Mira Ryn had reached the edge of his patience.
Just as the pressure in his chest peaked, the people he had been waiting for were finally escorted into the room.
The middleman who arranged the meeting didn't linger.
The moment Shinji Akagi and Hidan stepped inside, the man turned and practically ran.
Mira studied the two figures standing before him.
Two.
Only two.
"…That's it?" Mira said. "The Jashin Cult sent only you?"
The disappointment wasn't hidden.
He had poured absurd amounts of money into the cult over the years. Not for blind faith. Not for charity.
For rumors.
Immortality.
Bodies that didn't decay.
Souls that never left.
Even if ninety-nine percent of it was nonsense, being close to the source still mattered.
Yet when he finally called in a real favor, they answered with two men.
It felt like mockery.
Hidan's eyes sharpened.
A dense, hostile pressure leaked from his body. Not flashy. Not explosive.
But unmistakably lethal.
Shinji raised a single hand.
Hidan stopped.
Silently.
"Give me the target list," Shinji said. "Find a place to sleep. When you wake up, it'll be finished."
Mira stared.
Whether it was arrogance or absolute confidence didn't matter.
He had no better options.
"If you succeed," Mira said slowly, "I'll double the payment promised to the Jashin Cult. You'll also have my personal support and whatever additional compensation you ask for."
Shinji flipped through the documents.
Names.
Photos.
Locations.
Routines.
He closed the folder and turned toward the door.
"No coordination needed," he said. "Just keep your people away from the targets."
He paused.
"Killing is our job."
Shinji and Hidan walked out.
One of Mira's subordinates scoffed.
"Arrogant bastards."
Mira waved dismissively.
"Send two men to keep eyes on them. Don't interfere."
He stood, exhaustion finally dragging his body down.
"I'm going to sleep."
He hadn't slept properly in days.
Outside, Hidan snapped.
"Why did you stop me?! I was going to carve a ritual circle right there!"
"Mira Ryn still has value," Shinji replied. "Otherwise Lord Takigawa wouldn't have assigned us."
"If you want him dead later, do it. I won't interfere."
Hidan clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Lucky worm."
He glanced at the photo he'd been given.
A thickset man with slicked-back hair and small eyes.
Gato.
Hidan tossed the picture aside.
A large hand picked it up.
"Hey. You dropped this."
A burly man stood a few meters away.
Hidan ignored him.
The man stepped closer.
"You looking for the guy in that photo?"
Shinji raised an eyebrow.
Before he could answer, Hidan barked, "None of your business. Beat it."
The man forced a friendly smile.
"You're here to work for Gato, right? I know where he is. I can take you."
Hidan opened his mouth.
Shinji clamped a hand over it.
"We're listening," Shinji said calmly. "Why help us?"
The man scratched his head.
"Finder's fee. Gato pays well if I bring him people who look useful."
Shinji studied him for several seconds.
Heartbeat.
Breathing.
No obvious cursed energy control.
Just a desperate middleman.
"Lead the way."
The man brightened and started walking.
"So where you guys from?"
"Former jujutsu sorcerers," Shinji replied casually. "Went independent. Looking for work."
At Shinji's signal, Hidan tugged his collar aside.
A scratched, defaced sorcerer insignia tag hung from his neck.
The man visibly relaxed.
"Yeah. Figures."
They left town and entered a stretch of dense forest.
After a few minutes, Hidan frowned.
"This doesn't look like a rich guy's place."
The man chuckled.
"Gato doesn't stay in one spot. Uses multiple safehouses."
Ten minutes later, a three-story wooden villa appeared between the trees.
A shout rang out.
"Stop! Private property!"
Figures emerged from cover.
More than ten armed guards, some carrying firearms, others holding short blades wrapped with talismans.
The burly man turned and grinned.
"Told you I wasn't lying."
He waved toward the villa.
"Brother Okamoto, it's me. They inside?"