Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week

After finishing a sumptuous dinner, Aozawa chatted idly with Morimoto Chiyoda at the kitchen bar and then looked down at the time.

He laughed, "Chitose, I'm going out for a run."

"Go on," Morimoto Chiyoda gave him a displeased glance, knowing that the kid couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart and wanted to chat with those young girls.

"I'm heading out," Aozawa stepped outside.

He decided to increase the intensity of his running starting today. The new target: thirteen and a half kilometers in one hour.

For an amateur, such a pace was quite decent, but in a professional race, it would be embarrassingly slow.

But there was no helping it; that was his physical condition. One shouldn't be too ambitious in life. I need to take things step by step. Besides, I'm still young, just sixteen, Aozawa mused.

Aozawa took the elevator down to the ground floor. Looking at his reflection in the elevator doors, he used his Hypnosis Ability, suggesting to himself, "I can run thirteen and a half kilometers in one hour. I can run thirteen and a half kilometers in one hour."

After hypnotizing himself, he took out his phone to look up the route.

The final destination was still that small park.

As the elevator doors opened, Aozawa started his navigation and quickly ran outside.

The headwind was somewhat hot, yet it also carried a hint of coolness.

The evening sun was still bright, as if it would not show any signs of weakening until the very last moment.

Aozawa kept running according to the route, and the moment his phone alarm went off, he stepped into the small park.

HUFF... HA...

He was gulping for air, and his legs felt especially sore and numb. This forced him to squat down. He swiped away the phone's alarm with his left hand and touched the ground with his right, activating his Catalyst sensing ability.

His detached, godlike mindset somewhat alleviated his physical fatigue.

Aozawa reviewed the scenes in his mind, confirming that the small park was empty at this time.

He stood up and walked towards the grove.

Between Shibuya and Ginza, he decided to head to Shibuya to take a look.

「Shinjuku, Central Building.」

Home to the Special Intelligence Investigation Department.

Instead of sitting in his office waiting for news as usual, Jack was actively standing in front of the elevator on this floor.

He glanced at his watch, then raised his head to look at the elevator in front of him.

DING. The elevator doors slowly opened.

A middle-aged man with a slicked-back pompadour stepped out, followed by four suited special agents.

His skin was dark, like charred vegetables. His features were regular, and the aura he exuded showed none of the crudeness or barbarity that people typically associated with such an appearance.

This just proved that if a person received a good education, they would naturally possess a corresponding demeanor. Conversely, someone born in an uneducated slum, regardless of skin color, would most likely become a criminal in the future.

"Director John!"

Jack quickly stood erect and bowed. "Welcome to the Special Intelligence Investigation Department for guidance!"

Although John was merely the director of the CIA's Japan Branch, Jack wasn't foolish enough to address him as 'Branch Director.' That wouldn't just indicate a lack of social grace; it would be something only a person with an EQ deep in the negatives would say. Jack still aspired to get promoted.

John nodded, his gaze sweeping over Jack and the agents behind him. "You've all worked hard this time," he said gravely. "I know your losses were heavy."

"It was all to complete the mission from our superiors!" Jack declared loudly, his expression resolute. "Although we found Dio's whereabouts this time, our preparations were insufficient. We will definitely learn our lesson next time and not be careless in the slightest!"

"Headquarters is sending people to supplement your losses and has also approved a budget of three hundred million US dollars. When it's time to relax, you should do so."

Jack led the applause, and the people behind him clapped in unison, though they were all inwardly cursing him as a bootlicker. But since there was a budget they could spend, they swallowed the words they wanted to say.

After offering some general consolation, John proceeded to the office with Jack.

His visit to the Special Intelligence Investigation Department wasn't just to comfort Jack or discuss the budget. More importantly, he needed to align their accounts of what happened.

John wasn't an incompetent man; he clearly understood why these sacrifices had occurred. John considered, It could be described as an accidental event, but reporting such an 'accident' to Headquarters might easily make us seem incompetent. John could only make some slight alterations, framing this operation as one they had meticulously planned against Dio.

From a resources perspective, with a Vulcan Machine Gun and twenty-three elite agents, it couldn't be considered a poorly equipped operation. As long as they didn't report truthfully, their superiors would never know that these resources were mobilized merely to deal with a high school student.

These matters obviously couldn't be discussed over the phone or via computer software. John had to make a personal trip, close the door, and explain things clearly to Jack.

...

"Please rest assured, Director John. I know what to say," Jack said, pouring John a cup of tea. He then sat on the sofa, as deferential as an elementary school student facing the dean of discipline. He used to despise those who'd suck up to their superiors the most. It wasn't until he had room for promotion that he understood that flattering one's boss was indispensable.

