Yokohama, Japan. Hiraya was riding in a car being driven by her righthand, Thierry.
"There's been a rise of violence across the globe, with Japan being one of the few exceptions."
Thierry spoke while driving through the city. Neon lights washed over the car as they strolled through the night.
"The reason is because of the battles between you and Kismet. With both the Calamities and the GHF focusing their attention here, criminals and villains can't afford to act up. In fact, the crime rate has dropped significantly."
"But the number of people leaving the country is rapidly increasing."
Hiraya mumbled.
"True. That's natural though. No one knows when your battles will grow too intense and swallow up the rest of the country."
Thierry chuckled.
"Mishma first appeared here and now you and Sinvula are fighting here every week. People are calling Japan the cursed nation."
Hiraya turned towards him.
"It's rare for you to laugh at others' expense."
"Well, I do have a bad history with the leader of this country back when she was a soldier."
Thierry grinned.
"Knowing she's having a hard time puts a smile on my face."
"My, I never knew Uncle to be so spiteful."
Thierry laughed until a car radio notified them of an incoming call. Thierry answered it and a voice was played on the speakers.
"Raya."
The voice belongs to Scarlett.
"What is it, Scarlett? We're about to meet the director at the restaurant."
"The director is dead."
Hiraya's eyes narrowed.
"When did he die?"
"Our informants received the news of a report of a homicide inside the restaurant where you were supposed to meet."
Thierry turned the steering and the car made a sudden U-turn.
"The culprit?"
"This is being investigated. However, we do have a clue, a message written in blood found on the table he was sitting at. I'll send a photo now."
A ping went off on Hiraya's watch. She tapped it and a hologram appeared before her eyes. It was the corpse of an elderly Japanese man. His throat was slit and all his blood drained onto his grey suit and stained it. Hiraya took only a glance at the body before looking at the blood writings on the table.
"Uragirimono (Traitor)."
Hiraya read the message, which was written in Japanese and remained silent for a bit.
"Scarlett, has the news of this spread?"
"No. The Yokohama Police have locked down the restaurant to keep it under wraps for the time being."
"Alright. Erase anything that can be traced to us having a connection to him."
"Understood."
The call cut and leaving Thierry and Hiraya sitting in silence.
"Was that too cold?"
Hiraya broke the silence after nearly a minute.
"We can't afford to be linked to any violent or unpleasant incidents. Mr. Yamaguchi would understand."
Thierry sighed.
"However, I feel sorry for his wife and daughter."
"Natsuko just finished her degree too. Now her father's dead."
Hiraya sat in silence while looking out the window. She finally spoke after a few minutes.
"Maybe I should burn this city to the ground as a tribute to our old friend?"
"Please don't."
"I'm joking."
"No, you weren't."
Hiraya became silent again.
"Traitor, huh?"
She mumbled absentmindedly.
"Looks like the Japanese Government learned he was selling secrets and silenced him."
Thierry took a turn and started heading outside the city.
"The life of a spy is a dangerous one."
"....Is that what really happened though?"
He glanced at Hiraya from the corner of his eye.
"What do you mean?"
"Would the government kill him so brazenly and go out of their way to leave a message?"
"The message might be for other spies."
Hiraya remained silent.
"Not convinced?"
She shook her head.
"I have no proof other than my instincts are saying there's more to it."
"Well, I can't ignore your instincts. I'll have our people take a deeper look into thi—"
A call came in on the radio, cutting Thierry off. There was no caller I,D causing the two to frown. Neither made a move to answer the call.
"Hello."
Yet, the call answered on its own.
"Greetings to the War Angel and her First Disciple."
A robotic voice resounded in the car.
"Wrong number."
Thierry smashed the screen with his fist. He pulled over and Hiraya snapped her fingers and electric pulses spread through the area. All neon lights were cut and every vehicle came to a stop and was unable to restart. The two exited the car and Thierry took out his phone, but it wasn't working.
"I'll have to buy a new phone."
"Better that than someone tracking us down."
Hiraya started scanning the area.
"The caller hacked one of Hiraya Del Rosa's cars and addressed her as Alala. Somebody knows my identity."
"Considering the timing, I might've been the one to kill the director."
