I warned about the pace of a dead snail with this, didn’t I. The last part is one of my most favorite Munakata scenes, btw,

Chapter 1 (part ½) (volume 2, pages 17-41)
The Dependable Returnee Just Back from Abroad

Akiyama Himori was being detained on molestation charges. Benzai Yuujirou was on a business trip, forced to deal with numerous outbreaks of strain cases throughout j.a.pan. Kamo Ryuuhou was on a special leave due to reasons. Doumyouji Andy was handling something as unfamiliar to him as legal relationship and countermeasures against the ma.s.s media. Enomoto Tatsuya was in the middle of desperately trying to deal with the aftermath of a cyber attack on Scepter 4. Fuse Daiki was missing after all contact with him had been lost. And now, even Awashima Seri, Munakata Reishi’s right hand woman, also went missing.

Hidaka, one of the few still fully functional members, headed to the Captain’s office to report his progress on the missions.

Looking through the report Hidaka compiled, Munakata commented with a light if wry smile, “Thank you. But how ironic. I never imagined that there would come a day when we would be missing so many of the special operations squad members.”
“True, sir.” When Hidaka answered, he looked like he could burst into tears any moment. “I can’t make heads nor tails of what’s going on.”

There was a reason why he looked so miserable. Presently, due to Kounomura’s actions, the fighting strength of the Special Ops squad was reduced in half; furthermore, due to a cyber attack, the Scepter 4 HQ intranet was pretty much out of service; and, to top it all off, even electric power facilities were down.

To make the report he had just submitted, Hidaka had go to an Internet cafe to use their computer and print it out on their printer. There could be no efficiency to speak of if even such a trifle task took so much time and trouble to complete.

And yet, surprisingly, despite Scepter 4 being in such lamentable condition, their work was being done as usual. Of course, not by Scepter 4 but by someone else.

“It has got to be Kounomura and his people, correct, sir?” Hidaka couldn’t help asking.
“I can think of no one else, so yes,” Munakata answered in his usual calm manner.

Earlier, Kounomura declared that he would steal Scepter 4’s work from them, and in fact, he and his people really had been arbitrary capturing strains who had committed crimes. For a short while, due to Scepter 4’s precautions, it stopped, but those unauthorized vigilante activities appeared to have reopened now. Furthermore, since this time Scepter 4 fatally lacked the personnel, they couldn’t hope to investigate the opponents’ deeds properly.

Gotou did search for Kounomura and his group in the intervals between executing his regular duties, but he alone was simply not enough, and there was nothing that could have been done about it.

“…” Touching a hand to his chin, Munakata seemed to be absorbed in thought. Hidaka, expression of a deer caught in the headlights never leaving his face, just stared at his commanding officer.

If he was honest, Scepter 4’s situation at the moment was such that their organization was practically going down without a fight. Or, to put it more precisely, saying that currently in the battle of wits and resourcefulness between Kounomura and Munakata Munakata was being left in the dust was not much of an exaggeration. Most of his key subordinates were in a situation where they couldn’t work with any efficiency, and his HQ fell into a state where nearly every system malfunctioned.

But still, despite all of that, Hidaka believed in Munakata. He thought that there had to be a reason why his superior contented himself with being so helpless. He prayed that this situation where seemingly nothing could be done about it was some kind of camouflage, and his king already had some plan to capture Kounomura in motion.

But…

“…” As he gazed at Munakata, lost so deep in thought, Hidaka couldn’t help feeling uneasy. That was his first time seeing Munakata think so long and hard in front of his subordinates. And somehow, to Hidaka’s eyes, Munakata even looked slightly bewildered by this whole situation. That’s why Hidaka hesitantly tried to speak up.

“U-Um… The situation with Awashima-san raises worries… and with Fuse, too,” he finally mumbled out the most obvious thing. And perhaps, when he mentioned raising worries, he was talking mostly about himself.

But just then, Munakata fixed Hidaka with his gaze and mysteriously smiled. “It is alright, Hidaka-kun. There is nothing to worry about with Awashima-kun or Fuse-kun,” he said with unwavering certainty.

