The Crisis World XX

Chap. 42: Meeting of the Leader of Kuni no Hashira

Murasaki Oita and Kurayami Ryuzaki walked to another place, one floor above the arena. They both walked silently towards a brown door and entered it.

Inside, several people were seen sitting on chairs with long tables commonly used in office meetings. The different atmosphere and pressure when entering this room proved that the people in front of him were not random people.

"For a long time, Oita! You're the one who decided this meeting, right?! But you're late!" One of them reprimands Oita-san, though Ryuzaki is also late.

"I'm sorry, there's some business that made me late earlier."

But that was a lie. Previously he had only taken care of Herlin who was being excessive to Iraya, besides that there was no other important thing.

Oita-san walked towards one of the empty seats that were already prepared and sat there — Ryuzaki also did the same. He then hooked his fingers and propped them up with his elbows before speaking.

"Thank you for coming at my invitation, The Chiefs of Kuni no Hashira."

The people here are the leaders of the largest Exception organization in Japan operating in four different regions. And Oita-san also became one of his parts.

"Kurayami Ryuzaki from Red Flame, Tokyo."

"Yukimura Ren from Yellow Thunder, Osaka."

"Mushino Aoda from White Cloud, Nagoya."

"And I ... Murasaki Oita from Black Rain, Kyoto. This time I will discuss about forming an alliance to destroy Ayakashi Corp."

Oita-san mentioned their one-on-one name and the purpose for which she had this meeting. Which of course destroys the most troublesome thing, Ayakashi Corp.

He realized that he was lacking to destroy Ayakashi Corp. He decided to form an alliance with other organizations.

"Destroying Ayakashi Corp.? Did I hear Oita wrong?"

One of them asked again. Make sure that his hearing is still fine, because this is certainly not a small thing. "really so. Your hearing's still fine, Mushino."

The one who asked was Mushino Aoda, a man in his mid-20s with sunglasses and wearing a long jacket of a type of faded blue Trench Coat. He is the leader of the Exception organization operating in Nagoya, White Cloud.

"What made you think of destroying Ayakashi Corp.? It's a pretty ambitious thing even if it comes out of the mouth of someone like you."

Then there was Yukimura Ren, with an older stature than Oita-san with her large, solid muscular body. Having bright red hair makes it easily the center of attention of people. Many also knew him by his tempramental attitude.

"I understand how they both feel. Other than the terrible events of seven years ago, there's nothing great they've done to us." Ryuzaki added.

Oita-san understands that. In recent years, nothing major has happened. This peace makes the Exception and the Kuni no Hashira organization as if it is not needed.

Perhaps the biggest highlight is the tragedy of the explosion of a mall in the Kyoto area. But it did not even cause any casualties and only had an impact on material losses. So Oita-san could understand why they were hesitant about this alliance formation plan.

But there is something they don't know, but Oita-san knows now.

"I knew. But I'm sure they're doing something big, even though it's still not visible on the surface. The events of seven years ago did have a very big impact on our side, but they also felt the same way" Oita-san said.

"Just like us, they have slowly begun to recover their strength. And if you're already aware of it, Ayakashi Corp. now has several branches of the company in different areas" he continued.

"I know about it. My people have investigated it and found that a suspicious research building is standing in the outskirts of Tokyo" Ryuzaki said.

"And not only Tokyo, you also know that Nagoya and Osaka also have such a place, right? Even in my place it's the same. Do you realize something weird about it all?"

This room instantly became silent as everyone paused for a moment to think. It didn't take long for them to realize the awkwardness, and Mushino who represented the four heads was here to say it.

"Their research building is in the area of the large organization Kuni no Hashira?"

Oita-san nodded. "It's true."

"But building a research site near the premises of our respective organizations? Isn't that the same as being dead?" Yukimura Gumam.

"If we look at it roughly, it does look like that. But I'm sure they're not that stupid."

Oita-san then leaned herself against the head of the chair and looked towards the door to let someone in. "You can come in."

Then the door opened and someone came in. A familiar figure, someone whose life is currently in the hands of Oita-san — Ishikawa Kyujiro.

Previously Ishikawa-san was assigned by Oita-san to spy on the activities of Ayakashi Corp. and she returned with a report in her hands. Ishikawa-san walked over, but she didn't take the — seats just four.

"Include .., she is Ishikawa Kyujiro. New member Black Rain."

"Hello." Ishikawa-san's brief greeting to everyone here.

But Yukimura looked at Ishikawa with a mocking look, while Ryuzaki and Mushino only looked at her boredly.

"So, what will this guy report? Not something that's trivial, is it?" Yukimura.

After being given permission by Oita-san, Ishikawa-san then started talking. "They did a study to create the strongest creatures of a particular race" Ishikawa said.

Upon hearing his report, the three men became more serious and his casual attitude instantly disappeared. If their attitude is like that, then this is information they never knew.

