Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Private VIP Platform.
A luxurious Boeing 787 private jet, chartered by Tracen Academy for a hefty sum, with a huge golden "T" emblem and the Japanese flag on its fuselage, remained silent like an elegant steel colossus, waiting for its master who was about to depart for the expedition.
A vibrant red carpet extended from the exit of the VIP lounge to the cabin door.
Kaito, sporting a set of discreet but luxurious casual suits, personally supervised by TM Opera O and hand-crafted by the best Italian artisans, looked handsome and elegant.
Behind him stood eight impressive Umas, dressed in unified team uniforms, predominantly red and white, adorned with the Japanese flag and the Tracen crest on their chests.
Each of them radiated a terrifying aura capable of freezing the surrounding air.
They were the Final Decisive Weapons who were about to represent all of Japan on the world stage.
They were El Emperador, the Overlord, the Queen, the Hero, the Wolf King, the Painter, the Empress, and... an aggressor from the United States who had just been "recruited"
Director Yayoi Akikawa, Kiryuin Aoi, and all the high-ranking executives of Tracen Academy personally came to see them off.
Countless flashes, like stars in broad daylight, flickered frantically, recording this historical moment worthy of being inscribed in the history of Japanese Uma racing.
The entire farewell ceremony was solemn and dignified, imbued with the maximum sense of ritual and epic grandeur typical of a "National Team Expedition"
When everyone boarded the luxurious private jet one by one, they immediately noticed that something was wrong.
The plane had clearly undergone a special modification, courtesy of the Director's mischievous taste.
Apart from the business class seats, which looked comfortable, the most spacious first-class area, which had the best views, contained a single element: a solitary and independent "Throne" upholstered in premium calfskin, equipped with a complete massage and entertainment system, reminiscent of an emperor's seat.
Right next to it was another seat, equally luxurious and very close: that of the "Empress"
"The malicious intention behind this arrangement was obvious!"
Kaito, as "commander-in-chief" of this expeditionary force, was naturally surrounded by the group and pressed toward the single "throne"
The "Empress" seat beside him, symbolizing the "Primary Wife" and the "Maximum Favor," instantly became the cruelest battlefield where the eight top-tier Umas engaged in a silent war of glances.
Symboli Rudolf, El Emperador, was about to take advantage of her innate "Primary Wife" aura and sit down gracefully.
"Wait a moment!"
Gold City stopped her immediately with a look that said.
"We are both part of his harem, why should you sit first?" along with the irrefutable argument.
"I have one more G1 trophy than you!"
Meanwhile, TM Opera O dramatically opened her fan, asserting.
"Such a position of glory should rightfully be occupied by me, who am the one most spiritually in tune with the protagonist and the one who best represents his artistic taste"
And Agnes Tachyon had already begun to calculate rapidly on her tablet.
"Based on the analysis of ergonomics and the comfort model for long-distance flights, my weight and build, sitting next to the Chief, can provide him with an optimal 2.37% of additional legroom, therefore, the scientific choice is me"
Just as they were about to trigger World War III over the ownership of this seat.
Kaito finally raised his hand weakly, putting an end to the farce with a threatening look that implied.
"If you keep arguing, I will sit alone and all of you will go in economy class"
Ultimately, under the mandatory dictate of the "commander-in-chief," a fragile and unequal "peace treaty" was reached.
During the long flight of more than a dozen hours, they took turns to "serve"... no, to "accompany" the commander-in-chief!
First round: The Queen's "Power-type suffocation service."
Gold City, taking advantage of her excessive brute strength, secured the first "right of accompaniment"
She gave Kaito a "shoulder and neck relaxation" massage, almost crushing the expensive premium leather armrest in the process.
The exclusive champagne and caviar for Kaito, brought by the flight attendant, were also "accidentally" devoured by her in a few large gulps, under the pretext of "Let me taste it first to see if it is poisoned"
Second round: The Overlord's "mental contamination attack."
TM Opera O passionately recited into Kaito's ear for three hours, using an emotional and operatic tone, a ten-thousand-word magnum opus she had recently created, titled "Ah! My dear protagonist! An epic of light and shadow in the world expedition"
This left Kaito drowsy and with a confused mind...
Third round: The scientist's "biological weapon feeding."
Agnes Tachyon flatly rejected the "unscientific" meals offered by the plane.
From her suitcase, she pulled out rows of "High-Energy Nutritional Paste," a colorful and unidentified mass.
Then, she tried to accurately record all the changes in Kaito's physiological data (heart rate, blood pressure, and degree of pupil dilation) after he ingested the nutritional pastes of different colors.
Fourth round: The little hero's "Silent barrier protection."
Rice Shower simply covered Kaito, who was pretending to be asleep, with a soft and lightly scented blanket.
