Exactly. Dazai Osamu's eyes were shining, the hospital's extensive tests had yielded the same result.
Uchiha Madara turned his head to "look" at Dazai Osamu. "What happened?" He was not a medical ninja; while his chakra could detect the presence of toxins, it could not neutralize them.
Dazai Osamu blinked his eyes and obediently explained everything in detail, "It all starts with me and Oda Sakunosuke's other good friend, Sakaguchi Ango. It is said that he is a spy sent to the Port Mafia by the foreign organization Mimic, but he has gone missing now. As for this Mimic organization, they happen to be in a conflict with us recently. Oda Sakunosuke was ordered by the leader to find Ango, but just after finding Ango, he was poisoned into unconsciousness by the opponent!"
Oda is just an ordinary member, right?" Uchiha Madara said indifferently. Oda Sakunosuke usually called himself a low-level member of the Port Mafia at home. "Why did your leader choose a mere low-level member like him for this task, instead of using a group of other high-ranking officials?
Dazai Osamu smiled, "Because of Oda Sakunosuke's ability."
"Ability?" Uchiha Madara asked. He had been in this world for quite some time, so he had naturally discovered that this was a world without chakra, that Oda Sakunosuke possessed a special kind of power within him, which, by now, seemed to be this ability. He wondered just what kind of ability it was.
Correct, Oda Sakunosuke's ability is called [Flawless]; he can see five seconds into the future.
Uchiha Madara felt a flicker of interest; this kind of ability became more useful against stronger opponents. In a clash between powerhouses, even foreseeing 0.1 seconds could decide the outcome of a battle. "It should be a passive-trigger type, shouldn't it?"
That's right, but once he receives an attack that is completely unavoidable within five seconds, his ability will also lose its effect. Ango utilized this very trait, using a poison that takes effect after six seconds to knock out Oda Sakunosuke." Dazai Osamu stared intently at Uchiha Madara. "Madara-san, I have told you everything you wanted to know, so what can you do!
“Judging by your voice, you hold a high position at such a young age and have plenty of time to enjoy yourself, so why risk your life for a friend from the bottom of society?” Uchiha Madara did not answer Dazai Osamu's words, but instead posed another question.
“Because Oda Sakunosuke is my friend.” Dazai Osamu's gaze softened, as sunlight shone into his iris-colored eyes, turning their hue into a gentle shade of brown. "Madara-san, you know Oda Sakunosuke's personality. Despite his strength, he refuses to kill, which is why he has always been a lowly worker living on a meager salary. Whenever he sees someone in trouble, he goes to help them, he has always been striving for his ideal of becoming a novelist. He shouldn't have to sacrifice himself like this just because of someone else's filthy schemes."
Although even now, he still hadn't grasped the specifics of this conflict, it was definitely related to Mori Ougai; thinking back, Mori Ougai sending Nakahara Chuuya abroad a while ago was clearly premeditated.
"I am merely interested in the leadership position of the Port Mafia." Uchiha Madara did not give Dazai Osamu the assurance he wanted; instead, he said something that caught Dazai Osamu completely off guard.
After gaining a preliminary understanding of this world, Uchiha Madara had been constantly thinking about what his next move should be; he needed power to protect his younger brother. Considering his abnormal origins, joining the government was clearly impossible; in that case, he might as well become the greatest dark force.
Hearing these words, Dazai Osamu's expression froze. After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, if you put it that way, you're really getting me excited!"
It seems you are very dissatisfied with your leader.
Of course! Who would like a scheming, loli-obsessed old man who tries to kill people at every opportunity? Kicking Mr. Mori out would be a truly wonderful thought!
"Not just kicking them out, the Port Mafia will only become a part of my influence," Uchiha Madara said calmly, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what he had eaten for lunch.
Even though the young man before him was currently injured, possessed nothing, was even staying at another person's house, Dazai Osamu felt that everything he said would come true; it was an intuitive trust in the strongest.
Meanwhile, Oda Sakunosuke, who had been unconscious in bed the entire time, had no idea what kind of events he had missed.
"Achoo! Achoo!" Mori Ougai sneezed twice in succession.
“Rintaro is so dirty!” Elise, Mori Ougai's ability in the form of a blonde little girl, screamed and ran. “Snot even sprayed on my dress!” She jumped up from her chair and ran to the dressing room behind them to prepare to change into another dress.
Ah, two sneezes. Someone must be cursing me behind my back," Mori Ougai said calmly, wiping his nose. "It's most likely that fellow Dazai; with his intellect, he should have already guessed quite a bit—at the very least, he should have guessed that I, as the leader, have ill intentions toward Oda Sakunosuke.
“But Dazai, a person's character determines their fate. You cannot save Oda Sakunosuke; he is destined to die in this struggle.” Mori Ougai crossed his hands on the table and turned his head to look out the window. Thinking about the imminent business license for the Ability, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly in a faint smile.
