Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

This doesn't make sense.

“'Mask' Mr., I'm very sorry, I just…”

“Stop.”

Noticing the host's ashamed and apologetic expression, Nightstar simply waved his hand dismissively, directly interrupting him.

“I never cared about people's support and praise, and criticism and slander are equally meaningless to me. I am not doing it for others… No, perhaps I will act for certain specific people at certain times, but not for some illusory, never-before-seen people, the so-called public you speak of.”

“It doesn't matter how you want to evaluate me, whether it's justice or evil. I will continue to do things that solve dangers as always, but similarly, I wasn't joking when I said I would kill anyone who awakens spiritual abilities.”

“You should have seen it just now…”

Speaking of this, Nightstar raised his hand and pointed to the corpse of Councilor Sato pinned to the wall, his head crushed, and his death was miserable. He said in a flat tone.

“In front of me, even a guy like him who can transform into a demon is just a weak existence that can be easily obliterated. Don't think that you can compete with me just because you have awakened so-called spiritual abilities. If you have such unrealistic fantasies, you will end up like him, Sato.”

…

Later that evening, inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.

It was the familiar war room again, and it was a large online meeting attended by senior officials and elites from police departments across Sakura Province.

In the past few years, or even decades, a collective meeting that required the participation of all the police departments in Sakura Province had not been held. In the past short period of half a year, it had been held several times.

There was no way around it. Hitennoji Temple was bombed, the phantoms in the sky, Rikka Sakurakawa spreading the truth about the world, and the councilor who was about to be elected to the Diet was killed and revealed the true form of a demon before his death, and most importantly, "Mask's" public declaration, no matter which event, was an unprecedented major case.

“That guy… is too arrogant…”

“Anyone who awakens spiritual abilities will be killed directly? Making such a criminal declaration publicly on live television is simply not taking our Metropolitan Police Department seriously!”

Listening to the angry voice coming from the screen, L simply yawned, rubbed his eyes and said casually.

“Speaking of which, 'Mask' has never taken the Metropolitan Police Department seriously, right? Think about it carefully, how many incidents were the Metropolitan Police Department unable to solve, and fortunately he helped, and finally ended perfectly?”

“L, you recently… why are you always protecting 'Mask'? Could it be… are you also his supporter?”

“Supporter?”

L shook his head and said in a flat tone.

“This is just because I am not an internal member of your Metropolitan Police Department, so I have a more objective perspective on things. I believe that everyone here, even if they have different views on 'Mask', cannot deny that his actions, at least, have saved the lives of many innocent people, right?”

Faced with L's words, the screen fell silent. After a long while, a senior official from the Metropolitan Police Department hesitantly spoke.

“Regarding the matter of the Spiritual Ability Countermeasures Act mentioned by that Councilor Sato…”

Hearing this, L gave Soichiro Yagami a look, and the latter immediately understood.

Although the two had not communicated openly, they both knew very well that the other, like himself, was also an assistant to "Mask", and had reached a tacit understanding.

“Ahem, everyone, I would like to say a few words.”

Soichiro Yagami coughed lightly twice and slowly opened his mouth.

“The duty of our Metropolitan Police Department is to maintain the stable operation of social order and prevent the public from feeling panic.”

“Spiritual Ability Countermeasures Act? If you'll pardon my bluntness, this is just a cunning plan by that Councilor Sato.”

“Since the goal is to maintain stability, then the number of spiritual ability users should be reduced as much as possible. Issuing a formal law to legalize the existence of this type of people is completely counterproductive and will only bring turmoil to society. It is something that must never be done.”

Upon hearing these words, someone immediately expressed their opposition.

“Then… how should we restrict 'Mask'?”

Soichiro Yagami had already expected such a question and retorted without hesitation.

“Then how should we restrict the people who can restrict 'Mask'? This is completely a bottomless pit, a question that cannot be answered. 'Mask' cannot be restricted. Even if we really introduce some kind of law to give spiritual ability users official status, it will only be playing with fire.”

Soichiro Yagami's words were relatively polite, but L, who was not an internal member of the Metropolitan Police Department, spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

“Everyone is so eager to introduce the so-called law, is it possible that among you, there are also guys like that Councilor Sato who can transform into demons?”

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere instantly became silent.

L's output did not stop there, but continued to speak.

