"88: A Rogue's Methods"

Toyosaki Academy.

Inside what was once the Chairman's Office, now repurposed as Natsuki's personal lounge, the woman herself sat buried in an oversized luxury sofa that was nearly two heads taller than she was. In her hands was a detailed profile of every student in her class. Her expression was serious as she carefully reviewed the documents.

Just then, her phone rang.

Natsuki frowned slightly, picked up the phone from her desk, glanced at the caller ID, and answered.

As soon as the call connected, Tachibana Kirika's irritated voice came through the line.

"Who leaked the intel?"

The bluntness of the question didn't faze Natsuki at all. She had clearly anticipated it and replied in a calm tone, "I only got the news five minutes before you."

"...Five minutes?" Kirika sounded genuinely surprised by the time gap. "You got the intel before me?"

It was common knowledge that when it came to intelligence, America's sources were generally faster than Japan's.

Yet this time, the tables had turned—Kirika had received the information after Natsuki, and by a full five minutes. That was odd.

"Was it deliberate? Something done by the people from the Omnyoji faction?" Kirika asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

Unless there was a mole in Natsuki's own inner circle, Kirika couldn't understand how Natsuki had gotten ahead of her. Five minutes earlier was no small thing in their line of work.

Natsuki sighed, leaned back into the plush leather sofa, and crossed her legs with an air of indifference. "That's precisely why I assigned the task of sealing the demon to your Special Document Section (SDS). You do remember that don't you?"

"I do." Kirika's tone suddenly shifted, now playfully sarcastic. "I just didn't expect your control over the Omnyoji faction to be even weaker than I thought~~."

"If you're just calling to mock me, then congratulations—you failed."

Natsuki's voice remained calm and emotionless as she replied. "So, what's your plan now? Your people haven't deployed yet, have they?"

"That's none of your concern. Oh, and thanks for the valuable special life you sent over. Here, a kiss for you~ mua~~"

Kirika made a kissing noise, but by then, Natsuki had already ended the call.

Realizing the call had been cut, Kirika shook her head and let out a chuckle. "Still as adorable as ever, Natsuki-chan~~."

With that, she turned toward the long conference table, where several military officers—some blonde and blue-eyed, others with dark skin and cropped hair—sat in uniform. She flashed them a coy smile.

"It seems our new colony has developed some thoughts of its own."

The seated officers didn't speak, but a clear trace of contempt flickered in their eyes.

Kirika responded with a cold chuckle. "Looks like it's time to remind them who the real emperor is."

———

Inside a bulletproof SUV.

Luo Shu looked at Mika in the driver's seat, Mizuki in the front passenger seat, and then turned to his left and right—where Chisato and Takina sat, respectively. He let out a helpless sigh.

"Why do I have to sit in the middle?"

"Because I'm still mad," Takina replied with a flat expression.

"Because Takina's still mad~" Chisato echoed playfully, her tone upbeat. "What, Luo Shu? Don't you like being surrounded by beautiful girls?"

As she said that, Chisato playfully flipped her shoulder-length hair and tugged slightly at her collar, as if to reveal more skin.

But Luo Shu only returned her gesture with a look of pure disdain.

Yes, Chisato was undeniably beautiful and cheerful, but seriously—could that collar tug be any more half-hearted? You couldn't even see her collarbone!

Takina, long since used to Chisato's antics, focused on something more important.

"Mika-san, what's the current situation?"

"Well… if I know the Section Chief, hmm, better to let the news tell us." Mika pressed a button on the dashboard, switching on the radio. A news broadcast that had already begun mid-sentence flowed from the speakers.

"...Ten minutes ago, U.S. forces stationed in Japan issued an emergency alert. According to the announcement, U.S. intelligence has confirmed the presence of an international terrorist group operating within Chiba City. In accordance with international anti-terrorism agreements, and for the safety of Japanese citizens, the U.S. will implement a full land and air lockdown of Chiba City for three days. All inbound and outbound flights, both domestic and international, will be suspended during this period. Citizens are urged to comply with regulations and remain at home as much as possible…"

With a beep, Mika turned off the radio and looked into the rearview mirror at Chisato and Takina, both stunned speechless.

"That about sums it up," he said.

Chisato swallowed hard and exclaimed in shock, "You've got to be kidding. Locking down an entire city like that… Isn't the boss lady going way overboard this time?"

"Probably just trying to send a message," Mizuki said with a wry smile. "SDS's has been struggling to make headway since opening Tokyo branch, especially after this whole leak. Looks like the upper echelon wants to draw a line in the sand."

She let out a theatrical sigh. "Ahh, political power plays…"

So that was the game—since word about the demon had gotten out, the Americans had decided to slam the door shut and keep others from swooping in for a piece of the action. And if anyone did try to enter, they'd be conveniently labelled a "terrorist."

Classic imperial bullying tactics... Luo Shu couldn't help but reflect bitterly.

Just then, his earpiece buzzed to life with Kurumi's sweet, slightly lazy voice.

"Hey hey~ Can you hear me, Luo Shu?"

"Yeah, I'm here." Luo Shu raised a hand and pressed a finger to his right earpiece.

"Tell Mika the road ahead is already jammed. I've coordinated with the U.S. troops blocking the area to open a priority route for you guys. Mika needs to take a right at the next intersection and follow the road that the armored vehicles are clearing."

"Got it."

Luo Shu relayed the message to Mika.

As Mika turned the steering wheel, the SUV veered off to the right and began descending from the elevated highway, following the newly cleared path ahead.