Chapter 32: Ghost Protocol

The hospital room felt unfamiliar yet cool. For two weeks, it had been the only world for Arata Masamune. His ears were ringing, and his body was still stiff. He tried to get up from the bed, but the sharp pain throughout his body forced him to lie back down.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Pierson and Natasha entered with tense expressions. In their hands, a tablet displayed news reports from all over the world. Arata could only watch the sight on the screen in silence. Paris, London, Berlin—all major cities were under attack, bombed and shot. The scene was worse than he had ever imagined.

"You're awake, Arata?" Pierson greeted him, his voice tired. "You missed a lot."

"What's happening? Who's doing this?" Arata asked, his voice hoarse.

"It's an intentional scenario. Many countries are blaming each other," Natasha replied bitterly. "America has issued a DEFCON 2 command, and Asian countries are preparing for national lockdowns."

Pierson nodded. "This is the beginning of a great chaos. A third world war, Arata. And it's unavoidable."

Seeing the chaos, Arata fell silent. He knew he had to do something. He couldn't stand by.

"I will follow this protocol," Arata said, surprising Pierson and Natasha. "But I have one condition."

"What is it?" Pierson asked.

Arata looked directly at Pierson. "I want my students to know that I'm still alive."

"That's impossible, Arata. Their safety will be at risk," Natasha objected.

"They have extraordinary connections, even to the underworld. They're more than just assets," Arata reasoned. "And I can't let them stay in that state of grief. Trust me, I need them."

Pierson weighed his options, then finally nodded. "Okay. But if anything goes wrong, the responsibility is on you."

The next day, Akari, Shion, Daigo, Mei, and Alena were picked up one by one by secret agents. Still in a state of grief, they were brought to a hospital lobby. They had no idea what was happening until the elevator doors opened, and they saw a figure in a wheelchair.

It was Arata.

They were all in shock. Their mouths fell open, and the tears they had held back now streamed down their faces.

"Sensei..." Alena whispered, in disbelief. Mei and Akari screamed hysterically, tears soaking their cheeks. Daigo and Shion, who were usually stoic, could only shed tears. The five of them immediately rushed to Arata, hugging him tightly. Arata smiled faintly, patting their backs, feeling the warmth he had longed for.

After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, Arata explained his plan. "I'm alive, but to the world, I'm dead. This is Ghost Protocol. I'll work from the shadows, while you will be my eyes and ears on the outside."

"So what do we have to do, Sensei?" Reiji asked, his voice still trembling.

"Our first target is a corrupt official in Tokyo who betrayed this country and gave information to the ARAAF," Arata explained. "The five of you have connections that are far wider than you imagine. I will be the brain, and you are my hands and feet." Alena, who stood a little apart from the others, just nodded in agreement. The five of them, with determination in their eyes, agreed.

That afternoon, as their car drove towards Tokyo Bay, Pierson looked at Arata. This was the right time to tell him everything.

"Arata," Pierson began, his voice low but firm. "The mastermind behind all this chaos, who wants to turn the world to war, is Collins."

Arata fell silent, processing the name he knew so well. "Collins...?"

"Yes. He's taking revenge on the entire world because he believes it took his family from him," Pierson continued, his gaze piercing. "And he's also blaming you."

"Blaming me?" Arata frowned. "For what?"

Pierson looked straight into Arata's eyes. "Because he believes you took his son... Don't you remember the name Marvin?"

The name hit Arata like a hammer. Marvin. His memory flashed back to the brutal battlefield. He saw him again—Marvin, a young soldier, brave and full of spirit. He remembered the moment perfectly: the sound of a deadly sniper shot, the warning he gave Marvin, and Arata's scream.

Arata closed his eyes, his breath caught in his throat. He remembered. Marvin didn't die in an ordinary attack. He died trying to protect a civilian from a sniper's bullet. The mission had failed, but Marvin had fallen as a hero.

Opening his eyes again, a burning rage was visible in Arata's eyes. A rage not just because of the accusation, but because of the cruel and unjust lie.

"He's blaming me... even though Marvin fell as a hero," Arata said, his voice filled with deep anger.

"He no longer sees the truth, Arata," Pierson replied. "He only sees hatred. That's why he wants to burn the entire world."

Arata clenched his fists. He had to stop Collins, not just for the world, but to clear Marvin's name and honor his sacrifice.

Pierson looked out the window. "It's time," he said. "Tokyo Bay is ahead. The target is ready."

With renewed determination, Arata prepared himself. The first mission of Ghost Protocol had just begun.