“In the end, even a councilor who is about to enter the Diet, who is qualified to participate in all major decisions in Sakura Province, and even personally formulate the future of Sakura Province, actually hides such a hideous and twisted face. Leaving aside the danger this brings, may I ask everyone, can monsters like Councilor Sato really be considered human beings? Is the spiritual ability that Rikka Sakurakawa speaks of really as wonderful as she describes? Compared to 'Mask' and his assistants, people like Councilor Sato and Rikka Sakurakawa are what we need to be most wary of now.”

The question raised by L was actually what the senior officials of the Metropolitan Police Department participating in the meeting were most concerned about.

Whether it's "Mask" or "Kira", including those assistants who have appeared, in the final analysis, they are just vigilantes, mysterious heroes, etc. They just have mysterious powers that ordinary people cannot reach, so they receive more attention.

If we really talk about harm...

If a guy like Councilor Sato enters the Diet... let alone what this guy plans to do with his identity as a Diet member, just with his ability to transform into a demon, if he suddenly goes on a killing spree while deliberating in the Diet Hall, who can stop him?

Seeing the senior officials of the Metropolitan Police Department connected to the screen fall silent, a smile could not help but appear on L's face. Anyway, there was no camera connected, and only Soichiro Yagami could notice his undisguised expression.

L and Nightstar had not communicated about Councilor Sato, but the two did not need to communicate and had reached a tacit understanding.

In front of the entire live television broadcast, "Mask" forced Councilor Sato to reveal his true face as a demon and easily eliminated him. At this time, L used words to remind the senior officials of the Metropolitan Police Department that if Councilor Sato successfully entered the Diet, it would cause serious consequences.

With just a few words, "Mask's" actions were given a reasonable explanation.

It was not openly murdering a councilor.

But to eliminate a dangerous element who attempted to enter the Diet, using this identity to hide his truth as a demon, and wanted to use this to plot some unspeakable things.

The two did not need to communicate specifically, and they reached a tacit understanding, completing a seamless collaboration.

“Are you saying that… 'Mask' publicly murdered a councilor, and he was still doing a good deed? The problem is… he publicly killed someone, and in such a bloody and cruel way.”

“Does that matter?”

L replied in a flat tone.

“Everyone here is an elite member of the Metropolitan Police Department. I’ll be blunt. Firearms can take lives, so are firearms themselves evil? Looking at the situation at the time, if ‘Mask’ hadn't made that choice, but had come to seek your opinions first… Putting aside that his style wouldn't allow him to seek opinions, would you believe that a member of parliament about to enter the Diet was actually a terrifying and hideous ghost? I ask you all, besides that, was there a better choice? I'm all ears.”

After waiting for a few seconds and seeing no response from the screen, L glanced at Soichiro Yagami, who was sitting there. The latter immediately understood and took over the conversation, speaking in a deep voice.

“Everyone, in order to deal with the current situation, I propose that all police officers in the Metropolitan Police Departments across the country, including high-ranking officials, undergo professional psychological counseling and investigation by doctors dispatched by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to determine whether there is so-called ‘greed.’ Of course, everyone in our Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department will receive the same treatment.”

Those participating in this online meeting were all professional detectives. Naturally, they knew that psychological counseling couldn't be hidden if the patient wanted to. Not to mention professional psychologists, even detectives with extensive experience in handling cases could judge whether a suspect was deliberately concealing something through various subtle details.

“Secondly, regarding the matter of so-called spiritual power users, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be used. My suggestion is to interpret it as a mental and physical illness caused by psychological problems. As for the consequences of the illness… we can fabricate them to be as serious as possible to prevent people from wanting to awaken so-called spiritual powers and to calm public opinion as much as possible.”

Hearing this, L suddenly interjected.

“We can issue a notice that as long as you use a specific method… um… like pulling out a strand of hair, you can identify whether the person is a spiritual power user or an ordinary human.”

“Eh? Is it really effective?”

“Of course not.”

L said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“But as long as people believe that this method is useful, it can achieve the purpose of calming the panic. That’s enough. Under ‘Mask's’ declaration, even those spiritual power users who have already awakened probably wouldn't dare to act rashly. This should be his real goal: to buy enough time for the authorities to quell the public opinion before society completely spirals out of control.”

Hearing L's words, the high-ranking officials of the Metropolitan Police Department suddenly understood. “Mask's” actions were for this purpose.

It was like nuclear deterrence, except it was aimed at those lurking spiritual power users.

