A large screen hung in the room.

Kochou sat on the sofa, not dressed too formally, but casually draped in a light beige dress. Leaning back, her eyes fixed on the photo in her hand, a contemplative look on her face.

Did Superpower Users really exist?

Kochou stared at the crime scene photos taken by the special case team. The bloody scene was unblurred and captured with startling clarity: limb fragments and splattered blood covered the walls, some even smeared into a pulpy mess, creating a stark visual impact.

Kochou knew that only top martial artists could achieve such an outrageous deed. Without firearms, it was impossible to harm such people.

But that monster could definitely not have been Suzuki Kojiro.

All information regarding Suzuki Kojiro had been thoroughly investigated. From his birth to joining the Ohara Group, Suzuki Kojiro's life could be described as unremarkable. For such a person to suddenly cause such destruction was clearly abnormal.

There was also Yamabe Toshio, who had witnessed everything. He personally described how Suzuki Kojiro transformed into a monster and then suddenly reverted to his original form.

All this forced Kochou to admit that the speculations of the six major conglomerates and the CIA about Dio were correct. Superpower Users did exist, and Dio was not the only one. Suzuki Kojiro was the second known awakened Superpower User and also the first whose Superpower awakening had failed.

Kochou finally understood why the six major conglomerates and the government were risking offending the CIA and doing everything in their power to cover up the news. The existence of Superpower Users, along with their bodies, held immense benefits.

Although in the eyes of the world, Japan and the United States had always had a father-son-like relationship, when their interests completely diverged, the Japanese conglomerates were happy to play the role of rebellious sons, viciously stabbing their father in the back. In the past, the six major conglomerates' reluctance to help the government stemmed from their own interests not being involved. Once their interests were at stake, they would naturally unite against outsiders.

Even the Phoenix Academy had to align with them, trying to delay the CIA from obtaining related news as much as possible. They couldn't completely block the CIA's intelligence, but they could temporarily delay its receipt. Taking advantage of this time, they aimed to seize the initiative. Whoever could master Superpowers first could potentially hold an important position in the upcoming new era. The benefits of cutting-edge technology were just that enormous.

But Kochou was different. The Phoenix Academy's post-war rise was inseparable from the MacArthur Family's help. She could deceive the CIA, but not the MacArthur Family. If exposed, her relationship with the MacArthur Family would no longer be as close. In fact, her relationship with the MacArthur's house was sustained through her daughter. After her husband's death, the only person in the Phoenix Academy who could truly be considered somewhat a part of the MacArthur Family was Phoenix Academy Maggie. Her ability to hold power was also due to this connection. If this connection were denied, it wouldn't matter to the MacArthur Family who controlled the Phoenix Academy. They wouldn't necessarily have to support Kochou.

She hadn't contacted the MacArthur Family before because she wasn't sure. But now, it was time.

Kochou initiated a video call to the head of the MacArthur Family, then looked up at the screen, ready to watch the entire autopsy of the Superpower User. Afterward, she still had to attend the Silver Hexagram gathering and discuss the next steps with the six major conglomerates.

...

A moment later, the video call connected.

The screen showed a tall, elderly man in pajamas with white hair and beard. His blue eyes revealed a touch of fatigue as he spoke in English, "Kochou, why are you calling me all of a sudden?"

"Uncle, I'd like you to watch an autopsy."

"I have no interest in that."

Adel frowned slightly. He understood she wouldn't simply ask him to watch such an autopsy for no reason. "Cut to the chase," he said. "What's so important about this person?"

"His name is Suzuki Kojiro, a human whose Superpower awakening failed."

"Superpowers? Kochou, have you lost your mind?" Adel's expression turned to surprise. He hadn't expected to hear such ludicrous talk about Superpower Users again after so many years.

During the US-Soviet rivalry, and even earlier, Germany had researched so-called black magic. Nations had spent time, effort, and funds, only to verify it was a complete scam. Adel had stopped expecting so-called Superpowers. Instead, he hoped for cybernetic immortality by uploading his consciousness to the Metaverse, which seemed more reliable.

"Uncle, I didn't believe it at first either, so I didn't inform you," Kochou said, taking out a photo taken by the special case team. "But this time, I've found concrete evidence. Look at this photo." She began to explain.

Adel's expression shifted from indifference to seriousness.

"Right now, the six major conglomerates are dissecting the Superpower User's body without the CIA's knowledge," Kochou emphasized. "We will get firsthand information."

"Good." Adel looked at the lit-up screen, a thrill rising in his heart.

If Superpower Users really exist, it would be a good thing for him. Another path to immortality has opened up.

