The SPW Foundation's influence in Japan was undeniable, but a direct confrontation with a government machine determined to protect a "national strategic asset" still met with unprecedented resistance.
After all, a foundation, not yet a super-large entity like the military-industrial complex, still found it quite difficult to challenge a nation.
Multiple requests to contact or question Kishibe Rohan's current situation through official channels were politely but firmly rejected, ultimately sinking without a trace.
However, to Jotaro and the others' surprise, just as they were about to resort to more direct methods, an official invitation, stamped with a government seal, was delivered to the Hospital.
The inviter was the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The content was formal yet conveyed an air of undeniable authority: inviting Kujo Jotaro and his companions to the Residence for an "informal exchange" regarding "recent events and future developments in Morioh."
This letter came from Tokyo, and it was indeed a government car; the other party made no attempt to hide their tracks.
"It's a trap!" Okuyasu was the first to jump up. "It must be that Kishibe Rohan's trick! He wants to lure us there and capture us all!"
"Yare yare daze..." Jotaro looked at the invitation, his eyes sharp. "Whether it's a trap or not, we'll only know if we go. But this is also an opportunity, a chance to face him directly."
Joseph stroked his chin, saying shrewdly, "Since the other party has officially invited us through official channels, they won't act recklessly, at least not openly.
But this is more troublesome than a trap... This is a 'display.' Oh, by the way, where did the other party come from?"
Josuke clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, remembering the wicked face of that mangaka.
He also recalled how Koichi had his memories extracted, "A display? Displaying what? How powerful he is now? Good! I also want him to see how hard my fist is!"
But Jotaro held him down to prevent him from getting too agitated. "Josuke, calm down. The other party is now using the power of the state machine."
"This, alright, Mr. Jotaro, you're right."
Higashikata Josuke took a few deep breaths and sat on the bed, his face full of unvented anger.
Koichi, on the other hand, seemed a bit uneasy, his movements very constrained. "Go directly to the Prime Minister's Official Residence? Can we... really do that?"
"That's the Prime Minister's Residence, that's the Prime Minister..."
He was sweating profusely at this moment, more nervous than in any previous battle, after all, he was just a first-year high school student, not some crazy murderer.
Facing a head of state, he was still very nervous, filled with awe.
Or rather, among the group, only Kujo Jotaro and Joseph didn't care much about this point; everyone else's expressions also became tense when they heard Koichi's words.
After all, confronting the government... Despite many doubts, the group decided to accept the invitation. SPW arranged vehicles to transport them to the building symbolizing the core of Japan's national power.
Passing through layers of strict yet unusually smooth security checks, they were led by a stern-faced, meticulous secretary through silent and long corridors, finally arriving at a spacious reception room that blended traditional and modern styles.
Then, they saw this scene.
Kishibe Rohan was not sitting imperiously in the main seat, manipulating the Prime Minister like a puppet, as they had imagined.
Instead, he was casually seated on a side sofa, still wearing his brown sweater and black trousers, somewhat out of place with the luxurious and solemn surroundings, yet strangely controlling the atmosphere of the entire room.
And the one actually sitting in the main seat was the current Prime Minister of Japan.
This important figure, usually only seen on television news, was now personally pouring tea for Kishibe Rohan, with a friendly smile on his face, as if to an old friend.
The two were chatting at this moment, and both seemed to be in good spirits. His face wore a composed smile, but his eyes were a bit unfocused, not as sharp and spirited as they usually were in front of the camera, much more natural.
Even more alarming was that the people standing inside and outside the reception room were not ordinary secretaries or bodyguards, but special agents with calm demeanors, sharp eyes, and bulging waists, clearly carrying weapons.
Their gazes, like hawks, locked onto Jotaro and his group, carrying undisguised scrutiny and warning.
And besides the special agents, in the corner of the room stood those strange people, dressed like monks, Onmyoji, and that big-headed doll-like person.
They had their eyes closed in meditation but subtly exuded an inhuman, uncomfortable aura, as if integrated with the entire space's energy field.
It was clear that these guys were not to be trifled with either.
Kishibe Rohan gently blew on the hot tea in his cup, not even looking up at Jotaro and the others who had just entered, as if they were merely insignificant intruders.
The Prime Minister, however, put down the teapot and paused his conversation with Kishibe Rohan.
He put on a formal smile, looked at the group, and spoke first, his voice steady but official, "Mr. Kujo Jotaro, and everyone, thank you for coming.
Regarding the events in Morioh, the government has conducted a comprehensive assessment. Mr. Kishibe Rohan is a valuable cultural asset to our country, and everything prior was indeed a misunderstanding. Now, Mr. Rohan, putting aside past grievances, is actively engaged in the reconstruction of his hometown, and his planning blueprint has been highly praised by the cabinet..."
He spoke eloquently in grand officialese, praising Kishibe Rohan to the skies, while downplaying the previous conflicts as "misunderstandings."
Josuke was furious and couldn't help but want to speak, but Jotaro's gaze stopped him. 'If we cause trouble here, we'll all be in deep trouble.'
Jotaro didn't think they could beat the army.
Hmm, when it comes to fighting the army, Killer Queen or Harvest might work, Oasis is similar, but Stands like Star Platinum: The World or Echoes are useless against an army.
