"We'll destroy the Slates.", Shiro said in clear tone.
They had ransacked the whole room and it is now filled with paper and illustrations.
"But is that method possible?"
"Until now, it is believed that the Slates is indestructible, so the Green King himself won't expect such a thing.", replied Yayoi.
"Won't it be dangerous?", asked Kuro.
"Well, I'll just that you trust me as a researcher."
Shiro and Yayoi were the only two people in the room to have hopeful eyes. Kuro and Neko was not that optimistic.
Will Shiro return safely?
"Ah, you're back early."
Kusanagi greeted Anna and Yayoi as they entered the bar. Anna went to sit at the bar and Yayoi behind the bar with Kusanagi, her usual place.
"Where've you been, Anna?", asked Yata.
"I went to meet with Yashiro.", Anna answered.
"So, you returned together?", asked Kusanagi.
"The plan is done, so I can go and rest."
"Well, you really look like you need a rest, Yayoi-san.", said Yata.
"Thank you, Yata-chan."
Yayoi made her own drink and Anna's as a training for Kusanagi.
"By the way, Anna. Seems like Munakata got into a lot of trouble. I can believe a country a king.", explained Kusanagi.
"I got a call about it from the Scepter 4 member and Reisi can't be reached ever since.", continued Yayoi.
"The members are put on stand-by and not allowed to leave home base. It was so sudden, it caused uproar in Scepter 4."
Yata turned to listen more about the information.
"There was a lot of government officials and political figures in the Jungle party me and Seri snuck into. So, they chose the Green Clan in the end."
"Is that why that monkey jumped from the burning ship and joined the new emerging power?", Yata said in annoyance.
"Yata-chan..."
Yata stood up and took his skateboard with him and went for the exit.
"I'll patrol the area again."
Yayoi helped Kusanagi with arranging his glasses, when suddenly a stinging pain went for her head. She bumped into the bar unconsciously.
"Yayoi! Are you okay?", asked Anna.
"Don't worry, just careless for a bit."
"No, you're not. What's going on? You've been looking unwell all this time.", asked Kusanagi.
"I'm fine, Kusanagi-san. It's just a lack of rest."
Yayoi couldn't really tell everyone of her real condition. Since the Green Clan had started doing field testing on the Slates and granting power to everyone, she started getting immense headaches. Tolerable at first, but it gets worse every day. Hisui Nagare of the Green Clan has been trying to free the Slates, but he won't be able to do it without breaking her first.
If Shiro were to know of the truth, he'll feel burdened and come with a rushed solution. Not the best possible one. They need to do this right.
"So, how does it go with Shiro-san?"
"We are going to destroy the Slates.", answered Anna.
"Okay. I understand."
"But before that..."
The door was opened again, but by a different figure.
"Reisi!", called Yayoi.
Kusanagi helped Reisi light his cigarette.
"I don't know you smoked.", said Kusanagi.
"I only smoke on rare occasions."
Yayoi kept an eye on Munakata.
"Where have you been? Everyone was looking for you.", Yayoi asked.
"You are looking for me?", teased Munakata on purpose.
"No! Your clansmen! I don't need to look for you, you know where I am!"
Munakata blew a few smoke before turning to the silent Anna.
"So what's the purpose for calling me out abruptly, Red King?", asked Munakata.
"I am trying to speak with you. We are going to destroy the Slates.", said Anna.
Munakata gave no response to the statement, but instead took a sip of his drink. Between it he gave a glance to Yayoi, as if seeking confirmation.
"Yesterday, I received a notice from the government, relieving me of my duties as captain. I'm no longer able to assist you as the leader of my clan.", said Munakata.
Yayoi was worried that Reisi seems like he wasn't cooperating. This isn't him.
"Even if you're no longer the captain, you're still the Blue King. What happens to the Blues, your clansmen who are at a loss right now?", asked Kusanagi.
Munakata gave no reply but a bitter smile. He then got up and left the bar.
"Reisi!", called Anna.
"Let me talk to him.", said Yayoi.
Yayoi left her wiping cloth and stuff at the table and went to the exit to follow Munakata.
