IW: Chapter 193 - Mai Shiranui: My Boyfriend is Getting a Girlfriend?!
"It's not that he can't participate, it's just that currently, he seems to have encountered some issues."
Seeing Kagura Chizuru's gaze growing stranger, Bai Ye felt he had to explain himself.
He was afraid she might misunderstand and think he was doing this on purpose, right?
Bai Ye had considered that Jotaro's situation might arise soon. The reason he still wanted to approach him was simply to get involved in the JOJO storyline. Since he happened to encounter it, and according to the timeline, it would take about a month to resolve the Dio issue.
And the KOF is also set to begin a month later. If it's resolved early, he can still arrive in time for the tournament.
"Is that so? Then do you need to find another teammate?"
Kagura Chizuru nodded thoughtfully. She had a feeling Bai Ye didn't have any teammates at all and was deliberately fabricating one. After tricking her, he would then go to other fighters and say he needed two more.
So, should she recommend a teammate to him later?
Since she had promised Mai Shiranui to help Bai Ye form a team, she felt she should see the good deed through.
Besides, joining this KOF as a participant would be more suitable for observing the other two descendants of the Three Sacred Treasures.
Guenitz's appearance, after killing Kagura Maki, also broke Orochi's seal. Although Orochi cannot emerge from the seal at present, his seal has already loosened.
The reason she was holding this KOF was to find Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, inform them of the current situation, and then have them join forces to defeat Guenitz and prevent Orochi's revival.
"Not yet, I think. At least my teammate should be able to resolve his problem before this KOF. If he can't resolve it temporarily, I'll step in!"
"…"
Although Bai Ye's meaning was that he would help his teammate, which is something that can't be criticized, Bai Ye's last sentence made Chizuru feel like he was showing off.
She really wanted to slap his annoying face.
Forget it, slapping that handsome face would make her heart ache, even if it had nothing to do with her. Beautiful things shouldn't be easily destroyed, right?
"Alright, if he can't make it then, just let me know, and we'll find new teammates. But you have to tell me in advance; it might be hard to find other teammates last minute."
Kagura Chizuru remained silent for a while, finally recovering from her previous demeanor, then she cautioned Bai Ye.
"Okay, then our team won't train, right?"
Regarding Bai Ye's suggestion, although Kagura Chizuru felt it was a bit inappropriate, she ultimately agreed.
She wasn't participating in this fighting tournament to win any rankings. Since Bai Ye said they wouldn't train, there seemed to be no need for training.
Besides, Bai Ye had said earlier that his other teammate seemed to be facing some issues. Perhaps Bai Ye was going to help his other teammate, which is why he was doing this?
After realizing this, Kagura Chizuru's perception of Bai Ye improved a little. He seemed like a reliable captain, at least he wouldn't abandon a teammate just because they had a problem.
Earlier, when she suggested finding a new teammate for Bai Ye, she was actually thinking that if Bai Ye agreed immediately, then this person might not be worth getting to know deeply.
Just because a teammate temporarily had some issues, he thought about replacing them.
"I have no problem. Do you need my help?"
After hesitating, Kagura Chizuru knew it wasn't her business and she hadn't met that teammate, but she felt that perhaps, as a teammate who would participate in the KOF together, she should speak up.
"No need, we can handle it. Besides, you probably have your own things to deal with, right?"
Bai Ye shook his head, not intending to accept Kagura Chizuru's proactive offer.
He had only just met Kagura Chizuru himself, so how could he ask her for help? Besides, it wasn't his problem, and Jotaro hadn't asked him for help either.
Although Jotaro might be waiting for Joseph Joestar to arrive, given Jotaro's personality, he probably didn't want to trouble Bai Ye.
"How did you know?"
Kagura Chizuru was a bit surprised. Had she shown something just now?
But she was always like this; she hadn't shown anything at all, so how could he tell?
"If the KOF organizer wants to investigate, they can find out. After all, you haven't hidden too much."
Bai Ye said, placing his phone in front of Kagura Chizuru. On it was clearly the name of this year's KOF organizer: Kagura Chizuru.
"So that's how it is. Then, do you need me to use my identity as the organizer to open a back door for you and let you go straight to the finals!?"
Seeing the name on the screen, Kagura Chizuru also knew why Bai Ye knew. She, in turn, teased Bai Ye back, not feeling much embarrassment.
