At this very moment, far away at the European Union headquarters on the opposite side of the globe from Japan, a United Nations conference attended by the leaders of various nations was underway. The Japanese government happened to be absent from this meeting, while the central topic under discussion happened to be GHQ and the Japanese government. Evidently, the others had already noticed that something was amiss.
The glowing emblem of the United Nations was emblazoned at the center of the round table. Suspended above the dimly lit chamber was a massive screen visible from all sides, displaying the many "glorious" deeds committed by GHQ's Anti-Bodies.
"Within the report released by the Japanese government, we discovered ninety-eight instances of concealed or fabricated information."
The presiding representative operated the keyboard for a moment, projecting the image into the air. A simulated globe gradually unfolded before locking onto the Japanese archipelago.
"These include premeditated massacres of innocent civilians, the deliberate spread of the Apocalypse Virus, and numerous other malicious acts. It appears those people are plotting something."
The presiding representative revealed all the information they had uncovered to everyone present.
"According to previous reports, another viral outbreak erupted in Tokyo several days ago, yet the Japanese government has offered no explanation whatsoever."
Everyone's expressions darkened.
"Could this latest outbreak also have been engineered by them?"
"Heh... When you put it that way, it certainly sounds like something those old dogs would do."
Several people spoke with open contempt.
"Have they taken any action since then?"
"They completely sealed off the areas most severely affected by the infection."
"Who knows whether the entire thing was staged by them?"
Everyone remained suspicious.
"As expected, we should never have entrusted everything to those people."
"We have continuously provided them with aid for the past ten years. Has that not already been enough?"
One of the representatives voiced his opinion.
"...Are you suggesting that we abandon them?"
Another representative rested both hands beneath his chin and asked in a deep voice. His tone was calm, making it obvious that he had no intention of siding with the Japanese government.
"The United Nations will exchange the abandoned yen at a fixed rate, so there will be no need for concern regarding the economy."
The representative who had raised the proposal offered a brief explanation.
"Is that so? Then let us proceed with that for now."
"We cannot allow those people to continue behaving so brazenly. Since all parties have reached a consensus, I hereby declare that, effective immediately, the Japanese government will be placed under strict United Nations surveillance. Should they commit any further malicious acts of the kind described above, we will impose comprehensive sanctions."
Meanwhile...
Creak...
Segai idly manipulated the control lever while watching the drone's perspective repeatedly zoom in and out on the screen. The image showed an aerial view of Tennoz High School. There had been no activity there for the past several days, and he could not help feeling that something was wrong. The rumors should already have spread, so why—
"...It is far too quiet."
He murmured to himself.
He understood the common wisdom that the calmer things were at a time like this, the more likely trouble was brewing. However, he could not imagine what those people might do—or even what they were capable of doing—while surrounded by enemies on every side.
"Director!"
Tap, tap!
At that moment, Rowan hurried inside in a panic.
"What is it, Rowan?"
Segai asked at his usual leisurely pace.
"This is bad! The United Nations has placed us under strict surveillance!"
Rowan reported.
"Oh? At a time like this?"
Segai's fingers paused, and he turned to look at him.
"Yes! What terrible luck."
The other man looked utterly miserable.
"Heh..."
Segai laughed instead.
"Uh... Director?"
Rowan froze in surprise when he heard him laugh.
"No... I simply find the situation increasingly interesting. Besides, this is not something we need to concern ourselves with. The person who truly cares is the one above us."
He pointed upward. All he needed to do was enjoy the spectacle.
"You mean Prime Minister Shuichiro Keido?"
"Shh... Keep your voice down... Sometimes, pretending not to understand is the safest choice."
Segai's lips curled into a sinister smile.
He had a feeling that the current calm was only temporary. Once an unprecedented incident erupted, there would be quite a show to watch.
"...Hm?"
As he adjusted the drone's viewpoint to a certain location, he noticed a flicker of violet light flashing intermittently. He paused, zoomed in, and focused the camera on the roof of the school building. There, he discovered a violet-haired woman looking directly at him through the screen. When she noticed his gaze, the woman placed a finger before her lips in a "shh" gesture, then teasingly wagged it at him.
Bzzz...
A burst of violet light then engulfed the entire camera.
Bzzt—!
The next second, the screen dissolved into signal-less static.
"...!"
Segai froze for a moment, then smiled in understanding.
"I see. It appears our little trick has been discovered. Well... it does not matter. Everything from this point onward is the responsibility of those above us."
He released the controls and leaned back in his chair, becoming a VIP spectator ready to enjoy the show. They had already done everything they could. As for how matters would ultimately unfold, that would be left to fate.