… …

Meanwhile, in the Kyoto City shopping district, a familiar shop was hosting a fortune-telling session.

“The first card… The Fool.”

Looking at the first card turned over by Granny Reverend Mother, Yae Hoshi looked bored.

“I know, I know. I wonder if there's a god in charge of tarot cards. If there is, I'll have to give him a piece of my mind when I see him. Every time I tell fortunes, I have to remind myself that my fool's journey isn't over yet. It's really annoying.”

Granny Reverend Mother didn't know how to respond, so she slowly revealed the second card.

“The Emperor, upright, representing…”

“What the…?”

Seeing Yae Hoshi's expression of shock when he saw the upright Emperor, Granny Reverend Mother and Oda Noto couldn't help but feel a tremor in their hearts, wondering if this card represented some major catastrophe in his eyes.

“The Emperor… and upright…”

Yae Hoshi muttered to himself, his pupils dilating.

“Could it be… am I going to be a dad?”

Granny Reverend Mother: “… The upright Emperor does have the responsibility of a father, but I feel… it shouldn't be…”

“That makes sense. Many people have called me Dad already.”

“Ah? You already have children?”

“Don't ask. Those who know, know.”

Granny Reverend Mother couldn't understand Yae Hoshi's abstract language and just shook her head helplessly, reaching out and flipping over the third tarot card.

“Wheel of Fortune, reversed.”

“Oh? Reversed?”

Yae Hoshi was seeing a reversed card for the first time in a fortune-telling about his future, and it just happened to be the Wheel of Fortune.

He understood the meaning of this card without Granny Reverend Mother's explanation.

“Frustration, failed plans, obstacles, inability to go in the right direction, things developing for the worse, vicious cycle… Not bad, it's quite intimidating.”

Granny Reverend Mother frowned, also a little unable to understand the results of this fortune-telling.

Could the upright Emperor and the reversed Wheel of Fortune appear together?

She really couldn't understand it.

… …

After leaving the shopping district and arriving at a secret dojo arranged through Miyakoji Yan'an, Yae Hoshi saw Yotsuya Miko and Futaba Rio, the two strongest members of the Occult Club, engaged in close combat with Garuda.

“Hoo.”

This wasn't the sound of breathing, but the sound of the air being torn apart by Yotsuya Miko's punch.

Garuda tilted his body slightly, dodging Miko's straight punch, his figure as agile as a cheetah, and even had the leisure to comment.

“The speed and explosive power are good, but your moves are too simple. It's the first time I've seen someone like you who has good combat experience and mental fortitude, but doesn't seem to have systematically studied any combat techniques.”

Garuda was, after all, a member of the Wu clan and saw through Yotsuya Miko's essence at a glance.

Yotsuya Miko's physical fitness was good, comparable to Garuda's, and even slightly better. She could also maintain a calm mind during combat and never hesitated or panicked. But when it came to combat techniques, she was completely like a layman.

This couldn't be helped.

After all, since Yotsuya Miko awakened her spiritual powers, her opponents had mostly been inhuman creatures like evil spirits and gods. Even among the spiritual power users transformed by Sakurakawa Rikka, only Agutama Kiyotaka was a special case who maintained a human form and fought with combat techniques. Yotsuya Miko hadn't even fought him.

She could indeed be called a professional exorcist, but when it came to close combat… she was completely clueless.

Of course, Yotsuya Miko and Futaba Rio didn't think that receiving Garuda's training was superfluous. They were both very clear that it was necessary.

Learning more skills would save more power during combat.

And Garuda's agile movements and movement methods were also worth mastering.

Moreover…

Training with a coach like Garuda who gave feedback was better than training with that monster, Yae Hoshi, right?

Following that guy couldn't be considered a real combat exercise at all. The difference in strength was too great, and it was just one-sided crushing. Other than honing their mentality in adversity, it didn't have much use.

Seeing Yae Hoshi enter the dojo, Futaba Rio took the initiative to walk over and said in a rare gentle tone.

“About the comments online… don't take them to heart…”

“Ah? What comments?”

Yae Hoshi looked indifferent and chuckled.

“Oh, are you talking about those doubts and slanders? I didn't even look at them. Right now, I have more important things to consider.”

“More important things?”

“That's right.”

Yae Hoshi nodded with a serious face.

“School is about to start, and there are many new junior classmates to unlock.”

Chapter 356: Mai-senpai's Apron Hospitality, and Umi's Trip to Tokyo