Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

"Frankly speaking, the so-called name of a hero doesn't really affect our actions, does it? Whether we're hailed as heroes or not, we'll still do the same things, still save the innocent. Since that's the case, there's no need to care about these empty names. Just keep doing what needs to be done."

Meanwhile, the interview in the TV studio continued.

"Councilor Sato, are you suggesting that… while 'Mask' may appear to be acting justly, it's merely a facade?"

"That's right."

Councilor Sato nodded, his face serious as he spoke in a deep voice.

"I ask everyone watching this interview, and those who have been deceived by 'Mask' and supported him, if the contents of that flyer are true, then it proves that 'Mask' and his associates are driven by intense desires."

"Judging by their actions, these people aren't motivated by money, which makes them even more terrifying."

The host neither supported nor opposed Councilor Sato's words, instead displaying the professionalism of a media person by posing a key question that would keep the conversation going.

"Isn't the desire to become a hero and be admired by people a strong enough desire?"

"If that were the case, that would be good."

Councilor Sato shook his head noncommittally, a hint of contempt in his eyes.

"However, is 'Mask's' actions to date truly motivated by the simple, childlike dream of becoming a hero, or is he merely eliminating dissenters? What was the purpose of the so-called warning letter sent to Sakurakawa Rikka?"

"Was it a deterrent to enemies? Or perhaps…"

"Are these people trying to take this opportunity to test their image in the public's mind, to see if they've reached the point where they can manipulate public opinion and make everyone blindly obey?"

"What will 'Mask' do next? Will he stop here?"

"The most important issue now is that no one can effectively supervise 'Mask,' and we don't even know his true identity. Under this blind adoration and fanatical atmosphere, people will gradually lose themselves, indulging in the pleasure brought by absolute power."

Although Councilor Sato's words were all speculation, they were laced with malicious intent. Combined with his skillful political rhetoric, even the host sitting opposite him was stunned by his shocking remarks.

"Then, Councilor, what are you implying?"

Councilor Sato smiled slightly and slowly said.

"If the so-called spiritual abilities are real, then after I enter the Diet, I will initiate a vote to create a special law addressing those with spiritual abilities. The most important part of this law is that the government will offer the best conditions to recruit those who have awakened their spiritual abilities."

"This is the best way to restrict 'Mask' and his group of associates with unclear motives."

"In other words, if the bill is passed, but 'Mask' and his associates still refuse to contact government agencies, it means that their actions are not for justice, but are driven by sinister and evil intentions."

After such a long buildup, Councilor Sato finally revealed his true intentions.

He hadn't even entered the Diet yet, but he was already making grand promises. On the sensitive issue of "Mask" and "Kira," two figures most concerned by the citizens of Sakura Prefecture, few government officials would publicly express their stance.

But Councilor Sato seized this opportunity, using the flyer distributed by Sakurakawa Rikka, and immediately proposed a solution at a time when the public was feeling somewhat panicked, which would surely gain him a high profile.

Politicians aren't afraid of people not supporting them, nor are they afraid of people opposing them. What they fear most is a lack of recognition.

Moreover, Councilor Sato's words also revealed another layer of meaning.

As long as he entered the Diet, those with spiritual abilities could obtain official status and generous material benefits. He also created an opposing force, using skillful rhetoric to transform the question of whether so-called spiritual abilities awakened through intense desires should even exist into the question of needing a means of control because of the threat of "Mask."

Think about it carefully…

In fact, Councilor Sato's words made no sense at all; he was purely setting up a target for himself to attack.

But as long as he entered the Diet, he could do more, because…

"As expected, you disgusting fellow, you're the same kind of twisted existence as Sakurakawa Rikka."

Hearing this sudden voice, Councilor Sato and the host in the studio simultaneously turned their heads. The cameraman, out of professional instinct, also subconsciously turned the camera.

Appearing before them, and on the live television broadcast, was "Mask," wearing a black coat and a pitch-black mask.

Councilor Sato's pupils contracted in shock, and his body leaned back subconsciously. From his subtle movements, it was clear that he was panicking.

Today's interview was no coincidence.

Just as Yozora had said, Councilor Sato, who would soon enter the Diet, also possessed twisted desires. Like Sakurakawa Rikka, he mistakenly believed he had awakened spiritual abilities, but in reality, he was merely possessed by a powerful evil spirit. He was also an associate of Sakurakawa Rikka.

