Dispute

Setagaya Ward.

A military base located one hundred meters underground.

"Tch, this dog is living the life; it's treated better than we are."

Iori Ichika crossed her arms in annoyance. Through the thick glass curtain wall, the Shiba Inu left behind by Tanimura Wataru was surrounded by several professional pet sitters, pet nutritionists, and pet groomers, enjoying service fit for a nobleman. The dog's face was scrunched into a happy squint.

"If you possessed extraordinary power, you could enjoy such treatment as well."

Her direct superior's voice came from behind. Iori Ichika turned her head and glanced at the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Superintendent General Takeya, are you finished arguing?"

"Not at all."

Superintendent General Takeya, wearing plain-rimmed glasses and looking every bit the elite of the island nation—no, he was the elite—rubbed his temples.

"The Prime Minister's Official Residence is in an uproar. It is expected that nothing will change in the coming days."

It was true that the island nation was America's dog, but if pushed into a corner, even a dog would bite!

"We are quite lucky,"

Superintendent General Takeya composed himself and began to discuss the international situation with his capable subordinate.

"With accidents occurring constantly in many places, coupled with the election year, these have occupied far too much of America's energy."

If this were in the past, America's military would have already marched into Tokyo! But things are different now. As other nations continue to catch up, the "sole superpower" beacon of freedom has gradually lost its status as the hegemon of the blue planet.

"Our allies on Capitol Hill are lobbying hard. They are even considering cooperation with the North."

"Wouldn't that trigger a war?"

Iori Ichika asked back, her arms still crossed.

"The essence of negotiation lies in bluffing."

"On the issue of the extraordinary, even if we cannot occupy a dominant position, we must never be completely controlled by America. That is the bottom line!"

Superintendent General Takeya understood that the island nation could not truly run off to cooperate with the North.

America naturally understood this as well, but that is politics.

Politics is the product of compromise.

"Let's set aside these high-level maneuvers. Ichika, do you have a way to recruit Tanimura Wataru again?"

Although they had captured a "dog demon," it was, after all, only an extraordinary "animal."

If they could secure Tanimura Wataru, that would be a true victory!

The value of an extraordinary individual.

"It's difficult,"

Iori Ichika shook her head.

Given her previous rapport with him, it wasn't impossible that she could have recruited him into the police system; in fact, she had almost succeeded.

"After being messed with by those idiots from America, anyone would be filled with hostility and wariness toward the authorities."

Damn those American animals. If not for their arrogant interference, then...

She glanced at the Shiba Inu in the room ahead, being pampered by numerous professionals, and Iori Ichika twitched her mouth.

It should have been Tanimura Wataru enjoying himself in there.

As long as communication was possible, even "freedom" was something that could be negotiated.

"You said it is 'difficult,' not 'impossible'?"

Noticing the subtext in Iori Ichika's words, Superintendent General Takeya tilted his head slightly.

"Do you already have a plan?"

"More or less."

Don't let Iori Ichika's appearance as a biker gang leader fool you; she was a top student who passed the island nation's Grade I Civil Service Examination, skipping the "patrol officer" stage entirely.

"Since the other party is a 'dog demon,' we shall give him a 'dog collar'."

Unrestrained freedom is certainly comfortable, but if things are left to develop on their own, the only thing waiting for Tanimura Wataru is death!

Whether it is a "werewolf" or a "dog demon," there is no chance of winning against a military that has gotten serious. For everyone's sake, I hope the following plan can be realized smoothly.

Chiyoda Ward.

Prime Minister's Official Residence, conference room.

The conference room was in chaos. The "elites" in the eyes of ordinary citizens outside were loosening their ties, shouting profanities, or slamming the table—no different from aunties at a vegetable market.

The Minister of Finance, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of the National Public Safety Commission...

They were all big shots in the Cabinet, and the rest were heads of various agencies. Almost all of the island nation's high-ranking officials and dignitaries were gathered here, each with an expression of righteous indignation.

Opposite them stood a black man in an American military uniform. Judging by his rank, he was a Lieutenant General. There was only one person who could hold this rank and appear in the island nation: the Commander of the Seventh Fleet. He was a sharp blade held against the throat of the island nation, and at the same time, the father of the island nation's Emperor. A true supreme ruler!

Besides several other men in American military uniforms, there was one fellow with the features of an islander.

He was the Director of the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.

At first glance, a mere "Director" might seem insignificant in this conference room, but the power he wielded was far from small.

If the Seventh Fleet was the collar around the dog's neck, then the Special Investigation Department of the District Public Prosecutors Office was the barb on that collar.

Beyond using its garrison to forcefully control the island nation, America also employed softer methods: the District Public Prosecutors Office was one such institution. Most of the time, it performed its normal prosecutorial functions, but if any politician in the political arena acted against America's will, the Special Investigation Department would be deployed.

If they had dirt, they would use it to take these politicians down; if they didn't, they would manufacture it to take them down all the same.

However, today:

"Casualties exceed fifteen people—all of them good police officers dedicated to the people!"

"Seven buildings destroyed, estimated losses exceeding..."

"We will never back down—"

The officials from the island nation were all grief-stricken, their faces filled with righteous indignation. They acted as if they were men "concerned for the country and the people," needing only white headbands to shout slogans of "Heaven's justice for the national traitors."

