The surrounding soldiers—and even Tatsuya and Yugen—could only stare in stunned silence. Shaking it off, Tatsuya used 'Decomposition' to neutralize the remote turrets, gas dispensers, and bulkhead locks.
Yugen scanned the area. The "presence" of the enemy was thinner than anticipated.
"I don't think we'll be spotted for a while. Lina, Kana-nee, Fumiya, Ayako—stay here. Miyuki, Tatsuya, the Major, and I will take the bridge. There's very little activity coming from the submarine anyway."
"I see... very well. Yugen, can you use 'Tengu-jutsu'?" Kazama asked.
"I had the chance to study the secret scrolls when I visited Mount Kurama last autumn. I can manage it."
During a research trip for a thesis competition, Yugen had visited Mount Kurama with Tokoko. In exchange for some impromptu martial arts instruction, the head priest had allowed him to read the secret scrolls attributed to Kiichi Hogen. He had settled for a copy of the texts, as taking the originals would have caused a local crisis.
Trusting Yugen's word, Kazama agreed. They split into two pairs: Yugen and Miyuki, and Kazama and Tatsuya. They entered the bridge via separate routes. Yugen and Miyuki passed a six-man patrol, but the soldiers walked right past them, completely oblivious.
All four of them had trained under Yakumo to some degree, but the split was based on mastery of 'Tengu-jutsu.' Kazama and Tatsuya headed for the command room at the base of the bridge, while Yugen and Miyuki targeted the wheelhouse.
The effectiveness of 'Tengu-jutsu' depended on the user's skill, but Yugen's innate abnormal hearing allowed him to control sound with such precision that he could essentially delete a person from another's perception. He even muffled the sound of the wheelhouse door opening.
Yugen glanced at Miyuki. She nodded, raising her hand. The soldiers inside collapsed instantly as their body temperatures were plummeted into unconsciousness—a testament to how much her magical control had evolved since their first year.
Finding no hidden traps or remaining threats, Yugen's receiver crackled to life.
"This is Kazama. The command room is secure."
"This is Kamijo. Wheelhouse neutralized. No immediate threats detected. Once the submarine section is clear, we will thaw the dock and move the vessel to Naha Port. Rejoin the collaborators and establish a perimeter."
"Understood, sir!"
Even if they were from different factions, on paper, Yugen held the highest rank. Yugen issued the orders with the necessary authority before cutting the feed.
"Yugen-san, is it over?" Miyuki asked.
"...No. The Australian magicians are still missing. They likely wanted to use the submarine as their primary axis, but... the risk remains that they'll try something desperate."
Yugen's past-life memories reminded him of the stubbornness of nations that would ram their ships into others just to claim sovereignty. As long as they clung to their bruised "face," they were dangerous.
Tactically, the mission was a failure for the defectors, but for them, returning home meant a fate similar to USNA's 'Stardust' program or worse. In the GAA's case, they likely used the brainwashing techniques provided by Gu Jie via the 'No-Head Dragon.'
"By doing this, they've thrown away their futures. The Australians have essentially drawn the short straw by associating with them."
"Then who actually benefits from this?" Miyuki asked.
"The UK and the USNA. And by extension, the New Soviet Union."
The UK, home of the International Magic Association and William MacLeod; the USNA, with their "world's strongest" magicians; and the New Soviets. In the original timeline, this incident revealed the friction between Japan and the GAA, prompting the New Soviets to move.
The defectors were eventually transported to Naha Port aboard the tanker and handed over to the GAA authorities. Yugen had no desire to waste resources on them, but he ensured they received basic medical treatment to prevent any deaths during transport. If they tried to exploit that kindness, he would simply cut them loose.
◇ ◇ ◇
While the submarine and dock were being secured, Captain Johnson was still in the water.
He had extracted himself earlier than planned, driven by a nagging sense of dread—an instinct honed through countless brushes with death. The friction with the others on the submarine had made his decision easier.
Under the cover of midnight, he reached the rendezvous point. He surfaced from his mini-sub in his dry suit. A "work boat" disguised as a cruiser was waiting. Johnson let out a sigh of relief.
But that relief vanished when he saw who was on board: Captain Jasmine Williams.
"Jazz?! What are you doing here?"
"Don't you know? No, I suppose you wouldn't."
Johnson knew Jasmine didn't change plans on a whim. Her reaction gave him a sinking feeling that she was about to confirm his worst fears.
"The main force for tomorrow's operation has been captured by the Japanese. I need a briefing the moment you're out of that suit."
"...Understood. I'll change."
Johnson headed for his cabin. In the dining area, Jasmine was joined by Bradley Zhang, one of the GAA defectors. Zhang kept glancing at her, clearly doubting that this twelve-year-old girl was truly an Australian Army Captain.
Because of Jasmine's unique appearance, she had been kept away from the defectors other than Liu. Few would believe a child was a foreign military magician. But they didn't have time for skepticism.
"Captured? Was it an inspection? They were in a dock in international waters," Johnson said as he joined them.
"...As far as I can tell, the Japanese used this afternoon's attack as justification to seize them under their Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. It was a surprise raid. We can't exactly complain about the legality given our position."
"..."
This is why we shouldn't have done it, Johnson thought.
"What else do we know?"
"GAA special forces were involved in the raid. And—though it's unconfirmed—there were reports of teenagers among the attackers."
"...The Yotsubas?"
"We don't know. But we can't rule it out."
The lack of footage made it impossible to be certain. If it was the Yotsubas, they had stepped on the tiger's tail. Worse, they might face the wrath of the hero Gouzou Kamizumi, a man whose "one-man army" reputation was well-earned.
"Regardless, they won't hesitate to use truth serum. The operation is compromised."
The Australian military's role was supposed to be strictly support—material aid for the anti-peace faction. Jasmine and Johnson were observers, only authorized to fight if absolutely necessary. Australia wanted to prevent Japan's rising influence, acting as a silent ally to the UK's machinations.
"The operation must proceed," Bradley Zhang insisted. "If we stop now, all our sacrifices will be for nothing."
Zhang was a man with no bridge back. Unlike the Australians, he was a traitor to the GAA. If he was caught and sent back, he faced forced labor or brainwashing. His only hope was to succeed in this sabotage and use the achievement to bargain for asylum in the UK or Australia.
"But we've lost our primary submarine," Johnson pointed out.
"We still have the small craft. We only need to approach undetected from underwater. A full submarine isn't strictly necessary."
"You think you can pull that off?"
"My unit still has magicians who specialize in underwater operations. Our numbers are reduced, but the mission is still viable."
Jasmine and Johnson exchanged a look. They decided to query Australian command for a final decision on whether to proceed.
-------------------------------
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