Chapter 467. Shijo Mikado's Resistance
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's methods of manipulating hearts and ensuring the absolute loyalty of his subordinates were breathtaking.
The larger a faction grows, the more complex human hearts become, making them increasingly difficult to control. It is like a snowball—once it starts rolling, it becomes unstoppable.
Yet, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka still utilized his unique "Art of Governance," putting his fledgling "Strongman Politics" into practice. By synthesizing various foreshadowing elements and synchronized maneuvers, he effortlessly reined in the situation at the edge of the precipice, clapping shackles onto the souls of over a thousand subordinates.
These highly effective schemes produced explosive results; it was impossible to watch without one's scalp tingling from the sheer intensity.
Hikigaya Hachiman's methods of winning people over were certainly not lacking, but as a man with a moral bottom line and principles, he would never devise a plan like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's. Naturally, he could never achieve results of this magnitude.
"Ah..."
Staring blankly at this version of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, even people like the Shirogane siblings and the Kousaka siblings couldn't help but have a flash of longing and yearning cross their minds at this moment.
Every man—perhaps every human being—has, at least once in their life, thought about becoming the strongest person in the world.
And now, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was the manifestation of those fantasies. He was Hegemony, Vitality, Strength, and Supremacy. He was awe-inspiring and shocking; he was the personification of all these adjectives.
By draping the skin of the "Earth Emperor" over the body of the "Masterpiece," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had become that kind of existence.
Hikigaya Hachiman's pursuit of "the genuine" was indeed admirable and desirable, but because of it, his actions were often motherly, stifling, and required others to think deeply and observe carefully before they could understand him.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka required no such effort.
With just a single glance, everyone understood... This was the combination of violence, power, wealth, strength, and status. This was an existence that satisfied everything engraved in the human genome, naturally attracting anyone to love him, to draw near to him.
Even if this Earth Emperor was moody and self-centered, who could reject the craving for such a feeling? Who could not be shocked by him? Who could deny the resulting fascination?
To want to become the Earth Emperor, one must learn from him, must get close to him... Such power, such purity. To rule everything through pure strength, yet harbor a precious gentleness within that strength—how could this not grant people an immense sense of security?
Even if one might be killed by the moody Emperor, as long as they stayed by his side, became his subordinate, and offered their loyalty, they could claim to have received the Emperor's warmth and gentle treatment. What else could provide such a surging sense of security, such a dedicated admiration that makes one unafraid of death?
—Nothing else.
Absolutely no other person, no other thing, no other place could provide it!
Since humans are foolish things that always need a leader, why not choose the Earth Emperor? ...No, it is not a choice; it is a matter of being chosen by the Earth Emperor!
To be noticed by the Emperor, one must offer total devotion for all eternity—loyalty beyond compare!
"Loyalty, loyalty... Heh, hehe, heeheeheehee! Good! Good! Diligence! Loyalty! Love!"
Venting his emotions wildly, Ayanokouji's father laughed toward the sky. "You are finally no longer slothful! How seductive, how diligent, how satisfying you are when blooming with your full power! Kiyotaka, Masterpiece, my Masterpiece—I knew I never misjudged you!"
To say the plan failed? His Masterpiece, once serious, possessed the ability to easily become the Prime Minister of Japan!
As fanatical as he was, the researchers in white lab coats were trembling.
"Is this... is this the true Masterpiece?"
Left speechless, even through the video, countless people were momentarily awed by the Earth Emperor persona put on by Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Their hearts pounded wildly, their blood racing.
Who still remembered anything about him being a "perverted fanboy"? Since Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's strength was now plain for all to see—limitless, peak, unquestionable, and standing above the heavens—out of respect and awe for the strong, very few people would dare to cast further ridicule.
As the former top scorer in Japan's national exams, Shijo Mikado had collected all sorts of data on the "Masterpiece" during the video broadcast. Finally, he reached a conclusion: if Ayanokouji Kiyotaka used his true abilities, he, Shijo Mikado, could never have held the title of Japan's number one.
And now, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was showing him the reality: not only was he inferior in academics and strength, but his strategic wit was far surpassed, crushed, and utterly destroyed. He lost by an even wider margin in this area than the first two.
At the very least, in terms of study and physical fitness, he could barely keep up, losing only by a bit. But in terms of schemes and strategy, he couldn't even see Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's shadow.
He, Shijo Mikado, couldn't even compare himself to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!
"I have lost. I am utterly defeated. With such strength, with such a Masterpiece, how could I not lose? Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, you may not care, but I shall announce it to the world—I will no longer steal your title of Japan's number one. I refuse to be a thief!!"
However, he was unwilling. He was resentful. He could never like—never like this Earth Emperor who had made him a thief.
"The Shinomiya family can't do it, Shirogane can't do it, Ryuju Momo can't do it... none of these ordinary geniuses can do it. In the end, there is truly only Hikigaya Hachiman."
...Setting aside the Authorities, swordsmanship, and the talent of the Healing Hero acquired after crossing over.
In terms of learning ability, Hikigaya Hachiman could not compare to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
In terms of raw physical power, Hikigaya Hachiman wouldn't last three punches against Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
In terms of the hidden, meticulous mind, unique thinking, and strategy, Hikigaya Hachiman was not necessarily inferior to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka; if he were willing, he could achieve many incredible things.
In terms of judging people, Hikigaya Hachiman absolutely crushed Ayanokouji Kiyotaka... One has never misjudged a person to date, while the other, like a blind man, chose Horikita Suzune.
One draw, one win, two losses. Although he was at a slight disadvantage, Hikigaya Hachiman definitely possessed a chance of victory!
"No matter who challenges you, since I have already lost, I sincerely hope that you win, Hikigaya Hachiman. At least you won't inadvertently trample my dignity and my personhood under your feet as if they were nothing."
"Making me a thief, making me smug, making me tainted by things that don't belong to me while acting self-righteous... Having my self-esteem trampled like this, I will definitely cheer for Hikigaya Hachiman to defeat you, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!!"
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