CH 251.1

『Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』.

In a room at the far end of the base, the new boss――Gaff Shenfelder gave his instructions in a loud voice.

“Assassins from another organization! Traitor! Seize them! Don’t listen to what they say! They are being manipulated by a fake.” (Gaff)

“Please don’t let anyone escape! This is an order from the Boss!” (Sora)

Sora, too, raised both of her hands in the air in support of his opinion. Her expression lacked the somewhat sacred atmosphere that she always has on her face.

It was not at the stage where retreating is possible. If they lost here, they would have no place in the organization. “Miko (Shrine Maiden)” have a special position, but they could be disposed of in the wake of the civil war. Because the dead cannot protest.

Gaff’s subordinates are extremely talented. They are experienced, powerful, and accustomed to wielding their power under Gaff.

We’ve been preparing in advance for a major operation in Cleat. The weather in the sky, the advantage of the land, the harmony of the subordinates, everything was all on the new Boss’s side.

The subordinates, each wearing a fox mask and armed, rushed out of the room when they saw the “Miko (Shrine Maiden)” with an unprecedented bloodcurdling expression.

The members of the “Fox (Kitsune)” are all elite, even their most basic subordinates. Even if their opponents are under the direct order of another Boss, they will not be defeated so easily.

“The enemies are fewer than us in numbers. We are 『Superior』 than them.” (Gaff)

By now, the Supreme Martial Arts Festival tournament should have begun. The key to the operation, the Key to the Earth, is in the hands of the previous Boss, something should happen.

If possible, Gaff and the others would like to take their time and watch the tournament like the Boss, but they can’t move without dealing with those rude fox-masked intruders first.

If we show an opening, you will be killed. The one who is right will not be the winner. The winner is the one who will be right.

At that moment, the door opened with a bang. A man wearing a fox mask rushed in. But he was not Gaff’s subordinate.

To think he can come this far while overcoming his subordinates who have been studying and are skilled at detecting people’s presence, as expected of someone who also belongs to the “Fox (Kitsune)”.

The intruder was covered in wounds. His robes were cut everywhere and his blood was staining them.

However, to think he would have made it this far and pass through countless traps and Gaff’s subordinates, he is undoubtedly capable. He might even be a subordinate that reports directly to the other Boss.

However, the number of enemies is small. To begin with, it was only a few days ago that Gaff took over the Boss’s position. Their raid is not a large-scale, meticulously planned one.

The intruder looked at Gaff, saw the mask he was wearing, and opened his eyes widely.

It was just a small opening. However, Gaff is not senile enough to miss the opportunity that arose.

The essence of the “Thief King (Tozoku Ou)” is his ability to command, but it is not like he is lacking in confidence in combat ability. It took him less than a second to draw his weapon, get ready, rush into him, and stab him.

In an instant, a narrow, custom-made knife was plunged deep into the man’s torso.

“Huh!?” (Intruder)

“Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. Because, you know, it seems that there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.” (Gaff)

He won’t let him say anything. The intruder opened his eyes and tried to move his lips, but eventually failed in the end and fell down.

Gaff’s knife was coated with a drug. It was a special paralyzing drug that was researched in order to keep powerful Phantoms alive. Even if they had absorbed Mana Material, most enemies cannot withstand it.

He kicked the intruder into a corner of the room with the knife still stuck in the intruder.

There will be more intruders to come. Intruders who made an unfortunate misunderstanding due to another Boss’s instigation.

It’s a full-on fight.

Gaff, who was unmistakably wearing the proof of being the boss, grinned with only his mouth.

“I won’t let you do whatever you want. This is my territory――I’m…… The Boss.” (Gaff)

“Boss, we have to make Aburaage too. It was you, the Boss, who gave that order.” (Sora)

“Aaaah…… I know. I know it very well. I am the one who gave that order.” (Gaff)

At the “Miko’s (Shrine Maiden)” words, Gaff’s smile faded, and sighed.

It’s too silly, but it’s the strategy that the previous Boss had set up. We can’t cut corners.

The previous Boss has passed the mask on to Gaff, but it is not like he had lost his strength. Gaff is not so confident that he thinks he can beat the other Bosses without the previous Boss’s backing.

I never thought I’d have my back against a wall as soon as I became the Boss…… Gaff made a small sigh and decided to issue a new order.

§　§　§

Cleat arena. A few dozen meters above the arena, where the Supreme Martial Arts Festival is about to take place, a human figure was floating.

Wearing a jet-black coat. A fox mask covers his face. He was standing in the empty air and looked down at the black stone――The Symphonic Stone in his hand.

The information coming from the Symphonic Stones was not very good. The voices coming out of it conveyed only an atmosphere of urgency, and it was clear that the headquarters was in turmoil.

One of the highest top-ranking executives of the “Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)”. The man whose territory covers a wide area, including Zebuldia, bit his lip in frustration at the situation.

The chain of command was completely divided. Communication with my men, who had been sent to the hideout first just in case, was cut off. Apparently, my men had been attacked.

This disorder in the chain of command was unusual. The headquarters, which was supposed to take command in such a situation, was also slow.

To think they tried to isolate us, what a foolish plan. It must have been a yearly and very carefully prepared plan to disrupt our organization that has been in hiding for so long to this extent in such a short time.

Thanks for reading!

Yes, of course, Cry spent years thinking about this plan.

All this is no sheer coincidence!

Tchao à plus!