Saki recognized the exchange for what it was, a play for the benefit of the other, less enthusiastic, people at the table.
Higa was trying to build some momentum to close the meeting in his favor. That momentum hit a bit of a bump a moment later, though, when the blonde piped in.
"At this time I do not wish to become openly involved with you or your company outside of anything having to do with medication."
However, he smoothed it over immediately.
"But, we shall support you in secret right now, and look forward to doing business with you in the open when the time comes. You will be able to use members of my security force if you need it."
Several chuckles erupted about the table, and Higa smiled. "That is all we ask."
"I have one question." Hill prompted.
"You have the floor." Kakizaki said with a smooth tone.
Hill's flinty gaze could cut through stone. "What of those two rival companies overseas that always have their sights set on Japan? Both of them are powerful multinational conglomerates and one in particular is focused on the field of bio-genetics research, and they both have powerful militaries...Strong enough to give us problems as much as Minaka and his MBI."
Higa chuckled, barely able to keep himself from sneering. "My own company ran one out of Japan in the WWII era, and MBI as well as the Discipline Squad in particular massacred many of their soldiers and superiors during those raids years ago...I think you have no reason to worry about them as much as you do of MBI, the Discipline Squad, and Minaka himself. They are just paltry, if and when they come here looking for a war, they will only further our ends. Our military will trump their own by more than one thousand fold."
"Yes, quite true." Hill conceded.
"I will be able to dispense the full brunt of my security force should this play out like you just said, however the Discipline Squad and Ryu seem to be our particular problem. If what you say is true, the Discipline Squad's objective is to simply kill, and this Ryu...He wants to declare war on everyone-like he's a one man army or freight train." The blonde replied, not hiding his confusion nor distaste.
"And, that works to our particular benefit as well." Kakizaki said with a smile, his words swaying with temptation.
"They should only add to the chaos and bloodshed that is coming to this city. And, before you mention anything about my connections with the Yakuza, Triad, or any other gangs...Remember, money is the ultimate motivator." Higa finished, raising his glass of wine.
"Here is to business, longevity, and the end of MBI."
Yahan squeezed her mouth with her hand, settling back, struggling to sort out the implications of this whole meeting and the greater picture. Higa and Kakizaki had it all falling together here in this meeting, and it was clear they were becoming a threat beyond anything Minaka had expected or anticipated.
With the money of the bankers and the commercial and trade corporations behind Higa, and this factory, which there were probably more of scattered throughout Teito-and likely many others within his own eastern sector like it-churning out armies, the potential danger was beyond staggering.
Was that why Minaka had commissioned the Discipline Squad into an army of killers? Had he sensed this growing danger, or had the foresight to anticipate such a dangerous scenario, perhaps?
But if that was true, then what was the tie between Ryu and this group right in front of her?
Was it mere coincidence that the man hated the most by Higa, had been chosen to defend his domain, and had been hired on?
It seemed too much a coincidence to Yahan, and it was well known how much Ryu and Higa hated each other, so there couldn't be any cooperation between them.
But, the dark skinned Sekirei had little else to go on. She wanted to hang around and listen in some more, but she knew that she had to get out of this war room, had to return to her car with Saki, and get a warning out across the city to her fellow captains and Minaka himself.
Over the last hours, she had seen nothing but armies, human and droid, and she knew that it would all be coming together very quickly in an explosion beyond anything Japan, and the world itself had seen in many, many centuries in the various wars that plagued the land.
This was the worst case scenario happening right under their noses.
Minato was distracted by a call from the computer in front of him. The screen flickered to life, and a woman's face appeared.
She was beautiful and serene.
She stared out at the bridge from her perch, as if she were so far above it that it appeared as if she were unapproachable from the scene of battle.
"A Sekirei recorded this..." Minato whispered, just out of view of the screen as everyone began to gather and cram inside the large room.
Seo shrugged, moving closer. "Let's just say she's got a lot of talent and I'd rather not go hand to hand with this woman, but you see, now, we're getting some good results."
He moved to where he could be seen by Matsu. Wearing her form fitting top, Matsu sat on her work chair, a plush cushion on a raised dais. Matsu looked around as she was surrounded by everyone gathered in the room, all of them curious. Her gaze was steady and direct as it took in the computer's results.
"Now we get to see the big fish that got everyone's attention. Ryu was always on everyone's radar, even when he first became a part of this he had notoriety." Seo began smoothly.
"You will not be so pleased when you hear what I have to say after all of this." Matsu said flatly, cutting him short.
"Your ploy into finding a weakness on Ryu has ended. You can tell Miya-san that if she wants any weaknesses, she can confront him herself to test him." Ikki said, tone cold as ice.
Seo fought down his shock, regained his composure, and smirked at the two twins. "Really, you are so quick to think the worse of me? I was not aware..."
"The Third Round is starting soon." Matsu continued, ignoring him. "I take it you know the outcome already, then."
Seo felt some uncertainty take hold. "I wonder why Minaka prolongs it..."
