Fear Spreads Across the Land

"Lieutenant General and the others are back."

When an Osprey transport aircraft flying from Osaka returned to the skies above the Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters, several field-grade officers who had been waiting there looked up at the many figures leaping down from the cabin, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

"Lieutenant General, welcome back."

"Director Takeya, Sir Takashi, President Hongo, Imperial Princess Shimizu."

After stepping forward to salute and greet the extraordinary experts, the officers all fell silent.

Yet the looks they cast at Kafka clearly indicated that they had something to say.

"There are no outsiders here. Speak plainly."

As a Lieutenant General, Kafka had been stationed in Osaka year-round due to his battles with the Nine-Tails Faction. He held no prejudices about "Kanto" or "Kansai," and naturally did not care about something as trivial as losing face in front of the "Tokyo side."

"Yes."

Since Kafka had said so, Captain Ashiro stepped forward to report.

"We have found the 'mole.'"

?

"So quickly?"

Hongo Hina was somewhat surprised. She had thought that catching the mole would be quite interesting.

"In fact, they exposed themselves. Please follow me—"

Her tone carried a trace of dejection and bitterness.

Captain Ashiro turned and raised a hand in invitation.

After hearing that the transport aircraft carrying the Director and the others had come under attack, Osaka immediately suspected the existence of a "mole."

Director Takeya's trip to Osaka had been a sudden decision; yet they had been ambushed halfway there. Unless Kuko Yoa's subordinates possessed some ability like "precognition," then Osaka had leaked the information!

If it was the former, figuring out how to deal with it would be a headache.

If it was the latter, then it was Osaka's failure!

"Right here."

Pushing open the door to an office