Kazumi woke up feeling anxious. She had dreamed that she was back home with Ichiro. Getting beaten, as always. Nothing new, yet it still terrified her every time. The trauma never left her alone.
After getting up, her anxiety worsened as she remembered what she had to do that day: work for the Spirit World.
Her conversation with Koenma had been brief. He had picked up the phone on the first ring, as if he had spent the entire day waiting next to it. Koenma didn't hide his excitement when he heard Kazumi's positive response. They had arranged to meet in the morning at the Reikai Headquarters in the human world, but she still questioned whether she had made the right decision. Doubt was growing stronger in her chest, and backing out was becoming more and more tempting.
Kazumi reluctantly ate breakfast at Genkai's insistence. She felt nauseous from the nerves but didn't want to seem ungrateful for her host's hospitality. In a way, she felt indebted to Genkai and had even offered to pay for her stay—an idea that the old woman scoffed at. "You're so broke, even your shadow leaves you at night," she had said with a sarcastic laugh and a sharp tone.
Even so, Kazumi couldn't shake the feeling that she owed her. Maybe Genkai hadn't noticed, but she had saved Kazumi from a brutal beating at the hands of her father. Going back home was the last thing she wanted, but being out on the streets wasn't an option either. To Kazumi, Genkai was a savior, just like Hiei.
She was startled by the thought. Betrayed by her own mind, which kept circling back to him. She knew exactly what she felt: guilt. Guilt for treating him so poorly when he had saved her life. It had taken her a while to realize it, but despite his rough demeanor, she had misjudged him from the start. She had treated him like a criminal, a kidnapper. But the truth was, in just two days, he had saved her life twice—first when she fell into Makai, and then when Ichiro tried to beat her. On top of that, he had helped her find a temporary place to stay. And in the end, she hadn't even managed to say a simple "I'm sorry".
"But he was unbelievably rude to you," she thought, trying to ease her guilt.
"Shut up, you idiot! Are you some kind of sweetheart?", she immediately argued back.
Kazumi was at war with herself, as if two versions of her were fighting to prove which one was right. In the end, she just wanted both of them to shut up and leave her alone.
—Your escort is waiting outside.
Kazumi jumped at the sudden voice. Genkai stood in front of her, looking even older and more worn out than the day before.
—Stop overthinking and go before you're late to meet Koenma.
Kazumi gaped at her.
—I'm not overthinking! I was just…— she felt a lump form in her throat and gave up on explaining —Ah, forget it!
She finished getting ready and walked with Genkai to the temple's entrance. She had expected Koenma to send someone to pick her up, but she hadn't expected it to be him .
Hiei was waiting outside. Even after saying that Kazumi's situation wasn't his problem. She had genuinely believed she wouldn't see him again, but now, standing in front of him, she secretly allowed herself to feel a small bit of relief. Not that she would ever admit it out loud, but she felt ridiculously safe near the youkai she had only just met.
Hiei, on the other hand, felt ridiculously manipulated by Genkai. The previous day, after leaving Kazumi at the temple, the old woman had asked to speak with him in private. If he could even call it a conversation.
"You can come pick her up tomorrow morning. I'm sure she'll accept Koenma's offer," Genkai had said matter-of-factly. It wasn't a request, but it wasn't an order either. She had simply assigned him the task without his consent.
"Don't count on it," he had replied curtly.
Genkai had raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips.
"I'm too old to be running all over town. I don't have the energy for that anymore. Besides, I already told Koenma that you'd take her. Is doing a favor for someone really that difficult for you? There's no one else available. At this rate, I'll have to ask Yukina."
Hiei had rolled his eyes. He hated when people used Yukina as leverage in an argument. The manipulation annoyed him, and he had probably grumbled something in response, but he had left so quickly that he didn't even remember if he had actually agreed. The fact remained that the next morning, there he was, fulfilling that request against his will.
