Hanejima Hikaru's Backup Plan; Fighting Alone

Hashiba Hikaru didn't intend to talk to anyone he encountered. He took a sip of water and sat down with his girlfriend in an open grassy area. Ibuki Mio followed suit.

"Have any topics arisen today?"

Ichinose Honami held her tablet, intending to see if there were any [projects] she could participate in.

"It doesn't seem to have appeared yet; we'll probably have to wait until the next instruction."

Once a red dot appears on the tablet, it means that a [test question] has appeared in that area. This information is open to everyone, and there will definitely be fierce competition for speed.

Time ticked by, and as the hands of the watch moved to 1 p. m., a text message popped up on the watch screen.

[Your next movement zone is D5. Please react promptly.]

"The moving target has been spotted, let's go!"

"Wait, it seems like a research topic has appeared too!"

Ibuki Mio stared intently at the screen on the tablet. This time, three red dots were flashing simultaneously, the closest one being area B6.

"What should we do? Should we go?"

"Let's set off first, and then take a closer look at the content of the [topic] while we're on the way."

Hashiba Hikaru's mind was clear; not wanting to waste time, he immediately set off with the two girls.

"Good!"

Ibuki Mio and Ichinose Honami worked together seamlessly, keeping pace with him as they ventured deeper into the dense forest.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at the gate of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, Tsukishiro was waiting for a certain man to arrive.

Not long after, Ayanokoji Atsuomi's car stopped at the school gate, and he immediately ran over to help open the door.

"Professor Ayanokoji, you've finally arrived."

"Um."

The man pushed open the car door; his aura still carried a sharp edge, but it had noticeably weakened compared to before.

His once bright and piercing eyes were now bloodshot, showing that he had been under considerable pressure lately.

"What did the School Board members say?"

"The Head of the Kujo Family has already given instructions. Today, you will represent the will of the majority of the School Board members. You just need to get the agenda done."

"Can."

Ayanokoji Atsuomi glanced at Tsukishiro and asked again, "Is the ship ready?"

"Everything is ready. Once you have the documents, you can go to the Uninhabited Island yourself."

Tsukishiro's arrangements were very thorough. From the moment he received the call, he had been eagerly anticipating this day.

"That's good. This time I will bring Kiyotaka back with me. Only he can help me reach the top again!"

Ayanokoji Atsuomi slowly unbuttoned a button on his suit jacket and strode confidently toward the school gate.

Today he's going to pull off a drastic move, catching everyone off guard.

"Buzz--Buzz!"

On the beach at the edge of the Uninhabited Island, Sakayanagi Narimori sat under a shady parasol, glancing at his constantly vibrating phone with a strange expression on his face.

This is the starting area for the exam. The school has set up special base stations in advance, so you can make phone calls.

After all, once the exams are over, the school staff will need to contact the Cruise Ship to arrange the rest of the summer vacation.

"Hello."

"Hello, is this Chairman Sakayanagi?"

A slightly hurried female voice came from the other end of the phone.

"It's me. Are you... Mr. Shirakawa?"

As the school's Chairman, Sakayanagi Narimori remembered all the teachers who had served there very well.

"It's me, Chairman Sakayanagi. When do you plan to return to the school?"

Ms. Shirakawa is a young female teacher who teaches Chinese literature. Although she is not a homeroom teacher, she is very popular among the students.

"Back to school? I'm still proctoring exams on this Uninhabited Island. Has something happened at school?"

Sakayanagi Narimori sensed something was off about the other person's tone and quickly pressed for details.

"Here's the thing, someone just came into the teachers' office. We don't know him, but he mentioned you, so I'm calling to confirm your schedule."

"Someone has arrived?"

A name suddenly flashed through Sakayanagi Narimori's mind, "Did he say what his last name was?"

"He... he said his surname Ayanokoji, that's right, it's Ayanokoji."

Shirakawa paused, then her voice suddenly rose several octaves, "Is he your friend?"

"Ayanokoji..."

Upon hearing this surname, Sakayanagi Narimori's expression changed drastically.

After pausing for about three seconds, he calmed himself down and continued in a composed tone, "... I guess so. Did he say what he wanted to do?"

"He wants to convene School Board."

"..."

Did they arrive so quickly?

Upon hearing the words "School Board, "Sakayanagi Narimori instantly realized what the other party intended to do.

"Mr. Shirakawa, I understand your message. I'll head back as soon as possible."

"OK."

After hanging up the phone, Sakayanagi Narimori picked up the Tablet Computer next to him almost without hesitation and sent a special message to Hashiba Hikaru.

[Hashiba- kun, Ayanokoji Atsuomi has already gone to the school. I heard he's planning to hold School Board. You need to be prepared; trouble might be coming your way soon.]

After sending the text message, he picked up his phone and began to think.

The School Board currently has three factions: the Kujo Family, the Sakayanagi Family, and the Konoe Family.

