"Kobe City. The stage for the first ritual is in Kobe."
In a special-care ward at a private hospital in Tokyo, Tosu Hideo sat half-propped against the head of his bed in blue-and-white striped hospital clothes. Pale-faced, he covered his mouth and frowned in deep thought.
On the back of his right hand, a bright red Cursed Seal resembling two overlapping rocks glimmered faintly.
Only a handful of people were inside the ward: the Prime Minister, Uchiha Senmon, and the United States ambassador. The Supernatural Konoha Military Police Force had sealed off the entire floor; not even a fly could get in.
"Director Uchiha, what's today's date?"
"The second day of the Obon Festival, August 16," Uchiha Senmon replied without hesitation.
"Then it hasn't begun yet. I have to reach the barrier in Kobe before the twentieth and swear to participate in this ritual. Otherwise, the Cursed Seal will take my life."
"What exactly does this ritual Abe no Seimei prepared entail?"
"A death game where we kill one another!"
Everyone was startled.
The Prime Minister and the United States ambassador exchanged looks.
"A battle royale?"
"You mean The Hunger Games?"
The first thing that came to the United States ambassador's mind was the film starring Jennifer Lawrence.
A thoughtful look appeared on Uchiha Senmon's face.
"Kill one another? But only Mr. Tosu and Miss Jeanne have been marked with Cursed Seals. Will other Superhumans be participating in this death game too?"
"Could he be planning to target ordinary citizens?"
The Prime Minister's expression changed drastically.
Although Kobe City was not as prosperous as Kyoto, it was still a major city with a population of 1.5 million. If an urban battle royale really unfolded there, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Before the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, evacuating and