Although as the organizer, she didn't need to be known by the fighters, it seemed that among the people she knew, only Bai Ye had investigated her.
Even when Mai Shiranui approached her earlier to invite her to join Bai Ye's team, she apparently hadn't realized that she was the organizer of this year's event.
"It's not impossible!"
"You're not going to refuse?"
Hearing Bai Ye's direct agreement, Kagura Chizuru's face showed some awkwardness. She had originally thought Bai Ye would sternly refuse, and then she would just let it go.
But unexpectedly, Bai Ye actually agreed just like that?
"After all, wouldn't it be foolish not to take special privileges?"
Although he knew Kagura Chizuru wouldn't agree, when she said that, Bai Ye realized this woman was a bit playful. So he wouldn't just let it go. Since she said she'd give special privileges, why shouldn't he take them?
And this left Kagura Chizuru speechless.
Should she go back on her word?
"I was wrong. I'll treat dinner later. Can we pretend I didn't say that?"
Kagura Chizuru hesitated for a moment, then admitted her mistake.
She wasn't going to stubbornly insist. Since she had teased him, and he went along with it, and she couldn't deliver, she could only admit her mistake.
"No problem. Can we go for hot pot?"
"You like spicy food too?"
Kagura Chizuru had never had hot pot, but she had heard it was very spicy, which also suited her taste. She liked spicy and sour foods, a bit heavy on the flavor.
"I like it quite a bit."
He quite liked spicy food, especially hot pot, but since his rebirth, he had eaten it less often. Because Hanzo Shiranui and Mai Shiranui at the Shiranui Dojo preferred lighter flavors, he often ate very bland food with them when he was on the mountain. Only occasionally when he went down the mountain would he eat something with a stronger flavor.
"Then let's go for hot pot."
Kagura Chizuru was quite satisfied with the dish Bai Ye chose. The two of them picked a hot pot restaurant. As soon as they entered, they felt a wave of warmth. Kagura Chizuru suddenly realized something, then took out her phone and asked, "Should we call Mai over?"
"Sure, aren't they here anyway?"
Bai Ye didn't mind. Seeing Bai Ye agree, Kagura Chizuru nodded and then dialed Mai Shiranui's number.
She felt it was a bit too strange for just her and Bai Ye to eat together.
So she wanted to call Mai Shiranui over, which would prevent any awkwardness between the two of them.
After connecting the call, Mai Shiranui on the other end was wiping off soap from her body. She hesitated a bit at Kagura Chizuru's invitation.
She had just finished eating, and after training, she had taken a shower. She heard that hot pot had a strong smell, and if she went, she would probably have washed for nothing. Besides, she didn't like strong-flavored foods, and hot pot was one of them.
But Bai Ye was also there, and she actually wanted to see Bai Ye. Recently, training with Joan and the others had been fun at first, because Bai Ye, that monster, had finally left. But then she started missing Bai Ye a little.
"Maybe I won't go…"
After hesitating for a while, Mai Shiranui finally chose to give up going. After refusing, Mai Shiranui quickly added, "Let's make plans for next time. Since you guys are having a team dinner to get acquainted, I won't go. Chizuru, you can come find me later!"
Mai Shiranui felt it would be a bit strange for her to go. She wouldn't interfere with their team matters, and she didn't like hot pot anyway.
"Alright then."
Kagura Chizuru hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed. After hanging up the phone, she looked at Bai Ye strangely. Being looked at with such an expression, Bai Ye also asked curiously, "Is she coming?"
"No, she said she wouldn't come and told us to just eat."
"Oh, then we'll just eat by ourselves. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Bai Ye was a bit puzzled. Since Mai Shiranui wasn't coming, they should just eat and then go home to rest.
After a day or two, once Joseph Joestar arrived, Bai Ye had already planned to go directly with Jotaro to find Dio.
This time, there was no need to fight monsters along the way; he knew Dio's location and would just take him there directly.
"Alright, I don't even want to talk about you two anymore!"
Kagura Chizuru finally understood. Perhaps the other party hadn't thought so much, and she was the one overthinking it.
Only Mai Shiranui was so carefree, letting her significant other go to dinner alone with another woman.
While nothing necessarily happens just by having dinner, isn't her reaction a bit too trusting?
You don't remember the saying, "Guard against fire, theft, and your best friend."
