Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

However, upon hearing Fujimaru Ritsuka's question, Kuroto's smile froze instantly, and a hint of panic flashed uncontrollably in his eyes.

This slight panic was successfully detected by the four people's keen eyes.

--has a problem!

The next moment, the three problem children revealed a malicious smile. Under such a hostile gaze, Black Rabbit tried hard to maintain his expression, but he looked increasingly guilty.

Izayoi Sakamaki laughed lightly:

"It seems you're hiding some crucial points?"

"How...how could this be..."

Although he said that, Black Rabbit's eyes darted around, and he seemed quite shaken, stammering as he said:

"A few years ago, our [Community] was quite famous..."

"Several years ago?"

Before she could finish speaking, Izayoi Sakamaki seized on the key point and sneered:

"Does that mean the situation is completely different now?"

"For example, your [community] is now completely doomed and impoverished, so you have no choice but to pin your hopes on holders of [gifts] from another world?"

"—"

Izayoi Sakamaki's words were like a devastating blow; Black Rabbit instantly slumped, her earlier cheerful demeanor completely gone. Even so, she still seemed hesitant to speak, as if unwilling to honestly reveal the truth.

Seeing this, Kudo Asuka crossed her arms and said in an unquestionable tone:

"If you don't tell us the truth, shouldn't we have the right to refuse to join your [community]?"

"Same as above."

Kasukabe Yo, who was standing to the side, nodded in agreement.

"—!"

Black Rabbit's expression wavered instantly, like a camel breaking the camel's back. She cautiously looked at the group and said:

"...If I tell you the truth, would you be willing to join the [Community]?"

Izayoi Sakamaki shrugged irresponsibly and said:

"Who knows? It depends on what you tell us."

"……I see."

Now that things had come to this, Black Rabbit knew she had been driven to a dead end and had absolutely no choice. So, in a moment of despair, she began to recount the situation of their "community".

A "community" is a collective term for an organization established by multiple members. For a community to conduct its activities, it must submit a "name" and a "flag" to the sandbox. The "flag," in particular, is crucial for demonstrating the community's sphere of influence.

The community to which Black Rabbit belongs is called "No Name," meaning it has lost its own name and banner, and is an unnamed organization at the very bottom of the entire Little Garden.

Even more devastatingly, apart from the [title] and [flag], not even the companions who formed the core of the community were left behind.

Of the 122 members of [No Name], only Black Rabbit and an eleven-year-old boy named Ren Russell—who is also the current leader of the community—possess the gift to participate in the game; the other members are all children under the age of ten.

"We're completely at our wits' end."

Izayoi Sakamaki sighed softly, showing no particular emotion, as did the others, making the unpredictable Black Rabbit feel uneasy.

"So, are you running a daycare center? How did it end up like this?"

Black Rabbit shook his head and smiled bitterly, looking melancholy:

"No, their parents were also taken away. They were taken away by the greatest natural disaster that attacked the Little Garden—the Demon King."

"Demon King?" ×4

The four people reacted differently, some with excitement and others with confusion, but they all showed the same interest in the word "Demon King".

Black Rabbit explained sadly:

"The Demon King refers to the Asura gods and Buddhas who possess a special privilege called 'Host Authority' in the miniature garden. They can initiate the Gift Game, and no one can refuse it."

"It was because we were forced to participate in the game organized by the Demon King that our community... lost everything that was necessary for our activities as a community unit."

“Oh, the devil…”

Fujimaru Ritsuka rubbed her chin. While sympathizing with the plight of Black Rabbit's community, she felt that this seemingly villainous existence might be related to the reason she was invited here.

Was she specifically sent here to deal with the Demon King?

Hmm... I have a feeling it's not that simple...

Meanwhile, Izayoi Sakamaki wore an excited smile.

"Since he calls himself the Demon King, he must be a powerful and ferocious guy who wouldn't be blamed by anyone even if I used all my strength to crush them, right?"

"Yeah...that's true..."

Black Rabbit forced a smile, feeling that the other party's remarks were somewhat ignorant and fearless.

However, she then firmly stated:

"Our greatest hope is to hold onto the home that will allow our companions to return, while also striving to rebuild our community. One day, we will reclaim the name and banner of our community and make it flourish once again!"

