Youtsuba Maya. The Queen of Night and the Demon King of the Far East was hailed for her ruthlessness and the unwavering motive of bringing her clan to the spot where no one dares to trifle with them without having the result of thorough annihilation in mind. Being the matriarch of her clan which comes under the prominent ten masters clan of Japan, Maya had everything she desires at the center of her palm.
But recently that belief has been wavering since there was someone whom Maya couldn't discern how much she tried or whatever asset she utilized behind. Even her greatest weapon failed once during an incident in Yokohama, resulting in that mysterious being slightly hostile toward Yotsuba. But none of that mattered since it was the matriarch herself who commanded the tool of Yotsuba—Shiba Tatsuya—to go after that anomaly in the first place.
Maya didn't doubt Tatsuya's capability and his prowess in tracking and destroying his enemies. His elemental sight was something to be feared and appreciated but none of it mattered when the existence itself vanished from the face of the earth just when Tatsuya had a hold of his magical presence. Tatsuya was not given orders for extermination so he didn't use any offensive skills and just aborted the mission from there, without leaving a wind of his presence at the place where that anomaly went to clear out: a terrorist hideout. Tatsuya thought that he didn't blow his cover...but he was wrong.
"Even you didn't detect anyone, Hayama-san?"
The frown marring the matriarch's face was anything but pleasant as she picked up the note lying on her office desk. The note contained a simple and straight line yet Maya knew what the true meaning resided behind it or who could be the able person to breach the security and leave the 'notice' behind without getting caught.
The note stated: Let's stay within our limits, shall we?
Maya knew this was no one but that anomaly whom Tatsuya has been tailing recently since no one in Maya's knowledge could trespass her senses and walk-in her office like they own it. Putting aside the warning which was a notable matter of concern, what made Maya frustrated was that even her greatest creation and the deadliest weapon was spotted by that anomaly. Not even her access to Hliðskjálf granted the knowledge she desired regarding this particular irregularity.
"I humbly apologize, Maya-sama, for being incompetent in performing my job."
The loyal confidant of the matriarch, Tadanori Hayama, spoke in a heavy tone as he felt a slight sense of discomfort by discovering the note firsthand when he entered the place. The attendant was sure that he never slacked in his role in his mistress' servitude yet someone was able to trespass those boundaries which had yet to be challenged until now. But now that someone indeed has taken this step without incurring any counter from Yotsuba, Maya's frustration was rising exponentially.
On the other side, Hayama seemed to be a little contemplative about something as the white-haired old servant seemed to wonder whether he should be presenting certain evidence or not at the moment. He was undecided due to Maya's current demeanor but knowing the Yotsuba head since a very young age, Hayama knew she would not take things rashly.
"Maya-sama. This may prove the affiliation with which The Anomaly belongs to."
Forwarding his terminal that had a video on display, Hayama directed his words as he saw Maya taking the terminal without much thought, and more than his words, she dropped her undivided focus on the content of the video.
What was there to see, was complete chaos with a huge dome-like factory set on fire and a bunch of guards lying around in an unidentifiable manner. Maya remembered this incident since it was not long ago when she received the news that a human experimentation lab was demolished by the personnel of Saegusa. Since it falls in their territory no one interfered but the shocking fact remained in the number of casualties the clan faced numbered over two hundred.
It was indeed a large-scale event but Maya was too occupied with something else at that time to concern herself with such fodder-related issues. For her attendant to bring up that day all of a sudden when they had already something served on their plate...
Maya didn't misjudge the man and so she carefully looked at the footage with keen eyes trying to absorb everything transpiring in this short eight minutes clip. Nothing sort of eye-catching occurred other than the two-way battle between the forces and the mass destruction. Maya was a patient woman, with her experience she gained numerous attributes and thus she saw the clip until the last half minute before something finally appeared to make her eyes narrower than before.
She hurriedly paused the video which showed a familiar figure currently rushing out of the factory with a female warrior hanging in his arms and seemingly on verge of death. It was not the female soldier who grabbed Maya's attention but rather the person who was holding the woman.
"It's you..."
Eventually, a smile appeared on the matriarch's lips as she finally got some clue valid enough to put a finger on and decide her next move. At last, the feeling of complete helplessness vanished as she attained something valuable enough to not bring any more wrinkly frowns on her face.
