Murakami did not panic when Sekai approached with the speed of a true fighter. He simply took a step forward while speaking.
"Jinsei. ...Feel free to move forward."
"Right. ...I'm counting on you."
The knower cheerfully walked forward and Murakami moved as the wind to guide him.
He saw Sekai's Kōgetsu pointed straight down in front of him. Sekai was preparing to swing the sword up to slice his Border teammate from the crotch to the top of his head. It also allowed him to use the Kōgetsu as a shield. And if Murakami carelessly charged in, he would get cut himself. So...
"—"
Murakami did not hesitate to move right in.
.
Sekai saw the black wolf's speed.
The boy was fast but too straightforward. He was right in the center of Sekai's vision.
He was coming.
Instead of keeping his body low, the wolf used a high-speed leap that was much like a light step.
He raised his left knee, so he likely intended to slip the knee past Sekai's raised Kōgetsu and either knee or kick him.
"...That won't work!"
Sekai turned to the side to hide his body behind the Kōgetsu and took a stance that allowed him to push the blade forward with his entire body.
He placed the downward-pointing blade in front of the wolf and prepared to push it forward.
"Take this...!"
He shoved it forward. And in that instant, a certain color spread out before his eyes.
...Gray!?
By the time he realized it was hair, something else had joined the scene.
It was the wolf's speed.
From the very first movement, he understood what had happened. The black wolf had dropped down his raised knee, shin, and foot to kick off the floor and then swung his other leg behind him with blinding speed.
"A front flip leading into a heel kick!?"
.
Murakami's flipping heel kick had the double acceleration of the left leg he had dropped down from above and the right leg he had swung up behind him.
Sekai had expected him to make a high-speed approach, so his eyes could not keep up with the wolf's motion as he flew high into the air. The swinging and swaying hair did not help matters there.
But Sekai did not hesitate. He had to fulfill his duty no matter what attack he was exposed to.
"Ohhh..."
He raised and pushed his blade straight forward.
That settled it.
After the swift flip, the black wolf's right heel accurately struck something.
It was the pommel of the hilt Sekai held high. The shoe heel that dropped down like an axe slammed the pommel down with a loud clang.
As a result, the tip of Sekai's blade stabbed deep into the floor.
The blade pierced about twenty centimeters into the floor below the red carpet.
The black wolf landed with one foot on the pommel. His other leg retained the momentum of his flip, so he took the stance of someone preparing to kick a ball.
"Now, then!"
A moment later, Sekai fell back. No, he was forced to fall back.
After stomping the sword down with his right leg, the black wolf brought back the left leg that had swung behind him and kicked Sekai in the center of the gut.
The blow audibly landed and Sekai doubled over and flew backwards. He held his stomach with his right hand, bared his fangs, and took a deep breath.
The wolf used the force of the kick to make a midair backflip.
When the wolf landed, Sekai took a defensive stance.
Another burst of gray speed soon followed. The wolf swung his body to the left and right while instantly filling the gap between him and Sekai. He must have noticed Sekai's defensive stance because...
"...!"
The wolf kicked at the sword stabbed in the ground to swiftly change his angle of attack. He leaped toward Sekai's right side.
The black wolf raised his right leg to settle this with a kick. He did not use a blade. This space was meant for their meeting, not for damaging.
"That is my pride as the ace of the Suzunari Branch!"
.
At that moment, the black wolf saw something beyond the arm on Sekai's stomach.
"A shield!?"
A small trion shield protected Sekai from within his disturbed clothing.
The black wolf's previous kick had done no damage to Sekai. Doubling over and taking a deep breath had been a bluff. He was willing to do whatever it took to win and he thrust his right arm forward as if to prove it.
"Shield...!"
Three layers of large shields over three meters tall slammed into the black wolf from the front of the fighter's mid-level punch.
.
Murakami switched to a new way of thinking.
This was not a place for damaging, but he needed to eliminate the barrier before him.
...A blade!
He quickly swung his left arm behind him and the activation of the yellow band around his wrist was met. Before anyone could blink, multiple links began forming and connecting with solid sounds to create a single form. The long line of links that created a shaken began forming three times more to creat a total of four chains that began to move.
It was a weapon that could prioritize both offense as well as defense.
And Murakami grabbed something with those golden chains.