Thierry pulled his gun and stood behind Hiraya.
"The problem is whether they are and an enemy or a foe."
"I don't think we need to wonder too long."
Thierry looked behind him and Hiraya was staring at something in front of her. On a wall across the street was a giant glowing mark, illuminating in the dark.
"A butterfly made of Celtic Knots."
Rage burned in Thierry's eyes as he glared at the symbol. Hiraya stood in silence before turning away.
"Let's go. We need to meet up with Scarlett and Jason."
Thierry followed behind her.
"Also, send a message to Iron Rain."
She clenched her fists.
"Tell them the Grand Church of Calamity has begun to make its move."
Lisbon, Portugal.
"Remember, don't do anything you'd normally do and listen to Dame Belinha's orders."
Martha was fixing her son's collar as she talked to him at the entrance.
"Mamãe, I promise I won't cause problems."
"You and I both know you'll cause endless problems."
"Yeah, but I wanted to put your mind at ease."
Celso smiled while looking down on his mother. She gently slapped the side of his head.
"See you next month."
"Of course."
"Celso, make sure to put all your assets and Hero's Death Gratuity in my name."
He looked at his sister and gave her a thumbs-up. She frowned.
"At least say you won't die, Idiot."
Fatima mumbled. Ruben approached his son.
"I'll be watching."
"Don't worry, I'll make you proud."
The two shook hands.
"I doubt it, but just give it your all."
Celso nodded.
"See you guys next month!"
He left with Belinha and Rui while waving at his family.
"Don't worry."
Elisa placed her hand on Ruben and Martha's shoulders.
"I've seen many people who have what it takes to go against common sense."
She smirked.
"And that boy is one of them."
Her eyes focused on Belinha as they entered a car.
"The same can be said about my daughter."
Belinha and Celso arrived at the Global Hero Federation's Headquarters in Berlin with Rui after using the teleportation array.
"I need to buy one of these."
Impactor said while looking at the pyramid machine hovering over a pad with glowing futhark symbols on it.
"One of these arrays costs the same as the average country's budget."
Belinha dragged him by the arm and followed behind her father.
"Maybe I can steal one?"
"If you want to become an international criminal, go ahead."
Belinha casually dismissed his words.
"Blood Tyrant, sir."
A group of staff members approached them.
"Welcome to the Main Branch. How may we assist you?"
"I'm just here to escort Impactor and Belinha to receive missions."
Rui didn't stop and the staff followed behind him.
"I see. The rest of Kismet have already arrived for their briefing. We'll take you there."
"Alright."
The staff walked in front and Rui silently followed behind them.
"They only talked to your father despite you being the #5 Hero. Is this bullying?"
Impactor whispered in Belinha's ears as they followed the group.
"How did your mind immediately jump to that?"
She shook her head.
"It's the natural thing to do since my father outranks all the current Heroes in the world as a member of the Board of Heroes. When a Board Member is present, they take priority."
"Really?...."
Impactor paused for a bit before asking—
"Then can I ask him for one of those Arrays as a present?"
"Forget the arrays already!"
"Oh, somebody else understands the desire to steal those machines?"
They turned their heads towards a new voice. A woman screaming authority walked towards them. Shoulder-length curly brown hair with bright eyes to match. Dressed in high-waisted black pants fastened with a brown belt and a beige blouse tucked. The clanking of her brown heels echoed in the room before she stopped in front of Belinha and Impactor.
"I thought I was the only one who desired something so convenient to the point of wanting to steal it."
The staff bowed their heads to the woman while Belinha looked on with surprise marked all over her face.
"I know, right? If I had something like this at home, I could travel to any restaurant in the world in a second."
Only Impactor didn't react strongly to the woman's appearance.
"Oh, you want it for food?"
"Yeah. What would you use it for?"
The woman placed her hand on her chin and entered deep thought. Impactor noticed she was wearing a black glove with a crown on it. She smiled.
"Shopping, I guess."
"Then we're not different. Just fulfilling our desires."
"I guess you're right."
Impactor and the woman laughed before she stretched her hands out.
"Alissa Valenti. Empress of the GHF."
Impactor grabbed her hand and shook it.
"Impactor, Future Emperor of the GHF."