Rentaro, Seitenshi and Enju arrived at the embassy.
An 86 storey tall building is the meeting place, as a side note it’s explained that buildings have progressively became taller and taller to accommodate for the small area size caused by the gastrea.
Rentaro and Seitenshi left Enju outside and went in.
As they went in Rentaro noted that Seitenshi’s dress which exposed her skin is very simulating (pervert Rentaro mode activate!). He guilty averted his eyes however and briskly questioned her:
“Do we have to leave Enju behind? Having her would be safer.”
“We can’t bring a kid to such a formal occasion.”
Rentaro sighed to himself at Seitenshi’s reply. They went in and Seitenshi asked the manager for a special key. Then they went to ride the elevator and Seitenshi inserted the key to a secret keyhole and they went to the usually forbidden top floor.
“………So do you really not know what Sougen Saitake want to talk about?”
“Yes, I have absolutely no clue. To be more exact-”
Seitenshi glanced at Rentaro.
“-I have never met with Sougen before.”
Hearing that Rentaro is surprised but mused to himself that it really isn’t all that shocking, since the founding of Tokyo there has been many changes to the ruler of Tokyo. The first generation who established Tokyo, the second generation who died in less than one year due to disease. Like that Seitenshi somehow became the ruler of Tokyo. With that in mind this girl could be considered a 1st grader in politics.
“Satomi-san, do you know President Sougen?”
“………Yeah, I guess you can say that. Once I was adopted by Tendo, Kikunojyo wanted to groom me into a politician so he brought to all kinds of political parties. I had contact with him on a couple of occasions. But that’s all a thing of the past.”
“If that’s the case I want to ask you, from your perspective want kind of person is President Sougen? Whenever I asked Kikunojyo-san regarding Sougen he would always be unhappy……..”
“Adolf Hitler.”
“What?”
Seitenshi let out a never before seen curious expression. She turned her body and gently rubbed her eyes.
“Sorry Satomi-san………..because of recent administrative work I’m a little tired. Can you say it again?”
“I’ll repeat then, he’s like Adolf Hitler.”
“You’re kidding right?”
“I’m being serious here. You know how Sougen had 17 assassination attempts by the citizens of Osaka right? Of course his heavy taxation will cause anyone to get mad. But he doesn’t take it seriously at all. Speaking of which, Seitenshi-sama, the rulers of Sapporo region and Sendai region, as well as Hakata region, all are the same type of person. They are all capable people who in the panic after the Gastrea War rebuild their respective regions in one generation. Have you ever heard the saying, “in times of crisis the old suddenly turn young”? In times of peace anyone can control Japan, but once a crisis comes, we need those old bastards that are accomplished and most importantly dangerous. Therefore in light of that every region’s ruler will honestly say with a straight face, “I’m actually the representative of Japan”, that kind of nonsense. And among them Sougen’s the most dangerous. You should be careful.”
(For those that don’t get the Hitler parallel Rentaro’s referring to how Hitler took over Germany as a dictator in the aftermath of WW2 and made it a military based country similar to how Sougen took over Osaka in the aftermath of the Gastrea War and how he intends to make Japan into a military based country (as you'll found out latter in this part). Ironically it should be noted that Kikunojyo who hates Sougen and vice versa also resembles Hitler but in a different way.)
“Understand, I understand. Thanks a lot for your advice. I’ll take heed of it.”
Seitenshi is somewhat overwhelmed by Rentaro’s sudden detailed exposition, but still nodded in understanding. She then shot Rentaro an uneasy look.
“Please don’t leave my side.” (Haha, this can so be taken out of context. Dat ship teasing)
“Yeah, yeah”.
Seitenshi then gave Rentaro a reprimanding look, and pointed at him.
“Also, I hope Satomi-san can hold his bad temper. If Satomi-san’s rudeness insulted Saitake-san and caused an interregional war, it’ll be terrible. Please don’t use rude sayings, like “stop blubbering”, and “stop screwing with me” these types of rude talk is simply unacceptable.
“Che, I can’t possibility say that.” (coughliescough)
They had then arrived at the top floor. It’s a reception room with Sougen already sitting down on a couch and his escort (bodyguard) standing next to him
Once the two came in Sougen stood up from the couch and greeted them.
“Nice to meet you, Seitenshi-sama.”
He noticed Rentaro nearby and his voice sunk.
“……..is that person by you the adopted son of Tendo?”
“Isn’t it about time you died already, old man.” (Haha, gotta love how Rentaro broke his agreement with Seitenshi the instant he greeted Sougen.)
“…………..A mere civil security guard should speak more carefully. Where do you think this is?”
Sougen’s powerful voice roared throughout the room causing Seitenshi to shiver. With a tall figure, sharp eyes, a large beard similar to a lion’s and an intimidating body full of energy, him being 65 years old didn’t show at all. He’s a fearsome foe that can rival Kikunojyo, a crafty politician that drowned his enemies in darkness.
