Seeing Ye Xing's resolute attitude, the members had no objections. Even those without spiritual power, like Saki Kawasaki and Yukino Yukinoshita, possessed the will to protect this world.
"Treating humans like puppets to manipulate..."
Yukino Yukinoshita frowned deeply, lightly biting her teeth, rarely showing an angry expression as her hands involuntarily clenched.
"Such a twisted individual deserves punishment."
"I agree with Yukinoshita's opinion."
Miko Yotsuya, who similarly detested evil and held even stronger hostility towards evil spirits than Ye Xing, immediately stood up. Though her face showed no expression, the killing intent in her eyes was completely unconcealed.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off now. Reaching Hitogashima Island a moment earlier might save another innocent life. We absolutely cannot allow that Rikka Sakuragawa to continue living."
"I know you're eager, but don't rush."
Seeing the members' righteous indignation, Ye Xing waved his hand.
"I haven't even said who will be participating in this mission yet. Why are you all in such a hurry?"
Yui Yuigahama asked curiously upon hearing this.
"Could it be... not everyone? At the very least, all members with spiritual power should participate, right?"
"No... we definitely can't all go."
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses, deep in thought.
"Considering the possibility that Rikka Sakuragawa might be deliberately using her whereabouts as bait while secretly planning something else - though the probability is low, we need to prepare for worst-case scenarios. Plus, we need to maintain security in Kyoto. We definitely can't all go; we must leave behind sufficient strength to handle emergencies."
"Rio is correct, so..."
Under the members' breathless gazes, Ye Xing smiled and declared.
"This operation will be carried out by me alone. That's settled."
"Alone? You..."
"Everyone, don't rush. Hear my explanation."
Seeing the members' strongly opposed expressions, Ye Xing put away his smile and explained seriously.
"That Hiruko on Hitogashima Island truly exists, and her abilities are powerful - she can reverse time."
Hearing this, the living room fell into complete silence. After several seconds, Rio Futaba hesitantly asked.
"Re... reverse time... Do you mean... what I think you mean?"
"Essentially."
Ye Xing nodded, speaking slowly.
"Though I'm uncertain whether she can currently use that power, and to what extent, if she can, or what the limitations of time reversal are, you should all understand why I can't let you participate in the operation when the enemy possesses such an ability that we cannot counter."
Yui Yuigahama looked adorably confused, tugging at Yukino Yukinoshita's sleeve beside her and whispering.
"Yukino-chan, why?"
Though Yukino felt speechless at Dango's naivety, she patiently explained.
"Didn't Ye Xing just say? We cannot counter it, meaning the enemy can reverse time and has room for error, while we have none at all."
Rio Futaba nodded in agreement with Yukino's opinion, thoughtfully adding.
"In that case... every time we approach success, the enemy will reverse time... The timeline in which we succeed will be erased, but even if we fail just once in hundreds or thousands of repeated battles, that timeline will become fixed as established reality. For us, even losing just one member is completely unacceptable, let alone a total wipeout."
At this point, Rio Futaba suddenly furrowed her brow and looked up at Ye Xing, asking the most crucial question.
"After time reversal... will our memories be preserved?"
"I'm not sure."
Ye Xing first replied with this, then changed his tone.
"But what I can confirm is that each time the opponent uses time reversal, it will consume their own power."
"Even if memories aren't preserved... no, precisely because memories aren't preserved, each time is the first time for me, but that Hiruko's power is genuinely being depleted."
"From my perspective, I only need to act once. Whether it's ten thousand times, a million times, or even hundreds of millions of times from the opponent's perspective, it doesn't matter. Her power will eventually be exhausted."
"And that will become the fixed reality, the only reality."
Hearing Ye Xing's so-called plan, the members of the Supernatural Society present couldn't help but pause. Before anyone else could speak, Kazusa Touma frowned and said coldly.
"I disagree."
Yui Yuigahama also reacted, abandoning her usual gentle, sweet, smiling demeanour to express strong opposition.
"Right, if you die, wouldn't that become the established reality? How could we willingly accept watching you take such risks alone while we hide in safety!?"
Ye Xing smiled and spoke with complete nonchalance.
"But if we want to achieve a perfect clear, this is the only feasible path. You don't need to be so tense - when I mentioned tens of thousands of times, I was just joking. At most, in the most extreme scenario, I think a few hundred times would be enough. Not to mention that Hiruko might not even be able to use the time reversal ability. Clearly, I have the advantage here, so why are you all so nervous? It's completely unnecessary."
Rio Futaba took off her glasses, her brow furrowed tightly, her tone clearly displeased.