Oda Sakunosuke woke up under the afterglow of the setting sun. Opening his eyes, he saw a white ceiling and white walls all around him. His head was still buzzing, it took a moment for him to realize that he was in a hospital.
Struggling to sit up, he felt a sharp pain from his hands in the next second. He looked down to find both of his hands wrapped in bandages, memories of being caught in the explosion before he lost consciousness began to resurface.
The movement on the bed was noticed by the bodyguard at the door, who glanced over and hurried to inform Dazai Osamu that the patient had awakened.
Oda, you're awake!" As soon as Oda Sakunosuke sat up, he heard Dazai Osamu's cheerful voice ringing in his ear. "How are you feeling?
It feels like a hangover from drinking dozens of bottles of liquor all at once," Oda Sakunosuke said slowly. "I don't think I'll want to drink for a long time.
"That won't do! I'm afraid you'll be having a massive drink yourself before long!" Dazai Osamu said teasingly, his mood much higher than usual.
Dazai." After a moment of silence, Oda Sakunosuke spoke again, "Ango did not betray the Port Mafia.
What?
Author's Note:
----------------------
Short Skit
Subordinate: Boss, Oda Sakunosuke has already clashed with Gide, just as you expected.
Mori Ougai: Is he dead?
Subordinate: He's not dead, he's even brought people to claim your position as leader; they're already blocking the door.
Mori Ougai!!
Chapter 8
In that case, this war actually involves three factions: the Port Mafia, the overseas organization Mimic, Ango's unidentified black-clad special forces," Dazai Osamu said, stroking his chin as he began to analyze the information Oda Sakunosuke had provided. "However, the most dangerous is still the Mimic organization. They are advancing aggressively; during the time you were asleep, they had already destroyed six shops under the Port Mafia's jurisdiction, by the time our people pursued them, they had vanished without a trace.
As he spoke, Dazai Osamu suddenly waved his hand and stepped aside to let the person behind him enter. "We'll talk about that later. First, I want you to see someone."
"Mr. Madara, what are you doing here?" Oda Sakunosuke stared blankly at Uchiha Madara, who had appeared before him.
“Today is the day for removing bandages.” Uchiha Madara did not say what Dazai Osamu had implied.
That's right, when I brought Oda Sakunosuke over, I happened to run into Mr. Uchiha coming to remove the bandages," Dazai Osamu added with a grin, "And then Mr. Madara has been waiting here for you to wake up.
I'm sorry, I completely forgot about that," Oda Sakunosuke said with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry for making you worry.
Don't say that, it was my own business to begin with." Uchiha Madara walked toward the exit. "Since you're fine now, I'm leaving. Remember to come back early.
Oda Sakunosuke couldn't help but feel relieved by this thoughtfulness, as he didn't ask why he was lying in the hospital or what he had done.
"You seem to quite like Mr. Madara." Watching Uchiha Madara walk away, Oda Sakunosuke began to ask Dazai Osamu, feeling that Dazai Osamu's attitude toward Uchiha Madara was a bit overly intimate, nothing like how one would treat a stranger they had just met.
"That's right!" Dazai Osamu's eyes gleamed. "Mr. Madara is such a good person." He liked anyone who could make Mori Ougai suffer a loss.
A good person! Oda Sakunosuke looked at Dazai Osamu in shock. With Uchiha Madara's cold, arrogant, murderous aura, he didn't seem to have anything to do with the term "good person" at all!
“I have already had Akutagawa organize a group of people to go,” Dazai Osamu ignored Oda Sakunosuke's startled expression and returned to the matter of Mimic. "But things don't seem to be going smoothly. Akutagawa and my other subordinates were ambushed by the Mimic organization on the grand avenue of the art museum. According to the intelligence received, we are at a disadvantage." He began planning to have Oda Sakunosuke make a trip; Akutagawa was simply too sharp, would break if bent too quickly, so it was just right to let Oda Sakunosuke temper his temperament. In any case, he had already agreed with Mr. Madara that the Mimic organization would be left to him.
Upon hearing that Dazai Osamu's student and subordinates were under attack, Oda Sakunosuke fell for it just as expected; provoked by Dazai Osamu's words, he immediately stood up, threw on his coat, went to provide support.
By the time Oda Sakunosuke arrived at the art museum and finally managed to rescue Dazai Osamu's student, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, from the hands of the Mimic organization, the opponent suddenly went berserk and launched a lethal attack against Oda Sakunosuke.
Oda!! Are you out of your mind?!
Although he didn't expect Akutagawa Ryunosuke to do anything special for the person who had just saved him, he certainly shouldn't be trying to kill the person who had just saved him.
With the enemy liable to catch up at any moment, Oda Sakunosuke knocked Akutagawa Ryunosuke unconscious with decisive efficiency.
Perhaps because the two of them had been delayed for this brief moment, the people from the Mjmic organization had caught up.
“My intuition tells me..”
I knew I would encounter such an ability user in this country.
