Chapter 103: Shunai’s Mission

"Let's call it a day."
Watching Qin Fei, once again drenched in sweat, Sammo removed the hand target.
"Phew~ Captain Sammo, you've worked hard."
Relieved that the training was finally over, Qin Fei collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
"If your Digisoul can adapt to this level of exertion, we'll move on to the next step. For now, it's best to stop here. Otherwise, your body will teach you the meaning of excess."
As he spoke, Sammo came over to Qin Fei and lifted him up with one hand. "And after intense exercise, it's best not to lie or sit on the ground..."
"Ah, sorry, I wasn't thinking."
Seeing Qin Fei stand upright again, Sammo nodded, then seemed to recall something and hesitated.
"Captain Sammo, is something wrong?"
Noticing the tall man's conflicted expression, Qin Fei was a bit puzzled.
Sammo glanced at Qin Fei, then decided to ask, "Was yesterday's commotion caused by you?"
Qin Fei immediately understood—perhaps Lolo's evolution had alarmed the people inside DATS.
"Yes, the situation at the time was quite urgent..."
"That's fine, it's not a major issue. But in the future, if your Digimon partner develops any sudden abilities, you'd best report it, lest misunderstandings arise. I've already helped cover up this incident..."
Sammo's expression softened, interrupting Qin Fei's explanation. As long as the person responsible was identified, that was enough.
"I knew I wasn't mistaken about you. Your Digimon partner's ability has already surpassed Thomas Yamato... You have real talent."
"Well... it was just a stroke of luck."
Qin Fei didn't know how to explain Lolo's abilities, so he could only dodge the question.
"Luck is a part of strength, as cliché as it sounds, but it suits you... Come on, you can rest today. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."
"..."
"Knock knock..."
Suddenly, as the sound of knocking echoed, Shuno poked her head in. "Captain Sammo... you wanted to see me?"
"Oh, Shuno, yes, I have a task for you..."
With that, Sammo stepped out to meet her, and the two disappeared into the corridor, their destination unknown...
"Is Haha-mon about to arrive?"
Watching their departing figures, Qin Fei mused.
In truth, Digimon incidents do not occur daily; sometimes, days go by without a single event—well, at least, that used to be the case.
But recently, the frequency of Digimon incidents had risen sharply.
In just one week, five Digimon incidents had occurred.

It was as if some invisible hand were orchestrating it all...
"Is it Akihiro Kurata or the Golden Sword Lionmon?"
Qin Fei pondered. One harbored intense hatred toward the Digital World, the other toward the human world.
But remembering the artificial Digimon Kurata possessed, Qin Fei couldn't help but remain vigilant.
Those creatures could directly disrupt the data within Digimon bodies, leaving them no chance to revert back into Digieggs—a potent weapon. And then there was Belphemon, one of the Seven Demon Lords, being studied in secret...
In the anime, that terrifying Digimon had reduced an entire city to ruins.
"So, I must strengthen myself first. Nothing brings more security than my own power."
Recalling the scene where the entire Royal Knight order mobilized to destroy the human world, Qin Fei felt the weight of pressure like a mountain.
"Lolita-mon, Dilu-mon, and Black Doru-mon—at least one of them must evolve to the Ultimate stage... Only then can I study the Burst Mode of this world."
...

These days had passed with a strange tranquility, as if the frequent Digimon incidents had all suddenly ceased.
Qin Fei's training continued as usual; with the blessing of his Digisoul, he felt himself changing day by day, even growing taller.
"If I return to the world of the first series, Tai and Mimi might not even recognize me..."
Looking in the mirror at the youth reflected back, the face was the same, but the temperament and physique had changed completely.
In terms of height alone, he was half a head taller than before.
"Haha, maybe I've even replaced Joe as the tallest among the chosen children."
Qin Fei wiped his face with a towel, admiring his own figure, but then his expression grew dejected as another thought crossed his mind...
"But whether I can return to my original world is still uncertain... Forget it, stop daydreaming. What's most important now is improving my Digisoul powers. This world is far too dangerous..."
After showering in the training room, Qin Fei returned to his dorm and opened his laptop.
He wasn't there to play games or watch videos, but instead slowly browsed through all the news he could find.
This had become another hobby of his. Many incidents caused by Digimon were disguised as accidents or natural disasters...
"Latest news... Nion Hanamura, love affair exposed."
Seeing the entertainment section leap into view, Qin Fei's gaze shifted, and he instinctively clicked in.
"We've learned that singer Nion Hanamura is currently dating a woman... The couple has often been spotted together at RPG Tower, where Mr. Hanamura resides..."
As the entertainment reporter narrated in the video, a thoroughly disguised woman was linked arm-in-arm with a stylish, handsome male celebrity, emerging from a tall building.
"Of course it's Shuno..."
Though the woman was hidden behind sunglasses, a mask, and a hat, Qin Fei instantly recognized her familiar figure.
"Wow, Qin Fei, you've started following entertainment news lately? Hehe, which actress have you fallen for?"
Lolo's voice sounded beside Qin Fei, and soon he felt a light figure lean against his shoulder.

"Don't tease me, you know I'm not interested in that..."
"..."

Meanwhile, in the DATS command center, Shuno found herself besieged by colleagues' questions.
"How come the least likely to attract men among us is dating Nion Hanamura? It's so unfair!"
"Yeah, yeah, confess already!"
"Um... um..."
Shuno was visibly conflicted, unsure if she should explain.
"Let me clarify."
Under the envious, jealous gazes of Kei Shirakawa and Miki Kurosaki, it was Sammo who finally came to her rescue...
"..."
"There are Digimon signals in RPG Tower? And they're connected to Nion Hanamura?"
"So this guy is harboring Digimon?"
"It's too soon to jump to conclusions..."
Sammo explained, "That's why I assigned Shuno to conduct an undercover investigation..."
"I can't accept this! Why Shuno? If it's about getting close to Nion Hanamura, wouldn't we be better suited?"
Kei Shirakawa and Miki Kurosaki were beside themselves with jealousy...
Watching them, Sammo sighed and explained helplessly, "Let me finish. There's a reason Shuno was chosen for this mission..."
"I'm... childhood friends with Nion Hanamura..."
Seeing Captain Sammo's prompting look, Shuno had no choice but to speak up.
"..."
Soon, everyone understood.
Indeed, only she was suitable for this undercover assignment.
On the other side, Qin Fei cut the power to his laptop and even closed the screen.
"What's wrong?"
Lolita-mon and the others watched Qin Fei's strange behavior with curiosity.
"Tonight some annoying diva is going to sing across the internet. It's disgusting. I'm shutting down early..."
Lolita-mon: "..."