"Suzuka."
After the meeting began, Luo Shu gestured directly to Suzuka Dairenji.
Seeing his signal, Suzuka expressionlessly produced a stack of pre-cut paper figures from her pocket, forming a hand seal with her right hand.
Instantly, the paper figures transformed into nimble origami cranes that fluttered gracefully to each seated attendee before materialising into palm-sized cards filled with text.
"This is our current intelligence on confirmed high-ranking enemy combatants likely participating in this incident."
Though still feeling somewhat conflicted about Luo Shu's earlier presumption, Miya Yotsuba quickly picked up the card to examine its contents.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu had already begun his briefing from the head of the table:
"For Nue's birth ceremony, our opponents primarily consist of the entire Hagoromo Group, nine clan heads from the Gokadoin family, and some of the Onmyou Agency's Divine Generals as suspected reinforcements."
"If we include Great Yokai-level combatants from the Hagoromo Group like Minagoroshi Jizō and Kidōmaru - equivalent to Hero Rank - then the enemy possesses fifteen Hero Rank combatants in total."
"And these fifteen don't include the pregnant Hagoromo Gitsune or the yet-to-be-resurrected former Great Onmyoji Abe no Seimei - currently the yokai Nue!"
"You can't be serious... Seventeen Hero Rank combatants? That's equivalent to the entire Bujin-shū."
Fumonshichi couldn't help but grimace, his expression uneasy:
"Doesn't this mean last night's probing didn't even reveal one-third of their strength?"
Hearing this, everyone present felt a chill.
During last night's skirmish, both sides had merely tested each other's waters, yet even then, Abe no Orochi, Tenkai Gokadoin and Yoko had left strong impressions.
'If all seventeen of them are at this level, then we're in serious trouble.'
At this thought, Kaname Kuran, seated at the end, directly asked:
"Forgive my bluntness, but can we confirm the authenticity of this intelligence?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but glance at Kaname Kuran. He was naturally somewhat curious about this Pureblood Vampire.
However, this curious gaze quickly faded:
"This is the consolidated intelligence from the SDS's Japan branches. I can guarantee in my capacity as Director of the Hidden Management Department that the actual number of enemies will only be equal to or greater than our estimates."
Upon hearing this, Nura Rihan finally couldn't hold back:
"With so many Hero Rank individuals, they could form an entire Onmyou Agency!"
"Did Abe no Seimei really prepare this thoroughly?"
Hidemoto Keikain flicked open his folding fan with a smile:
"Without preparations on this scale, would he even dare dream of resurrecting in the modern era?"
Hearing this, Fumonshichi folded his arms behind his head, wearing an expression of annoyance:
"So, shouldn't we be calling for reinforcements from our respective organisations? With just our current numbers, we'd probably be outmatched, right?"
As he spoke, Shin Natsume beside him lightly punched Fumonshichi's back with a soft thud:
"Before calling for reinforcements, shouldn't we first assess how much combat strength we can actually muster?"
Fumonshichi winced, shrinking his neck in pain while looking confused.
Luo Shu nodded slightly at Shin Natsume's words and said:
"What Shin said is precisely what we need everyone to voluntarily disclose next."
"Considering everyone's circumstances, I'll go first."
"The Hidden Management Department will deploy five Hero Rank combatants, including myself. Additionally, the SDS headquarters has already dispatched a Direct Action Team ready to provide support at any time."
Hearing that the SDS's Hidden Management Department alone could field one-third of the enemy's strength, Kaname Kuran, Nura Rihan, and Shin Natsume were all visibly shocked.
The ghostly Hidemoto Keikain spread his folding fan, narrowing his eyes:
'Just the Tokyo branch alone can produce five Hero Rank combatants equivalent to Great Onmyoji of the past? Is this the confidence of a multinational powerhouse?'
No sooner had Hidemoto Keikain thought this than he realised something was amiss, glancing again at Luo Shu:
'Wait, I haven't even counted Kirika Tachibana, Director of the Operations Department. That means even for the Tokyo branch, five Hero Rank isn't the SDS's full strength?'
'Hiss~ That's rather terrifying...'
Meanwhile, observing everyone's astonishment, Luo Shu felt somewhat conflicted. In his view, the SDS's five Hero Rank members were actually rather questionable.
