Chapter 16

Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo University.

This was the prestigious University of Tokyo, undisputedly the top comprehensive university in Japan. Any student who considered themselves top-tier academically would aim to study here. And graduating from the University of Tokyo was practically a badge of being the elite of the elite.

A black sedan quietly drove out from the university gates, drawing glances from passing students.

It wasn't that they hadn't seen luxury cars before—many Todai students came from wealthy families. A luxury car alone wasn't enough to shock them. What really turned heads was the person in the car.

"Professor Ohsumi?"

As students of Todai, how could they not recognize the elderly man with a full head of white hair and a matching beard?

This professor was a giant in molecular and cell biology. To the average person, his work might seem too complex to grasp. But one simple fact proved his expertise:

He was a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

"Wait, doesn't Professor Ohsumi have a lecture today?" a biology major scratched his head in confusion.

"Maybe something urgent came up?" another replied, already pulling out their phone.

"Look, his class has been canceled."

"What?! I'd been looking forward to this one for ages."

Students let out disappointed sighs at the news.

"This is the first time in over thirty years that I've ever canceled a lecture without notice," Professor Ohsumi muttered in the bulletproof car.

"Now can someone finally tell me what this emergency is about?"

To be summoned so urgently by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology—a central government body—even a Nobel Prize winner was left bewildered.

"Please be patient, Professor Ohsumi," the stern-faced man in the front passenger seat replied, sitting upright as if ready to respond to any emergency.

"Once we arrive, all will be revealed."

"What is this..."

When they arrived at their destination and Ohsumi stepped out of the car, he was even more puzzled.

They were at a warehouse in Setagaya Ward, known as one of Tokyo's traditional wealthy areas. The residents here often came from families tracing their lineage back to the shogunate era—the old-school nobility.

Several other black cars were already parked inside, and familiar faces were emerging from them—scholars Professor Ohsumi had worked with or crossed paths with before.

He had thought the emergency summons was issued only for him. But judging from the scene, it seemed they had gathered every big-name biology professor in Tokyo.

What on earth could be so important to justify this kind of mobilization?

The mystery only piqued his curiosity further. Without curiosity, one could never become a great researcher.

"Ohsumi?" a familiar voice called from nearby.

"You came too?"

Another elderly scholar walked over, also with white hair, though his beard was neatly trimmed. His silver hair was combed back, and he wore a warm smile that gave the air of a beloved teacher.

And rightly so—this man had been a professor for fifty years and had mentored countless outstanding students.

"Honjo?" Ohsumi asked in surprise.

Honjo was also a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, specializing in cancer immunology. The two were of similar age and both leading figures in their respective fields—truly old acquaintances.

"You got summoned too?"

"Yes, looks like you as well. I was going to ask if you knew what this was about."

The two white-haired professors chatted casually. Meanwhile, the rest of the scholars greeted one another.

Gathering all of Japan's top biology professors was no easy feat. They weren't just friends; they were also rivals.

"Thank you all for waiting."

A few minutes later, a government official in a suit emerged from deep within the warehouse, politely gesturing to the group.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ohsumi frowned and pointed behind the official.

Following him were several fully armed soldiers, rifles at the ready.

"Please rest assured," the official replied calmly. "You are all national treasures. No one would dare harm you."

"These soldiers are here to protect the facility. Please, follow me."

Logically speaking, with multiple Nobel laureates present, these were truly Japan's top scientific minds. In theory, there should be no security concerns.

But the current setup felt strange and secretive. They had participated in national-level experiments before, but none had this level of secrecy or personnel involved.

"Let's go, Ohsumi," Honjo said, taking the lead.

At their age, they'd seen everything. Even death was just another eventuality.

"Let's see what the government is up to."

"Extraordinary creature? Are you sure there's no mistake here?"

Pressing his fingers to his temple, Ohsumi didn't hold back his skepticism.

Unlike other polite academics, Ohsumi had always enjoyed physical fitness. In his younger days, he had earned the nickname "The Mad Lion of Fukuoka" on the basketball court.

"Yes, Professors."

As the elevator descended deeper, the government official explained earnestly:

"We have captured an extraordinary creature and require your collective wisdom. This way, please."

When the elevator stopped, the group entered an underground base and stepped into a glass-walled observation room.

Inside was—

"A Shiba Inu?"

"It really is a Shiba Inu."

The professors exchanged confused glances.

The creature inside had yellow fur, a broad forehead, a pointed snout, small triangular ears, and triangular eyes. Its fluffy curled tail and cheerful demeanor left no doubt—it was a Shiba Inu.

This?

These elite biologists, with minds worth their weight in gold, were stunned into silence. If not for their cultivated manners, they might have started cursing.

"Please remain calm, everyone," the official said, pressing his earpiece.

Suddenly, thick metal walls in the room slid open silently.

"ROAR!! ROAR!!"

With a soul-shaking roar, a fierce tiger burst into the room.

Just one glance and the biologists could tell it had been drugged.

The frenzied tiger charged straight at the Shiba Inu.

On one side, a three-meter-long, 200-kilogram apex predator.

On the other, a tiny half-meter, ten-kilogram house pet.

Would the Shiba Inu even survive one bite?

Boom!

The two dramatically mismatched creatures collided.

The professors behind the glass instantly widened their eyes.

"Woof."

The Shiba Inu extended its tiny front legs—and held back the charging tiger!

It looked as ridiculous as someone stopping a speeding truck with one hand.

"Awoo~~"

With a weak-sounding howl, the tiny Shiba Inu twisted its paws and flipped the tiger aside.

Thud!

The beast that outweighed it twentyfold was thrown like a ragdoll.

"ROAR—"

The tiger got back up with a furious roar and lunged again, mouth wide open.

Driven by drugs and hunger, it was consumed by bloodlust.

Whoosh.

The Shiba Inu scratched the floor with its paw, dodging at a terrifying speed. A yellow blur was left imprinted on the professors' retinas.

"Th-this is..."

Pointing at the fight behind the glass, Professor Ohsumi trembled, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Yes, Professors," the government official nodded. "This is the extraordinary creature we captured."

Though it appeared to be just a Shiba Inu, after becoming 'extraordinary', it could battle a tiger on even terms.

Of course, in the face of modern firepower, even a tiger was just a big orange cat.

Today, the only real opponent left for humanity on this planet—was humanity itself.

But this Shiba Inu represented something else entirely:

"Professors, without a doubt, this is a dog demon."

"Your task is to identify the source of its demonic energy."

"This is for the nation—no, for the future of human evolution. We ask for your full cooperation."

With that, the official bowed a full ninety degrees.

"We leave it to you!"