At this moment, Kishibe Rohan finally put down his teacup and looked up, his eyes, filled with artistic madness and disdain, swept over everyone, and a mocking smirk played on his lips.
"Oh? You've arrived."
His tone was understated, as if he had only encountered a few familiar strangers. "As you can see, I am very busy right now.
I am discussing with the Prime Minister how to build Morioh—my hometown—into a truly interesting 'real-life manga stage.' That is what is truly meaningful."
He leaned slightly forward, his gaze finally resting on Jotaro, with undisguised provocation, an exaggerated smile stretching his lips to the point where his flowing hair almost stood on end.
"As for you... are you still fixated on those trivial personal grievances and so-called 'justice'? How utterly boring. The rules by which this world operates are far more complex and... interesting than you imagine."
He waved his hand lightly, as if shooing away flies. "Your existence, and your pathetic little powers, are irrelevant at this level.
For the sake of our 'acquaintance,' I advise you not to seek trouble again, otherwise..."
He didn't finish, but the cold gazes of the special agents suddenly became more oppressive, and the strange people in the corner slightly opened their eyes; an invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air.
"Look, that one is a High Priest from Todai-ji Temple, that one is a High Priest from Senso-ji Temple, this one is a Shinto priest from Ise Grand Shrine, and he, well, he is the current head of an Onmyoji family with a thousand-year heritage."
Looking at the furious Jotaro, Kishibe Rohan grinned, pointing at the group of strange people nearby and explaining, then paused, pointing at the guy who looked like a big-headed doll.
"And this one, he is an envoy of the Mountain God! If you have any objections, then feel free."
The Prime Minister interjected at the opportune moment, his tone still official, but with a hint of dismissal. "The government thanks everyone for their previous contributions to the stability of Morioh, but subsequent matters are now fully handled by the relevant departments. We hope everyone can understand and cooperate. This meeting concludes here."
"Of course, if you are willing, as special talents, the government is very willing to recruit you as special security personnel, or as specially appointed 'Onmyoji,' providing government positions with status and security.
Several of you are still studying, aren't you? If you are willing, the government is willing to recruit you now, and you can start working directly after graduation."
After speaking, he no longer looked at Jotaro and the others, but turned to Kishibe Rohan, his tone becoming slightly more relaxed. "Mr. Rohan, regarding your 'National Story Library' plan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry still has some details they need to consult with you about..."
They were completely ignored.
They had come in full force, even prepared for a fight, but the result was like punching cotton.
No, it was like punching an iron wall; the other party didn't show even a crack, but instead used absolute power and indifference to completely shut them out, not even bothering to conflict with them.
A huge sense of powerlessness gripped Koichi and Okuyasu.
Josuke's face was flushed with anger, but he knew that fighting here would be futile; he would be immediately subdued or even killed, and even after death, he would be branded with the label of lawlessness.
Joseph's brows were tightly furrowed; even a veteran like him found this situation tricky, reminding him of the German army in the past.
Jotaro stood still, the shadow of his hat brim obscuring his eyes. He quietly watched Kishibe Rohan's arrogant posture, treating national power as a plaything, and then looked at the Prime Minister, who seemed to be controlled by invisible strings.
No, that's not right. They seemed to have been mistaken from the start.
How could the Prime Minister look controlled? This was clearly a collaboration with Kishibe Rohan, an alliance.
Indeed, how could a head of state be so easily controlled? Not to mention, even his ministers probably weren't controlled. This was just a group of scoundrels conspiring and cooperating.
Those Onmyoji, High Priests, and Shinto priests must be the government's supernatural users.
A few seconds later, he said nothing, just turned sharply.
"Let's go."
Three cold words, devoid of any emotion, yet the ambient air temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.
He strode out first, the hem of his white trench coat cutting a decisive arc behind him. Josuke and the others gritted their teeth, reluctantly following.
Behind them, Kishibe Rohan's unsuppressed, contemptuous chuckle, and the Prime Minister's voice continuing to discuss official business, could be heard.
Stepping out of the Prime Minister's Official Residence, the sky outside was still gray.
"Mr. Jotaro! Are we just going to let it go?!" Josuke shouted, unwilling to accept it.
Jotaro stopped, looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the clouds, looking towards some unknown distance.
"No," his voice was deep and firm, "but he's right, the rules of the game have changed."
"Then what do we do?"
Jotaro opened the car door, taking one last look at the magnificent building of power.
"Find the loopholes in his rules. Or..."
"Create our own rules."
The car started, driving away from this suffocating place. The real contest had just begun.
What they didn't know was that countless American soldiers had quietly entered the vicinity of Morioh, and a new small military base was being built there, with only one purpose: to protect Kishibe Rohan.
His importance was something no one had anticipated, not even Kishibe Rohan himself realized how important he was.
In the eyes of both American parties, he was no longer just a so-called supernatural being, but a crucial force that could change the world and achieve American global hegemony; both Democrats and Republicans were united on this matter.
"To us Americans, he is ten thousand times more useful than a nuclear bomb."
And in a corner overlooked by everyone, Kira Yoshikage was also undergoing a transformation of his life.