"I said attack!"
Seeing that Kazumitsu Tendo had not reacted, Kikunojou Tendo's anger erupted instantly. He slammed his hand down on the table with a furious roar. The force was so great that the furniture in the office trembled slightly, and the tea on the desk splashed out, spilling across the surface.
"Yes!"
Kazumitsu jolted back to his senses, his face filled with panic. He immediately responded, not daring to delay for even a moment.
He grabbed the phone from the desk, his fingers trembling slightly from nervousness as he quickly dialed a number he had memorized long ago. The moment the call connected, he spoke without hesitation, his voice urgent and resolute.
"Proceed according to the plan. Attack the target!"
Following Kazumitsu's command, the order was rapidly transmitted to every combat unit of the Self-Defense Forces.
Without Seitenshi knowing anything about it, the Self-Defense Forces immediately began moving. Missile launch platforms hidden throughout Tokyo activated one after another. Soldiers took their assigned positions with practiced efficiency, their expressions serious as they prepared to launch the weapons according to the predetermined instructions.
One weapon after another that had been prepared in advance was activated. Missiles were loaded into launchers and aimed toward the target in the sky, Satoru Gojo.
In the span of only a few moments, several trails of white smoke appeared above Tokyo.
The smoke shot straight into the sky, leaving clear marks across the blue horizon.
Those were the trails left behind by missile launches.
One missile after another tore through the air with a deafening roar, rapidly flying toward Gojo in the sky. Their speed was astonishing, long white trails stretching behind them as they crossed the heavens. The sight was spectacular, yet it carried the terrifying threat of destruction.
Inside her office, Seitenshi had been completely focused on the screen, staring at the moment when Gojo's two powers were merging at his fingertips. Her heart was filled with anticipation.
But then, she heard the rumbling outside.
The sound grew louder and closer, accompanied by intense vibrations that shook the building.
She instinctively turned toward the window.
The moment she saw the white trails across the sky and the missiles flying rapidly through the air, her face instantly turned pale. Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
"What is this?!"
Although Seitenshi was young, as the ruler of the Tokyo Area, she had some understanding of various weapons. She recognized what was happening at a glance.
What else could they be if not missiles?
And judging by their number and the scale of the launch, this was not one or two missiles. A large number of them had been fired toward the same destination.
Without hesitation, Seitenshi reached out and pressed the red button on her desk.
It was the emergency communication button, one that could directly contact the highest command center of the Self-Defense Forces.
"Who authorized the missile launch?"
Her voice was urgent, filled with anger and disbelief. Her fingers tightly gripped the phone as she demanded an answer.
She had not been informed about this missile launch.
She had not given any such order.
"Stop it immediately!"
Seitenshi shouted into the phone, her anxiety growing stronger with every passing second.
She knew exactly how powerful these missiles were. From their trajectory, they were clearly heading toward Scorpio. Whether they could threaten a Stage 5 Gastrea was uncertain, but there was a high chance they could harm Gojo.
The instant she saw the missiles, a figure appeared in her mind.
A figure that filled her with disappointment and fury.
In the current Tokyo Area, there was only one person capable of bypassing all procedures, concealing such a major operation from her, and mobilizing the Self-Defense Forces to launch missiles without authorization.
Aside from Kikunojou Tendo, no one else had that kind of power.
The moment she thought of him, Seitenshi's anxiety intensified, mixed with deep disappointment and anger.
Because now, all the previous events that had confused her suddenly connected together.
Everything that had once seemed suspicious finally had an answer.
Think about it carefully.
The person who knew about the Legacy of Nanase Village.
The person who had arranged for the artifact to be lost at the right moment, causing them to receive false information and fall into a disadvantageous position.
The person who had secretly mobilized the Self-Defense Forces and prepared such a large number of weapons without her knowledge.
The person who had always held hostility toward Gojo and constantly acted against him.
Everything became clear before Seitenshi's eyes.
Kikunojou Tendo's ambition.
Kikunojou Tendo's conspiracy.
At this moment, they were completely exposed.
That was why she immediately chose to stop him.
She understood too well that ordinary missiles were useless against a Stage 5 Gastrea like Scorpio unless they were Varanium Weapons. They could not injure it in the slightest. All they would do was cause unnecessary casualties and massive destruction.
Kikunojou Tendo launching this attack now was not meant to eliminate Scorpio.
His true target was Gojo.
After fighting Scorpio repeatedly and exhausting a large amount of his strength, Kikunojou wanted to take advantage of that moment and kill him.
The thought alone made Seitenshi feel as if an invisible hand had tightly clenched around her heart. Even breathing became difficult.
Her anxiety surged like a violent tide, growing stronger with every wave until it spread throughout her entire body.
She unconsciously clenched her fingers against the desk. The force caused her knuckles to turn pale, and the pen beside her was bumped slightly, producing a faint sound.
The satellite monitoring screen on the desk remained illuminated.
Inside the image, Gojo and Scorpio were still engaged in a fierce battle. Every collision between Cursed Techniques and the Gastrea's claws sent clouds of dust and waves of energy spreading across the battlefield.
But no matter how desperately she wanted to change what was happening, reality would not shift because of her emotions.
"Please wait a moment, Seitenshi-sama. We will investigate the situation immediately and provide you with a clear explanation."
The voice from the other end of the call remained the same.
Calm.
Emotionless.
A standard response meant only to reassure.
There was no urgency.
No guilt.
