Chapter 136 : Like Wildfire & Prophecy
Under Fushiguro Toji's lazily raised eyelids, not much emotion showed, and his magnetic, hoarse voice when lowered always felt like the rumbling sound from a wolf's throat.
His tone couldn't quite be called concern or mockery, though most people would probably hear it as mockery.
However, Jiang Lai felt it was probably more concern.
Papa Toji did have some sharp-tongued attributes (was this some Zenin family trait?), but unlike Zenin Naoya, his sharp tongue was mostly used during missions to make enemies lose their rationality, or for a few extra words when he was in a good mood after missions ended.
In summary, Fushiguro Toji's mockery was more often applied to enemies and targets, while toward friends...
Actually, he had hardly anyone who could be called a friend while alive. As a runaway bounty hunter, especially after his wife's death, Toji basically put money above everything else.
Naturally, emotions weren't as real as money. Toji followed such principles.
Probably because of becoming a soul form after death, Toji could break free somewhat from his muddled state, slightly opening his heart to establish friendships built on interests but carrying emotions beyond interests.
Though the two didn't completely trust each other, they could already be considered friends.
As thoughts flowed past, the smile on Jiang Lai's face became more genuine as he replied gently: "It's not because of anyone. I didn't fall for anyone's trap. My current cursed spirit form was my own choice."
Hearing Jiang Lai's words, Fushiguro Toji raised his eyebrows. After initially showing instinctive doubt, his expression showed some interest, then finally settled on some inexplicable look.
He placed one hand on his chin and smiled: "Oh, not bad. If this really was your own doing, then I underestimated you before."
Underestimated? Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow. Did he think it was incredibly unbelievable that he could adjust his state to cursed spirit form?
So he answered following this understanding: "Becoming a cursed spirit isn't particularly difficult, because I'm not the ordinary human you imagine."
Although Jiang Lai didn't plan to completely reveal his true identity, since explaining it all would be too troublesome, and he wasn't sure how Toji would consider it.
But Jiang Lai also didn't choose to hide it. Appropriately revealing some information would help their cooperative communication.
"To be precise, I'm quite satisfied with the ordinary person identity, it's just that my real identity is somewhat closer to natural forces than human... I wonder if you can understand this explanation."
Jiang Lai smiled and added: "Or perhaps you think I'm joking?"
Fushiguro Toji's face showed some thoughtful expression, then it faded as he said lightly:
"There's no point joking with me in this kind of place. I believe what you're saying is true. Not being an ordinary human is naturally better. As for what specifically, you don't need to explain, and I don't need to spend effort fully understanding."
That attitude of "anything unrelated to me and my targets is unimportant" made Jiang Lai can't help but curve his eyebrows.
Next, Fushiguro Toji spoke again, his topic suddenly jumping back to before: "Speaking of which, the [underestimation] I mentioned earlier wasn't about underestimating your real identity aspect."
Not about identity, then what? Jiang Lai looked up.
The black-haired man's semi-transparent form moved even closer, those beast-like eyes finally gathered their laziness, focusing their gaze on Jiang Lai:
"...I think I underestimated your persistence in achieving your goals."
This statement left Jiang Lai slightly stunned, while Fushiguro Toji continued in his smoky voice, seemingly casual:
"It's quite surprising, under that calm exterior of yours, there's actually hidden a burning wildfire-like heart that won't give up until the goal is achieved."
Won't give up until the goal is achieved? Hearing this description, Jiang Lai felt somewhat amused. He felt like this was describing a villain.
However, this description did indeed match him in a certain sense.
Jiang Lai had always been persistent about achieving the best happy ending and then finding his way home. For this purpose, he strived, maneuvered, infiltrated, but never retreated or compromised.
"...I do have my convictions." Jiang Lai finally uttered this reply.
"I can see that. You're someone who would be very stubborn in certain aspects." Fushiguro Toji chuckled, those eyes capable of analyzing others' hearts moving away to fall on the side.
He crossed his arms over his chest, half-leaning against the nearby wall, looking leisurely while speaking in that casual tone: "However... although being persistent like burning wildfire can very well clear the obstacle-ridden path ahead, it's also easy to unknowingly burn yourself out."
It was rare for Fushiguro Toji to say such sentences. Usually, he was more accustomed to saying whatever came to mind, straightforward and direct. So Jiang Lai didn't react immediately.
It wasn't until after that not-too-long, not-too-short time that Jiang Lai understood the meaning behind the other's words.
...The last time he heard such similar words was from friends in the Detective Conan world.
At that time, to overthrow the organization and achieve final victory, Jiang Lai had also made many strategic moves at his own expense.
Jiang Lai had no self-destructive tendencies. He simply felt doing so could save process time and achieve the happy ending goal faster and better.
The friends from Detective Conan, out of concern and fierce protectiveness, had solemnly told Jiang Lai that he should value himself more before profit calculations. He was also part of what should have a future, and the most beautiful ending absolutely couldn't allow anyone's absence.
Facing danger, they could weather storms together and advance hand in hand, no need to rush toward the ending.
Now, hearing Toji suddenly point this out, Jiang Lai realized:
Since coming to the jujutsu world, he had unknowingly begun habitually using himself and enemy interests for calculations again, with some choices indeed carrying gambling elements.
...Fortunately, friends from Detective Conan were separated from him by a dimensional wall, and manga wouldn't completely describe psychological processes. Jiang Lai touched his nose, feeling somewhat guilty inside.
Otherwise, they might tear through the dimensional wall to chase after him for "education."
Cough, wait. Detective Conan friends could come over now, through Little Sheep Jiang Lai's Electronic Spirits.
Jiang Lai's thoughts scattered, galloping wildly for a moment.
