Setagaya Ward,
A military base one hundred meters underground.
"Tsk, this dog is really enjoying itself. Its treatment is better than ours."
Iori Ichika crossed her arms in dissatisfaction. Through the thick glass curtain wall, the Shiba Inu left behind by Tanimura Wataru was being surrounded by several professional pet sitters, pet nutritionists, and pet groomers, enjoying the service of a nobleman, its dog face smiling into two narrow slits.
"If you possessed supernatural power, you could also enjoy such treatment."
The voice of her superior came from behind. Iori Ichika turned her head and glanced at the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department.
"Superintendent General Takeya, are you done arguing?"
"Not at all."
Superintendent General Takeya, wearing non-prescription glasses and looking like... no, he was a true high-level elite of the island nation, rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"The Prime Minister's official residence has been in an uproar. It's not expected to change in the next few days."
It's true that the island nation is America's dog, but if pushed too far, even a dog will bite!
"Our luck is good."
Superintendent General Takeya collected himself and started chatting about the international situation with his capable subordinate.
"There are endless incidents in many places... plus it's an election year. These have taken up too much of America's energy."
If it were in the past, America's military would have already entered Tokyo! But now it's different. As other countries continue to catch up, the once 'one superpower, many strong powers' beacon of liberty has gradually lost its might as the master of the blue planet.
"Our allies on Capitol Hill are trying their best to lobby... even considering cooperation with the north..."
"Wouldn't that lead to war?"
Iori Ichika asked back with her arms crossed.
"The essence of negotiation lies in bluffing."
"On the issue of the supernatural, even if we can't take the lead, we absolutely cannot be completely controlled by America. This is the bottom line!"
Superintendent General Takeya understood that the island nation certainly couldn't really go and cooperate with the north.
America naturally understood this too, but this was politics.
Politics is the product of compromise.
"Let's not talk about these high-level twists and turns. Ichika, do you have a way to recruit Tanimura Wataru again?"
Although they had caught a 'dog yokai', it was still just a supernatural 'animal'.
If they could get Tanimura Wataru, that would be a great victory!
The value of a supernatural being...
"It's difficult."
Iori Ichika shook her head.
Originally, with her relationship with him, it wouldn't have been impossible to recruit him into the police system. In fact, she had almost succeeded.
"After being messed with by those American idiots, anyone would be full of hostility and suspicion towards the officials."
Damn American bastards, if it weren't for their brutish interference, now...
She glanced at the Shiba Inu in the room in front of her, being comfortably served by numerous professionals, and Iori Ichika twitched her lips.
It should have been Tanimura Wataru's turn to enjoy himself here.
As long as they could communicate, even 'freedom' was not out of the question.
"You said 'difficult', not 'impossible'?"
Noticing the hidden meaning in Iori Ichika's words, Superintendent General Takeya tilted his head slightly.
"You already have a plan?"
"More or less."
Don't be fooled by 'Iori Ichika's' appearance as a biker gang big sister. She was a top student who had passed the island nation's civil servant Class I examination and directly skipped the 'patrolman' (equivalent to a beat cop) stage.
"Since he's a 'dog yokai', then we'll give him a 'dog leash'."
Being unrestrained was certainly liberating, but if the situation was allowed to develop, only a dead end awaited Tanimura Wataru!
Whether it was a 'werewolf' or a 'dog yokai', they had no chance of winning against a serious army. For everyone's sake, I hope the next plan can be successfully implemented.
Chiyoda Ward,
Prime Minister's Official Residence, conference room.
The conference room was in chaos. The 'elites' in the eyes of the ordinary public had all loosened their ties, some cursing, some slamming the table... just like the aunties at the wet market.
The Minister of Finance, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of the National Public Safety Commission...
All were big shots in the cabinet, and the rest were also directors of XXX departments. Almost half of the island nation's high-ranking officials and dignitaries were gathered, all with indignant expressions.
Opposite them was a black man in an American military uniform, with the rank of lieutenant general. The only person who could hold this rank and appear in the island nation was the commander of the Seventh Fleet, a sharp blade at the island nation's neck, and also the father of the island nation's emperor... the true emperor behind the scenes!
Besides a few other men in American military uniforms, there was also a guy who looked like he was from the island nation.
The head of the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.
At first glance, a mere 'department head' was simply not presentable in this conference room, but his power was not small.
If the Seventh Fleet was the collar around the dog's neck, then the Special Investigation Department of the Public Prosecutors Office was the barb on the collar.
Besides using the stationed military to forcefully control the island nation, America also had other soft measures. The Public Prosecutors Office was such an institution. Most of the time, the Public Prosecutors Office performed the normal functions of an inspection agency. But if a politician who went against America's will appeared in the political arena, the Special Investigation Department of the Public Prosecutors Office would be dispatched.
If they had dirt, they would take down these politicians with that dirt. If they didn't have dirt, they would create dirt to take down these politicians.
However, today:
"...over fifteen dead and injured, those were all good police officers who served the people wholeheartedly!"
"Seven buildings destroyed, estimated losses exceeding..."
"We will never back down—"
The officials on the island nation's side were all heartbroken and filled with righteous indignation. It was as if they were all 'worried about the country and the people', just short of tying a white cloth around their foreheads and shouting 'Heaven's punishment for the traitors of the country'.
"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General."
