Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes

Higashiyama Shin smiled and took out a unique comb, then combed her hair a couple of times.

Chiba, unusually confused, asked, "Why did you bring a comb?"

"This is a gift for Auntie, to thank her for treating us last time." Shin Higashiyama placed the comb in Chiba's hand.

Chiba stared at Higashiyama for a few seconds before taking the comb.

"Oh, I almost forgot, these are a pair. You can have this one."

After she accepted it, Higashiyama Shin took out a box with packaging, which was clearly more suitable as a gift.

"Thank you."

Chiba accepted it with a slight hesitation.

"You're welcome, Happy Children's Day." Higashiyama Shin smiled triumphantly.

Chiba paused, silently lowered her head, and walked towards the classroom.

The disturbance continues in the entrance hall of the teaching building.

"They're really popular."

"Muramasa-san is beautiful, gentle, and strong; she's like an anime character brought to life. How could she not be popular?"

"It's a pity that the trend of a useless male lead paired with a strong female lead is no longer popular. Otherwise, in terms of how useless you are, none of you here can match me!"

The boys, who had been relegated to the sidelines, could only sigh in despair.

When Muramasa Taki returned to school, even though she had many friends, most of them didn't dare to be as close as they used to be.

Only after several days of conversation, confirming that Muramasa Takii was still the same as always and had not changed, did they dare to communicate so closely.

Then Takii's school support team found out about the situation and wanted to post pictures of her whenever they had the chance.

However, this is naturally limited; it's a very subtle feeling.

Although Taki often wore a serene smile, she could clearly express her inner meaning, and none of them dared to disobey her.

"The cookies are beautiful, but I've said I can't accept other people's food, I'm sorry."

"Tiramisu? I've made it before, it's quite troublesome. Thank you, but I guess you'll have to eat it for me."

After dealing with the fans and signing autographs for a few people, Taki showed no impatience; or rather, it was a form of self-cultivation.

Although it's a bit mystical, she could feel that when she was with her classmates, her inner resentment would dissipate a lot, even though they could be a bit annoying at times.

Moreover, it can also help her develop the confidence and focus required for growth. Overall, she can be sure that going to school is definitely more beneficial than harmful.

While at school, she also began screening people on campus.

The main objectives are as follows:

The name contains elements of moon, forest, and island, and refers to a student and teacher who has recently shown exceptional performance and is shrouded in mystery.

Logically speaking, Shinya Higashiyama should also meet the second point.

However, he has been an outstanding student since entering school, neither mysterious nor popular, and his name is not suspicious, so he is not in Taki's investigation sequence.

On the contrary, Chiba Shion is more suspicious.

He walked into the classroom carrying the conspicuous Demon Slayer sword. Most of the fans were kept outside the classroom, and only a small number of his classmates came in with him.

Walking to her seat, she placed the sword on the knife rack specially set up for her.

She is probably the first student in history to be officially allowed to openly bring a real knife to class.

"Today's investigator is Kojima Mori from the swimming club, who displayed astonishing skill in collaboration with the judo club during the sports festival."

"And then there's Takaya Imagawa from the archery club, a man of few words with few friends."

Thinking of this, she looked at Higashiyama Shin, who was sitting in the front row by the window.

Among Imagawa's few friends, Higashiyama Shin was one of them.

Thinking this, she unconsciously looked at him for a few more seconds. Higashiyama Shin didn't react, but she seemed to have disturbed Chiba behind him.

Those were icy eyes filled with deep vigilance.

Taki smiled gently at her, a smile that was as warm as a spring breeze, and her aura was in no way inferior.

Rather, it's quite remarkable that Chiba's aura could go toe-to-toe with a transcendent being.

If Takii hadn't been completely unable to sense any extraordinary aura from the other party, he probably would have concluded that the other party was definitely an extraordinary being or a player.

This standoff gradually dissipated only after Higashiyama Shin turned around and started talking to Chiba.

The student caught between the two men's gazes felt a strange mix of cold and warmth, and was at a loss.

The day passed uneventfully, without any extraordinary disturbances in the city, until the infamous scene of Taki taking a phone call and leaping out of the window with a knife occurred.

