Chapter 80: Mei Mei Joins
Mei Mei smiled, then turned to Yuki Tsukumo and replied, "I am interested in both powerful men and businesses that make big money. And the gentleman before me clearly encompasses both."
Her gaze returned to Toho Hiroshi, becoming slightly more serious: "I overheard part of your previous conversation. I must say, the 'eye of the moon plan,' as well as your subversive interpretation of Infinite Reading, is truly shocking."
The crow on her shoulder tilted its head and let out a "caw."
"Therefore,"
Mei Mei took a step forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Yuki Tsukumo. The two women, distinct in style yet equally outstanding, looked at Toho Hiroshi, "Can I interpret this as an unprecedented 'Grand Project' capable of changing the world's structure, currently recruiting partners?"
Her eyes shone with shrewd intelligence: "And such a project necessarily involves a complex intelligence network, resource integration, and capital operation."
I believe I can offer some 'insignificant' assistance in this regard.
After all, investing in the future is always more valuable than getting entangled in the petty gains of the past, isn't it?"
Mei Mei's appearance and declaration undoubtedly brought an extremely crucial piece to the puzzle for the "Akatsuki" organization that Toho Hiroshi had just established—a top intelligence expert and resource management master.
Toho Hiroshi looked at Mei Mei and Yuki Tsukumo before him. A faint light flashed deep within his left Rinnegan.
"Akatsuki" was gathering its nascent wings.
"Welcome aboard, Mei Mei."
Toho Hiroshi's gaze rested on Mei Mei for a moment. Although the mask had been removed, his profound authority had not diminished in the slightest. The light of the Rinnegan subtly shifted, as if evaluating the true value that this bounty hunter, famous for her "investments," could bring.
"Intelligence, resources, capital."
Toho Hiroshi's voice was low and steady, cutting straight to the core. "'Akatsuki' certainly needs these. Your joining, Mei Mei, is not insignificant; it is a vital link."
He did not doubt Mei Mei's motives.
For this woman who viewed the world as a marketplace, investing in a "Grand Project" that could reshape the future was consistent with her usual style.
And "Akatsuki" needed her channels and influence to handle the trivial matters that were inconvenient for him or Suguru Geto to deal with directly, as well as to acquire crucial information.
"Very good."
Mei Mei's red lips curved slightly, clearly satisfied with Toho Hiroshi's acknowledgment. "In that case, as a newly joined partner, I need to understand the more specific 'project planning' and 'initial budget.' For example, what is the first thing we need to do? Who is the target? Which resources do you need me to mobilize?"
The crow on her shoulder let out a hoarse cry, its blood-red eyes blinking, as if also awaiting instructions.
Yuki Tsukumo crossed her arms, watching the scene with interest, and interjected, "That's right, Leader, give us some work! Just listening to the grand blueprint makes my hands itch." She was clearly more interested in concrete action.
Toho Hiroshi put the swirl mask back on. That glimpse of stunning beauty was once again concealed, leaving only the eyes that saw through everything, gazing at the two women through the holes.
He pondered briefly, then spoke: "Geto will continue to manage the Star Plasma Cult, serving as 'Akatsuki's' superficial cover and source of peripheral strength. Mei Mei, you need to use your network to ensure the Star Plasma Cult's capital flow and personnel recruitment are not disturbed by old forces, while secretly beginning to build an intelligence system belonging solely to 'Akatsuki.'"
Mei Mei nodded: "Understood. I will make the Star Plasma Cult's accounts 'clean.' As for the intelligence network, give me some time; it will spread like spider silk to where it is needed."
After instructing Mei Mei and Yuki Tsukumo to use their respective intelligence networks and contacts to secretly search for clues regarding powerful Cursed Spirits and Cursed Objects, Toho Hiroshi temporarily parted ways with the two new members of "Akatsuki."
He did not directly use Kamui for long-distance teleportation, but instead chose a method closer to "walking," concealing all his aura. Like a true phantom, he blended into the world of ordinary people, heading north.
His destination was Sendai.
According to the vague memories from another worldline in his mind, the land of Sendai seemed to have an imperceptible connection with the brain that had been hiding for a thousand years—Kenjaku.
Perhaps he could find some clues here.
Several days later, Sendai City.
Compared to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the pace of life in Sendai felt much more relaxed.
Toho Hiroshi walked along the ordinary streets. The swirl mask had long been removed, replaced by a simple hood that covered most of his face, leaving only his sharply defined jawline visible.
He appeared to be strolling casually, but his left Rinnegan was operating at an extremely low frequency, like the most sophisticated radar, scanning every trace of unusual Cursed Energy residue in the air, especially those marks that carried an ancient, cold, and twisted aura, like stitches.
However, Kenjaku was hidden extremely deeply, leaving no trace, like ink dropped into the ocean.
Just as he passed a street park, a burst of lively noise caught his attention.
Several older boys were pushing around a pink-haired boy who looked about eight or nine years old, shouting obscenities like "monster with no parents" and "what's so great about being strong."
The little boy surrounded in the middle—Yuji Itadori—clenched his fists. His short pink hair stood on end, like an enraged small beast. His eyes were red-rimmed, but he stubbornly refused to cry, only shouting in defiance: "I'm not a monster! My grandpa said I'm normal!"
But his defiance clearly angered the older children even more, and the conflict was about to escalate.
Toho Hiroshi stopped in his tracks.
He originally did not intend to pay attention to such childish scuffles; compared to the target he was pursuing, they were too insignificant to mention.
However, just as Yuji Itadori's emotions fluctuated violently due to anger and resentment, Toho Hiroshi's left eye clearly "saw" the immense life force and high Cursed Energy affinity contained within the child, far surpassing that of ordinary people, lying dormant like a sleeping volcano.
More importantly, deep within this life force, there faintly emerged an extremely subtle "vessel" characteristic that even Toho Hiroshi's Rinnegan could sense weakly.
"Sukuna's vessel... So that's it. Already, so early..."
Toho Hiroshi understood instantly. This might be a crucial step in Kenjaku's future plan. He hadn't expected to encounter the young Yuji Itadori here, in this manner.
Just as one of the older children couldn't resist pushing Yuji Itadori, a loud and powerful voice rang out like thunder:
"Hey! You little rascals! What are you doing surrounding my Yuji!"
A vigorous, sturdy old man wearing an old-fashioned tracksuit—Itadori Wasuke—rushed over angrily, carrying groceries, his eyes sharp enough to skin someone.
The group of older children clearly recognized this difficult old man and immediately scattered like startled birds, running faster than rabbits.
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