「The dissection room.」

Ito Otome and Mayers briefly discussed and divided their work before beginning Suzuki Kojiro's autopsy. Yuzuki Reiko, her expression cold, was in charge of filming and narrating the process, transmitting the live feed to the influential figures watching.

Mayers cut open Suzuki Kojiro's body, and a startling amount of blood gushed out.

Yuzuki Reiko's eyes flashed with surprise. "He's been dead for so long, yet his blood is still so warm. This is highly abnormal. Normally, after death, blood gradually coagulates and certainly wouldn't be this warm and red."

"It's almost like he's still alive," Mayers added. He saw the shriveled kidneys in the pool of blood, resembling dehydrated eggplants. However, their color wasn't what one would expect from dead kidneys.

Completely overturning medical knowledge! Is this the body of a Superpower User?! Mayers' eyes shone with excitement; even his body reacted. To Mayers, any corpse worthy of dissection, regardless of gender, was excellent material for "casting spells."

"Mayers, watch your behavior." Ito Otome's eyes flashed with disdain before turning back to the corpse, her gaze fervent.

Those bigwigs are, at best, watching a spectacle. Only professional forensic pathologists like us can appreciate this body's true value. Even though he might not have successfully awakened as a Superpower User, a body that failed an awakening attempt is still far stronger than a normal human's. It's worth dissecting thoroughly to study the differences.

...

The dissection continued for a full three hours.

Emily was very anxious. She didn't have the privilege of watching the dissection live, nor could she disturb Ito Otome and Mayers. She could only pace outside the door.

Her mind raced with possibilities.

Morimoto Chiyoda sat calmly with her legs crossed, enjoying this leisure time, free from interrogating charlatans.

When the light in the dissection room went out, the door opened. Ito Otome walked out, a fine layer of sweat on her pale forehead. The intense work had left her mentally weary, yet her spirits were incredibly high. She was certain the transformation had occurred in an instant, bringing Suzuki Kojiro's organs to an astonishing level of strength.

"How was it?" Emily stepped forward and asked.

"Suzuki Kojiro's organs transformed and then deteriorated, all in an instant!" Ito Otome said, her voice brimming with excitement. "It's truly amazing! It overturns existing medical knowledge."

"Oh." The excitement on Emily's face faded.

The abnormalities in Suzuki Kojiro's body suggested it's highly unlikely that Yasuda Masao and his group were Superpower Users. Or could it be that the body returns to normal after the Superpower is taken away? Emily thought. That explanation seemed too improbable. I have to abandon the idea that Dio wanted to kill them to steal their Superpowers.

"What do you think caused such a change?" Emily asked.

"The specific cause is hard to grasp," Ito Otome shook her head. "It's as if a force appeared out of nowhere, was injected into the body, and drove the transformation." From the corpse, she could hardly find the reason for Suzuki Kojiro's change. She only knew that the various indicators of his organs were superb. The cause of death wasn't related to gunshot wounds. It was the disappearance of the power that had triggered the organ evolution. This led to the body being unable to balance its strengthened organs, ultimately causing a collapse.

"It's really the best corpse!" Mayers exclaimed, emerging from the room, his face filled with excitement. "I'm already looking forward to dissecting Dio's body!"

Emily gave him a sidelong glance and scoffed, "You'd better find Dio's whereabouts first!" Mocking Mayers wasn't out of pettiness. Emily understood that he, being the first to confirm Dio as a Superpower User, might have some clues. She wanted to draw him out.

A smile appeared on Mayers' face. "I believe we'll see Dio's body in the near future."

Emily's gaze narrowed.

Yuzuki Reiko pushed him from behind. "Mayers, didn't you say some things shouldn't be said too prematurely?"

"Haha, that's true. I almost fell for the little dwarf's trick."

Mayers' "little dwarf" comment enraged Emily. "Asshole!" she shouted. "I still have room to grow taller!"

"No such possibility," Mayers waved his hand and left with a smile.

He knew how to hunt Dio. As long as Dio continued to act as the Messenger of Justice, he would inevitably target those utterly wicked individuals. Conversely, by staying close to such people, Dio would eventually show up. This was the strategy of "waiting by the tree for the rabbit." He eagerly anticipated Dio, the rabbit, running into the net set by the hunting squad. And he looked forward even more to dissecting Dio once he had lost his value. He preferred the dead over the living.

Humming a tune, Mayers left.

Emily's anger subsided. "Does that guy really have a way to find Dio?" she murmured.

"Snakes have their paths, and rats have theirs," Morimoto Chiyoda said. "Someone like him probably has information channels we don't know about. Should we monitor him?"

"Have Iwaki monitor his calls."

Emily wouldn't let anyone else capture Dio. She had to be the one to seize him.