Many students were slightly disappointed, as they were prepared to pull out their phones at any moment.

"Taki-san, I... I am a member of the Kendo Club, and I would like to invite you to join our Kendo Club on behalf of all the members. Our club president is willing to give up his position!"

After class, a girl mustered up her courage, bowed deeply to Taki, and said nervously, as if awaiting the judgment of fate.

"I'll go take a look later, and we can all give each other pointers." Taki didn't refuse, and the girl was overjoyed, thanking him profusely.

The kendo club and the archery club are not far apart. After she finishes giving instructions on kendo, she can naturally go and check out the archery club.

As for joining or anything like that, she's not considering it for now, because it's a bit too much of a bullying move.

She could offer some pointers, but with her current peak swordsmanship skills, none of these students could withstand a single blow.

The same is true.

An hour later, at the Kendo Club.

The members lay sprawled on the floor, while Muramasa Taki's fan club cheered excitedly from the sidelines.

The minister knelt on the ground in a daze, supporting himself with a wooden sword, panting heavily, sweat dripping onto the wooden floor.

The gap was too big. Even though Taki didn't use any strength or energy beyond that of an ordinary person, he still easily defeated more than a dozen of the kendo officers who attacked him together.

This was clearly a restrained attack, giving them many opportunities to attack and defend.

Otherwise, they wouldn't just be exhausted and lying on the ground; a single sword strike would send them into a deep, infant-like sleep.

But at the same time, he felt he had gained a great deal!

This brief engagement—no, it should be called a massacre—was more effective than any special training exercise!

Muramasa Takii is their savior in the kendo club! With his help, the school will no longer be in a situation where archery and judo are vying for first and second place, swimming is just holding onto third, and kendo is just sitting on the sidelines!

Just as he finally came to his senses and wanted to shamelessly invite Taki to become a "resident guest" of the kendo club, the other party had already been gone for a while.

"They seem to have gone to the archery club, and many of us followed them."

Archery.

"Report! The Ninth Muramasa has carried out a bloody massacre of the Kendo Club and is heading towards us!" The archery club scout who was sent out ran back to report.

Upon hearing this, Haruko Minamikawa became serious and prepared for the worst.

"Higashiyama-kun, Imagawa-kun, and all of you! Join me in the battle against the extraterrestrial demons! The honor of the Archery Club rests in our hands!"

"They're from our school, not here to cause trouble." After finishing his archery practice, Higashiyama Shin had packed his things and was ready to go home with Chiba.

"Dongshan-kun! This is the only one in my life—" Nanchuan was about to cry again, but Dongshan had already predicted it.

"You've already exhausted all your hopes for the next life at the sports festival, Captain. Where's your cleverness? Isn't this a great opportunity to boost archery popularity?" Shin Higashiyama said, looking back at the throng of people walking in outside.

Nanchuan's eyes suddenly lit up.

Yes, this is an opportunity to boost popularity and completely overshadow the judo club!

We'll just play an exhibition match; the main thing is to get everyone who can come to watch.

She quickly called a broadcaster she knew.

Make sure this exhibition match is absolutely amazing!

"Bring out all our bows! Let Takii-san shoot an arrow and we'll exchange it for a new bow. That way, we can claim every bow we use is from the Extraordinary Imperial Court!"

Upon hearing the minister's constructive words, the members' eyes immediately changed, and they excitedly went back to get their bows.

In that case, wouldn't Muramasa Takii's fans immediately join the club?

Haruko Minami, hands on hips and head tilted back: I'm a genius!

"."

Standing silently to the side, Takaya Imagawa watched Shinji Higashiyama's departing figure with an envious expression.

I guess I'm taking a day off today.

Note 1: Boys' Day (May 5th, carp streamers, public holiday), Girls' Day (March 3rd, displaying dolls), Shichi-Go-San Festival (November 15th, for 3- and 5-year-old boys/3- and 7-year-old girls, praying for healthy growth at shrines).

Chapter 200: Passing the Torch

School clubs are full of lunatics!