After all, among these five, Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue only barely qualified as Hero Rank through their Skill Demon God enhancements - essentially three-minute wonders like discount Ultramen.
Suzuka Dairenji was a newly recruited Great Onmyoji, having been poached from the Onmyou Agency, and lacked experience.
The hidden Takatsuki Izumi was a half-baked Hero Rank thanks to her racial talents.
As for Luo Shu himself, he could only overpower ordinary Hero Rank opponents through Class abilities - a fake Hero who was actually Elite Rank, fundamentally one tier below Hero Rank.
So, truth be told, although the SDS was deploying five Hero Rank members, their actual quality was rather dubious.
However, in Luo Shu's view, while the humans were somewhat lacking, Hagoromo Gitsune's side wasn't much better either.
Aside from the exceptionally powerful Gokadoin Family with their generational cultivation, the Great Yokai of the Hagoromo Group—Minagoroshi Jizō, Hakuzōsu, and Kidōmaru—were essentially just filling the numbers, barely qualifying as Hero Rank.
Neither side could really laugh at the other. In an actual fight, it was hard to say who would come out on top.
This was assuming they didn't run into any troublesome figures from the Gokadoin Family. On that point, Luo Shu was at least somewhat prepared.
After Luo Shu took the lead in stating his stance, Shin Natsume pondered for a moment before saying:
"The Bujin-shū have only dispatched two members this time—myself and Fumonshichi."
Hearing this, Kaname Kuran couldn't help but glance at Shin Natsume before closing his eyes and adding:
"According to the agreement with the Cabinet, the Council will only ever send two Hero Rank members to participate in large-scale operations. This time, the representatives are myself and Aido."
At this, Nura Rihan finally couldn't hold back and interjected:
"The Nura Clan and the Keikain Family can provide roughly eight Hero Rank members for this battle. Additionally, we'll handle the Hagoromo Group's underlings."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present—except Luo Shu—couldn't help but look at Nura Rihan.
Though the others had vaguely heard about the blood feud between Hagoromo Gitsune's faction and the Nura Clan and Keikain Family, sending eight Hero Rank members plus a large force was practically gambling with their lives.
If this operation went wrong, the Nura Clan and Keikain Family might very well be wiped off the map in Japan.
With stakes this high, it seemed they were determined to settle their long-standing grudge in one fell swoop.
After everyone had stated their positions, Shiba Tatsuya remained expressionless, as if devoid of emotion, and said flatly:
"The Direct Action Team consists solely of me."
No one thought the Cabinet was being stingy for this.
After all, no one believed that Shiba Tatsuya, who had been sent to assassinate Hagoromo Gitsune, would be weak. He was likely capable of suppressing an average Hero Rank opponent.
Under these circumstances, no one had any objections to the Cabinet sending just one person.
Once everyone had finished outlining their contributions, Fumonshichi tallied the numbers and exclaimed in amazement:
"SDS—5, Bujin-shū—2, the Council—2, Nura Clan—8, Cabinet direct—1... Wow, that's 18 people! Seems like we actually outnumber the enemy by one."
"Looks like we don't even need that support after all."
Hearing this, Shin Natsume reminded him: "Fumonshichi, you forgot the Ministry of Environment Countermeasures Office."
At that moment, Luo Shu, seated at the head of the table, said coolly:
"No need to consider the Countermeasures Office. Before coming, they requested to handle civilian evacuation and ensure our logistical support and medical care after the battle begins."
"Given that the Countermeasures Office hasn't dispatched any Hero Rank members to Kyoto, I approved their request."
Though some in the room were displeased, no one dared to argue that civilian safety wasn't important.
After all, everyone present belonged to the righteous factions—moral considerations were still a priority.
However, upon hearing that the Countermeasures Office had taken over logistics, Nura Rihan's expression turned odd as he remarked:
"Even logistics are covered? Well, in that case, it really doesn't seem like we need much additional support, does it?"
'After all, when you tally it all up, we actually have the numbers advantage?'
'Now that's interesting!'
Thinking this, Nura Rihan tentatively suggested:
"How about we forget the reinforcements and just storm their place directly?"