Volume 2
Chapter 1: Yukinoshita Receives the News
After the sweltering summer vacation, Chiba Prefecture, like the rest of the Kanto region, had officially entered autumn. Half of the year had already passed.
The typhoon that caused immense damage to Tokyo Bay in the first half of the year was still a topic that people occasionally revisited. However, it was gradually being replaced by other subjects, such as the major earthquake that occurred in Chiba Village last month—some even claimed it was a meteorite strike.
The Yukinoshita family is a prestigious and powerful house in Chiba Prefecture, active in both political and business circles. While ordinary people might not fully appreciate this fact, the more extraordinary the person from Chiba, the more they would understand the weight this name carried in the region.
"Ishida-kun, you're putting me in a difficult position," said Yukinoshita the Diet member, maintaining an impeccable demeanor in the luxuriously decorated reception room.
Standing beside him, temporarily acting as a servant, was his eldest daughter, who had clearly inherited the excellent qualities of both her father and mother in this regard.
Ordinarily, a reception of this level of formality would not be necessary for someone of equal status—after all, the other party, despite being from Tokyo, was still just another Diet member. Their ranks were essentially the same.
However, considering that the content of their discussion wasn't simply based on their status as Diet members, but rather the deeper concerns and voices from the organizations they represented, this level of hospitality was indeed warranted.
"I never imagined that 'Yomi' would be interested in local educational institutions," said Yukinoshita.
Indeed, the man named Ishida, who appeared to be a Tokyo Diet member, was in truth the representative of "Yomi" in Japan and also a high-level martial artist.
This was what made Yomi so frightening: it was first and foremost a coalition of extreme martial artists from various countries who revered traditional martial arts. Everything else came second. The overwhelming martial prowess of these expert fighters was both feared and coveted by politicians.
Most politicians' lives weren't as filled with righteousness as they claimed. For these unscrupulous individuals, if sacrificing the interests of their citizens meant coexisting peacefully—or even becoming "friends"—with an organization like Yomi, they would happily accept. Yomi had always taken advantage of this, receiving enormous political donations from countries and using politicians as key clients to expand its business.
If Yukinoshita were merely a member of the government, he would not have had the confidence to face a man like Ishida.
Fortunately, Yukinoshita didn't have this problem. He was the chief of political and economic affairs for the Historical Compilation Committee in the Chiba region. His title as a Diet member was merely a convenient cover for that role.
Because of this identity, though an ordinary person, he wasn't afraid of the warriors of Yomi.
Even an organization like Yomi would not want to carelessly provoke a conflict with the Historical Compilation Committee on Japanese soil.
"Since we've already sat down together, why not be straightforward, Yukinoshita-san?" Ishida said, visibly irritated by the smiling father and daughter before him.
Even as a Diet member, Ishida would often put on a fake smile in front of the public. But at heart, he was still a martial artist—he hated beating around the bush.
He believed he was being honest, and Yukinoshita's attitude truly displeased him.
Yomi, of course, had no interest in running schools. With its tradition of master-apprentice lineage in ancient martial arts, modern educational institutions were entirely irrelevant to them.
Weapons, drugs, or private military operations—areas that offered both massive economic and political returns and provided a platform to display martial prowess—were what Yomi preferred and actively pursued.
Though many nations voiced discontent toward Yomi, did it really matter?
If you're dissatisfied, come and fight. A bunch of clowns—what use is complaining?
"Oh, so your organization truly isn't interested in the education sector. Then how should I interpret this?" Yukinoshita's smile faded slightly. "Recently, a disciple of Shadow Nine Fists entered that school. If your current request is part of your ongoing feud with Ryōzanpaku, then I must decline."
He paused, then added in a serious tone, "The Committee will not allow such a thing to happen. If you both cannot maintain your current restraint, we will drive you out of Japan by force."
The Historical Compilation Committee, established and firmly controlled by the four great Japanese sorcery families, was the true ruler of Japan—a fact acknowledged by the magical society.
Even Yomi, which was outside the magical society but closely connected to this world, understood this.
Among the political donations it received from governments, Japan's contribution was relatively small—this in itself was a mutual understanding.
The Historical Compilation Committee had absolute power within Japan but nearly zero influence outside the country. Given the inevitable rivalries within the magical world, it couldn't rely on support from other magical organizations either. Thus, organizations like Yomi became key foreign partners for the Committee. Because of this relationship, it was only natural for the Committee to turn a blind eye to the entanglements between domestic politicians and Yomi.
But that didn't mean they would tolerate turning the country into a battlefield for martial artists.
"Hmph, I have no connection to those who have strayed from the path," Ishida scowled at the mention of Ryōzanpaku. "Aside from that, do you have any other reason to refuse?"
"There is, actually," Yukinoshita replied with a gentle smile. "I happen to have some shares in that school, and my adorable daughter also attends it."
The "some shares" claim was complete nonsense—the school practically belonged to the Yukinoshita family.
As the Committee's representative in Chiba's political and economic affairs, it was only natural for him to possess wealth unimaginable to the average person. It wasn't considered abuse of power; rather, such status came with such expectations.
While such wealth was negligible to the four great sorcery families, when it came to non-magical resources, they were very generous to their subordinates.
The Yukinoshita family belonged to the Seishuin clan's faction.
They were also responsible for the aftermath of the god-defying incident that occurred in Tokyo Bay and Chiba Village.
It was during that time that Yukinoshita had the fortune of meeting the Seishuin family's young lady—and also learned an astonishing piece of news.
If not for that, he wouldn't be so particular about a mere school.
"Don't you think such a reason is ridiculous?" Ishida finally lost his temper. "Even if you're from the Committee, if you're going to brush me off, at least do it properly!"
"My apologies, Ishida-kun, but for now, I truly have no plans to make a move on that school. I hope you'll understand," Yukinoshita said, still polite and composed. "In fact, the young lady of the Seishuin family might be coming here soon. Since we both serve our respective organizations, any misunderstanding between us would be most unfortunate. Personally, I do hope we can become friends, Ishida-kun."
"I see. It appears I misunderstood. Please accept my apologies," Ishida's anger vanished instantly as he stood up. "Well then, thank you for your hospitality today. If you ever visit Tokyo, please allow me to treat you properly."
"Absolutely, absolutely. Haruno, please see Mr. Ishida out on my behalf."
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I Posted a new Fanfiction!
It's a crossover between Oregairu and Classroom of the Elite
The Return Of Hikigaya Hachiman in the Classroom of the Elite
Summary:
During the unanimous special exam in the second year at Advanced Nurturing High School, Hikigaya Hachiman was expelled.
After successfully making it through university entrance exams... he was rewarded with a big truck.
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