"Can you handle extra spicy?"
"Yes."
Kagura Chizuru nodded, chose a few dishes she liked, and then gave the menu to Bai Ye. They jointly selected some dishes. At first, they were a bit reserved, but as they chatted, Kagura Chizuru realized that Bai Ye was just a very carefree person.
At the same time, he was very talkative, able to chat with her about anything. When they got excited, she even learned some things about the Three Sacred Artifacts from Bai Ye, which surprised Kagura Chizuru, as she didn't expect Bai Ye to know so much.
"You know Orochi?"
Kagura Chizuru originally didn't want to ask, but after holding it in for a long time, and since they were already talking about the Three Sacred Artifacts families and some past events, she really couldn't bear it anymore.
So, she directly asked.
"The will of the Earth."
Although it was only half of the will.
"You are not from the Three Sacred Artifacts family."
"I am not Orochi's person either."
Bai Ye clearly understood what Kagura Chizuru's gaze meant.
Didn't it mean that he belonged to Orochi?
"Is that so?"
Kagura Chizuru nodded and didn't ask why. She knew that asking like that would only annoy the other party.
Besides, no matter how much she pressed, if he didn't want to tell her, he wouldn't tell her the truth.
"Speaking of which, the purpose of you holding this KOF is to prevent Orochi's resurrection, right?"
Thinking this, Bai Ye felt it would be better to just tell Kagura Chizuru the truth.
After all, knowing this wasn't a bad thing. Besides, if he told her, it would be easier for him to participate in it later.
His attitude towards Orochi would naturally not be good.
What was Orochi's situation?
Orochi wanted to eliminate all humans on Earth, and that included him.
As one of the Earth's wills, after humans began to destroy nature, he also began to create natural disasters to curb human development. At the same time, as humans increasingly destroyed nature, he also decided to destroy all humans.
Once Orochi revived, he would also die, so Bai Ye wasn't foolish enough to help the Hakkesshu revive Orochi.
"It seems you really know a lot of secrets!"
Picking up a slice of meat, Kagura Chizuru also understood that since Bai Ye knew she was the organizer and also understood the grievances between the Three Sacred Artifacts and Orochi, he would know why she was holding this KOF.
Was he from the Shiranui Dojo?
But Mai Shiranui had never known any of this before, which meant that Bai Ye had actually investigated all of this himself.
"Secrets are waiting for people to explore."
"Indeed, secrets will be known sooner or later. The reason I am holding this KOF is to find the other two people, and then deal with the person who killed my sister. If Orochi comes out of the seal, then it will be a disaster for everyone."
Since Bai Ye already knew, there was no need to hide it from him anymore. Besides, if Orochi appeared later, Bai Ye might even be needed for help. Although other fighters were not Orochi's opponents in dealing with him and the Three Sacred Artifacts were needed to seal him.
But there were also Orochi's helpers and others.
Of course, she wasn't saying that Bai Ye absolutely had to help or anything.
It depended on whether Bai Ye was willing or not. Kagura Chizuru took this very lightly.
"It's a disaster for everyone, but actually, Orochi isn't wrong from the Earth's perspective."
Bai Ye could understand Orochi. After all, they were enemies, but only their positions were different. From Orochi's perspective, humans caused damage to nature, which naturally aroused Orochi's disgust.
He wanted to destroy humanity, and humans, for their survival, would naturally resist.
"Not wrong?"
Kagura Chizuru lowered her head in thought. After carefully considering what Bai Ye said, she suddenly realized that Bai Ye seemed to be right.
Was Orochi wrong?
It seemed he wasn't wrong. She was just fulfilling the mission that the Three Sacred Artifacts family had inherited all along, to seal Orochi.
But was she wrong? She wasn't wrong either. If Orochi came out, humanity would be gone.
"Just fight from your own standpoint. I just feel that the feeling of bearing destiny is a bit unnecessary."
Bai Ye's words were not telling Kagura Chizuru to stop fighting Orochi.
Instead, he was making Kagura Chizuru understand that she was fighting Orochi for herself, not for the mission that had been passed down. The feeling of bearing a mission was very heavy.
"So you are comforting me?"
Kagura Chizuru looked up at Bai Ye, then slowly asked.
Was he comforting her like this?
But she didn't seem to need comfort at all, did she?
"No, I'm just guiding you a bit. I just don't want anyone to be lost in life."
