It was late at night, past midnight.
Despite the Asakusa Incident the night before and the daytime press conference announcing the arrival of a new era-changes without precedent-the nightlife in Minato Ward remained a glittering world of indulgence.
Who knew how many Tokyo residents were drinking their fill in the heavy night, venting the fear of having survived a disaster and the excitement that filled them with trembling?
"Hahaha, monsters have shown up in kimchi land too! This is wonderful news for our country!"
"Exactly! Another drink to celebrate!"
Inside Kochuan in Minato Ward's Happo-en, several immaculately dressed members of the elite were congratulating one another.
Wearing black-framed glasses and a black suit, Uchiha Senmon sat upright, an imperceptible chill flashing through his eyes.
He said nothing, looking out from the restaurant instead, taking in the serene arrangement of the Japanese landscape garden.
Two months earlier, the Prime Minister had hosted a banquet for the President at this four-hundred-year-old Kochuan.
Uchiha Senmon withdrew his gaze and looked at the food and drink on the table. Their lavish quality surpassed even that presidential banquet by several degrees.
After all, an excessively extravagant diplomatic banquet held under the public eye would draw criticism from taxpayers.
A private dinner, however, had far fewer constraints.
Having prepared himself mentally, Uchiha Senmon accepted the Superintendent General's invitation and accompanied him to Kochuan. Only then did the real hosts reveal themselves.
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology were there, along with several unfamiliar, aging men.
After these pampered old men introduced themselves, their surnames proved to be household names. They were all heads of financial conglomerates backing the current Cabinet from behind the scenes.
Uchiha Senmon had little interest in the latter group. Instead,