"Reisi!"
Yayoi followed the figure clad in blue through the empty alley. Munakata stopped at the voice.
"I thought you're still angry at me.", Munakata said.
"I'm not angry at you, I'm angry that you're not doing anything for this. This is not you.", replied Yayoi.
The sky was warm as Munakata continued his walk, Yayoi beside him.
"How can you know which one is me and which one is not? We don't know each other that much."
"Don't underestimate the observation skills of someone with a fifty years' experience.", replied Yayoi.
Munakata scoffs at Yayoi. This is new, she hates it when he teases her with her real age. She was trying her best to reconnect with him.
"But you really need to come back to your clansmen. They're really worried and anxious without you."
Munakata was about to reply. But Yayoi suddenly fell on her knees to the ground. Her hand grabbing her head tight.
"What's wrong?", asked Munakata.
"My...head..."
The situation went out of hand when Yayoi started to scream blue murder. Munakata could actually feel her pain through her sound.
It was then the pillar suddenly emerged. A thin but bright pillar of light going up to the sky.
"The Green Clan, it has begun..."
Yayoi couldn't answer any of Munakata's calls. She just knelt there, groaning in pain. Munakata can see that she was so in pain, she might tear her hair off. The first thing he could do was took her hands in his and left her fingernails dig into him instead.
He winced due to the stinging pain, but it was the least he could do for her.
"They're trying to unleash the Slates full power.", Yayoi said between her groans.
"And what about you?"
Munakata saw Yayoi's face looking back at him, through the messy hair, pained face.
"I'm the only one holding it back."
As the J-Ranks of the Green Clan watched as the Slates shine brightly in green, Iwa was the first to realize Nagare's disturbed look.
"What is it, Nagare?", asked Iwa.
Yukari and Sukuna shifted their attention to Nagare, Fushimi gave no attention.
"Something's holding the Slates back.", Nagare said.
"What? But you said there is no one left to suppress the Slates!", exclaimed Sukuna.
"I can't believe it... The old man... He must've had a safe card."
Nagare gritted his teeth in anger. He was this close to his goals, but there are still obstacles hindering him.
"Well, well, isn't this a bad news.", said Yukari.
Shiro rushed to Homra with Kuro and Neko behind him.
A call from Munakata that didn't contain any good news.
'Isana Yashiro, you don't have much time.'
There was no more explanation but Shiro can hear Yayoi's pained cry.
He felt a moment of pain that turns out to be from the Slates, caused by the Green Clan. But it's a different case with Yayoi.
Shiro was sure he barged through the door and almost broke it.
"Yayoi!"
"Shiro? Why so rushed?"
Shiro couldn't believe his eyes. Yayoi was standing in front of him, all smiles and happy. Kusanagi was in contrast, as he had a guilty look in his eyes.
"What is going on?"
Kusanagi can't be more surprised when Munakata reappeared at the bar with Yayoi in hand. She was curled up and groaning in pain. Anna fears that it was the Slates, just like the sudden pain she experienced earlier. But for Yayoi, it seems to last forever.
"What do you mean you drugged her?", asked Shiro.
"Well, Shiro-san, between her groaning in pain like she was dying and painkiller, I don't really have much choice.", answered Kusanagi.
"Reisi brought her here.",replied Anna.
Shiro examined Yayoi that looks terribly fine. He exhales.
"Lieutenant never let her consume any medical substances. It'll be a pain if it disrupts her bodily functions. We don't know how her body repelled the Slate's power.", Shiro said.
Shiro exhales heavily one last time before dropping his worried look.
"Where is Munakata now?", asked Kuro.
"He brought her here, then a Scepter 4 member came and brought painkillers and he left with him."
"A scary man with a scar on his face.", answered Yayoi.
Shiro gave another worried look at Yayoi.
"We better tone down on that painkiller okay. I don't know if it'll affect you and the Slates. And I need your head clear.", reminded Shiro.
Kusanagi approached Shiro with Anna in tow.
"Shiro-san, what's next?"
"Let's discuss our final plan."