That night, Captain Harunobu Kazama, a Defense Forces officer and acquaintance, visited our hotel for a debrief. To prevent leaks, I cast an anti-eavesdropping barrier spell.
"Sorry for the late hour, Motoharu, Yuto. Quite the ordeal," Kazama said.
"No denying that," Motoharu replied. "What about the Shibas?"
"I questioned them. No significant intel, but they said you handled it, Yuto. Can you share details?"
I explained: sonar detected a large object, our radio call was jammed, the sub chased us, and fired foam torpedoes. I omitted its "erasure." Claiming one sub was mere provocation risked military complacency, especially with port intel suggesting otherwise.
"So, Yuto, a Great Asian Alliance sub?" Kazama asked.
"Likely. The foam torpedoes match their type, confirmed by Motoharu. No other nation would use them inefficiently."
Using Alliance subs for provocation benefits the New Soviet Union most. Before leaving, I'd relayed New Soviet invasion signs near Sado to Dad, who deemed data transmission risky and planned to inform the Kamiizumi. Gozo could easily share with the Ichijo Clan, whose head, Gouki Ichijo, was named after him.
"Not just provocation, then?" Kazama pressed.
"No reason for jamming and torpedoes otherwise. Likely a kidnapping attempt. I'm relieved we didn't reveal our identities to 'certain mages.'"
Motoharu and Kazama smirked. This gave the Mitsuya grounds to condemn the Alliance, but publicizing it risks exposing us. The Yotsuba face the same constraint.
"You know who they are, Yuto?" Kazama asked.
"I do, but unless you're ready to dive into the abyss, I'd drop it."
"My life's worth more. Forget I asked."
"Done."
Kazama realized I knew their identities. If a Ten Master Clan heir like me hesitates, he understood the stakes and retracted his question.
"You're Army, Captain. Isn't Okinawa Navy and Air Force territory?" I asked.
"True, but its proximity to the Alliance means more mages here. My combat experience got me assigned as an instructor for the Onna Air Base paratrooper mage unit. Your thrashing inspired them."
Last year, with Gozo, I visited Onna Air Base. Some soldiers, irked by a "kid," picked a fight. Their insults to Gozo triggered me, and I buried them with magic. Gozo laughed, "That's my grandson!"
"They called me cocky and insulted Gramps, so I buried those 'Left Blood' idiots," I said.
"Buried?!" Motoharu gasped.
National-level martial artists were among them, but I outlasted them all, thanks to Gozo's training. I lost something human in the process, though.
"Gramps refereed silently. By his standards, they're 'chicks,'" I said.
"I owe Gozo much, but I've never scored a point against him," Kazama admitted.
"Same here," Motoharu said. "Yuto?"
"One point."
Their eyes widened. Taking a point from Gozo, even aged, is near impossible. It helped me become assistant instructor at twelve, partly due to my reincarnation.
"About Sanada's email those idiots picking fights with kids?" I asked.
"Settled. Joe got thrashed by the Shiba boy, your age. Impressive."
As expected, Tatsuya dominated. They're not weak, but he's just that strong.
Kazama stood to leave. "Thanks for cooperating. Come to the base tomorrow. Motoharu?"
"Too much for me," Motoharu said. "Yuto?"
"I'll take the offer."
"Great. Pickup at 6 AM," Kazama said.
I'd visit to leverage my advisor role for CAD development. No further Shiba ties until the Alliance invasion, I thought. Wrong. A vacuum cleaner-level flag collection hit me.
August 6, 2092
At Onna Air Base, I wore a light shirt, summer jacket, and cotton pants, carrying my special officer ID discreetly. Sanada greeted me.
"Been a while, Yuto-kun."
"Hey, Sanada. Here's the booster."
I handed him the attache case, which only I can open. He didn't try.
"Here to train or assist?" he asked.
"Train, if I'm not in the way."
"They'll step up with you here."
More like they hate losing to a kid, but I kept quiet. Sanada led me to the training facility, where Kazama instructed subordinates. Noticing me, he delegated and approached.
"Welcome, 'Lieutenant Kamijo.' Or Yuto here."
"Call me what you want. Rope climbing next?"
"Yup. Probably light exercise for you."
Gozo's Shinei-ryu warm-ups dwarf military ones, but I wanted to move. "Mind if I stretch first?"
"Take your time. I can't order you anyway."
After changing and stretching, I joined mages climbing a five-story rope, descending with acceleration and deceleration spells to cushion impact. I kicked the ceiling for speed, landing with a combined deceleration and air manipulation spell. Risky, but Shinei-ryu's influence.
Sanada vanished, returning with Tatsuya and Miyuki?! I recalled this scene vaguely. Managing magic control while processing this kept me on edge.
Their gazes hit me. Moving fast, they couldn't ID me, but Sanada said, "That's Yuto Nagano, training via connections." My enhanced hearing caught it. Sadistic move, Sanada.
