CHAPTER 487: CHAPTER 485: ACTION BEGINS ON THE 9TH_1

DING. A notification sound from her phone made Morimoto Chiyoda stop her yoga practice in the office.

She stood up, stretched her limbs, feeling a refreshing sensation throughout her body, with a slight sweat forming on her fair forehead.

Morimoto Chiyoda strode forward, picked up her phone, unlocked it, and took a look.

It was a forum post by Emily. Morimoto Chiyoda clicked to enter the forum and carefully observed the images, videos, and accompanying coded phrases.

The message Emily revealed made Morimoto Chiyoda’s eyebrows furrow slightly. Then they relaxed, and her expression became exceptionally calm.

Now isn’t the time for her to ponder the world’s survival or its future—such matters are for those higher up to consider.

Morimoto Chiyoda didn’t have the power to change major national affairs, nor was she clear about the direction the future should take. Her only task was to be cautious and prevent those people from choosing to defect.

"’How beautiful,’ she replied, indicating she understood, then exited the forum.

Morimoto Chiyoda promptly used CIA software to send all the obtained information, photos, and videos to Jack’s email.

After logging out of the software, she stretched again, strode to her desk, removed her yoga clothes, put on an oversized T-shirt and ultra-short denim shorts, and secured her M500.

Morimoto Chiyoda decided to go out for fieldwork.

She had planned to finish her yoga before heading out, but with the interruption, she didn’t feel like continuing and decided to simply take a stroll outside.

Number Nine’s recent activities made Morimoto Chiyoda uneasy. Robbing gold shops and banks—why would a clone with a short lifespan need money? There could only be one answer, Morimoto Chiyoda thought. The increasing rejection reaction might compel Number Nine to attempt one last major operation before death.

She wasn’t worried about Number Nine attacking those higher up; she was concerned he might choose to indiscriminately harm a wide range of people.

Tokyo was currently in a state of chaos. If one was willing to spend money and had the right connections, certain things could be purchased in the underworld.

Even items that previously couldn’t be bought were now obtainable.

「Washington D.C.」

The lights on Air Force One were being replaced at top speed. They shone from various angles, giving anyone who entered an uneasy feeling.

But no one mentioned the waste of electricity.

This was Air Force One.

While The White House had yet to be rebuilt, Air Force One served as the President’s office in Washington D.C., so a little extravagance was of no concern.

The intelligence passed through Jack, then John, and finally landed in front of Nett.

He looked at the image purported to be a Shadow World pass and watched the short video, his attention drawn to the delicate hand.

What a lovely girl.

Nett couldn’t help but fantasize about the owner of that hand, wishing he could smell whether she had a fragrant scent.

He liked fragrant girls; his thoughts wandered for a moment before he forcefully pulled them back.

Nett examined the pass. It featured a Maru on the outside with spiral lines inside. These appeared expertly carved, though the design might have nothing to do with carving at all.

After all, this is something from a Different World.

Nett looked thoughtful. What does this pattern represent? Would it work if it were imprinted on other objects?

He shifted his gaze to the Secretary of State and said, "Later, arrange for someone to print the pass from the images. Imprint it on stones, walls, trees, and such places to see if it has any effect."

"’Yes,’ the Secretary of State replied respectfully. Glancing at the papers again, he added, ’Regarding the Shadow World creatures not being able to stay in sunlight for too long, should we inform other countries?’"

Nett tapped on the desk, pondered for a moment, and felt that whether this secret was kept or not didn’t really matter.

The elites from other countries weren’t fools; they could guess a lot just from the emergence of shadows.

"Tell them this intelligence."

Nett knew that even the information he shared openly would lead those countries to believe there was more he wasn’t revealing.

There truly is no trust between nations.

Even though their assumption was correct, as long as Nett kept silent, no one else would know about the relationship between the Aze Red Stone, Dio, and the Tree of Life.

He held important intelligence in his hands, which he could use as a bargaining chip when the time came.

"How is Russia reacting?"

Nett already had plans to exert pressure on that biblical nation. The next top priority was how to resolve the ongoing war.

The Secretary of State had also been in secret contact with them recently. The feedback wasn’t very good, and he sighed, "They are extremely hard-line. Their attitude clearly rejects any related negotiation. They probably want to gain more advantages from us."

"The East’s opinion is that there’s no issue at all," he added. "They require our support for their actions on the island dispute and the lifting of some sanctions to show sincerity. Only then can friendly negotiations proceed."

The United States didn’t directly agree to the conditions from the two major powers and continued to conduct secret talks.

The Secretary of State estimated that some results might be achieved by November of that year.

If Nett were bold enough, results could be obtained as early as October.

Alternatively, external factors might force everyone to abandon some interests, allowing various agreements to be reached within the month.

