The Zuihou docked at Yokosuka Port, and as Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki disembarked, they were greeted by the familiar faces of Erika, Leo, and Mikihiko, who had been waiting for their return.
"Are you all in one piece?" Erika asked as they approached.
"More or less," Yugen replied. "I'd heard the stories from Kazumi-aniki, but running into terrorists was a nuisance I could have done without."
Even if the remnants of "Blanche" and the "No Head Dragon" had been largely dismantled, it was a cold reality that the affiliate organizations and groups that profited from them still lingered. Yugen had tasked Erika and the others with remaining vigilant regarding those factions, and as expected, they had encountered a terrorist ambush.
"You say that, but you looked like you were enjoying yourself while you were taking them down," Leo teased. "Well, at any rate, none of us walked away with a scratch."
"That's true," Mikihiko added with a nod. "To be honest, the fact that it was night worked in our favor."
Through their association with Tatsuya and Yugen, the three had reached the top tier of combat experience. For this particular mission, they had asked Shizuku and Honoka to keep the non-combatants secure.
Just then, the roar of a supersonic transport plane echoed above as it took flight into the night sky.
"Is that a National Defense Force transport?" Erika asked, shielding her eyes against the glare.
"No," Yugen corrected, watching the craft. "If I remember correctly, that's a supersonic transport owned by a subsidiary of the Kamizaka Group. Its destination is… well, obvious."
The plane banked, soaring eastward. Under the current Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Act, private night flights were strictly limited. There was no doubt that the individual aboard that craft was Gu Jie.
"Regardless, that puts the terrorist matter to rest for now," Yugen muttered. "But…"
"Is there something else?" Miyuki asked, sensing his hesitation.
"The real problems start from here."
It was certain that government officials would soon realize Japan had outmaneuvered the USNA in this affair. Among those officials, Edward Clark would undoubtedly be watching. While the media would pick up the scandal as a scoop, the plan was to ensure that even if White House personnel were implicated, it wouldn't escalate into a crisis threatening the President's position.
However, it was easy to imagine the USNA using this incident as a pretext to tighten surveillance or infiltrate more operatives. In the worst-case scenario, kidnappings, blackmail, or even assassination attempts were on the table.
"I'll spare you the details, but these terrorists came from the USNA," Yugen explained. "Security and screening protocols are going to be a chaotic mess from here on out."
"First last year, and now this…" Mikihiko sighed. "Does that country have some kind of curse following it?"
"Miki, that's a bit much… though I suppose I can't exactly say it's impossible," Erika admitted.
"Exactly," Leo grunted.
Erika had intended to dismiss Mikihiko's half-jest, but both she and Leo had experienced the German-related incidents during last year's Nine Schools Competition. Their shared weariness was evident, drawing a wry smile from both Miyuki and Tatsuya.
"The catalyst for all of this is undoubtedly Tatsuya and myself," Yugen said grimly. "If pushed, they might try to drive us out of this country—or perhaps, off the face of the planet entirely."
"How would they even manage that?" Erika asked, her brow furrowed.
Originally, the mystery surrounding Gu Jie's whereabouts would have kept the sparks of anti-magic sentiment alive. However, now that a legal framework for the public recognition of magicians had been established, open opposition was difficult. Furthermore, Yugen wondered how they intended to convince the public to hand over "Taurus Silver," a figure who was already beginning to benefit the non-magic-using population.
Though the communication channels between the Ten Master Clans had been drastically restructured, the situation remained precarious.
"I mean, Tatsuya aside, Yugen is the head of the Kagurazaka family," Erika pointed out. "Trying to exile a sitting head of a house is madness."
"We'll just have to wait and see," Yugen replied, shifting the subject. "Are you going back to your family home, Erika?"
"No, I'm crashing at Leo's place for the time being. Believe it or not, I actually know how to handle housework."
"I don't think anyone asked for that much detail," Leo muttered.
Later, after arriving at the Shiba residence, a familiar scene unfolded: Miyuki clung to Yugen with more intensity than usual, Tatsuya watched them in silent resignation, and Minami could do little more than offer a helpless smile.
February 20, 2097.
Yugen arrived at the Imperial Palace dressed in a formal suit. He was ushered into the Emperor's private chambers—a place where even high-ranking officials were rarely permitted—to deliver his report on the recent incident.
"—And that concludes the summary of the events. In accordance with the Japan-US agreement, the mastermind, Gu Jie, was handed over at a USNA joint base."
"You have done well, Lord Kagurazaka," the Emperor replied.
The capture of Gu Jie had been broadcast as a major national news event, utilizing footage provided to state media. Simultaneously, the Japanese government announced that Gu Jie (Jied Heig) was an internationally wanted criminal. It was publicly stated that due to his crimes within the USNA, he had been extradited under bilateral agreements. In essence, Japan had dumped the responsibility on the USNA, making the latter's poor management of the situation painfully obvious to the world.
As for the interference squad that had been burned to death, Yugen had used Tenyou Shouran the following day to resurrect them. They were currently undergoing "rehabilitation"—which was effectively training—at the dojo of the Uwaizumi main estate. Since they needed to reconcile the sensory disconnect caused by regaining their sense of self, the training was a necessity.
Yugen had offered to help them return to their home country if they wished, but all of them had refused, choosing instead to live out their lives in Japan. One of them had put it bluntly: "If we go back, we'll just be subjected to human experimentation again. I'd rather live as a human being here."
"The USNA lodged a protest, of course," Yugen continued. "But since the damage was ultimately caused by their negligence, I replied that the USNA's management system, which failed to prevent the departure of terrorists and the smuggling of weapons, is where the real problem lies."
The fact that the USNA had allowed its domestic humanists to target an ally like Japan was an undeniable truth. All humanists who had entered Japan from the USNA were placed on a transport plane similar to the one that carried Gu Jie and were given a permanent deportation order under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Act. Should they re-enter, they would be treated as high-value traitors and face the death penalty. It was a firm line drawn to distinguish between allies and enemies.
After the report was finished, the Emperor offered a word of appreciation before posing a question.
"Once again, thank you for your service, Lord Kagurazaka. By the way… are you familiar with the name Kaname Uwaizumi?"
"I have heard that she was the wife of my grandfather, Gozo Uwaizumi, and my maternal grandmother," Yugen replied.
Kaname Uwaizumi—Yugen's biological grandmother on his mother's side, though legally his aunt on paper. Yugen had never met her; he had only seen her likeness in a few framed photographs.
"However, there are inconsistencies," Yugen added. "Normally, when a person passes away, there is proof of their life left behind. I've also heard that her room at the Uwaizumi estate is still cleaned regularly."
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