Chapter 29
The following day back at the street of Tokyo It was a quiet night .
Just only the hum of street lamps and the chirping of crickets filled the silence. Renji walked slowly, Lily holding his arm, her little steps keeping up with his. Choji followed closely, his hands tucked in his pockets, scanning every corner like a guard dog.
But then, Choji stopped. His head tilted slightly, his brows furrowed.
Renji noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
Choji narrowed his eyes, whispering, "We're being followed."
Renji stiffened, again !!! instinctively pulling Lily closer. His heart raced for a moment, but then he let out a shaky laugh.
"Maybe…" he whispered, his lips curling in a nervous smile, "this time Januza will come out and play."
Choji snorted, unable to stop himself. You bozo . Relax, Renji I don't think it's an enemy."
Renji blinked. "Huh how do you know?"
Choji closed his eyes for a second, focusing. His senses sharpened like a blade, stretching into the dark alleys and rooftops. After a long breath, he smirked.
"There's no killing intent," he said simply. "Whoever it is… they're just watching. Careful, steady. If I had to guess it's mostly the hunters Bureau."
Renji tilted his head. "Bureau? Why would they follow me? I'm not important."
Really are you sure about that with everything that has happened lately?? But ...
Choji shrugged. "I don't know. But the mana feels heavy. Refined. This isn't some rookie. Whoever's trailing us is at least S-rank."
Renji's face went pale. "S-RANK?!" His voice cracked so loud Lily tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Brother, don't yell…"
Renji rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "R-Right, sorry."
But inside, he was spiraling. Why would an S-rank be following me of all people? I can't even control my powers if I even have any...
On the rooftops above, Arisa crouched low, watching them carefully. Her gaze lingered on Renji, her expression unreadable.
"Hmmmm soo according to the bareu that massive mana surge was caused by him but still also not sure if it's him or tang shi ??
Hmmmm
just what are you hiding renji? she thought. He doesn't look like much and yet that Choji can sense me, for a B rank is that possible I have never seen a B rank with high perception skills unless someone must have warned them. Still… why place an S-rank on babysitting duty?
She stayed hidden, her presence masked, only leaking the faintest trace of mana. Enough for someone sharp like Choji to notice but not enough for Renji to understand.
Meanwhile at the Hunters Bureau, Takeda sat in his designed office fitting for a pillar
But deep down the weight of silence pressed down on him. On his desk lay a sealed document stamped with the Bureau's crest. Inside were questions about the mana surge, about sudden tang Shii's death, and the unknown white haired kid and also about why the detectors had nearly burned out.
He hadn't answered them. Not fully. Not truthfully.
Takeda leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself. "If the Bureau finds out about Januza… there'll be panic and fear even power struggles.
No… I can't let that happen. Not yet."
Just then
Knock knock!!
A knock came at his door.
"You can come in ," Takeda answered.
The door opened, revealing Riku, a young A-rank hunter with wild brown hair and an eager grin.
"Mr takeda, you've been in here for hours. The others are starting to think you've gone into hibernation."
Takeda gave him a tired look. "What do you want, Riku?"
"Nothing serious sir ," Riku shrugged, strolling in. "Just… you always told us to trust our instincts. And mine says something's going on. You're hiding something."
Takeda's eyes sharpened. "Be careful with your words, boy."
But Riku only smirked. Ahhh Mr takeda c'mon you always take things seriously ..
....."Let me be I'm tired Riku I'm tired "
Yes yes but Riku replied with an inner thought saying "If you don't want to tell me, fine. But I'll find out myself."
As he left, Takeda clenched his jaw. This is bad. If even Riku starts digging, the Bureau won't be far behind.
Meanwhile Renji and Choji finally reached the small park near their apartment. Lily ran ahead a little, laughing softly as she chased a firefly. Renji watched her, a small smile forming on his lips, but his heart still carried weight.
"Choji," he said quietly.
"Mm?"
" I'm just thinking about it and it can't escape my mind that what if… what if it's true?
What if I really am Januza? Then… why didn't he save my parents? Why didn't he stop any of it? If he's so powerful… why do I also feel so powerless?"
Choji stopped walking. He placed a hand on Renji's shoulder, firm but gentle.
Really again with this Renji ..... Then followed with a hard smack on the back of Renji's head
SLAP
Renji screamed in pain!!! What was that for ??
"Renji," choji said, his voice steady, "whether you're Januza or not doesn't matter to me. Like I said before You're you, my friend and lily's brother. And really that's already enough dumdum."
We've said it before Renji
Renji felt his chest tighten, his eyes burning, but he laughed it off. "Some how you always know what to say, don't you?"
Choji smirked. "Yeah. Someone's gotta keep you from sulking too much."
They both chuckled, the tension breaking for a moment. But above, Arisa still watched Quiet. Patient.