Prelude to the Faction War

"Clang—!"

The sharp tip of the sword sank deep into the ground, making a loud noise that echoed all around.

The sudden sound startled all the members of Yi-You on the second-floor corridor.

Fang Li was also taken aback.

Because the sword that made that sound was being held tightly in the hand of a silver-haired girl wearing light armor, and was stuck upside down in the ground.

It was Jeanne.

Then, Jeanne stood in front of Fang Li, raised her head, looked at the members of I-You on the second-floor corridor, and spoke loudly.

"That's enough!"

As Jeanne's words fell, on the second-floor corridor, some of the I-YU members suddenly turned around and pointed their weapons at their companions.

"Varied...?!"

Jeanne!

"Damn it, why did they choose this moment to make their move?!"

The members of the I-You group who were targeted showed expressions of frustration and turned around to face their comrades who had targeted them.

Suddenly, the members of Yi-You split into two groups and began to confront each other.

"This..." Fang Li really couldn't react.

What happened?

Is this internal strife?

How did internal strife suddenly occur?

When Fang Li had this question in his mind, a beautiful voice answered him.

"It wasn't sudden; this situation was bound to happen."

The person who said this was a dreamlike, stunningly beautiful girl.

It was Kana Touyama.

Suddenly, Kana Touyama jumped down from the corridor and came to Fang Li's side.

Kinji Touyama was also with him.

"Has it finally come to this?" Kinji Touyama gripped Beretta tightly in his hand and said with a hint of helplessness, "Just as you said, Kana."

"I'm sorry, Kinji, for dragging you into this too." Kana Touyama gently patted Kinji Touyama's head, then turned to look in Fang Li's direction and said softly, "However, the time is ripe, it's time to move on to the final stage."

"The final stage?" Fang Li frowned and questioned, "What exactly are you talking about?"

"The information Mine- Riko gave you should have mentioned it, right?" Kana Touyama didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "In I-Yuri, there are actually two factions."

Upon hearing this, Fang Li immediately understood.

"So that's how it is, a factional struggle between the Research Faction and the War Faction?"

I-Yo is a truly lawless society that disregards all laws in the world and has very few internal rules.

Members of Yi-You can become stronger at will and achieve their goals in any way. As long as they provide their technology, no one has the right to interfere with what they do.

Under such circumstances, this association naturally attracts people with different ideas.

These people are basically divided into two factions.

One is the Research Faction.

One is the War Faction.

The philosophy of the Research Faction is solely to seek means to improve one's own power, and they care about nothing else.

The War Faction's ideology is to lead a fighting group within the organization that no military nation can withstand, conquer the world, launch attacks at will around the globe, and expand war and slaughter.

Without a doubt, the two factions, operating under completely different ideologies, were destined to be at odds.

However, Sherlock, as the leader of I-Yo, was also a supporter of the Research Faction, which is why he did not allow I-Yo to become a real terrorist group.

"Now that Sherlock's lifespan is almost over, I-Yu has entered a period of change." Kana Touyama said to Fang Li, "Under such circumstances, the conflict between the Research Faction and the War Faction is inevitable."

"It is said that the War Faction faction has been eyeing the throne ever since Sherlock died, and will immediately begin vying for the leadership of I-Yu." Kinji Touyama seemed to have learned the whole story from Kana Touyama, and said to Fang Li, "The Research Faction, on the other hand, hopes to select a leader who can succeed Sherlock and, like Sherlock, continue to lead I-Yu and research technology."

Upon hearing this, Fang Li suddenly felt enlightened.

"Is Aria the one chosen by the Research Faction?"

That's why Kana Touyama wanted to kill Aria.

This righteous envoy from the Toyama family must have infiltrated as an undercover agent because he knew how terrifying I-Yu was, looking for an opportunity to dismantle the entire I-Yu.

Sherlock's death was an opportunity.

Once Sherlock dies, the conflict between the Research Faction and the War Faction will completely erupt, and the two sides will inevitably engage in civil war. Not only will their strength be greatly weakened, but in the midst of the infighting, Kana Touyama will have a full opportunity to take advantage of the situation and eliminate the entire I-Yu.

However, if Aria were to inherit the leadership of I-Yu, the conflict between the two factions would not be able to erupt, and Kana Touyama's plan would not be able to be completed.

To this end, Kana Touyama even sought out Kinji Touyama, and the two worked together to uphold the "righteousness" that the Toyama family had upheld for generations.

"The Gun Magician".

At this moment, Jeanne, with her back to Fang Li, said to Fang Li without turning her head, "I am a member of the Research Faction, so I also intend to make Aria the leader of I-You and crush the ambitions of the War Faction. However, Sherlock told us members of the Research Faction that even if Aria becomes the leader of I-You, if she is not powerful enough to suppress everyone here, the War Faction faction will definitely not give up and may even eventually lead to a usurpation."

"To avoid this situation, Sherlock said that your presence is crucial," Jeanne said. "I said that Aria shouldn't have come to I-Vu, because once she came, she would never be able to leave. Now, only you are left."

"The War Faction faction wants to get rid of Aria so they can take the leader's position. Naturally, they also want to get rid of you." Jeanne of Arc glanced at Fang Li and spoke resolutely.

"We, the Research Faction, will not let you die here, so you can go to Sherlock. We will handle the War Faction faction."

"Let me do my part too." Kana Touyama smiled and said to Kinji Touyama, "Kinji, you take your companions and go ahead first."

Kinji Touyama nodded heavily and looked at Fang Li.

Fang Li, then turned around and ran straight towards the entrance without saying anything more.

Kinji Touyama immediately followed.

Then, gunshots and explosions began to ring out in the hall, marking the beginning of this civil war.