"Congratulations on your windfall, my dear Luo!"
Luo Shu froze momentarily upon hearing this opening line.
But he quickly recognised Daichi Fujiwara's voice and retorted:
"What's this? Has Fujiwara-san taken a fancy to something of mine?"
Hearing this, Daichi Fujiwara was momentarily surprised before joking with a smile:
"Who would dare to set their sights on your belongings?"
Daichi Fujiwara finished laughing and continued:
"Or rather, the opposite. I came specifically to deliver something to you."
Luo Shu wasn't particularly surprised by this:
"The Cabinet?"
Daichi Fujiwara wasn't shocked by Luo Shu's guess either. After all, in Japan's Cabinet, unless it involved matters that couldn't be made public, even the number of farts the ministers let out during meetings would appear in the newspapers the next morning. Having informants reporting to the SDS was so commonplace that even Daichi found it completely natural.
"I won't mention the details from the Cabinet's small meeting - after all, you probably know more about that than I do. Let me just share what happened after the main Cabinet meeting."
With a hint of amusement in his voice, Daichi added:
"The Cabinet has decided to station some SDS members in Kyoto."
"Of course, you understand this deployment would only happen after dealing with Hagoromo Gitsune."
"Dealing with Hagoromo Gitsune?" Luo Shu's tone shifted slightly. "While I'm not unfamiliar with your Cabinet's thinking, isn't that just treating the symptoms rather than the root cause?"
"What do you mean, Luo Shu?" Daichi asked, puzzled.
Luo Shu smiled faintly:
"More money."
"Why not eliminate Abe no Seimei directly? Wouldn't that solve the problem permanently?"
"But what about Hagoromo Gitsune?"
Daichi hesitated. It wasn't that he doubted the SDS's ability to handle Abe no Seimei, but rather that eliminating Seimei without dealing with Hagoromo Gitsune - Seimei's creation mechanism - would leave lingering issues.
Luo Shu's expression turned playful:
"If the SDS establishes a branch in Kyoto, we might need to apply for special animal breeding rights. Keeping foxes could be quite beneficial for mental and physical health, don't you think?"
"Gasp!"
Daichi inhaled sharply. Only a fool wouldn't understand Luo Shu's implication about keeping Hagoromo Gitsune captive.
Kill Abe no Seimei, but keep Hagoromo Gitsune? Was this about ensuring the Cabinet honoured their commitments by holding an obvious bargaining chip?
Admittedly, Luo Shu's concerns weren't unfounded. Japan's Cabinet changed on average every year or so, and it was common for new administrations to renege on previous agreements. That Luo Shu wanted insurance seemed reasonable... in theory.
But what normal person would consider keeping Hagoromo Gitsune? Was that even something humans could domesticate? Didn't Luo Shu worry about being bitten to death by the fox?
"In principle, I share your position. But whether this can be approved... I can't guarantee. I'll do my best to facilitate discussions."
Daichi didn't dare promise anything, given the complicated nature of the request.
"Then I'll trouble you to make those efforts." Luo Shu replied calmly. "If it proves impossible, we could always station additional troops in Kyoto instead. Everything's negotiable!"
Luo Shu didn't particularly care whether the Cabinet approved his fox breeding. If they refused, the stationed troops could help them change their minds. Hence, his direct proposal about military deployment - let Kyoto's citizens experience the warmth of soldiers!
"This..."
Daichi's face turned ashen at the suggestion. Stationing troops in Kyoto would likely get the Cabinet overthrown by public outrage.
He finally understood - Luo Shu didn't care about their approval. One way or another, they'd end up agreeing.
At this, Daichi Fujiwara could only sigh helplessly:
"Luo Shu seems quite confident this time."
"In that case, I'll propose this to the Cabinet. By the way, do you have any other requests? I can help mediate."
Daichi Fujiwara knew that bringing back these terms would definitely catch the attention of the Chief Cabinet Secretary and even the Prime Minister himself. Aware of this, he no longer worried about accumulating more debts and simply let Luo Shu make additional demands.
Hearing Daichi's suggestion, Luo Shu actually considered it seriously before replying:
"Tell the Cabinet I need to meet with the head of the Yotsuba family. They'll know who I'm referring to."
Upon hearing this, Daichi was momentarily confused.
The Yotsuba family? Which political faction was that? Or perhaps a mystic lineage? Why had he never heard of them before?
But to mention it to the Cabinet? Did that mean only the Prime Minister would know?
Could it be the legendary top combat force directly under the Cabinet? The family behind the fabled Special Operations Team?
With these doubts swirling in his mind, Daichi fell silent for a moment before responding:
"I'll make sure the message gets through."
"I'm not sure how to handle matters on the mystic side, but I'll wish you the best of luck in advance, Luo Shu!"
"Thanks."
With that, Luo Shu hung up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of his hotel room, gazing thoughtfully at Kyoto bathed in sunlight.
After a moment of contemplation, he picked up his phone again and dialled Kirika Tachibana:
"It's me."
Kirika's weary voice came through immediately:
"What? Calling me now—did the offerings for Hagoromo Gitsune not arrive?"
"The items have already been inspected by Sharon. No issues there. I'm calling about something else."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"The Cabinet can't hold back any longer. They just had Daichi Fujiwara contact me. The offer is to establish an SDS branch in Kyoto."
Kirika sounded surprised: "Oh? Quite the generous move. Are they handing over western Japan to us? No longer determined to keep us at arm's length?"
Luo Shu replied calmly:
"They probably want to escalate conflicts between us, the Onmyou Agency, and the Buddhist sects."
Kirika scoffed: "Hah, that was bound to happen eventually. Haven't you noticed how the Onmyou Agency and the six major Buddhist schools have tacitly allowed Abe no Seimei to conduct the Demigod Ritual?"
"Using Seimei to test the path to becoming a Demigod—whether he succeeds or fails, they'll gain valuable experience. If he fails, so be it. But if he succeeds, do you really think Japan, with a Demigod at its helm, will remain obedient?"
Luo Shu's expression remained indifferent as he said coolly:
"For this operation, have Chisato and Takina bring the Skill Demon Gods with them."
"You're the highest-ranking officer in Kyoto. Arrange it as you see fit."
With that, Kirika ended the call.
Shaking his head, Luo Shu checked his email, glancing at the contact details for Kyoto operatives that Daichi had sent him. A faint smile tugged at his lips:
"Commanding the strike force while also directing the Hagoromo Group... Tsk, feels like déjà vu—three years and then another three, huh?"