"89: Ayano Kannagi"

Eastern Capital, the Kannagi estate.

In a traditional and dignified mansion, within a tea room steeped in quiet elegance, the current head of the Kannagi clan—renowned as the strongest fire arts practitioner of their generation—sat calmly. With black-and-white mixed hair and a slightly gaunt face, Jugo Kannagi wore a dark-colored kimono. Holding a cup of matcha in his hands, he exhaled a faint breath and said, "Is that so? A sealed demon... in a place like Chiba, and it's managed to attract the attention of the SDS."

He continued quietly, "The origin must have been Katsuhiko Yakushiji of the Yakushiji family, cooperating with the Celestial Astronomy, right? The Yakushiji clan sure loves causing trouble."

As Jugo spoke, a white-haired elderly man kneeled on one knee in the corridor outside the sliding door, lowering his head deeply. "I sincerely apologize for failing to kill Katsuhiko Yakushiji before the information leaked."

"It's fine, Hyoue," Jugo Kannagi lightly shook his head. "Your son, Ryūya, only took on the darknet assignment this morning. Expecting him to eliminate an important member of the Yakushiji clan within such a short time would be unreasonable. I don't blame you."

"Thank you for your understanding, Master Head," the elderly man, Kazamaki Hyoue, bowed deeply once again, his voice full of reverence.

Seeing Hyoue's deeply respectful demeanor, Jugo gave a small sigh and continued, "Under pressure from the Americans, the cabinet will likely cave in soon. Before the ban on entering Chiba is formally issued, recall our people—"

Before he could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. A figure, blazing like fire, dashed into view and appeared before Jugo.

A spirited female voice rang out. "Father, you've heard about what's happening in Chiba, haven't you?"

"Ayano..." Jugo looked at the girl before him—her crimson hair radiant like dancing flames, her aura proud and unyielding.

Seeing his daughter barge in uninvited, Jugo sighed and rubbed his temple. "Aren't you supposed to be in class right now...?"

"I've heard everything, Father," Ayano Kannagi said firmly, a look of discontent written across her delicate features. "It's our clan's duty to purge the demons from this land. And yet, those savages from across the ocean are trying to unseal the demon in Chiba for research purposes."

"How could I possibly sit through class in peace with this going on?"

"Well, what you're saying isn't wrong, but..." Jugo's headache deepened.

"No buts," Ayano said with conviction, her clenched fist flickering with vibrant flame. "Please give me the order, Father. Before they unseal the demon, before it can hurt the citizens, I'll burn it to ash with my flames!"

The flame on her hand glowed with the unmistakable brilliance of the Kannagi clan's hereditary fire techniques. But before Shingo could respond, Ayano turned to Kazamaki Hyoue, who was still kneeling.

"Hyoue -san, I heard the roads to Chiba are all blocked. Could you arrange for someone to take me there?"

"Uh..." Caught off guard by the young lady's direct command, Hyoue dared not answer and instead looked toward Jugo.

Finally, Jugo let out a long sigh, removed his hand from his head, and after looking Ayano over again, muttered, "Fine. If you must go, then go."

"Really? Father, you're letting me go. That's amazing!" Ayano beamed with joy.

Faced with his overjoyed daughter, Jugo turned toward Hyoue and asked, "Hyoue, Ryūya is heading to Chiba soon, isn't he?"

"Yes, Master," Hyoue replied immediately. "According to intel, Katsuhiko Yakushiji is currently in the Chiba area. If the timing is right, Ryūya should be departing soon."

Ayano's eyes widened. "Eh? What a coincidence! Ryūya-nii is going to Chiba too?"

"Yes, Young Mistress," Hyoue nodded. "Ryūya accepted the assignment to eliminate the original perpetrator behind the Chiba incident—Katsuhiko Yakushiji. So, he'll be heading there shortly."

Ayano was astonished. "So even the ringleader has been identified? As expected of the Fūga clan—masters of intelligence and assassination."

At her praise, Hyoue offered a humble smile. Meanwhile, back in the tea room, Jugo sighed and said, "Enough, Ayano. If you're set on this, prepare to depart with Ryūya."

"You're right, I need to get ready!" Saying that, Ayano quickly pulled out her phone and dashed toward the door, calling Ryūya as she ran.

With her lively footsteps echoing down the corridor, her figure disappeared into the depths of the mansion.

"She's already sixteen, and still such a whirlwind," Jugo murmured, rubbing his temples again. "Ever since raising that girl, I find myself sighing more and more."

He glanced toward Hyoue and said with sincere trust, "I'm counting on you, Hyoue."

"Yes! I'll make sure Ryūya ensures the Young Mistress returns safely," Hyoue responded promptly and stood up. "Then, I shall take my leave."

"Go ahead."

Once Hyoue departed, Jugo sat in silence for a moment, then turned his head toward the tightly closed sliding door of the adjacent room.

"So, it was the Fūga who told Ayano about what's happening in Chiba?"

Behind the door, a short-haired man in a black suit sat kneeling on a tatami mat. His voice came through low and composed. "Some of the Fūga girls are in the same class as her."

"I figured," Jugo muttered with some resignation. Then he added, "I leave the girl in your care, Genma."

"Leave her to me. After all, I am her uncle."

As his voice faded, the figure behind the door disappeared.

Knowing this, Jugo felt a bit more at ease—but only a bit. Still uneasy, he picked up another phone nearby, unlocked it, and dialled a number.

"Hello? Is this Chief Tachibana?"

"Yes, it's me, Jugo Kannagi."

"There's a child I'd like to send to your unit for some real-world experience. Considering what you're about to face in Chiba, wouldn't you say an extra insurance policy might come in handy?"

"Yes, that child is undoubtedly the inheritor of the Kannagi clan's strongest flame."

"Good. I'll leave her in your care then."

After hanging up, Jugo quietly looked down at the now-lukewarm cup of matcha in his hands. His thoughts drifted to his fiery and headstrong daughter.

"Why doesn't that child understand... This world isn't driven by noble ideals of demon-slaying and justice. It's a world built on strength and connections."

"Maybe I should consider arranging a husband for her? But then again... seems like there aren't many promising young men these days..."

With a quiet sigh, Jugo Kannagi stared at his tea, lost in deep thought.