“No.” Munakata shrugged his shoulders. “Unfortunately, I have no slightest idea where they might be. However, the disappearance of Awashima-kun and Fuse-kun is Kounomura-shi’s doing. In which case, I have no doubt that he had exercised maximum consideration to the two’s safety when taking them captive.”
“…” Hidaka was making a face that clearly showed that he didn’t understand, and Munakata elaborated, “Do you not understand? Kounomura-shi’s goal is to surpa.s.s me and make me yield to him. In simple terms, to make me say, "I lose”. For that purpose, guaranteeing the safety of the two is absolutely indispensable. For argument’s sake, let us a.s.sume that something happened to the two’s body or mind. Do you think I would ever acknowledge it as his win over me?“

After thinking for a while, Hidaka shook his head. "No, you would never acknowledge it as his win, sir, I think.”

What Munakata would do though would be to make sure that fitting retribution befell those guilty of harming his people, Hidaka was certain.

“The same notion can be seen in their actions this time, odd at a glance. They are trying to reduce our fighting potential as much as they can, and at the same time are striving to maintain public order.”

Hidaka started to understand what it mean, a little. “I see. Kounomura’s objective is not to attack or hurt you, Captain.”
“That is correct. His objective is to show me the ability gap between he and myself. To make me see how much smarter, more skilful and instrumental he is at protecting "justice”. Fufu, putting aside how successful, if at all, his attempt is proving so far, he is quite a schemer. He was a philanthropist originally, so he must have estimated even the effect my falling from power would have on the country and is now being meticulous in making sure he does not trouble anyone with his actions.“

Hidaka’s expression betrayed his mixed feelings. ”…Captain, aren’t you…“ What he was going to say was his honest opinion. "Aren’t you being rather well-disposed towards Kounomura? Or maybe not so much well-disposed as more like having strange trust in your adversary?”
“…Is that how it looks to you?” Munakata replied, seemingly in wonder.

Such an answer, in turn, left Hidaka bewildered. “Yes, it does, sir. Am I wrong?”
“I see.” Munakata’s shoulders shook as he chuckled. “That is how it looks, huh. Well, what do I do now. Being well-disposed towards the man who tries to drag me down is quite a scandal.”

Hidaka didn’t know what to think. Munakata Reishi certainly was in a category of his own when it came to the difficulty of figuring him out. ‘Except he has the same air about him as always. I’m worried sick, but the Captain is still the Captain, so I’m sure it’s going to be fine.’

Alas, Minakata’s next words blew off the relief and security Hidaka was feeling.

“In addition, although I do not have a confirmation of Fuse-kun’s status, I heard from Awashima-kun herself that she is unharmed,” Munakata divulged like it was nothing.

It took some time for Hidaka to process his words. “Eh? Huh?” Involuntarily, he stared at Munakata in quite a rude way. An unvoiced wonder of just what this person was saying was painted all over his features.

“Oya, did I not tell you?” Munakata asked innocently. “An incoming call was made to my PDA 3 hours after Awashima-kun’s capture. When I answered it, it was Kounomura-shi on the other end of the line, and he informed me that he had captured my Lieutenant and then put her on, letting me speak with her for a short while.”
“…” Hidaka ma.s.saged his temples, like he was having a particularly nasty headache. “…What did Awashima-san say, sir?” he finally managed to squeeze out.

Munakata made an attempt to recall, “Hmm, she was mostly apologizing. For suffering such an embarra.s.sing defeat, in her own words. When I asked if she required a.s.sistance, she replied with a firm negative, a.s.suring me that she had the full intention to escape on her own. I said that if that was the case, then I would be looking forward to her attempt and hung up.”

Hidaka didn’t even try to close his gaping mouth anymore. In his mind, a voice was screaming in an endless loop, "This is crazy! This person is crazy!’ He supposed Awashima Seri was being her usual charming self in refusing help, but Munakata Reishi, having so readily accepted her refusal, was even more messed up in the head!

Hidaka literally felt giddy without any exaggeration. From too much shock his head swam, making him dizzy.

Munakata only smiled wryly. “Hidaka-kun, please do not make such a face. I have made such a decision not without some thinking, I a.s.sure you. Besides, it is really OK.” He paused for a while. “Very soon, Scepter 4 will be reinforced with a very reliable person coming back to us.”
“Eh?”

Just when Hidaka made a surprised noise, there was a knock on the door.

