I'm a demon in Tokyo!

Chapter 247 The Tokyo Seed Battle Officially Begins! Next up: Arakawa Ward, Uesugi Tetsu! Chisa's Little Greed

Upon hearing a very familiar surname from a child she had never met before, Ririko was momentarily stunned.

As far as she knew, there was no other agent in the Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Department with the surname Uesugi.

So she asked, "The Uesugi-ge you mentioned, is his name Uesugi Tetsu?"

Now it was Chisa's turn to be stunned.

Does this kind older sister also know Uesugi-kun?
She answered the question with a question, puzzled: "Sister, do you know Uesugi-san too?"

“He’s my friend.” Ririko walked into the elevator behind her, paused, and added deliberately, “A good friend.”

Chisa nodded repeatedly, "Uesugi-nii is also my friend."

The girl blinked her big eyes at Ririko and gave her a gentle smile.

"My name is Chisa! So, doesn't that mean we're good friends now?"

Are my friends friends?
I don’t think so.

Ririko pondered for a moment, but did not understand.

Is this what children think?
—But when did Uesugi-kun meet this girl?
—When I went to Shizuoka Prefecture a few days ago?
But if they met in Shizuoka Prefecture, how did the other person end up in the Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Department, even wearing an agent's uniform?

There was too much unknown information, which made Ririko quite confused.

But considering the other person looked like a primary school student, Ririko nodded lightly and said...

“Okay, then we’re friends too… My name is Tokugawa Ririko.”

She deliberately removed the word "good" before "friend".

The Special Affairs Office building doesn't have more than a few dozen floors, and the internal elevators are always very fast.

Within seconds, Ririko and Chisa, carrying the documents, arrived at the door of Nanjo Ai's office.

As Chisa was struggling to hold the documents with one hand and knock on the door with the other, she noticed a hand with a fair back but a rough-looking palm reaching out from behind her.

"Tokugawa-nee! This can't be done!"

Without knocking, he turned the doorknob as the girl gasped in surprise.

The door was opened.

Behind the door, Nanjo Aimi, Uesugi Tetsu, and Eikaku, who were talking, all turned their heads.

Ririko was slightly taken aback at first, then chuckled softly at Chisa, who was standing beside her with her mouth agape and a flustered expression.
"Actually, it won't matter if you don't knock."

“Don’t let Nanjo’s stern demeanor fool you.” Ririko walked into the office and casually placed the documents on a patch of empty space. “Actually, she’s not that particular about rules.”

In the sudden silence, Nanjo Manami first hummed in agreement with Ririko's words, then waved to Chisa, who was frozen at the door.
"Is this Chisa? You've worked hard, please come in."

Only then did the girl dare to come in, and she neatly placed the documents next to Ririko's pile.

They even went out of their way to smooth out the uneven corners of the former when it was placed.

Uesugi Tetsuya, who had just been discussing seed battles with Nanjo Manami, stared at the girl in her pajamas for a while.

He didn't expect to see Ririko here.

So it took him several seconds before he spoke to the girl with the high ponytail.
"Long time no see, Ririko."

After a period of time apart, everyone else's aura has become more profound and stronger.

Lili Zi, on the contrary, became more like an ordinary person. Even his interpretive eye needed to stare for a while before he could detect the other party's qi circulation.

"How long?"

Ririko, who was immersed in contemplation and cultivation all day long, took out her phone from her pocket. After seeing the date, she calculated that more than a week had indeed passed.

This week, it seems that many big things have happened besides the 1.5 waves.

So for Uesugi-kun, it really was a "long time".

Ririko nodded: "It's been a long time, Uesugi-kun."

"correct."

Meeting the gazes of the three, Ririko pointed with her thumb behind her back at Chisa, who had remained silent since opening the door.
"This child came specifically to see you."

Chisa, who had already done something "bad" by interrupting the adults' conversation without knocking and was now unable to find her sister in the room but instead encountered a bald, strange-looking uncle with a strong presence, was too afraid to speak.

He simply responded with a low voice, which was his way of greeting him.

Ririko in front looked puzzled.

She recalled Chisa, whose eyes sparkled with excitement whenever she talked about Uesugi Tetsu in the elevator.

But when you're actually in front of them, why don't you dare to speak?

Ririko did not try to understand the thoughts of the "children" species, especially little girls.

After those two sentences were spoken, an eerie silence fell over the room again.

Nanjo Ai took a sip of the orange-flavored iced coffee that Manatsu had bought on the table. This stuff was both delicious and refreshing, a veritable "energy booster for oxen and horses."

Huijue simply smiled, thinking it wasn't the time for him to speak.

It was Uesugi Tetsu who broke the silence first.