He had arrived early, long before either of them had woken up, and waited outside. He noticed the surprise on Kazumi's face the moment she saw him. He found the subtle signs of relief on her expression strange, but he didn't return her enthusiasm. He looked away as she approached with an ironic stance.
—Thought I wasn't your problem anymore —she said, crossing her arms.
Hiei glanced at Genkai, who was sporting a smug little smile on her wrinkled face.
—So did I — he replied before turning back to Kazumi —Let's go before I change my mind.
Kazumi hesitated, then turned to Genkai, looking a little awkward.
—Thank you, ma'am. I know I don't have any money right now, but I swear that once this situation is settled and I get my paycheck, I'll pay you back for letting me stay here.
—Don't be ridiculous. I'm not asking for any payment, girl.
—I know, but I want to. To show my gratitude for the hospitality and the meals.
Genkai shrugged and let out a tired sigh.
—In that case, you'd better do well at this job.
xxxx
Hiei and Kazumi walked in silence the entire way to their destination. She wanted to break the awkwardness, to ask why he was still involved in all of this, but she lacked the courage. Nor could she find the right moment to apologize or thank him for everything he had done so far. Talking to Hiei was proving far more difficult than she had expected—especially since he gave her no opportunity for conversation. His expression remained perpetually annoyed, and to make matters worse, he took full advantage of his superior youkai endurance, effortlessly staying ahead. Keeping up with his pace was already a struggle, making any attempt at conversation nearly impossible.
By the time they arrived at the Reikai Headquarters, she was already exhausted. On the other hand, Koenma was excited, and welcomed them enthusiastically.
— Kazumi! Thank you so much for agreeing to this! You have no idea how important this is to me!
Koenma practically bowed in front of her, making her feel a little embarrassed.
— You don't have to thank me like that. I needed the money, after all. Speaking of which…
She trailed off, but Koenma immediately understood that she wanted to discuss the payment for the job.
— Ah, that's right! I forgot to mention the reward. You'll be paid regardless of whether the mission is successful or not. Of course, the reward will be much higher if we manage to locate the Triad of Time. Here's the contract—check if the amount is acceptable.
He pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. Without a word, she opened it and slid out the document inside. Her eyes skimmed over the first few lines, detailing her role in this crazy plan with meticulous precision. But when she reached the numbers that truly mattered to her, her eyebrows shot up, and her eyes widened in shock.
— Wow! — she blurted out instinctively —That's a lot of money.
Her eyes sparkled. The amount was more than enough to secure a good home for her and Noembi and cover a significant portion of the rehabilitation clinic's expenses.
— It's only fair, considering we're dealing with a murderer.
Kazumi snapped her head up to look at Koenma, startled. He immediately understood what she was thinking.
— You said I'd be safe.
— Even if he's not a direct threat to you, he's still a murderer — Koenma quickly added, trying to reassure her — But turn the page, Kazumi. The amount for finding the Triad is on the back.
She obeyed and flipped the page, only to nearly stumble backward. Kazumi had never seen so many zeros in a row. She stood there, slack-jawed and utterly frozen, as her legs threatened to give out beneath her.
— I… I think there's a typo here…
— No, the amount is correct. I double-checked before sealing the envelope. We're talking about the most dangerous artifact in the world. The value of this mission is immeasurable.
Kazumi didn't respond. She was far too stunned to form a coherent sentence. That amount of money wouldn't just clear the clinic's debts; it would guarantee a comfortable life for both her and Noembi. Hell, if she wanted, it could even cover the expenses of her future descendants!
—So? Do you agree with the contract? — Koenma asked, still waiting for confirmation.
She pulled herself together. Suddenly, a surge of determination washed over her. Kazumi was more motivated than ever to get to the bottom of this mystery.
— Yes! Absolutely!
xxxx
— We only have a week, Kazumi. That's all I could get.
In the control room, where they had a clear view of Pyokan in chains, Koenma explained how his conversation with the Reikai jury had gone. He told her that, after much pleading, he had managed to get the criminal's sentence postponed, just for one last time. "One week, not a single day more" , they had told him.