At this moment, Fushiguro Toji's next words came from his lips: "Sometimes, burning flames can also calm down a bit. It's not too late to continue after waiting to see the path more clearly."
Jiang Lai blinked.
When Fushiguro Toji's gaze glanced toward Jiang Lai, his lip corner moved, pulling that scar: "Saying these words is really brain-taxing. Whether you understand or listen is none of my business."
He resumed his usual slacker appearance, endlessly lazy: "In the end, after we complete our transaction, you can do whatever you want. Your real identity, your ultimate purpose, all of that, I don't care about any of it."
"But before then, don't forget that part of your life is also fused into the stakes of our transaction."
Jiang Lai's eyes curved with amusement. After hearing Toji's words, he didn't say much, just seriously nodded in reply:
"I understand... Thank you."
Regarding his becoming a cursed spirit, Fushiguro Toji had the smallest reaction and fastest acceptance time, but this didn't mean he viewed this matter with an indifferent attitude.
Actually, Fushiguro Toji, who had absolute acuity in matters other than gambling, even though he had been absent during the long experiences due to slumber, after awakening, he only needed a few glances plus a few clues to see Jiang Lai's condition.
Unlike the direct emotional expression and concern from Detective Conan friends, Fushiguro Toji was more like giving seemingly casual guidance from the objective assessment perspective of a cooperative partner.
But the final result was the same.
Fushiguro Toji was expressing friendly concern in his own way, even though it didn't quite look like care between friends.
After a few seconds of quiet air, the black-haired man with a scar at his lip corner looked at the wallpaper ahead, casually saying: "This is the Zenin family?"
"Yes." Jiang Lai nodded, "I didn't expect you to judge so quickly."
Fushiguro Toji snorted lightly, lazily saying: "I lived here for so many years. I'm very familiar with the Zenin family's decorative style. Those vulgar totems printed on walls are really appetite-killing."
Hmm... Jiang Lai decided not to comment on this.
He could hear that Fushiguro Toji's words carried some personal grudges.
Toji disliked the Zenin family. He had always thought this place was a big garbage bin, at most a rich, powerful, influential garbage bin. But fundamentally still a garbage bin.
Mentioning the Zenin family brought Jiang Lai's thoughts back to his purpose for being here, so he asked: "By the way, Toji-san, how is your recovery now?"
"Not good, not bad." Fushiguro Toji said.
Jiang Lai looked at the floating soul form, waiting for his explanation.
Fushiguro Toji shrugged: "Probably because the world is rejecting me but not accepting my soul, as time passes, although I can now maintain consciousness for certain periods, I still feel very tired. In summary, not as good as before."
Jiang Lai frowned slightly, his expression becoming more serious: "Meaning your current self isn't as good as before? Even without overusing abilities, you need more time to rest in the wooden plaque?"
"Right." Fushiguro Toji answered frankly, not hiding this point.
The semi-transparent black-haired man's gaze fell on Jiang Lai, his voice low and hoarse: "So I won't always be by your side afterward. According to our transaction, when you need me to provide intelligence or secret reconnaissance, you can call me, but normally, I'll probably sleep in the wooden plaque."
"Then wouldn't you be unable to play horse racing and boxing betting either?" Jiang Lai said half-jokingly, "I was still thinking about continuing to bet opposite, getting a villa by the sea."
Fushiguro Toji shrugged, showing a regretful expression: "Can't help it. Looks like I'll have to abandon this hobby. Though I might come out to gamble a couple times if my hands get itchy."
It seemed Toji's condition was truly poor. Jiang Lai could see this. He could no longer be like at the very beginning.
Probably truly as he said, the world's will was rejecting this soul form that shouldn't exist, but because of the Supervisory Committee's constraints, couldn't accept him, making soul form Toji an existence caught in the gap.
"I'll figure out a way to help you as soon as possible." Jiang Lai's warm brown eyes looked toward Toji, then paused and smiled: "Of course, not by burning urgently, but by helping under the premise of thinking things through clearly."
At this point, he shifted topics and asked: "By the way, how far can you now separate from the wooden plaque? If possible, I'd like to trouble you to make a trip to the Zenin family head's room."
"Zenin family head's room?" Fushiguro Toji raised his eyebrows somewhat surprised, then answered: "Unless you're also nearby, otherwise no. I can't leave the wooden plaque by more than three meters."
As expected, there were still restrictions. The idea of having the soul form secretly sneak over in his place wouldn't work.
Jiang Lai sighed slightly: "Alright, looks like I'll have to make the trip personally."
At this point, Fushiguro Toji suddenly said: "Have you inquired about the Zenin family head's wife recently?"
"Hmm?" Jiang Lai was somewhat confused, "No. Why suddenly bring up... the family head's wife?"
"Then I suggest you be cautious." Fushiguro Toji drew out his tone, saying slowly: "Someone might have anticipated your actions."
Jiang Lai tilted his head slightly: "What do you mean?"
"The Zenin family head's wife's technique," Fushiguro Toji placed his hands behind his head, slightly lifting his eyelids, "is [Uncertain Prophecy]."
Prophecy? Prophecy?!
He seemed to have heard related mentions somewhere... Speaking of which, during the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, Geto Suguru had mentioned the Supervisory Committee had prophecies!
While Jiang Lai was stunned, he instinctively said: "Wait, why didn't you say this earlier…"
Fushiguro Toji raised his eyebrows: "But you didn't ask." Then he added the second half seemingly casually but actually as a reminder: "And you didn't pay either."
Jiang Lai: "..."
Even dead and unable to gamble, you're still obsessed with money! The best money-grubber title shouldn't go to Little Sheep, it should go to you, bounty hunter Papa Toji!!