Munakata smiled. “Speaking of the devil. Please come in, Fushimi-kun.”

The door opened with a slight creak to let Fushimi Saruhiko with a paper lantern in hand through. He wore a plainly anguished expression on his face. “For the love of, since when we’ve turned into a haunted house?”

His question was only natural. Rows of candles swaying their yellow flame unsteadily were currently found in the Captain’s office here and there.

“Oh but this is quite charming in its own way. But setting that aside, did you bring me souvenirs, Fushimi-kun?” Munakata sing-songed unruffled, and Fushimi, gazing at him with chilly eyes, sighed.
“How could I forget when you were demanding them the whole time with such persistence.” Seemingly surrendering, if only because he had no choice, Fushimi rummaged through the paper bag he brought with him.

Munakata nodded a few times. “Since it was an official business trip made on public funds, it is only natural to bring your superior a souvenir or two,” he shamelessly opined.

“Ohh,” Munakata made an excited noise as he spread it out in front of him.

It was of gaudy pink color and had the "Amerika’ writing on the front and "Sumo Wrestler’ on the back; it was in such a bad taste that one had to wonder just where an article like that could possibly be even bought. It had to be Fushimi’s chosen form of hara.s.sment, Hidaka was sure.

“What a tasteful T-shirt. I have a few shirts with a similar pattern, I will give you one as a return present.”

Munakata gave him a smile. “What about the other souvenir I looked forward to?”

“Not that,” Munakata denied without a moment’s delay. “I’m talking about Kounomura-shi’s case. Knowing you, you have a.n.a.lyzed it to a certain extent, even while being in America, have you not?”

“You have a few hypotheses regarding where his base of operations might be and who his supporters are. Am I wrong?”

Fushimi eyed the floor, and only his lips curved up in a smirk at that. When he raised his head again, his face was already wiped clean off any expression once more. “…A few things did occur to me as I was sorting out the available information,” he affirmed Munakata’s guess unhurriedly.

“Hm?” Fushimi looked askance.

Munakata took a candlestick from the desk and stood up. “Well then, Fushimi-kun. For a while, I shall entrust coming up with countermeasures against Kounomura-shi to you.”

Fushimi shrugged his shoulders a little. Munakata interpreted the gesture as Fushimi accepting his order and grinned on his way to the office’s exit.

Seeing him head to the door, Hidaka came to his senses and panicked, calling out to him, “Captain! Where are you going, sir?!”

“Offense? Towards whom? Who are you going to see, sir?”
Munakata smiled smoothly. “The person who is this country’s backbone controlling everything on the ground, the Gold King, Kokujouji Daikaku.”

Hidaka was lost for words.

Munakata simply raised a hand in a farewell. “Hidaka-kun, I expect you to act as Fushimi-kun’s support for a while.”

With that, he left the office.

Fushimi scowled as he stared at his Captain’s retreating back, “…”

†

“…Um, Fushimi-san. What did the Captain even mean by that?” Hidaka turned to warily look at Fushimi once the door closed, hiding Munakata’s form from the view for good.

“B-But going straight to the Gold King?” Hidaka was clearly fl.u.s.tered.

Fushimi’s face took on a more serious expression. “That aside, there’s something I want to ask you about the Captain. Has he been like that the entire time?” he asked, eyes impossibly sharp.

“…In what way, in your eyes?”

“Tch,” Fushimi clicked his tongue quietly. “That’s not like him.”

“I’m saying that he’s being pathetic. No matter who his opponent may be, that guy’s just ‘human’, right? Yet this time, he keeps getting pummeled one-sidedly. A king like him,” Fushimi said it as if spitting out.
“…Fushimi-san,” Hidaka tried to reproach, but he himself was feeling something that simply didn’t let him completely disagree with Fushimi’s words.

It wasn’t like Munakata was in despair or anything. It was just that lately Hidaka could sense something like chagrin or vexation in Munakata, and the fact couldn’t be denied.

“Well, whatever. Hidaka, let’s go to the data processing room now. We’re going to investigate strains that might be involved with Kounomura.”

“Are you an idiot?” Fushimi sighed. “Why do you think I came back from America? The laptop computer I had with me is obviously unaffected. And of course, I store all general data at an external drive from the start. The battery’s full and will last us a while.”

