face with her bamboo sword.
It was a hard hit. Fujii had learned her lesson yesterday, so she did not hold back and struck with all her might.
The hooligan fell to the ground.
At this moment, something rushed toward Fujii's face—it was that thing with an antenna!
Fujii swung her sword and knocked down the incoming iron block. However, at this instant, the last hooligan standing suddenly rushed over and held Fujii by her waist.
Fujii used the handle of her bamboo sword to hit the man's back with all her strength.
She's truly strong. The arms hidden under the sleeves of her sailor suit were actually very muscular. She would have absolutely no issue defeating an ordinary man.
However, even after a few hits, the yakuza hooligan did not seem to have any intention of letting her go.
Then, using his physical advantage, the man pushed Fujii backward, knocking her onto a pole.
The sharp pain in her back made Fujii scream. The strong pressure almost flattened her lungs.
At this moment, the yakuza hooligan who was the first to be defeated by Fujii stood up. He took out a gunny sack and put it over Fujii's head. Then, he hit the back of her head with a club.
Fujii stopped struggling.
Then, they heard a police whistle from afar. The police officer on duty at the watchhouse whistled as he rushed over.
The man who was holding Fujii's waist lifted her up with a roar. Together with the other one who had just covered Fujii's head with the sack, they took to their heels and ran away, abandoning their last comrade who was still lying on the ground.
The policeman rushed over. He looked at the gangster who was still lying on the ground with both hands covering his head and hesitated. In the end, he decided to subdue this gangster first and called for reinforcements.
***
From afar, Bandō saw Ota running over with Fujii Mikako over his shoulder. The girl had lost consciousness.
He slammed on the brakes and stopped the van before them. Bando cursed, "F*ck! I didn't order you to take her!"
"Then… should I leave her?"
Bandō hesitated for a moment and gestured the pair to get into the van. "Bring her up. We can only make do since you have her. Take off the sack and cover her mouth."
Bandō's order was quickly executed. He started the car and drove away.
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