8th Shot: Full Assault
"Now, that I'm on your side, you can rest easy at that point." Nikki stated confidently through the phone, before her voice turned serious. "But there's just one big problem."
Like the mysterious person mentioned, both Taiju and Yuzuriha did found the phone and contacted him early in the morning–just as the sun rose from the horizon. After many tears and sobs of longing and relief, they instantly went down to business–finding their first formidable ally in Tsukasa Empire.
Zombie Lillian plan went accordingly at first before megafan Nikki threw it apart–the person who Tsukasa chose to keep an eye on both Taiju and Yuzuriha all the time. To think with just a mistake in answering measurements would ruin their plan was out of expectation.
However, with the help of glass record left behind by Byakuya, containing the diva's singing voice, it changed her mind quickly–something Nikki dubbed as impossible to replicate. Their trump card–the last song in the world, added Nikki to the party of Kingdom of Science. Senku did promised her to protect the record, while she wanted to protect it even though it risks her life in the process–something about thanking Lillian for her help in Nikki's tough times.
The plan would commence like it was arranged, and Nikki would help brushing up Gen's voice spartanly until it literally a copy of Lillian's. It was all in order to gain more allies in the Tsukasa Empire. Now, one problem solved which means they have to tackle the other.
"I'm sure you guys know how strong Tsukasa is. But it's not just him." Gen and Senku were currently listening to Nikki's explanation about ins and outs of Tsukasa's allies–people who Tsukasa chose to revive. "The people around him are formidable as well. I suppose he's got some grandiose vision for the world. He's been gathering capable people from all over. Sure, not all of them worship Tsukasa, but once they get a taste of Tsukasa's might and charisma, they all nod yes.
His right-arm and left-arm men, although he definitely doesn't consider them such, are the ones he considers his most capable allies. You've already met one of them."
Senku instantly replied, picking on his ear as he did so however he never loses his serious. "Hyoga."
"Yeah," Nikki confirmed. "The problem is the other man. The greatest impediment to our plan would be Ukyo."
"Ukyo-kun…" The two could hear Yuzuriha repeated in worry.
"The one with the bow and arrow who always with Shinko." Taiju added.
"Yeah, if we keep playing the same record repeatedly, Ukyo will eventually see through it. Rather, he'll hear through it. If he were to hear it, I'm not sure it would fool him, even over the phone." Nikki explained.
Taiju eventually suggested that they played the song 'not repeatedly'–which Nikki and Yuzuriha immediately agree. They already have a plan in mind, gathering people in small groups without Ukyo watching over to listen to Lillian's impersonation and record to convince them.
"Ukyo?" Senku looked at Gen questioningly, which the mentalist returned with a nervous smile.
"He was a sonar operator on a submarine. He's got insanely good hearing. That's why Tsukasa-chan woke him up." then he cranked his neck up, to watch the clear cloudless sky above. "Chrome-chan and Magma-chan are holding him off for now. I hope they're safe…"
"Aside from Ukyo himself, we have to take another precaution about his right-hand man. Although he never mentioned her as such, but she's the only one he trusts the most." Nikki continued. "Another hurdle we must face is Shinko."
"That's right!" Taiju exclaimed. "She has amazing eyes!"
"What Taiju-kun means she has incredible sight. Her eyes are really sharp." Yuzuriha corrected.
"Who the hell is that?" Senku questioned for the second time.
"A former Japanese archery athlete." Gen answered. "While Ukyo-chan's got insanely good hearing, Shinko-chan's got insanely good sight. They got paired up for lookouts and patrols and really close with each other. As far as I know, she never missed her target. Not even once."
"For several days now, she and Ukyo have been patrolling around this area at night. That's why I'm surprised she didn't notice the phone you hide. Usually, she should've found it." Nikki continued.
Senku's eyes widened slightly–his head finally put the pieces of information together. Now, they found out about their mysterious caller's identity last night. He chuckled in amusement. "Quite the opposite, actually. She beat you guys to it and found the phone exactly after Gen buried it beside my grave."
"WHAT!? Senku-chan your luck is the worst!" Gen cried in panic, hands flew to his head. "What should we do!?"
"That's not good," Nikki muttered grimly. "She'll report it to Ukyo and this plan will undoubtedly fail."
"Nah, you don't have to worry. In fact, she's the one who told me about Taiju and Yuzuriha's visit will be early in the morning." Senku could hear gasps from the other side of the line. "Besides, if she's really siding with Tsukasa, this phone is ten billion percent would be reduced to junk. If you guys can call me, then it's still intact, meaning she keep her words about not spilling the beans to anyone."
"S-she did!?" Taiju was of course surprised by the reveal, being a simple person he was.
"Does that mean Shinko-chan is our ally!?" Yuzuriha added.
Senku smirked. "For now, it's about fifty-fifty. That [First Name] woman is really interesting."
.
.
Being successfully captured by Ukyo himself, Chrome just went along to where the man led him to–even as far as taking it like a usual stroll in the forest with his whistling and such. Although he was tied up at the moment. Knowing Ukyo's goal was to never hurt or kill him by the scatter of arrows made to not hit him in their hide and seek, he made up his mind to just 'give up' because Ukyo wanted information from him–not blood.
Now, it was up to Magma saving himself and return to the village, informing everyone about his hostage situation.
The two walked on a path going up the rocky cliff with Ukyo trailing behind Chrome, holding the end of the rope. Only for after a few steps, he tugged on it in order to stop Chrome from moving forward.
Chrome obeyed, turning his head over his shoulder tensely. Unexpectedly, he received an amused chuckle from the man.
"Screw the rope," he remarked, loosening the knot on Chrome's bindings until it completely wore off–dropping to the ground.
"What's going on?"
"You have no intention of running away. You raised a white flag on purpose, too, didn't you?" Ukyo tipped his hat until Chrome could see his face clearly. "You did it to save the meathead and the other person who ran away. I would've had to shoot the meathead if we'd waited for the smoke to clear. You're lucky it's only me. If my partner's here, she would've shoot all of you even with the smoke. She has an amazing sight after all."
I knew it, he's after information. Not my life. Chrome thought, finally knowing that his plan was indeed spot on. However, there's something nagging his mind from the sentences. His partner? You mean there's someone who has amazing eyes like Kohaku's in Tsukasa's Empire!?
"That was impressive decision-making in the heat of the moment." As the two resumed to walk towards their destination, Ukyo praised him. "You're effectively beaten me."
"Oh, yeah?" he indulged in for a moment before realizing that this could be one of Ukyo's strategies in squeezing the information out of him unintentionally. It did affect Chrome a little bit. Just a little.
"Ukyo-san."
He almost lost his composure at the sudden call, which came from someone who approached them in the opposite way. Chrome studied her unfamiliar figure in confusion, which she replied with a friendly smile. No, Chrome wouldn't fall for that façade.
A girl? Who is she? he internally questioned. She has bow and arrows just like Ukyo. Is she the one he talked about before?
"Shinko, I thought you're staying for today. We didn't get sleep yesterday, you should rest." Ukyo greeted her with such casualty, meaning the two are close.
She shook her head. "There's no need. I'm fine. Where are you heading to? And who is this…?"
Of course, she's not familiar with him and Ukyo didn't mind to tell her. "The intruder we're chasing the night before, one of the smaller figures you saw. I don't know his name though."
Wait, smaller figures…? as if struck by lightning, Chrome stared at her with widened eyes filled with horror. You mean, she noticed us three burying the phone? In the darkness like that!?
Tsukasa surely has the most formidable people by his side.