Hello and welcome back for the next chapter to my story! Enjoy and don't forget to review!
The Kentei, Japan, February 19th 2027
Kirito and Asuna exited their guest room and walked down the stairs to met Zidowa and Hideko again in the dining room for breakfast.
''Morning Mr Kirigaya, Mrs Kirigaya'' he greeted them with a smile.
''Morning to you too Mr President'' Kirito bowed.
''Sleep well?'' asked Hideko, Asuna nodded.
''Very much so. Your beds are extremely comfy If you don't mind my complaments'' she said.
''Not at all Mrs Kirigaya. All our furniture is made with only the best materials in the country. Though I admit, Some of the rare ones are exported from America and China but all the essentials are homegrown'' Zidowa informed them as the couple sat down. After a light breakfast, they all got up to leave for the runway to the Presidents private jet to Dubai.
''This parties Host has most been looking forward to meeting you two'' Zidowa said as the got inside the limo ''After all, It was him who who asked me personally to Invite you''
''Really? And who is our Host?'' asked Kirito.
President Khalifa Bin Zayed Of the United Arab Emirates'' answered Hideko, the couple gasped.
''The President of that country?'' asked Asuna, Hideko nodded with a smile ''He's a big fan of you both'' she explained as the limo drove out of the gates with the police escort. Kirito was shocked, he wondered if all the guests are just as prestigious.
''Indeed. When I called him after the Pingowy Battle to say that you've accepted the invite I could literally hear the jumps of excitement through the other side of the phone'' Zidowa chuckled at the memory.
''If I may Mr President, Do you know any of the other guest's that we could expect to see at this party?'' he asked, Zidowa rubbed his chin in thought.
''Well, I do believe I know a couple...er, I believe Pope Sofia the II of Rome is going. So Is the South Korean Commander, The French Prime Minister, The Director of the CIA-'' he counted on his fingers until Kirito interrupted.
''The Director of the CIA is coming?!'' he asked in shock.
''Why yes. At first we was going to opt out of this one but when word reached him that you both were invited he called back three weeks ago to say that he'd changed his mind'' Hideko explained as they reached the runway leaving Kirito in thought.
''I wonder if he knew about Bennet'' the thought as he entered the plane.
six hours later. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Plane landed on the makeshift tarmac on the ground beside the Burj al Arab Building. The security opened the doors to let the four passagers feel the hot sun on thier skin.
''Whew, It's hot out here! And its still winter'' exclaimed Kirito as they got into the limo and followed the army convoy to the hotel.
''The whole top bar area has been closed off for the day to accommodate the party'' Zidowa said as Kirito and Asuna looked out the window to see the building ''That's the only hotel with a 7 star rating in the world. You would never get a room in that even from a million American dollars'' he added.
''How much is that in Yen?'' asked Asuna, Zidowa shrugged ''About 1.2 million'' he answered as they entered the hotel grounds. After a while they made it to the top floor where some velvet carpet step's lead to to the party area. they could haer a great amount of chatter and glass's being clanked, the faint smell of champagne filled the air as they waited for the role call to enter.
''Mr Barry Howard, The Director of the CIA'' the man holding the guest list announced as the man stepped into the ballroom.
Mr Maxence Disuior, Prime Minister of France'' he called next.
''Prince William and Duchess Kate of The United Kingdom'' he announced next.
''Mr Zidowa Mikoaura, President of Japan and Lady Mikoaura of Japan'' he called next.
''See you later'' whispered Zidowa to Kirito and Asuna before leaving with Hideko to the ballroom. Kirito sweated nervously as he awaited for their names to be called up. Asuna noticed this and held his hand reassuringly with a smile. he returned it before they walked up the step's hand in hand.
''Kazuto Kirigaya and Asuna Kirigaya of Japan'' the man called as soon at said couple came into view of the ballroom from the top step. The crowd gasped and turned to face the couple and the music stopped for a period, Kirito looked around to see them all looking in his direction with looks of astonishment before he walked down the steps to the ballroom with Asuna as the music started up again.
As soon as the reached the bottom step, a middle eastern man in a white Thawb with a beard walked through the crowd to met them ''Oh Allah be praised!'' he exclaimed happily as he vigorously shook Kirito's hand ''I am Khalifa Bin Zayed, The president of The United Arab Emirates. It is an honor to finally meet you Mr Kirigaya!''
