21st Century Necromancer
Chapter 846 - 840: Akagi's Handling (Seeking monthly tickets at the end of the month!)

The affairs of the Tenmangu Shrine would naturally be investigated by personnel from the Imperial Household Agency and the police. After leaving the shrine, Akagi took a car to the hotel arranged by the Imperial Household Agency.

"My lady, we have clarified the matter. That Dingyuan Pavilion was constructed during the Meiji Era. Using his identity as a member of the National Diet, the shrine's priest, Ono Ryosuke, gained permission from the headquarters at the time to salvage and dismantle the wreckage of the sunken Dingyuan battleship before building it into the pavilion." Upon returning to the room, the attendant from the Imperial Household Agency had already gathered sufficient information and promptly reported to Akagi.

Akagi knew well that this attendant from the Imperial Household Agency was not just there to arrange her day-to-day needs. Without surprise as to how he obtained such detailed information, she simply asked, "So, what exactly did they suppress?"

"The souls of the soldiers who died aboard the Dingyuan battleship." Such matters may prove difficult for others to investigate, but for the Imperial Household Agency and Japan's supernatural police department, uncovering the truth was a relatively simple task.

Moreover, after the Tenmangu Shrine priests saw their shrine destroyed, they dared not provoke a demigod any further and readily revealed everything.

"It's been over a hundred years since the end of that war, and they're still suppressing those souls? There must be something else, right?" Akagi listened and immediately understood that the priests of the Tenmangu Shrine were dodging key points, attempting to conceal the most critical parts.

The attendant nodded and confirmed, "Indeed, as you suspected, it's also about the national destiny of the Qing Empire that the Dingyuan symbolizes."

"Oh? What's the story behind that?" Akagi became intrigued upon hearing this from the attendant and gestured for him to explain further.

"The Dingyuan was the largest battleship in Asia at the time and the flagship of the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Empire. Its very existence represented the national destiny of Qing China. Suppressing the Dingyuan is equivalent to suppressing Qing China's fate." The attendant recounted the history, expressing inner admiration for the audacity of the Tenmangu Shrine priests: "Originally, the shrine priests carried this out discreetly, with hardly anyone knowing. But their mistake was continuing this suppression even to this day."

"Over a hundred years since the war ended, yet they still aim to suppress the Dingyuan? Are they trying to steal its symbolic destiny?" Akagi couldn't help but reveal a startled expression, amazed by the boldness of the Tenmangu Shrine priests.

"It concerns Sugawara no Michizane, the deity worshiped at the Tenmangu Shrine. During World War II, Shinto played a role in the war but suffered significant losses. Sugawara no Michizane, one of the deities involved, remains injured even today." The attendant revealed the Tenmangu Shrine's deepest secret to Akagi, clarifying why the shrine priests persisted in suppressing the Dingyuan even after a century.

Akagi, hearing this, naturally understood the situation. She shook her head disdainfully and said, "So their plan was to exploit the national destiny symbolized by the Dingyuan? Truly audacious. Did they not consider the consequences if China were to discover this?"

"Clearly, they believed China wouldn't notice their petty schemes." The attendant also shared Akagi's indignation toward the reckless actions of the Tenmangu Shrine priests, adding, "Previously, during the 120th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese War, China formally requested the return of relics from the Dingyuan battleship to the shrine. However, in order to continue their suppression, the priests not only refused but recklessly destroyed and replaced a large portion of the Dingyuan relics housed in the Dingyuan Pavilion. This behavior evidently incurred the discontent of a Chinese demigod."

"Hmph! Scoundrels!" Hearing the attendant's explanation, Akagi angrily cursed aloud. After some thought, she instructed the attendant, "Demand that the Tenmangu Shrine dismantle all relics of the Dingyuan stored in the pavilion and return them to China. As for the shrine's destruction, declare that it was caused by a lightning strike. Regarding public folklore, I trust you know how to handle it."

"Yes, we'll take care of it promptly," the attendant did not question Akagi's decision, bowed in acknowledgment, and left the room to make the arrangements.

Once the attendant had departed, Akagi activated the special abilities inherent to ship-girls, linking directly to Chen Yu's phone to inform him about the events unfolding here.

"The Dingyuan has already been successfully summoned by me and dispatched to China to protect my parents. So for this matter, Akagi, you handle it as you see fit. Give those shrine priests a lesson on behalf of the Dingyuan." Over the phone, after hearing Akagi's report, Chen Yu considered for a moment before deciding to let her teach the priests a lesson, deeming it a way to vent the Dingyuan's grievances.

Understanding Chen Yu's instructions, Akagi nodded confidently, "Understood, Commander. I will ensure they face retribution."

"Manage it as you see fit; just make sure they are properly punished." Chen Yu offered no additional specifics, issuing only brief orders before seemingly remembering something and adding, "By the way, Hiromi mentioned she'd like to try Fukuoka's mentaiko and Chikushi Cake. Bring some back for her, and also pick up some Yame Gyokuro Tea for me."

"Got it, Commander. I'll go buy them in a bit." Akagi, delighted by Chen Yu's request, agreed eagerly and even took care to ask about preferred flavors, jotting down the details before hanging up the phone.

Though Akagi was somewhat familiar with Fukuoka, her previous visits were strictly in the capacity of a warship, leaving little room for leisurely exploration. Consequently, she now found herself pondering where she could find these local specialties as requested by Chen Yu.

Additionally, aside from the local goods Chen Yu requested, Akagi thought about the other ship-girls stationed in Minato Ward.

Because Chen Yu had not publicly disclosed their identities, the ship-girls now faced movement restrictions even in public areas. This included the 6th Destroyer Squadron, which Chen Yu was particularly fond of, leading to low morale among the younger girls recently.

Perhaps she should bring them some souvenirs? Just as Akagi entertained this thought, the attendant who had earlier stepped out returned once again.

"Good timing! Where in Fukuoka can authentic local specialties be purchased?" Seeing the attendant return, Akagi hurriedly questioned him.

Momentarily startled by Akagi's inquiry, the attendant was somewhat perplexed but promptly answered, "So you wish to purchase Fukuoka-local specialties, Akagi-sama? Allow me to notify the Fukuoka City Government; they'll ensure the finest products are delivered to you."

Hearing this, Akagi nodded and replied, "That would be appreciated. I just received a call from the Commander; he requested Fukuoka's Yame Gyokuro Tea, while Hiromi wishes to try mentaiko and Chikushi Cake. Please make arrangements to prepare these, along with some other local specialty snacks."

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