It was the Kōgetsu stabbed into the floor. He pulled it out with his golden chains. He was lucky he had loosened it by kicking it to change direction earlier. It pulled out and flew to his hand, but...
"Fly!"
He did not hold onto it. He grabbed it and the chain with his fingers, swung it like a metal ring, and let go with a snap of the wrist.
The tip of the Kōgetsu shot through the air. In the blink of an eye, he could hear it tearing through the air and colliding with the shield.
One layer shattered and he stepped forward as it reached the second.
"...!"
That too shattered, but the blade broke along with it. In an instant, the trion blade swelled out like a pea pod, the plain light inside split, and cracks ran through the blade.
"—"
Both are made from his own trion, so I see just how much he is putting in here.
Followed by the sound of splitting air, the blade shattered, starting from the tip.
The trion shards turned to light and scattered through the air. But one shield remained and it had been thrown toward Murakami.
"...I will be passing through."
He gathered a bit of strength in his right leg and made a full-body dash forward.
His counterattacked with a piercing heel kick which shattered the trion shield down the center. He had jabbed with a heel pick he created by using the unique nature of the defensive portion of the Black Trigger Shikifuku. The pick instantly shot out at the exact moment of his kick and pierced the large shield.
Sekai stood beyond the destroyed trion light.
He no longer had a weapon and it was unlikely he could prepare another Shield so quickly. So Murakami swung his right foot down and to the left while spinning and bending his body like a whip.
...A left leg savate technique!
He spun around.
His left leg quickly passed behind him and he aimed for Sekai's chest with the heel.
At that moment, a shadow arrived from above. More accurately, it arrived from beyond Sekai. As Sekai took a protective stance, someone made a low and heavy leap over her head.
"Saitou Tonbo...!"
.
Sekai had sensed the optimal opportunity.
His three-layer Shield had not just been for defense. It had also been to hide Saitou's attack from behind him.
He had forced the sword to break, but he had not expected the wolf to break the third shield. The plan had been for the black wolf to collide with the second or third shield, lose his balance, and be hit by Saitou's attack.
However, the wolf had broken even the third shield and his kick was about to reach Sekai.
But that was all. It was true he had noticed Saitou earlier than he should have, but there was nothing he could do while performing his savate rotation.
Or so Sekai thought.
"...Black!?"
A color charged his way from the left.
It was located at the end of the golden chain being swung by the spinning black wolf. Something flew in an arc from behind her. It was mostly black, but it had a green ball at the end of it.
"The Yagura Branch Trigger – Idōgetsu...!"
Beyond the wolf's swaying hair, Sekai saw Suzunari's Operator sipping at a teacup she had been handed from somewhere.
...This is...
There was no point in asking when they had set this up. Why had the wolf rushed straight in? Why had he used a heel kick that swung him around? Why had he used a feint that swung his body to the left and right? And why had he repeatedly kicked straight ahead, forcing Sekai to fall back?
It had all been to hide what was behind him and keep Sekai's eyes on him.
He had set this up, but he would not have used it had it not been necessary. But Saitou's appearance had made it necessary.
The giant wrecking ball flew in from the right as a chain hammer. It was on a direct course for Saitou in the air, so Sekai released his left arm's defensive position and thrust that palm into the air on his left.
"Shield...!"
.
Murakami pulled on his golden chain to accelerate. Idōgetsu swung forward and collided with the new Shield.
This one also had three layers, but the wrecking ball mode had plenty of speed and easily shattered all three solid barriers of light.
The shattering sound had the color of light. But that altered Idōgetsu's trajectory. The black and green wrecking ball-rod bounced and spun as it flew over Sekai's head.
Then Murakami looked to Sekai's face.
The fighter was smiling. His eyebrows were raised and he forced a smile while glaring at Murakami.
"Saitou...!"
He had chosen to take the kick Murakami was sending his way. He would protect Saitou and give him a chance to attack. That was what his smile meant. But...
...Too bad!
Murakami swung his arm and pulled back on the golden chain swinging Idōgetsu through the air.
"Forward!"
Murakami was hanging in the air while still in his savate stance. By pulling on the golden chain while airborne, he pulled his body forward rather than pulling Idōgetsu back.
So he used that.
He threw himself forward and toward Idōgetsu.
