*Thud!*
A heavy stone lock was thrown to the ground. Hardy grabbed a towel hanging from a bamboo pole nearby and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Second Brother, I know you want to get into the police academy, but can you keep it down? I still have to memorize my literature lessons!"
The window on the second floor swung open. A bespectacled young boy leaned out and called to Hardy.
This was the younger brother of this body's incarnation, Uesugi Itai.
"Alright, alright, I got it!"
Hardy, bare-armed, waved his hand at Uesugi Itai.
In truth, with the Uesugi family's connections, all it would take was a letter from his uncle, and his name would be on next year's police academy admissions list. During the Meiji Restoration, when Japan was fully adopting Western systems, a higher education system had already been established.
Hardy's current goal was to strengthen this body, so he could extract more chakra. By combining ninja techniques with the Uesugi family's influence, he aimed to rise to a high position within the police force, then break through its confines and take control of the country.
By then, the fortune he could obtain would be far more than just a simple number.
But pursuing a political career was no easy task, even with family support.
In the Gotham world, his incarnation only needed to lead gangs, fight, and expand territory. In this new world, Hardy had much more to consider.
*Phew...*
Hardy walked into the living room, picked up the teapot on the table, and gulped down several mouthfuls.
This body was in good shape. Although it couldn't compare to the humans of the ninja world with their 130 trillion cells, it was still strong and robust.
After accumulating for some time, he had stored up a fair amount of chakra—enough to use some basic chakra techniques.
"Second Brother, isn't it time to make dinner?"
Uesugi Itai came down the stairs and spoke to Hardy.
"Where's the cook?"
Hardy wiped his mouth as he asked.
The Uesugi family certainly had the means to hire a cook.
"She asked Father for leave this morning. She said someone in her family died yesterday, so she had to go back for the funeral. Big Brother has been away on business for several days, Father will be working late, and I don't know how to cook, so..."
Uesugi Itai shrugged.
"Then why would you think that I, who's always out messing around, would know how to cook...?"
Hardy sighed.
No use complaining—he'd have to do it himself.
The Hardys in his other incarnations could cook, but only to the extent that it was edible and not terrible.
There was no refrigerator, but there were still some ingredients in the kitchen—enough for tonight's dinner.
By the time the meal was ready, dusk was falling.
"This tastes awful..."
Used to the delicious dishes prepared by the cook, Uesugi Itai clearly couldn't get used to Hardy's "pig food."
There was a rustling sound outside the door. Uesugi Shin entered the room, looking exhausted. Without saying a word, he plopped down on the tatami, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite of food.
After just one bite, Uesugi Shin put down his chopsticks.
Hardy: ...
Was it really that bad?
"Sigh..."
Uesugi Shin let out a heavy sigh, pressing his palms to his knees, tilting his head, and looking deeply troubled.
"Father, what's wrong...?"
Uesugi Itai asked cautiously.
"Your elder brother has gone missing—in Fukui Village."
"Isn't that Aunt Keiko's home? Aunt Keiko said this morning she was going back for a funeral..."
"That's exactly what I'm most worried about!"
Uesugi Shin sighed again.
"Keiko's entire family died the day before yesterday. It wasn't discovered until last night. Only Keiko survived because she was here working as our cook. When they were found, it was because blood from their house had flowed out the door."
"A murder case?"
Hardy asked.
If such a murder happened under his jurisdiction and wasn't handled properly, it would certainly affect Uesugi Shin's career.
"No, I'm worried it's something even more troublesome. I've already had the police station request more specialized personnel from the Shiga police headquarters."
"What about Big Brother...?"
"Last night, he was in Fukui Village buying mountain goods from a local hunter. Keiko was called back by a letter he had someone send. And now... this morning, both he and the hunter have disappeared!"
Uesugi Shin tried to maintain a calm expression in front of his sons, but his trembling voice and shaking hands betrayed his inner pain.
Hardy put a hand on the middle-aged man's shoulder, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.
This body was controlled by his own consciousness. The original owner's emotional memories had some effect, but not deeply.
Uesugi Shin took a deep breath, wiped his reddened eyes, and was about to speak when an urgent knocking sounded at the door.
The sound was rapid and anxious.
"Maybe it's Big Brother coming home!"
Having finished eating, Uesugi Itai tried to comfort his father with a smile, then went to open the door.
"Ah—!!!"
A scream rang out in an instant.
Uesugi Itai was pinned down by a monstrous figure with a single horn on its head. The creature's mouth, filled with fangs, bit down hard on Uesugi Itai's shoulder.
Hardy's mind went blank for a moment.
Because the monster's face was none other than that of his and Itai's elder brother—Uesugi Shirakawa!
Uesugi Shin froze where he stood, staring in disbelief at the scene.
But Hardy had already reacted. He channeled chakra into his legs and kicked hard at Uesugi Shirakawa.
"Ugh! Blood! Flesh! I want more! My dear brothers, you're so strong—your meat must be so chewy! And Itai, meat from a child like you must be so tender!"
After being kicked away, Uesugi Shirakawa charged at Hardy again, baring his fangs and roaring hoarsely.
With that blood-covered face, he looked every bit the demon.
Or rather, he had already become a ghost.
Hardy's left...
Turning his body to the right, he dodged the incoming claws. His right hand tried to seize Uesugi Shirakawa's arm, but unexpectedly, Shirakawa reacted swiftly, sweeping his elbow across to push Hardy away, then pounced again.
Such strength, such speed—this was already beyond what a normal human could possess.
Hardy steadied his mind and responded calmly.
This body was young and strong, full of vitality, but after all, he hadn't been practicing chakra for long; he probably wouldn't last in a prolonged fight.
Fortunately, the opponent's current mental state was clearly abnormally manic. After probing a few moves, Hardy could adapt and formulate an appropriate tactical plan.
Uesugi Shin stared dumbfounded at his eldest son, who was fighting fiercely with his second son, until his youngest son's cries snapped him out of it.
"Jingta! Go upstairs and hide!"
After sending Jingta upstairs, Uesugi Shin glanced around, then grabbed a bowl from the table and hurled it.
The sound of shattering porcelain rang out, accompanied by Hardy's startled cry:
"Damn it, Dad! Can't you aim? You almost hit me in the head!"