SDS, Nura Clan, Bujin-shū.
Though there were only six people present, they belonged to three different organisations. Of course, Luo Shu's SDS held absolute dominance in this regard.
This wasn't a good sign—at least not for Fumonshichi, or even Yukari Oikawa.
It meant they could be kicked out of the game to obtain Tessaiga by Luo Shu at any moment.
So, even if it might sound unpleasant, Fumonshichi had to bring this up now.
If they didn't settle the ownership of Tessaiga before obtaining it, wouldn't they just be waiting to get kicked out later?
Wouldn't that make all their efforts pointless?
Rather than wasting time later, it was better to clarify things with Luo Shu upfront. If they couldn't reach an agreement, he'd leave early to search for other treasures instead of wasting his time.
Seeing Fumonshichi lay out the stakes so plainly, Luo Shu naturally didn't beat around the bush either:
"I happen to know a bit about Tessaiga."
"Oh?" Fumonshichi was startled. Though he was surprised Luo Shu knew about Tessaiga, he was aware of the SDS's uncanny methods.
He hadn't forgotten the SDS's terrifying intelligence capabilities during the Ghoul purge in Tokyo—over twenty thousand Ghouls, each with details down to their driver's licences, addresses, and even combat habits. Their intelligence network was unmatched in Japan.
So Luo Shu knowing about Tessaiga wasn't too shocking.
At this point, Luo Shu calmly explained Tessaiga's abilities:
"Tessaiga is a Demon Sword forged by a master craftsman using Tōga's own fangs. It was specifically left for his son, Inuyasha, as a protective treasure."
"Thus, some of Tessaiga's powers were customised for Inuyasha."
"For example, Tessaiga has an innate barrier that rejects any yokai from wielding it. While this barrier doesn't exclude humans, the wielder must possess Demon Power to use it."
"Sorry to interrupt, but I'll take my leave now!"
Fumonshichi raised his hand. Though he didn't outright leave, his intention to withdraw from the competition was clear.
A Demon Sword that couldn't be used by yokai but required the wielder to possess Demon Power?
Wasn't that basically saying only a half-yokai could use it?
Given that artefacts from the Abyss often had amplified side effects, what if—after bringing Tessaiga back to the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters—it turned into a sword that could only be used by neither humans, yokai, nor even half-yokai, becoming exclusive to one individual? What use would such an Abyss Artefact be?
It'd probably be too useless even as a decoration.
So after learning about Tessaiga's conditions, Fumonshichi immediately chose to bow out.
As for whether Luo Shu might be lying to him, Fumonshichi didn't particularly care.
It was everyone's first encounter—if they got tricked, then so be it. Though Luo Shu certainly had numbers on his side!
At that moment, seeing Fumonshichi withdraw outright, Luo Shu was surprised by his decisiveness but not overly so.
After all, the Metropolitan Police Department Bujin-shū were masters dedicated to martial arts. They had little inherent need for Abyss Artefacts, and when they did require them, it was only those that could aid their martial cultivation.
Take, for example, the Abyss Artefact "Martial Saint's Essence Blood," which the Bujin-shū guarded fiercely, yet was common knowledge to all—capable of helping martial artists cultivate pure internal energy.
Such Abyss Artefacts were the Bujin-shū's favourites. As for others, their attitude was more along the lines of "nice to have if obtainable, but survival comes first."
As for assignments from superiors? They'd evade if possible, and only consider alternatives if evasion failed.
Given this, Luo Shu wasn't surprised by Fumonshichi relinquishing Tessaiga. The real headache, in his view, was Yukari Oikawa.
After all, the Nura Clan was currently the strongest yokai organisation in the human world, led by the formidable half-yokai Rihan Nura.
Noticing Luo Shu's gaze, Yukari Oikawa giggled:
"What's on your mind, Mr Luo Shu? Little Rikuo has only just started primary school this year. No matter how you look at it, preparing a Dog Demon's Demon Sword for him is a bit too much, don't you think?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu knew the Nura Clan was saving face for him, but he nodded nonetheless, acknowledging the gesture.
After all, while Rikuo Nura might not be able to wield Tessaiga, his father Rihan Nura might well have use for it.
That said, given current circumstances, Tessaiga was undoubtedly beneath someone of the Nura Clan's second-generation leader's stature. Being a figure at the pinnacle of yokai, he was at least on par with Tōga.
Tōga himself possessed three Demon Swords collectively known as the Three Supreme Swords of Domination.
Among them, Sō'unga was the strongest—capable of opening the gates to the Underworld, yet with a history of betraying its masters. Tōga had indirectly met his end because of this blade.
This was precisely the sword Luo Shu had his eyes on, as his Divine Kingdom specialised in dealing with such unruly artefacts.
Next was Tenseiga, a blade that couldn't harm the living but could heal and even resurrect—albeit with limitations. Given these effects, Luo Shu couldn't possibly overlook it, even if it meant wresting it from Sesshōmaru's grasp.
As for Tessaiga, it was somewhat lacklustre by comparison.
Not only was it a growth-type Demon Sword in its most primitive state, but as a Fang Blade, it was also prone to breaking.
Moreover, for Tessaiga to reach its full potential, it required nurturing by Inuyasha—essentially a protagonist-exclusive weapon.
Even if Luo Shu wanted Tessaiga at its peak, he'd have to cultivate Inuyasha first, indirectly strengthening the blade through its wielder.
This made Luo Shu suspect Tōga had designed things this way deliberately.
Anyone seeking Tessaiga's full power would have to raise Inuyasha. But by the time Inuyasha was fully trained, the blade would likely have bonded with him. Even if seized afterwards, it probably wouldn't perform as well.
Tessaiga's numerous flaws forced Luo Shu to take notice of Inuyasha.
'Protagonist. Growth-type. Half-yokai. Homeless. Impulsive. Gullible.'
'Hmm... My SDS could use fresh kindling like you!'
At this thought, Luo Shu walked over to Inuyasha and gave him a light kick, saying:
"Kid, you heard what was just said, didn't you?"
Inuyasha's eyes widened, but he remained silent.
Seeing this, Fumonshichi immediately reacted and stepped forward, ready to adjust Inuyasha's bones.
However, at that moment, Luo Shu bent down and touched Inuyasha with his hand.
Instantly, all of Inuyasha's injuries healed completely, and he perked up:
"Eh? What's this?"
Inuyasha quickly pushed himself up, sitting on the ground while looking at his hands with suspicion, even touching his chin.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu smiled at Inuyasha and pulled out a contract—the employee version with binding effects.
This was specifically designed to restrain non-Familia members, drafted overnight by Lacus and Meer.
It could be said that every possible angle had been considered. When Luo Shu first saw it, he nearly exclaimed that it was like something from the East Factory.
Now it seemed the Enchantress Lacus had been far-sighted—the contract was coming in handy.
"Don't just stand there. Sign this."
"From now on, you're not a stray Dog Demon anymore—you're our SDS Dog Demon!"
Hearing this, Inuyasha looked at Luo Shu, then at the paper in his hand, and grinned foolishly.
"—Only an idiot would sign this!!!"
Watching Inuyasha scramble away on all fours, Luo Shu calmly turned his head and said to Chisato Nishikigi:
"Chisato, stop chatting with Takina. Time to work—data collection!"
With that, Luo Shu gazed thoughtfully at Inuyasha's retreating figure:
"As expected of a Dog Demon, so willing to sacrifice himself for the SDS's cause."
"Truly a talent!"
Just then, Chisato Nishikigi finally fully opened the silver metal case she had been carrying.
From within the vast shadow, a pair of red electronic eyes abruptly lit up.