As one of the oldest and most prestigious shrines in Japan, Atsuta Shrine is surrounded by a vast expanse of primeval forest.
Miyano Akemi was hiding in this forest at this moment.
“This is a disaster!”
She was annoyed with herself, thinking she was too stupid, as she watched the helicopter fly overhead.
She didn't go back to the city immediately, but instead ran deeper into the mountains.
At this rate, the police would surely find her.
“What should I do?”
Miyano Akemi frowned, pulling out the Yasakani no Magatama from her pocket and examining it carefully.
From its appearance, this artifact wasn’t particularly extraordinary. It looked like a jade carved magatama, only the size of a finger.
However, having witnessed its magical properties firsthand, Miyano Akemi knew it was a true artifact, and one crafted by the great Onmyoji, Abe no Seimei.
“If I use this, I should be able to exchange it for Shiho from the organization?”
With this thought flashing through her mind, Miyano Akemi clutched the Yasakani no Magatama tightly, determined not to give it up.
But how could she escape?
Although she had obtained the abilities of the Yuki-onna, those firearms still posed a threat to her.
Especially the police sniper on the helicopter.
And on the outskirts of the forest, the Metropolitan Police Department had joined forces with the Ground Self-Defense Force, bringing in armored vehicles and tanks, claiming it was a military exercise.
“Woof woof—“
At that moment, the faint sound of barking dogs could be heard from the forest, indicating that the police had deployed police dogs for a blanket search.
Moreover, Sato Miwako and Ochiai, both extraordinary individuals, had been called in.
“This is bad!”
Miyano Akemi's face changed slightly, and she quickly fled deeper into the forest.
...
“What the heck.”
A few minutes later, Sato Miwako, who had arrived with the police dogs, saw that the person had run again, and she punched a tree in frustration.
Bang!!
The tree, nearly as thick as two people combined, shook violently, and a large hole was punched into its trunk.
Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ
Shirakawa Jinsaburo, who was accompanying Sato Miwako, saw this and his eyes twitched. He seriously suspected that Sato Miwako could now knock him out with one punch.
“No, I can't waver.”
Thinking of the girl who encouraged him in his childhood, Shirakawa Jinsaburo cheered himself up, believing that his persistence would definitely touch Sato Miwako’s heart.
“Hey—“
Sato Miwako, who was beside him, waved her hand in front of his face, confused, saying, “What are you thinking about?”
“Haha… Nothing, really.”
Shirakawa scratched his head, laughing sheepishly, and changed the subject, saying, “Ms. Miwako, we might have to try a different approach. The target is very cunning and keeps moving locations.”
“Hmm.”
Sato Miwako nodded thoughtfully, letting Shirakawa Jinsaburo stay there, while she jumped up and effortlessly landed on the top of a large tree.
“The view from here is truly amazing.”
Looking down at the vast sea of trees, Sato Miwako stretched, took out her cell phone, and called that woman, Koizumi Akiko.
“Humph, I knew you’d come to ask the Witch for help.”
Soon, Koizumi Akiko’s haughty voice came through the phone.
Sato Miwako rolled her eyes, speechless, saying, “You knew all along?”
“Of course.”
On the other end of the phone, Koizumi Akiko boasted, “The commotion in the Metropolitan Police Department was impossible to hide from anyone.”
“I just had to perform a little divination to know it was the Yasakani no Magatama that was stolen.”
“Then can you find its location?”
Sato Miwako brought up the main issue.
“It is possible, yes.”
Koizumi Akiko drawled, “But you have to tell me, is that rumor outside true? Can the Yasakani no Magatama really bring someone back to life?!”
“How did you hear about that rumor?”
Sato Miwako was taken aback.
“That’s because… ”
Koizumi Akiko was about to say that Kaito Kuroba told her.
But thinking about Kaito Kuroba’s identity as a phantom thief, she quickly changed her words, “That's because, of course, this Witch divined it. Just tell me, is it true?”
“It should be.”
Sato Miwako hesitated and nodded, “Based on the information I have, the fugitive we’re pursuing now, Miyano Akemi, was in a near-death state before acquiring special abilities…”
“It was the Yasakani no Magatama that revived her and bestowed upon her abilities similar to those of a Yuki-onna.”
“It’s really that amazing.”
After hearing this, Koizumi Akiko sat on her bed, kicking her legs, then said, “Alright, since you’ve satisfied this Witch’s curiosity, I’ll help you this once.”
Speaking, Koizumi Akiko took out her magic crystal ball and began to divine.
Clang!!
The surface of the crystal ball emitted a mystical light, and after a moment, a slightly blurry image appeared.
“She actually ran to this place.”
Koizumi Akiko muttered, then picked up the phone and said, “She’s near the Meijo Line on the other side of the forest. She must be trying to escape from there.”
“I understand.”
Sato Miwako hung up the phone and jumped down from the top of the tree.
“Ms. Miwako, do you have a lead?”
“A police officer saw Miyano Akemi near the Meijo Line a while ago. She seems to be trying to break through from there. Mr. Ochiai has already gone there.”
“Then that’s it.” Sato Miwako nodded, “I’m heading out now. I’ll go to that location.”
Speaking, Sato Miwako didn't wait for Shirakawa, and with incredible speed, she jumped through the trees.
“…. Ms. Miwako.”
Seeing this, Shirakawa raised his hand, then lowered it helplessly, looking at the police dog squatting on the ground. There was a sense of shared misfortune between them.