He slipped below Saitou's falling path and approached Sekai's chest. Idōgetsu passed between him and Saitou as he passed by overhead. All that remained was Sekai beyond the scattering trion light and Murakami as he made his kick.
Murakami accelerated his entire body while making his kick. But...
"...!?"
Sekai suddenly grew more distant.
All of a sudden, he was outside the reach of Murakami's kick.
It was obvious why: Saitou had changed his position in midair.
"We can't have that."
When he should have been passing by over Murakami's head, he forcibly stretched out. This extended his legs down where he kicked at Sekai's shoulders.
That allowed him to jump forward and it pushed Sekai away from Murakami's attack.
.
Murakami held Idōgetsu, now in its original rod form, in his arms as his attack missed and he landed. At about the same time, Sekai lowered his hips in a defensive stance and Saitou landed while gently lowering his own stance.
None of them questioned the series of events.
After all, they either looked back or looked up toward the dais containing Shin's chair.
"Hey, I'll be interrupting for a moment. That okay?"
Border's idiot stood in front of Shin.
He had arrived. Everything was in place for Border's representative to speak directly with Kurosaki's representative.
.
Sekai watched Saitou's shoulders tense beyond the black wolf.
"Saitou...why? Your whole body is crying!"
"Yes. I apologize, but to be honest, I am quite old. Even if a I can read several steps ahead..." Saitou smiled bitterly. "I am afraid to 'read' the coming future if Border is missing you."
Sekai saw the black wolf move after hearing that. He quickly moved Idōgetsu from his left hand to his right, faced the dais behind Sekai, and got lowered his stance.
Saitou also faced the dais and lowered his stance.
Sekai did not even need to see what was happening on the dais behind him.
...Shin...
When he did look back and to the top of the dais, he sensed danger.
Shin stood up as Border's representative arrived in front of his chair.
They faced each other from less than a meter away.
One was known as "Sekai's teammate" and the other was known as "CEO".
...I hope he'll be okay.
Shin was a businessman who was not cut out to be a CEO.
.
In his heart, Shin was about to cry.
What was he supposed to do?
He had to speak with Border's representative with no one else nearby.
He did not want to. He wanted to run away and leave this place. If he did that, no one would call him here ever again and perhaps he would even lose his titles.
He felt more fear than pain.
...Why?
Why was it?
...Why was I left in charge of such an important part of the city?
Many people depended on him. Why had something so dangerous been left with a single person?
He knew the answer: his family and his ability. The trends at the time when he had inherited his titles were also a factor. But...
"Border's representative..."
What about the boy standing before him? His question suddenly escaped his lips.
"Why are you here...?"
Border's representative immediately answered that question he wanted answered.
"I'm not here." The boy smiled cheerfully. "This is just a point along the way. Right?"
He slapped Shin's shoulder. He showed no fear and put no real strength into it. The audible slap was the same kind exchanged between old friends.
"It's the same for you, right? You stood up instead of staying seated. There's somewhere you want to go, isn't there? If you can't go there, just tell me. I'll take on that responsibility too and stop by there. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What do you want to think? I don't know my own answers yet, but if you know yours, then tell me."
Also...
"Tell me what it is you like."
.
Shin was unsure whether or not he should say anything.
...What I like...?
He knew the answer was not fights, conflict between organizations, or some plotting. He had the power to alter other people's lives, but he was hesitant to wield that power.
But there was one thing he wanted to ask because he had that power.
"Do you not fear me...?"
He was a CEO known as a "tyrant". He was the embodiment of the power known as CEO. He had all the abilities of those who worked for him.
"Do you not fear the view of me you hold inside yourself...?"
"I've been fighting Neighbors for awhile, no one would let me die against them, so the same goes to you," the boy answered with a smile. "It's the same for you, right? There are times when things are just too much of a pain in the ass and you want to just give up, right? Right? Please tell me you have times like that. ...But, well, the people around you won't let you do that."
After all...
"If something is a real pain in the ass, that means it's a problem but also something you can't just ignore. So someone like you who really understands his own power would be the ideal person to handle it."
"...The ideal person!?"
Shin accidentally raised his voice. It was enough to reverberate through the hall and make everyone flinch. It was enough for even Saitou to look up toward him.
...This is not good.
