Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner
Chapter 201 - 122 Venerable’s Teaching

Chapter 201: Chapter 122 Venerable’s Teaching

Fushimi Roku had an impression of this sect in his previous life.

Of course, this is a parallel world, so it’s not surprising there are similar religious groups. In 2000, the organization had already gone bankrupt, and by 2022, it was declared completely defunct. By the time he crossed over, the influence of the sect had faded into nothingness, becoming a relic of history...

The reason he had an impression of this sect was mainly because the Aum Truth Sect was once extremely popular: the sect frequently held opera and dance performances, appeared on television programs, gave lectures at universities, and set up radio stations, all efforts for extensive social promotion.

Key figures like Asahara Shoko often made international visits, receiving VIP treatment in Laos and Bhutan, and in March 1992, even held talks with a former vice president of a country —— they even established overseas branches. At their peak, not only did they have a squad armed with AK-47s, but they were also equipped with helicopters.

In three to five years, they would initiate indiscriminate killings, with large-scale poison gas attacks intending to destroy Japan and establish a utopian nation known as "Shambhala" or "Truth Country"... To put it bluntly, they were a bunch of lunatics.

Sazaki Gen had already investigated before making the call.

The scapegoat had a signal transmitter hidden in his molars, and he went to Sugamo Apartment according to the original plan. In less than ten minutes, he lost contact. The subordinates tracked the signal to a branch of the Aum Truth Sect established in the Toshima District — he was inside, but they couldn’t get in.

"The sect’s branch is set up in the Hirakawa District of Tokyo. They acquired an abandoned factory, converting it into a ’shrine,’ with the south side for believers to worship and the north side as a private area not open to outsiders."

Sazaki Gen’s voice came through the receiver, roughly explaining the situation, and then added: "The scapegoat was caught on the northern factory side, where many people patrol. If we force our way in, we might end up in conflict with the sect... I’ve discussed it with our chairman, and we’re planning to spend money to ransom the person."

Fushimi Roku sensed the implied meaning in Sazaki Gen’s words, understanding his intent to downplay and resolve the incident quietly. Since everything wasn’t laid out in the open, there was still room for negotiation.

"What, just because Inakawa Sejo died, you can’t keep things under control?" He clamped the phone between his shoulder and ear, and moved his body off the bed.

"The sect and the gangs are two different matters," Sazaki Gen was somewhat helpless: "Only a sect like this would fund the Heavenly Punishment Group. I should have guessed earlier; perhaps the Sugamo riot really had nothing to do with you..."

"I told you long ago, I’m innocent." Fushimi Roku opened the cabinet, taking out a Tachi, a gift Watanabe Shun gave him upon joining.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll send someone to negotiate with them tomorrow morning, saying Ashu was unaware and it was all just an accident." Sazaki Gen had a vague sense of foreboding, advising a few more words subconsciously: "Your reputation hasn’t taken a hit yet; there’s no need to worry about this. Take care and rest well."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Fushimi Roku said.

His injuries haven’t healed yet, and he could only recuperate in a wheelchair, without the ability to travel alone, it was naturally impossible for him to charge into the sect with a Tachi like slicing through a melon.

"Should I hang up then?" Sazaki Gen felt that Fushimi wouldn’t be that compliant.

"Goodnight."

Fushimi Roku hung up the phone, packed the Tachi into a bag, propped himself up with a cane, and left the room. He peeked his head out to ensure Minamoto Tamako wasn’t in the living room before he stealthily exited with the wheelchair.

After going downstairs, Fushimi Roku pushed the wheelchair through the empty street, finding a phone booth under a streetlamp. There was a yellow pages directory on the stand, and he found Aum Truth Sect through the alphabetical index and dialed their contact number.

A soft female voice came through: "Moses, this is the Aum Truth Sect Tokyo branch, dedicated to compassionate charity, wholeheartedly at your service. How can we assist you?"

Fushimi Roku paused, mustering his emotions, and utilized his Lv7 social skill to induce physiological reactions – tear glands secreting tears, mucus flowing from his nose, his voice becoming choked... He remained silent for a while before saying: "I feel so tired."

The operator immediately perked up upon hearing this: "Sir, life is full of suffering like birth, old age, sickness, and death, this is the truth of suffering. The root of suffering lies in our greed, anger, and ignorance, this is the truth of the origin of suffering. But don’t despair, because there is the truth of cessation – through practice, we can extinguish our troubles and reach the tranquil state of Nirvana... If you are interested in the truth, why not join our sect and escape the sea of worldly suffering."

"Forget it, it’s nothing; what nonsense am I rambling on about."

Fushimi Roku said and decisively hung up the phone.

He sat in his wheelchair occupying the phone booth, waited for five seconds, and then the phone rang. He didn’t answer it immediately but waited for over thirty seconds before picking it up again.

The operator’s voice was gentler: "Sir, I apologize for preaching during our first conversation; it was insensitive of me to not consider your feelings... If you need someone to talk to, I am here, ready to listen to you anytime."

Fushimi Roku carefully recalled the painful events of his previous life and with a strained tone said: "I... I don’t know how to begin."

"That’s okay, even if you say nothing, I’m willing to stay with you." The operator was quite dedicated.

"Actually, I’m a criminal police officer, and if I visit temples or shrines to pray, colleagues and superiors would see it as a sign of weakness," Fushimi began bluntly, revealing his identity: "What do you think of criminal police? Do you see us as parasites of the nation?"

"The fact that you have such worries, sir, already means you’re different from them. This world is too filthy, and sometimes those who are awake end up being ostracized." The operator replied.

"Indeed!" Fushimi’s tone was excited: "You’re absolutely right! Those guys are all imbeciles, parasites; the Police Department is just the state’s violent machine!"

"We think so too," the operator echoed.

"But I don’t really want to talk about that," Fushimi sighed and changed topics: "My parents passed away, and my college sweetheart broke up with me. It might sound pretentious, but I really haven’t made any friends. Every night, I lay alone in a rented room, wondering what the meaning of such a life is... At one moment, even breathing felt exhausting."

"I understand, I went through similar experiences before, without friends, underestimated by others, working in a high-pressure stressful job... but now I’m much better. I’ve not only found meaning in life but also regained my confidence." The operator said.

"How did you manage that?" Mr. Fushimi feigned curiosity.

"The Venerable’s teachings gave me new life," the operator’s tone was full of seductive implication.

"I see," Fushimi Roku’s tone suggested he was tempted: "It sounds impressive; perhaps I should visit another day when I have time."

"There’s no time like the present, how about tonight? The Aum Truth Sect welcomes visitors 24/7," the operator urged: "You just need to take the Tokyo Arakawa Line to East Ooku Station; we’ll arrange for someone to pick you up..."

"Never mind; it’s a bit inconvenient for me right now." Fushimi said.

"Do you have any concerns?" the operator asked?

"During a mission a while ago, my limbs were all broken, and now I’m slumped in a wheelchair, making it really inconvenient to travel a long distance."

"I see... then I’ll consult with the Master. Perhaps we can arrange a special car to pick you up; we will certainly not shortchange someone as upright and who has made great contributions to the citizens as you." The operator said.

"Alright," Fushimi Roku gave the address: "I’ll be here waiting for you."