The Anomaly was known for his ruthless venture and merciless way of action. He knows no bounds in clearing his goal nor he considers anything or anyone until his motive gets accomplished. In a sense, he was like Tatsuya but slightly more untamed and highly required to be put on a leash considering the destruction he has caused in such a small period.
Maya has been trying to specify with whom this Anomaly has been affiliated since all this person does is annihilate or bring carnage. He never was given any rescue mission nor he seemed to be tagging along with any singularity. A dangerous lone wolf whose wild actions were infamous all over the globe.
Any clan or clan members who came in the Anomaly's way were crushed regardless of their position or strength. Maya has also lost her personnel half a year ago before she released Tatsuya to assist those valuable assets. Coincidentally the time Tatsuya reached there, that untamed wolf was already off, since his mission had readily been accomplished. He never targeted any clan but if by chance someone comes in between even though they carry the same motive as the Anomaly, their extermination was sealed.
And now for someone who cared nothing about suddenly being spotted to be saving a member of the Saegusa elite gives away enough testimony as to where Maya should look if she wants to get a grip on this peculiarity.
"Should we inform Tatsuya-dono about this?"
"Not necessarily now. If my presumptions are right then Tatsuya-kun would be meeting him soon and identifying the anomaly would be a piece of cake for him since from what I could sense, this warhead could not stay away from violence for too long."
Maya was unaware of the details of the Anomaly but apart from that she knows a lot about the world and also what transpires in the prominent Ten Masters clans. She was aware of all the heirs every lineage possesses and the new add-ons who could prove to be an obstruction in the path of Yotsuba.
Tatsuya might not be able to get a grip on the Anomaly but his elemental sight had registered the magical presence of him, thus the next time Tatsuya perceive the exact signature, Maya would get her hands on the much-needed intel on this particular bothering subject.
"If I may ask, Maya-sama, how are we approaching this person?"
That was an interesting question about which Maya herself was unsure some minutes ago. The annoyance she has felt due to this particular, crossing the limit for Maya to remain calm but now when she has received the evidence of his origin and the master he seemingly serves, Maya was thinking of some other plan.
Primarily she believed deeply in Tatauya to take care of this mess and knowing her strongest weapon in the arsenal she believed Tatsuya would accomplish this mission by hook or crook. Sure, from what she has gathered over time tells that the Anomaly was nothing to scoff about and his destructive strength was on a whole another level but Tatsuya was trained in that way to take on formidable foes and annihilate them just at the first glance his opponent. Maya was not only confident, she boasts about Tatsuya's skills but the fact that once Tatsuya confronts the Anomaly, nothing but heavy deterioration would be incurred from either side, made Maya devise another plan.
Well, it was not set in stone but if she succeeds then Yotsuba would have not only one but two assurances that the title of "Untouchable" would be retained for the years to come.
"Hayama-san, please connect me to Miyuki-san. There is really something nice I have to chat about~"
[Saegusa Residence]
"You called me otou-sama?"
It was a rare occasion for the patriarch of the clan to visit his daughter out of the blue, since considering his role in the clan, it was given Saegusa Kouichi would be jumbled up in his work to actually come and greet his eldest daughter such casually.
Saegusa Mayumi was not a little girl to whine over her father's affection since she herself now understands how engaging it is to be involved in administrative work. Being the student council president she has gotten enough experience to understand the complications which come with the job.
Facing the middle-aged man who wore glasses even indoors due to that act of bravery all those years ago, Mayumi asked in a neutral tone.
"Ah, yeah. I did. Please take a seat."
As told the ruby eyes teenager sat opposite her father as she waited for him to get on the topic. Fortunately, they weren't so distant to beat around or behave formally with Mayumi, and that factor saved a lot of time.
"It's about Shin."
Mayumi evidently tensed hearing that name, not because she was uncomfortable hearing about this certain teenager but rather when it was her father the one who initiated the conversation subjecting Shin, meant something significant has transpired. And Mayumi didn't like the vibe of it.
Kouichi could sense the change of demeanor his daughter had hearing that name but it was something he had to disclose to her in order to prepare some countermeasures beforehand.
"I fear his identity might have been compromised."