—You guys couldn't find the Triad in 300 years, and now I have only seven days to get a confession out of this guy? That doesn't seem fair — she complained.
—Believe me, if it were up to me, I'd give you an entire year. But this was the best I could do. I knew the jury wouldn't budge easily. Now it's all on you, Kazumi. Our deadline starts today.
She sighed. There was nothing she could do about it. If even Koenma had failed to convince the higher-ups, she wasn't about to waste her time trying. That left her with only one choice: prepare for her first encounter with the infamous thief everyone feared.
Her anxiety grew with each passing second. Her stomach churned, threatening to reject everything she had eaten that morning, and her thoughts spiraled into a chaotic whirlwind. Cold sweat trickled down her back, and her hands trembled, though she clenched her fists in an attempt to hide it.
— Put this on. It's how we'll communicate with you — Koenma said, handing her a small earpiece, similar to a wireless earbud.
— Didn't you say that guy's mental powers interfere with these devices?
— Yes, but once he realizes he can't use them against you, he'll stop trying. We'll be giving you instructions through this. Only say what we tell you to say. We'll guide the conversation.
She nodded, securing the earpiece in her left ear.
— Ready?
She offered a hesitant nod, her uncertainty evident in her expression. Then, guided by Koenma, she stepped past Hiei, who had remained a silent observer throughout the entire exchange.
— Are you just going to stand there watching? — she asked him.
— Do you have a problem with that? I can leave if you'd prefer. Wasn't supposed to be here anyway.
— No! I'd rather you stay!
Kazumi noticed the urgency in her own voice and quickly glanced around, wondering if anyone else had overheard. Koenma was already outside the room, talking to someone, seemingly unaware of their conversation. Not that she didn't trust him, but he didn't offer the sense of security she needed. She was scared—terrified, actually—and as absurd as it seemed, she felt a strange calm knowing Hiei would be there.
— It's just…you never know what might happen — she murmured, lowering her voice — What if you have to knock out another furious father trying to kill me?
xxxx
Kazumi followed Koenma to the entrance of Pyokan's cell. Her heart pounded so loudly in her ears that she feared she might pass out before even stepping inside. But as the door creaked open, she moved forward without thinking, stepping into what seemed like an isolated chamber. Another door stood ahead, but it wouldn't open until the one behind her was closed.
"Good luck," Koenma said before they were completely separated.
In that small chamber, she took a deep breath, searching for the courage to face Pyokan. As the next door began to open, she walked forward, albeit awkwardly.
In the silence, her footsteps, though light, echoed throughout the space, announcing her presence. She grew irritated with her own shoes, as if they were calling too much attention to her. However, Pyokan remained motionless. Chained and with his head bowed, he didn't even bother to look at her.
"Alright, Kazumi," Koenma's crackling voice sounded in her earpiece. "We're here with you."
She flinched and glanced to the side. Then, she noticed the dark glass covering nearly the entire wall to her right. She couldn't see anything in it except her own reflection, but she knew that on the other side, Koenma, Hiei, and other Reikai guards were watching her, just as she had been watching Pyokan moments ago.
"Try speaking to him. Call his name," Koenma instructed.
She turned to face the massive man before her. Even seated on the floor, hunched over in a relaxed posture, he seemed immense. He was easily the largest person she had ever met. He looked strong, the kind of psychopath who, if given the chance, could strangle his victim's neck with a single hand.
"Talk to him," Koenma urged again.
She swallowed hard.
— Pyokan — she said, her voice coming out quiet and pathetically timid.
He didn't move a muscle, ignoring her on the first attempt. She cleared her throat and tried again.
— Pyokan, I'm here to talk about the Triad of Time.