That roar had been fear and anger directed at himself.
He had wanted to run away from all this, but now this boy said he was the ideal person for it.
...It almost sounds like he is trying to trick me into taking on the role...
He was afraid he would have his escape route cut off by some clever words. And to avoid that...
"A mere fighters thinks he can judge a Kurosaki CEO's power...!?"
He felt the hall brighten. He emitted heat from his entire body as lights.
...Yes.
This should return everything to normal once again, thought Shin.
He asked if I had something I wanted to do.
But there is much I cannot do as a CEO and I quite like that.
And I have my own restrictions. I have long been restricted by my path as "Kurosaki".
"Border Representative..."
I may have been able to join you if I had more courage, selfishness, optimism, callousness, or whatever else. But...
"I am the CEO of Kurosaki...!"
"But you seem to like botanical gardens and zoos."
With a smile, the boy looked to the screen next to him. It displayed a Kurosaki site.
"What's wrong with using your power in little ways like this?"
.
Yuki felt like the hall had grown dark.
Except it had not. Kurosaki Shin's heat and light had settled down. The bluish-white light which had shot out like a hook instead gently surrounded him. Almost like...
"A saint's halo..."
Yuki nodded at Kuruma's comment.
...Kind of playing it up, isn't he?
He did not know. But ever since Murakami had begun his explosion of destruction, he had gathered all the latest Kurosaki information about Shin, arranged it so even the idiot could understand, and then sent it out.
The very latest information had been uploaded to the Kurosaki site they had been shown before the meeting.
The CEO had decided to add to the botanical garden and zoo as a form of welfare for the children.
It did seem very unlike someone known as "terrible", but...
Secretary: "According to some record descriptions, the Kurosaki family was a terrible one who ran their business with an iron fist and regularly fired people they didn't beat to death an heir who earned their wrath and that brought a period of instability to their entire business. However, one of the latest members was devoutly religious, so he protected activities of any religion and made sure to pray to shrines constantly. In his later years, he repented for his entire family and apologized for all the lives they ruined. There are a lot of interpretations of that, but my love of romance leads me to one interpretation in particular."
That being...
Secretary: He was quick to anger, but he repented and prayed...because he understood that his family was bad."
Shōgi Boy: "That sounds like it'd drive you insane. ...He's in a frigid business that required a powerful state and he's aware he let his family get the better of him, but he continued on as CEO."
Secretary: "He prayed to any god and repented in the hopes that the lives ruined by them would lead to the development of something great. ...Personally, I think that way of thinking is a lot like Shinto idea of purification. This might be naïve of me, but my romantic side asks who Kurosaki Shin really is. ...If he is not truly a boss, then he is a short-tempered but stubborn believer. He had to have prayed for the people while trying to figure out how to restrain his family and improve his surroundings."
.
"You say a lot of cool things, but you like to take a break for gardening and to look after the animals, don't you?"
Shin's heart pounded in his chest when the truth was suddenly presented to him like this. To secure his position here, he opened his mouth before his employees could.
"Do not be ridiculous...! That is standard welfare! I am merely displaying the CEO's kindness to earn the people's support...!"
"Nah, I bet you're always thinking, 'Oh, bunny! You're so cute, bunny~ Ah, don't" run away, fluffy bunny!'"
Border's representative made some gestures to match, but Shin could only respond in one way.
...I do think that! I'm sorryyyyyyy!
"Also." The boy acted like he could see something on the floor. "'Wow, the flowers are finally starting to bud! This bed is going to look amazing once they all bloom. But it would be a shame to thin them out, so I'll share some with the children.' ...You think that too, don't you?"
It's true, he thought just before hearing a voice from below the dais. It was Saitou. The man was low and bowing his head, so spoke loudly toward the floor.
"You dare make a mockery of a companies boss, Member of Border!?"
"That's not what I'm doing, you moron. I'm important to Sekai too, so I'm just chatting. If this counted as mocking, Border would be in some real trouble. Besides...this is gonna be the city standard in the future."
"Ho ho? In that case, I shall stop holding back when I speak."
"Wait, Yuka. You mean you were holding back before...?"
Border's representative briefly lost focus, but he soon took a breath and slapped Shin's shoulder again.