Then she sat beside him, resting her chin on her hands, silently contemplating his sleeping face with eyes full of happiness and satisfaction.
However, the subtle aura emanating from her, full of the feeling of "Whoever dares to disturb Brother's rest is an enemy of Rice Shower," formed a solid barrier!
This made Manhattan Cafe, who was next in line to enter service, unwilling and afraid to move forward and wake her...
When the plane was about to enter American airspace.
Taiki Shuttle, using the grandiose and undeniable excuse.
"I! As host! I must communicate all necessary precautions in the US with the Chief beforehand! To provide the best possible guidance service for everyone!"
She managed to "monopolize" this last and most precious segment of golden time!
She sat next to Kaito and pulled out a colorful and huge book, larger than her face, titled [The Ultimate Guide to Gastronomy and Tourism in Los Angeles]
Pointing to the content, she gave explanations to Kaito with enthusiasm, in the manner of a "guide"
However, her body subtly drew closer and closer... until finally, she was practically clinging to Kaito like a large accessory.
"Look! Look! Hand of God! The burgers at this In-N-Out are the best in the world! We have to go eat there as soon as we land!"
"And this place! They have giant strawberry milkshakes, larger than my face! Having one will make you fly with happiness!"
She spoke of travel strategy.
But in reality, she was making the most detailed plans for the upcoming "Gourmet Date Trip" with her "man"
Looking at her bright blue eyes, full of pure joy and expectation.
Kaito could only smile with helplessness and condescension, letting her lean on him.
"This scene made the entire Japanese harem group sitting in the back row grit their teeth, consumed by overwhelming jealousy!"
When the plane landed smoothly on the private runway of Los Angeles International Airport.
When the heavy cabin door slowly opened.
What greeted them...
There were no flowers, no red carpet.
Only a row of twelve tall, blonde Umas, dressed in tight sportswear adorned with the black "WMA" emblem, whose aura was cold and powerful.
They did not applaud or smile.
They simply stood with their arms crossed, silently watching as the Tracen Academy group slowly disembarked, with scrutinizing and challenging gazes.
And standing right at the front—
It was a queen-like Uma with long silver hair, cold as moonlight and with an expression as stern as an eternal iceberg.
[Her name was Zenyatt]
Kaito's "Harem Legion" instantly perceived the blatant provocation of their opponent!
They immediately formed an aggressive and highly oppressive organization, led by Symboli Rudolf, El Emperador!
And they faced their opponents from a distance!
At that moment, the air on the entire platform seemed to solidify completely!
On one side was the reserved and restrained Army of the Kings of the East.
On the other side was the direct and savage Defiant Legion of the West.
The leaders of both sides—Symboli Rudolf, El Emperador, and Queen Zenyatt—their gazes crossed fiercely in the air!
Emitting invisible and crackling sparks!
Just when the atmosphere was about to completely explode.
The director of the WMA, that elegant but imposing queen, Catherine Underwood, dressed in an impeccable pure white Versace suit, slowly stepped out from behind the crowd, smiling and applauding.
"Welcome to the United States, my dear friends from Tracen Academy"
(Welcome to America, my dear friends from Tracen Academy)
"I hope you enjoy the... 'Welcome Ceremony' we have specially prepared for you"
She walked directly toward Kaito
Then, as expected, she gave him a warm kiss on the cheek, typical of Americans.
And she smiled, whispering into his ear with a voice only the two of them could hear, like a secret between lovers:
"Your 'children' are very cute, Mr. Kaito"
"However, here with us..."
"Wolves can eat little lambs"
Kaito also smiled, responding calmly in the same tone:
"Thank you for the reminder, Ms. Underwood"
"However, sometimes..."
"The one wearing sheep's clothing... might be an even more terrifying monster"
After parting, Catherine loudly announced to everyone that accommodation had been reserved for them in the highest-category Olympic village.
And that a grand welcome party would be held tonight, in true American style.
"I hope our friends from Japan adapt quickly to our... 'rhythm' here"
Every word she spoke was loaded with hidden meaning.
Seeing Kaito being publicly embraced by an unknown foreign woman who radiated a mature charm.
The fury of the "harem group council" instantly went from an "internal conflict" to a "unified opposition"!
They watched Catherine and the aggressive "Black-Clad Legion" that followed her, with eyes full of unprecedented hostility and fighting spirit!
On the luxury bus on the way to the Olympic village.
Kaito received the detailed profile of the first American Umas he needed to "conquer": "American Glory"
The profile clearly indicated it.
Tonight she will participate in a Speed Challenge exhibition at the welcome party.
Kaito knew it.
His first act of "Invasion"... would officially begin... tonight.