CIPHER POL in Action Again!

Ever since rumors began circulating that people had heard gunfire in the suburbs of the Edo River, the atmosphere in Tokyo Metropolis has become strange.

The people were speculating whether war was about to break out.

Although telephone penetration was not very high at that time, the area near the capital of Nippon officials and nobles.

So not long after...

At the foot of Mount Fuji, tens of thousands of unidentified soldiers in black emerged from the Aokigahara Forest. Shocking news, including that major cities in Yamanashi Prefecture, including Kofu, had fallen and that the 49th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division had been completely annihilated, quickly reached various cities and wards near Tokyo via long telephone lines.

The news initially caused panic among the wealthy, and then inevitably spread to the outside world, triggering wave after wave of exclamations and uproar.

But that wasn't the end of it. From then on, almost every hour, new information would inexplicably leak out.

Yokosuka Marine Base has been captured!

The 10th Division, annihilated!

The attackers were not human armies, but Titans, dragons, monsters, gods—all sorts of bizarre and vividly described rumors that spread like a virus through the air.

Those who were unaware of the situation were skeptical, while those who were aware of it were terrified and wanted to take their families to hide, but were also worried about the chaos and misfortune outside.

In short, amidst countless voices tinged with magical elements, Tokyo Metropolis in chaos!

At this very moment.

In the heart of Tokyo, at the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, five cabinet ministers were welcomed: Prime Minister Kato, Foreign Minister Yonezawa, Navy Minister Koyama Army Minister Shibato, Minister of the Army Shibato, and Chief of Naval Staff Hirasaki.

They had received an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor of this era was not the Emperor after Japan's surrender in World War II; he held the highest real power in Nippon and was the true number one leader.

However, the current Emperor, due to his frail health since childhood, is less inclined to manage affairs compared to his predecessor.

But now that such a critical situation has arisen in the country, of course he has to step in, after all, they're practically being attacked on their own doorstep!

Where is Hasegawa -kun?

The five had just gathered in front of the main gate, preparing to cross the Nijubashi Bridge into the Imperial Palace, when Prime Minister Kato noticed that the Chief of the Army Chief of Staff was not there. This made him look at the Minister of the Army, Army Minister Shibato.

"Uh, I'm not really sure. It should be arriving soon, or maybe something's holding it up."

Army Minister Shibato was equally bewildered.

At this moment, the large iron gate in front of them slowly opened as the guards on both sides pushed it open.

A moment later, the group saw the current Emperor sitting on the throne in the Meiji Imperial Palace. He was a short-legged man with a thin face.

This is because the Nippon imperial family has a so-called wife selection committee, which requires that the wives of princes not only be beautiful and dignified and have royal blood, but also that they not be taller than the prince's shoulder, in order to show the nobility of the future Emperor.

However, if this happens, it's always two short people marrying, so naturally, their offspring can't be tall.

The worst part is that because this traditional rule has a long history, there is no possibility of tall stature being inherited across generations.

"His Majesty!"

The five ministers bowed in unison to greet the Emperor on the platform.

"Well, enough of the small talk. Tell me what the situation is now. Which faction controls the army in Yamanashi Prefecture, and when will the surrounding divisions arrive in Tokyo?"

Nippon Emperor asked in a deep voice.

"I'm very sorry, but we still haven't been able to find out the origin of this unit. All we know is that they are extremely well-equipped, using firearms we've never seen before, but their rate of fire is comparable to a heavy machine gun. Our soldiers' rifles are completely no match for them!"

Army Minister Shibato's tone was full of disbelief as he continued.

"Furthermore, according to intelligence from the Army General Staff, we have learned that the 12th Division, 6th Division, 10th Division, 3rd Division, 4th Division, as well as the Yokosuka Base and Maizuru Base, have all been subjected to strange attacks, and without exception, they have all sent urgent reports requesting support!"

"So you mean that apart from the 1st Division, no other divisions will come to defend the capital?"

The Emperor's face turned ashen, and he began to sense something was amiss.

"Your Majesty, we also have numerous Class B divisions, and tens of thousands of Police Force in Tokyo. Equipping them with weapons will allow us to deploy them to the battlefield!"

Army Minister Shibato quickly offered words of comfort, but at that moment Prime Minister Kato suddenly pulled out a photograph and said...

"Your Majesty, please take a look at this photograph. It was taken by a reporter from the Asahi Shimbun who was interviewing disaster victims in Fujiyoshida City."

At the Emperor's signal, an attendant from the Imperial Household Agency stepped forward, took the photograph, and then handed it to the Emperor.

"This"

The moment the Emperor's gaze fell upon the photograph, his eyes widened in shock, for it depicted a long dragon soaring into the sky against the backdrop of Mount Fuji.

Although the color tone is black and white, it is still quite clear, and this is a photograph that serves as irrefutable evidence of a simpler era.

"When the 4th Division of Kyushu Island requested reinforcements, they mentioned that they were attacked by a blue Azure Dragon," Prime Minister Kato said quietly.

"Why?"

The Emperor believed it, but it was precisely because he believed it that he found it unbelievable. Looking at the Azure Dragon figure in the photograph, he murmured to himself.

"Is it the gods of Takamagahara about to unleash divine punishment, or has a group of Yoma emerged to wreak havoc on the world?"

What should we do?

Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, looked resolutely at his ministers, and said, "Gentlemen, follow me to the temple to worship the gods!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The five cabinet ministers bowed in unison in agreement.

If they were previously skeptical of ghosts and gods, or even dismissed them as legends, they are now convinced that there are truly countless gods and Buddhas in the world.

If that's the case, then instead of relying on an army, wouldn't it be better to pray to gods and Buddhas?

Thirty minutes ago.

The five ministers had just arrived at the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

In Chiyoda Ward, Minato Ward, and Chuo Ward, there were already noticeable disturbances and shouts.

Especially on the main streets, black figures were blatantly rushing towards various government agencies in Nippon at extremely fast speeds.

Completely ignoring the shocked shouts of passersby on the street, they boldly displayed fantastical scenes, leaping across rooftops and walking in the air.

These people were the CIPHER POL members who originally carried out the reconnaissance mission. Later, they went into hiding under the orders of the Otherworld Strategy Committee.

Their current targets are the National Diet Building, the Military Headquarters Building, the National Police Agency Headquarters, and even the Imperial Palace!

[Swish! Swish!]

"Who are you... uh."

[Pfft----]

Two soldiers guarding the military headquarters gate were startled when they saw the rapidly approaching black figure. Just as they were about to take their rifles off their backs, a blur flashed past them, leaving a large bloody hole between their eyebrows.

At the same time.

A dozen or so Cipher POLs dressed in black suits stormed into—no, they stormed into—the building that represented the Army Headquarters of the Nippon Imperial Army from multiple directions!

Whether it was an officer encountered along the corridor, a guard running by, or even just a cleaner or a clerk carrying documents, they were all easily killed by these ruthless agents.

Gunshots and roars eventually turned into screams and thuds as people fell to the ground.

"What's going on?!"

Chief of Staff Hasegawa, who had just received the Emperor's summons and was preparing to go to the Imperial Palace, changed his expression drastically upon hearing the commotion outside. He instinctively pulled out his pistol from its holster and then picked up his Samurai sword from the sword rack.

[Bang!]

The next moment, the door shattered, and a black figure, carrying a strong smell of blood, slowly emerged from the smoke and dust.

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