However, the Konoe Family has been largely inactive lately, with most decisions being made jointly by the Kujo Family and Sakayanagi Family. If Kujo Hayato really intends to go too far, even if Sakayanagi Narimori rushes back now, he won't have the upper hand in the vote.

"We have to call the Koenji Family."

With that in mind, Sakayanagi Narimori dialed the number again.

Chapter 843 Hashiba Hikaru's backup plan, a battle fought alone.

After learning of the emergency at the school, Sakayanagi Narimori decided to contact Koenji Morito first.

Although he wasn't particularly close to the Koenji Family, with Hashiba Hikaru acting as a mediator, they were now able to discuss things more deeply.

"Hello."

The call connected, and Koenji Morito's slightly languid voice came from the other end.

"Mr. Koenji, I am Sakayanagi."

Because of the urgency of the situation, Sakayanagi Narimori skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "An accident has occurred at the school."

"Oh, is this Professor Ayanokoji?"

Koenji Morito seemed completely surprised. "What's he doing at school?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Professor Ayanokoji has received authorization from the Kujo Family to convene School Board to do something."

Sakayanagi Narimori had some understanding of Ayanokoji Atsuomi, because Hashiba Hikaru's previous actions had completely ruined the latter's political career, and now he should launch a final counterattack.

"Heh, Elder Kujo really has guts. He was clearly tricked by Professor Ayanokoji, yet he still dares to cooperate with him?"

Koenji Morito had already discussed this matter with Hashiba Hikaru, and now that his worries had become a reality, he felt surprisingly calm.

"Regardless of what exactly is being planned behind this, the focus now is on what Professor Ayanokoji is planning to do. I'm currently on Uninhabited Island, could you please trouble Mr. Koenji to help investigate?"

Sakayanagi Narimori decided to temporarily rely on the power of the Koenji Family, whose influence was extensive and far-reaching.

"It's just a small matter. I think Sakayanagi should tell Mr. Hashiba first."

Koenji Morito suddenly mentioned Hashiba Hikaru's name, his tone slightly playful.

"If he knew about this, his reaction would probably be quite interesting."

"What's the meaning?"

After listening to Koenji Morito's words, Sakayanagi Narimori seemed to have thought of something and quickly asked, "Did Hashiba- kun foresee this happening?"

"Of course not, I just wanted to see if Mr. Hashiba had any backup plans."

Koenji Morito had been secretly investigating Hashiba Hikaru's private activities. Since she had become a member of the Koenji Family's board of directors, she naturally wielded considerable power and could do many things.

"A backup plan?"

Sakayanagi Narimori was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at his tablet. The message he had just sent to Hashiba Hikaru had received a reply.

[I understand. Let's not panic yet, let's see what Ayanokoji Atsuomi is planning to do.]

His tone was calm, yet carried a subtle hint of confidence.

Could it be that Mr. Hashiba really had a backup plan?

The silver-haired man's earlier tension suddenly eased. He adjusted his glasses and continued speaking to Koenji, "If there's a backup plan, I'm certainly looking forward to it."

"Hahaha, we old guys haven't even retired from the stage yet, but Hashiba- kun is already ready to become the protagonist. What an amazing young man."

Koenji Morito sighed; he truly admired the other person.

"Yes, since he's not in a hurry, let's wait a bit longer."

"Waiting is fine, but I'd like to do a little more."

Koenji Morito revealed his fangs without any restraint, and his voice suddenly turned sinister.

"We missed a good opportunity last time. Now that the Kujo Family is getting involved again, how can we let it slip by?"

Last time, due to Ayanokoji Atsuomi's prior arrangements, Koenji Morito failed to drag the Kujo Family into the mess. Now that they have taken the initiative to get involved again, they certainly cannot let them off so easily.

"Mr. Koenji is truly decisive. In that case, I will refrain from interfering."

Sakayanagi Narimori had no interest in such power struggles between wealthy families, as the Sakayanagi Family was indeed no match for these two, and he was unwilling to waste his time.

"Haha, Hashiba- kun seems quite interested."

Koenji Morito smiled and prepared to hang up the phone.

"In that case, I'll go take care of business first. Sakayanagi, let's wait and see what Hashiba- kun can do."

"That's natural."

After hanging up the phone, Sakayanagi Narimori glanced subconsciously at the Tablet Computer beside him.

Because of Hashiba Hikaru's reply, his mind is now filled with all sorts of speculations, and he can't find a clue at all.

Hashiba- kun, are you really preparing a backup plan?

"Is it Koenji... or someone else?"

He muttered to himself, unable to think of the right answer for a moment.

Meanwhile, deep in the dense forest of the Uninhabited Island, Hashiba Hikaru had stopped in her tracks.

"Hikari, what's wrong with you?"

Ichinose Honami and Ibuki Mio noticed the boy's unusual behavior; he seemed to have glanced at the tablet just now and had remained silent ever since.

"I've encountered a rather troublesome situation, and I might have to break my promise."

Hashiba Hikaru looked at Ibuki Mio's delicate face and slowly explained, "The prophecy I just made has come true."