At the Mitsuya family's main residence in Atsugi, former Kanagawa Prefecture, Yugen and Miyuki returned after four months. Only Erika and Mikihiko had visited before. Though smaller than the Kitayama estate, the elite-class mansion impressed many.
"Wow, Yugen, you lived here?" Leo asked.
"Only until early elementary. After that, I was mostly with the Juumonji," Yugen replied.
Pre-reincarnation memories were vague, just school-skipping frustration. As a Kagurazaka now, Yugen entered politely. Shirou Yaguma, a Mitsuya servant, greeted them.
"Long time, Yugen-sama. Shall I address you as Kagurazaka-dono?" Shirou asked.
"It's informal, Shirou-san. Is Father here?" Yugen asked.
"In the study. Welcome, everyone. Follow me," Shirou said.
Calling him "Father" felt odd, unlike Tatsuya's cold paternal ties. Yugen's bond with Moto was strong, though he felt guilty for the trouble caused. The study couldn't fit eleven, so Yugen met Moto alone.
"Thanks for indulging us. Feels off, doesn't it?" Yugen said.
Moto chuckled. "I get it. I've heard from Gousan about using our underground training ground. With Stars involved, cooperation makes sense."
Blood ties remained despite Yugen's new clan, but as Kagurazaka acting head, he outranked Moto formally. Old habits lingered, and Moto smiled.
"That helps. Any orders from the Ten Master Clans?" Yugen asked.
"Shizuru and Kana are aiding, so no complaints yet. Saegusa's watching their mages, probing their strength," Moto said.
"Father, does Saegusa turn incompetent with romance? Genetic?" Yugen asked.
Saegusa's missteps were mounting, spying instead of de-escalating. Moto's wry smile answered Yugen's quip.
"USNA surveillance on you?" Moto asked.
"Likely Stardust, a few of them. Plus, their military satellites track me. Admirable zeal for neutralizing strategic magic," Yugen said.
Tatsuya wasn't satellite-tracked, confirmed via Yatamirror. Fearing power was understandable, but interfering in a small nation's strategic magic was meddling. The USNA president, receiving Yugen's letter (delivered via Mirrorgate to the Oval Office), apologized to Gousan.
"Strategic magic is today's nuclear weapon. I handled some excess spies," Moto said.
"Thanks. Stars are a hassle while I focus on Parasites," Yugen said.
"No forced removal?" Moto asked.
Reasonable question. If mere foreigners, a deal would suffice. But deserters from Stars, elite mages, plus a facilitator, complicated things. Few in the USNA wanting Japan weakened understood Parasites' mage-targeting nature. Likely Zhou Gongjin or Gu Jie, a Seven Sages member, with necromantic skill pointing to the latter.
"The USNA president, via Gousan, promised to rein in the military after I leaked Parasite and New Soviet/Great Asian Alliance info. I'd watch their prideful antics, but no time," Yugen said.
Avoiding timeline disruption was moot after aiding Leo's power-up. To prevent reinforcements, Yugen sent Shuji, Yume, and Shizuku abroad. Letting Stars handle it showed superpowered foes reality, especially modern magic-reliant soldiers.
"Can Japan's magic surveillance trace USNA spell signatures?" Yugen asked.
"Possible. Why?" Moto replied.
Stars' overt moves didn't trigger "original" surveillance flags. Kyoko noted traditional magic tripped sensors, so Lina's Parade should register. Even if Lina's position was masked, Parade's event alteration should ping. Yugen's Kaleidoscope erased spell traces, a psion control byproduct, leaving only event alteration, per Kyoko.
"Kyoko's info suggests the Defense Force, government, or Saegusa might be suppressing USNA movements. Heard about last night?" Yugen asked.
"Only via Gousan. Juumonji might know, but others likely don't," Moto said.
Despite warnings against infighting, Saegusa persisted. Koichi's tangled love for Maya explained it, but Yugen, having cut such ties, was exasperated. Saegusa's actions burdened victims like Yugen, who knew Gousan, Maya's matchmaker and Koichi's friend.
"Last night, I sensed something and let it play out. Failing to recognize that level taints the 'world's strongest' title," Yugen said.
"You might be the true strongest," Moto said.
"No interest or benefit in that," Yugen replied.
Exaggerated strength was a shackle. Learning foreign strategic magic was for fusion reactor research, and Shinkage-ryu and Tenjin magic were survival tools. Yugen admitted his edge but noted luck—Gousan's magic and surprise—against Sirius and Igniter. It didn't sit right as "strongest."
"No interest? Like old you," Moto said.
"Really?" Yugen asked.
"Yes," Moto confirmed.
Pre-reincarnation Yugen, unlike Mitsumasa, craved a normal life over mage prowess, willing to abandon the Mitsuya name, per Moto. Half-fulfilled, his life was far from normal.
"Sorry, Yugen. Except Shina and Jirou, Mitsuya and Yaguma knew your nature," Moto said.
"Guessed after Gousan grilled me at Nine Schools. No blame?" Yugen asked.
"Why? You and Motoji elevated Mitsuya to top-tier, despite my added stress," Moto said.
Excess power invited scrutiny, Moto noted. Balancing power and intel was tricky.
"I freed your actions. Blaming you means I step down first," Moto said.
"At Nineloader, facing nine spells and killing intent, I was ready to bolt," Yugen said.
Moto laughed. "I misjudged you then. Forgive the caution."
Moto's point was fair. Yugen hadn't dwelled on family matters, overwhelmed by near-infinite magic from reincarnation perks. Moto's "do as you like" shaped his path.
"Tsuyama's near-self-destruction helped. What's the Ten Master Clans' move?" Yugen asked.
"Four days ago, Saegusa led an emergency meeting. Mitsuya provides intel and forces. Koichi wants you involved," Moto said.
Yugen sighed. Saegusa and Juumonji led due to Tokyo-centric incidents. Yotsuba's Defense Force ties warranted involvement, but Saegusa declined. Yugen was irked by their assumption apologies sufficed for damages, no longer a Mitsuya legally.
"Do they grasp Sirius's presence? Also, Kudou's former head is in Tokyo. Know anything?" Yugen asked.
"Koichi requested Kudou for traditional magic expertise post-Yokohama data," Moto said.
Yugen sighed. Data meant to prevent recklessness drew Kudou's Retsu. "Kudou's lighter than their current head and Defense Force ties helped," Moto added.
"What's Kagurazaka, or rather, Divine Assembly's move?" Moto asked.
"Targeting Stars, not Parasites," Yugen said.
"Why?" Moto asked.
Simpler to send Stars home than complicate matters. In the "original," Miyuki's Cocytus and Tatsuya's Elemental Sight resolved the mess. Stars' tracking failed against Yugen.
"I've located all Parasites. Yesterday tested Sirius's skill and ensured Leo's safety," Yugen said.
"So, not Parasites?" Moto asked.
"They're a goal, but I'll train Tatsuya's group for anti-mage combat against Stars. Terrorists differ from active military mages," Yugen said.
His cheat-born Parasite detection skill limited elaboration. Moto, knowing Yugen's secrets, showed awe. No killing was intended, but self-defense was vital. Gousan and Motoji trained Erika and Leo for this. Stars likely investigated Yugen and Tatsuya's friends, making precautions necessary.
"Sending both Sirius to neutralize us shows their desperation. Politicians and tycoons are more realistic," Yugen said.
"Someone else pulled strings?" Moto asked.
"Otherwise, escaping Stars' pursuit for illegal entry is impossible," Yugen said.
Gousan strongly suspected Gu Jie. Escaping USNA, a magical superpower, pointed to his involvement.
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