The Hunters' Enormous Value!

The black train that Laskey and Tama had been following for several days actually had a name, just like the other trains. It was called 'Kokujo', and it was the only train in the entire country painted black, 'Hayajiro'.

Inside the car.

"We are extremely apprehensive, that the General's son is personally leading the way for us," said Ayame, following behind Biba Amatori, somewhat embarrassed.

Beside her were Short-Haired Blonde Woman, Samurai in blue, and the gray-green-haired boy who had caught Laskey's attention, while the Red-Clad Girl was nowhere to be found.

"We've long since severed ties; we're no longer father and son," Biba Amatori explained frankly as she led the way, revealing her situation with her father.

"How could this be? By the way, we have something strange we'd like to tell you."

"Um?"

Biba Amatori seemed quite bothered by the word 'strange,' stopping in her tracks, turning around, and asking softly, 'Tell me about it.'

After exchanging a glance, Ayame and the gray-green-haired boy said gently, "It's like this, when we passed by Yatsushiro Station, we heard about something that was almost like a myth."

"They say that a few days ago, 'Black Mist' attacked their post station. Just when everyone was in despair, a 'God of Sand' appeared who could transform into yellow sand and control the wind and sand, defeated it, and swept away all the Kabane. Before leaving, he took Tian Jiang with him."

The gray-green-haired boy continued, "We checked, and there are indeed obvious signs of battle there, especially the hillsides on both sides of the track, whose tops have been sheared off, as if they were instantly sliced open by a sharp blade. This is consistent with what many soldiers at Yatsushiro Station said!"

"Yes, just like Ikoma said, although it sounds fantastical, it does feel very real. There are just too many residents who claim to have seen the 'God of Sand'."

Ayame nodded and said, "Even a roast chicken stall that was visited by the 'God of Sand' was packed with people. The place where the 'God of Sand' sat was covered with a large umbrella to shield him from the wind and rain, treating it as if it were a place where a god lingered."

"Such a thing actually happened?"

Biba Amatori lowered his head and pondered. Speaking of strange things, there were actually some on his side as well. One of his subordinates, Uryu, reported that recently, a few rice balls and bamboo tubes for holding water had been going missing.

It wouldn't be surprising if this happened in a normal Hayajiro, since there are always people trying to sneak in extras. But the Hunters is under military management, and the number of rice balls and bamboo tubes is strictly controlled.

Because of this incident, many soldiers were interrogated along the way, but ultimately nothing was obtained.

Most importantly, he was very confident in his Sixth Sense, and these past few days he had a feeling that he was being watched from time to time.

On the other side.

Laskey and Mata separated temporarily; the former hid in the shadows and used Den Den Mushi to communicate with the Star Gate Base, while the latter went to observe the city's environment and see if there was anything noteworthy.

"A person exuding the aura of the Kabane?"

Upon hearing Laskey's report, the Senior Director of Addison on the other end of the Den Den Mushi immediately recalled a plan that the Biochemical Research Institute had recently submitted.

"Wait a moment, I'll have Dr. Fritz come over right away. I'm sure he'll be very interested in what you have to say!"

After saying that, he didn't hang up the Den Den Mushi, but instead used another Den Den Mushi on the table to call Dr. Fritz, and then quickly and simply explained the situation.

[Bang!]

Sure enough, less than five minutes later, Professor Fritz, who was not far from the ground, pushed open the office door and rushed in. He then snatched the microphone from Fritz's hand and excitedly shouted, "You really saw a living person emanating the aura of Kabane? Was it a conscious one?!"

"Yes, and not just one, but four, two men and two women, and they..." Laskey reiterated the physical characteristics displayed by Biba Amatori and the Short-Haired Blonde Woman.

Hahahaha!

Upon hearing this, Professor Fritz burst into ecstatic laughter, exclaiming, "I knew it! I knew my idea was right!"

"It's just that we didn't expect the people in this world to have already mastered the technology to mass-produce Kabaneri. Although it's a bit of a shame, it has saved us a lot of time and effort."

"Let me tell you, although I don't know you, you must keep a close eye on those four people. Make sure you bring at least one back!"

Far away at the Shitori Station, Laskey cautiously observed his surroundings while whispering into the Den Den Mushi, "I understand."

"By the way, since four Kabaneri appeared there at once, it means there must be someone who has mastered the relevant technology. Check carefully to see if there are any scholars or researchers!"

"There is indeed one."

Laskey recalled some members of the Hunters whose clothing and demeanor were rather unique.

The image that quickly came to mind was that of a middle-aged man with gray-green hair, but styled in a slicked-back manner, wearing a clean white robe, and a punk-style gas mask with night vision goggles around his neck.

He had seen this person several times when the 'Kokujo' stopped along the way, following Biba Amatori. His demeanor was very similar to that of the scientists he had met.

"Hahaha, that's him. Keep an eye on him; he's more valuable than those Kabaneri. Of course, since there are two of you, try to bring both of you along!"

Dr. Fritz cheered excitedly, at which point Senior Director Addison interjected, "Laskey, since you have a target of significant value here, I will order the rest of CP9 to assemble in your direction."

"We have obtained a map of this country. Based on the location you just provided and the information about Biba Amatori, they are most likely heading towards Kongokaku, the capital of the Shogunate."

"Then your next stop is clear: Iwato Station, the last stop before Kongokaku. I will have them head there ahead of time!"

Laskey nodded expressionlessly and said, "Understood."

"Wait, wait a minute!"

Just as both sides were about to hang up, Dr. Fritz stopped them, saying, "Didn't you mention to Director Addison that you sensed a spiritual source filled with negative emotions?"

"Yes."

"That's a mental fluctuation that would cause intense fear and killing intent to arise in my heart even if I only used Observation Haki to touch it!" Laskey said in a deep voice, he was also very concerned about this matter.

"Then there must be a 'core' of 'Black Mist' inside the train, and that's Biba Amatori captured and imprisoned hundreds of Kabane to feed it!"

"What are 'Black Mist' and 'core'?" Laskey asked, but quickly understood the concepts after Dr. Fritz explained them.

"It seems these Hunters possess a great deal of valuable material; they're practically a treasure trove. Your decision to follow them was absolutely the right one!" Senior Director Addison laughed.

"I'll report these things to the local world immediately and see how the higher-ups will deal with them, especially this Biba Amatori, and that girl leader you mentioned. Like you, I also sense political value in her."

"But your and Mata's first and second tasks are to keep an eye on Biba Amatori and that Kabane researcher. Once you reach Iwato Station and join the other groups, then await further orders!"