Given the current progress, it would be difficult for the Secretary of State to bring the three countries together for cooperation in a short timeframe.

This was mainly because the three major powers each had their own ideas, which became more entrenched amid the chaos.

When humanity’s survival is at stake, how can they allow others to meddle?

"The Shadow Emperor is a good bargaining chip. Continue to pressure Russia, and then have well-informed individuals release signals suggesting our intention to join hands against the Different World for the common destiny of mankind."

"It’s just that they’re slow to agree, so apply pressure from a moral standpoint."

Nett planned for the Russian leader to use the confrontation with the Different World as an excuse to call for a ceasefire.

Then, he intended for another country to sign a perpetual neutrality agreement, thereby achieving the so-called buffer zone objective.

This would quell the blazing flames of war, allowing him to dedicate energy to other matters.

The Secretary of State thought for a moment and said, "I’ll go down and arrange it right away."

"Go ahead."

Nett gestured with his hand.

The Secretary of State left the office, ready to contact those ambassadors and share the intelligence.

As a loyal ally of the United States, Japan naturally received the warning about the Shadow World Emperor’s fear of strong light.

Upon receiving intelligence from the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs quickly adjusted his attire and headed to the Prime Minister’s office.

After the issue with the Different World broke out, Kumazo Yasuda’s previously secretive funding for a certain task force became very apparent.

The cabinet eventually obtained the key to understanding the Dio incident through the internet.

There was also no objection to the task force’s funding or to the massive flow of capital for the Takamagahara Project.

However, they had a bone to pick with Kumazo Yasuda. He hadn’t informed the cabinet about such a significant event, secretly collaborating only with the Minister of State. Even the conglomerates knew more than they did. It was as if these ministers were not trusted confidants.

A lord views his vassals as dirt; vassals see their lord as an enemy.

Despite the chill in his heart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs showed no dissatisfaction on the surface.

He was an old fox, after all, with no need for the kind of hostile behavior expected of children.

KNOCK KNOCK. He rapped on the office door, and a vigorous voice from inside said, "’Come in.’"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs entered. Rather than approaching, he said in a gentle voice, "Prime Minister, I’ve just received intelligence from the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. It states that creatures from the Shadow World fear strong light, so we need to change the lighting arrangement inside the official residence."

"We also need to equip ourselves with flash grenades and high-powered incandescent lamps as weapons."

"Furthermore, the leader of the Shadow World’s creatures is an Emperor."

"Their sizes are said to range from normal to abnormal, with the tallest reaching several tens of meters."

Hearing this intelligence, Kumazo Yasuda replied with a serious expression, "’Is that so? I’m aware. Arrange for someone to handle the lighting design and renovation of the official residence promptly. Try to make the shadows fainter.’"

"’Yes, sir,’ the Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded. ’If you have no other business, I shall take my leave.’"

Kumazo Yasuda gestured and said, "’You may go.’"

"’Alright.’"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs withdrew.

Kumazo Yasuda thought for a moment and then checked the time. It was already 10:20 A.M. Summoning the five major conglomerates and the Phoenix Academy family here would be too conspicuous.

Moreover, the meeting with the KGB to discuss the meteorite surface map couldn’t take place at the Prime Minister’s residence.

It was a sad truth: even though he was the highest ruler of the country, he could not ensure the loyalty of everyone inside the official residence. For some confidential matters, only in the territory of the conglomerates could he truly be guaranteed security. The subordinates around the conglomerates were trustworthy people.

Kumazo Yasuda continued with his official duties until noon when he got up to leave, instructing his bodyguards to prepare a car.

He planned to meet with Phoenix Academy Kochou and gather the other five major conglomerates there to discuss matters concerning the Shadow World.

This is the first nation from the Different World to descend upon this world. To do nothing would be a pity, Kumazo Yasuda thought. He wanted to see if he could create some benefit or establish a connection. Being the first to initiate diplomacy with a nation from the Shadow World was undeniably a matter full of honor and benefit.

He rode in the vehicle leaving the Prime Minister’s residence.

A blond man standing in the distance observed all of this. He put away his telescope, smiled, and muttered, "’Leaving at noon, what could he be up to? Well, since he’s so eager to meet me, let’s take action ahead of time.’"

Number Nine murmured to himself. The plan was more successful than expected: the funds were sufficient to pave the way for his actions, and he had located major media outlets for exposure.

It was so successful that Number Nine even suspected someone was facilitating this behind the scenes.

After all, planting a tracker on the Prime Minister’s personal car without an insider would be nearly impossible.

But after thinking it over, Number Nine didn’t mind being used by others. As long as his objectives were met, he saw no issue in helping someone else.

He planned a spectacular finale for his own death.