Had it not been for the kidnapping attempt this afternoon, Kazama's team might never have localized the submarine.
"Do you think they're using the name 'Yotsuba' as bait?" Kyoko asked.
"The probability is high. We're talking about the family that destroyed the Great Han, and the relatives of Gouzou Kamizumi. Yugen's full capabilities aren't public, but I've heard the stories of what happened when he and Gouzou were targeted by military personnel in Australia."
"...It might not be a grudge, but rather a preemptive strike by people who are terrified of what those names represent," Sanada mused.
Kazama suppressed a sigh. Even he considered Tatsuya and Yugen as the two people he would least like to have as enemies. The Yotsuba name was a nightmare known worldwide, but thirty years had passed since their most famous retaliatory strike. It wasn't surprising that some younger officials might view the stories as exaggerations.
"They're using these magicians as sacrificial pawns to test if the Yotsuba are still as dangerous as the legends say. If a mage who could be a threat to our nation appeared abroad, sending Tatsuya or Yugen alone to deal with it would be too risky. Support is mandatory."
"Agreed," Sanada said. "The Master Clans aren't interested in regular soldiers, but military magicians are a different story. If that girl is who you think she is, Major, the Yotsubas will certainly take notice. But I don't think Yugen will let that slide."
"Perhaps this operation is also a probe into Yugen's influence," Kazama added.
"Likely. But... between his magic, his martial arts, and his social standing, does anyone even have enough leverage to sway a man like him?"
Yugen wasn't the type to be blinded by empty notions of "pride." Sanada's question—what price could one possibly pay to buy a teenager who was already at the top of the world—went unanswered.
◇ ◇ ◇
At the Kagurazaka main estate in Hakone, Chizuru was relaxing in an annex. A large suitcase stood in the corner, packed for a long journey. Hearing a voice from beyond the sliding doors, she sat up from her prone position, crossing her legs comfortably.
"Madam, are you awake?"
"I am. Come in, it's getting chilly out there."
"Pardon me."
The door slid open to reveal Saburo Hazakura, who should have been at the Tokyo villa. Chizuru had summoned him personally. Though she was more than capable of defending herself, she had taken Tadanari's advice to keep Saburo close as her personal guard. The reason lay in her destination.
"Sorry for the sudden call, dragging you away from Tokyo while you were busy with the move," Chizuru said.
"The move is largely complete. When I told the other staff I'd been summoned here, they looked at me with pity, saying it was just another one of Madam's whims."
"I don't remember being that whimsical," Chizuru pouted.
Despite her actual age, her youthful appearance made her occasional childishness seem all the more genuine. Saburo could only offer a wry smile. It wasn't that she was difficult; it was simply that her boundless energy often left those around her wondering if they could keep up.
"Anyway. Saburo-san, I need you to accompany me as my guard to the completion ceremony party on Saika Shinjima the day after tomorrow. You've had experience with this sort of thing through that Saegusa boy, haven't you?"
"Certainly. I believe the Young Master will also be in attendance?"
"It doubles as his debut in high society. I'll be attending as the Honorary Chairperson of the Shisaka Group. Are the 'reservations' for Miyuki-san, Lina-san, and Mizuki-chan all set?"
"Everything is in order."
While the magical community already knew of him, this party was to be Yugen Kagurazaka's formal introduction to the social and political elite. The Kitayama family had been briefed; by showing the strength of the relationship between the two houses, they would send a clear signal to the political and business worlds.
Furthermore, it served to cement Lina's position as Tatsuya's fiancée. Chizuru had used her own extensive connections to hire world-class stylists and experts for their preparations. She was taking this very seriously.
"President Diacca Brestillo of the SSA, President Victor Senard of France, and Senator Wyatt Curtis of the USNA will all be there... Based on the guest list alone, this is a summit-level event," Saburo noted.
"Yugen-kun is the reason such people are coming. I wonder if the British realize what they're doing," Chizuru mused to herself.
It was no exaggeration to say Yugen had personally drawn this crowd. To ruin such a party was an act of madness.
If the party were disrupted, the first thing people would question would be Japan's defense capabilities. In the worst-case scenario, it would trigger a massive purge of government personnel. It would wound the pride of the Kagurazaka family and the Kamizumi family. The retaliation would fall squarely on the GAA and Australia. Given that Australia had already been caught disguising a warship as a freighter during the Yokohama Incident, they were already on thin ice.
Furthermore, the Kagurazaka family already knew of William MacLeod's involvement in sending the Australian magicians. They would take that information directly to the British Royal Family and the UK government to demand accountability. They would also drag the USNA into it for proposing such a ridiculous plan in the first place.
In short: the conspirators were trying to probe the power of the Yotsubas and Yugen. But by using these underhanded tactics out of fear, they had forced Yugen to recognize Edward Clark as a true enemy.
The moment the opposition realized the weight of that recognition... only God knew what would be left of them.
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