"Do you think that even with time reversal ability, allowing them to learn your information and prepare countermeasures in advance, they still couldn't kill you after hundreds of attempts, eventually exhausting their power and being unable to reverse time again, ultimately being slain by you? Even for you, this kind of thinking is too arrogant. And it's not just Hiruko - there's also Rikka Sakuragawa. What were you thinking to make such a decision?"
"Then, aside from this, is there any other method?"
Faced with Ye Xing's counter-question, Rio Futaba parted her lips, trying to provide another answer, but after careful consideration...
It seemed there was no other answer.
"Isn't that right?"
Ye Xing chuckled lightly as he spoke.
"If the enemy possesses the capability to kill me, then across dozens or even hundreds of time reversals, you would face an even greater risk of death. Considering the premise of risk minimisation, only I - being the strongest, capable of posing a threat to Hiruko and Rikka Sakuragawa even alone - am most suitable for this operation."
After remaining silent for several seconds upon hearing this, Rio Futaba finally nodded.
"Mm... I understand. This is the only way."
Though the other members still struggled to accept it, they knew deep down that facing a reality-rewriting ability like time reversal, achieving their usual zero-casualty outcome required exactly the method Ye Xing had described.
No matter the circumstances - even in moments like this when their hearts resisted letting Ye Xing face danger alone - as the Supernatural Society's tactical advisor, Rio Futaba had the duty to maintain rational thinking when other members became emotionally compromised.
"Don't worry."
Sensing the room's increasingly heavy atmosphere, Ye Xing offered a comforting smile.
"I won't die. This is just planning for the worst-case scenario. The ones who should be despairing are our enemies, so let's not borrow trouble here."
After speaking, Ye Xing stood up and announced cheerfully.
"Alright, I'm setting off now."
As he reached the doorway, preparing to leave, Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly rushed over, her brows slightly furrowed with displeasure, though her eyes held a trace of concern as she spoke in deliberately neutral tones.
"You... must come back, understand?"
Ye Xing blinked in surprise before teasing with a grin.
"Well now, that doesn't sound like something my stubborn sister-in-law would say."
"Indeed, it isn't, and I've repeatedly told you I dislike that form of address."
Yukino Yukinoshita lifted her face to meet Ye Xing's gaze directly, speaking softly.
"Just... make sure you return."
"Of course."
Ye Xing nodded, stepping outside.
"Without me, your future paths would only lead through pain and regret. So I'll definitely be back."
...
The following noon, beside a recently docked ship.
"Finally arrived."
Ye Xing stepped onto solid ground, surveying the buildings within view as he murmured to himself.
"So this... is Hitogashima Island..."
He couldn't help feeling curious.
At this moment, standing here, was he truly experiencing his first arrival at Hitogashima Island, or was this himself after time reversal, missing portions of his memories?
"Never mind, no point dwelling on unanswerable questions."
Shaking his head, Ye Xing ceased his contemplation and strode forward into the town.
Hitogashima Island enjoyed spring-like weather year-round. Even in early February, no jackets were necessary.
While wandering, Ye Xing even spotted some residents still wearing shorts and t-shirts, completely summer-attired.
"Where should I go first..."
Though uncertain whether this was truly his first attempt chronologically, given the safety of Hitogashima Island's innocent residents, if Hiruko had exhausted its final time-reversal opportunity, then everything occurring on this timeline would become an irrevocable, unchangeable reality.
The crucial question wasn't whether this operation represented the timeline's first attempt.
But rather, to treat every attempt as if it were the final one.
Of course, while Ye Xing would consider the islanders' safety, that was only within the limits of his capabilities. If the situation developed beyond predictions, he wouldn't be bound by these considerations at all.
If he could eliminate the target while preserving as many innocent lives as possible, that would naturally be ideal.
However, one mustn't put the cart before the horse.
His own life came first, followed by eliminating the target. Only when these two conditions could absolutely be met would Ye Xing consider saving innocent people.
After wandering around the area for a while, Ye Xing spotted a restaurant on the street. The characters 'Kofune' on the signboard immediately caught his eye.
"The Kofune family's restaurant... If I remember correctly, they do good business here, and it's just mealtime now..."
While thinking this, Ye Xing had already pushed open the door and entered the restaurant.
Regarding Hiruko and Rikka Sakuragawa, he didn't have many reservations. Although he would act cautiously, he wasn't afraid of them.
To put it bluntly, what could time reversal really do?
When an ability like time reversal becomes known, it loses its greatest advantage. Moreover, even if time were reversed hundreds of times, allowing Rikka Sakuragawa and Hiruko to learn all of Ye Xing's abilities, both sides would merely be standing on the same starting line.
Besides, in the face of an absolute difference in strength, what use is giving more chances to challenge?
