The only things Gozo, who survived that drama of revenge, could bring back were the letters Genzo addressed to Maya and Miya, and Maya's frozen ova. While these were more than enough for Maya, Gozo intended to visit the Great Asian Alliance while he was still healthy to bring back the remains of the thirty Yotsuba clan members.
"If that wish is granted, I intend to mourn them politely. I plan to use Senhime's connections to have a high priest from Mt. Hiei recite the sutras. Naturally, in the Yotsuba village... But I digress. Before that, the matter of Gu Jie."
This time, asking for cooperation from the Kagurazaka family to guard against terrorism, the Kamiizumi family would guard Northern Kanto (Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama), while the Kagurazaka family would handle Southern Kanto (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Izu Peninsula). The Yotsuba family would handle vigilance in the Chubu region, while Tatsuya would be deployed with the mission to subdue Gu Jie.
"I will tell you in advance, Maya, but we have already secured cooperation from the government and the National Defense Force. It has been decided that the two Guardian families—Yugen and Mototsugu—will take general command of the mission to capture the terrorist ringleader. Based on their discussion, Yugen will be the Commander-in-Chief, and Mototsugu will be the Vice-Commander."
"So the two families are moving in earnest. Have you informed the Saegusa and Jumonji families?"
"I have not. The Saegusa brat already picked a fight with Yugen, after all. Poor Izumi-chan and Mayumi-chan, being swung around like that."
Gozo had been informed that the framework for the next generation of magician society would be built based on this Gu Jie capture mission. Gozo himself was concerned that the current system of the Master Clans Conference relied too heavily on Retsu Kudo, and felt frustrated that despite lecturing Retsu extensively, it had had no effect.
"Yugen stated that in order to resolutely confront an enemy that threatens the nation, such as a terrorist, the government that controls the National Defense Force must show a firm stance. Now that His Majesty the Emperor has moved, we must make this country an independent nation in the true sense. In that regard, the Yotsuba will be required to work harder than ever as the keystone of defense."
"Which means we will become busy. I heard about the USNA from Tatsuya-kun, but that country is truly troublesome."
"Honestly, I can't help but pity Ken, who is over there, and the USNA President."
Precisely because Gozo disliked fetters, he couldn't help but sympathize with the President, who had to mediate between numerous people as an administrator, and Ken Kudo, who had been driven out of the country to take the blame for the Kudo family's internal strife and was now caught up in a scandal in the USNA.
Regarding the matter of "Taurus Silver," Maya had received contact from Tatsuya saying, "There are indications that the USNA recognizes me as 'Taurus Silver'," causing her to sigh deeply.
"There is the saying 'Seven Troubles and Eight Sufferings' (Shichinanhakku), but it sounds like the Saegusa brings the troubles (Nan), and the Kudo forces the bitterness (Ku). Come to think of it, I heard my son-in-law proposed an engagement regarding Ken's granddaughter the other day?"
"Yes. I heard they applied after consulting with you and others beforehand, Gozo-san."
"That is correct. knowing my former son-in-law, he likely suspected a USNA conspiracy. However, since her closest relative declared, 'That is at the level of an impossible demand,' both Senhime and I gave our approval."
"Angie Sirius"—sensing the reason why the Kudo family was not consulted regarding the Mitsuya family's engagement proposal to Lina, Gozo saw that her closest relative, Selia, had revealed Lina's lack of aptitude for undercover investigations. Furthermore, based on the testimony of Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki, he saw no mistake in that judgment.
"How do you intend to deal with the Humanists?"
"I have already requested a countermeasure for that. I secured a promise from a person whose position they can least ignore to issue a statement the moment the Humanists lash out."
Relying on the connections he had built up, Gozo had pleaded with a "certain person" for a statement. The answer from that person was extremely positive, stating, "The time has come to repay the debt to Lord Gozo in a tangible form," and a promise was made to "visit Japan" as soon as things settled down.
"In that case, I will leave that to you. By the way, it seems the Saegusa family is contacting the French Prime Minister, who is currently visiting Japan."
"...It is that man's habit to use anything he can. But he cannot use this."
Since France owed a debt of gratitude to Gozo and Yugen through the incident in the Niger Delta region, it was extremely likely they would not heed the Saegusa family's request, no matter how much they asked. The itinerary for the visit to Japan had already been carefully planned in advance, and arrangements were set for a return before the Master Clans Conference, so there was virtually no opening for the Saegusa family to intervene.
Moreover, since a private security company under the umbrella of the Kamiizumi family (ostensibly a private company, but composed almost entirely of Shinkage-ryu students, all SP-class strongmen) was assigned to guard duty, the Saegusa family, who had bought Gozo's frown due to the Yugen matter, could do nothing.
"Even though he already has ten fiancées and multiple mistresses, France has assigned him a bride. And a descendant of the 'Goldie family,' at that."
"If I recall, there is someone with that lineage among Tatsuya-kun's fiancé candidates."
"I hear it's a branch line that was exiled during a family dispute after World War II. That vixen would be surprised if she knew."
From the perspective of Gozo, who had acted as matchmaker for Amy's parents at First High, he couldn't help but feel a certain fate in the fact that a person connected to the Goldie bloodline had proposed engagement to Yugen, who had been negative about the engagement with Amy.
For the Goldie family in Britain, it would be a bolt from the blue to learn that the exiled distant relatives were alive and that their daughter was tying the knot with Gozo's grandson. Rather, the main house might use this opportunity to approach and recognize them as a branch family.
"Because the appearance of the girl—named Ephia Mensah—somewhat resembled the daughter of the couple I played matchmaker for. I had her genetic data provided secretly and analyzed it, which is how it came to light."
"In that case, Britain might probe into the Yotsuba and the Kagurazaka."
"Perhaps. Tadanori, suppress the work of the 'Senate' for a while and support Maya. If necessary, I will move as one of the Four Elders. Senhime would also gladly lend her strength, and I will instruct Aoba myself."
"Understood, 'My Lord' (Gozen)."
"Stop it, stop it. I am practically retired."
He didn't dislike being adored by people, but he didn't much like being treated with stiff reverence. Even though he understood it was due to his ability, seeing Gozo with an expression that said he couldn't quite accept Hayama's response, Maya couldn't help but let a smile float to her lips.
(Author's Note)
I wrote this to supplement the details around Gozo's revenge drama, which was written quite vaguely in the main story. I expect retorts like "That's way more than 1,000 people!", but please understand this "1,000 people" as the "number of soldiers whose corpses could be confirmed."
Because Gozo knows his own age, he felt it wasn't right that he hadn't retired when everyone around him was trying to pass the torch to the next generation, so he went to the Yotsuba family to give his retirement greetings.
Regarding the Kudo family in the original work, there are the following points:
Use of Ancient Magicians for the development of Modern Magic (Retsu is highly likely, Makoto is unknown)
Attempted assassination of Tatsuya (Lina)
Hijacking of Parasites (Retsu)
Tacit approval of intervention in reports on the Saegusa family's anti-magic dominance (Retsu)
Parasidoll development and testing at the Nine Schools Competition (Retsu/Makoto)
Acceptance of continental Taoists through Zhou Gongjin's mediation (Makoto)
Continued development of Parasidolls (Makoto)
Indiscriminate attacks on National Defense Force defensive positions in the movie (Lina)
Murder of Retsu (Minoru)
Kidnapping of Minami/Fleeing the country (Minoru)
Rebellion of Stars (False accusations against Lina)
...Is the Kudo family okay? Do they possess the temperament of a trouble-maker, as if they inherited the bloodline of a certain high school detective? They are "Kudo" after all.
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