Bai Ye shook his head. He just wanted to get a chance to draw a prize. Although he didn't know what changing Kagura Chizuru's destiny entailed, he felt he could start with the destiny that the Kagura family had been bearing all these years.
"Then thank you."
Kagura Chizuru didn't say anything more. The two silently finished their hot pot.
Leaving the hot pot restaurant, Kagura Chizuru threw Bai Ye a motorcycle helmet and a key and asked, "Can you ride a motorcycle?"
"No?"
"Then walk back."
How cold she was.
"A little."
"Then follow me. Help me ride the bike to a certain spot. Please!"
Kagura Chizuru put on her motorcycle helmet, then looked at Bai Ye. Seeing that he had also put on his helmet and started the motorcycle, the roar of the engine echoed through the entire street.
The two of them sped through the traffic at an extremely fast pace, then passed through the flow of cars to a place where there were fewer and fewer vehicles. Kagura Chizuru's speed suddenly increased. She looked behind her, feeling a bit surprised in her heart, not expecting Bai Ye to be able to keep up with her.
She had once won against other competitors in races.
Originally, she just wanted Bai Ye to help her ride this motorcycle back, but now she had an urge to compete with Bai Ye.
She began to deviate from the original route and then headed towards an empty winding mountain road.
Kagura Chizuru's hair swayed wildly with the wind speed.
Watching Bai Ye get closer and closer to her, she vaguely heard Bai Ye's voice in her ear: "Hey, you're not trying to race me, are you?"
"I'm going to speed up."
Kagura Chizuru didn't say much, bit her lip, and then twisted the throttle all the way. She had finally met an opponent and naturally wanted to compete with Bai Ye.
"This woman really takes me as an opponent!"
He was really sacrificing a lot for this lottery chance!
Motorcycles, in fact, weren't that difficult. He already knew how to ride a motorcycle, and he learned quickly by following along.
Looking at the motorcycle's Shadow gradually fading into the distance, Bai Ye shook his head helplessly, then also twisted the throttle to the bottom, and quietly shouted, "I'm going to speed up too!"
Two extremely fast Hokage's sped along the winding mountain road.
Mountain top.
Kagura Chizuru took off her motorcycle helmet, wiped the sweat from her face, and looked at Bai Ye with some surprise: "What was that technique you used at the end?"
To surpass her in such an instant, Kagura Chizuru was truly impressed by Bai Ye's skill.
"Haven't you learned the drainage ditch cornering?"
"No. I'll leave the motorcycle with you for now. I originally wanted you to help me ride it back, but since your skills are so good, the motorcycle will temporarily stay with you. After the fighting tournament ends, I'll challenge you again. See you then!"
She just left like that.
This woman was really decisive!
Bai Ye shook his head, looked at the motorcycle beside him, and inexplicably gained another motorcycle opponent?
But it seemed pretty good. No man could refuse a motorcycle.
Bai Ye had only wanted to try it before. After riding it, the feeling of the wind hitting his ears and the instant acceleration made Bai Ye's adrenaline surge.
Hotel.
After parting ways with Bai Ye, Kagura Chizuru came to Mai Shiranui's place.
"Chizuru, where did you go?"
Did eating hot pot take that long?
Mai Shiranui was a bit puzzled.
"I just went racing with Bai Ye. Your boyfriend is really good at racing."
Kagura Chizuru was not stingy with her praise for Bai Ye.
She had just lost. With just that one turn, she, who had the advantage, lost the race just like that.
Drainage ditch cornering?
Next time, she would learn it too.
"Racing? How come I didn't know Bai Ye could race? And can Bai Ye eat hot pot with you?"
"Yes, he suggested it. It was quite heavy in flavor. As for racing, I didn't think about it at first, but because I saw that his driving skills were good, I wanted to try it, and then I discovered this!"
Kagura Chizuru was a bit surprised. As his girlfriend, didn't Mai Shiranui know that Bai Ye could race and eat strong-flavored food?
Looking at her gaze, for some reason, Mai Shiranui had a strange feeling.
Could it be that Bai Ye had always accommodated her tastes at the Shiranui Dojo?
Did she actually not know what Bai Ye really liked?!
And Kagura Chizuru and Bai Ye were so compatible...
Wait!!?
Was her boyfriend going to have a girlfriend???
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