It's just a futile struggle.
"Welcome."
When Ye Xing pushed the door open, a tall, fair-skinned girl with smooth, long blonde hair, clear blue eyes as beautiful as a calm sea, who looked like she might be of mixed heritage, instinctively greeted him with a smile.
But when she got a clear look at Ye Xing's face, she couldn't help pausing briefly, asking curiously:
"Eh? This customer... You look rather unfamiliar, not a local, are you? I've never seen you before."
Ye Xing nodded, replying with a smile:
"Yes, I just arrived here. I wanted to take advantage of the winter break to do some travelling."
"I see, please have a seat, have a seat!"
After leading him to a seat, the girl didn't immediately rush him to order. Instead, she first extended her right hand, smiling openly as she said:
"My name is Ushio Kofune. I'm a local here."
"Hello, Ye Xing."
After shaking hands and introducing themselves, Ushio Kofune sat down opposite him in the booth, asking curiously:
"So... Ye Xing, you look about my age. Are you a high school student too?"
"Yes, Year 10. Oh, after the winter break ends, I'll be in Year 11."
"Eh, same as me."
Ushio said this first, then continued smiling:
"Well then, Ye Xing, if you have anything you want to ask about, or if you need someone to show you around the area, you can always come to me."
"Alright, I'll remember that."
"Mm-hmm, then I won't disturb you further."
Ushio Kofune stood up. Just as she returned behind the counter, a middle-aged foreign man sighed, pressing his fingers to his forehead, his face full of helplessness as he said:
"Ushio, have you forgotten something?"
Ushio looked puzzled.
"Have I?"
"You forgot to take that customer's order."
"Ah? Really? Oh no, oh no..."
Ushio Kofune was momentarily taken aback before quickly rushing to Ye Xing's table, offering an awkward smile.
"That... Ye Xing, what would you like to eat?"
Ye Xing replied casually.
"Anything is fine. If you have recommendations, just order for me directly."
"Alright then, please have a seat and wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
Ushio Kofune smiled before walking behind the counter and ordering Ye Xing an affordable signature bento, which she highly recommended.
Although the head chef, Alain Kofune, was Western, the restaurant wasn't Western; it was an ordinary eatery.
"Ye Xing, our Kofune Restaurant's signature dish - mixed pork cutlet rice, please enjoy."
"Thank you."
While eating, Ye Xing was also observing the other customers in the restaurant.
Clearly, his unfamiliar face appearing here inevitably drew the attention of the local residents.
However, Ye Xing didn't think his identity would be exposed.
The only person who knew his true appearance was Kazusa Touma.
After the incident in Osaka City, the Metropolitan Police Department launched a nationwide carpet search.
Under these circumstances, given Rikka Sakuragawa's usual operational style, it was impossible for her to risk being tracked while investigating Kazusa Touma's situation, let alone tracing back to him through Kazusa Touma.
Considering this might be his first operation, Ye Xing had only one goal.
Regardless of what Rikka Sakuragawa and Hiruko were plotting, he needed to extend the timeline first.
Although he didn't know whether Hiruko's time regression ability shared the same weakness as the male protagonist Shinpei Ajiro's regression ability in the original plot - where each death would push the regression point further back until it became completely unable to change reality - what could be confirmed was that this ability must have limitations. One of the most likely limitations was the connection between regression time and power consumption.
If one could regress as long as they wanted, then what would be the point of fighting? Hiruko could simply regress to seventeen years ago and strangle him when he was still a baby; wouldn't that solve everything?
Since there were such constraints, and given that the current reality progress was still acceptable, Ye Xing naturally hoped to drag out the time as long as possible. After all, from the moment he set foot on the island, he had already become a threat to both Hiruko and Rikka Sakuragawa.
The longer the regression timeline, the more power it would consume, equivalent to fewer available uses.
While confident in his own abilities, professional exorcists always acted with caution.
...
After finishing his meal, just as Ye Xing stepped out of the restaurant's door, he saw Ushio Kofune, who had taken off her apron, chasing after him.
"Ye Xing, where are you planning to go next?"
"Hmm... I don't know, just wandering around casually."
Hearing this, Ushio Kofune smiled openly and said.
"Perfect timing. There are fewer customers in the afternoon and evening, so I don't need to stay and help anymore. If you're willing, I could be your guide."
Ye Xing didn't hesitate much and nodded directly.
"Then I'll trouble you, Kofune."
"No trouble at all. We rarely get tourists here, and you're alone, so of course I'll help with whatever I can."
After saying this, Ushio Kofune added another sentence.
"And you don't need to use my surname. Just call me by my given name as my friends do."