"Lord Yamada..."
"Come in."
Soji's office door stood open, but Kumiko still politely announced herself before entering.
The young man seated on the sofa was as composed and gentle as ever, yet the sickly flush that had passed over his cheeks confirmed the rumors circulating outside for the shrine maiden.
It deepened her concerns about Soji's physical condition, while also leaving her deeply worried for her daughter's future.
Yet today, the Yamada director, normally so perceptive of others' thoughts, seemed unconcerned with the thoughts rising in Kumiko's heart. He gestured for her to sit, then gave the assistant at his side a look.
Kawabe Horo immediately understood.
He took out the operation plan he had prepared long ago and handed it to the Wandering Shrine Maiden. Then he left the director's office on his own, closing the door behind him.
"What is this?"
"Take a look first."
Soji smiled and pointed at the document in her hands.
Though Kumiko was nominally his subordinate and her mind was in turmoil, she could only comply for now.
As expected, what had been handed to the shrine maiden was a detailed espionage operation plan.
Yet the plan's target was not the Sand Ninja currently clashing head-on with the Allied Forces. Instead, it was aimed at Amegakure!
Kumiko, whose identity had already become increasingly exposed after the battle at Riverside Market, immediately frowned and instinctively prepared to refuse.
However, her many years in intelligence had made her more cautious and patient than most.
By the time the Wandering Shrine Maiden had suppressed her unease and roughly read through the entire plan, most of her resistance had turned into confusion.
—Monitoring allies was nothing unusual in Kumiko's career, but this operation involved swaying public opinion, checking household registrations, infiltrating trade... and even inciting anti-war