Calling them associates… in reality, they were merely exploiting each other.

Through conversion and brainwashing, Sakurakawa Rikka helped Sato eliminate many obstacles, while the latter used his status and influence as a councilor to help Sakurakawa Rikka obtain confidential information and help her complete some disaster-creating plans. For example, the explosives set in Shitennoji Temple were the result of their joint planning.

After seeing the illusion in the sky and learning that Sakurakawa Rikka had been eliminated, Councilor Sato, who had long known that she had such a backup plan, naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to increase his influence.

"Hmph… the real 'Mask,' huh…"

Although Councilor Sato was startled by Yozora's sudden appearance, he immediately recovered. He thought, how could the other party dare to kill a councilor like himself in front of this live broadcast?

This was simply a golden opportunity.

In front of the citizens of Sakura Prefecture watching the live broadcast, he could display his courage and composure as an "ordinary person" facing a villainous figure like "Mask," which would be more effective than spending any amount of money on publicity. It was simply a godsend.

"Hmph, am I a disgusting, twisted existence?"

In front of the television broadcast, Councilor Sato naturally couldn't admit that he was a spiritually enhanced person. He just retorted with impassioned and righteous indignation.

"A cowardly rat like you who doesn't even dare to show your true face in public is the one who…"

"Shut up."

Yozora had no intention of arguing with Councilor Sato, he simply said indifferently.

"I will kill you in three seconds."

Councilor Sato's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said sternly.

"In front of so many people, you've finally revealed your criminal nature! As expected…"

"3."

"You bastard! Just what are you…"

"2."

Councilor Sato's eyes were wide with rage, the hairs on his body stood on end, and he felt an extremely dangerous sensation, as if he was being targeted by some terrifying being.

"1."

Yozora smiled and his figure disappeared from the spot.

"Time's up."

At that moment, Councilor Sato felt the blood rush to the top of his head, his mind blank. He couldn't care less about being exposed; the instinct for survival made him blurt out subconsciously,

“Oni!”

The members of the Superhuman Countermeasures Division in front of the television saw Councilor Sato, who had been impeccably dressed in a suit, suddenly have his cheeks begin to bulge as he shouted this name. His skin turned a ghastly dark blue color, and two sharp fangs emerged from his mouth. His swelling body directly burst the expensive custom-made suit.

By the time he had fully revealed his true form, the horrified host and all the viewers watching the live broadcast clearly saw it. Just as Councilor Sato was about to attack, he suddenly felt a tremendous force in his abdomen.

“Bang!”

Councilor Sato… no, the hulking body of the Oni crashed into the wall, cracks appearing on the surface of the wall, accompanied by a muffled thud.

The next second, four afterimages, almost invisible to the naked eye, flashed past.

Only when Councilor Sato let out a painful roar did everyone see that his two wrists and the knee joints of his legs had been pierced through by four sharp silver spikes, pinning him to the wall.

Yet, Yosho seemed unsatisfied, and looking at Councilor Sato's terrifying face, twisted and deformed in pain, he once again pulled out a silver spike from his pocket.

This time, however, his movements were very slow, aiming at the man's most vulnerable spot.

Listening to the screams that far exceeded the limits of human imagination, and seeing Yosho's action of slowly inserting the silver spike, all the viewers in front of the television felt a chill in their hearts.

“Oh, right.”

After completing the insertion of the fifth silver spike, Yosho turned to look at the trembling host and cameraman, and said with a chuckle,

“Don't you dare cut off the live broadcast, or I'll kill you all along with him.”

No one knew whether Yosho was joking or serious, but clearly, the host and cameraman didn't dare to gamble, and neither did the person in charge of the television broadcast.

The live broadcast continued.

Immediately afterward, Yosho looked at Councilor Sato, who was constantly screaming and had transformed into a vengeful ghost, and directly pulled out something like a wire from his pocket, slowly threading it through the other's lips, sewing Councilor Sato's lips together.

“Eh? What were you trying to say to me just now?”

With his mouth sewn shut, Councilor Sato could only emit muffled, painful groans.

“Oh, so you didn't have anything to say after all. Then just stay put.”