"To achieve this goal, we can only ask for the help of powerful participants like you. Could you please lend your powerful abilities to our community?"

After saying this, Black Rabbit bowed deeply, earnestly pleading.

With her head bowed, she closed her eyes tightly and bit her lip hard, as if a prisoner awaiting final judgment.

"Wanting to reclaim your comrades and honor from the Demon King...that's quite an impressive determination!"

Izayoi Sakamaki laughed heartily, and Asuka Kudo also revealed a confident smile, saying:

"Is it like starting from scratch? That suits me perfectly. If it were easy, I wouldn't bother joining."

Kasukabe Yōya nodded slightly and said:

"I'm just here to make friends, nothing else matters."

"Everyone……!"

Upon hearing this, Black Rabbit suddenly raised her head and looked at the group with disbelief and surprise in her eyes.

"What, don't you want us to join? Then let's leave."

"No, no! Absolutely not! We desperately need your help!"

Although she realized it might be a joke, seeing the wicked smile on Izayoi Sakamaki's face, Black Rabbit was still so anxious that she jumped up and down and hurriedly tried to stop the others.

Just then, she suddenly remembered something and looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, the only one present who had not yet spoken, and became a little nervous again. After observing her carefully for a moment, her expression suddenly became somewhat surprised.

Is the other person spacing out?

Regardless, she still cautiously called out to the other person:

"Um... Ritsuka-sama...?"

"what,"

Hearing the other person call out, Fujimaru Ritsuka finally snapped out of her thoughts.

Looking at the awkward-looking Black Rabbit in front of her, she thought for a moment and finally nodded amidst the other's surprised gaze.

"I'll join in too."

She is currently more concerned about information about the Demon King. In addition, she is new to the place and unfamiliar with the people. At least from the current situation, Black Rabbit and its community are indeed a good choice.

but……

"Very good!!!"

Black Rabbit could no longer contain its excitement and cheered joyfully.

"However, on the other hand,"

However, before she could even feel happy for a few seconds, Fujimaru Ritsuka raised her hand again and asked curiously:

"If I am dissatisfied with the situation of the [Community], can I leave at any time?"

"babble--"

Black Rabbit's smile froze again.

"this and that……"

Could it be that this seemingly well-behaved Fujimaru Ritsuka is actually the biggest problem child?

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 531 The Extra Fourth Person

Outside the 2105380 gate of the small garden, on Peilibede Avenue, in front of the fountain plaza.

In front of the staircase connecting the outer and inner sides of the miniature garden, a boy named Jin—the leader of [No Name]—with a loose robe and curly hair, sat on the stairs, waiting for Black Rabbit's return while blankly observing the passersby.

Although there is a definite "end of the world" in the Little Garden world, its surface area is vast enough to rival that of a star. Therefore, even though the Little Garden is the main stage of the "Gift Game" and the largest city in terms of area, there are still vast resources and abundant lands outside the Little Garden that are left undeveloped, so there is naturally no reason not to explore them.

Therefore, those with talent will gather people to establish nations, including nations of dragons, demons, mythical beasts, elves, and so on, and even establish large-scale cities outside the miniature garden.

Correspondingly, many people who lack the ability also begin to choose to leave the Little Garden, or to rebuild their strength outside the Little Garden before returning to participate in the [Gift Game] again.

If the people Black Rabbit brings back are not capable enough, then they will only have the above path to choose, right?

However, having to leave his hometown with over a hundred companions, all under the age of ten, to make a living... this was the outcome he desperately wanted to avoid...

"Young Master Ren~! I've brought back a new companion~!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Black Rabbit."

Black Rabbit's cheerful call pulled Ren back to reality from his worries. Although he was still somewhat uneasy, he forced a smile, nodded to Black Rabbit, and then looked at the three girls behind her:

"Are those three ladies over there our new companions?"

"Yes! These three are..."

Black Rabbit turned around eagerly to introduce Ren, but the next moment, she suddenly froze on the spot.

"Huh...? That's strange. Where is that Izayoi-sama with the fierce eyes, foul tone, and the aura of a 'problem child'...?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka kindly reminded her: