Zhou Gongjin fled Yokohama's Chinatown, chased out. His influence on Japan's mage society—Master Clans Conference and government alike—was undeniable.
September 23, 2096, Sunday.
Yugen stepped into the innermost part of the Chinese restaurant Zhou used as a base. Zhou, cautious, left no traces; even the corpse used as a communication tool with Gu Jie was gone.
"Expected from Zhou. No unnecessary traces. But signs of others besides the Kuroba… Counterintelligence Third Division?" Yugen noted.
Using Osiris Sight, Yugen confirmed Defense Forces Intelligence—specifically Counterintelligence Third Division—had been here. With the Saegusa family's influence over the division, their head's orders were likely. Confronting him would yield denials of rogue action.
"Despite Mother's 'stay out' warning, they still move… Must be the 'correction force,'" Yugen muttered.
In the original timeline, at Double Seven's end, Koichi used Namaura to enlist Zhou for media manipulation, suppressing anti-magic propaganda via economic force and continental political funding issues. This outmaneuvered Zhou and the Saegusa, with the Mitsuya and Yotsuba claiming the credit despite granting Saegusa and Juumonji stellar furnace experiment honors. Human discontent was natural.
"The issue is how far I can act," Yugen said.
Capturing Zhou was straightforward. The problem was his protectors: the Traditionalist ancient magic society.
As a Yin-Yang ancient magic house, the Kagurazakas prioritized imperial protection, relocating from their original base to Hakone when the imperial court moved to Tokyo. Other ancient mages viewed this variably, some deeming it heretical. As a former Mitsuya, Yugen faced no issue, but as the Kagurazaka heir and acting head, his and Mototsugu Ueyama's roles were known among ancient mages' unique network, distinct from the modern magic-focused Master Clans.
Worse, this could spark a full-scale war between Guardians and Traditionalists, far riskier than Yakumo's involvement.
"I don't want conflict, but to orthodox ancient mages, they're a nuisance," Yugen said.
This benefited the Yotsuba, masking Tatsuya and Miyuki's ties. Yugen's friendliness with the Kuroba at the Nine Schools, and his revealed Ten Master Clans status last year, offset the Kuroba's Yotsuba connection. As an ancient mage, Yugen could frame Tatsuya and Miyuki as acquaintances or subordinates.
"I won't dodge the essence. Zhou must fall, both for this incident and to drag Gu Jie out," Yugen declared.
Based on the old Fourth Lab's sponsor contract, Kagurazaka-Shiba-Yotsuba ties were unproblematic if exposed, though Yugen preferred avoiding a stir.
◇ ◇ ◇
Returning to the Shiba household from Chinatown, Yugen noticed two unfamiliar pairs of shoes. Tatsuya, rarely home on Sundays, was there, suggesting Yotsuba-related visitors. Miyuki greeted him swiftly.
"Welcome back, Yugen-san," she said.
"I'm back, Miyuki. Guests?" Yugen asked.
"Yes, Fumiya-kun and Ayako-chan," she replied.
Entering the living room, Yugen exchanged greetings with Fumiya and Ayako, their third meeting this year.
"Not long since the Nine Schools, but you both look well," Yugen said.
"You too, Yugen-san," Fumiya replied.
"Heard Miyuki-neesama was sulking," Ayako teased.
"It's sorted," Yugen said.
Miyuki blushed at their banter, her boldness tempered by shyness. As Yugen and Miyuki sat, Ayako handed him an envelope.
"What's this?" Yugen asked.
"From the head, for you," Ayako said.
Separate from Tatsuya's, it was a letter from the Yotsuba head to the Kagurazaka acting head, piquing Tatsuya and Miyuki's curiosity. Yugen opened it, scanned the letter, and looked at Fumiya and Ayako.
"A request to assist Tatsuya in capturing Zhou Gongjin…" Yugen said.
"Is it tough, Yugen-san?" Miyuki asked.
"Pre-Nine Schools, no issue. Now, I'm a legit ancient mage from a Yin-Yang house," Yugen replied.
Another note from Chikihime, his mother and Kagurazaka head, approved aiding the Yotsuba as sponsors and coordinating with Kyoto and Nara's ancient mages. Unlike the original, Yakumo, Kuzuryu's head, wouldn't act recklessly, but Yugen, as heir, felt the need to set boundaries.
"With Mother involved, refusing's not an option… Should I talk to Master Yakumo? Tatsuya, what's your call?" Yugen asked.
"I want to take it. That okay?" Tatsuya replied.
Tatsuya aimed to help Fumiya and Ayako per Maya's request, but Fumiya's info suggested it'd burden Miyuki, Minami, and Yugen. Tatsuya seemed wary of this.
"Fine by me. You're practically the head here, so I, the freeloader, have no say… Why the skeptical looks?" Yugen asked.
"Sorry, Yugen-san. Spring makes it seem you hold the reins," Ayako said.
