(T/N: Fourth Chapter!!)
The two Reishi Shells were instantly put into a peaceful sleep after being hit by tranquilizer darts.
Mizutani and Shirata Kazuki were left stunned, unable to understand why the freshmen had suddenly attacked.
Before they could react, they too were brought down by tranquilizers.
Because the Onmitsukidō was acting in secret, they couldn't risk causing a public disturbance or alerting others. To ensure total silence, they took down Mizutani and Shirata as well.
The four were brought to Katori Nanatsuki's office for examination.
They used the spirit particle detector provided by Squad 12 to confirm whether any of the four were Reishi Shells.
Now that Nanatsuki had been promoted to department head, he had a private office, making it a secure place to hold and examine the suspects without interruption.
"Vice-Captain Shihoin, these two are Reishi Shells. The other two are just regular students. The list was accurate," a member of the Onmitsukidō reported.
"You two, stay here and watch over them," Yoruichi instructed. "The rest of you, come with me—we're heading back to the dorms."
Yoruichi and her team returned to the dorms. With the teacher away, she used the same trick again—chatting casually with a passing upperclassman until the next pair of Reishi Shells could be lured out.
Sure enough, Nanatsuki returned shortly after and once again used the excuse of moving wooden swords to coax the remaining two Reishi Shells outside.
Once those were handled, Yoruichi met Nanatsuki at the dorm entrance.
"The last two on the list are new students. They haven't officially reported to the academy, so we can't use the same trick to catch them," Nanatsuki explained. "I suggest we wait near the academy entrance."
"We can't be sure when they'll arrive, so we'll have to rotate the watch," Yoruichi nodded.
She had a few subordinates take the captured Reishi Shells to Squad 12, where their memory-erasing formulas could be removed.
The rest were assigned to lie in wait at the academy gate for the two remaining infiltrators.
An hour later, Mizutani and Shirata woke up inside Nanatsuki's office.
"Sensei…" Shirata muttered when he saw Nanatsuki seated calmly at his desk. He wanted to explain what had happened, but the words caught in his throat—after all, as sixth-year students, being taken down by supposed freshmen was deeply embarrassing.
"We were attacked by those freshmen!" Mizutani exclaimed.
"Shirata, you're the roommate of Aoki and Ōura, right?" Nanatsuki asked as he flipped through a file.
He was reviewing the academy records for the four captured Reishi Shells.
These individuals had spent quite a long time in the academy—especially Shirata's two roommates, who had even repeated a year. Nanatsuki was concerned they might have planted traps or created other hidden threats that hadn't yet been discovered.
"Aoki and Ōura?" Shirata frowned slightly. "Right… they were attacked too..."
"Their identities are compromised. What you encountered were members of the Onmitsukidō, sent to apprehend them," Nanatsuki explained. "I hope you'll keep this confidential. The Onmitsukidō was operating under a covert mission."
"They were from the Onmitsukidō?!" Both Mizutani and Shirata were shocked—but also somewhat relieved. Getting taken down by the Onmitsukidō didn't feel so disgraceful after all.
"I'll keep it a secret!"
"Same here!"
They both nodded solemnly, a spark of excitement lighting up in their eyes—they felt as if they had participated in a real Shinigami operation.
"Now, Shirata, tell me more about Aoki and Ōura," Nanatsuki said.
"I wasn't particularly close to them… no wonder I could never really get along. They were always keeping something hidden," Shirata muttered. "They did everything together and rarely separated. When I was first assigned to the dorm, I tried to befriend them, but they were always cold toward me."
"If it's about Aoki…" Mizutani hesitated. "I might know something. He's dating my cousin. According to Rinko-nee, he even agreed to marry into her family."
"Marry into her family?" Nanatsuki's expression darkened. He wasn't ready to believe this was just some romance between a Reishi Shell and a noble's daughter.
"They're already engaged. The wedding is set for the next New Year," Mizutani nodded. "They were classmates, though Rinko-nee has already graduated. If you want to know more, she might be your best source."
"Would you be able to take me to your cousin's place?" Nanatsuki asked. "Aoki is involved in something serious. If we don't get to the bottom of it, your cousin might get dragged into this."
"Of course!" Mizutani nodded vigorously. "I'll take you right away."
Nanatsuki followed her into the noble district, where Mizutani's cousin lived.
The noble district wasn't far from the commercial area—a peaceful pocket hidden within the bustling city.
Nanatsuki rarely came here, but now that many of his former students had become seated officers or vice-captains across various squads, he was often recognized as he walked through the streets. Every so often, someone would greet him along the way.
Eventually, Mizutani brought him to an old-style estate.
They knocked and waited.
A maid in a plain kimono opened the door.
"Miss Mizutani, are you here with a guest?" the maid asked, her eyes lingering with subtle caution on the man beside her.
"I'm a teacher from the Spiritual Arts Academy," Nanatsuki replied smoothly. "I'm here today to inquire about Miss Rinko's squad assignment."
Just then, Nanatsuki felt it—the Sound of Hell he wore had been triggered.
He had discovered previously that this tool could sense the presence of Hell Reishi in certain formulas tied to Reishi Shells.
After that discovery, he started wearing the Sound of Hell inside a charm pouch as a sheath ornament on his side.
That way, he could instantly detect any Reishi Shells or individuals connected to Hell who came near him.
Now that it had activated, Nanatsuki reacted immediately.
The maid standing before him… was either a Reishi Shell or someone deeply connected to Hell.
"Miss Rinko's squad assignment?" The maid examined Nanatsuki again, her gaze pausing for a few seconds on the robes that marked him as a teacher. "Please, come in."
She led them to a tea room and served them both a cup of tea. "Please wait here. I'll go fetch Miss Rinko."
Mizutani reached for her cup, intending to moisten her throat with a sip of tea—but a broad, warm hand grabbed her wrist.
"Sensei…?" she said, ears turning red with surprise.
"Don't drink," Nanatsuki whispered just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
He didn't have time to explain further.
The maid returned—this time with a young woman in an elegant kimono.