Ayakashi Corp. is considered a pest by Kuni no Hashira because he likes to recruit a strong person from the underworld called 'Assassin'. The underworld is where all the criminal and illegal trade takes place, from the sale of slaves, drugs, to the life of a person.

Assassins are usually assigned to target someone's life and get paid after it. And Ayakashi Corp. gave 'Assassin' what the 'Assassins wanted. Money and blood.

But now their conversation is back to the artificial being informed by Ishikawa-san.

"A creature of art? Are you kidding me?! I mean ..., can it be done?"

"Maybe it can."

"Hn?"

"Yes, that's not impossible. It's just that almost no one ever does it because the success rate is low and the expenditure is not small."

His third face turned serious, and Oita-san then completes Ishikawa's explanation. "Lately, the ones that are attacking the city are the creatures that we don't know their kind, right? For example, in my town."

"That's true. From what I heard, people suddenly fainted in the middle of the road. The culprits are a swarm of dwarf creatures that are not identified by their type" Ryuzaki said.

"So you're saying that Ayakashi Corp. is experimenting with the Beasts and creating the strongest creatures?" ask Yukimura.

Oita-san nodded back. "But that's not all I'm worried about ...." Oita-san's worries aren't over there yet, because there's still something that makes her uneasy. Until unconsciously a smile is created.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

"They are also developing experiments on the Spirits."

"The Spirits? Those nature-keeping creatures?"

"Yes, that's also one of the reasons I'm having this meeting. I feel like if we don't do something from someone, troublesome things will happen."

"Wait ...."

Ryuzaki suddenly cuts off Oita-san's speech. His current gaze was full of suspicion, as he knew something about The Spirit which he was certain that it would not be that easy to control.

"... I don't understand why you might conclude that, but The Spirit isn't something that's easy to control."

Silent. The atmosphere suddenly stiffened as Ryuzaki spoke like that. Oita-san realizes that Ryuzaki is a person who is more skilled at this than she is. But he was pretty calm, because he had evidence.

"Satou Iraya's. You know him?"

"That black Rain's new male member? What's wrong with her?"

"He has it .... The spirit of the Ayakashi Corp.'s experiments inside his body."

"W-What?!"

The three of them were shocked when Oita-san said so. Of course because the existence of Spirit in Iraya's body is a secret that he had always wanted to keep himself.

"Huh .. I wanted to keep that a secret. But since we're going into an alliance, I'm going to have to sacrifice that information for you to trust me."

"That's impossible! The Spirit was a being that did not easily trust a person and gave his strength just like that to careless people! But why does the brat seem to be able to look normal?!"

"You seem to know a lot about it. But as far as I'm concerned nothing ever happened to her, no."

"How can you?!"

"So, I haven't asked him yet. What do you mean look 'normal'?"

"If The Spirit enters your body, then you will feel a burning sensation in the body until you are grilled alive if it is not removed immediately. I tried and almost fainted from it."

After hearing Ryuzaki's explanation, Oita-san was able to understand a little about his tension. Although he himself did not know why Iraya did not experience the things mentioned by Ryuzaki just now.

"So so. I'll ask him after this tournament, I don't want to interfere with his concentration in this tournament."

Finally the dispute could be a little bit quiet. Although the four of them still did not get the results of this meeting. So once again, Yukimura confirmed his question.

"All I want from this deal is that we'll help each other. Prepare for the worst possible, and if one of us has a hard time, we're both ready to help" he explained.

What Oita-san wanted was actually very simple. Because the trauma seven years ago is still clearly reflected in his head, so now he wants to prepare it as mature as possible.

"... I can't answer now." Ryuzaki. "If what you say is true, then I'll prioritize my city."

"Ryuzaki's right."

"I also agree. Moreover, you are also one of the leaders of Kuni no Hashira, being a leader is the same as we believe that your strength is enough to guard your own city."

Yukimura and Mushino also responded. And that made Oita-san smile thinly. Of course it won't be that easy, he thought.

With the results still ambiguous, Oita-san decided to postpone this meeting and will do so at a later time.

So he now stands up and walks out of the meeting room in silence — followed by Ishikawa-san. But before coming out, Ryuzaki called out to him.

"Oi, Oita."

"Hn?"

"It's not that we don't want to help, but our respective cities are our priority."

"Of course." Oita-san answered. "I'm the fool for asking for your help." Also a very small murmur that was carried by the wind and was not heard by anyone.

After that, he came out of the room.

**

Satou Iraya PoV's

We are watching the second match that has been running since. And yeah .. maybe, we already know the winner. Oukami Yuu still looked refreshed, while his opponent attacked with a brutal but unguided attack, leaving him now out of breath and panting faster.

"It looks like he's going to lose" I said.

