Yugen sighed, wishing the hectic summer break wasn't his fault. The emergency Clan Conference ended smoothly, avoiding collapse. Retsu, the proposer, along with the Kudou and Saegusa heads, bombarded Gen with questions, but he deflected skillfully and countered.
"Kudou-dono, Saegusa-dono, do you want to spark a feud in the Mitsuya family? Or pit us against the Yotsuba for your gain?"
Yugen's letter to Gen had warned against destabilizing the Ten Master Clans. The Mitsuya family's intelligence network noted rising activity wist in the Great Asian Union's logistics, signaling potential threats. Division now would make the nation vulnerable, a critical issue for the military-savvy Mitsuya.
Gen, rarely openly angry, spoke bluntly. Maya, with a wry smile, gently rebuked him.
"The Yotsuba have no such intentions, but I understand the suspicion, Mitsuya-dono. Will you continue sharing intelligence with us?"
"I promise as much, Yotsuba-dono. I can't ignore threats, but we lack the strength to protect vast areas alone. We'll rely on the Defense Force and your support."
Through Gousan, Gen had requested the other Ten Master Clans, except Kudou and Saegusa, to avoid excessive probing at the conference, offering military intelligence on the Great Asian Union in return. It wasn't collusion but a request, with Gousan and the Joushima family vowing not to fault non-compliance. Foreign movements made internal strife costly, especially for clans like Yatsushiro, Itsuwa, and Ichijou, guarding critical regions.
"You won't rely on your sons' strength?" Itsuwa asked.
"No, Itsuwa-dono. Though blood-related, my second and third sons are now of different houses. I may consult or request, but never command. That's my line as a father."
Gen and Shiho wished they could've raised their sons as Mitsuya, but their power, especially Yugen's unique blend of modern and ancient magic, risked sibling rivalry. Thus, Gen agreed to Yugen's adoption into the Kagurazaka family.
Chihiro Kagurazaka, the clan head, appeared behind Gen.
"What a farce. Sorry to interrupt. I'm Chihiro Kagurazaka, 'Guardian' clan head, here at Mitsuya-dono's request."
"Chihiro, why step in now?" Gen asked.
"You, a former Defense Force member, didn't notice? Or have you gone soft, Retsu?"
Chihiro's usual light tone turned sharp, her anger palpable as she faced Retsu, whose expression hardened. She was furious that the Kudou family, tasked with curbing foreign agents, missed Great Asian Union movements. Even if Retsu's retirement excused him, his military allies should've kept him informed. Chihiro saw no trace of the former "Trick Star."
With tension thick, Chihiro declared, "Yugen Mitsuya, now my adopted son and Kagurazaka heir, was taken to avoid needless clan strife. You should be grateful, not interrogating us, fools."
"Kagurazaka-dono, what do you mean?" Kouichi Saegusa asked.
"Your eyes are clouded, Kouichi. Or are you still a boy haunted by the past? Use your vaunted network to find out."
Despite her youthful appearance, Chihiro, second only to Retsu in age, held authority as a "Guardian." With Gen's pledge to share intelligence, she refused to divulge more. Kouichi backed off.
"Why not disclose Yugen's adoption beforehand, Kagurazaka-dono?"
"Simple. To prevent schemers from interfering. Gousan provided intel, but we kept it quiet to thwart those who'd label such a skilled mage a threat and attempt assassination, you Kudou child."
Maya sensed this also protected Tatsuya, recalling how Yotsuba branch heads once plotted his death, stopped by former head Eisaku. To avoid similar risks, Chihiro pushed Yugen's adoption without prior notice to most clans, though the Mitsuya family allowed him free access to their estate.
"Retsu, if you stray, I'll deal with you myself. This fall, a tiger may come from the west, bringing war. Don't disappoint Gousan and me."
Chihiro's parting words dropped a bombshell: the Great Asian Union might mobilize for war. The conference ended in heavy silence.
After six days at the Kagurazaka estate, Shizuku's beach trip plan aligned schedules, so Yugen headed to the Mitsuya estate before returning to the Shiba household.
Though engaged to Miyuki, it wasn't public, so they acted as usual. Miyuki requested to greet Gen and Shiho. With Tatsuya off to FLT, Yugen escorted her, deploying a perception-blocking barrier to avoid prying eyes, untraceable by magic surveillance.
"I'm back… sort of. Father, Mother."
"Welcome, son. And this young lady?" Gen asked.
"I'm Miyuki Shiba, Yugen-san's fiancée, though not yet announced."
"Nice to meet you, Miyuki-chan," Shiho said.
In the guest room, facing Gen and Shiho, Yugen's formal tone as a Kagurazaka felt awkward, earning a wry smile from Gen. As Shiho and Miyuki left for a women's chat, Yugen exhaled.
