Chapter 36: Ishii Anko became Tofu's senior disciple

  Zhao Zhibang did not know that his wife was actually still alive, and at this time, she was thousands of miles away in the Northeast. But it didn't make a difference whether she was dead or alive, because at this moment, there was no longer any existence of Zhao Zhibang in Ishii Tsubaki's mind.

  Ishii Shirō immediately found Japan's most famous medical professor, Kageyama Kōsuke, after returning to Japan with Ishii Anzu. However, Kageyama Kōsuke concluded that surgery should be postponed after a series of examinations, which was the same as Yamamoto Ichirō from the North China Military Hospital of the Japanese Army.

  "General Tōyama is busy with military affairs, but he still takes the time to visit me, I am truly honored." Just as Ishii Shirō was feeling guilty for not being able to cure his niece's illness, a guest arrived at his home in Tokyo. The guest was none other than the famous head of the Japanese Army's special forces, General Tōyama Kōji.

  "Ishi-san is an old friend of mine for many years, and as soon as I returned to China, I learned that Ishi-san also returned to Japan. I'm overjoyed! How's your wife's illness?"

  "Ah... I thought that returning to Japan would cure Natsumi's illness, but Professor Kageyama of Teikoku Hospital also advised me not to rush into surgery, saying the risks are too great." Ishii Shirō let out a helpless sigh as he said this.

  "Oh... I see... So it's like that? Well, in that case, I..."

  "What's wrong, Tsuchiya Genji?" Ishii Shirō asked with a puzzled expression, looking at Tsuchiya Genji who had stopped speaking.

  "It's like this, I heard that Anzu-san was injured, so I asked a doctor I know to see if he could help, but if even Professor Kageyama from the Imperial Hospital can't do anything...I think..."

  "Oh dear! Thank you so much, Tofu Gen-san,,,,,,Thank you,,,,,,Thank you,,,,,,," Ishii Shirō heard that Tofu Gen nojirō's trip was to find a doctor for Kyoko and he bowed deeply in gratitude.

  "Ah, Ishii-kun is too polite... we're old friends of many years... I'm truly sorry that I couldn't be of any help... Sorry, really..."

  "Ah, well... it can't be helped, but maybe this is for the better for Anzu too..." Ishii Shirō said with a wry smile as he shook his head at Tsuchiya Genji.

  "Uncle, what are you talking about?" Just then, Ishii Kyoko walked up to the back of the sofa with a smile all over her face and said, leaning on Ishii Shirou's shoulder. Her current memory is still stuck at 16 years old, and all her behavior is like that of a young girl who has just grown up, which doesn't match her age at all. She also didn't think there was anything wrong with herself now, and of course, no one had told her about what happened after she turned 16, especially about Zhao Zhibang.

  "This is Anzi, oh my, it's really beautiful, haha"

  "Anzu, come and pay your respects to Tsuchiya-san...", Ishii Shirō said with a smile as he turned his head to look at Ishii Anzu.

  "Hello, sir... haha..."

  "Wow... wow... wow! Miss Anzu is truly a natural beauty! She's really a rare beauty to behold!"

  "Mr. Tsuchiya is too kind... Ah, yes! I wonder what brings you back to Japan this time?" asked Ishii Shirō, patting Anzu's hand.

  "The Empire's Imperial Army has now occupied many places in China, and the military department's decision to 'use the Chinese to control the Chinese, use war to feed war' has also been very effective. However, in the occupied areas, we have repeatedly suffered sabotage from the Nationalist Party's underground agents. So this time I returned home to recruit more talent for special operations, send them to Manchuria for training and then join the Tokko section..." Tōyama Yasunori smiled as he said this, taking a sip of tea and glancing at Kyoko.

  "Are special agents those skilled warriors?" Tsuchiya Genji's casual remark unexpectedly sparked the interest of Ishii Kyoko.

  "Not all of them... many of them are young and beautiful Japanese girls like Miss Anzu..."

  "Really? So, Mr. Tsuchiya thinks I can go?" Excitedly, Ishii Anzu ran to the front and sat down on the sofa, looking at him and asking.

  "Uh, well... " Looking at Ishii Kyoko's serious face, Tsuchiya didn't know what to say, after all beautiful girls who become special agents are most skilled and proficient in using their charm.

  "Anzi, don't be ridiculous..." Ishii Shirō rebuked Tsuchiya Haruki in a low voice.

  "Uncle, uncle... Anzu didn't make a fuss, didn't you say that every person in the empire must be ready to sacrifice themselves for the empire's holy war at any time?" Ishii Anzu argued with her uncle, who had a serious expression.

  "Uncle, just let Anzi go, Anzi definitely won't make you lose face... Uncle..." Seeing that Ishii Shirō's serious expression had eased up a bit, she started acting cute again while holding onto his hand.

  "Anzi, listen to me, you need to take good care of yourself now and get well first, okay?" Ishii Shirō said, trying to comfort his poor-looking niece.

  "Uncle, you're deceiving me. Professor Jingchuan said that my illness is not serious and will heal on its own after a while. Besides, it doesn't affect my daily life or work at all. Let me go!"

  "Is that...so, then you ask Mr. Tofu if he's willing to take you..." Ishii Shirō was at a loss for words when faced with his niece's tantrum and could only hope that Tofu would help him out of this predicament. However, it was unclear whether Tofu truly didn't understand Ishii's intentions or if he secretly hoped that the beautiful Ishii Kyoko would join his kingdom of spies. He glanced at Ishii Shirō before turning to Ishii Kyoko and saying: "Miss Kyoko is welcome to join us, but the training for our special agents and the work that follows will be extremely difficult and dangerous...and also..."

  "Don't worry, sir... I'm not afraid of hardship... Hehe... Thank you, Uncle... Thank you, sir..." Before Tsuchida could finish speaking, Ishii Kyoko hastily said with an excited face.

  At this time, Ishii Shirō had no way to refuse Ishii Anzu, but in his heart he was really unwilling to send out Anzu, who was treated like a daughter, as a spy who could not be seen by the world. However, Anzu herself was very happy, and most of the Japanese people at that time, who were dyed with militarism, thought it was an honor to devote themselves to their great empire. This idea accompanied the originally simple and kind Ishii Anzu until one day she woke up from a dream that did not belong to her and realized that her small decision today would make her regret for life.