Just as Segai had expected, his superior, Shuichiro Keido, was nowhere near as composed. The elderly man whom Da'ath had pulled back from the hands of death now wore a rigid expression, his teeth clenched tightly.
"Damn it!"
Upon hearing the news from the United Nations, he could not stop himself from cursing.
"For this to happen at such a critical moment! Those bastards!"
His anger caused the wound in his chest to ache again, and his face turned pale.
I never expected them to notice so quickly... I thought we could delay them a little longer.
"Shuichiro, you are not planning to give up just like this, are you?"
Da'ath asked coldly from beside him.
"No, I will not give up... I have already wagered far too much on Mana's resurrection. How could I possibly abandon it now?!"
The man clenched his fist unwillingly.
He had even staked the entire nation on this!
"Is that so? Good... I do not want you abandoning this halfway through, much less wasting my time. You should know why I saved you in the first place."
Da'ath turned his back on him and walked toward the embryo wrapped in Apocalypse crystals.
"Yes... I know."
"Inori Yuzuriha, Mana's vessel... She will soon serve her purpose. I will make her walk straight into our trap."
Looking at the Origin Stone in his hand, he smiled coldly.
"Mana's resurrection takes precedence over everything!"
...
On the rooftop of Tennoz High School, the Shogun watched the drone explode in the sky, her rosy lips curving slightly upward.
At a time like this, she had no intention of allowing anything to report their movements. Every potential threat had to be eliminated.
"Mio, everyone is ready."
Down below, Yahiro walked past the many students already waiting there, then raised his head and reported to her.
"...Is everyone here?"
She looked down and asked.
"Every last person."
Yahiro nodded.
It was currently midnight, which made their operation far more convenient.
After estimating the time, she briefly swept her gaze across everyone below—
"Is there anyone who still does not understand the evacuation plan?"
She asked the question.
"..." ×N
Everyone shook their heads, indicating that they understood. Their expressions were solemn, as though they were about to participate in a major battle. In truth, according to her plan, they would not be placed in danger. However, none of them had ever attempted anything like this before, so they were excessively nervous. There was nothing that could be done about that.
"Tsugumi, begin."
She signaled to the girl who had already completed her preparations.
"Okay~"
Tsugumi nodded and activated her Void, the device capable of creating duplicate dolls. Originally, it had scanned people one at a time. After her adjustments, however, the scanning light now shone like a searchlight, enveloping everyone present all at once. In an instant, it produced hundreds upon hundreds of duplicates, nearly filling the entire open area.
"!" ×N
Everyone exclaimed in surprise. The newly created dolls were currently unresponsive. They would only begin behaving normally once Tsugumi uploaded the necessary information.
"Let us depart. We will travel on foot. Be careful not to make too much noise along the way."
There was still a considerable distance between the school gates and the entrance to the underground passage, so they had to exercise extreme caution throughout the journey.
After everyone nodded, they followed Inori, Ayase, and Tsugumi along the route marked on the map, left the school grounds, and entered the ruined city within the Seventh Loop.
Meanwhile, Mio also had to set out. Since the plan called for creating a diversion, there naturally had to be something loud enough to draw attention. She turned and looked at the many duplicate dolls.
"Follow me. Do not fall behind."
"..." ×N
Every one of them obediently nodded, although they could not truly be considered people.
She led them into the Seventh Loop and stopped in a dark corner near the edge of the wall. Just as she estimated that the main group should have nearly reached its destination, her terminal rang.
"Mio... We are in position."
Inori informed her. The light behind her was extremely dim, making it obvious that they had already gone underground.
"Mio, you have to be careful, all right? Please... you absolutely must come back..."
Hare leaned into view beside her and anxiously reminded her.
"Mm... Wait for my signal."
Their plan was to begin moving as soon as they heard the first wall-breaking impact. The Shogun ended the call, then gestured to the many duplicates behind her.
They nodded. She transformed directly into a streak of lightning and flew onto the rooftop. Gazing at the seemingly endless and impossibly towering wall before her, her eyes turned cold as the long-absent Chakra Desiderata manifested behind her.
Ding, ding...
As each segment of the wheel lit up in succession, her power continued to rise. The dreamlike radiance surrounding her body grew increasingly intense, while a divine gleam emerged in her eyes.
She raised her hand and assumed the drawing stance for Musou Isshin.
"Lightning—is eternity!"
She murmured the words with quiet authority, then instantly drew the blade vertically from her chest!
Bzzz...!
After less than a second of charging, the blade swept horizontally through the space ahead. A sword scar vast enough to blot out the sky crossed the distance and descended upon the wall before her.
Crack!
Space itself was severed like glass, releasing the sound of shattering. As the radiance faded, the massive wall forged from heavy steel split apart like a sheet of paper!
—
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