As he spoke, the screen to their left showed the same footage which was far off in the Yotsuba mansion was shown to the matriarch some minutes ago. The difference was, the clip Mayumi saw came from the camera attached to a person with whom Mayumi was familiar.
"Isn't she Amiya-san? Wait!"
(A/N: - OC)
Now she understood what has happened.
Some time ago, when Mayumi had this incident transpired in which her friend Amiya was also included and would have ceased from existence just like her comrades if not for the sudden appearance of a certain someone.
Very few know his identity but the person whom the world regard as the Anomaly was Shin—the adopted child of Saegusa Kouichi who has been kept in the shadows for fourteen years.
He was never given the family name because of his peculiar attribute of magical aspect. Saegusa needed such a destructive asset who could work for them without letting the world know about his existence so Saegusa Kouichi took the task to train the boy into a fine warrior who executed numerous assignments with such practical ease, that it shook the globe and even kept the Yotsuba on guard.
The council of the clan was initially terrified of his prowess and the threat of Shin betraying the clan grew wider as time passed. Even Kouichi had doubts that someday Shin finds his principles growing in a different direction from what the clan is asking him to accomplish.
It was not something new that those with god-like might often stray from their initial path and take a different route to live their life on their accord. But fortunately, all the concerns relating to Shin's loyalty came to a halt one day.
Reason?
Mayumi Saegusa.
It was observed through numerous events that Shin was actually obsessed with something. It was not fame or higher strength, rather it was the eldest daughter of the clan. Shin didn't just adore the girl but was prepared to gamble his life on line for Mayumi if it could make the girl smile. He was invested in the girl to the point where the council had to ask Mayumi for sending Shin to any job.
The things which even Kouichi had a hard time convincing the young man, Mayumi explains to him those things in minutes, and the boy, just innocently took everything Mayumj had for him. Their bond was so strong that more than the successor of the clan, people began fostering Mayumi's safety since until she was around, Shin's leash would always fall in Saegusa's grasp.
It goes without saying that not only Shin but Mayumi was also equally into the boy so hearing that his cover might be blown, made the young Saegusa quite restless as she looked back at her father with evident anxiety blended in her gaze.
"Why did he even appear at that place?!"
"No one gave him the order Mayumi, but the boy himself took the job to save the person whom you considered your friend."
Mayumi was left speechless as the urge to barge into Shin's room and give him a good scolding elevated exponentially. Even though deep inside she was relieved that Shin saved Amiya and in the end what he did was for her happiness, it doesn't mean he would be saved from receiving some piece of her mind. But she held it back and while clutching the fabric over her knees in distress she asked the man in front, in an uncertain tone.
"What should we do, otou-sama?"
Shin's identity was a matter of great concern since the world was looking for the possible Strategy-class magician who has brought so many organizations to their knees in so less time that it had created an imbalance of power scaling. Many would desire to form a bond with him and numerous would seek their revenge on the teenager.
Shin was named Anomaly for a reason since no one knows how he was able to accomplish such feats without receiving any notable damage in return and always stood unscathed while witnessing his enemy burn into cinders. For such a singularity to give away evidence of his connection to Saegusa would inevitably bring attention to the young man who was the only adopted child his father had. Not many know that Kouichi had taken a boy all those years ago but it was not an entirely hidden fact as well.
In response to his daughter's anxiety backing voice, Kouichi remained silent for a moment and two before he forwarded some words of advice, "I know sooner or later Shin would get exposed to the world because he would let loose as soon any possible threat looms over you. And once the world gets to see Shin's capabilities it would only remain verbal confirmation that the boy is the same Anomaly whom the world has recently come to fear. So what I want from you Mayumi, is to look out for him and try to keep him away from others. Knowing his easygoing nature in general there would be many who would build a relationship with Shin only to gain favors from him, but we both know, this world does not hold the worth to be bestowed by any free lunch."
It was something Mayumi adored about Shin and that was his down-to-earth personality and how he always remains in a jolly mood unless he has to go on an assignment. But that is only if Mayumi is not around since in front of her, Shin never does anything which could shift her perception toward him. She has told him to not be so hard on himself but Shin always brushed it off. He loved her to the extent that Mayumi sometime gets cautious about her own behavior toward Shin. She never wants to make him feel that she thinks even the slightest bit different about him. He has faced enough isolation in the past. If she also pulls back, she fears that she might never see the real Shin again. And Mayumi hates the very thought of it. She would never do that, even if this world were to abandon him, Mayumi has promised herself to always stand by his side and never let him feel left behind again.