“Rentaro, I heard news about you. You actually followed the encouragement of Tendo’s old mother fox and left Tendo………so very stupid. The you right now isn’t a Tendo politician, but a civil security guard that crawls on the ground like an earth worm. I’ll treat you in a manner befitting your status. Don’t forget your own position.”
“Old man, your blabbering is so annoying. Position? Family? If you can’t even ignore these inane status when negotiating then you should just fuck around in Osaka and never come out. Whether I’m part of the Tendo house or not I’m still me!”
Rentaro had walked up to confront him and their noses almost touched. It’s surprisingly Sougen who broke this tense atmosphere by laughing.
Rentaro passed this test.
Rentaro looked back to see Seitenshi clutching her dress and her usual pale skin looked even more pale.
Oui, calm down Seitenshi-sama that was just a test for us Rentaro thought but didn’t voice out loud.
Sougen in a more friendly tone asked.
“Is that woodwork craving Buddha doing ok?”
Woodwork craving Buddha referred to Kikunojyo. While he’s a politician he also is a professional woodwork artisan. At 62 his works were formally recognized as national treasures. However he had to take an apprentice as a result.
Rentaro touched on unpleasant memories and shook his head.
“He’s no longer carving, because a certain unruly apprentice run away.”
“Oh, are you regretting it?”
Rentaro glared at Sougen in response.
“Are you trying to found my faults? You know speaking less makes you look smarter.”
Seitenshi cut in.
“Satomi-san, Kikunojyo-san’s apprentice……….is you?
Seems like she only just heard that.
“So what?”
“No, never mind.”
Rentaro replied in anger and Seitenshi quickly gave up her inquiry.
After the pleasantries (lol) both leaders set down to negotiate with their escorts standing by their side.
Originally Rentaro thought it was to talk about politics but surprisingly Sougen addressed him.
“Rentaro, I heard when you defeated the level 5 you used the railgun and wrecked it beyond repair. Do you know how important that thing is?”
“What?”
“In the art of war there’s the element “clouds”, it means he who occupies the high ground wins. Soldiers that attack from the top of the hill will win. Aircraft dropping bombs will win. The army that spies on the enemy will win-then what’s next after that? The railgun you destroyed was originally meant to be installed onto the moon, a next generation superweapon that snipes gastrea from the moon. And yet you……..”
“Wait old man. Hypothetically if that railgun was installed on the moon. Will it really only be used on the gastrea?
“Idiot, of course that’s not possible. It’s exactly as you suspect. All of this is preparation for the next generation where we turn Japan into a superpower.”
“You intend to use violence to threaten other countries?”
Seitenshi couldn’t help but interrupt. Sougen sneered in response and exaggeratedly opened his arms.
“Seitenshi-sama, you’re to lacking in ideals. We have to consider the world after all the gastrea is eliminated. Japan should be the world’s biggest superpower and dominate the rest of the world. You should also be aware, 10 years ago all the world’s powers lost their functions as states due to the plunder and destruction of the gastrea. And 10 years later, the nation that recovers the fastest from that catastrophe gain the right to be called world leader. Japan should make that their goal. This is the correct ideology that takes into account the big picture! I’ll use all my power to eradicate those that oppose me, those that are useless, and those that don’t fit under my rule!”
Rentaro is speechless. This is pretty much a declaration of war to most of the world. It’s true that there are those that have the same ideals as this man but who dears to utter them? The only one with enough guts is this man.
If Rentaro had to point out all that’s screwed up with this man he wouldn’t know where to start.
In the first place the chances of defeating all the gastrea is not even a whole number. Despite that this man still wants to kill other humans?
If Sumire is here she’ll probably gleefully state, “humans are the kind of creatures that once tired of peace will seek war, and once tired of war will seek peace.”
“But you actually………….turned such an excessively big railgun into scrap metal. You trampled on my dreams. Not even a thousand deaths will make up for that.”
“Oh but I’m helping you do a test performance. You should thank me, besides the wreckage is still there, if you really want it feel free to recycle it.”
“Hmph, but I also have my tolerance. I can give you a chance for redemption.”
“Eh?”
“I heard you defeated IP ranking 134 combo. Rentaro, a weak region such as Tokyo will perish sooner or later. If you don’t want to be within the subjugated population 5 years latter then come to my side. Us two can take over other countries. Two people side by side paving the road to a new kingdom is worth seeing isn’t it?
“Are you kidding, fuck off back to your womb.”
“I won’t give up! I’ll collect worthy individuals and add them to my ranks! My will is the will of Japan. The will of Japan is my will!”
Seitenshi once again interrupted.
“President Sougen, can we enter into negotiations?”
Sougen lost his bluster and said, “Yeah we can start”.
Two hours later the first of informal talks is over.
The only thing that came out of the talks are that both sides understood, Seitenshi and Sougen are irreconcilable mortal enemies.