Oukami Yuu created the Katana that became his current weapon and his opponent used the wind ability — most likely he was a wind-type Elemental.

Desperately, the woman made a whirlwind that she launched aimlessly. It was futile, as if without a plan. Oukami easily only blocked the eyes so that the attack did not hit him.

"Haha! That only?! Just like?! Why can a weakling like you join this tournament?! Just give up there!"

Wah ... he provoked it. Did he really have no shame in ridiculing an opponent who was clearly weaker than him? Talk about the most annoying trait a person can have.

And thanks to Oukami, the audience also cheered the woman. They mocked him weakly, unworthy of being here, and other insulting words. And it seemed to hit him right in his heart.

The woman stopped putting up the horses and stood still while bowing her head. Has his fighting spirit disappeared? Maybe he'll give up soon.

Or that's what I thought before.

After a while, the woman raised her head and could slightly see her expression. He did not accept all the ridicule given to him and anger was painted on his face.

"No .... I'm not giving up!"

In line with his shout, a strong wind out of nowhere suddenly blew around him. His long black hair was fluttering and his countenance was becoming more and more vivid.

Wait for. Am I familiar with his face? Like I've seen it somewhere.

"His spirit can too."

"But passion alone is not enough" Herlin replied.

Oukami responded to that with a grin on his face. He then darted and narrowed the distance between the two. Then slashed his sword horizontally, eyeing his neck.

But he was still able to avoid it, and without a pause aimed a kick at Oukami's face. Although it is still too short and not up, but I need to praise the counterattack plan.

"What?!"

Oukami surprised — me too, anyway. Because from the kick that did not arrive was created a strong gust of wind and pushed Oukami backward far back. In addition, several fresh incisions were created on Oukami's face.

"He-great."

"I can do better than that." Herlin suddenly responded to me.

"Why do you always compare yourself to anyone, anyway?" tanyaku.

Back to the fight, the female — Kurobane Mei concentrated the air on both soles of her feet which moved around and raised her body high.

Mitsu and the audience who saw that were shocked and spontaneously turned to support her because she was doing such a cool thing.

"D-HE READS ...!!!"

"WOOAAAAHHH !!!"

Mitsu and the audience who welcomed the phenomenon that occurred in the arena shouted like excited people. But this time I wasn't too interested in it, I glanced back at Herlin to check his reaction.

As if knowing what I wanted, Herlin then spoke. "I can do even better than that."

"Why can I guess those words."

Kurobane Mei flew high enough that Oukami could not reach her, and she just stood in silent air while looking at Oukami.

"Oi get off you, you coward! Get down and fight me!"

"I'll win! Whatever happens!"

Kurobane Mei bolted letting gravity help her down quickly and attacked Oukami then back up again. While Oukami is not fast enough to choose between attacking, restraining, or dodging.

The same attack continued Kurobane Mei mercilessly. Although repetitive, but if it is effective yes why not, right? Maybe that's his thinking.

Now what's this shitty guy gonna do?

"What?"

I was shocked when she suddenly eliminated her Katana. Everyone also looks confused because of the strange attitude Oukami does.

"Now ..., go for the cowardly cat!" He was accompanied by a grin on Oukami's face.

"Tch! I don't know what you're thinking, but it's useless!"

I don't understand Oukami's thoughts either, but he might have other plans. Oukami even walked backwards to the end of the arena boundary. While Kurobane Mei created a wind drill in one of her hands and shot back.

The movement is also faster than before. Is he back to being provoked? But Oukami is now unarmed, so it's possible he has a chance. It could have turned around at this last second.

"The woman will lose." Herlin suddenly spoke.

"Eh?"

And when Kurobane Mei attacked, Oukami was able to dodge her at the last split second. Then quickly kicked Kurobane Mei's stomach with her knees, making her lose her balance and then fall to her knees.

Simultaneously, blood also came out from his mouth as his stomach was kicked. And now he was just lying on the floor holding his stomach, and Oukami came to him.

"You can't win if your feelings are bigger than your wits."

"S-fucking you ...."

And the fight ended with Oukami kicking Kurobane Mei out of the arena that won her the match.

"Kurobane Mei is out of the arena, the winner is Oukami Yuu!"

"WOOAAAAHHH !!!"

"What an amazing match! At first we thought that Kurobane Mei could bring things back, but Oukami Yuu proved us wrong! Please welcome the winner of the second match ... Oukami Yuu!"

Alright. He's outmatched. That was what I had expected from the beginning. But something stuck in my mind from the beginning when I saw it. I feel like we've met.

If I meet someone, I can immediately remember at least his face or name. But in this case, it didn't happen. So it's possible that our meeting was short or just a little bit rough. I tried to find her and dismantle my head to remember who she really was. Until finally, I succeeded.

"It turns out he was."

"What's wrong?" ask Herlin.

"It seems .. I know the woman who just lost it."

Seriate