With silver-gray hair and clothing, he is the leader of Mimic.
My name is Andre Gide," he said, looking at Oda Sakunosuke with a somber expression, "I have come in search of a soul capable of liberating us ghosts.
I see!" Oda said with some distress. "I actually know of some high-quality yet affordable funeral services; do you need me to introduce you to them?
Gide was somewhat dissatisfied with Oda Sakunosuke's attempt to bluff his way through, appearing as if he wanted to teach him a lesson, fired a shot at Oda Sakunosuke.
Oda Sakunosuke dodged to the right according to the prediction of the ability [Flawless], but immediately after, a bullet was fired into his skull.
The image ended, leaving Oda Sakunosuke standing there in shock.
Gide had been holding his gun the whole time, but he had not fired it.
“Why?” Oda Sakunosuke asked Gide with difficulty, a terrifying suspicion forming in his mind regarding why he had been granted the "Silver Oracle" by the boss, why he had been drawn into this conflict between organizations, why Dazai had sent him here to provide support.
The words Andre Gide spoke next also confirmed his suspicion; the other person possessed the same ability to foresee the future as he did, which was why the two of them could clash while remaining motionless.
Andre Gide believed that only Oda Sakunosuke, who possessed the same ability, could grant him the death he desired, so he excitedly demanded that Oda Sakunosuke engage him in a life-or-death duel.
Having understood everything, Oda Sakunosuke still adhered to his principle of not killing. He hoped to persuade Andre Gide to change his mind, but Andre Gide remained unmoved by his words. One refused to kill, while the other disregarded life and death; it was obvious that Oda Sakunosuke had lost to Andre Gide.
Facing Oda Sakunosuke, who insisted on adhering to his principle of not killing even when being shot by bullets, Andre Gide was extremely disappointed. However, no matter what, after witnessing Oda Sakunosuke's ability, he absolutely could not give up the thought of letting the other man kill him. Andre Gide decided to do something to provoke a murderous intent in Oda Sakunosuke.
"Look forward to it." After leaving those words, Andre Gide gave Oda Sakunosuke a deep look, then silently left the battlefield with his subordinates and returned to his temporary residence.
Expect what?
A voice suddenly appeared behind him. Gide turned around abruptly to find a man with black hair and dark clothing standing behind him.
“Who are you!” Andre Gide said in a heavy voice.
The man did not speak, his expression indifferent, simply staring at him with those bottomless black eyes.
Gide's entire being was warning him frantically: there was a mortal danger!
In the next second, his ability activated.
There was nothing!
How could that be! To think that someone could make him feel like his life was in danger without even doing anything!
Let me see." Uchiha Madara's eyes gradually turned blood-red, his tomoe began to spin. "What are you trying to do?
In a desolate spiritual world, Uchiha Madara saw the heroic deeds of Andre Gide's past, yet he received no heroic treatment in return.
A group of warriors who protect the nation, fighting on the front lines for their motherland and their people, were stabbed in the back by politicians in the rear. Once peace agreements were reached between nations, the warriors, who had received no notification, were charged with war crimes for disrupting peace after capturing the fortress, were persecuted by their former comrades-in-arms.
The instinct for survival made them rebel, but having lost the meaning of life, they became a group of ghosts wandering the wilderness, with only eternal death as their final destination.
“If you cannot find the meaning of survival, then entrust your life to me,” Uchiha Madara said indifferently. He thought of the Uchiha Clan, how similar their fates were—once no longer needed, they naturally lost their reason for existing. “Now, your life belongs to me. Cast aside those meaningless thoughts, let me become your pillar.”
Gide panted heavily, his expression turning blank as he recalled those things once again, his face began to contort suddenly upon hearing that sentence.
“Then can you give us an eternal sleep?” In the end, he only asked this one question.
"Fine," Uchiha Madara replied.
"Alright!" Gide lowered his head.
Then do exactly as you planned before." Uchiha Madara looked up at the sky. "I'm also curious to see what Oda will do.
Lupin Bar
Dazai, are you sure we can just sit here and wait?" Oda Sakunosuke asked with some concern. "Will Ango really come?
Because they had been unable to find any traces of the Mimic organization, the two of them agreed that they should find Ango, who held a vast amount of intelligence on the Mimic organization.
Then Dazai took him to Lupin Bar.
"Of course!" Dazai Osamu snapped his fingers and pulled out a handkerchief. "Finding a handkerchief tucked into a piece of paper from this hotel at the place where you were unconscious—what a cliché method!" A notification sound rang out, he casually opened his phone to take a look.
That's my handkerchief!" Oda Sakunosuke recognized his own item at a glance. "Ah, come to think of it, before I lost consciousness, I did lend a handkerchief to Ango. Had he already thought of all this back then?
That's why," Dazai Osamu said, pursing his lips in dissatisfaction, "Oda Sakunosuke, you are just too kind-hearted. Be more careful next time!