"Please keep track of these rumors and update me of any changes."
"Will do." This is one of the few things Kuroka likes about Kisuke, the way he asks for things. He would always use a polite regardless of who is talking to and would only give order-like commands when things are very urgent, "Moving on, I don't have much information on Angels' side, but it looks like they are also interested in you, specifically, the Seraphim. Although it seems their interest stems from a different angle other than the fact you defeated Kokabiel."
"Where did you hear this? It should be impossible for you to infiltrate their headquarters and this information shouldn't even reach the church if it's just some interest of their leaders. They need to maintain an aloof-like image, after all."
"I just coincidentally heard it from some members of the Khaos Brigade. When you asked me to gather information for you for the first time, I also started investigating the organization that I'm in thinking if I can exchange the information that I would get for something from you."
"If some of your members know about this, then there is probably an Angel traitor or two from their ranks."
"How is that possible? If that is the case, they would have 'Fallen' long ago."
"Now that the Biblical God who made the system in Heaven is gone for a very long time, it isn't impossible for some to find some loophole in that system."
Kuroka scratched her head in frustration, "Nyaa!!! Why is everything so complicated all of a sudden!?"
"Because you listened to me?"
"That's that, nya! But an Angel acting against Heaven without falling is unheard of! If something like that is really possible, then there is a ticking time bomb in their ranks!" Kuroka couldn't have careless about this in the past, but now there is a threat to her precious little sister's protector, it became a headache for her, 'If the case with the Devils is somehow related to the Angel traitor, then due to complex web of connections, finding the real enemy would be harder than ever!' Kuroka might just be overthinking it, but the possibility is still there.
"We're not yet sure if that Angel traitor would become our enemy so let's set that aside first." Kisuke smiled and took a sip from his tea, 'Should I ask Yoruichi to teach her some covert operation skills? Her affinity with the 'shadows' is pretty high and it would be a waste if that is not used to its full potential.' Kisuke thought.
"Haah... You're right. Then let's move to the last one. This one is from the spies in the Mount Olympus. Although I don't know if this is useful information at all. Athena, one of the Chief Gods of the Greek Pantheon is apparently grievously injured and is currently in a coma due to unknown reasons."
Kisuke kept his poker face but inwardly, he shocked and confused, 'How? I clearly remembered that she not in danger despite her injuries. Now news of her in a coma came?'
Kisuke closed his eyes and checked his connection with the snake no Athena's Divine Core and shocked him for a second time today. Although the snake is set to alarm Kisuke when something happens to it directly, it doesn't tell him anything if there are changes in the Divine Core, 'Corruption!? She clearly told me that unless a god is born from mass belief, it's impossible to corrupt the Divine Core...'
"What's wrong?" Kuroka somehow noticed Kisuke strange demeanor and asked him.
Kisuke shook his head and replied, "Nothing. I just remembered something. Do you have anything else?"
"None. That's all for now."
"I see. Thanks for the hard work~." Kisuke stood up and is about to leave to continue his experiments.
"Uhmm... Kisuke." But just as he turned around, Kuroka called his name.
Turning back again, Kisuke asked, "Hmm? What is it?"
"Could I use the hot spring? I really need a good dip after that few days of nonstop work."
"Sure. Go ahead and take your time. If you want some snacks, you can get it from the fridge in the kitchen."
"Yay~. Thank you, nya~!" Kuroka jumped in delight and ran towards the direction of the kitchen. Ever since her first time, she would always ask for permission to use the hot spring and dip in it for a few hours.
Kisuke couldn't help but let out a smile seeing her like this, 'Well, it good that she can still enjoy something after staying in the dark for long.' Walking towards his workshop, Kisuke kept examining Athena's Divine Core through the snake but couldn't get additional information, 'Coincidence? Most likely, but if by any chance that she was attacked because of me, then I really need to rush my projects.'
Kisuke entered his workshop and the first thing he did is adjust the currently running experiments based on the data he got this morning. After spending an hour to readjust every parameter in his console, he sat on the table nearby to watch the data entering his terminal.
"This won't do. Now that I know that the chances of someone is trying to harm me and those around me is high, this kind of progress isn't good..." Kisuke scratches his head trying to think of a solution, "Everything here could help me in the future, but in turn, the progress of each slowed down due to my limited resources. I guess I need to postpone some of this to focus on one or two experiments."
Deciding his next plans, Kisuke turned off most of his running experiments, "My priority right now is safety and most vulnerable is not me nor Yoruichi, but mom. So I should focus on that first."
.
.
.
Hours went by before Kisuke decided to get out of his workshop, "What should I get for lunch? Hmm? Kuroka is still here?"
Thinking that she passed out in the hot spring again, Kisuke walked towards the hot spring, but he would slightly regret this decision later.
As he neared the hot spring, a shadow suddenly sprang from a nearby rock and ambushed Kisuke. In response to that, Kisuke grabbed her arm and used the force behind her jump to toss her away. The shadow somersaulted and landed on all fours. The one who attacked him is Kuroka and she did it while buck-naked.
Without minding her current appearance, Kisuke asked, "What's wrong with you? Wait... This smell..." Kisuke looked around and around the bank of the hot spring, there are several empty bottles of his self-brewed sake. Adding to her flushed face and wobbly movements, Kisuke rightfully concluded, "You're drunk?"
Kuroka didn't answer him but instead, asked her own question, "Kisuke nya~! You're a lot stronger than what you currently show, am I right, nya~?"
Kisuke stopped for a moment, not knowing why she would ask this question. Nevertheless, she's already a comrade so it doesn't hurt to acknowledge her so he nodded.
"Right~?" Kuroka laughed out loud with occasional hiccup before attacking Kisuke again, "Then make kitties with me, nya~!"