Yosho said with a smile, then sat down at the table, facing the camera lens, and delivered the most classic opening line.

“Hello everyone, I am 'Mask'.”

Immediately afterward, the smile in Yosho's eyes disappeared, and his black pupils seemed to stare directly into the eyes of everyone watching the live broadcast through the television screen.

“Just now, Councilor Sato has already talked about the various benefits that come with awakening spiritual abilities: power beyond ordinary people, the power to fulfill one's desires, the power to stand above ordinary people. This is indeed very tempting.”

“However, I am now going to tell everyone the only, and most important, reason not to try to awaken spiritual abilities.”

Speaking of this, Yosho raised his left hand and waved it casually in the air.

Instantly, a huge, pale ghost hand appeared out of thin air, its index finger and thumb extended, pinching Councilor Sato's head like it was pinching a cherry tomato, crushing it into fragments of flesh and blood.

Along with this extremely bloody scene, came the emotionless, cold warning issued by 'Mask' to everyone.

“Anyone who awakens spiritual abilities, regardless of their identity, regardless of the reason for awakening, I will find you and kill you without hesitation, just like killing this Sato.”

At that moment, the audience inside the studio, as well as the viewers in front of millions of television sets, fell into dead silence.

“This guy…”

Only now, listening to the words coming from the television and seeing the extremely bloody scene, did the members of the Superhuman Countermeasures Division finally understand why Yosho would publicly kill an upcoming member of the Diet during a live television broadcast.

He never intended to deny the existence of spiritual abilities. After all, according to 'Mask's' identity, the more he denied it, the more suspicious it would seem.

And in terms of public opinion, Councilor Sato, with the credibility represented by his position as a Diet member, had seized the initiative.

Move them with emotion, persuade them with reason?

It would only make people feel that what Sato said was true, that 'Mask' was not a hero, and that the battle with Rikka Sakurakawa, that is, the goddess Izanami, was just an attempt to eliminate dissidents.

Originally, Councilor Sato's rhetoric was perfect. No matter what kind of response 'Mask' made, or even if he didn't respond at all, it would have no effect.

Unfortunately, he overlooked one thing.

Yosho has never cared about the meaning of the identity of 'Mask', nor does he think of himself as a hero.

Even if Councilor Sato was not a spirit ability user possessed by an evil spirit, he would still kill him in the most cruel and bloody way in front of tens of millions of people watching the live television broadcast, and then issue the declaration he just made.

Now the question is very simple.

Aren't you saying that 'Mask' is eliminating dissidents?

Okay, that's right. 'Mask' wants all the power to belong to himself, and he doesn't allow anyone else to touch this ability.

But in the face of this terrifying strength and extremely cruel methods, unless they are twisted to the extreme, as long as they are normal people who can still think rationally, they have to weigh it.

After awakening spiritual abilities, they would be immediately eliminated by 'Mask'…

What's the point?

Chapter 355: L's and Yosho's tacit understanding, the reversed position foreshadows the future

“Mr. 'Mask'!”

Just as Yosho was about to leave the studio, the host glanced at Councilor Sato, who was pinned to the wall, and found that the other's body had somehow reverted back to human form, as if the ghostly appearance just now was just an illusion.

She suppressed the fear in her heart and mustered the courage to speak.

“Your actions all along, no matter what definition you have of yourself, people regard you as a hero, and I am no exception. As someone who knows the truth, can't you give the public an explanation to soothe people's panicked emotions?”

“Heh heh.”

Yosho turned to look at the host and said with a chuckle,

“As 'Mask', I only need to consider how to protect this world, while ordinary people need to consider many things.”

Even though the host had never heard of the formula, as a professional media person, she could obviously hear the sarcastic tone in this sentence, and couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed and ashamed.

How could she not be ashamed?

Before Councilor Sato was exposed, the remarks he made questioning the motives of 'Mask' and his assistants had even caused this host, who was originally a local of Kyoto and also a supporter of 'Mask', to have some doubts in her heart.

The key is that 'Mask' is right.

He and his assistants have been busy saving Kyoto. Although their methods and style of doing things are somewhat extreme, no one can deny that the innocent people were able to escape unscathed in several incidents because of the existence of 'Mask'.

A person who has never done evil, just because he possesses the power to protect a city, is he to be suspected by people?