"Ayako-chan… Anyway, got it," Yugen said.
Entrusting media manipulation to the Saegusa risked Yotsuba backlash, tied to political interference. Yugen had no intent to lead the Shiba household or meddle in Tatsuya's affairs, especially romance, leaving that to Miyuki. Shizuku and Miyuki moderated their support for Honoka, and Celia, Lina's kin, stayed neutral, wary of overstepping.
"Take care going back," Yugen said.
"…" Fumiya tensed.
"Y-Yes…" Ayako stammered.
Yugen's near-warning rattled the Kuroba siblings, who left with forced smiles. Back in the living room, Tatsuya questioned Yugen.
"Their reaction… Something up?" Tatsuya asked.
"Likely tailed and told not to shake them. By the way, I set a shikigami barrier around the house. Ancient mages spying get auto-countered," Yugen said.
"When did you do that?" Miyuki asked.
"Since I moved in. Told Tatsuya privately," Yugen replied.
Using Divine Summoning, Yugen tasked Kirin with detecting and countering intruders around the Shiba home. Initially considering Ryujin, he chose Kirin after the Okinawa and Blanche incidents, plus strategic mage concerns. With Zhou gone, Reiki was reassigned to guard Mayonaka's Hakone villa, using ambient psions to minimize Yugen's burden.
Yugen mastered all divine-level summonings but expected mere aid, not servitude. Human limits made divine interference risky, requiring a price. Yet, summoning triggered a tsunami of subservient contracts, known only to Chikihime, Gozo, Mototsugu, and Yakumo. Yakumo called it "Abe no Seimei-level," a remark Yugen ignored. Mikihiko echoed, "That's you," to Yugen's chagrin.
"Tatsuya, you'll be tied up a lot… Assuming I win the club federation election first," Yugen said.
To ease disciplinary committee overwork, last year's student assembly allowed the student council president and club federation head to permit CAD carry for some leaders, shifting the latter's selection to an election for student trust, given its authority.
Miyuki ran unopposed for president, Yugen for club head, making it a trust vote. Yugen's sister Shizuru noted the trend of female presidents and male club heads, not a rule but tied to role differences.
"Disciplinary head's likely Mikihiko or Shizuku," Yugen said.
"Shizuku finds the rumors annoying," Miyuki said.
"I've heard plenty," Yugen replied.
Back to Tatsuya's Zhou mission: this foe might be tougher than past ones. Despite Tatsuya's refined psion control, activation speed, and techniques, facing an ancient mage was a first.
"This might be long-term. I'll be away sometimes, burdening Minami and you, Yugen," Tatsuya said.
"I'm fine with it. The thesis competition's in Kyoto, so trouble's likely. Some might challenge the 'Kagurazaka' name," Yugen said.
Ancient mages weren't unified, split into orthodox and traditionalist factions. Even houses like Toudou controlling ancient mages couldn't cover all, leaving stray mages akin to modern Extras.
Some admired the Kagurazakas and Ueyamas as Guardians, others harbored hostility. Mages, being human, weren't uniform in sentiment. Public dissent invited retaliation, an obvious outcome.
"Relocating from Kyoto to protect the imperial family, abandoning their birthplace… Ancient mages' views vary. I only know it from books," Yugen said.
"So, to traditionalists, the Kagurazakas are heretics?" Tatsuya asked.
"Mother said as much," Yugen confirmed.
Tradition-minded mages could've left a Kyoto branch for influence, but only Kyoto Imperial Palace, Yasaka Shrine, and the Asuka house (Kuzuryu's part) remained. The imperial move predated the traditionalists by over a century, and they accepted the Kagurazakas' departure. The Kudou and old Ninth Lab disrupted this balance, sparking ancient mage conflicts.
Some blamed the Kagurazakas for leaving Kyoto, giving the Nine an opening. A feud existed between Retsu Kudou and Chikihime, though Yugen didn't know why. The traditionalists' grievances, if real, were selfish.
"Mother and I are caught in this mess… Are the Kudou just troublemakers?" Yugen said.
"Only you could say that about Retsu Kudou among our peers," Tatsuya said.
"You should be angrier, Tatsuya. You got dragged into the Parasite Dolls mess," Yugen said.
"Exactly, Onii-sama," Miyuki agreed.
"Miyuki-neesama…" Minami murmured, hesitant.
The Kudou's succession dispute, Lina and Celia's failed strategic mage arrest, and parasite incidents—in the original, Minoru killing Retsu could've engulfed the Kudou. Tatsuya admired Yugen's boldness, while Yugen's retort drew Miyuki's firm agreement and Minami's wary murmur.
Note: Short, but an intro to the Old Capital Rebellion Arc. As an ancient mage and key figure beyond Mikihiko's original role, the protagonist acts cautiously but prepares thoroughly. Thesis competition topics deferred to next time.
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