Hidaka’s face instantly brightened as the realization hit.

“C"mon, let get started already. I’m jetlagged as h.e.l.l and sleepy.”
“Yes, sir!” Hidaka chased after Fushimi, who had already turned around and started walking away.

About 3 hours later, they achieved certain results. Since they had to work through the night, they both got a little hungry, and Fushimi opened some confections he brought from America, as a late-night snack subst.i.tute. It was candy of jellybean texture, only in the shape of stars and venomous bright yellow and red in color.

Taste-testing one, Hidaka couldn’t help his surprise. “What is this? Looking at these hideous colors and shape I thought it wasn’t going to taste any good, but it’s actually really yummy!”

He snorted and narrowed his eyes. It was just the taste he liked best, if he was completely honest.

†

Try to picture the country known as j.a.pan. There is Hokkaido, there is Honshu, there is Shikoku, there is Kyushu and there is Okinawa. There are a few views on where the center of such a country is. Some might regard the city that the j.a.panese Standard Time Meridian crosses as the center in question, others call the old capital, Kyoto, which happens to be located in just about the geographical focal point of the country, its center.

However, the majority thinks of Tokyo as the heart of the country for political, economical and historical reasons. Almost all major administrative organs of the country are located there, as well as the emba.s.sies of many other nations and the representatives of the key players of the global financial and business world. That is the capital of the whole country.

Alright, then how about the center of said Tokyo? Where is it? Is it the National Diet Building? The Prime Minister’s residence?

No. Hardly anyone mentioned it publicly, but all the citizens knew exactly where it was.

The Mihashira Tower.

That tall majestic building spearing the heaven was the mainstay of the country, and the elderly man living on the highest floor was the absolute sovereign.

Munakata Reishi stood not far from the front entrance, having arrived to request a meeting with said sovereign, the Gold King, Kokujouji Daikaku. From where he stood, it was impossible to even glimpse the top floor even if he were to throw his head back as painfully far as it went. It was past 10 in the evening already, yet brilliant golden light still radiated from the tower’s windows here and there. The lower floors of the building housed a number of companies working under the umbrella of Kokujouji Dakaku’s conglomerate corporation. Normally, this particular building never slept.

Munakata Reishi glanced towards the upper floors and went straight to the front entrance. With a gait void of hesitation, he pa.s.sed through the gate and headed to the general reception desk. Even at this hour it was still being manned by at least 3 employees.

“Sir, what can we help you with?” The receptionists turned to him wearing practiced token business smiles and immediately stiffened.

Munakata showed a composed smile of his own, “I have come seeking an audience with His Excellency. Please inform him,” he calmly said.
“Y-yes, sir.”

These people worked the front desk of the Mihashira Tower. They may have been young, but they wouldn’t be there if they didn’t know Munakata Reishi’s face or didn’t recognize Scepter 4’s uniform on sight.

Before long, one of them ventured a question, “U-Um, sir, do you have an appointment?”
“No, I do not.”

Such a reply was almost a wonder in and of itself, for this man came here late at night and demanded to let him see this country’s most influential person without so much as an advance notice.

After a quick urgent discussion among themselves, the receptionists made a call from the phone installed in the reception booth.

5 minutes later a middle-aged man dressed in a well-tailored suit appeared at the booth to escort Munakata. Invited by that man, as quiet and inconspicuous as a shadow, Munakata was led inside to board an elevator. The elevator started moving, smoothly gliding up.

On the third floor it stopped and three muscular men, apparently Security Police, boarded it, but Munakata didn’t bat an eye, as calm as ever. On the upper floors, Munakata, prompted by his guide, changed elevators once. As he walked down a corridor after disembarking, at some point, both his guide and the SPs vanished smoothly and naturally, replaced by men in masks and strange uniforms resembling old ceremonial j.a.panese court clothes, and Munakata found himself surrounded on all sides by them.

They were the Usagi, the clansmen belonging to Kokujouji Daikaku’s clan, Tokijikuin or Timeless Palace, and the ones who, on behalf of Kokujouji, quickly and secretly dealt with all kinds of matters pertaining to super powers that the Dresden Slate, enshrined in the deepest part of the tower, gave birth to on the territory of the country. How highly capable each of them was was amply evident through their skill and secrecy when performing their duties.

