Tokyoites don't have martial virtue

Is today June 1st? Happy Children's Day everyone, although I don't have any gifts to give you.

109. The Stone Man and the Sponge Man

Behind the elevator doors was a large hall that looked like a bar. Apart from the warm orange lighting and the decorations with Shinto and Buddhist elements, it really felt like an "adventurer's guild" from a fantasy story.

It was late at night, and there were only a handful of guests in the hall. Most of them were elderly, and their expressions as they drank revealed a sense of weariness.

The girl led Kyushu Makoto to the counter, where a man dressed as a bartender stepped forward to greet her.

Kyushu Makoto noticed several large certificates posted on the wall behind the counter, which read things like "Official Certification of the Government of Wano Country" or "Certification of the Public Security Bureau of Wano Country," much like hygiene inspection certificates posted on restaurant walls.

"Good evening, Miss Megissin." The bartender's tone was very respectful.

"We have received your mission update report. The [Hunter's Blade] has reappeared, but was stopped while committing the crime and lost an arm."

"As for the person who tore off its arm," the bartender said, glancing at Kyushu Makoto beside him.

"It's you, Mr. Kyushu Makoto."

"You know my name?" Kyushu Makoto was taken aback.

“We’ve already conducted a brief background check on you.” The bartender pulled out a tablet and swiped a few times with his fingers:

"Seventeen years old, attending the private Shujin Academy High School in Minato Ward, with decent academic performance, but mediocre performance in other areas. Your parents have both disappeared due to gambling debts, and you currently live alone without any guardian to support you. However, according to the investigation, you frequently visit a host club called 'Tokyo Gensokyo,' and it is suspected that you work there."

After listening to their explanation, Kyushu Makoto frowned: "Your investigation is really thorough."

“We cooperate with the police; with just a little use of their system, we can quickly find your information,” the bartender replied calmly.

"Of course, please allow me to apologize for infringing on your privacy rights. After all, you have been involved in a life-or-death case, and we had no choice but to do this."

"So you mean you're wrong but won't correct it?" Kyushu Makoto shrugged, feeling there was no point in delving into the matter further: "I understand your position, continue."

"According to Megisin's report, you defeated that tsukumogami single-handedly without using any spiritual power. It had already caused the deaths of three people, making its danger level 'Category C Upper'." The bartender swiped his tablet again, his tone revealing admiration.

"In other words, you already possess combat abilities comparable to a Rank C professional exorcist."

"Excuse me. What level are you referring to as 'Class C'?" Kyushu Makoto couldn't help but ask.

“The threat levels of spiritual species are divided into ‘A, B, C, and D.’ If you think that’s too archaic, just think of them as ‘ABCD,’” Eliza Qinggong explained, resting her elbows on the bar counter.

“Spiritual species that have received a Class C rating generally begin to become aggressive and threatening. The chances of an ordinary human defeating them are infinitely close to zero, but there are exceptions like you.”

"So, I really have done something remarkable." Kyushu Makoto stroked his chin, nodding thoughtfully. "That's why you chose me?"

"Of course, our Yin-Yang Bureau needs someone like you!" The bartender opened the side door of the bar and came out.

"Without further ado, let me take you for a psionic energy test. Please follow me, Mr. Kyushu."

Led by the bartender, Makoto Kyushu arrived at a room that resembled a medical room.

The room was surrounded by expensive-looking precision instruments, and in the center of the room was a medical human body scanner.

At the bartender's instruction, Kyushu Makoto took off his shirt and stepped into the scanner.

The instrument started operating, and the eerie green fluorescence scanned him back and forth for half a minute before stopping.

"Test complete, thanks for your hard work." The bartender gestured for Kyushu Makoto to get down, then led him back to the bar.

"Is the testing really that simple?"

Kyushu Cheng asked.

Since this place is called "Yin Yang Liao" (陰陽審), he originally thought that the so-called test would be more mysterious. For example, he would touch a crystal ball and then determine his talent based on the color of the light, rather than having a physical examination like in a hospital.

"Please don't have too many illusions about us." The bartender seemed to understand his disappointment: "We don't dislike the existence of technology; on the contrary, we advocate combining technology with extraordinary abilities, keeping everything simple."

"Have his test results come out yet?" Elizabeth Qinggong was impatiently stamping her foot.

"The result is more of an expectation than a prediction," the bartender said calmly, swiping across his tablet.

"He has no special talents. His spiritual talent is very ordinary, almost average."

"Oh, so that's the Stone Man~" Qinggong Eliza shrugged, not too disappointed:

"But he is quite skilled. If he uses spiritual artifacts and contracts with a few more spiritual creatures, he should be able to become a Class B exorcist."

"Wait a minute. What does 'stone man' mean?" Kyushu Makoto was utterly puzzled by this strange term that suddenly appeared.

"Let me explain," the bartender said, taking over the conversation.

“Spiritual power is a substance related to the soul. Only the soul can resonate with it, and the human soul is the vessel for absorbing and manipulating spiritual power.”

"If we compare spiritual power to water, the soul of most ordinary people is like a large rock. Rocks often have cracks and holes, allowing a little water to flow in. But overall, a rock can hold a very limited amount of water and cannot manipulate water freely. Such people usually need to use special tools and weapons to become spirit tamers."

"And the few exceptional 'gifted individuals' have souls like sponges. They can not only absorb water several times their own volume, but also manipulate spiritual power at will, and can even improve their affinity for spiritual power through cultivation. Miss Megisin is one such person."