The person speaking sounded as if they were discussing something unrelated to themselves, completely unaware of the despair and suffering Seitenshi was experiencing.
But those empty words were the worst possible answer for her at this moment.
They felt like a dull blade slowly cutting into her heart.
"I said stop it! Right now! Immediately!"
The usually gentle expression on Seitenshi's face was replaced by genuine anger.
Her normally soft voice carried a rare trace of trembling urgency.
She almost gritted her teeth as she spoke each word clearly, her tone filled with unquestionable authority.
Yet the response from the other side remained slow and indifferent.
"Seitenshi-sama, please calm down. We need time to verify the situation. We cannot act recklessly. Please understand."
Hearing that unchanged tone, Seitenshi's anxiety only grew stronger.
It felt as if a fire was burning inside her chest, yet there was nowhere for it to go.
She knew.
These people would never truly obey her commands.
They had never respected her as the so-called "supreme ruler of the Tokyo Area."
Without another word, Seitenshi grabbed her own phone. Her fingers trembled from panic as she quickly searched through the contacts and attempted to call a Self-Defense Forces officer directly.
She wanted to personally order them to stop everything.
But the only response she received was the endless, monotonous sound of the call waiting.
Beep.
Beep.
The connection never went through.
She sat inside the luxurious, beautifully decorated office, surrounded by objects symbolizing power and status, sitting in a soft leather chair.
Yet at this moment, she felt completely helpless.
She had already discovered Kikunojou Tendo's conspiracy.
She knew Gojo was in danger.
She wanted to stop everything from happening.
But she could do nothing.
The feeling of knowing danger was right before her eyes while being powerless to interfere was unbearable. It felt as though despair itself was trying to consume her.
Her emotions surged uncontrollably.
Her eyes began to sting, but when her gaze fell upon the figure on the screen who was still fighting, she forcibly held back the tears gathering in her eyes.
She refused to give up.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down and quickly dialed another number.
This time, she called Gojo.
He was the only hope she could hold onto now.
"Ring... ring..."
The clear sound of a phone ringing was especially out of place amid the thunderous sounds of battle.
Gojo was floating in the air, preparing to use Hollow Technique: Purple.
When he heard his phone ringing from his pocket, his movements did not stop at all. He continued maintaining the technique in his hand, faint blue light swirling around his fingertips, while casually reaching into his pocket and taking out the phone.
He glanced at the caller ID.
A playful curve appeared on his lips.
Then he answered.
"Hello? What's up?"
"I'm having a pretty fun time playing with Scorpio right now. If it's nothing important, I'll hang up first. I don't want this guy ruining my mood."
His voice was relaxed and casual, as if the battle before him was not a life-and-death struggle against a Stage 5 Gastrea, but merely an entertaining game.
"Gojo-sensei, leave immediately!"
Before Gojo could finish speaking, Seitenshi urgently interrupted him.
Her voice was filled with panic and worry, with even a faint trace of choking emotion hidden within it.
"Kikunojou Tendo is trying to kill you. He gave the order to the Self-Defense Forces, and they have already launched a large number of missiles toward your location and Scorpio's. Leave now, as quickly as possible!"
Seitenshi spoke everything in one breath.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she stared at the screen, afraid of missing even the slightest movement from Gojo.
Listening to her hurried explanation, the playful smile on Gojo's face froze slightly.
He had not expected something like this to happen.
But only for a moment.
The next second, the corner of his mouth lifted into a deeper, mocking smile.
Behind his sunglasses, his Six Eyes revealed a trace of coldness.
"So those guys hiding in the shadows finally couldn't sit still anymore and decided to come out?"
His tone remained light, but anyone paying attention could hear the impatience and killing intent hidden beneath it.
"Yes, Gojo-sensei. This is not the time to talk about that. Leave immediately. Those missiles are extremely powerful. Please don't underestimate them!"
Seitenshi's voice remained filled with panic.
She could already imagine the scene of those missiles striking the battlefield, and the worry in her heart continued to grow.
While listening, Gojo slowly turned his head toward a certain direction in the distance.
His sunglasses slid slightly downward, revealing the brilliant and cold Six Eyes beneath them.
With the power of the Six Eyes, everything in the distance became crystal clear.
Far beyond the horizon, he could see a group of missiles dragging long white trails behind them as they rapidly approached his location.
They resembled starving wolves charging toward their prey, carrying the force of destruction as they raced toward the battlefield.
It was as if they intended to flatten everything in their path.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. What a hassle."
Gojo answered casually, a hint of annoyance appearing on his face.
It was as if Seitenshi's concern was completely unnecessary.
"That kind of person is really annoying. They always think they're so clever, disturbing other people's fun whenever they want. They don't have much ability themselves, yet they love playing these little tricks."
"He actually thinks something like this can affect me? That's a little insulting. He's far too naive."
While speaking, Gojo glanced down at Scorpio, which was still struggling and attempting to fight back, then looked toward the approaching missiles.
His eyes were filled with disdain.
To him, these missiles were nothing more than insignificant toys.
They posed no threat whatsoever.
"Seitenshi, watch carefully through the satellite feed."
"Watch how your teacher solves this problem and deals with those people who don't know their place."
His voice carried arrogance and absolute confidence.
In his eyes, none of the obstacles before him were worth taking seriously.
At that moment, the missiles were already moving at incredible speed.
Within only a few seconds, they had arrived close to Gojo.
The air itself carried the scorching heat and oppressive force brought by their approach.