Hakuji's Shattered Hope

Rota glanced at the night sky. Hakuji was probably resting by now, so it would be better to wait until dawn to find him.

After a session of meditation, the night passed quietly, and Edo City's streets grew bustling once more.

Rota ordered a pot of clear tea at a roadside teahouse and savored it slowly, partly to pass the time and partly to watch for Hakuji's movements.

This place was not far from where Hakuji had stolen before. If Hakuji intended to keep stealing, he would most likely choose this area again.

While drinking tea, Rota did not simply focus on enjoying it. He also asked the other patrons about Hakuji.

Whenever Hakuji was mentioned, every tea drinker's face filled with disgust. It seemed Hakuji had a very poor reputation among the public.

This time was naturally no exception. Since Rota had brought it up, the surrounding patrons began discussing Hakuji as well.

"I heard that child is a symbol of misfortune. He was born with teeth."

"I see. No wonder that little bastard keeps stealing! Sure enough, someone like that should be executed as soon as possible, before he grows into a scourge of Edo."

Even Rota, who was indifferent to all things, was somewhat moved by such vicious words directed at a child. He slowly raised a finger and lightly slapped the man across the face with invisible energy.

The tea drinker roared in pain and sprang to his feet, his fierce gaze sweeping over every patron around him as though he were about to make trouble.

After calming him down, the tea drinker who had been talking with him reminded him uneasily, "I think you should talk less. Just now, I didn't see anyone go near you. Maybe you got what was coming to you."

At