But it was also true that his personality might seem like a green flag for those who seek strong entities to have a formidable connection. And as her father said, this cruel world doesn't deserve Shin's kindness.
However, "It's given that I would take care of him, but I wouldn't restrict Shin from making friends or socializing with others. What he has faced until now is utter seclusion from the outside world, and the time he went out, it was only to face chaos. I understand your concern Otou-sama, but you also have to see things from his perspective as well."
True to Mayumi's words, Shin has never gone outside Saegusa's mansion ever before, and the times he was allowed to roam the world then it was the Anomaly who walked out not Shin. He has seen the world in dull black and white where demolition and disarray were always has been his traveling partners. Shin never complained but if someone is that generous to not show any displeasure, that doesn't mean they should be tormented to their breaking point either.
In response Kouichi stayed silent for a long half a minute, contemplating his daughter's words but his train of thought broke with a defeated sigh as he realized his mistake.
"You are right, I should have widened my perception for this one. The council may be worried about his loyalty up to this date but with you by his side, I consider none of those doubts worth concerning."
Mayumi narrowed her gaze at the statement. It was not that her father was actually exclaiming in relief, but rather implying his daughter to have a hold on Shin so he never turns away from the clan. She hated when people thought Shin was some kind of tool and Mayumi was his command key. She disliked the very sight of Shin being ordered around and carrying out assignments which slowly had taken away his innocence. But for now, there was nothing she could do to bring a change, and thus all she could mutter out was a calculative response.
"Don't worry Otou-sama, Shin would always remain by my side."
[Warfare Training Center]
[Calofornia]
"Affiliation to Japan?! Pardon my insolence ma'am but is the evidence reliable?"
The one who asked such a question in slight exasperation leaking through her voice was the sole Strategic-class magician in the USNA, Angelina Kudou Shields or better known to the world as Angie Sirius. The Captain of the specialized magic unit of USNA, STARS was in such a state because of particular news her superior broke just now.
On the other side of the table sat the middle-aged Colonel, Virginia Balance, who understood the reaction coming from the blond girl in front since it wasn't long ago when Angie Sirius faced her first defeat in the field by none other than the person of the topic she has brought up.
Through the clip which recently has been circulated yet only selected user has gotten their hands on, the silver-haired colonel found that the Anomaly who has been on every major force's nerves actually had the heart to save someone belonging to one Ten Master clans, directing his loyalty toward the Asian country Japan.
"It a speculation Major but not so faint to entirely ignore it. And if the intelligence data report states the truth which I strongly believe they do, then the Anomaly is no more than of your age."
Saegusa's personnel to be precise was the one who was saved by the Anomaly and thus it was conceptualized that the strange existence serves the very same clan. And since no organization could keep such a high-profile magician at a bay, it was believed that it was someone close to the Saegusa family who was attaining such terrorizing feats for them.
Everyone has a proper report of the five heirs of the clan and what prowess they possess. They are not underwhelming but not excessively talented to pose a threat to USNA. So who was left to be regarded as the potential candidate to be identified as the Anomaly?
Of course, it was the adopted child of Kouichi Saegusa whom he was hiding from the world ever since he took the boy. It was one of the most critical and toiling information to gain and only a couple of entities know about the add-on of the Saegusa family, of which the Colonel was also one. Now that the identity of the adopted child rests in the grasp of the authorities, what was left to plant, was an appropriate tracker.
"Please send me there, ma'am."
"I understand what you are feeling right now, Major but no. Not for now at least. First, we would send two of our best covet agents to observe the situation before the decision regarding your interference would get considered."
Angelina was disappointed but she didn't show it out front since she knows the role of Sirius she has been performing grants her the ability to take on battles front on but working as a spy was not something she could put her confidence in. The flames ignited inside her ever since 'that' day was still flaring brightly but for now, she was ready to wait.
Clenching her fist under the table, only one thought passed through her mind when that day flashed across.
'I will not fail to meet the target this time. Just you wait... '
A/N: - Drop a comment~
