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The Rainy Street.
"One hundred reports?"
Leo shuddered. One fake news story from Aya Shameimaru was bad enough. One hundred would destroy his reputation across dimensions.
"Alright, Master," Kogasa shrank to fumo-size and hopped onto his shoulder. "Let's go."
"Master?" Leo winced. "Can we change that? I feel like I'll be arrested."
Hearing a loli call him "Master" gave him a dangerous thrill, but also a sense of impending doom from the FBI (or Eirin).
"No!" Kogasa pouted, patting his cheek with tiny hands. "Master is Master! If you change it, it means you don't want us anymore! We won't let you go, even as ghosts!"
Pat. Pat. Pat.
Her massage was light and sweet. The Umbrella (One-Eyed Xiao San) agreed, licking the air enthusiastically.
"Fine," Leo surrendered. "Today we clash with the censors. Call me whatever you want."
He stepped off the bus.
Woo~ Woo~
The umbrella spun happily, its tongue whipping around so fast it created a force field against the rain. Not a drop touched Leo.
Woo...
Amidst the happy cries, a deeper, more resonant sound echoed from the distance.
Leo didn't notice. But the Umbrella paused for a second, confused, before continuing its spin.
The Mountain Lake.
While Leo fished for Catfish in the river, Chen was at the Mountain Lake.
She lay on a crate, dozing. Her fishing rod was tucked under her belly. The cool rain was perfect for a catnap.
She failed to notice the behemoth rising from the depths.
The Legend.
A massive, green fish—nearly two meters long, shaped like a propane tank—stared at the bare hook.
Pathetic.
As one of the Five Legendary Fish Kings, it had a duty. It was the Trial of Spring. It existed to test the Master of this World.
And this... cat... was insulting it.
Sleeping on the job? No bait? A bamboo stick?
Who are you looking down on?
The Legend narrowed its eyes.
Water Style: Hydro Pump!
It sucked in a massive volume of lake water and blasted it at the shore.
SPLASH!
"MEOW!!!"
A jet of water hit Chen like a fire hose. She was blasted off the crate and sent rolling into a mud puddle.
Her shriek echoed across the mountains.
Kappa Construction Site.
"Oh no! The Boss's Cat!"
Nitori's eyes widened. She activated her exo-suit.
Transform: Mecha-Kappa!
She flew toward the lake at high speed. Who dares touch the cat?! She has powerful backers!
When Nitori arrived, she found a soaking wet, confused black cat sitting in the mud.
"Meow?" Chen blinked. Who am I? Where am I?
She remembered dreaming about grilled fish, then the fish stood up and used a water cannon on her.
Nitori landed. She pulled out a towel and a magical hairdryer.
Whirrr.
She dried the cat.
Woo~
A deep, mocking sound came from the lake.
Nitori and Chen looked up.
A massive green shadow loomed under the surface.
"Little Kitty," the Legend's voice (telepathic?) echoed in their minds. "You are weak. Come back when your Fishing Level is 10. Until then..."
SNAP.
With a flick of its tail, it shattered the bamboo fishing rod floating on the water.
"If you bring that garbage here again, I'll break every one I see."
The Legend grinned—a wide, mocking fish-smile—and turned to leave.
"MEOW!"
Chen's fur bristled.
That was her livelihood! That rod brought smiles to Lady Ran! It put fish on the table! It was her contribution to the family!
Intolerable!
Chen hissed.
Screw the rules! I have claws!
She leaped into the air, aiming for the fish's arrogant face. Thirty-Six Claws of Fish Catching!
SLAP.
The Legend didn't even turn around. Its tail flicked casually.
WHACK.
Chen was swatted out of the air like a badminton shuttlecock. She flew backward and landed in Nitori's arms.
System Alert:
The Legend is a Mechanics-Based Boss.
Immunity: Physical Attacks.
Requirement: Fishing Level 10 + Iridium Rod.
Chen spat out lake water, trembling with rage.
This isn't over, Stinky Fish!