Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, Yakushiji Manor.
"Young mistress, the Metropolitan Police Department's operation report has arrived."
The maid, dressed in a black-and-white uniform with purple asymmetrical bangs, placed the documents on the table with an icy expression.
"The MPD report is here?" Ryōko Yakushiji, wearing semi-transparent pink sleepwear with tired eyes, set down the documents she'd been reading and tossed them aside.
Watching this, maid Ranko Mannen glanced at the discarded papers where the photos of Nurarihyon and Nura Rihan stood out prominently.
Ranko frowned slightly as Ryōko picked up the police report, scanning it briefly before her brows knitted together:
"One hostage has been successfully rescued?"
Ryōko Yakushiji suddenly looked up at Ranko Mannen and asked:
"Is the intelligence confirmed?"
Ranko Mannen replied calmly, "Three frontline Police Inspectors provided verbal accounts which I transcribed into the report."
"Field personnel reports? That carries some credibility at least."
Ryōko shook the document in her hand, narrowing her eyes:
"So the Metropolitan Police Department actually rescued a hostage? Since when did they develop such efficiency?"
"According to field reports, the operation was led by Yomi Isayama, head of the Ministry of Environment Countermeasures Office's action team," Ranko reported impassively to her mistress.
"That Countermeasures Office lacks such capability. Someone else must be backing them."
Ryōko's expression darkened as she continued:
"Someone like the person who issued orders to me through demonic corruption."
Ranko remained silent, well aware of her mistress's hostility toward this shadowy figure.
Ryōko Yakushiji, who had sailed through life with ease, had suffered setbacks from only a handful of individuals.
The most recent among them was Sharon Holygrail.
Ryōko had only become tainted by demons after participating in Sharon's capture operation.
Recently, she'd secretly sought purification, consulting numerous Shamans—even reaching out to ascetics from Mount Osore.
But judging by the commands she'd received, Ryōko's efforts had clearly failed.
The shadowy figure could still influence her through the corruption, and the only event connected to them was this minister's daughter kidnapping case.
"Add the Countermeasures Office to our watchlist," Ryōko said coldly.
"Yes." Ranko produced a notepad from her pocket, wrote "Ministry of Environment Countermeasures Office," tore off the sheet, and pinned it to a small blackboard.
The board already bore six labels: Nura Clan, Hagoromo Group, Bujin-shū, Metropolitan Police Department, SDS.
Ranko placed the Countermeasures Office tag at the top, level with Nura Clan.
These two organisations were Ryōko's prime suspects for the mastermind's affiliation.
Accuracy didn't concern Ryōko—only which group would yield the greatest post-operation benefits.
Surveying the note-covered board, Ryōko narrowed her eyes:
"By rescuing the minister's daughter, the newly established Countermeasures Office will undoubtedly gain his favour. This could sway the Environment Minister, who previously opposed their formation."
"Aside from the Nura Clan—the Hagoromo Group's generational rival—the Countermeasures Office appears most suspicious."
"My operatives still haven't located Sharon Holygrail, suggesting someone's aiding her concealment."
"Few forces in Japan possess such capability."
"In this regard, the Nura Clan appears more suspicious than the Countermeasures Office—their extensive network and manpower grant superior obfuscation abilities."
"Ranko, intensify surveillance on both the Nura Clan headquarters and Countermeasures Office. I want immediate reports on all their movements."
"Yes." Ranko Mannen nodded in response.
After Ryōko Yakushiji finished speaking, she narrowed her eyes and added:
"Aside from that, contact the Bujin-shū. The Yakushiji family is willing to provide them with the means to raid the Hagoromo Group."
"?"
A faint look of surprise crossed Ranko Mannen's face.
But as a professional maid, she merely nodded after a brief moment of astonishment, then turned and left to carry out Ryōko Yakushiji's orders.
After Ranko Mannen departed, the gauze-clad Ryōko Yakushiji murmured to herself:
"If you're not with the Nura Clan or the Countermeasures Office, but with another faction..."
"Then would the further weakening, or even destruction, of the Hagoromo Group make you slip up?"
Ryōko Yakushiji was intensely curious. She could hardly wait to uncover the identity of the person who had given her orders!
...
In an upscale sushi restaurant in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Bald chefs in white uniforms with towels tied around their heads busily prepared sushi.
Their only customers were Luo Shu and Daichi Fujiwara.
Luo Shu, dressed casually, sat at the counter alongside the suited Daichi Fujiwara.
"Inviting a rough fellow like me to such a high-class place seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it?"
Luo Shu picked up a piece of nigiri sushi with clean hands, dipped it lightly in soy sauce and wasabi, then placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly.
"Don't worry, this meal is on the public purse," Daichi Fujiwara said, uttering words that would easily provoke the sensitive nerves of Japan's citizens.
"Public-funded dining?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow at this, glancing at the chefs pretending to be invisible before remarking, "So our meeting here is already on quite a few people's desks by now?"
Daichi Fujiwara merely smiled. "A Cabinet minister's movements are never secret."
"Ah~" Luo Shu nodded in understanding, then smiled. "Mr Fujiwara seems to have a proposal?"
Daichi Fujiwara ate a piece of sushi, wiped his hands with a hot towel, then said solemnly:
"I'd like to ask you to escort Chika home."