2 a.m.
In a villa in Shinagawa Ward.
Hagoromo Gitsune, dressed in a coldly elegant black sailor-style dress, sat on the sofa with one leg crossed, idly playing with a USB drive in her hand.
"Is this the intelligence you gathered?"
She raised her head slightly, her gaze falling on Minagoroshi Jizō and Kyokotsu standing opposite her.
At this, Minagoroshi Jizō repeatedly glanced at Kyokotsu, as if deferring to her.
Kyokotsu, seemingly dazed, nodded and said:
"Yes, sister."
Seeing Kyokotsu's response, Minagoroshi Jizō quickly added:
"This little gadget is a creation of modern human technology. Though small in size, it can store the equivalent of an entire library's worth of text."
"The information I've gathered about most of the current factions in Japan, as well as those targeting our Hagoromo Group, is all contained within."
"Oh?" Hagoromo Gitsune looked slightly surprised as she held the USB drive in her hand. "How does one use this?"
"Simply insert it into a device called a laptop," replied Minagoroshi Jizō, before glancing at Kyokotsu.
Understanding the cue, Kyokotsu stepped forward. "Allow me to assist you, elder sister."
"Very well," Hagoromo Gitsune murmured, handing over the device.
Kyokotsu retrieved a laptop from a nearby bag, powered it on, inserted the USB, and opened the document before stepping aside to let Hagoromo Gitsune view the screen.
Watching as rows of text appeared, Hagoromo Gitsune remarked, "Humans have indeed invented quite useful tools."
Satisfied that neither had lied, she rested her chin on one hand, leaning against the sofa arm.
"Read the contents aloud for me, Kyokotsu."
"Yes!"
Kyokotsu nodded eagerly, fumbling slightly with the unfamiliar device as she began explaining Japan's major factions in halting terms.
The lofty American military presence.
The bureaucratic might of the Cabinet, representing official authority, along with its direct military forces.
The combative Metropolitan Police Department and its subordinate Bujin-shū.
The Onmyou Agency, jointly funded by prominent shrine families nationwide and managed by its director.
These three formed Japan's official power structure, maintaining national order.
Beyond them lay supernatural forces: the Vampire Elder Council, regional yokai organisations operating in 'groups', and the Princess of Yokai representing minor yokai factions.
All were forces either directly or indirectly controlled by the authorities.
Among these powers stood numerous notable figures:
National-Level Sorcerers serving as Cabinet advisors.
The twelve family heads of the Bujin-shū martial arts masters.
Twelve Divine Generals elected by the Onmyou Agency.
Pureblood Vampire clan leaders and Great Yokai within yokai organisations.
Mid-to-high ranking officers who, though not quite Great Yokai themselves, could hold their own against them with Abyss Artefacts.
Altogether, those requiring introduction—possessing combat abilities at Great Yokai level—numbered over a hundred.
Most crucial were those recognised as surpassing ordinary Great Yokai.
Powerful beings who could dominate their peers, even slaying them.
Experts dubbed National-Level Sorcerers, Bujin-shū leader Dogen Takayanagi, Vampire Elder Council Grand Elder Asato Ichijo, Onmyou Agency Director, current Nura Clan head Rihan Nura, Seto Group leader Gozaburo Seto, Edomae Group leader...
These individuals were regarded by one or more organisations as the strongest among sorcerers in Japan.
Those considered possessing power beyond Great Yokai numbered nearly twenty.
As Kyokotsu detailed this, Hagoromo Gitsune's brow furrowed slightly.
"When did this country acquire so many formidable individuals?"
Hagoromo Gitsune was no stranger to Great Yokai capable of suppressing or even slaying other Great Yokai.
She herself, her beloved son Abe no Seimei, and even that detestable half-yokai from the Nura Clan were all masters of this calibre.
Yet to her knowledge, apart from those two or three reclusive yokai in Japan, the only active figures at this level were herself and Rihan Nura. Since when had so many others appeared?
This wasn't just one or two more—it was over a dozen additional experts. The situation was truly peculiar.
Hearing this, Kyokotsu considered carefully before explaining:
"According to the information dealer's report, it seems the reason is... we're no longer in our original world."
After speaking, Kyokotsu suddenly remembered something and hastily added:
"Sister, I'll explain this matter to you later. For now, let's discuss these suddenly emerging organisations."
Seeing this, Hagoromo Gitsune didn't dwell on it but instead frowned and asked:
"So, which faction does this so-called SDS belong to?"
Hearing this, Kyokotsu operated the computer while opening SDS documents and said:
"According to available intelligence, this SDS appears to be an organisation established by American arms dealer conglomerates, wielding considerable influence in both American politics and military circles."
"It's said that if the stationed forces are the emperor, then the SDS Supreme Chairwoman is the emperor's emperor."
"That's the relationship between them."
Hagoromo Gitsune lightly tapped the armrest with her index finger upon hearing this, pondering as she spoke:
"The controlling power behind the stationed forces... No wonder they're so brazen..."
Her impression of the SDS was based solely on Minagoroshi Jizō's previous mentions, but she knew little about the specifics.
Yet if they were the force behind the stationed troops, their influence must be staggering.
It wouldn't be impossible for them to mobilise Japan's official forces against us when necessary.
"So how many Great Yokai-level combatants does the SDS have internally?"
At this question, Kyokotsu and Minagoroshi Jizō exchanged uneasy glances.
"What's wrong?" Hagoromo Gitsune noticed their reaction and grew puzzled. "You've obtained so much intelligence, yet can't get the SDS's?"
"It's not like that," Kyokotsu defended before hesitantly adding: "Sister, the SDS's situation might be slightly... exaggerated."
