### Chapter 56: The Dark Extortion

"Detective Fujino, you really gave us a breath of relief this time," Shimazaki Yūji said, eyeing the retreating figure of Anzai Mamoru with a hint of lingering anger.

Putting aside his gaze, Yūji added, "I've never seen him look so flustered before."

"Thank you so much!" Maiko Dōgen also approached Fujino and gave him a slight bow. "If Yūji had lost his temper, it would have caused quite a mess."

"It's nothing," Fujino waved it off. "I've been fed up with that guy for a while now."

He then turned to the two of them, curiosity piqued. "By the way, I heard you two are getting married next month. Is that true?"

"That's right. The wedding is next month," they both nodded in unison, looking a bit bashful.

"Well then, congratulations in advance," Fujino said with a smile. "But Mr. Shimazaki, since you're about to become the head of a family, try not to be so impulsive next time. Dealing with pests like that requires more than just force."

He gave a meaningful glance at Maiko Dōgen.

After some casual conversation, the group headed to a traditional Japanese inn near the shrine.

However, not everyone stayed. For instance, Natsuki Shingo, dissatisfied with the hotel's quality, opted for the more upscale Teitan Hotel.

"This hotel is really shabby?" Fujino wondered.

While not a grand establishment, the traditional inn near the shrine was still quite decent.

If Natsuki Shingo was already complaining, he had quite the high standards.

Yoko Shunyo didn't say anything, but this guy was already causing trouble. With such an attitude, he'd probably get himself into trouble soon.

After changing into yukata, the group settled into the inn.

In the hotel's traditional Japanese-style lobby.

Fujino, dressed in a black yukata, sat on the tatami floor with a glass of juice, observing the lively interactions of those present.

It wasn't that he didn't want to drink; it just seemed inappropriate to drink alcohol in front of everyone. He had no problem sharing a drink with Kogorō Mōri, but in this setting, he wanted to avoid any scandal.

"So, Mr. Shimazaki, you're not drinking?"

Fujino looked around and then asked Shimazaki Yūji, who was sitting nearby.

"As the assistant director, I need to ensure everything runs smoothly on set. If I were to get drunk, it wouldn't reflect well on me," Shimazaki Yūji responded, scratching his head.

"I see…"

"Anzai, where are you going?"

At that moment, the director's shout broke the conversation. Fujino looked up to see Anzai Mamoru walking out with his hands in his pockets.

Then, Maiko Dōgen also mentioned she had some errands and left.

Watching them go, Fujino frowned slightly, sensing something was off.

He slowly got up and decided to follow.

As night fell, at the steps of the shrine:

"Do you have the money?"

Anzai Mamoru stood with his hands in his pockets, smirking at Maiko Dōgen in front of him.

"No," Maiko Dōgen said firmly, "I won't be giving you any more money from now on!"

"Ha, do you think forgetting everything will make it go away?"

Anzai Mamoru sneered, "You're also an accomplice in the suicide of Sugiyama. If this gets out, do you think you'll still be able to marry that guy?"

"I advise you to hand over the money quietly. Otherwise, if you don't want to die, you might have to satisfy me physically."

Anzai Mamoru took a step forward with a predatory grin, "I haven't had a married woman yet."

"Shut up!"

In a sudden burst of frustration, Maiko Dōgen pulled out a fruit knife from her pocket and pointed it at Anzai Mamoru. "If you don't want to die, don't ever show up in front of me again!"

"You bitch, you dare to threaten me!"

Anzai Mamoru's pent-up anger exploded. He lunged at Maiko Dōgen, intending to tackle her to the ground.

"Bang!"

In a flash, a figure appeared.

A wooden sword struck Anzai Mamoru's abdomen with a swift motion. He yelped in pain and staggered backward, clutching his stomach.

"Who's there?!"

Anzai Mamoru looked up in shock at the figure emerging from the darkness.

"It's Fujino, the detective," Fujino said, raising his wooden sword and pointing it at Anzai Mamoru. "Anzai Mamoru, considering the nature of what just happened, if the police are involved, you might end up with an attempted rape charge."

"Mind your own business!"

Anzai Mamoru stared at Fujino, momentarily stunned, then shrugged it off. "If you want to report it, go ahead! I'm just defending myself!"

"Is that so?"

Fujino's lips curled into a slight smile. He took out his phone. "You might not know, but my phone has a recording function. I recorded everything about you threatening Maiko and attempting to commit assault."

"A victim's response to threats with a defensive weapon seems like self-defense… But you, on the other hand, attempted assault after failing to intimidate her. Even if this reaches the prosecutor's office, it'll be seen as intimidation and attempted rape, don't you think?"

"Damn it! Hand over the phone!"

Anzai Mamoru's face twitched as he waved his fists and charged at Fujino, trying to grab the phone.

"Are you embarrassed now?"

As Fujino spoke, he met Anzai Mamoru's charge head-on, swinging the wooden sword. With a decisive strike, it hit Anzai Mamoru's head.

Bang!

With a dull thud, Anzai Mamoru collapsed to the ground, knocked out cold, lying there like a lifeless dog.

Against someone with actual fighting skills, Fujino might have had to exert more effort. But for someone like this lowlife, a single strike was enough, reflecting his 350% enhancement.

"Detective Fujino, how did you end up here?" Maiko Dōgen asked, her fruit knife falling to the ground as she stared at him in surprise.

"I was just out for some sword practice," Fujino said, watching Maiko Dōgen, "But it looks like I stumbled into something."

Fujino continued, "If I'm not mistaken, that guy was blackmailing you, right?"

Maiko Dōgen slumped to the ground, beginning to explain the situation.

Back in high school, she had been part of a group of delinquents, and Anzai Mamoru was one of them. She had helped them steal valuable items from the shrine, which led to the suicide of the warehouse manager out of guilt.

Since then, she had left the gang and tried to live a normal life. However, recently, Anzai Mamoru had found her and used the warehouse manager's suicide as leverage to blackmail her relentlessly.

With her wedding to Yūji Shimazaki coming up next month, she wanted to put an end to this relentless blackmail.

That's why she had come prepared with a knife today to threaten Anzai Mamoru to leave her alone.

*End of Chapter*