Villain Rehabilitator

The Yurei members partied until sunrise, and even after the sun came up, they continued celebrating.

Lucy let them be and headed to the outskirts of Tsukikage District alone. Men and women wearing red hakamas and kataginu patrolled the streets with wary eyes, catching any suspicious individual but Lucy ignored them.

'The police may seem like they're investigating the gambling den incident, but they're actually trying to show how powerful the Shojo's is. However they should be careful with how they act... The cold Civil War might end soon.'

Lucy shrugged, walking along the side streets with a placid expression, searching for a quiet spot to sit.

After a few minutes, Lucy settled into a chair at a restaurant facing the serene lake. Boats drifted back and forth, creating a peaceful atmosphere, but the tense expression on the people's faces suggested otherwise.

Lucy just gazed at the gathering happening here and there in silence, until a 12-year-old boy with red eyes hidden underneath reading glasses walked into the inn.

The boy's cold reserve and bright golden hakama that matched his long hair drew attention, but the inn's patrons seemed familiar with him and let him wander freely.

The boy sampled food from other tables, but no one minded. When he reached Lucy's table, he did the same.

Just then, a woman entered the inn, yelling, "Toru-sama! As the Shinpan of the Izuwa Clan, you must know better than to behave like this!" (1)

Lucy's gaze followed the woman, noticing the dove emblem on her hakama.

'A machi-bugyo... that's to be expected for a personal bodyguard of a Shinpan. Anyone who argued with this violet-haired boy would regret it.' (2)

The woman tried to grab the boy's hand, but he pushed her away and walked to the balcony.

Seeing this, Lucy suddenly struck up a conversation with her, "You have a precious gem there."

The woman's face contorted in displeasure, "Excuse me?!"

Forgetting her duties, she said, "I'm only 22; there's no way I could be his mother!"

Lucy raised an eyebrow, sizing up the woman. His thoughts racing, 'I thought it was her thanks to their similar appearances... Why could I forget she once told she is not from Kokoro Island? (3)

Lucy sighed, pushing his thoughts aside, "I just meant that beauty runs in the family."

The woman blushed, and Lucy stood up, "But I guess I was wrong. Sorry..."

By the time the woman regained her composure, Lucy had already left the inn.

She whispered to the waiter next to her, "Is he the boss of Yurei?"

The waiter shook his head, "He's an odd guy. He ordered food but didn't touch it. To me, he seems like someone sent by the Yurei boss to gather information about our boss."

The woman turned to look at Toru, who was grinning at his reflection in the lake.

"Mika, follow that man. Have the police tighten security around the district!"

Mika nodded and rushed out of the inn.

Toru's brows furrowed, "For some reason, I couldn't see his past or future. Instead, I saw mine... and it was horrifying than the last time I checked. Now I'm sure that man is the boss of Yurei."

Meanwhile, Lucy was on a boat heading to the Hakuren District. He leaned on the edge, his cold gaze fixed on the empty sky.

'With the gambling den down, things will get chaotic in Tsukikage District, hindering Yurei's actions. We'll move to Hakuren District, where the Katsuragi clan's right arm operates. I hope my uncle is doing well there; otherwise, this will be disappointing.'

...

Night fell, and Shinji walked past the towering torii gates on Romero Mountain. Despite his calm expression, his inner thoughts were turbulent.

'Why did Lila give me this mission? She's strong enough to handle it alone.'

Shinji sighed, gazing at the desolate trees surrounding him.

'And why did those villagers fill my head with ghost stories? They're just losers who just need a hero to do things for them.'

As he ascended the mountain, Shinji recited poems to calm his mind. By the time he reached the peak, his thoughts were clear.

He looked at the buildings beside him and scoffed, "There's no such thing as ghosts."

Shinji approached the building on the right, which appeared to be a traditional Japanese structure, but with a damaged section, as if a boulder had crushed it.

Upon entering, Shinji's eyes rolled in disdain at the sight of the ceiling. "As they say, beauty is in the inside. I won't be fooled by this trickery."

However, his mind was in chaos, contradicting his confident facade. 'This place looks scary. Why is the door I came in from on the other side of the room? What's with all these candles on the ground?'

Shinji took a deep breath and turned to leave, but the distance seemed to have increased, and he felt a surge of fear.

"Is the other side the exit?"

His body shivering, Shinji slowly turned around, and his expression darkened, "Was all that walking for nothing?"

As he looked down, Shinji's pupils danced with fear.

'Where did this water come from? Why is there a pond in the middle of the room?'

He tried to walk, but his feet felt heavy, as if stuck in place.

'Is this place really haunted?'

Shinji shook off the thought and carefully removed his feet from the water before sprinting away from the room.

This time, he could see himself moving, but he sensed someone following him, which made him hasten his pace.

'Damn it! Where is the exit?'

All Shinji could see were empty walls. He thought of turning back, but he didn't want to face whatever was chasing him.

As he approached the walls, the candlelight illuminating the room began to fade, and his mind wandered to the girl who brought him to the island.

"That girl only wants my golden dragon! If-!"

Before he could say further, an invisible soft caressed his chest, and a voice whispered in his ear,

"Are you really that great in bed?"

Shinji let out a terrified scream.

Ahhhh!!!

....

1 - A low ranking Daimyo

2 - A police General.

3 - He is talking about his girlfriend.