At the edge of the station plaza, the Chiba siblings shared a moment—hardly heartwarming, but lively nonetheless. They were sidelined from clearing the upright tank's wreckage, interrogating its pilot, and preparing the landing zone for the helicopter. Erika, sulking over being deemed "useless," sat with Kazuma, who seemed unfazed. Oddly, it was Kazuma, the active-duty inspector, who'd been called out by his subordinate Inagaki for being "unsuited" for interrogation.
"So, why're you here, Big Bro?" Erika asked, arms crossed.
Kazuma grinned. "Can't a kindhearted brother want to help his dear sister?"
"Kindhearted?" Erika scoffed. "What a load!"
"Hey, watch it," Kazuma teased. "Ladies don't say 'what a load.'"
"You're lecturing me on being ladylike? Now?"
"Sad, isn't it? All this love for my sister, and this is what I get."
Erika's temper cooled, her eyes narrowing. Kazuma sighed, feigning disappointment.
"I'm here to help," he said, his tone shifting to sincerity.
Erika snorted, but Kazuma's sly grin returned. "That attitude gonna cost you, Erika."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Her bravado faltered, childhood memories of her overbearing brother creeping in.
"I brought you something good," Kazuma said, pulling a massive, curved blade from the van he'd been leaning against.
Erika's eyes widened. "Orochimaru? Why's it here?"
"Why?" Kazuma chuckled. "Orochimaru's made for 'Yamatsunami,' and you're the only one who can wield it. Not Dad, not Shuji—only you. This blade's yours."
Erika's hands trembled as she took the greatsword, its weight grounding her. The Chiba family's ultimate weapon, a masterpiece alongside Raimaru, it was a secret pride. She never imagined she'd be trusted to wield it, even briefly.
"You look thrilled," Kazuma said, smirking.
Erika snapped out of her daze, gripping the blade tightly. "It's… like an extension of me."
"Of course," Kazuma said. "No matter what Dad or Shuji think, you're a Chiba through and through."
"Hmph. Thanks, I guess," Erika muttered, turning away to hide her flush. She strode off, Orochimaru in hand, while Kazuma's amused grin followed her.
Nearby, two bound pilots, lightly frostbitten but unharmed, faced interrogation. Inagaki handled one, Mari the other.
"Any luck?" Mayumi asked, approaching Mari.
"They're clamming up," Mari growled. "Should've brought stronger perfume."
Mayumi smiled wryly. "No drugs, remember? That was Sekimoto's condition."
Mari, a combat specialist skilled with magic, blades, firearms, and even chemical weapons, excelled at delivering volatile substances through airflow. Her "perfume" trick—dosing enemies with psychoactive scents—was borderline criminal, but her current tools weren't cutting it.
"Torture, then?" Mari muttered.
"Whoa, let's not," Mayumi said, alarmed.
"I can inflict pain without marks," Mari insisted.
"That's not the point! Mari, take a break."
Mari sighed, recognizing her frustration. "Fine." She stepped away, leaving the interrogation.
The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, labeled a "battalion" but only two companies strong, had deployed fifty members for this mission. Two armored trailers carried their new equipment.
"Well, Special Lieutenant?" Sanada asked.
Tatsuya nodded. "Impressive. I'm sold."
"Size should be perfect. Try it on."
Tatsuya stripped down without hesitation, ignoring the female soldiers' glances. A few blushed, but he was unfazed.
"Fits well," Tatsuya said.
"Error's within tolerance," Sanada replied via comms.
"Bulletproof, heat-resistant, shock-absorbing, anti-chemical, with basic power assist," Sanada explained. "Flight unit's in the belt, designed to counter recoil for aerial shooting."
"Beyond my designs," Tatsuya admitted. "Masterful work."
Sanada grinned. "Just doing my job."
Kazama approached, glaring at Sanada. "Done playing?"
Sanada saluted silently. Kazama turned to Tatsuya. "Join Yanagi's unit at the bridge to Mizuho Wharf. They're holding off the enemy."
"Coordinates are on your visor," Sanada added.
"Understood." Tatsuya adjusted his mask, checked Yanagi's position, and leapt from the trailer. Tapping his belt's CAD switch, he kicked off the ground and soared into the sky.
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