Resting post-climb, Miyuki approached. "Yuto-san."
"You and your brother here by Kazama's invite?"
"Yes, initially just him, but—"
Tatsuya glared, more wary than hostile. Miya likely ordered him to avoid heir-related ties, so they act as siblings. A kid training with military mages would raise his suspicions. His killing intent, tied to Miyuki's safety, was unnerving.
Next was a knockout sparring session. Having trounced everyone before, I sat it out Kazama agreed, knowing another loss would crush their morale.
Returning from a break, I faced Tatsuya. Kazama explained, "Sorry, Yuto. Joe mentioned you, and Tatsuya's eyes changed."
After I left, Kazama suggested Tatsuya spar. He one-shotted Sergeant Toguchi, a boxing champ, and outmaneuvered Corporal Haebaru, a Ryukyu karate expert. To save face after my prior thrashing, Kazama proposed another match. Joe, the "Left Blood" soldier Tatsuya beat, volunteered for "redemption." Miyuki disapproved of Joe's magic-enhanced tackle, but Tatsuya nullified it with [Gram Demolition] and knocked him out.
"Joe said you beat everyone here, sparking Tatsuya's interest. A peer fight's valuable. Will you?" Kazama asked.
"Can't refuse and risk his mood. But I'm going all out."
"Understood," Tatsuya said.
Joe's chatter about my win changed Tatsuya's demeanor. He requested a spar. Joe's getting thrashed later.
Facing Tatsuya, his battle-hardened aura and killer intent screamed Yotsuba Guardian. Kazama sensed none, likely due to Miyuki's involvement. I couldn't use Shinei-ryu secrets or prolong the fight, risking exposure.
No choice.
I exhaled, poised. Tatsuya readied non-systematic magic. "Sorry," I muttered, vanishing with [Hidden Step], a technique blending breath and footwork to slip into an opponent's blind spot. I knocked him out with a hand chop before he reacted.
This trick won't work twice. I carried Tatsuya to the wall, setting him down. Miyuki rushed over as I apologized. "I don't know what to say. His killing intent caught me off guard. I've no clue why."
"No, he was likely wary of you," she said.
Guardian instincts or brotherly concern? I smirked. "He's a good brother, worrying about you. Hope that's the last of his hostility."
"I'll make sure he knows."
Approaching Joe with a smile but cold eyes, I said, "Joe, I can guess what you said. Time to cool off."
As he tried escaping with magic, I redirected his acceleration downward, slamming him into the floor. The crash stunned the mages. Miyuki gaped, Sanada grinned, "Classic Yuto," and Kazama facepalmed.
Leaving it to them, I entered the CAD lab. Done with flags, I worked at a workstation. Sanada brought Tatsuya and Miyuki in, reflected on my monitor. Tatsuya lacked a CAD, so Sanada likely invited them.
Was this a scene? My memory's hazy.
Sanada showed Tatsuya a cartridge-type CAD with storage swapping. Miyuki peeked over my shoulder. "Yuto-san? Why're you here?"
Yeah, a kid at a military base is odd. With Sanada handling Tatsuya, I stopped working. "I know the officers here, including Sanada. I assist with weapons, including CADs. Surprised?"
"Yes. You're a mage, but… who are you? You know Mother, but…"
"I'd explain, but I'm under orders to stay quiet. One thing: I want to be equals with you and Tatsuya. Friends, basically."
My abilities will eventually expose me to my siblings and clans. Bonds with the Yotsuba could be strategic, but I genuinely want friendship, not gain. Dad accepted my reincarnation, saying doubting me while trusting magic is contradictory. He called me an "Ooparts," which I resent.
Dad told family a secret mage healed my frail body with ancient magic, involving a "Yoshida." Sounds familiar filed for later. He may use me for the Mitsuya's gain, a duty I've accepted.
The Yotsuba's power stems from family love, per Gozo and my knowledge. Facing them is inevitable, so I'll try. Avoiding them risks harm. I want genuine bonds, not calculated ones. Using magic on the cruiser, despite scrutiny, was for that.
Miyuki stared, stunned. "What's up?"
"No one's said that before."
"Here, a token of friendship." I handed her homemade cookies. My sisters call it "cheating." Whatever.
Tatsuya, now nearby, took a cookie, likely for poison testing. "Tasty," he said.
"Thanks."
Our first real talk. Sanada offered Tatsuya two cartridge CADs. I gave him my latest prototype, safety ensured but costly, tailored to his specs. I dumped the details on Sanada.
Later, Tatsuya said, "I tested for poison, but the sweetness was perfect. Miyuki ate them at the villa, puffing her cheeks, teary, saying, 'It's unfair Yuto makes such delicious things! I'll outdo him!' I didn't get it. Am I wrong?"
Wait, a Miyuki route? No one told me about this! I wanted to protest Tatsuya's half-joking suggestion to leave Miyuki to me. Don't dump your sister on me, Onii-sama.