A simple phrase, "Chiba is our territory," already proved their strength.
First, a concept: in Japan, a prefecture is larger than a city.
Here in Japan, Chiba Prefecture's status is equivalent to a province in the Great Ming.
Moreover, Chiba is right next to Tokyo, so close that people working in Tokyo can even buy homes in Chiba.
Mr. Tsunoda's words also made Kisaragi understand many things.
For example, why the official squad that appeared when Aki Tomoya lost control at the port was so weak.
Another example: why the Black Organization only sent a new recruit, Huanghun, to guard this important city.
It turns out Chiba is the Zoo's territory; with this organization here, other organizations naturally wouldn't dare send too many people to guard it and risk signaling war.
No wonder Spider Mother has been so lawless recently... "So if I join, what are the obligations and benefits?"
Kisaragi Rin hates trouble, which is why he has always strived to maintain his peaceful life.
"Mr. Kisaragi doesn't need to worry about that. Lady Shikanoko Noko has already prepared the contract for you."
Mr. Tsunoda explained, "Aside from providing one white letter to Chiba Zoo each year, you will have no other obligations. Chiba Zoo will become your backing, protecting you from certain things."
"For example, if Mr. Kisaragi accidentally kills a member of another large organization, for ordinary players, the other party would naturally send whoever they want to pursue and kill. But entering a large organization comes with its own rules..."
"According to our rules, if they want to pursue, they can only send players five levels higher than the pursued."
The fact that Kisaragi Rin became an S-rank must not have escaped the notice of this strange Shikanoko.
He pondered the words coming from the deer's mouth.
Each circle has its own rules.
If you join this circle, you must operate under its rules.
This is a very simple truth.
Yuusuke entered the Paradise to pursue because he didn't know Kisaragi's true identity.
Now that Kisaragi Rin is active in the Main World, if something happens, it's impossible to hide his identity every time in front of others.
At that time, others wouldn't wait for him to enter the Paradise to pursue; directly eliminating him in the Main World would be the straightforward choice.
The protection of a large force is necessary.
Moreover, from every perspective, Chiba Zoo was already his best choice.
"That was just an example; the real benefits naturally wouldn't be that simple."
"During the last Great Deer Parade, you should have already gained one luck point, right?"
"Our organizations all have some special blessed lands, rituals, blessings, more or less..."
"Furthermore, Chiba Zoo also has internal shopping channels different from the Paradise."
"Shopping channels?"
This caught Kisaragi Rin's attention; he still had a large sum of Paradise Coins he hadn't spent.
Mr. Tsunoda: "Paradise's goods are actually inferior to the internal channels of large forces in some areas, because products brought out by players from certain worlds in large forces simply won't be sent to Paradise for sale; they will only be prioritized for internal consumption or bartering."
Kisaragi Rin: "Suppressing the strength of ordinary players?"
This kind of operation is completely normal: upper-level organizations collaborate to control channels, internally consuming powerful items and preventing their outflow.
Just this point can significantly curb strange occurrences like "a prodigy suddenly appearing somewhere, then developing for thirty years and tearing through a Yunlun Sect."
"Have you heard of Black Flash?"
Kisaragi Rin suddenly asked; the powerful effect of his Black Flash was purchased in the Paradise.
"What effect?" Mr. Tsunoda asked.
Kisaragi Rin roughly described the bonus, and Mr. Tsunoda directly said, "According to the Skill effect you described and the price you paid at the time, there's only one reason it could appear in your hands: using this Skill is too easy to lose control."
At this point, Mr. Tsunoda praised, "As expected of an S-rank, to be able to control even such power."
Kisaragi Rin: "..."
"Oh, right, when Lady Shikanoko sent me, she also mentioned you were troubled about a residence. She said Chiba's Deer God Shrine has also been given to you. From now on, your status in Chiba Zoo will be that of a Priest."
Mr. Tsunoda added.
Kisaragi Rin: "..."
That damned Shikanoko Noko, is this the power of the Deer Horn Great Sage!
"I accept."
Kisaragi Rin said, following his heart.
"Then that's settled. The Deer God Shrine can be found on the Chiba map. The personnel inside have been cleared out, and you can manage the shrine yourself."
Mr. Tsunoda gestured for Kisaragi Rin to open the door for him; he was going back.
Kisaragi Rin shook his head; he still had many questions.
"Strange... is there a Deer Deity in Japanese history? Or is this dedicated solely to Shikanoko?"
"I'm just a deer, I wouldn't know."
Mr. Tsunoda retorted.
The conversation ended, and Mr. Tsunoda was about to leave. At this moment, Esdeath, who had been listening for a while, stood up and suddenly asked, "Can I test your strength?"
"Huh?" Mr. Tsunoda looked at Kisaragi Rin.
"Mr. Tsunoda, do you mind?"
Kisaragi Rin thought for a moment and, instead of rejecting Esdeath's idea, helped her ask.
"In that case, it's fine."
Mr. Tsunoda simply stood still, motioning for Esdeath to attack.
Esdeath didn't hesitate, immediately raised her palm, and a white light appeared at her fingertips—that was Mahapadma, capable of freezing time and space.
Medea and the others' gazes were all fixed on this unexpected guest.
When Esdeath's ice converged and pointed at Mr. Tsunoda, attempting to freeze its time, Mr. Tsunoda didn't even react to the attack... Opening the door, Kisaragi Rin saw the deer off.
Esdeath hugged his arm and said, "I will grow stronger quickly to protect you."
Kisaragi Rin: "..."