"Lieutenant General,"

"We lodge a stern protest against the damages caused by your side!"

The Prime Minister, sitting at the head of the table, spoke with a pained expression.

"Until this matter is resolved, we refuse any of your requests for military cooperation."

"Hmph."

In response, the Black Lieutenant General—who should have been the 'Supreme Ruler'—found his expression growing increasingly grim.

The old saying held true: even a dog will bite when driven to a corner.

In the Yokosuka base, besides the Seventh Fleet, there were over 100 military vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The local Self-Defense Forces had also been mobilized by the high-ranking officials of the island nation with unprecedented efficiency, all posturing for a "fight to the death."

This was an unprecedented "transcendent" event. The high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the island nation might not care about national interests or the grand cause of the people, but they absolutely cared about their own vested interests.

If they handed over matters related to the transcendent, America would surely eat the meat, and whether they could even get a sip of the soup would likely depend on being behind the Squid and NATO.

How could they allow that?!

They would risk "one hundred million souls perishing" rather than let their interests be touched.

Some had even let it be known that if America wanted to swallow it all, turning to cooperate with the North was not entirely impossible.

Although everyone knew this "threat" was merely a negotiating tactic, faced with the unprecedented "unity" of the island nation's officials, the Black Lieutenant General dared not act rashly.

With America's strength, there was no doubt they could kill this dog; the pathetic "Self-Defense Force" alone could not withstand the edge of the Seventh Fleet. But to do so as cleanly and efficiently as the Gulf War would be very difficult.

Besides—

After all these years, the island nation and America had long since become intertwined.

Many large corporations were multinational groups with significant influence on Capitol Hill. If the two sides truly went to war, not to mention the outcome, it would be like smashing their own rice bowls, and the North and the other side would surely wake up laughing in their sleep.

War, Is always the final resort of politics.

"We lost five Black Hawks and three tactical squads, yet you stole the 'transcendent creature' we captured."

"I repeat! If not for your side's blunder, we could have secured the cooperation of the transcendent!"

"Hand over that 'transcendent creature'—"

"Absolutely impossible!"

With one side harboring fear and the other acting shamelessly, the negotiation devolved into a market-like squabble.

For the Black Lieutenant General, he understood that his career was already over.

Soon, a white man would come to replace him.

And then, Whether the final decision was to use force or soft power, it would have nothing to do with him.

Damn the thick fog, damn the transcendent!

Whatever the big shots were bickering about in the shadows, It didn't matter to Akihi Yu; life remained the same, honestly attending classes every day.

However, there was one extra person in the group going to the Imperial Sakura School to pick up his younger sister.

"Thank you, Yu-kun."

Adjusting her glasses, the class representative Nao whispered her thanks.

Because of her past impulsive behavior, the two families had nearly cut ties, and Akiyu Sora had treated her with cold indifference.

"Nao, don't always dwell on the past; one must look to the future."

Akihi Yu, who was currently deploying a large number of 'Paper Crows' to play a game of wits with the island nation's government, waved his hand. That trivial matter was completely unworthy of mention compared to what he was doing and what he planned to do in the future!

"Exactly, exactly~"

Beside her, Amame Ei patted her own pitifully flat chest.

"I'm still alive and kicking, so if Nao keeps sighing like that, the gods will start to dislike you."

"Amame-san, your way of comforting people is..."

So unique.

Even the gentle class representative couldn't help but retort, though she understood that when it came to the level of 'misery,' she certainly couldn't compare herself to Amame-san.

Therefore, if she continued to mope, even the 'gods' wouldn't be able to stand it.

"Mm, you're right."

"I should pull myself together, too."

The three of them chatted as they walked, arriving at the gates of Imperial Sakura School. They didn't have to wait long before Akiyu Sora, the younger sister, and the young lady Nagisa Kazuha emerged from the school.

According to their daily routine, the group should have parted ways here to head home. But today:

"What did you say?"

Standing beside a black, high-end sedan, a trace of anger appeared on the face of the young lady, Nagisa Kazuha.

"My lady, I am terribly sorry."

"The master has instructed that you are to return home immediately after school."

"Father..."

"Does he have to control my social life as well?"

Facing the young lady's displeased questioning, the middle-aged driver wearing sunglasses only explained calmly:

"That is not the case."

"Recently, Tokyo has... become somewhat unsafe."

"This is for your own good, my lady. Please do not make things difficult for us servants."

"I'm sorry, Ei. I..."

Faced with the driver's firm attitude, Nagisa Kazuha turned her head and looked apologetically at the petite Amame Ei.

"Hehe, it's alright."

"Since it's your father's—your uncle's—order, Kazuha, hurry back. Don't let them worry."

"I can go by my—"

"We'll accompany Amame-san back, don't worry."

Akihi Yu took over the conversation, diffusing the awkward atmosphere. In the past, it was always Nagisa Kazuha who would drive Amame Ei 'home.'

Since a change had occurred today, they would simply take her place and accompany Amame Ei back instead. As for the issue of 'Tokyo being unsafe,' the culprit behind that was standing right there.

"Then I'll leave it to the three of you."

Bowing her head to the three of them, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, the young lady bid them farewell before she was forced to board her luxury car.

"Let's go, too,"

Akihi Yu waved his hand, beckoning the three beautiful girls.

"To Amame-san's house."