"Good work, Dad. Heard you faced a barrage at the conference."
"Expected. Kudou-dono pushed to recruit you, but His Excellency shut it down. Neither I, Gousan, nor Chihiro would allow it."
Retsu and the current Kudou head, Makoto, clashed in their aims. Makoto's inferiority complex, rooted in the original story, drove his fixation on his son, Minoru. Yugen found it hard to accept Makoto's denial of Retsu's success through risky enhancement.
"No idea if it's atonement, but His Excellency's age is catching up. I won't say it to his face, but we'll cooperate minimally without favoring Kudou."
"Fine by me. Your letter mentioned the Great Asian Union, New Soviet Union, and USNA. Another Okinawa could happen."
If so, Yugen would enlist Mio, Gousan, and Tatsuya, using Abyss, Thunder Dragon's End, Material Burst, and an upgraded Starlight Breaker. The naming? A secret from his past life.
"Chihiro's reprimand settled your Kagurazaka adoption. Saegusa-dono seemed suspicious of Yotsuba's restraint."
"This role made it clear: the Ten Master Clans are a hassle. No offense, Dad."
"Don't worry. If I hadn't prioritized balance by passing the house to Genji, I might've made you heir."
With four strategic-class magics, Japan faced scrutiny, but its smaller Defense Force demanded superior trump cards. If challenged, they'd fight. Nations rely on people, not just resources, and without cooperation, armies falter. Eliminating strategic mages was a last resort.
"I'll speak discreetly with General Saeki soon. I have a meeting scheduled."
"Thanks. I'll need to talk to Major Kazama anyway."
Despite the house change, Yugen wouldn't sever ties. The Mitsuya employed many mages but, unlike other clans, guarded no region, fostering ties with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion and 101st Brigade. As God's Society leader, Yugen's military involvement would lessen, likely limited to overseeing Tatsuya's armaments.
After meeting Gen, Yugen entered his old room, barely used since middle school. On the freshly made bed, his sister Shina slept soundly. Sighing, he woke her as she groggily faced him.
"Nii-sama…?"
"Sleep in your own room… though I'm one to talk."
"Shina, not this bed again— Yugen-san!? Long time no see!" Jirou said.
"Hey, Jirou. Not our planned day, but I stopped by."
Jirou said Shina often slept in Yugen's bed. With rare visits, it was fine, though Chihiro allowed homecomings. The Mitsuya estate was now a stopover.
"Yugen-nii, I heard Dad, Genji-niisan, and the sisters talking. Are you really not Dad's son anymore?"
"Legally, yes, but blood doesn't change. You're still my sister. Keep this secret, okay?"
"Yes. Jirou doubted it when I asked."
"My bad. Forgive me."
Shina's Hearing Enhancement, stabilized by psion control, might let her live normally by year's end, showing her talent. Jirou, trained in innate magic and psion control, was a skilled Yaguruma mage and Shina's guard. Gousan praised his rapid progress in Shinkage-ryu under Genji's tutelage.
"I got the intermediate scroll from Master Genji," Jirou said.
"Nii-sama, I'm learning Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship too," Shina added.
After the Nine Schools incident, Jirou trained harder, and Shina, once reluctant, chose to learn for self-defense. Shizuru was teaching her basics in the underground training hall. Yugen hoped Shina's Third Lab visits would decrease but urged Jirou to stay close and report any Defense Force issues. If needed, he'd use Yata no Kagami to crush enemies' spirits, killing only as a last resort.
"If you're set on it, Shina, train hard. Grandfather, Genji-niisan, and Shizuru-neesan won't go easy."
"Yes, Nii-sama!"
Miyuki joined, meeting Jirou and Shina. Jirou stared, earning a light smack from Yugen and a cheek pinch from Shina. Yugen's jealousy was clear, while Shina admitted, "Seeing Jirou fawn over another girl makes me… uneasy." Yugen worried his sister was developing yandere traits.
He stressed to Jirou to avoid violence. Miyuki teased, "Yugen-san breathes gigolo vibes and melts hearts, so no bloodshed will happen."
"Miyuki, don't use 'gigolo' like a verb. Only Tatsuya can spout sweet words coolly, and he wouldn't sneeze at rumors."
Me? I'd rather not act calm unless required. It's exhausting.
Notes: The direct title suits the raw tension. Yugen's adoption into Kagurazaka resolves clan conflicts while maintaining Mitsuya ties. Chihiro's authority and strategic foresight counter Kudou's missteps, with looming war threats adding stakes. Shina's growth and Yugen's protective instincts highlight family bonds amidst political games. Thin clothing remains a strategic weapon.
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