Kokujouji Daikaku was the first king to awaken in this country, and compared to the other clans’ clansmen, his followers had been in business for that much longer and boasted exceptional super powers.

Five of such Usagi were currently walking around Munakata. None of them tried to talk to Munakata, nor did they even look at him. Facing strictly forward, they smiled with only their lips.

The reception office the Usagi’s silent guidance eventually brought Munakata to was a Western-style room with tastefully arranged antique furniture. At this point, they, too, disappeared as silently and inconspicuously as they had appeared earlier, leaving a single new Usagi in front of Munakata.

“Thank you for you gracious visit, sir Blue King.” The Usagi’s voice was deep and husky. He bowed deeply, bending so low that his forehead almost touched his knees.

Munakata knew this particular Usagi. He was the oldest and most trusted servant of Kokujouji. Needless to say that, although Munakata had met him before, he didn’t know his real name or his face. He could only recognize him from his elderly voice and solemn and dignified manners, for all the Usagi had cast themselves away as individuals.

“Please make yourself at home.” With a gesture full of respect, the Usagi pointed to a velvet sofa, but Munakata shook his head at the offer.
“No thanks. I shall remain standing until His Excellency shows himself. Please pay me no mind.”

After what took a while, the Usagi finally informed him, “…His Excellency cannot grant you the desired audience.”

“I shall relay His Excellency’s exact words to you, sir: "It’s late, so I’m retiring for the day. It’s an unG.o.dly hour, and it’s taking a toll on my old bones.’”

“…Sir Blue King,” there was a hint of reproach in the Usagi’s tone. “You have had enough opportunities to make an appointment in advance. Did it not occur to you, sir, that a sudden visit like yours may be impolite towards His Excellency?”

“No,” the Usagi shook his head. “I am talking about common social etiquette, sir. And surely you, the Blue King, should understand it, should you not?”
“…” For a while, Munakata Reishi was silent. “My impoliteness is only a payback for the treatment I myself have received.”

The Usagi tilted his head to the side.

“I’m asking why His Excellency took Kounomura Zen"ichi under his patronage,” Munakata continued pointedly. “I’m sure you understand what I’m talking about. After all, it is your clan that is dealing with the supernatural ability-related incidents that occur in the entire country, making sure that none of them go public.”

The Usagi didn’t say anything, his head remained c.o.c.ked to the side.

Munakata’s voice took on an even sharper edge. “Alright then, shall I put it in no uncertain terms for you? Although it was only a tabloid paper, why was Doumyouji-kun’s case reported in it at all? And why did Akiyama-kun’s incident make it to front pages? This country’s information media is under your clan’s full control. A leak is only possible if your clan purposefully allows it to happen. So just why did you make an exception this time? What is your objective?”

“…” The Usagi kept his silence for a long while. “My deepest apologies, but the likes of me cannot possibly comprehend what sir Blue King is saying. Unfortunately, I have no slightest idea, sir.”

“…Fine then.” For once, Munakata’s tone turned legitimately icy. “I shall question His Excellency in person.”

“Will not see me, you say? Then I shall go see him myself. If necessary…” He smiled and put a hand on the handle of his saber. “…by force.”
“…” The Usagi linked his arms behind his back and uttered emotionlessly, “I apologize for having angered sir Blue King. I cannot disobey His Excellency’s command. And I do not wish to leave sir Blue King displeased so. In which case…” He didn’t so much as twitch. “…I have no choice but to be cut down. Please feel free to, sir.”

Really, it was all too likely that not even a groan of pain would escape him were he to be cut down here.

“I dislike that kind of blind loyalty,” Munakata commented with disdain.

“…” Munakata let out a very deep sigh. “It is the wisdom of age, isn’t it. You seem to know very well all the tricks how to make me lose my will.”

“…Please relay a message to His Excellency for me. Tell him to be moderate when playing favorites. Otherwise…” Munakata was about to say something but cut himself off mid-sentence. Showing a slightly weary smile, he put the matter to rest, “I shall make myself scarce for today. My apologies for causing a disturbance.” With that, he headed to the room’s exit without further ado.

The Usagi remained bent in a bow long after the king’s form disappeared out of sight.