“Ririko,” he said, “you should like the Sengoku Secret Realm in Numazu City. There are three opportunities to fight against projections of characters from the Sengoku period.”

Uesugi Tetsu: "Even if it's just adding a little change to your resource library, it's still pretty good."

"Okay, I'll give it a try when I have time."

Ririko gave a brief reply, nodded, and made a mental note of what she had said.

After those two sentences, the office fell silent again.

In the corner, Huijue's smile was a little stiff. He wondered if they had a fight or quarrel without his knowledge.
But in reality, this is just their daily routine; talking isn't essential.

Only when discussing spiritual practice or serious matters would Uesugi Tetsu and Ririko become so talkative that they would talk endlessly.

Chisa looked left and right, looking exactly like someone being punished by the teacher and standing anxiously at the door.

After a while, the girl finally couldn't stand the atmosphere anymore.

She spoke weakly.
"Um... Sister Ririko, let's let Nanjo Daishu and Uesugi finish their business first."

After saying that, without waiting for Ririko's response, she quickly fled from the office.

Ririko, long accustomed to silence, watched Chisa's retreating figure with confusion. After hesitating for a moment, she followed her out, leaving a message for the three people in the office.
"Then you two talk first."

……

On the same floor, in an empty corridor.

Chisa leaned against the windowsill, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the scenery outside.

Whenever she thought about what had just happened, Chisa blushed with embarrassment.

"Didn't you see Uesugi-kun? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Ririko walked over slowly, somewhat unable to understand Chisa's words and actions.

Chisa didn't turn around. She thought to herself that this older sister surnamed Tokugawa really had a big heart, being able to stay in such an awkward atmosphere as if nothing had happened.

If it were me in her shoes, I would have blurted out all my thoughts by now.

Instead of thinking about it all by myself here.

Ririko couldn't understand, so she leaned against the windowsill just like the girl.

She stared at the city outside the window for a while, but felt there was nothing to see—she'd rather look at the bamboo sword at home.

Chisa could sense that although Tokugawa-neechan was a bit rough around the edges, she was indeed trustworthy and a good candidate to be a friend.

That's what her inner feelings told her.

So, after a moment's hesitation, Chisa spoke softly, "Actually, I sought out Uesugi-nii because I wanted to train under his tutelage."

Ririko listened quietly.

The girl said somewhat dejectedly, "Actually, I've been tested by the Special Affairs Bureau several times. I'm just an ordinary person without any talent, but I still want to become stronger..."

Uesugi-kun said I could do it, so I wanted to learn from him how to practice.

“Then you should follow me to learn cultivation,” Lilizi said calmly, “because I have no talent whatsoever.”

Qian Sha was speechless for a moment.

But she could tell it was the truth.

"However, it will be very bitter, very tiring, and very painful. Many times, the bitterness will make you feel desperate."

Ririko turned her head and stared at Chisa, saying calmly yet earnestly, "If someone without talent wants to move forward, they must give up most things except their goal."

"If you want to become stronger, then don't think about anything else but becoming stronger."

Ririko stared at the girl biting her lip and asked, "What's wrong? Can't you do it?"

Chisa lowered her head and replied in a muffled nasal voice,
"Hmm." The girl sighed softly, "I'm not really willing."

Chisa stretched her arms out of the window and slumped against the windowsill, her lips pouting, looking distressed and disappointed.

"Tokugawa-nee, I just want to become strong enough to protect my family, but I don't want to be separated from them for too long because of this..."

"Moreover, what I really want to do is learn training from Uesugi-san."

Qian Sha gazed at the sky and sighed deeply.

"Because he saved me, because I like him."

Chisa is a little greedy, but not very ambitious.

Ririko stared at her.

After a long silence, he said calmly, "Wanting everything results in doing nothing well."

"Chisa knows."

Chisa simply got lost at the first crossroads in her life.

……

Have you seen the preliminary list?

"I finished reading it a long time ago."

"Then don't forget to show up at the event in a couple of days, just to go through the motions." Nanjo Manami put down her plastic cup and said with a teasing smile, "Otherwise, the Special Affairs Department will be bombarded with criticism on Twitter and Instagram."

"Uesugi-kun, you're a big star now."

"Just lucky."

Uesugi Tetsu shook his head: "Let's not talk about this."

"Nanjo-nee, do you have any historical records from the Heian period to the present?" Uesugi Tetsu asked. "Try to be as complete as possible, even the standard versions will do."

"That's quite a large quantity."

Nanjo Aimi didn't ask what it was for: "Have someone deliver it to your doorstep in a few days."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded and then asked, "Also, where is the venue for the seeding match? I haven't seen any related information."

“Right in the heart of Tokyo.”

Uesugi Tetsu:?

