### Chapter 59: Beginner Level Three Stars

As Fujino had guessed, Maru Denjirō hadn't sold the ancestral Kikyū sword of Suwa Yūji. Instead, he had simply added it to his collection, intending to keep it for himself. The claim of having sold it was merely a ruse.

However, Maru Denjirō didn't anticipate that Suwa Yūji would go so far as to kill for the sword. In the face of death, Denjirō remained rational. After the threat of violence, he retrieved Kikyū from his collection and returned it to Suwa Yūji. 

The sword was valuable, but life was even more precious. Reporting the incident to the police was out of the question—he was already involved in dubious dealings, and reporting it would only lead to trouble.

In the end, Suwa Yūji reclaimed Kikyū and Fujino successfully collected the 500,000 yen protection fee. Despite Maru Denjirō being a scoundrel, he was cautious about dealing with detectives. Perhaps he understood that offending a detective was more dangerous than anything else.

---

After leaving Maru Denjirō's home, Suwa Yūji approached Fujino.

"Thank you so much!" Suwa Yūji bowed deeply. "If it hadn't been for you, I might have acted rashly and sullied the swordsmanship."

"It's nothing. I'm glad you came to your senses. I could see that your swordsmanship is not meant for killing," Fujino waved off the gratitude. "Besides, Maru Denjirō is my client. I couldn't just stand by and let you kill him."

"I'm forever grateful."

Suwa Yūji raised his head. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what school of swordsmanship do you practice?"

"School of swordsmanship?" Fujino furrowed his brow.

Honestly, he wasn't sure what school of swordsmanship he practiced. He had learned many styles from his swordsmanship encyclopedia, and his techniques were a mix of various styles. He couldn't pinpoint a specific one.

"Maybe it's a bit of the Hissatsu style and others," Fujino said with a laugh. "I just learned from some family sword manuals and practice at home to subdue criminals."

"You're too modest!" Suwa Yūji interrupted, serious. "Your swordsmanship is diverse and profound. With your understanding, you could create your own school."

He handed Fujino a business card.

"Suwa Yūji, 46 years old, Head of the Konoha Swordsmanship Dojo… Seventh-Dan in Swordsmanship?"

Fujino took the card, surprised. 

"Yes," Suwa Yūji confirmed confidently. "I'm going to advance to the Eighth-Dan this year."

"Ah, I see…"

Fujino nodded thoughtfully. Seventh-Dan in swordsmanship was impressive. In Japan, swordsmanship was ranked from one to eight, with Seventh-Dan being just below the top rank of Eighth-Dan.

The Eighth-Dan was the pinnacle of swordsmanship, reserved for the highest echelon of practitioners. Seventh-Dan was also a prestigious rank, often held by swordsmanship leaders in police departments or universities. Higher ranks, Ninth-Dan and Tenth-Dan, were honorary titles.

"To be honest, from our previous sparring, I noticed that although you are knowledgeable, your application of swordsmanship lacks practical experience," Suwa Yūji said. "If you're willing, I'd like to invite you to my dojo. I may not have your talent, but my decades of experience might help you."

"I'll visit your dojo someday," Fujino said after a moment of thought.

He was aware of his shortcomings. There was a gap he couldn't cross, primarily due to a lack of practical experience. With Suwa Yūji's guidance, he hoped to bridge that gap sooner.

---

Under the night sky, Fujino stood on his balcony, gazing at the half-hidden moon. A cool breeze brushed past, carrying away a hint of melancholy.

*Congratulations, host, for completing the antique dealer murder case. You have earned 500,000 yen and 50 Detective Reputation Points.*

*Congratulations, host, for leveling up: Beginner Level Three Stars.*

Suddenly, the system's voice echoed, breaking the tranquil moment.

Fujino, momentarily dazed, opened the system interface:

**Name:** Fujino 

**Current Profession:**

*Primary Profession: Detective - Beginner Level Three Stars (500 Detective Reputation Points needed for upgrade)*

**Primary Profession Skills:**

- **Full-Time Detective:** Earn additional rewards or reputation for solving cases and completing tasks.

- **Detective Time (Beginner):** Your reasoning cannot be interrupted within 60 seconds.

- **Detective Enhancement (Beginner Two Stars):** Increases your physical abilities by 150%. 

 (Duration for Beginner One Star: 120 seconds)

- **Detective Presence:** Automatically applies psychological pressure to suspects, reducing their combat ability by 10% when activating detective effects.

**Current Allocated Points:** 1 

**Current Balance:** 1,800,000 yen

"500 Detective Reputation Points?" Fujino mused. "The requirement hasn't increased much since last time."

He allocated his point to enhance the Detective Enhancement skill.

**Detective Enhancement:**

- **(Enhancement: Beginner Level Three Stars, Increases Physical Abilities by 175%)** 

 (Duration: Beginner One Star, Lasts Two Minutes)

"With the bodyguard enhancement, my current boost should be around 395%," Fujino thought, nodding in satisfaction. 

With quadruple physical enhancement and nearly triple reaction ability enhancement, he was well-prepared for intense battles. 

Even though he was not at the top of the ranks in the chaotic world of Keiko, he was more than capable of handling formidable opponents like Far Mountain and Leaf's powerful friends.

For ordinary criminals, Fujino was confident he could subdue them within ten seconds using force. In tougher situations, such as with elite monsters, he had a backup plan.

And don't forget, he still had a 200% power enhancement card with him.

With 500% strength and 300% reaction ability, he was confident he could handle even B-class opponents.

*End of Chapter*