IUD-CHAPTER 246 PRICE

In the dimly lit corridor, Fang Li and Tohyama Kinji ran ahead, moving steadfastly.

“Um…” Tohyama Kinji stuttered as he ran, “Fang Li…”

“You don’t need to say anything,” Fang Li sighed and spoke, “At this point, I already understand why you stopped me back then.”

“…I’m sorry,” Tohyama Kinji solemnly began, “Kana… Big Brother found me, appeared before me, and told me everything. Even though I knew that everything Big Brother did was for justice, I still hesitated. Even for the sake of justice, sacrificing Kanzaki student’s life… I struggled a lot.”

“But, killing Aria as a shortcut to eliminate I-U is also an option, right?” Fang Li smirked, saying, “I guess the reason your Big Brother didn’t kill Aria right from the start was because he was concerned about your feelings?”

“No, in Big Brother’s heart, he didn’t want to sacrifice Kanzaki student either, right?” Tohyama Kinji shook his head and explained, “So, Big Brother made a bet with himself, betting that you could reach Kanzaki student before he killed her.”

Aria had mentioned that while dealing with her, Tohyama Kana had been avoiding her vital points.

However, as time went on, Tohyama Kana also started to go on the offensive as an assassin.

The reason for this was simple.

As long as Fang Li could make it to Tohyama Kana within the specified time, Tohyama Kana would give up killing Aria.

But if Fang Li couldn’t arrive in time, Tohyama Kana would ruthlessly assassinate Aria.

“Big Brother knows that I-U is a very formidable organization. To split I-U, the first step is to eliminate their leader,” Tohyama Kinji explained. “This leaves Big Brother with only two choices: obliterate Aria alongside Sherlock’s death, causing a leadership vacuum in I-U, or directly assassinate the current leader, Sherlock Holmes.”

However, Sherlock was incredibly strong.

Although it happened only once, Fang Li’s full-powered strike caught Sherlock off guard and even combined with Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, but Sherlock effortlessly nullified it.

This famous detective of the United Kingdom wasn’t just known for his remarkable deduction abilities; he was also formidable in combat, which was why he became the founder of the Butei.

Marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and Western Sword Technique— all of these were techniques Sherlock excelled at.

Not to mention that this was only a representation of Sherlock during his active era.

Now, after more than a hundred years, Sherlock had continuously absorbed power from institutions like I-U’s Superhuman Training Institution, enhancing his own strength. It was certain that his combat prowess had reached an exceptional level.

Otherwise, how could Sherlock have subdued so many Superhumans in I-U and kept the conflict between Daio and Ignatis under control until now?

So, even if Tohyama Kana was stronger than Tohyama Kinji, she probably wouldn’t be a match for Sherlock.

Precisely because of this, Tohyama Kana attempted the first option: killing Aria, causing I-U to experience a leadership vacuum after Sherlock’s eventual demise, leading to internal strife.

“Do you know why, after you timely reached Kanzaki student, Big Brother abandoned Slaughter God?” Tohyama Kinji fixed his gaze on Fang Li and said word by word, “It’s because he wanted to place a bet on your body, to see if you could defeat Sherlock.”

Bringing Tohyama Kinji to I-U was probably to bolster their own power and make a move against Sherlock when necessary, right?

Finally, all the riddles were unraveled.

“All cleared up?”

A strange feeling welled up in Fang Li’s heart.

Although all the riddles had been solved, why did he still feel like a major answer was missing?

Though not Aria, Fang Li’s intuition was sometimes uncanny.

Currently, what Fang Li felt was a sense of abruptness.

With these thoughts in mind, Fang Li continued running forward until the end of the corridor appeared, revealing an exit bathed in light.

Fang Li came to a halt.

Tohyama Kinji also stopped.

Standing side by side, they gazed at the illuminated exit in silence.

After a brief pause, Tohyama Kinji spoke up.

“I’ll stay here. If anyone comes, whether Ignatis or Daio, I’ll intercept them.”

In other words, Tohyama Kinji intended to leave Sherlock for Fang Li to deal with alone.

It was a wise choice.

Currently, Tohyama Kinji hadn’t entered Hysteria Mode; he was just an ordinary person.

This version of Tohyama Kinji wouldn’t stand a chance against anyone from I-U, let alone Sherlock.

Of course, staying here was also highly dangerous.

If someone did come, with Tohyama Kinji’s current strength, he would probably be overwhelmed within a fraction of a minute, right?

To this, Fang Li chuckled.

“Very well. Regardless of your intentions, since you’ve harmed Aria, it’s best if you die here at the hands of a criminal. That way, Aria might find some solace.”

“If possible, I hope we can find a way to vent our frustration without dying,” Tohyama Kinji said, scratching his head with a bitter expression. He couldn’t help but complain, “Honestly, I had already decided to quit being a Butei. Why do I keep getting caught up in situations like this?”

“In your own words, it’s the Tohyama family’s destiny, isn’t it?” Fang Li said, “Anyway if you die, I certainly won’t feel sorry for you.”

“Same for me.” Tohyama Kinji responded with a slightly rueful smile.

Shortly afterward, Tohyama Kinji’s voice sounded gently.

“Don’t die.”

Hearing this, Fang Li couldn’t help but laugh and replied with a similar line.

“I’ll do my best.”

Leaving these words behind, Fang Li resumed his stride and, under Tohyama Kinji’s gaze, charged out of the corridor.

…

As Fang Li burst out of the corridor, an incredibly spacious hall immediately entered his view.

Unlike the previous halls, this one resembled a grand audience hall fit for meeting a monarch. It exuded an air of luxury, and there was an aura of solemnity in the surroundings.

At the forefront of this grand hall, the world’s most famous detective had his back turned to Fang Li. His voice gradually began to echo.

“The new era is always led by youngsters charging forward.”

“While I, on the other hand, am merely an old man nearing the end of his life.”

“Old soldiers should fade away.”

“The upcoming era should be under your control.”

With these words, Sherlock turned around, facing Fang Li.

“Let me ignite the first flame of the new era.”

“With my life as the price.”