The bartender explained it very simply, and even a novice like Kyushu Makoto quickly understood it.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then suddenly realized: "So she's SpongeMan?"

Upon hearing this, the bartender couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh: "Haha...hahaha! This is the first time I've ever heard of the term 'sponge man'! No way...this guy is hilarious!"

"Pfft, ha...cough cough!" Qinggong Elizabeth seemed to want to laugh too, but she held it in and maintained a cool, aloof expression.

"Don't waste time, quickly get him through the rest of the procedures."

"I apologize for my rudeness," the bartender said, his smile fading as he spoke perfunctorily.

"I believe Miss Megisin has already given you a general introduction. Our 'Yin-Yang Bureau' is the only officially certified civilian exorcism organization in Wano Country. We are responsible for handling supernatural events in Wano Country and preventing spirit species and paranormal events from threatening the lives of ordinary people."

“Looking at the whole world, Spirit Masters are extremely rare. There are only more than 10,000 registered Spirit Masters in Wano Country. The shortage of manpower is a common phenomenon. Therefore, the Onmyo Bureau strives to recruit more available talents.”

"I hope you can become one of us, but we will also respect your personal wishes. If you do not wish to join us, you only need to sign a few confidentiality agreements and accept long-term surveillance by the police, after which you can continue to live a normal life."

"Rest assured, we are an officially certified and legitimate organization," the bartender emphasized again, clearly proud of it.

"After joining the Yin-Yang Guild, you will enjoy the same treatment as employees according to the laws of your country, including basic salary and commission, various insurances and funds, as well as employee welfare benefits. Of course, there are also various special resources to help you enter the Spirit Master industry, which you cannot obtain through formal channels outside."

"..." Kyushu Makoto raised his head and looked around again, clearly deep in thought.

“You don’t need to answer immediately,” the bartender added.

"You can find a place to sit down and have a drink of water, and think it over carefully. But before you leave here today, I need to hear your definite answer."

"Sigh, this invitation is too sudden for me." Kyushu Makoto's eyes flickered, and he slowly exhaled a long breath:

"But the monsters you call 'spirit species' hurt my friend... If I refuse your invitation, will I be in the same passive position as I am today if I encounter such a crisis again?"

“Your concerns are valid. There are many people here who, like you, chose to join the Onmyodo because they had been attacked by spirits. They just want to protect themselves and those around them, and earn some extra money on the side.”

The bartender took out a glass, filled it with orange juice, and pushed it over.

"The so-called 'exorcism' is not like the comics where you run off to fight big monsters. More often it is about handling everyday cases related to the supernatural."

"For example, the ghost that attacked you is seen as a serial killer by ordinary people. If we don't step in to solve the case, the pressure will fall on the Metropolitan Police Department."

"A fugitive serial killer targeting female sex workers, Tokyo's 'Jack the Ripper.' He has not yet been caught, keeping the police in limbo and continuing to threaten the safety of citizens... The Public Security Bureau would probably publicize it like this, preferring to let the Metropolitan Police Department take the blame and be criticized rather than publicly admit that this is a supernatural event."

"Is that so... It seems the Metropolitan Police Department has its pitiful aspects too~" Kyushu Makoto sighed, his tone firm:

"Okay, I'll join."

110. Kamen Rider Red

"I'll join."

After Kyushu Makoto finished speaking, both the bartender and the girl leaning against the counter relaxed their brows in unison.

"It's an honor to hear your choice, Mr. Kyushu." The bartender bowed slightly and said politely.

"Then follow my onboarding procedures."

Makoto Kyushu was taken to an office. The bartender had him sign five or six contracts, which looked quite formal.

Out of caution, Makoto Kyushu always carefully reads the document before signing it, which takes a lot of time.

After signing the onboarding documents, he received several booklets—a popular science book introducing the Yin-Yang Bureau and spirit species, an employee handbook, and a beginner's guide. They were mostly illustrated with few words and the text was very colloquial, so even children could understand them.

While the bartender was working on some documents, Kyushu Makoto flipped through a small booklet and began to read.

In Wano Country, the organizations responsible for handling supernatural events are the "Onmyōryō" (Bureau of Yin and Yang) and the "Public Security Demon Hunting Division".

As they explained, the former is the only officially designated exorcism organization. Anyone in the country who wants to legally perform exorcisms or engage in related research must first register with the Yin-Yang Bureau, and even prestigious families are not exempt.

The latter, however, is a clandestine department of the Public Security Bureau. Although called the "Demon Hunting Division," they are mainly responsible for logistical support and cleanup work, essentially cleaning up messes and disguising paranormal cases as ordinary public security incidents to deceive the public.

It's no wonder that Miss Qinggong was able to show her police ID directly in the police station; this must be one of the ways the police provide support.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." A moment later, the bartender came over with a stack of contract copies, put them all into a file bag, and handed it to Kyushu Cheng.

"Please keep it safe, Mr. Kyushu."

After Kyushu Makoto accepted the document bag, the bartender handed him a smartphone and a plain gray magnetic card with both hands. The card had no patterns or words on it; at first glance, it looked like a very ordinary plastic card.

"This is your dedicated contact phone and work ID. Your work information has been fully entered into your account. You can use this card to enter any building in the Onmyoji Bureau."

After Kyushu Makoto carefully put the card away, the bartender took out his tablet computer and asked:

"There's one last thing. I need to confirm your code name."

"Code name?" Kyushu Makoto was a little confused.

He remembered that when Qing Gong Eliza helped him swipe his card to enter, the announcement at the entrance did indeed say something like "code name [Megisin]".