Matsu leaned forward once she glanced at the man, and Seo could see fire in her eyes. "Minaka has had enough of the pretense. I am aware that some ambassadors from overseas are with you now at your place, and you have been commanded to reach a settlement regarding this footage. What is it to be?"
Seo felt a deep hole open in his waning confidence. "I know nothing about any ambassadors. You must be mistaken."
There was a flicker of surprise on Matsu's face as she studied Seo carefully. "Beware, Seo. Higa, Hayato, Minaka, and Sanada have all gone too far this time. Speaking with lowly street thugs and gangsters is a good way to get yourself on the Discipline Squad's radar."
Seo shook his head quickly, drawing himself up in a defensive posture. "Matsu I wouldn't associate with those ruck or rabble. The more there are here in Teito, the worst things get in my view. You assume too much."
Matsu sat motionless, eyes fixed on him-as if she could see the truth he was trying to hide, as if he were made of glass.
"We shall watch this video...Only time will tell if I was merely assuming or reading too much into certain things, Seo-san." She said softly.
The computer screen lit up. Seo drew in a slow, long breath and exhaled even more slowly, not caring much for how Matsu made him feel at the moment.
"She's right, you know...If gangs come here, the Discipline Squad will never be able to rest, and that means they'll be patrolling twenty four hours." Minato said at his elbow.
"It's impossible, how would..."
Matsu lifted one hand to cut her short. "It's too late now. The invasion is under way."
Minato was silent for a moment. "Do you think Minaka suspects an attack?"
Matsu turned away, syncing the video to her computer and enhancing its clarity with a few, key combinations. "We don't want to take any chances. We must move quickly...Minaka may begin to make moves to disrupt all communications in Teito until all but one are finished!"
Matsu focused on the footage with a few clicks, drawing herself back. It had been a long time since she thought of this moment or even spoke on it...Ryu had the silent but unspoken warning of never speaking about the Sekirei he lost, and he even went as far as not going in or near their rooms.
"I may be able to help." Everyone still conscious in the battle snapped their head towards the voice.
Surprisingly it was Kazehana hovering down towards Minato.
"Kazehana-san?"
Minato watched himself on the screen, seen the shock on his face, and could hear how his voice rose sharply.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was watching. But, now I know where my heart lies."
"Well, well..." Karasuba standing a few feet from them grinned. "If it's not Minaka's whore! What the hell are you doing here you pathetic and stupid drunk?"
Kazehana smiled coyly. "Just this..."
She raised her arm, pointing it towards Haruka and Kuno.
"Seeing the eloping couple off!"
She giggled, which was an act of idiocy considering Karasuba was scowling at her, hand going right for her sword, but it was too late.
"Flower Dance!"
A flash of wind surged around her body, darting towards Haruka and Kuno, hefting them up and sprinting them away to the other side while they screamed in shock.
The two miraculously landed on the cement. Haruka could only be mezmerised by the wide gap separating them.
"How do you like that?" Kazehana coyly questioned.
"I said no one is escaping!" Koto roared, dashing forward at supersonic speeds, darting passed both Kazehana and Karasuba and lunged forward.
Seo shook his head as he watched Haruka and Kuno make a run for it as Koto, irate, bloodied, and battered, soared across the gap, momentum carrying him and propelling him forward.
He landed on the other side with a stagger, and beamed towards the duo, his sword arcing chaotically for Kuno.
"Stupid monkey!"
Koto's blade cleaved into Haruka's back.
Blood splattered from the cut staining his kimono.
Minato clenched his fists, watching as Kuno ran for Haruka, turned towards Koto and opened her mouth about to shriek, but Koto stabbed her side. Blood flew from the wound and Kuno screamed in agony as he twisted the blade out, he swung again.
"Hold it here!" Seo shouted.
Just as Matsu paused it, Koto braced himself as a shriek nearly forced him to drive his head into the ground.
To everyone's surprise and amazement, it didn't come from Kuno. Magnifying the image and making the clarity even better, Minato was overwhelmed. What appeared to be waves of distortion or force in the air around the duo, were actually coming from Haruka and not Kuno...
Haruka's mouth was gaped as far as it could go and barely visible waves were all around him.
Seo crossed his arms over his chest. "Play it."
Matsu met his gaze, doing as she was told.
"Stay away from Kuno! Bastard!" Haruka shouted, panting as his throat ached from the sudden, unexpected reverberations of power.
"We're not a part of this bullshit game anymore! We're free!"
"Not as long as I can kill you right here and now!"
For a long time, nobody spoke.
The fresh image of the carnage, destruction, and madness that had been the battle of the bridge burned into them from those few minutes of footage. Time had passed since that chaos, many tried to move on, but seeing it again, and the desperation with which everyone fought, shook Minato to the core.
And, he realized that's what the Sekirei Plan really was.
It was a farce. It was all out war, a fight for survival, dominance, and supremacy, but it was all wrapped up under the guise of a game. A simple game consisting of Ashikabi winging Sekirei and both growing in power. It was the worst case scenario for anyone who would ever get involved, because their loved ones were placed directly into harm's way.