Isn't the very center of the city an urban area? How come they built a stadium that can hold at least tens of thousands of people?

Let alone demolishing countless high-rise buildings, just setting up a stadium would have a significant impact on traffic.

Nanjo Manami didn't explain, but instead gave him a mysterious smile: "You'll find out when the time comes."

Damn, why are they starting to keep us in suspense?

"彳庍口巴."

Uesugi Tetsu waved his hand, watching Nanjo Aimi and Eikaku discuss the seed war again.

About half an hour later, Huijue got up and left.

“Benefactor Uesugi, this humble monk will try his best to complete the cleansing of the vows in the next few days, and then find a solution for the next step.”

"Thank you for your help, Master."

Uesugi Tetsu bowed slightly.

Less than two minutes after Huijue left, Lilizi led Qiansha in.

That's right, it's being led.

The girl looked a little timid and hid behind her.

Uesugi Tetsuya looked on, completely bewildered.

When and how did your relationship become so good?

Ririko turned to the side, revealing Chisa behind her with her head slightly bowed.

Uesugi Tetsuya pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Regarding cultivation..."

Unexpectedly, Chisa interrupted Uesugi Tetsuya and said softly, "Uesugi-nii, I haven't really thought it through yet. Could you please give me some more time to consider it?"

Uesugi Tetsuya was taken aback.

He looked up and winked at Ririko, whose expression remained unchanged.

Does it mean "What medicine did you give her?"
Ririko blinked too.

She was completely innocent; she was just stating the facts.

—But whatever Ririko said to Chisa, she did help him out of the predicament and postponed his decision about whether or not to become Chisa's master.

Very good very good.

“Of course you can.” Uesugi Tetsu patted the girl’s head and smiled. “Tell me your answer when you’ve really figured it out.”

The girl replied, "Thank you, Uesugi-kun."

"If there's nothing else, could you please stop staying in my office?"

Nanjo Manami sipped her coffee in one gulp and said slowly.

Where are the couples?

The two of them first showed the same puzzled expression, and then asked in unison.

Tsk.

Nanjo Aimi waved her hand: "Go away, go away, we need to work, don't get in the way."

Uesugi Tetsu had no choice but to say goodbye to Chisa and leave with Ririko.

Chisa watched the two figures disappear into the distance.

She vaguely realized that Tokugawa-nee and Uesugi-nii seemed to be more than just good friends.

On the way home, Ririko said she was stuck on the Qi Sea part of the progress.

"I still don't understand the key points of acupoints." Lili rubbed her temples. "To avoid exchanging incorrect knowledge, I won't say any more."

Uesugi Tetsuya wasn't in a hurry: "Take your time, the Palace of Flesh isn't fully developed yet."

……

In the three days leading up to the start of the preliminary rounds, Uesugi Tetsuya barely went out, and didn't even talk much to Ririko. He just stayed at home in Arakawa Ward, focusing on his training.

—The seed battle is full of strong players, so he has to seize every opportunity to cultivate.

The Five Thunder Method and the Lin Character Formula are the key points for these three days.

The three days, during which meals were prepared on time, passed in the blink of an eye.

"Unfortunately, it's still a little short."

Amidst the surging thunder, Uesugi Tetsu exhaled a breath of turbid air and looked at the Five Thunder Technique, which was only 98 points away from reaching the expert level.

【Five Thunder Techniques - Qi Harmony (Mastery 2702/2800)】

In addition, the progress of comprehending the "Lin" technique has also advanced to just over 7%. Although there has been no fundamental change, the effect has been enhanced somewhat.

That's why I spent hundreds of Soul Ash points to draw Soul-Soothing Incense Ash.

"Unfortunately, Jianli is only 1% away from reaching the 10% threshold."

Uesugi Tetsu sighed. These past few days, he had been getting his head chopped off by the Sword Saint every day, but despite being chopped off so many times, his swordsmanship hadn't improved.

In a sense, this really does depend on luck.

When he turned his head again, he could already see the blinding midday sunlight streaming through the crack in the door.

Uesugi Tetsu stood up and spoke softly to the girl who was still sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed in the corner of the empty dojo.
"I'm going."

"come on."

June 10, 2024, noon, Eastern Region Seeding Tournament Qualifiers.

Officially begin.

……

"Next up, Arakawa Ward Special Affairs Department's seed, Uesugi Tetsu!"

In the crowded streets, Uesugi Tetsu could hear someone announcing his name from a great distance.

Feeling the commotion caused by the crowd around him, and the crowd that made it impossible for him to move, Uesugi Tetsu sighed helplessly.

Then, amidst countless pairs of eyes that immediately noticed him, he rose straight into the air.

(End of this chapter)