"Regarding the damage caused by your side, our side lodges a strong protest!"
The Prime Minister, sitting in the main seat, spoke with a pained expression.
"Until this matter is resolved, our side refuses any request for military cooperation from your side."
"Hmph."
To this, the black lieutenant general, who was supposed to be the 'emperor behind the scenes', had an even gloomier face.
Again, if pushed too far, even a dog will bite!
In the Yokosuka base, besides the Seventh Fleet, there were also more than 100 military vessels of the island nation's Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Self-Defense Forces in various places were also mobilized by the island nation's high-ranking officials with unprecedented efficiency, in a posture of preparing for a 'death battle'.
This was an unprecedented 'supernatural' event. The high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the island nation might not care about the national interest or the great cause of the nation, but they definitely cared about their own personal interests.
If they handed over the matters related to the supernatural, America would definitely eat the meat, and whether they could drink the soup... they would probably have to line up behind the squid and NATO.
How could this be?!
Dare to touch their interests... even if it meant 100 million being shattered like jade, they would not hesitate!
Some had even said that if America wanted to monopolize it... it was not impossible to turn to cooperate with the north.
Although everyone knew that this kind of 'threat' was just a negotiation tactic, facing the unprecedentedly 'united' officials of the island nation, the black lieutenant general did not dare to act rashly.
With America's strength, killing this dog of an island nation was absolutely no problem. The weak 'Self-Defense Forces' alone could not stop the might of the Seventh Fleet. But to say it would be as clean as the Gulf War was difficult.
What's more—
After so many years, the island nation and America were already intertwined.
Many large companies were multinational corporations with considerable influence on Capitol Hill. If the two sides really fought... setting aside the outcome, it would almost be like smashing one's own rice bowl. The north and the other side would definitely wake up laughing in their sleep.
War,
is always the last resort of politics.
"Our side lost five Black Hawks and three tactical teams, yet you stole the captured 'supernatural creature'..."
"I reiterate! If it weren't for your side's mistake, our side could have obtained the cooperation of the supernatural being!"
"Hand over that 'supernatural creature'—"
"Absolutely not!"
One side was apprehensive, the other shameless. The negotiation turned into a market-like argument.
For the black lieutenant general, he knew that his career was over.
Soon, a white guy would come to replace him.
And then...
Whether the final decision was to use tough or soft measures, it had nothing to do with him.
Damn thick fog, damn supernatural!
How the big shots were bickering in secret,
it didn't matter to Akiyoshi Yuu. Life was still about going to school and getting out of class honestly every day.
However, the team to pick up his sister from Kouou Academy had one more person.
"Thank you, Yuu-kun."
Pushing up her glasses, the class president Nao whispered her thanks.
Because of her willful behavior in the past, the two families had almost cut off contact, and Akiyoshi Kaoru even treated her coldly.
"Nao, don't always dwell on the past. People should look to the future..."
Akiyoshi Yuu, who had released a large number of 'paper crows' and was fighting a battle of wits with the island nation's government, waved his hand. That little matter was not worth mentioning compared to what he was doing and what he was preparing to do in the future!
"Exactly, exactly~"
Tennyo Ei beside him also patted her pitifully undulating chest.
"I'm still alive and well. If Nao continues to sigh, she'll be disliked by the gods."
"Tennyo-san, your way of comforting people..."
is so special.
Even the gentle class president couldn't help but complain.
But she also understood that if it was a matter of 'misery', she certainly wouldn't dare to compare herself with Tennyo-san.
So... if she continued to be depressed, it would really be something that even the 'gods' couldn't stand.
"Yes, you're right."
"I should cheer up too."
The three of them chatted as they walked, arriving at the entrance of Kouou Academy. Before a few minutes had passed, his sister Akiyoshi Kaoru and the young lady Nagisa Kazuha walked out of the school.
As usual, everyone should have parted ways here and gone their separate ways. But today:
"What did you say?"
Standing next to the black luxury car, a trace of anger appeared on the young lady 'Nagisa Kazuha's' face.
"Young lady, I'm very sorry."
"The master has instructed you to return home immediately after school."
"Father..."
"Are you even trying to control my social life?"
Facing the young lady's displeased question, the middle-aged driver in sunglasses just explained calmly:
"Not at all."
"Recently, Tokyo will be... a little unsafe."
"This is also for your own good, young lady. Please don't make things difficult for us servants."
"Sorry, Ei. I..."
Facing the resolute driver, the young lady Nagisa Kazuha turned her head and looked apologetically at the petite Tennyo Ei.
"Hee hee, it's okay."
"Since it's father's... uncle's instructions, Kazu-chan, hurry back. Don't let them worry."
"I can go by myself—"
"We'll accompany Tennyo-san back. Don't worry."
Akiyoshi Yuu took over the conversation, dispelling the awkward atmosphere. It used to be the young lady Nagisa Kazuha who would take Tennyo Ei 'home' in her car.
Now that there was a change, they would go back with Tennyo Ei instead. As for the problem of 'Tokyo being unsafe', the culprit was standing right here.
"Then... I'll have to trouble the three of you."
Bowing to the three, her long hair fell like a waterfall.
After saying goodbye to everyone, this young lady had no choice but to get into her luxury car.
"Let's go too."
Akiyoshi Yuu waved his hand, beckoning the three beautiful girls.
"To Tennyo-san's house."