Chapter 11
Souta did not waste a single moment after making his decision, and as soon as the plan was set in his mind, he went straight to Hikari to make sure everything was truly ready for what was coming next.
Inside the mansion, crates were being opened and checked, guns laid out carefully on long tables, armor being fitted onto bodies that already bore scars from countless fights, and the atmosphere felt heavy but focused, like everyone understood that this was not just another operation.
Souta looked around and felt a strange tightening in his chest as the reality of it all finally settled in.
"You're really doing this for me," Souta said quietly, his voice sincere as he faced Hikari. "Some of your people might die."
Hikari hesitated, his expression hardening for just a moment before he met Souta's eyes.
"With you," Hikari said slowly, "I'm sure you're worth a hundred people, maybe more."
The words hit Souta harder than he expected, and he lowered his head slightly. "Thank you," he said. "I promise I'll repay you for this, no matter what it takes."
Some of Hikari's members returned soon after, their faces serious as they delivered their report.
"We've been watching your house," one of them said. "We can't confirm if your family is still inside, but the guards are definitely still there."
"How many?" Hikari asked.
"Fourteen," the man replied. "That's a lot for a medium-sized house."
Hikari nodded once. "Alright," he said. "Gather everyone."
As the teams prepared to move, Souta stepped forward and spoke up, his voice firm but controlled.
"I don't want them dead," he said. "Injure them if you have to, but keep them alive. We need them to confess."
A few people exchanged glances, surprised, but none of them objected.
Souta turned toward Hikari's brother. "Where will you be stationed?"
"I'll handle the police," he replied calmly. "By the way, my name is Shido."
Souta nodded. "Alright."
Three vans were prepared and filled quickly, engines humming softly as everyone took their positions, but when it was time to leave, Souta did not get inside any of them.
"I'll go on foot," he said. "Just wait for me."
Hikari looked like he wanted to argue, but after a moment, he nodded.
The vans moved out quietly, disappearing into the distance, while Souta began walking alone, his steps steady despite the pounding of his heart.
By the time the teams reached the area near his house, night had settled in, and the familiar streets felt strangely hostile under the dim lights.
They stopped at a safe distance and took their positions carefully, eyes scanning every angle of the property.
Guards patrolled the area, their movements disciplined and alert.
Team A was already close to the house, hidden within shadows and structures nearby.
Team B was positioned farther back, ready to move in when needed.
Team C remained inside the nearest van as backup, engines still running.
Team D waited around the corner, covering possible escape routes.
Team E, led by Shido, was stationed near the first police station.
Team F was positioned near a second station, prepared to delay or redirect any response.
Souta observed everything from a distance, his mind sharp and focused, yet calm in a way he had never experienced before.
To reduce casualties, he stepped forward and raised his hand slightly.
No one questioned him.
The signal was given.
And the operation began.
Team B's sniper settled into position, his breathing slow and controlled as his scope locked onto the first guard standing near the outer perimeter.
"Ready," the sniper whispered through the comms.
Hikari raised his hand slightly, his eyes fixed on the house that once felt like a home to Souta.
"Shoot," he said calmly.
The shot rang out, sharp and sudden, and the first soldier dropped instantly, his body collapsing to the ground as alarms began to scream almost immediately.
The soldiers were alerted at once.
Team A moved without hesitation, rushing forward through the smoke as two of their members fired tranquilizer rounds, striking two soldiers before they could fully react, their bodies falling limply to the ground.
It became clear very quickly that all of Hikari's team were using tranquilizer ammunition, with real bullets kept in reserve only if things truly went out of control.
Three soldiers were already unconscious as the remaining guards scattered, retreating into the house and taking defensive positions inside.
Team A split up, two of them moving upstairs quietly and reaching a window that had been left slightly open, allowing them to slip inside without making a sound.
Inside, they moved with practiced precision, silently taking down two guards stationed in Souta's room, both men collapsing before they could raise their weapons.
"Souta's room is clear," one of them reported through the walkie-talkie.
Hikari immediately shared the update.
From a distance, Souta clenched his fists, his chest tightening as worry continued to grow, knowing that clearing rooms did not mean finding his family.
Team A continued moving slowly upstairs, while Team B stepped forward and activated a microphone outside the house, their voices projecting calmly as they attempted to distract the remaining soldiers with negotiations.
While the attention was drawn outside, Team A fired more tranquilizer rounds upstairs, taking down two more guards near Hikari's room, followed by another two neutralized near the master bedroom.
Four members of Team A now held the upper floor, while Team C advanced to shorten the distance and secure the surrounding area.
Team B continued negotiating, buying time and drawing fire.
Downstairs, two members of Team A positioned themselves near the kitchen door, crouched and waiting.
The negotiation suddenly stopped.
A flashbang was thrown.
The explosion echoed through the house with a deafening bang, light flooding every corner as confusion erupted instantly.
Team A surged forward, both the four upstairs and the two downstairs moving in at the same time, while Team B breached through the front door and stormed inside.
Gunfire erupted as the remaining enemies fought back desperately, bullets tearing through walls and furniture, some members of Hikari's group getting hit and injured, yet none falling permanently.
Within minutes, the resistance collapsed.
One by one, the remaining soldiers were subdued, disarmed, and restrained.
Kitchen clear.
Bathroom clear.
Outside perimeter clear.
Upstairs clear.
Fifteen enemies were captured in total.
And yet, there were no signs of Souta's mother or brother.
Hikari relayed the news quietly.
Souta felt his vision blur as anger surged through him, his body shaking as he lashed out, punching and kicking nearby debris in frustration, the truth finally settling into his chest like a crushing weight.
They took them, he thought.
They took them back to the laboratory.
Hikari approached him carefully. "We did everything we could," he said. "How many dead?"
"No one," Hikari replied. "Thank God. Some injured, one critical, but he'll live."
Souta nodded numbly.
He walked into the house slowly, stepping through what used to be his home, now filled with broken furniture, shattered glass, and the scars of battle carved into the walls.
Room by room, he searched, even though he already knew what he would find.
Nothing.
When he finally reached his own room, he stopped.
On the floor, untouched amid the chaos, lay the orb.
Crystal clear.
Perfect.
He knelt down and picked it up carefully, his fingers tightening around it as memories flooded back.
"Goodbye," he whispered softly, his voice breaking. "This place isn't safe anymore."
Tears fell as he turned away, knowing he could never return here again.
"I will rescue my family," he said quietly, more promise than words.
Hikari stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You alright?"
Souta nodded slowly.
"Then let's go," Hikari said. "You're with us now."
After days of fighting to reclaim his home, it all ended the same way.
In loss.
And the real battle was only beginning.
To be continued...