''Nice to meet you to Mr President'' Kirito said with a friendly smile.
''Oh Please by all means, call me Khalifa here. This party is to forget our fancy titles'' Khalifa turned to Asuna '' And you must be Asuna, A pleasure'' he greeted while kissing her hand.
''Feeling's Mutual'' she replied as an elderly woman wearing religious robes walked to them.
''Ah, It appears the lord has blessed me with your attendance. Sofia the II, second official lady pope of Rome'' she bowed in respect.
''A female Pope? That's allowed?'' Kirito thought as he shook her hand ''It's a pleasure to meet you Your Grace'' he said.
''Tell me Kazuto, How are you enjoying the party?'' asked Khalifa while Sophia talked with Asuna.
''Well you really outdone yourself with presentation'' Kirito replied as he looked around the party.
''Only the best for my friends'' Khalifa said ''And between you and me, I put in extra effort for you'' he whispered in his ear.
''Champagne?'' offered a butler holding a tray.
''You partake?'' Khalifa asked Kirito.
''I rarely have champagne'' he revealed ''I'm more a wine person'' Khalifa chuckled ''Well, each to their own'' he said whilst taking a glass for himself before the butler walked away.
''I've been hearing so much about you Kazuto'' Khalifa said ''Your deeds are nothing short of heroic. your actions in Japan, you charity work for sick and poor children and your music'' he smiled ''I play your music all the time on my Ipod before bed time, helps me sleep'' he admitted, Kazuto couldn't help but chuckle ''You like rap Music?'' he asked as the butler came back with a glass of red wine for him, he took it before the butler left again.
''Why yes, a man has to have taste'' Khalifa said as the walked up to the chocolate fountain sculpted as Kirito holding a sword, Kirito smirked ''Your doing?'' he asked Khalifa ''Given my authority as the host of this party, I may have taken the liberty of making a slight dent in the rules'' he blushed as Kirito noticed two other men by the Orchestra band.
''I must say, This music is simply dreadful'' said one of them in a Russian accent.
''Indeed, It causes my ears discomfort'' said the other man who was shorter then the Russian in a Korean accent.
''I swear, these Arabs no nothing of the art of orchestra. Now when I held the party at the Kremlin two years ago, my musicians were magnificent and beautiful but this...is just drivel'' said the Russian as Kirito listened.
''I remember that Mr Putin, Quite the show! Hopefully next time when we have this party It will be in Moscow. So we can hear that masterpiece again!'' said the Korean man.
''Thank you Mr Jong-Un. You shall be first on my list when that time comes'' thanked the Russian as they clanked glasses and chuckled, Kirito was shocked.
''Vladimir and Kim are here?!'' whispered Kirito to Khalfia, he nodded ''All the most important people around the world are here'' he said.
''But here? With the director of the CIA?'' Kirito motioned to Barry who was talking animatedly to William and Kate ''He's american''
''And the South Korean Commander is also here'' reminded Khalfia ''No one can harm anyone here. Besides I thought you knew that North Korea and America are at peace now and Russia has no quarrel with either side now?'' he asked him.
''I have been trapped in a death game for over two years, of course I'm a bit behind in politics'' Kirito said with a frown.
''Ah, here he is'' said a voice behind him. Kirito Turned to see Vladamir and Kim Jong facing him with small smiles on their faces, Kirito looked stunned.
''Greetings, You must be Kazuto Kirigaya'' Kim bowed polity to break the silence, Kirito sighed in relief and bowed back ''Your Excellency'' he said.
''So, Kazuto Kirigaya grace's us with his presence'' said Vladimir ''I have been hearing a little bit about you. A little bird has informed me of your actions in Grono-Altaysk'' he said with a smile.
''Sergei'' Kirito mumbled but Vladimir caught that ''You know him?'' he asked.
''Sergei is an old friend of my father, they are very close'' Kirito explained Vladimir chuckled ''Well, any man who helps Russia with it's wars is welcome to my presence'' he assured him.
''I also hear of your battle with Sugou on Pingowy Island'' Kim said ''Terrible man he is. If it were me, I would have shot him dead! Well, Hopefully he shall get what is coming to him soon'' he said.
''It wasn't just me who defeated 'The Holy Empire' Mr Un, The JDSF handled the heavy lifting of that operation, I merely supported their efforts'' Kirito said modestly. Kim chuckled.
''My dear boy you must stop being so modest, people might start forgetting you're a hero!'' he laughed as all three of them joined in as Asuna was telling Sophia, Kate and Hideko about the time when she and Kirito spent the night together on Floor 61 ''And then he said 'I just wanted to spend the night with you tonight and well...not the 'other' thing' And then I punched him in the face!'' she mimicked Kirito's voice before the three woman laughed.
''The bloody cheek!'' Kate said.
''Poor choice of words'' Hideko said in between laughs before Barry tapped Asuna's shoulder.
''Excuse me, are you Kazuto's wife Asuna Kirigaya?'' he asked her, Asuna nodded ''Do you know where he is?'' Barry asked.
''He should be over with Khalfia'' Asuna pointed to Kirito talking with him, Vladamir and Kim about his duel with Yuuki ''Thank you'' Barry said as he left to talk to him.
''And so I said 'Tired Yuuki? Well, that's just a damm shame. Because I'm just getting warmed up!'' Kirito told them as Khalfia listened like a fanboy while Vladimir and Kim ooohed before Barry tapped on his shoulder gaining his attention.
''Mr Kirigaya, we haven't met. Barry Howard, Director of the CIA'' he introduced himself.
''Nice to meet you Mr Howard'' Kirito replied.
''Is there anyway that we could speak in private for a moment?'' he asked him ''That is if you all don't mid that is?'' he asked the trio.
''Not at all Mr Howard'' Khalfia said ''Just don't keep him to yourself!'' he chuckled as Barry lead Kirito to the balcony away from everyone.
''What is it Mr Howard?'' Kirito asked, Barry looked to him ''It's about Bennet isn't it?'' Kirito asked.
''I'm afraid it is Mr Kirigaya'' Barry nodded ''And I just came here to say...thank you'' he smiled.
''Look, I hasn't the one who killed him in new york, it was...wait what?'' Kirito asked in confusion.
''Thank you'' Barry repeated ''See, a week after his death, I sent agents to clear his apartment in Queens and they found evidence that he was infuriated with the Ku Klux Klan. The Grand Giant of Texas as a matter of fact. I never knew he was a member let alone to be within its inner circle, thought it would coincide with his frequent trips to the south'' Barry informed him.
''You never knew that he was a member?'' asked Kirito in surprise, Barry shook his head.
''No, though I should have seen it coming. The way he talked about them and I caught him more then a couple times making racial comments of other agents since after the 9/11 attack'' Barry said.
''Thant's not all'' Kirito said ''He was in SAO, He founded a guild called 'Laughing coffin' to kill other players. He told me so in New York'' he revealed, Barry looked appalled.
''My god, we sent him in there to help them!'' he yelled to himself.
''Looks like he had a diffren agenda'' Kirito said sarcastically, Barry huffed ''Well, thanks to you, The Ku Klux Klan lost another member. we've been at war with them ever since the Texas Uprising in early 2002. After the Boston bombing in 2013, they took over Louisiana. before the SAO incident, they had only just taken over New Orleans. They want to control and purify America! As if it was going to bring her back, he joined to avenge his wife Mary. Not like I blame him, he thought very highly of her, plus she was pregnant. To lose all that would crush any mans soul to dust, makes them do terrible things. Heartbreaking really" Barry thought soberly. Kirito put his hand on his shoulder, Barry turn to him.
"You know, in these action movies that I watched when I was younger, the villain would mostly take the time to explain to the hero his motives to justify his actions. Bennet reminded me of those kind of villains. I remember one qoute 'If you lose everything you care about and you don't go insane, then your not human huh, guess he was right" Kirito chuckled. Barry smiled.
Sure. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for that. Enjoy the party" he said as they both went back inside to talk to the other guests.
Meanwhile back at Goldkings Mansion
Shigemura wrote in his clipboard as he observed the pod, humming in thought.
"How are you still alive?" He asked the occupant. No answer "Still, once you're free, they'll be sure to accept my apology" he said as he continued his research.
End of chapter 4 everyone! Like, Follow and Review and stay tuned for Chapter 5! Cheerioxxxooo