Chapter 27: Misleading Tranquility

The pleasant morning in New Kyoto arrived. Arata walked behind the group of students, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd. While the students were enjoying the sights and local snacks, Arata, with his pale and tired face, never stopped keeping watch. He had been guarding them nonstop, which made Chisa, walking by his side, extremely worried.

"Arata-kun, it looks like you need to rest," Chisa said, her voice soft. "I know you're guarding us. The principal told me yesterday."

Arata turned, forcing a faint smile. "I'm fine, Chisa."

"Are you sure? You look so exhausted," Chisa replied, her gaze full of concern. "It would be good for you to rest."

"I told you, I'm fine. Maybe it's just your imagination, Chisa," Arata answered, turning his gaze back to his surroundings.

After the brief conversation, they continued their trip through beautiful Kyoto.

Meanwhile, in a hospital room in Tokyo, Pierson Howalt regained consciousness. His eyes blinked, feeling the stiffness of the bandage on his shoulder. "Where am I?" he mumbled, trying to sit up.

Beside him, Natasha Dimtrikov was communicating through her earpiece in Russian, reporting the current situation to Moscow. She was a beautiful woman with silver-white hair tied back, and her blue eyes radiated a sharp alertness.

Seeing Pierson awake, Natasha ended her call. "Ah, Pierson, you're awake, are you?"

"What about Collins? Have you received any new reports on his whereabouts?" Pierson asked, ignoring the pain in his shoulder.

"None at all," Natasha replied, her face serious. "No reports whatsoever. He's like a ghost, he can disappear at any time."

"Yes, that's why he's so well-trained," Pierson said, his gaze sharpening again. "I even respected him as my mentor at the CIA."

"Do you know why he hates us so much, especially Arata?" Natasha asked, sensing there was something deeper than just betrayal.

"Before that, can you get my tablet?"

Natasha handed him the tablet from the nightstand, and Pierson opened a file. "This is Marvin Collins," Pierson said, showing a photo of a cheerful young man to Natasha. "Collins's son. He was killed while on duty in Afghanistan five years ago."

Natasha looked at Pierson, confused. "Then, why did he become a traitor and found The Serpent?"

"I don't know. What's clear is that he sought justice from the American Government, but no one listened to him. It made him very frustrated," Pierson explained, his voice trembling. "What's more, his wife died in the Middle East two years ago from a misplaced missile, launched by a militia supported by the US. This truly changed him; his hatred became incredibly strong, a powerful desire to destroy America."

"Then why is he targeting Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and even Indonesia?"

"I don't know about Korea and Indonesia. What's clear is that Japan is a target because of something else." Pierson showed another photo on his tablet, which shocked Natasha.

The photo showed Arata, still in his military uniform, posing with his team in Afghanistan. Most surprisingly, among the team members was Marvin Collins, Collins's son. Arata had been the leader of Marvin's unit before becoming a Japanese special forces operative.

"So that's it," Natasha murmured, her eyes wide. "No wonder he hates him so much." Natasha looked at Pierson. "So, the next likely target?"

"Yes. Commander Arata. He is the next target," Pierson answered, his gaze filled with despair. "That's why we have to get to New Kyoto as soon as possible before it happens."

Meanwhile, in New Kyoto, Arata felt like something was following him. He caught a glimpse of a suspicious person but tried to think positively. He didn't want this tension to affect his students. Near him, Fujimori kept watching her teacher always looking behind him as if something was there.

They arrived at a restaurant. Arata chose not to go inside, while his students happily ordered food. Fujimori, seeing a good opportunity to talk to Arata, also went outside.

"Arata-Sensei? Why aren't you eating with them? Is something wrong?" Alena asked.

"Yes, I'm on a diet, keeping my body healthy, and I'm fasting," Arata replied, giving an excuse.

"I know, Sensei. You're hiding something, aren't you? I've been watching you all along."

"It would be best if you just pretended not to know, Fujimori."

Alena frowned. "Why are you threatening me? Don't think you can stand against me. Guess how many teachers I've made resign because they messed with me?"

Arata just stayed silent, not caring. Alena was annoyed and asked again.

"Why are those four so close to you? What did you do to them, Sensei?"

Arata remained silent.

"Fine, if you won't answer my question, just you wait," Alena threatened, her voice filled with anger. "I will destroy something you've built, Arata-Sensei." She then left, leaving Arata alone.

That night, Arata went out of the hotel again. This time, Reiji Narukami saw his teacher checking the surroundings back and forth.

"Looking for something, Arata-Sensei?" Reiji asked.

"No, I'm just jogging at night because I couldn't sleep. What about you? What are you doing out here?"

"I couldn't sleep either, Sensei. I keep thinking about how the peaceful city of New Tokyo could become a major battlefield."

They both ended up sitting on a park bench.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the son of Commissioner Kobayashi Narukami, right?" Arata asked.

"Yes? How do you know my father's name? Do you know him?"

"It's very clear. He was the one who helped me when I was very young. At that time, my sister and I were living on the harsh and cold streets. He offered us a place to stay in a former police dormitory."

"That's my father. He's a very kind and caring person. No wonder he's so respected by his subordinates and the public," Reiji said proudly.

"Oh, right, Sensei," Reiji looked at Arata seriously. "I've been seeing you look very exhausted. It would be good for you to rest. A soldier also needs to rest, doesn't he?"

Arata was stunned. "How did you know I was a soldier?"

"I've sensed it since the moment I entered Shogun Academy."

"You're amazing. You know a person's true nature right away. I'm truly jealous of you."

The next morning, the unexpected danger finally arrived. A minivan and a package delivery truck were hijacked by a group of terrorists, heading to New Kyoto. From a tall building, a person with brown skin, black hair, and green eyes held a sniper rifle. He was Spade, a mysterious and famous sniper.