"You see what you wanted to see, Seo-san?"
Seo glanced at Minato, noting the cold harshness in his tone. "Yeah, I sure did. What about you?"
Minato looked at his clenched hands, sighing softly. "Just a reminder is all."
Seo didn't hold it against the young man considering the footage they just seen, but where he had only seen it, Minato had lived it. He had been in the middle of that conflict and got hurt himself-nobody walked away from that battle the same if they had been able.
Ryu was going on the war path, the Discipline Squad was an all out killing squad now, and then there was Minato-this unassuming young man who was way in over his head.
Still, the fact he got to see the propensity and potential of Ashikabi and Sekirei was more than enough. There had been a lot of theorizing, postulating, and discussion about the link and power between Sekirei and Ashikabi, but seeing Haruka defend Kuno was enough to nullify all of that.
It was proof, and it meant that he-or any Ashikabi could perform the same thing. The how was a different monster to deal with completely, but just knowing it was possible made the how easier. It made the how far more probable and possible than it had been just a few months ago.
Matsu gently cleared her throat while closing out the video, breaking the silent tension within the room, snapping everyone out of their train of thought, and rousing herself to stand up and stretch out her limbs rather than remain stationary and hyper alert.
"Sanada will be pleased with your results, if he has any brains." Matsu said, handing Seo the drive.
"He isn't ignorant..."
"Nothing escapes me, Seo-san." Matsu said, her gaze turning piercing. "You should stay away from him, Minato."
"Let's go, Seo-san." Minato turned for the door.
"I'll see you two out...To make sure nobody is too curious. Take the food with you, Seo-san. Maya and Ahiko insist that you do." Ikki said, tone breaking no argument.
Seo shrugged absently, pocketed the drive, and took the food as well.
Things were certainly getting interesting, and dangerous-but there was great reward to be found in all of the danger, because fortune would always smile upon the brave.
Teito University held perhaps the greatest construction machines in the whole world, with a lines of bulky transports coming in continually, cranes or smaller vehicles ready to meet them and unload the tons of supplies necessary to keep the massive projects all moving along. The efficiency of these workers and vehicles was nothing short of amazing, and yet the place was still tumultuous, and sometimes gridlocked by the sheer number of bulky transports and workers.
This was also a place for students of all backgrounds, from many countries, the best the world had to offer in their fields, innovating themselves, as well as thousands and thousands of students looking to escape the sheer frenzy that had become Teito University as of late.
Blended into the throng, Kai, Storm, and Haihane walked along, dressed in simple shirts, jeans or pants, and other comfortable clothes-the garb of every student on the grounds. They walked side by side to the gym, where students and teachers stood waiting for at that entrance and exit doors for new students or registrations.
"I hope we're not in over our heads." Storm said with genuine concern.
It was clear that she was not thrilled with allowing herself into Higa's sight and control for even a second, and this mission was a long term one. She wasn't the slightest bit happy.
She handed a pair of small luggage bags over to Haihane and gave a nod of confidence to the pervert.
"We'll be fine." Kai replied, his voice firm with certainty. "Take good care of each other."
"She'll be safe with me!" Haihane put in quickly.
Storm smiled, appreciating the small attempt at levity. Then she nearly snarled as Haihane embraced her in a great and tight hug, squeezing all the tighter when she heard Storm start to groan.
"Get off of me, Haihane!" Storm snapped in the woman's ear.
"Kai wants us to take very good care of each other."
Storm moved Haihane back to arm's length and managed a smile as she looked over to Kai. "My protector will have to prove how good he is."
Haihane gave a whine and hastened her steps as she smiled and nodded. She was quick to break the silence again, pulling Kai and Storm off to the side.
"We should blend in." Haihane said. "Don't attract attention or do anything without Koto's or Karasuba's consent."
"You're smothering me..." Storm answered calmly, but inside, she was churning, wanting to lash out at Haihane.
This woman said to do nothing, absolutely nothing, without checking in, without asking for permission? On top of that she couldn't keep her boundaries in check.
"I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly." She heard Kai say.
"We'll be back to the tower in no time at all." Haihane assured her.
"I will be most grateful for the speed of which we can leave this place, but you need to stay out of my bubble!" Storm snapped at her.
Kai meant every word of it. He wanted to find his Sekirei and find out who was behind the recent innovations of Teito University, to make the university safe for students and faculty once again, at least that is how it appeared to seem on the surface.
Though he knew that it wouldn't happen too quickly. His duty now put him right beside the Sekirei he loved, and he wouldn't be happy if this assignment proved a short one, if duty pulled him away from them yet again.
"Suddenly I'm afraid..." Storm murmured.
"This is putting us in a tight spot. I am not relaxed by any means." Kai turned about, taking Storm's gaze with his own.
Haihane grinned widely. "Don't worry. You've got me with you guys!"
Again, the levity was much needed.