'I might have to accumulate more tickets in the near future... These resources and divine abilities must be fully obtained to the maximum level!'
As Yoichi began thinking through a whole lot, Hikari's voice resounded in his ears and said, "Yoichi! I saw him, I saw Genji! And he has a lot of people around him too!"
Hearing that, Yoichi stood up and looked at the boy with a distinctive flair among the children behind him.
"Yoichi! Hikari! Good to see you alive!" While Genji hugged Yoichi and Hikari, two children glanced at the latter with scrutiny written on their faces.
After the grueling 6 months of trial, Genji made it along with his trustworthy friends inside the same trial zone. He was now bulkier than before, much more radiant with his cheerful smile, and looked quite healthy.
"Looks like even after the trial, some of your attitude didn't change, Yoichi. Still cold as heck!" Genji joked and put his arms around Yoichi's neck, exhilarated from a joyful reunion.
"You also didn't change, Genji... You are still cheeky as ever!" Hikari was overjoyed as one of her friends came back with no injuries whatsoever.
"... Good to see that you are alright," Yoichi glanced at Genji's friends, "Anyway, can you introduce us to your companions here?"
"Oh right, this boy is Munekatsu while this girl is Towa. These companions of mine saved me numerous times in the trial and I'm glad for them." Genji gave an introduction to his pals.
"Greetings, Yoichi-san!" Munekatsu appeared to be skinny with a pale complexion as his demeanor was quite amicable.
"Nice to meet you. Genji has been talking about you for a long time. He called you their party's strategists when you and Genji were still on the mines, can we hear about the details pertaining the your thinking process at that time?" Towa's eyes went bright as Yoichi glared at Genji vehemently before looking at his interviewer.
"... It's nothing serious," Yoichi entertained her question, "It's about the mentality and how you can take the unexpected results in your mind."
As soon as each word came out of his mouth, Towa weirdly closed the distance between them, nearly feeling her restless breath on his face.
"We can talk about the particular explanations and specifics later. For now, rest up and let yourself be free in the meantime."
Soon, Towa retreated from her bedazzled state and hid her face from embarrassment.
Yoichi changed the subject, "This is Haruhiko, our friend and a fearless companion in our trial zone."
"Hello, name's Haruhiko..." Haruhiko felt a little bit awkward since he was an outsider at this reunion.
"Ohoho~ I'm pleased to meet you, Haruhiko! We are one family here, so don't be shy!" Genji actively engaged in the conversation with Haruhiko, seemingly delighted to have a good companion.
"Hahaha, don't mind if I do, Genji!" Haruhiko replied with enthusiasm as his earlier awkwardness instantly evaporated at Genji's display of likeness.
As the two felt a close bond between them, Yoichi noticed in the corner of his eyes two silhouettes proceeding in his direction.
'Masaru and Sabito...'
Yoichi frowned in contemplation. On his side, Hikari grew excited, seeing the familiar yet typical boy at a distance, and said, "Sabito! And you are with... Masaru?!"
In an instant, Hikari apparently knew the one who made their life in the mines difficult.
Catching a sight of Masaru, Genji bravely went face-to-face with Masaru and said, "Masaru, long time no see! Now, will you stay away from Sabito?!
"Oh my, you are still as childish as usual, Genji. Perhaps it's time to move on and make amends for our past grievances, no?" Masaru smiled.
"After all those times, you're asking me to forgive you for those agonizing things you've done to us?" Genji fiercely retaliated, gritting his teeth in tempestuous rage at the sight of Masaru's smirking face.
Hearing their leader's threatening remarks, Munekatsu and Towa became wildly cautious about the newcomers.
"Calm down, Genji. Let's talk things down with a calm mind, alright? This won't fix our resentments." Sabito put himself between Genji and Masaru, conflicted by complicated emotions in his mind.
"And why are you siding with him?! Did we even cross in your mind?! This is our nemesis!" Genji glared at Sabito until a hand clasped his shoulder.
"...That's enough. Don't make any more commotion with your impotent rage." With a cold voice, Yoichi glanced at Genji before looking at Sabito fervently.
In Yoichi's mind, Sabito was likely duped by Masaru without any help in the trials. Perhaps desperation to survive was the main component for allying himself with Masaru as Yoichi understood his perspective.
"It's been a while, Yoichi. You looked very different from your flimsy stature..." Masaru praised Yoichi but in his inner self, he was deeply concerned about Yoichi's abnormal growth and meteoric reputation.
'Later, I will contact Kouji-sama and ask him to dispose of these pesky rats immediately! These insects must not be left alive!' Masaru thought.
"... Good to see you alive, Masaru. Looks like you are healthy and fine, your owners will be so ecstatic for your notable... gains." Yoichi threw a shade at Masaru and ignored him as he sat down, waiting for them to eventually leave.
"Thanks for the appreciation, Yoichi. I'll be looking forward to your successful admission." Masaru's eyebrows twitched a little, then remained composed while he left them with their reunion.
"Sabito, what's going on?! Why did you even begin to ally yourself with Masaru?" Genji was curious and dejected at the same time, feeling a little bit betrayed by Sabito's decision.
"I—" Sabito wanted to explain but...
"Don't ask him like that... You are doubting his decisions yet we are not there in his time of grief and despair." Yoichi butted in, understanding the problematic situation of Sabito.
"Sabito-kun..." Hikari hugged Sabito as her tears fell on her cheeks. If not for Yoichi, maybe she would also be dead like the other unfortunate children.
"Thank you so much for trusting me guys. I know I have a lot of things to explain but I'm not as gullible as you think. I'm still gonna be on Masaru's team since the benefits there are massive and exactly what I needed. We will still be friends after this farce, right?" In that moment, Sabito revealed his plan to his friends, admitting that he was taking advantage of Masaru's resources and backers.
For a while, the party was stunned until Genji hugged Sabito and said, "Go on, prove yourself. Although we have a bad blood with Masaru, we shouldn't affect your decision as your friends."
"Don't forget us and be friendly once we meet, alright?" Hikari nodded earnestly.
Sabito felt grateful for Genji and Hikari's forgiveness as he looked at Yoichi, who also glanced back at him intently.
"... What can I say? They said all the things I had in my mind." Yoichi dismissively replied which made Sabito smile bitterly yet Yoichi said, "Just one thing, think often about survival and your personal interest, not even people nor animals can take that away from you..."
Upon hearing Yoichi's sentences, Sabito took them to his heart and nodded as he left the party with reluctance written on his face. The reunion and eventual parting were bittersweet but people needed to move on regardless of anything.
"What should we do now, Yoichi? Can we team up with my companions?" Genji was a little sullen about Sabito's leave, ultimately changing the subject into a much more serious matter.
"Yeah, we should do that... But don't bother about anything from these filthy streets, I've got this." With glaring confidence, Yoichi's declaration alongside his unique temperament made the others feel enraptured by his sheer composure.
"Everyone, set off now! Find the informants and survive in the streets of Amegakure!" The supervisor shinobi yelled as the children went their way along with their respective groups.
"Everyone, are you ready?" Genji shouted.
"Yes!" X4
"Then, we should leave in an instant!" Yoichi told them and ran out of the distance while the rest of the party followed suit.
The soaking cold of the rain and the gloomy shadows of the sky became murky with the steampunk infrastructure, towering over all humans.
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(Current Progress)
Still the same as in the previous chapter.
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I'm sorry for talking too much in the author's note. I've noticed that I'm quite talkative and overly defining the plot. I'm very sorry.
Thanks for reading the chapter and bookmarking the novel. See ya! XDD