The burly man finally reacted. Without much fuss, he lifted his gaze just enough to see who it was. At first, he didn't seem particularly interested, but then Kazumi noticed the shift. The moment his eyes landed on her, his expression changed entirely. His eyes widened in disbelief, as if she were the most bizarre thing he had ever seen in his life.
Kazumi had never felt so insulted by a mere glance.
A strange sensation coursed through her body: a deep, unsettling shiver of fear. He watched her in silence, his gaze unblinking. He didn't move; he just looked, stunned by her presence
"Great, you have his attention! Ask about the Triad. Tell him about the death sentence—it might help," Koenma advised.
"I… I want to know where the Triad of Time is," she said. "I came here because we need answers, and…"
With a sudden movement, Pyokan stood up.
Kazumi stopped talking, startled by the man's sudden speed. Despite his size and weight, he had risen to his feet with startling agility. Instinctively, she took a step back.
"Stay calm, he's just trying to intimidate you. He's chained! He won't do anything to you. Pick up where you left off."
Worried, she glanced at the reflective glass, hoping to catch Koenma's eye and plead for her release. But all she saw was herself and Pyokan. Suddenly, she felt like an exhibit in a zoo, a mere piece of meat tossed into a lion's den, with a predator already accustomed to being watched, putting on a show for his spectators.
She wanted to cry, but she held it in. She thought of Noembi and turned back to Pyokan.
— You only have one week left — she said, avoiding looking directly at him — You're going to be executed in a few days. This is your last chance to say where the Triad is hidden.
Pyokan didn't respond. He remained firm in his vow of silence, watching Kazumi with curiosity. He attempted to step toward her, but after just two steps, the chains around his legs and arms pulled tight.
"Tell him about the jury's decision. Let him know he can still be acquitted if he cooperates."
— You can still be acquitted— she repeated Koenma's words — If you tell us where you hid the Triad, you can escape the death penalty. If you don't…
She trailed off as a harsh, unbearable static suddenly screeched through her earpiece. The sound was so piercing and grating that she had to pull it away.
Then, she realized what that interference meant: Pyokan was using his mental powers.
Kazumi held her breath as she saw him narrow his eyes, locking onto her with absolute focus. Her heartbeat pounded harder, her blood pressure spiked. She braced herself for the worst, already imagining the command he would give to make her kill herself in front of everyone.
But nothing happened. Absolutely nothing.
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity until, unexpectedly, Pyokan took a step back
He looked confused. Dazed. Surprised. But Kazumi was just as stunned. A new feeling swelled in her chest, something unfamiliar. Confidence. She had never felt so capable of doing something important.
Voices crackled through the earpiece. She pressed it back to her ear, hearing the overlapping chatter.
"Incredible!" , someone exclaimed. "But how is that possible?!", another questioned. Then came Koenma, his voice practically euphoric.
"You did it! Genkai was right! His attack had no effect on you! He might try again, but it doesn't matter, you're safe. Stick to the plan."
Kazumi smiled, relieved. She noticed Pyokan was still staring at her in utter shock. And for the first time, she felt triumphant. Powerful. Capable of anything.
— That doesn't work on me — she told him — You can't get rid of me like you did the others. You have no choice but to listen to what I have to say. And I'm not leaving until you tell me where the Triad of Time is.
Pyokan seemed shaken but remained silent. Kazumi thought he was in shock. After all, this was a completely new experience for him.
— Tell me where the relic is. You've kept this secret for three hundred years. Isn't that long enough? Are you really going to take it to your grave?
"You're doing great, Kazumi. It's the first time we've seen him this vulnerable. But be careful. Don't push him too far. We need him to cooperate."
She heard the warning but ignored it. She knew she had everything under control.
— Wasn't it enough that you doomed your entire people to massacre? Now you want to doom the rest of the world too? Do you really have no care at all?
Pyokan didn't reply, but his expression shifted. His brows furrowed, his lips curled downward slightly. He looked angry , as if being forced to hear this enraged him.
Kazumi rolled her eyes and smirked, shaking her head.