"This means that's your responsibility. You want to play in the garden and frolic with the animals, but it would hurt your reputation as a...see-eye-oh?"
Sekai quietly corrected him from below the dais with a sigh. It was clear that he was glad Jinsei was here, but chose to hide it.
"CEO. Get it right, idiot."
Sekai let his true feeling show here!
There had been a message earlier directed toward the fighter once the fighting had ended. Shin had taken the chance to look since it was not hidden in the slightest.
Red Sky: "Hey Sekai-kun, thanks for sparring with my student! I did the paperwork, so you're fine!"
Thank goodness. ...I was afraid Sekai would get in trouble for fighting a member of Border here. It looks like he has people looking out for him over there too.
It was good that his friend would not get in trouble.
Knowing that, he focused back on the boy in front of him.
"Yeah, that's what I meant. That. You do a lot of firing and stuff, right? And you pray to god, right? If that's keeping you from doing what you want, then...yeah, I'll go apologize with you. And once the whole CEO thing is gone, you can go mess around in the garden and raise a rabbit."
...Utter nonsense...
He would love more than anything to do that, but it was no longer possible.
"I cannot do that. ...I cannot escape the title of CEO."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Right." Shin nodded. "Taiyōko."
.
Shin spoke.
"I am Kurosaki Shin. According to our records...the family beloved as soldiers of Japan were growing more impatient and attempted to create connections to approve of their ideas. To try and prevent them from attacking Border, we declared that we would support this new organization."
He sighed.
"They did not take too kindly to that and went against us like it always ended up. Still, for me personally, I wanted it all to just end so that everyone could be on the same side. Especially when I heard that they had just disowned their second oldest child and that had created a problem for me. When looking more into it, I realized that the incident that brought about that disownment had been due to interpretation. Do you understand?" Shin's eyes looked at Jinsei, but the question had been directed to Yuki down below. "Kaseki-san and Kesshō-san would not have ever let someone like their oldest son go, no matter how he acted. So they told me to leave it all to them. In our discussion, it was decided they would relax a little on their fight against Border while checking on that interpretation. That should have been all it was. But..."
But...
"When word reached me, it turned out the lives of both the mother and the father were gone."
.
Shin remembered it well.
He had received a report saying that both Taiyōko parents had almost their entire bodies smashed up.
All the people of Japan had been horrified and the blame had fallen on Neighbors.
They had brought guard with them yet those guard proved to be less than the ones who they were guarding. Most of them seemed to put up less of a fight than the two parents who were well known for their military might and personal ability.
...But they were still humans...
Even while they were together, Kaseki and Kesshō had effectively been alone. There had been a lot of lingering regret that would be brought up, but that was nothing more than replaying the past and no enough for other to speak about.
He did not know why they had died.
But he knew that his family had taken everything from them and left them all alone.
And it was more than just them. They had erased everything around them.
The day he had received that report was the day he had decided everything.
He had feigned illness in his bed, he had been unable to sleep, and he had simply thought.
...I must become the boss.
He did not know why he had become the boss, but he had known then that he could not become the good boss he had wanted to be. So...
"I am...the bastard who took everything from that family."
"I see."
The boy nodded in front of him and then forcefully slapped his shoulder.
"That settles it then. Tell me when you've got some free time. ...Let's go to cemetery together and apologize. Yuki will even tag along with this knowledge."
.
"Why!?"
The businessman roared and the agent answered.
"Because we need your power."
"You need a bastard's power!?"
"You're really strong and cool, aren't you? So let's go sweep away the sad part of that. If you have to be a bastard, then you can only cry in your heart like when you adore the flowers or bunnies."
"—"
"Listen," the idiot said to the businessman. "If you've taken something from someone, we'll take it back for them. It's the same for everyone else. We'll take back everything that's been lost, that's gone away, or that's been forgotten. It might take a long time and it might not be in the same form it was originally..."
He smiled.
"But, well, we don't have that much power, I guess? Yeah, that's it. So lend us some power. What's wrong with being a bastard? Isn't that just a way to refer to the marital status of one's parents and shows your understanding of your own past. With you helping out, we can get things done way quicker!"
.
Shin was at a loss for words as he was slapped on the shoulder again and again.
...This boy...
He had cheerfully rejected and cheerfully accepted every part of Shin.
