Dragon's Head Conflict, Former Boss, Scalpel.
The first term, all Yokohama citizens remember vividly: the war where multiple dark organizations in Yokohama fought each other for the throne of Yokohama's Dark King.
The second term, known to any experienced Port Mafia member, referred to the mad king who nearly brought the Port Mafia to ruin during the Dragon's Head Conflict.
As for the last term, it seemed to hold no meaning.
Because the significance of 'Scalpel' was not known to everyone.
"Do I have to say it?" Kurumi asked. "I thought we could have a little unspoken understanding."
"I apologize, but I have no understanding with someone I've just met," Ōgai Mori replied bluntly.
"How cold," Kurumi said, unfazed. "During the Dragon's Head Conflict, Mr. Mori disregarded the Former Boss's wishes, assassinated him with a Scalpel, and then forged a will to usurp his position."
During the Dragon's Head Conflict ten years ago, the former Port Mafia Boss constantly initiated conflicts to expand territory, endlessly depleting the organization's strength, and simultaneously causing widespread suffering among the people of Yokohama.
For the continuation of the organization and the stability of the city, Ōgai Mori, who was then the Former Boss's personal doctor, killed him during a treatment and forged a will, becoming the new Port Mafia Boss.
And the tool used to kill the Former Boss was a Scalpel, which was supposed to be used for treatment.
This was a secret known to only a few people within the Port Mafia.
Strictly speaking, only two people knew.
It *should* have been only two people.
At this moment, even the fake smile on Ōgai Mori's face had completely vanished.
He coldly scrutinized the young lady before him, trying to discern her thoughts from her expression and movements.
Bluffing, fear, nervousness... if he could analyze these psychological activities, the subsequent negotiation would proceed much more smoothly.
But unfortunately, these emotions did not appear on the young lady's face.
Instead, Ōgai Mori saw a calmness built on confidence in her expression.
As if she knew that Ōgai Mori had no way to deal with her.
In fact, Ōgai Mori truly had no way to deal with her.
As a Spirit who controls time, Kurumi's individual combat ability might not be strong; in insufficient time, she might not even be able to defeat Alice, who is an Ability manifestation. However, she could absolutely not be caught.
Even if she couldn't directly confront the Port Mafia, a graceful retreat was no problem.
Kurumi was inherently a Spirit skilled at escaping.
Whether it was her shadows that could appear anywhere for infiltration, or her First Bullet that could accelerate time to achieve instantaneous movement, both provided Kurumi with the capital to penetrate any dangerous lair and withdraw at any time.
Even if this meeting with Ōgai Mori turned into a bad situation, she could ensure she remained unharmed.
This was why she dared to enter the Port Mafia headquarters alone.
"How did you know about this?" Ōgai Mori's fingers tapped the armrest of his chair. "Could it be... Dazai told you?"
Osamu Dazai, former Port Mafia Intelligence Division Leader, the youngest Executive in history.
He was also Ōgai Mori's most trusted and anticipated right-hand man, so much so that many members of the organization believed he would be the next Port Mafia Boss after Ōgai Mori stepped down.
However, one day, this next Boss, who had been given such high hopes, defected.
He not only betrayed the Port Mafia but also joined its mortal enemy—the Armed Detective Agency.
If it were anyone else, Ōgai Mori would have long since sent assassins to execute the traitor, but Osamu Dazai's identity was too special; the Port Mafia could not afford the cost of killing him.
Therefore, as the only person who betrayed the organization and was still living a vibrant life, he enjoyed a second life right under the Port Mafia's nose.
But no matter what, Osamu Dazai was indeed the only person who knew that Ōgai Mori had assassinated the previous Boss.
That day, that room, that blood-stained wall.
And the only man standing beside him, Osamu Dazai.
Besides the two of them, there was absolutely no way a second person could know this secret.
If a third party knew, then it could only mean one thing.
Osamu Dazai leaked the secret.
"No, I know this secret not because Osamu Dazai told me," Kurumi said, denying Ōgai Mori's conjecture, "but because my ability told me."
"Your ability?"
"That's right, it should be one of my abilities."
Kurumi raised her hand, and a short Flintlock Pistol appeared in it.
Alice, who was on alert nearby, assumed an offensive posture, but Ōgai Mori pressed her hand, telling her not to act rashly.
Kurumi has two Flintlock Pistol, transformed from the hour and minute hands of her Clock Angel, Zafkiel. The long Flintlock Pistol, symbolizing the minute hand, is her primary weapon for attack, while the short Flintlock Pistol, symbolizing the hour hand, is her weapon for activating Zafkiel's twelve abilities.
Among them, the Tenth Bullet ability is to transmit the past memories of the target it hits.
Playing with the exquisite and classic Flintlock Pistol in her hand, Kurumi briefly introduced, "Transmitting the past memories of the target hit, this is one of my abilities. You can understand it as the ability to read memories, meaning I can obtain their past memories by hitting people and objects."
"I see, so that's how you learned my secret." Ōgai Mori tentatively accepted this explanation, then could only sigh helplessly, "I made complete preparations, yet still made a mistake. There are truly too many uncertainties in this world."
Kurumi did not lie about her ability; the Tenth Bullet's ability is indeed to read memories.
But the reason she knew Ōgai Mori's deepest secret was not because of the Tenth Bullet.
It was because she was a transmigrator.
Having read bungo stray dogs, she possessed an information advantage.
However, she could never tell anyone this true reason.
Not to mention whether Ōgai Mori would believe her, if he really did believe her, side quest three would be a complete failure.
Therefore, using the Tenth Bullet as an excuse was the best choice.
"Then, you came into the Port Mafia with my secret; I don't think it was just for a simple visit."
Ōgai Mori was slightly dejected but quickly adjusted his mindset, becoming calm and wise again.
To hide this secret, he had done everything he could.
Even so, if the news still leaked, it was no longer his fault.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Mori, I bear no ill will," Kurumi said kindly, "Rather, I came with good intentions."
"To be honest, I don't care whether you came with good intentions or bad."
Ōgai Mori gazed at the young girl before him, as if trying to discern the color of her soul.
"What I care about is your purpose, mysterious Miss. Why exactly have you come?"