Tatsuya, Masaki, Toya, and Lina were currently aboard a nearby Coast Guard patrol boat. To Yugen's surprise, Mayumi was also on board. He had intended to keep the Saegusa family out of this... but he suspected Kana or Mika had spurred her into action. With the Saegusa family on the brink, they had likely challenged her: What will you do, not as a Saegusa, but as Mayumi Saegusa? By choosing to act, she had effectively aligned herself with the flow of destiny.
The Zuiho arrived at the target sea zone—the waters between Oshima and the Boso Peninsula. Normally, hiding a ship this size would be impossible, but Yugen's presence made the impossible a reality. Three ships entered their view: the high-speed cargo ship (Gouzo), the pursuing patrol boat (Ten Master Clans), and a USNA destroyer closing in to intervene.
A figure launched into the air from the destroyer using flight magic: Benjamin Canopus. He activated his signature spell—Molecular Divider. It was a terrifying force capable of erasing a target from existence, but Yugen looked at the descending Canopus with a trace of pity.
"Rational, certainly. That would indeed erase Gu Jie... But, Major, you've picked the wrong opponent."
The moment the words left Yugen's lips, a dragon of azure lightning roared upward from the cargo ship. The dragon lunged straight into the field of the Molecular Divider, tearing through the inverted intermolecular force as if it were wet paper. Before Canopus could even register what was happening, he was swatted out of the sky, his body slamming into the armor of his own destroyer.
As the cargo ship came to a sudden halt, the spectators stood in stunned silence. A figure leaped from the cargo ship onto the patrol boat. The crew grew tense, but Senhime remained calm. She sighed, as if she had expected this all along.
"Honestly... how many years has it been since you acted so recklessly on your own?"
"I got a bit overexcited for my age. Forgive me, everyone," Gouzo said, the disguise falling away.
"Lord Gouzo, it has been a while," Tatsuya greeted him.
"Since New Year's, eh, Tatsuya-kun? I'll leave the rest to my grandson and Senhime's boy, if you don't mind."
"...Of course. We'll leave the USNA to you as well."
Tatsuya knew the real Gu Jie was already in custody and that Gouzo was the best person to handle the diplomatic fallout. He bowed respectfully.
"Leave it to me. Senhime, look after these youngsters. I have to fly over to the USNA now."
"Are you using that method again?" Senhime asked.
"That's one way, but... to teach those spineless cowards a lesson, I think I'll take a transport plane like a civilized man for once."
A protest came through the comms from the USNA destroyer. The flustered patrol boat crew handed the receiver to Gouzo.
"This is Gouzo Usumaki. I was conducting an undercover operation to capture a terrorist who inflicted massive damage on my country. Why, exactly, did you just fire a Molecular Divider at me? Feel free to protest all you like. But I wonder... can you actually afford the price of making me angry?"
The speaker erupted with shouting: 'Don't play games! You think that excuse will work?!' But when Gouzo mentioned taking the matter directly to the President, the voices on the other end descended into a panicked scramble. Tatsuya got the distinct feeling this wasn't the first time Gouzo had pulled something like this.
Gouzo handed the receiver back and turned to the young magicians.
"You all did well. It is my sincere hope that you continue to grow, take your place in the Ten Master Clans, and protect this nation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some errands."
With that, Gouzo vanished. Silence fell over the waves, broken only by the wind and the hum of the patrol boat's engines.
The crisis was over. Yugen had feared the USNA might bring out more heavy weaponry, but it had ended peacefully. Well, mostly peacefully—Miyuki was in a foul mood because of the interference squad. Tatsuya figured Yugen would have to spend the school closure making it up to her.
The Zuiho drew alongside, and Tatsuya leaped onto the deck. He knew he couldn't hide his enhanced vision from Yugen anyway.
"Tatsuya, good work," Yugen said.
"I mostly just ran around. Is Miyuki alright?"
"Yes... but Yugen-sama, don't expect to sleep tonight," Miyuki said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"...You have my sympathy," Tatsuya remarked.
"It's a bit late for that, Tatsuya," Yugen sighed.
Tatsuya joined them as the Zuiho made its way toward Yokosuka Port.
The following day, the Japanese government unveiled the carrier to the world. They announced it had been built in secret as part of a maritime security policy aimed at counter-terrorism. Despite a flood of international inquiries, Japan stood firm, citing the various foreign attacks they had suffered in recent years. They argued that strengthening their navy was a defensive measure and wouldn't upset the regional power balance.
The appearance of Gouzo Usumaki disguised as Gu Jie had thrown the USNA into chaos. From the White House to the Pentagon, the confusion was absolute. The Joint Chiefs had authorized Canopus's mission based on the prediction that Gouzo couldn't use his magic effectively after the Yotsuba affair. They never dreamed he would shatter their best operative so easily.
Canopus had been transported—by Gouzo's insistence—to the National Magic University Hospital rather than a US base. Thanks to his magical equipment, his life wasn't in danger, but the doctors ordered three days of absolute rest due to the direct impact of Gouzo's magic.
Lina visited his room, carrying a bouquet of flowers.
"Ben, are you okay?"
"Commander... No, Lina. I'm as you see me. He was strong. Far stronger than the previous Sirius."
Canopus hadn't held back. He had swung the Molecular Divider with everything he had. And yet, Gouzo had broken it like a toy. Curiously, Canopus felt more admiration than resentment.
"It's strange. As a soldier, I failed my mission. But being utterly defeated like that... it's actually quite refreshing. You might not understand that, being as competitive as you are, Lina."
"...I suppose so," Lina murmured. She couldn't quite grasp the feeling of being satisfied with a total loss.
"Is everything... going to be okay for you, Ben?"
"About that... I heard Gouzo-dono mention he would 'pull some strings' so I wouldn't be disadvantaged. I don't know what that means, but I'll have to wait and see."
Lina had worried that the failure would fall entirely on Canopus's shoulders, but Gouzo's parting words suggested he was shielding the Major. Even as a world-renowned hero, Lina wondered if such a thing was really possible.
Days later, when Canopus finally returned home, he was greeted not by a court-martial, but by the President of the United States, who wore a smile that looked suspiciously like he was under immense pressure.
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