...Will he actually trust in me?
No matter how much he rejected Shin's power and desires, he would trust him.
He was willing to go with him. So Shin wanted to say something. But he could not form the words.
"..."
Border's representative gave an extra powerful slap of his shoulder. And...
"Return to your position, Border Representative...!"
Shin was unable to speak his heart, yet he had to hold down the raging feelings threatening to escape from his mouth.
"If you are willing to support my company to that extent, I am willing to hear you out. Let us discuss how you intend to include Kurosaki – and its future reduction of influence – in your information network...!"
"I too am interested in that." Yoshiko got up and spoke into her phone. "Let us hear it. ...Kobayashi will continue to support Border while Mogami leaves the stage with any grudges, but takes with her a good amount of knowledge. So how will you include Kobayashi in your information network? Depending on your answer, I might just declare it inadequate and turn against Border myself."
She glanced toward the Sniper and the Hatohara captain before lifting the corners of her mouth. She smoothly held her fan out forward.
"Can you see this?"
The festival was approaching its climax. The festival music primarily played by large drums, the in and out movements of the dancing circles of people, and the voices from the festival stands were all growing.
Yoshiko waved the fan to indicate it all, including the original site of the first invasion - the Forbidden Zone."
"How do you intend to treat all these people?"
Her question received an immediate answer.
Manager: "I know exactly what we will do about Kurosaki's reduced influence and Mogami's loss of family. As well as Kobayashi's questioning view on Border."
Border HQ's representative stated her conclusion.
Manager: "We will accurately go along with those outcomes. ...Obeying the laws on normality remains Border's standard policy."
"Then...!" shouted Saitou from the hall acting as Kurosaki's meeting room. "You intend to take everything from Kurosaki!?"
Manager: "Tell me why you think that."
"The development of the world!"
Saitou swung his right hand to bring out a two meter screen. Instead of Mikado City, it displayed a map of the entire world.
"Border claims it will be taking its first trip to a Neighbor World! Even if the company over here loses its influence, Kurosaki should be able to run a business and into other countries when it seems fine enough! But if you begin developing based on something seen in the other world, we will be forced to abandon our stable lifestyles and instead follow your lead!"
That is their scheme, thought Saitou. Everything could be divided up due to not knowing what is going on to give Border more control of everything. And this will also involve Mogami who is with Kobayashi.
"You will find a reason fo get more money or even territory to gradually take up an entire city's worth and increase Border's power! How can we assume anything else!?"
Manager: "I agree that removing restraints that would hinder Border would help in the long run."
"So," said the Border HQ Representative.
Manager: "I have a suggestion here. Kurosaki, Kobayashi, and Shiraishi...is there any chance you could bind even stronger bonds with Border?"
"Even stronger...?"
Saitou questioned that and the Border HQ Representative responded with the word "correct".
Manager: "After a trip to the other side of the Gate, we will indeed find something interesting based on what we see coming over to our world. That path to something new and undiscovered which was used by nations before can apply here. But Border is a stationary organization and so cannot account for everything when leaving to a completely different world. So..."
After pausing for a breath, she continued with the next breath.
Manager: "We will place Mogami, Shiraishi, and Kurosaki in charge of managing Border's general information. Kobayashi can then work based on that as well but be viewed as a more physical aspect with their ability to build."
Kimura stood on the nighttime bridge and viewed the city below.
"That money that will be sent to Border will not be misused and will not be a fixated keep variable amount that we come up with. You will have the same amount of freedom to give as much money as you wish. Your managed network, the extent of your privileges, the money given, and other detail will be set through discussions with Border after traveling to the Neighbor worlds, but let us treat your previous amounts as the standard for that."
Tonbo: "And if we do not develop alongside Border...?"
"In that cases, any advancements you would have known about will be taken by others. ...Border can only make decisions for Mikado City, not the entire world. And if the others make progress in developing alongside us while you do not..."
Kimura took a breath.
"You will surly he stripped of your status as a business."
Tonbo: "Oh...?"
Don't let that surprise you. There's more to come.
"Listen. This will be implemented after traveling. Please understand that Border's influence will have grown considerably by then."
Tonbo: "In other words, if we build our strength and rebel...we will be attacked by others?"
"If you do so at the time, yes. After all, Border will have more to them."
