Sora's mocking words made Nanami, Shoko, and even Satoru, who was posing for the reporters, freeze. They couldn't believe she actually had the guts to mock someone connected to that woman.
However, instead of reacting or clashing, Fubuki just remained still, giving a cold gaze, seemingly unaffected by the comment.
"You can't enter here. The Public Hunters Association doesn't allow anyone outside authorized personnel," she said coolly.
Seeing that Fubuki wasn't trying to fight, the Sozukusen personnel let out a sigh of relief. At least she wasn't like her sister, who would lash out over the smallest offense.
"What do you mean by that? We don't need any—"
"Alright, Miss Fubuki, we understand. Give us a minute to check with our superiors," Nanami cut in before Sora could continue, trying to prevent an unnecessary conflict.
Right now, this was the last thing he wanted. As the head representative, any problems would end up on his shoulders. He really didn't want to deal with overtime anymore.
This was all Mei Mei's fault for quitting her position to become an independent Hunter. Normally, she would have dealt with all this herself.
Not wanting to dwell on it, Nanami pulled his phone from his pocket and called Yaga.
{Speak.}
The voice on the other side of the line replied.
Nanami quickly explained the situation, and the line went silent for a moment.
{Don't worry, Nanami. I'll speak with the Headmaster about it. Wait a moment.}
Yaga hung up, and a few minutes later, Nanami received a message with a file attached.
When he opened it, he saw a digital version of the authorization, complete with the official signature of the Public Hunters Association Prosecutor.
Immediately, he showed it to Fubuki. She turned, told them to follow her, and led the group to the place where the students were being monitored.
Upon entering the building and arriving in the room, Nanami and Shoko began helping to calm and organize the distressed students, while Sora and Satoru stayed on the sidelines.
"Everyone, my name is Kento Nanami, the new second-in-command teacher, and I'm responsible for getting you all back to Sozukusen," Nanami said in his usual calm but strict tone. "If anyone is hurt, speak up so you can be treated by our medical chief, Shoko Ieiri."
"Nanami-sensei, none of the students were hurt, but…" a girl said, hesitating slightly.
"Go on," Nanami urged, gesturing for her to continue.
"It seems Sae-sensei is injured, and… huh? I guess that's it?"
Hearing that, Nanami frowned and rubbed his temples in frustration. He turned to Fubuki, who nodded, confirming the student's words.
"Shoko, go check on Chabashira Sae. I'll take the students with me."
After giving the orders, Nanami straightened his tie and signaled the students to follow.
"Ara~ this situation is really bad, isn't it?" Satoru said to his sister beside him.
"Don't tell me. Poor Nanami. Ever since Mei Mei resigned, he's been stressed almost every day," Sora added, pitying her old friend.
As the two watched their friend struggle, a noise from the hallway caught their attention.
"Don't hold me back, Denji! I'm getting out of here right now!" An angry female voice echoed through the hallway.
They rushed out to see what was happening and found Power trying to fight a few Public Hunters Association personnel.
Fortunately, Denji was holding her back, trying to stop his dumb sister from causing even more trouble than they already had.
With Makima still absent and Aki still being interrogated, his sister's patience had completely run out.
"Hey, you two, cut it out! If Makima finds out we're causing trouble, we're dead!"
Behind the two siblings stood a beautiful woman with short black hair and an eyepatch over her right eye, her expression half irritation, half amusement.
Seeing Denji struggle with Power, she stepped in to help, making the whole thing look almost comical.
In the next moment, a green light surrounded the three of them, lifting the trio off the ground and leaving them unable to move.
The Public Hunters Association members who had been about to restrain Power let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks for the help, Fubuki-sama, and sorry for the trouble," one of them said, turning to salute the imposing woman.
Only an top A-rank Hunter could immobilize them that quickly.
"Worthless. Handcuff them and throw them into the containment cell before I do it myself," she said coldly, glaring at the man.
He flinched under her cold stare, then hurried off with the others to restrain the trio. They secured special Nano handcuffs on Power, Denji, and the eyepatch woman, Himeno, before taking them to a cell.
Fubuki let out a cold snort and walked ahead.
Nanami started guiding the students out of the building, while Shoko followed Fubuki to the infirmary along with the Gojo siblings.
"Wait!" a voice suddenly shouted from the group of students, stopping everyone in their tracks.
"What is it?" Nanami asked calmly, turning to the blonde girl with twin tails.
"T-Two people are missing! I can't find Aragaki-san and Hamashira-san anywhere!" she said, her voice trembling as she realized they were gone.
Kei and Yukino searched around frantically, but they couldn't find any sign of them.
"What did you say!?" Nanami almost lost his cool.
The students joined in the search, and when they still couldn't find the missing pair, they whispered nervously among themselves.
This was terrible news. If what the girl said was true, the two were probably still trapped inside the Gate with a newly emerged Red Moon.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked, keeping his voice calm even though he already knew the answer.
"Y-Yes, I'm sure! They were supposed to be right behind us, but when I looked around, they were gone!"
"Alright, don't worry. I'll go look for them. For now, everyone stay here. The other staff will keep you safe," Nanami said, then turned and hurried back into the building.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a quick message to Yaga, explaining the situation.
A call appeared on his screen almost immediately, but it vanished before he could answer.
{Go inside.}
That was all Yaga sent. Though it offered no explanation, Nanami was smart enough to understand what it meant.
He, Shoko, and the two troublesome siblings had to go in and either rescue the missing students or at least find their bodies.
As for Naomi, for some unknown reason, most people seemed to forget he even existed. No one could explain why, and no one noticed.
<>
Meanwhile, inside the cave, things were not looking good. Reisou found himself in a difficult situation.
Moments earlier, he, 2B, and Makima had decided to send someone to watch the entrance. If the monster tried to force its way in, that person could warn the others in time.
Reisou was the first to volunteer, but 2B didn't want him to go. After some discussion, it was decided he would stay to rest.
Later, it would be his turn, and then Makima.
At first, Reisou had been relieved that Makima wasn't rushing to take them to the Gate entrance, but now he was starting to think that might not be such a good thing.
Since 2B had left, the red-haired woman had sat down beside him, getting uncomfortably close.
He didn't mind having a beautiful woman nearby, as long as she wasn't completely crazy, which in her case, she definitely was.
Reisou tried to keep some distance, but she kept closing it.
Just as he was about to stand, she grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground, straddling him in a very suggestive way.
Reisou faced her cold expression and swallowed hard.
"I want you," she said coolly, gripping both of his arms.
"Please, Miss Makima, have some self-respect! I'm flattered, but I do not consent to this!" he tried to protest.
"No."
She closed the distance between them, and as she leaned in, he felt the soft touch of her lips.
"!!!"