She quickly continued: "This organisation appears to be a transnational official body under direct joint jurisdiction, making it extremely difficult to obtain detailed information about internal personnel. We only have general descriptions, some merely codenames."
'Most importantly, the intelligence was prohibitively expensive. Had it not been for purchasing everything at once, with Miss Tsubame giving me a discount and throwing in some extras, we'd have exhausted our budget without complete information.'
Kyokotsu silently thought to herself.
But these were secrets she couldn't share with Hagoromo Gitsune - at least not in Minagoroshi Jizō's presence.
"Then tell me what we do know." Hagoromo Gitsune wasn't surprised, as this was expected from the power behind the stationed forces.
Relieved, Kyokotsu immediately explained:
"The SDS Director, branch directors, team leaders and deputies of all operational units, and chief executives of each branch are all said to possess Great Yokai-level combat capabilities, and..."
Kyokotsu glanced at Hagoromo Gitsune before slowly continuing: "Their total number exceeds 150."
Hagoromo Gitsune froze upon hearing this.
Over 150 in total?
If she heard correctly, Japan's publicly acknowledged Great Yokai-level combatants numbered only 100.
An organisation rivalling a nation?
Wait, since when could Great Yokai be described as "only 100"?
Seeing her sister seemingly stunned, Kyokotsu hastily clarified:
"However, since the SDS branches are distributed worldwide, their presence in Japan is relatively small. Current intelligence suggests only about 20 Great Yokai-level members are active within Japan."
"Of course, since Akihabara in Japan is a special trading zone for Abyss Artefacts, there's always a high-ranking Director stationed here."
Kyokotsu didn't specify what level this high-ranking Director was at. On one hand, they couldn't afford detailed intelligence. On the other hand, anyone occupying a higher position among 150 Great Yokai combatants was clearly no weakling.
Hearing this, Hagoromo Gitsune suddenly recalled something and asked:
"Is this high-ranking Director that man called Luo Shu?"
At this point, Minagoroshi Jizō interjected:
"Lady Hagoromo Gitsune, I mentioned this before - that Luo Shu was recently promoted to high-ranking Director by the SDS Supreme Chairwoman."
Minagoroshi Jizō's subtext was clear: since he'd been promoted this way, he must possess qualities that made the SDS leadership willing to break protocol for him.
These qualities might not be combat prowess, but his fighting ability certainly wasn't weak - otherwise it'd be hard to placate mid-to-high level discontent.
After saying this, Minagoroshi Jizō added:
"The Hidden Management Department was established specifically because of him. So now the SDS has two high-ranking Directors in Japan."
"...I see." Only then did Hagoromo Gitsune compose herself from her earlier lapse, pinching her brow as intense unease welled up inside.
If Luo Shu were merely high-ranking in the Bujin-shū or Onmyou Agency, she wouldn't be overly concerned. But an organisation rivalling medium-sized nations with global reach? That was a threat she couldn't ignore.
Though Japan currently only had two high-ranking Directors and eight Great Yokai-level combatants, that didn't mean those were the only forces they could mobilise.
Four hundred years ago, Hagoromo Gitsune had deliberately reincarnated into a shogun's family, using the shogunate's power as cover while giving birth to Abe no Seimei.
Official channels made things easier.
Even Hagoromo Gitsune understood this principle - how could Luo Shu not know?
Facing Luo Shu's threat and understanding the resources he could deploy, Hagoromo Gitsune finally felt truly unsettled.
"Sister..." Seeing Hagoromo Gitsune so disturbed, Kyokotsu called out worriedly.
Hagoromo Gitsune waved a hand reassuringly:
"I'm fine, Kyokotsu. Leave the documents there, I'll review them later. You may withdraw."
Hearing this, Minagoroshi Jizō left without hesitation, while Kyokotsu lingered anxiously, seemingly unwilling to depart immediately.
Minagoroshi Jizō didn't mind - as an attendant, Kyokotsu often remained with Hagoromo Gitsune, so he left without concern.
Hagoromo Gitsune paid it no heed either - as an adopted daughter, Kyokotsu had privileges, including occasional disobedience.
Once Minagoroshi Jizō left, Kyokotsu's expression changed dramatically. With visible unease, she produced a USB drive from her hair.
Seeing this, Hagoromo Gitsune blinked in surprise:
"This is..."
"Sister, I... I lied to you. The intelligence wasn't gathered by me or Minagoroshi Jizō. We bought it from an information dealer at Japan's public intelligence shops."
This made Hagoromo Gitsune frown, though she didn't blame Kyokotsu much - the real issue lay with Minagoroshi Jizō.
"If I have to pay for information, then what's the point of keeping him as my information dealer?"
However, Hagoromo Gitsune was somewhat curious about the USB drive Kyokotsu produced only after Minagoroshi Jizō had left:
"And this USB?"
Kyokotsu tensed slightly at the question. "It's... purchased intelligence about ourselves."
Hagoromo Gitsune gave her an approving glance, surprised by her adopted daughter's initiative. "Outside intelligence about us? Well done, Kyokotsu."
Yet she immediately noticed the unease in Kyokotsu's expression.
"Kyokotsu, don't be so nervous. Stay calm. Even if the information contains something unpleasant, it's not your fault."
Kyokotsu lowered her head but kept holding up the USB drive silently.
This rare disobedience puzzled Hagoromo Gitsune.
"What's recorded in the USB—no, in the intelligence—that has you this unsettled?"
Kyokotsu trembled before raising her head, lips pressed tight. She wavered between speech and silence before finally whispering: "Sister... is it possible that your son... isn't actually your son?"