The so-called National Diet Building.
Refers to the place where Japan's two houses of parliament convene.
In ordinary times, such a place is colloquially known as an old folks' home, because the average age of the members who attend meetings here exceeds 54, making it a veritable gathering of the elderly.
Of course, compared to an old folks' gathering, the fact that the parliamentary building has become the venue for meetings between the American ambassador and SDS high-ranking officials at this critical moment, when Japanese government institutions are under attack, might be even more likely to break the spirit of the Japanese people.
Inside an office in the National Diet Building.
As the door opened, Luo Shu stepped into the office with a wry smile and addressed the dark-skinned man standing by the window:
"Long time no see, Mr Iman."
Seeing Luo Shu arrive, Iman forced a smile onto his weary face and greeted him:
"Although I'd like to say it's been a long time, the current situation doesn't seem to allow me the leisure to adjust my mood."
Hearing this, Luo Shu stepped into the room, and Origami Tobiichi and Kurumi Tokisaki, who followed him in, closed the door behind them.
At that moment, Luo Shu walked over to the sofa beside Iman, sat down, then gestured for Iman to take a seat as well, and asked curiously:
"I'm somewhat curious what reason could have led you, Mr Iman, to decide to join the SDS."
Upon hearing this, Iman, who had just sat down, saw his already dark complexion grow even darker, almost to the point of gnashing his teeth:
"Lord Luo Shu probably hasn't yet seen the emergency news reports by Japanese media on this sudden incident, have you?"
Luo Shu paused at this, but before he could say anything, Kurumi Tokisaki beside him handed him a mobile phone.
He glanced down at the screen, and upon seeing the headline—boldly enlarged—about the Chief Cabinet Secretary performing a dogeza to plead with the American ambassador, his eyebrow twitched, and he couldn't help but look at Iman.
"I have fallen victim to a vile and shameless political ambush!!"
Iman declared in a tone filled with rage.
"This was a premeditated political assassination!!"
"And I strongly suspect the perpetrators were Japan's senior leadership – they must be held accountable for this terrorist attack at Kasumigaseki!!"
Luo Shu did not comment on Iman's fury, merely listening quietly.
In fact, after Shizuka Hio had reported the actual situation through the Divine Pantheon, Luo Shu knew perfectly well that the Kasumigaseki terrorist attack was entirely an accidental incident caused by lower-level operatives acting independently.
But though the cause was accidental, after being manipulated by numerous hidden hands, the matter had become complicated.
Take, for example, this Chief Cabinet Secretary now kneeling and begging Iman for mercy, pleading for Japan to be spared.
The news portrayed him as a tough man willing to sacrifice his dignity for Japan's future.
But in Luo Shu's eyes, the stench of calculation was practically leaking through the phone screen.
For many Chinese, the title Chief Cabinet Secretary was relatively unfamiliar.
But if described as Deputy Prime Minister, most people would understand the position's significance.
When the Prime Minister is unable to perform official duties, the Chief Cabinet Secretary would take over the responsibilities in turn, serving as the de facto Prime Minister.
This was simply how Japan's political system worked.
In the Kasumigaseki attack incident, the person most affected was the Prime Minister.
After such a major incident, under Japan's unique Prime Minister scapegoat system, regardless of the Prime Minister's personal views, the likelihood of subsequently resigning to take responsibility would greatly increase.
And after the Prime Minister resigns to take responsibility, the probability of the Chief Cabinet Secretary taking over the position would naturally rise sharply.
In such circumstances, the Chief Cabinet Secretary knelt to plead with Iman, the American ambassador, while certain media outlets orchestrated a narrative, packaging the Chief Cabinet Secretary and implicitly shifting blame onto the American Union represented by Iman.
This almost confirmed his intention to succeed the Prime Minister.
Moreover, what he was currently doing amounted to a political performance aimed at securing the Prime Minister's position.
As for Iman, who was being sacrificed in this process, the Chief Cabinet Secretary clearly did not care.
The reason, naturally, lay in the identities of the assailants who attacked Kasumigaseki.
Two Apostles from the American Union had assaulted an official institution of Japan—a political incident significant enough to force Iman, the American ambassador, to pack his bags and return to America for debriefing.
When an ambassador is about to step down, there will always be those eager to kick him while he's down, and the Chief Cabinet Secretary was merely the quickest to act.
"Iman, I know you're angry, but hold that thought for now. The key issue isn't Japan's political persecution of you, but your true intentions."
Hearing Luo Shu's words, though Iman was seething inside, his mind remained calm.
As someone of mixed African descent who had risen to the position of ambassador, Iman was no fool—unlike those handicapped politicians back in America who relied on family connections for support.
With parents who were just ordinary pastors, he had no background to speak of. Growing up in America's environment, which was rife with temptations for those of African descent, he had developed ample rationality.
