Ren Kuroda never expected Kaminari Isshin and the others to swallow his improvised tragic backstory — let alone believe it so completely that they sympathized with him and even praised the fictional clan he'd made up on the spot.
Honestly, he could understand Kujo Hinano falling for it. The girl's judgment was famously questionable.
But Kaminari Isshin? Yamato Kuka? How could they take such an over-the-top story at face value?Was the average IQ of the Unnatural Countermeasures Unit really on par with Hinano's?
Of course not.
The only reason they believed Ren so easily was because his fabricated tale just so happened to line up perfectly with results from their own investigation…
Yes — from the moment they realized they had no clue who killed the Rat Demon King, up through Ren's sudden appearance in the area, Kaminari's team had already dug thoroughly into Ren using the Countermeasures Unit's sizable information network.
First, Ren claimed to be from a fallen exorcist family wiped out by a calamity.
Their investigation confirmed he had zero ties to any major onmyoji lineage — exactly what they'd expect from someone whose clan had been eradicated.
Second, Ren's background did show that he had a mother and a younger sister, and the timing of his sister's birth lined up suspiciously well with the period when the first great wave of worldwide supernatural instability began.
And during the autopsy on the Rat Demon King, the research division discovered traces of a second demonic energy mixed into its remains.
Ren's "curse" explanation fit neatly into that gap.
Until now, they had been half-convinced Ren might be a rogue exorcist dabbling in forbidden techniques. But the moment he openly acknowledged carrying demonic power, everything clicked into place — and in their eyes, he became even more believable.
In other words, Yamato Kuka and Kaminari Isshin didn't accept Ren's story because they were gullible.His lies just happened to match their independent intel too well.
Ren himself had no idea that his wild improvisation aligned perfectly with the Countermeasures Unit's classified reports.
"In that case, young man… Tenjōin Ren, wasn't it? Then I'll call you Ren." Kaminari Isshin straightened his glasses, expression earnest. "Ren, you must join our Unnatural Countermeasures Unit. After what happened to your family… surely no one hates evil yokai more than you do."
He leaned forward.
"Your clan sacrificed themselves to prevent a sealed demon from ravaging the world. Shouldn't the one who inherited their will continue the fight?"
Ren had to admit: Kaminari Isshin was scarily good at persuasion. His timing, tone, and choice of words were all perfect — almost like he'd trained for moments exactly like this.
If Ren were the righteous, passionate avenger he'd just pretended to be, he probably would've signed the application form right then and there.
Unfortunately, every part of that tragic backstory was 100% fiction.
Did he hate yokai that massacred humans? Of course.Did he feel some cosmic duty to slay them all? Absolutely not.
When he hunted the Rat Demon, he'd been worried about his family's safety.When he confronted the Nurikabe, it was literally because he'd been bribed with money.
Beyond that? Ren had zero intention of going on world-saving crusades.
It was simple:
First — he wasn't some heroic savior.Second — he wasn't even fully human anymore.
From a human perspective, demons killing humans was evil.But from a demon's perspective, preying on humans was just hunting — no different from how humans ate cows or fish.
Of course, if Ren saw a yokai attacking someone, he'd step in — the human part of him wouldn't allow otherwise.
But becoming a justice-obsessed yokai exterminator?
Impossible.Especially when he himself wasn't a "good little human" either.
"I'm sorry," Ren said flatly. "I can't accept your offer. After what happened with my family, the only thing that matters to me now is protecting the people I have left. I won't put my mother and sister in danger again. So there's no way I'm joining something like the Unnatural Countermeasures Unit."
Kaminari Isshin froze.
Ren's reply had exposed a blind spot in the Unit's recruitment pitch.
The Countermeasures Unit's daily work involved tracking and eliminating dangerous yokai across the country. But not all yokai were solitary threats like the Nurikabe.
Humans gathered in groups. So did spirits.
Legends spoke of terrifying overlords who commanded over a hundred types of demons — who led them in the fearsome procession known as the Hyakki Yagyō, the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.
That level of monster hadn't shown up yet — thankfully — but there were plenty of multi-yokai groups already.
And whenever the Unit eliminated members of such a group, they couldn't always wipe out the entire pack.
Those that escaped would seek revenge.
And revenge from yokai was vicious.
Even if they couldn't face Unit operatives directly, yokai were intelligent enough to target their families instead.
The Unit had encountered such retaliations before — but since most members came from established exorcist clans, targeting their relatives was essentially suicide for the yokai.
But Ren… Ren didn't have that kind of backing.
He was the only combat-capable member of his "clan."His mother and sister were ordinary civilians.
If a vengeful yokai came after them, they would be completely defenseless.
So yes — Ren's refusal made perfect sense.
After several more failed attempts to convince him, Kaminari Isshin and Yamato Kuka finally prepared to leave. Before stepping away, Kaminari paused.
"Ren, since you remain unwilling, I'll submit a request to my superiors. I'll ask for permission to have your mother and sister relocated near a shrine — somewhere with strong spiritual protection. Wait for good news."
Yamato Kuka cast one last longing glance at the katana hanging at Ren's waist. She clearly regretted not getting a chance to spar with him, sighing softly before walking off with Kaminari.
Hinano tugged lightly at Ren's sleeve as he stood there in silence, lost in thought. Misreading his mood, she whispered quickly:
"D-Don't worry, Ren! If you really have to pay compensation because you didn't join the Unit… I'll help you! It's no big deal!"
The wealthy heiress puffed her cheeks with a determined expression.
She also thought Ren's refusal made sense — family came first.
And after hearing Ren's "tragic past," she finally understood why he was so obsessed with money.
A boy barely in his twenties, carrying the burden of avenging a slaughtered clan while also providing for his surviving family…His childhood must have been unimaginably harsh.