— — — — — —
『Earth's Cancer』: So… does this mean Mr. Veyron is basically our "Prime Minister" now? Or maybe "Emperor"?
Even though part of her attention had been focused on using the Almighty Serum to strengthen herself and her sisters, multitasking was second nature for someone with four Gene Locks unlocked. So yes—Chika Fujiwara had watched everything Veyron did.
When he returned from space, the pink-haired girl popped the question in the group chat.
『Ordinary Human』: Pretty much, yeah. Even America didn't deny it.
『Lady Avalon』: I mean… would they even dare?
『Snake Empress』: I get that you really trust Mr. Veyron, Chika.
『Snake Empress』: But still… your whole country just got tossed aside without so much as a heads-up. Didn't you accept that a little too quickly?
『Earth's Cancer』: We were thrown under the bus because America and other countries put us on the board in the first place.
『Earth's Cancer』: So why are you acting like we didn't already have an "Emperor" before Veyron showed up?
『Earth's Cancer』: Just stay calm and blame America
『Snake Empress』: Uhh… well, when you put it that way…
『Earth's Cancer』: Anyway, Mr. Veyron, do you have any plans for Japan now that you've taken over?
『Ordinary Human』: Honestly… no. Not really.…Actually, wait. You handle it.
『Earth's Cancer』: Wait, me?
『Ordinary Human』: Yep. Think about it—you're here more often than I am. This is your homeworld, after all. I just drop by from time to time.
『Ordinary Human』: @Earth'sCancer, this is an official notice: The Organization has decided. You're the next Prime Minister.
『Earth's Cancer』: …Huh!?
『Catwoman』: We believe in you!
『GhostSpider』: Make us proud!
『Lady Avalon』: Long live the Prime Minister!
『Earth's Cancer』: You, guys, stop encouraging this!! (Facepalm.jpg)
『Earth's Cancer』: Jokes aside, even running for Prime Minister means I have to be a member of the Diet, right? And you have to be at least 25 for that. That requirement alone blocks me for years!
『Lady Avalon』: Can't believe you actually looked into that. (Artoria's Judging Stare.jpg)
『Earth's Cancer』: Umm… I mean, with the Fujiwara family background, this kind of stuff is pretty much basic knowledge.
『Lady Avalon』: Well, if Veyron is serious, maybe you should consider it. As for the rule you're worried about… what does the man himself say? @Ordinary Human
『Ordinary Human』: If you don't meet the legal requirements, then clearly the rules are wrong. And rules that know their place usually adjust themselves when that happens.
Veyron followed up immediately, echoing Merlin's comment.
『Earth's Cancer』: Emmmm…
Chika suddenly couldn't tell if these two were joking or dead serious.
Sure, in terms of power, after reaching Tier 4, awakening her spiritual energy and Tenseigan, she could pretty much do anything she wanted. Other than outliers like Veyron and his elite followers—Saeko Busujima, Saya Takagi, etc.—there weren't many people left on this 20+ billion-strong planet who could compare.
But mentally? She still hadn't caught up to the kind of mindset that came with such overwhelming strength.
After all, she was still just a high schooler—a first-year, technically. Being Prime Minister? That still sounded way too out there.
"C'mon, why would you even hesitate to say yes to something this amazing?"
"Exactly! You'd be perfect for it!"
Realizing the reason their older sister was sighing like that, Toyomi and Moeha —who had just finished drinking their share of the Almighty Serum— didn't go back to their rooms. Instead, they crawled under the blanket with Chika in her room, cozying up on either side.
The sisters exchanged a glance and instantly recognized the opportunity—or rather, the drama after Chika told them. But hey, it was also a rare chance for the Fujiwara family to level up even further.
"…You two aren't actually serious, are you?" Chika asked, deadpan. "Don't tell me you don't understand what that position really means. Why do you think Grandpa and Uncle both stopped at Minister of State and never aimed higher? It's because Great-Grandfather's experience taught us that standing at the very top isn't always a good thing."
"But here's the thing," Toyomi replied, rolling onto her side to face Chika. "If you really take that seat, do you think those same risks even matter anymore—with him around?"
Chika fell silent.
"If you're feeling uncertain," Moeha chimed in from her other side, "why not talk to Grandpa? Like you said, after everything that happened tonight, there's no way he's gone to bed yet."
"…Yeah. That might be a good idea."
Chika knew full well that going to her grandfather for advice meant there was zero chance of him saying not to accept. But still… right now, she needed someone who'd seen the world, who could help her sort out the storm in her head.
And sure enough—
"Of course you should say yes! You have to!"
That was his reaction.
Chika hadn't even finished explaining the situation before her grandfather's brief moment of shock turned into an expression of wild, almost childlike excitement.
"If this was yesterday, pushing you to that position would've been almost impossible—unless he revealed his power publicly. But now? Everything's changed. You probably don't even realize how much damage his purge has done to the power structure here in Japan…"
Nearly the entire cabinet—except for those aligned with the Fujiwara faction—had been reduced to ashes in Veyron's two waves of judgment.
The internet blackout had been lifted, and although strangely no one had managed to capture footage of the Academy's defenders, video of mercenaries storming the campus—armored vehicles and all—was everywhere online and causing a massive public outcry.
And most crucially, right before Chika had arrived, the Fujiwara family head had just received word—through very specific channels—that the United States had officially ordered all stationed troops in Japan and even South Korea to withdraw immediately.
And he knew exactly what that meant.
With the situation this unstable, and Veyron handing them such a powerful olive branch…
"Don't worry about the technicalities. Leave all the logistics and paperwork to us. Give us one month—just one—and we'll present him with a result he'll be satisfied with."
He looked as energetic as ever, not a trace of fatigue on his face despite the late hour.
The head of the Fujiwara family had clearly been recharged.
.
.
.