Having avoided starting life as an orphan, steered clear of drugs, evaded transgender education, and sidestepped racial discrimination, it would be a joke if he hadn't learned to control his mind by now.
Thus, upon hearing Luo Shu's mention of his "true intentions," Iman immediately perked up and said in a low voice:
"My true intentions?"
"Japan doesn't have to belong to the Japanese, nor does it have to belong to the American Union."
As for whose Japan it should be...
Luo Shu looked at Iman, smiling without speaking, and raised a hand to stop him from continuing. Then, crossing his arms in front of him, he said calmly:
"Mr Iman, what do you think of this current Japanese Cabinet's performance?"
Hearing this, Iman instantly grasped Luo Shu's meaning and showed his first smile since they met:
"I find them quite perfect."
"Whether it's the haphazard establishment of research institutions leading to massive fiscal deficits, the forced breakup of the Shinomiya conglomerate to seize internal resources, the recent constant tax hikes, or even orchestrating the Kasumigaseki attack to cover up the deficits—all undoubtedly prove their exceptional qualifications as a Cabinet."
As for the research institution losses being due to the ice disaster caused by Serafall, or Kasumigaseki being an accident triggered by Takatsuki Izumi and Giada, none of that mattered.
What mattered was that someone wanted the Cabinet to take the blame for these incidents.
Hearing Iman's remarks, Luo Shu laughed, a particularly benevolent laugh:
"Our innocent Japanese citizens probably won't learn these secrets the authorities want to conceal, will they?"
To this, Iman could only shrug: "That depends on whether they use mobile phones and access social media."
Although Japan's traditional media remains under official control, the social media platforms that extend from the internet have always been influenced by the American Union.
Although Iman was facing a political crisis, those social media platforms clearly didn't mind doing their old friend a small favour.
While such manipulation was feasible, it obviously required maintaining control of the current situation.
After saying this, Iman hesitated for a moment before adding:
"But what about those Apostles..."
Before he could finish, Luo Shu interrupted him:
"Fakes."
Luo Shu kept a straight face, his expression serious:
"Since the struggle over the True Dragon Sorcerer's legacy concluded, several ladies have been guests of the Hidden Management Department and haven't left. This is something both Mr Iman and I should be able to confirm, correct?"
After saying this, Luo Shu thought for a moment and added:
"I recall that the Ministry of Environment's Anomalous Creature Containment Division in Japan has many experts skilled in altering appearances. Mr Iman, are you aware of this?"
So they were going to shift the blame onto the Ministry of Environment? That group responsible for containing anomalous creatures for the Japanese Cabinet and the American Union?
Iman instantly realised this.
In principle, as the American ambassador, he absolutely could not allow the Class of True Dragon Sorcerer to fail completely.
But considering that his future position would align with the SDS, and realising he needed a bargaining chip to defect, Iman suddenly smiled:
"The Ministry of Environment's Anomalous Creature Containment Division? If they're behind it, that makes perfect sense."
"After all, they're a long-established, notorious terrorist organisation."
Hearing this, Luo Shu crossed his legs and gave Iman an approving look.
...
Just after Luo Shu and Iman reached their agreement.
In Hibiya Park, near Kasumigaseki.
Standing beneath a cherry blossom tree, Shizuka Hio suddenly received a message containing only one sentence:
[You can stand down now.]
"...Has it reached the Director's tolerance limit?"
Gazing at the message that appeared in her mind, Shizuka Hio lowered her eyes, placed a hand on the nearby cherry blossom tree, and, through the connection between plants, projected her consciousness to all her accomplices.
The moment the message was delivered.
Krul and Evangeline within the Imperial Palace, Takatsuki Izumi deep beneath the Metropolitan Police Department, and Giada under the ruins of Central Building No. 5—all simultaneously ceased their actions and began preparing to retreat in tacit understanding.
Though unspoken, they all understood clearly that if they didn't stand down now, what they would face next might not be Japan's mystic side forces, but the iron fist of the Hidden Management Department.
...
After everyone had withdrawn, half an hour later.
Daichi Fujiwara, trembling unsteadily, was led by security personnel out of the underground bunker beneath the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and onto the roadside. Staring at the neighbouring Ministry of Environment, now reduced to ruins, with sparks and building debris scattered across the road, he instinctively adjusted his crooked glasses and said:
"...Is it over now?"
"So, can someone tell me what exactly happened?"
Just as Daichi Fujiwara stood there bewildered, his mobile phone finally picked up a signal and began beeping incessantly.
Seeing the caller ID display Chika Fujiwara, Daichi Fujiwara answered instinctively.
Within seconds, his confused voice rang out:
"What, am I interested in becoming Chief Cabinet Secretary?!!"
If you're talking about that, then I'm not confused anymore!!!