Japan Tokyo.
After being released by Yunyi, Masaki Ichijo finally returned to Tokyo after many twists and turns. He was badly injured, especially having lost an arm, which made Gouki Ichijo extremely angry.
However, just as Gouki Ichijo was mobilizing his family's resources to avenge his son, Maya Yotsuba, along with Tatsuya Shiba and Miyuki Shiba, arrived at the hospital where Masaki Ichijo was staying.
"Master of the Ichijo Family."
"Head of the Yotsuba Family."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries between the two family heads, Maya Yotsuba directly stated the purpose of her visit.
"Our Yotsuba Family might be able to heal your arm, Ichijo-kun. But before that, I'd like to speak with you alone, is that alright?"
Gouki Ichijo's pupils widened. " Yotsuba Family, are you telling the truth?"
Maya Yotsuba nodded gently. "It's true."
Upon hearing her answer, Gouki Ichijo no longer hesitated and directly invited Maya Yotsuba and the other two into the ward.
Upon seeing Maya Yotsuba and the Shiba siblings appear, Masaki Ichijo immediately sat up from his hospital bed. Although he was injured, it wasn't enough to impair his basic mobility.
" Masaki, the head of the Yotsuba Family has something to ask you. Just answer truthfully." Gouki Ichijo instructed his son before leaving the ward.
After he left, Maya Yotsuba personally set up a soundproof magical barrier before saying to Tatsuya Shiba, "Don't talk for too long, or it might cause some trouble."
Tatsuya Shiba nodded, but the next moment he drew the CAD from its holster and aimed it at Masaki Ichijo.
" Shiba, what's wrong with you...?"
Masaki Ichijo looked at Tatsuya Shiba in surprise, but before he could finish speaking, Tatsuya Shiba had already pulled the trigger.
Standing behind him, Miyuki Shiba also closed her eyes at that moment. She knew better than anyone how much pain her brother was enduring.
A moment later, Masaki Ichijo looked at his arm, which he had lost and then looked up at Tatsuya Shiba was covered in cold sweat.
"What... what kind of magic is this? Shiba, who exactly are you?"
After catching his breath, Tatsuya Shiba replied, "Just think of it as a healing spell. In any case, your injuries will be fine. Now, let's get down to business."
"What important matter are you talking about?" Masaki Ichijo asked, somewhat puzzled.
"He's not letting you go without making any demands," Tatsuya Shiba said directly.
Masaki Ichijo's pupils twitched a few times, and his head was slightly lowered. " Shiba, can you tell me, what exactly is your relationship with that guy?"
Tatsuya Shiba hesitated for a moment before answering Masaki Ichijo's question.
"We are friends, and we are enemies."
"Is that so?" Masaki Ichijo seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps asking a question.
"He let me go so I could deliver a message to the high-ranking officials of the Ten Master Clans and the Japan military. This battle was started by Japan. Therefore, Japan must bear the responsibility for starting the war. I will not accept any form of surrender. You can expect the consequences of this war. That's what he wanted me to convey."
"I understand." Tatsuya Shiba nodded, which was similar to what Yunyi had said when he brought Miyuki Shiba back.
"Ichijo, as the young master of the Ichijo Family, how do you think this matter will develop?" Tatsuya Shiba asked.
"Are you asking me to make a judgment from the perspective of the Ichijo Family?" Masaki Ichijo asked rhetorically.
Tatsuya Shiba nodded, giving a definite answer. Masaki Ichijo pondered for a moment before replying, "If no one can control that guy, Japan might cease to exist."
"That guy, Yunyi, is a magician beyond all our understanding. Whether it's large-scale destructive magic, ultimate defensive magic, or even Spatial Magic that no one has ever truly mastered, if he really gets serious, we are indeed helpless against him," said Tatsuya Shiba.
In Japan, besides Mayumi Saegusa, only Tatsuya Shiba has the deepest understanding of Yunyi. In particular, he once helped Yunyi adjust CAD and knew about his compatibility with Magic Sequence. Coupled with his miraculous Domain Magic, in this world where magical strength is paramount, he might be the strongest magician in that world.
Furthermore, after Miyuki Shiba was taken away, some intelligence was obtained. Yunyi was not acting alone; he had connections both domestically and overseas. If these forces were mobilized to target Japan, they might actually be able to overthrow the country.
" Shiba, what's your opinion?" Just then, Masaki Ichijo suddenly asked.
After a moment's hesitation Tatsuya Shiba replied, " Miyuki and I want to invite him to meet. He once expressed his dissatisfaction with the current world order and said he wanted to change it. But we don't know exactly what he wants to do. I hope to find out the truth about these things from him during this meeting. As for what to do next, we'll have to wait until after the meeting to make a decision."
"Then please be sure to take me with you." Masaki Ichijo responded decisively.
Tatsuya Shiba frowned, but ultimately nodded in agreement. "I'll let you know once the time is confirmed."
After saying that, Tatsuya Shiba turned to look at Maya Yotsuba.
"Is that all?" Maya Yotsuba asked.
Tatsuya Shiba nodded. "Thank you, Aunt."
Maya Yotsuba smiled but didn't say anything more. She dispelled the magical barrier and walked out of the ward first.
However, sitting on the hospital bed, Masaki Ichijo looked completely bewildered. "You just called Yotsuba Family head 'aunt,' does that mean you and Miyuki are...?"
"Yes, we are Yotsuba Clan," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
Although he didn't have much affection for the Yotsuba Clan, Miyuki Shiba was now in the position of the next head of the Yotsuba Clan family, and Maya Yotsuba seemed eager to push her into the position as soon as possible. Under these circumstances, Tatsuya Shiba couldn't sever his relationship with the Yotsuba Clan. Besides, he was originally Miya Yotsuba's son, and now, after a series of maneuvers, he had become Maya Yotsuba's "son," making him a direct descendant of the Yotsuba Family.
"No wonder, no wonder you siblings are both so amazing," Masaki Ichijo said with a wry smile.
Tatsuya Shiba did not respond to Masaki Ichijo's assessment. He simply left with the words "We'll contact you again" before taking Miyuki Shiba away from the ward.
A moment later, Gouki Ichijo walked in. Seeing that Masaki Ichijo had indeed fully recovered, his eyes reddened.
After leaving the hospital Tatsuya Shiba parted ways with Miyuki Shiba and Maya Yotsuba. He then took out his communication device to try and contact Yunyi, but Yunyi was currently busy planning the counterattack and didn't notice Tatsuya Shiba's call. Helpless, Tatsuya Shiba had to switch targets and try to contact Mayumi Saegusa.
Originally, Tatsuya Shiba hadn't held out much hope of getting in touch, but as soon as he dialed the number, the call was connected shortly afterward.
"Hey, Tatsuya- kun?"