Kimura inhaled.
"But the entire world is another matter. So if you want to pick a fight with Border, do so from a larger standpoint. If such things will effect something on such a large scale, then we will respond appropriately. ...We will take you on whenever you want."
"I see..."
Saitou thought about the Border HQ Representative's proposition.
...Could Kurosaki remain large enough to stand up?
Currently, Kurosaki had stable domestic productivity, threat of Neighbors prevented them from using that productivity to the fullest. That was a standard problem for businesses near the Forbidden Zone.
What would happen if they could solve that all at once?
"Is it just me or does the phrase 'big success' seem really dirty since it sounds a lot like 'big suck-sex'!?"
Be quiet, Sekai's idiot.
Regardless, Saitou thought this was a good opportunity to make a dramatic change in their business throughout Mikado City. They would never get another chance to fulfill their wants and needs together with the rest of the three businesses.
Of course, that change would require developing alongside everyone.
It would not bring total peace. And...
Kuro-Shi: "Our constant funding would be based on discussions after your travel? ...That is an interesting idea."
Saitou mentally nodded at what Shin had realized.
Tonbo: "Border is telling us to ignore the Taiyōko daughter and betrayal of Awdry and see their travel through with the greatest influence we can manage. ...And of course, that is not entirely dependent on competition. We must quickly produce what people need and what they want. If Shiraishi does the same and Kobayashi continues their building, we will end up with corespondent productivity. But that is another type of cooperation. The type named prosperity."
Kuro-Shi: "Yes, that is nice. I like the sound of that."
Shin continued speaking.
Kuro-Shi: "That is cooperation I could love. I could stand in the lead and the people could follow like they were making a pilgrimage. We could create what is needed, control the distribution, bring out new products, produce value, calm the anxiousness of people, and call in favors without worry."
And...
Kuro-Shi: "Around that kind of great place I could see, we could plant flowers to show off Kurosaki's prosperity to the others."
"—"
Saitou gasped.
This was likely the first time he had heard this from the business leader they had lifted up as their CEO. No, it was definitely the first time that CEO had described the business he wanted instead of the business he felt others wanted.
It had taken until Kurosaki was losing its shape and beginning to change, but...
Tonbo: "...We made it in time."
Kuro-Shi: "Made what in time?"
Saitou could not immediately answer. Their job was to make this CEO even more boss-like in the future. That mindset had only just begun to set in, so Saitou did not want to carelessly alter it or prematurely fix it in place.
There was only one thing he had to say now.
Tonbo: "Boss Kurosaki Shin...your employees, Committee Heads, and their families are here to support your desires."
WorTri: "I will be taking my leave once more and for the last time once this is over. But... Sigh. I'll be supporting you guys too. But as a member of Border who looks out for you civilians instead of a lost idiot who can't even fight."
"Right," said Shin with a nod.
That settled it. There were still some problems left and they would have to solve them quickly, but this settled it.
Kurosaki had decided where it was going. After all, their CEO had seen the business he wanted. So there was no meaning for them to oppose their boss.
Tonbo: "Council Heads, use every means available to find methods of securing as much influence as possible before Border travels. If any can be immediately implemented, submit them for approval."
Also.
Tonbo: "We will make sure to give Sekai a big send off for all of his hard work for us. Remember that he is no longer someone who does everything he can to survive. He is now someone who does everything to make sure others can survive. His unneeded happiness will be our prosperity and happiness."
After a series of "yes" responses, a few of the Council Heads bowed and left the meeting room.
It had begun.
They had made their decision and gotten started. They could not step back or come to a stop anymore. But...
Still Young Girl: "You seem to be having fun, Kurosaki. ...Is that Shin boy in the best mood he's been in for years?"
It was Mogami. Mogami Yoshiko. She laughed through the text of her transmission.
Still Young Girl: "As an information network, the three businesses will manage Border's knowledge. As long as we contribute, we are effectively free to do whatever we wish and we will even receive initial damage support. Those are som enticing conditions. But..."
The vixen asked a question.
Still Young Girl: "It's too bad. ...I already lost what's important. Kobayashi will be stuck in a cycle. Currently, nothing remains for us as a business and we will simply be used by Border, won't we? ...Did you really think I would agree to something that renders our efforts entirely meaningless?"