— Of course you don't care, right? You even killed your own daughter, the one person who was supposed to matter most to you. Why would you have any remorse for the rest of the world?
"Kazumi, ease up!" Koenma warned.
She ignored him.
She was too caught up in her own emotions, too overwhelmed by the resentment she had for her own father. Everything she had never said to Ichiro, she was throwing at Pyokan, another horrible father of another unfortunate daughter.
— You're despicable — she spat at him — How could you kill her just to get your hands on some old medallion?! And the worst part? You didn't even get it. You killed her for nothing! And from the looks of it, you don't feel the slightest bit of remorse for betraying the people who trusted you! Des-pi-ca-ble!
"Kazumi, enough! This isn't getting us anywhere. We're pulling you out of there. You can try again later. We need to change our approach."
Kazumi heard Koenma's voice, but she didn't register a single word. Because while he rambled on about whatever, she noticed something—the glow surrounding Pyokan's skin. It was faint at first, but it was growing, spreading around his massive form like some kind of divine aura.
Maybe it was the glass barrier between them, but Koenma didn't notice at first. It wasn't until the glow intensified, outlining Pyokan's entire silhouette, and Kazumi instinctively stepped back in alarm, that the spiritual leader realized what was happening
She froze. She had no idea what that was, but she was sure of one thing: it wasn't good. After all, Koenma had assured her that all of Pyokan's powers had been drained.
Her gaze darted to the dark glass as if searching for answers, but once again, she saw nothing. Then, Koenma's voice came through, hesitant, just as confused as she was.
"Kazumi… stay calm."
— Calm?! But you said he couldn't…
"I know, I know!" Koenma cut in. In the background, voices were shouting, panicked. "We're putting him to sleep! Just hold on!"
Kazumi swallowed hard. The glow surrounding Pyokan shifted, condensing into a bright sphere that seemed to be pulling away from his body. She took a slow step back, pressing herself against the exit door.
The light was so intense that she could barely make out her surroundings, but she caught a glimpse of something fired in Pyokan's direction. A quick, precise shot. Squinting against the brightness, she barely managed to make out the darts now embedded in the massive criminal's body.
Pyokan staggered as the tranquilizer took effect. For a moment, Kazumi thought he might actually collapse, but then he straightened, puffing out his chest as if he were invincible.
Panic clawed at her insides. The light radiating from him flared even brighter, and a powerful gust of wind spiraled around him. The glowing sphere expanded rapidly, and the wind pulled at her, dragging her toward him.
— Help me! — she screamed.
xxxx
— The tranquilizer wasn't enough! Release the sedative! — on the other side of the glass, Koenma ordered urgently.
One of the guards obeyed, flooding Pyokan's cell with a cloud of gas. Koenma leaned forward against the window, watching the smoke spread rapidly, engulfing both Pyokan and Kazumi.
— Damn it, there's no time! — he said as he watched the girl being pulled in by the force of Pyokan's sudden attack.
Koenma trembled, unable to believe what he was witnessing. How did that man still have power? It was impossible. Simply impossible. And yet, it was happening right in front of him. He knew he had to act fast, but no matter how quick he was, it wouldn't be enough to stop that disaster. So, he remembered that Hiei was there.
— Hiei…!
Koenma's plea was abruptly cut short.
With a single strike, the glass shattered into a thousand pieces. Sparks of black fire scattered through the room as the explosion sent a wave of searing heat over everyone present.
Koenma instinctively shielded his face as Hiei was pulled inside Pyokan's cell.
It happened so fast that Koenma couldn't process it. When Hiei reached Kazumi and was about to get her out of there, Pyokan fired the sphere toward them. He saw Pyokan's lips move, finally saying something after three hundred years. However, with so much noise around him, he couldn't hear the prisoner's voice.
A sudden burst of light blinded everyone for a few seconds, and when everything returned to normal, Koenma saw Pyokan collapse, still shackled in his cell.
Hiei and Kazumi had vanished.