John didn't drink the tea, his hands crossed. "There's another matter I would like your opinion on. The higher-ups are already considering Robert's proposed plan. A human who cannot be defeated even by a Vulcan Machine Gun is a huge threat. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Jack glanced at him cautiously and probed, "Director, your meaning is...?"

"I'm considering whether this plan is appropriate." John knew what the higher-ups intended, but he had reservations about approving Robert's plan. John wasn't soft-hearted; rather, he was skeptical. Can poison gas really kill Dio? he wondered. If they failed to kill Dio and instead provoked him, it would undoubtedly be a terrible outcome for the CIA.

The people at the top don't care; they're an ocean away and just need to flap their gums. But when it comes to the actual execution, it's people like us at the bottom who have to bear the risks, John thought.

Jack had a good grasp of the situation. "Director John," he said gravely, "I believe it's better not to execute that plan."

John's face remained expressionless as he asked, "Then do you have any new plan?"

"I think," Jack began, "instead of using poison gas, it would be better to arrange for someone to infiltrate Dio's inner circle. Isn't he trying to create a new world? We can provide him with personnel. We can arrange for some people to commit copycat crimes to attract his attention, prompting him to recruit them."

John frowned slightly. "Haven't you forgotten that Dio has the Superpower to command others?"

Jack said earnestly, "Director John, when Dio actively recruits, he naturally won't ask what faction that person belongs to. Our people can join first, then diligently show their loyalty to gradually earn Dio's trust."

Emily had proposed this plan to him. She might not look tall, but her mind is incredibly sharp, and she's so well-spoken—a hundred times better than Robert, Jack thought. If she weren't assigned to the task force, I'd really want to poach her for the CIA to be my right-hand woman, or rather, my brain, Jack mused.

John considered this. Aside from assassination, going undercover is also a crucial skill for agents. If we could truly plant someone by Dio's side, it would indeed be easier to assassinate or drug him. However, gaining his trust would likely take a considerable amount of time, John mused. But this method is clearly more reliable than using poison gas, and we could get a living Dio, he concluded. "Your approach is not bad."

Jack adopted a humble expression. "This is all due to Director John's brilliant guidance. The specific plan still needs your final approval."

"Is that appropriate?" John feigned hesitation, though inwardly he was very pleased with Jack's attitude. If Jack hadn't said this, and John had presented this plan to the higher-ups as his own, it would inevitably look like he was stealing credit. Stealing credit from subordinates doesn't reflect well on a leader. But since Jack had proactively invited his involvement, there was no question of credit-grabbing.

"Director John, I am still inexperienced, and my suggestions inevitably have some shortcomings. I need your extensive guidance so I can better serve the CIA."

"Since you put it that way, I'll help you take a look at it." The more John observed Jack, the more he felt Jack was a talented individual. How had I not noticed before how outstanding this subordinate is? John wondered.

John reflected, Previously, Dio could act as he pleased because he was alone. If he had an organization, he would start to consider various things, which would necessitate social interaction. That's our forte.

He decided to submit this new plan when he returned.

「Shibuya.」

The sky over Shibuya was a hazy gray, without a single star visible. But looking down at the ground, Shibuya's lights blazed brighter than any stars.

Major department stores were adorned with all sorts of billboards. Some brand logos glowed with neon light in the night, and large screens played currently popular songs.

Aozawa appeared quietly above Shibuya.

The streets were mostly populated with young people.

Shibuya is the mecca for Japan's Hot Girls, known for setting fashion trends.

He looked down at the crowds below. Even though Schrödinger's Cat had been significantly weakened, this ability to look down on others from high above, completely unseen, still captivated him. At least it's better than some Superpowers I've almost forgotten I have, Aozawa thought.

Schrödinger's Cat had been one of the Superpowers he used frequently since he had obtained it. Its frequency of use was second only to Time Stop and Catalyst Induction. Thinking about it now, I realize I've barely used my X-ray Ability lately, he mused.

Aozawa decided to use his X-ray Ability after a long hiatus and looked down.

Instantly, the scenery before him transformed. The bustling streets became a display of skeletons, human flesh, internal organs, veins, blood vessels, and more.

The vibrant Shibuya streets instantly transformed into a grim and terrifying hellscape.

It was like the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.

There was no fear on his face; instead, he looked somewhat intrigued, as if Halloween had arrived early.

Aozawa observed for a moment, then floated towards the Marui Department Store. He reached out and touched its surface, activating Catalyst Induction.

Instantly, his perspective shot upwards, and a flood of scenes poured into his mind.

In terms of the sheer volume of scenes, there's a significant difference between an apartment building and a department store. The former has far fewer than the latter, Aozawa noted.

He examined the scenes one by one, filtering out the myriad sounds, and soon discovered a particularly shocking scene in a stall within the department store's restroom.

It's so shocking that I can't tell if it's some kind of game between a couple or a truly depraved act unfolding in the restroom stall, he wondered.