"Counterattack"
Drake put down the Student Council handbook and saw Stella's worried face.
"Drake, will this work?"
Drake smiled. "The Japanese branch used public opinion to smear Ikki.
Times have changed; those old men think public opinion is controlled by power; it's time they learned it's a double-edged sword."
Drake knew this from his past life in the information age; even a small-time internet troll knew more about manipulating public opinion than these politicians.
Drake wasn't at that level, but he knew how to deal with them.
…
Akaza Mamoru tidied himself before the branch head's office, ensuring his appearance was impeccable before knocking.
"Come in!"
The voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
Akaza Mamoru entered; Kurogane Itsuki wasn't sitting; he stood by the window, looking at the Shibuya street scene.
"Head of the family, Akaza Mamoru reports!"
Kurogane Itsuki turned. "Akaza, how did it go?"
Despite the strong air conditioning, Akaza Mamoru was sweating profusely.
"Head of the family, I apologize! That fool is stubborn; it might take more time!"
"Time?!"
Kurogane Itsuki snorted. "Do you have time?"
He threw a document on the desk. "This just arrived from headquarters; read it!"
Akaza Mamoru read it; he sweated even more.
"Th… this… how is this possible?"
Kurogane Itsuki said, "Do you understand the situation? If this isn't resolved quickly, headquarters will reprimand us, and our sword masters will complain."
Akaza Mamoru understood; the situation was difficult.
Nangou Torajiro was respected among Japanese sword masters, not just for his age (92).
He was the only Japanese to win the Fighting God Cup and the title of Fighting God; his title became Fighting God.
Akaza Mamoru couldn't imagine the reaction if Japanese sword masters knew his plan prevented them from participating in the Fighting God Cup!
Even if he achieved his ambition, the martial arts sword masters wouldn't let him off.
He needed to resolve this for his own sake.
Wiping his sweat, Akaza Mamoru said, "Head of the family, rest assured; that fool is nearing his limit; I'll finish this quickly!"
Kurogane Itsuki's icy face pressured Akaza Mamoru; he stared for a long time before saying, "Do it. But Akaza, if you miss this chance, don't blame others!"
Akaza Mamoru understood; his ambition was exposed. If he didn't handle Ikki Kurogane, he'd fail.
Bowing repeatedly, Akaza Mamoru left Kurogane Itsuki's office. His fear turned to gloom.
He couldn't blame Kurogane Itsuki or Shinryuji Temple; his anger and resentment were directed at Ikki Kurogane.
Akaza Mamoru entered the elevator, pressing the button for the tenth underground floor.
This was where the Ethics Committee was located, always in the shadows.
"Director!" A man in a red suit bowed.
Red suits were the Ethics Committee's uniforms; "red coats" were disliked among Japanese sword masters.
Akaza Mamoru nodded. "Ikki Kurogane?"
The man said, "The Vice Director is questioning him, but there's no progress."
Akaza Mamoru smiled cruelly. "Take me there; we need to hurry."
…
An inconspicuous van was parked in the building's parking lot.
Inside, Stella worried about Drake, fearing he'd attack the fat man.
Drake was about to explode; the sounds from the bug were challenging their patience.
Drake crushed his drink can; the drink spilled.
He took a deep breath, throwing the can away. "I promised the Principal I wouldn't act rashly. But I hope they like my gift."
…
This world had both abilities and technology, but sword masters didn't care about technology.
Technological weapons were inferior to abilities; only medical technology like regeneration pods was useful.
History showed war was the catalyst for technological advancement. This world's technological advancement was a miracle.
Yet, this world's technology wasn't behind; it was an information society.
Rapid development left some behind, especially in Japan's closed society.
Before Kurogane Itsuki and Akaza Mamoru noticed, a news article with audio evidence spread online.
It wasn't released through official channels; they couldn't block it in time.
Kurogane Itsuki sat in his office, listening to his subordinate's report. Even he was furious.
He made a call.
"Akaza! Come to my office."
Akaza Mamoru almost dropped his phone upon hearing the call end.
He'd heard the news before Ikki Kurogane; the recording pinned him as the mastermind.
This was Drake's doing; he'd created the news.
The first half summarized previous news—Ikki Kurogane's arrest and Shinryuji Temple's statement.
The second half was the "editor's" speculation.
Drake didn't reveal everything; he presented it as speculation.
The Japanese branch wanted the exchange student's Shinryuji Temple martial arts; they used the espionage charge to interrogate him.
They didn't dare act openly; they arrested the exchange student's Japanese friend to implicate him.
The friend was a strong sword master; he didn't betray his friend.
The recording was evidence; it showed the Ethics Committee using insults, coercion, threats, and violence.
The high-level conspiracy and the innocent, strong victim were more compelling than the truth.
Public opinion turned against the higher-ups. The Japanese people lived under their control but resented it; they vented their frustration online.
They believed the "truth."
Drake couldn't directly rescue Ikki Kurogane. But this also restricted Kurogane Itsuki and Akaza Mamoru.
Drake wanted to see how long they could hold Ikki Kurogane under this pressure.
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