Muramasa Takii knew before that Komagome Academy was full of talented people, with outstanding talents and brilliant minds.

But at that time she mainly stayed in her comfort zone and only participated in the literature department, so it wasn't until she came into contact with other clubs today that she truly understood the meaning of it.

There wasn't a single decent person in there, which has led her to see everyone as an oddball now. No wonder the authorities gave up on a thorough investigation; they must have been driven to the brink of collapse by the investigation.

First, the head of the archery club spoke eloquently and subtly persuaded her to try shooting more than fifty different bows. The next second, a banner was put up that read, "Inside is a display of the ninth generation Muramasa's official bow. You can try it out yourself if you join the club," in order to attract more people.

After learning about Haruko Minamikawa's actions, the swimming club president was greatly inspired and shamelessly asked Taki Muramasa to soak his feet in the pool water, declaring that they would not change the pool water from now on, treating it as a sacred pool and vowing to protect it to the death, and that the school should build another one themselves.

Takii could no longer hold back. He cleaved the pool water in two with a single stroke, sending the waves crashing down on the swimmers and leaving in a huff.

The swimming club has been awarded the title of the worst club, and it is estimated that there will be a wave of resignations the next day. It will fall from its perennial third place position, and the kendo club will benefit from this.

"Go to Honmyoji Temple."

"Understood, Ms. Muramasa."

Sitting in the official car arranged for her, Taki felt that she probably wouldn't be able to find out anything from the school.

I decided to abandon the investigation plan, which can be seen as making peace with myself both physically and mentally.

Besides her school schedule, she also made an appointment with Honmyoji Temple today to subtly inquire about the protagonist of "Shinobi Heart," Banto.

As a weapon master, she was curious about the Broken Fire Pill and wanted to know where that sword ended up.

Was it lost in the castle tower, or was it found by Hosei and buried with Banto's ashes?

Upon arriving at Honmyoji Temple, Nichijo was already waiting at the entrance.

I hadn't seen him for half a month, and he looked much thinner, exuding a Buddhist air of detachment from worldly affairs.

"On behalf of Venerable Facheng and my master, I thank Benefactor Muramasa for personally ending the calamity of the demon sword. Namo Myoho Renge Kyo." Richeng sighed and led Taki into the temple.

“I am the one who needs to thank them; they saved the Muramasa family.” Taki looked around the temple; there were no major changes.

If I had to say something, it would be that there are so many surveillance cameras around that no corner is left untouched.

"You must have some questions you need answered, benefactor. Please ask, this humble monk will answer to the best of my knowledge." Upon entering the reception room, the monk invited Takii to sit down. Before serving tea, he handed him a can of oolong tea. "This was left behind by the police who stayed there earlier. They didn't take it. There are still many left."

Takii and Richeng were fairly familiar with each other, so there was no need for formalities: "I'd like to know, besides the ancient texts, is there any other information about Hosei and the demon sword that has been passed down?"

After listening, Ri Cheng shook his head: "The police have asked about this many times, and I have searched again and again, but there is really nothing. Master Facheng disappeared as if he vanished into thin air, leaving no record except for that book."

Takii knew roughly why.

After defeating the Fourth Muramasa and capturing the demon sword, Hosei changed his Buddhist name for some unknown reason.

Was Honmyoji Temple here rebuilt after the Great Fire of Meireki?

"That's right. Back then, Honmyoji Temple was completely destroyed by the Great Fire of the Ming Dynasty. It was the disciples of the original temple who rebuilt Honmyoji Temple. However, this is not the original site."

Are there any ancient tombs remaining inside the temple?

Ri Cheng repeated softly, "Ancient tombs, of course we have them. Would you like me to take you to see them?"

Since Takii didn't bring it up, he didn't ask why.

Before it got dark, Nichijo led Takii through the cemetery in the temple, but after walking around for a while, it was already dark, and they still couldn't find the tomb of the Lantern-bearer.

There are some unmarked monuments among them. Could the lamp-bearer be one of them?

She suddenly thought of something: "Is there a place in Honmyoji Temple where the predecessors instructed that lamps should always be kept lit?"