Chapter 283: Chapter 281: Victory and Glory Belong to the City Atop the Mountain_1
Across the ocean, the White House.
Twilight shrouded the power center of this superpower.
On the top floor of a building that looked somewhat old, warm light illuminated an office.
Files upon files were stacked on the desk. Intelligence from all over the world had been sorted and was ready for the room’s occupant to process.
This was power.
The Secretary of State flipped through the reports submitted by his subordinates, quickly considering their veracity and how much they might be padded.
To think that subordinates wouldn’t deceive him just because of his high position was nothing but an illusion common among those in power.Usually, only those completely ignorant of politics harbored such illusions, believing that merely occupying a certain seat equated to true control.
The Secretary of State was clearly no such amateur; he understood all too well the conflicting interests at play, both above and below him. Anyone whose interests were threatened would choose to conceal and deceive.
There were some concealments the Secretary of State could not accept, while others he could tolerate.
For instance, there was John’s report from the CIA Japanese Branch, detailing how Jack had discovered Dio’s whereabouts and pursued him. Such a narrative actually contained a loophole.
But the Secretary of State wouldn’t dwell on that loophole. Instead, he filed it away in his mind, just in case it was needed later. It might also be completely forgotten, never to be brought up again.
This was because John’s performance had satisfied the Secretary of State. That individual consistently supplied intelligence a step ahead of the Japanese government. Impressed by the quality of his work, the Secretary of State chose to overlook certain things. He valued results over the process.
KNOCK, KNOCK. A gentle rapping came from the door. The Secretary of State looked up. "Please come in."
The doorknob turned, and an elderly man with white hair carefully stepped in, his expression somewhat tense. Being suddenly summoned by the Empire’s fifth-highest-ranking official made him quickly recap his entire life, yet he still couldn’t comprehend the specific reason.
"Doctor Emilio, I truly apologize for disturbing your rest this evening," the Secretary of State said. He rose, poured a cup of black tea for the professor renowned in biology, and sat down close to him, engaging in casual conversation.
Gradually, the nervousness Doctor Emilio felt began to dissipate.
Halfway through their conversation, the Secretary of State suddenly changed the subject. "I hear your recent biological experiments have run into some funding difficulties?"
"Yes." Doctor Emilio nodded. He possessed genuine skills but wasn’t adept at marketing, which led potential benefactors to doubt that his abilities were superior to others. Because those benefactors were amateurs. Compared to someone like him, who could only discuss dry academic theories, they preferred doctors who dared to make grand claims and express themselves with conviction. Coupled with his straightforward temperament and lack of networking skills, the consequence was that no benefactor was willing to invest in his research projects. The university also provided little funding. He could only use his own salary for small-scale experiments. While his papers were outstanding, he had never received an award. That’s why he couldn’t understand why the influential Secretary of State had suddenly sought him out.
"I learned of your situation from Dr. Migen; he has nothing but high praise for your talent. Our government has a new project, and we would like to invite you to lead it."
The Secretary of State had initially been skeptical of Dr. Migen’s recommendation, but his doubts largely faded after meeting Doctor Emilio. In an America where personal connections permeated every facet of society, the fact that someone with such a personality could still be a university tutor without being dismissed was proof enough of his competence. And right now, they needed competent people to get things done.
"What project?" Surprise painted Doctor Emilio’s face. In all his sixty-three years, he had never encountered such good fortune.
"It concerns the development of Superpowers." The Secretary of State said this and laid a photograph on the table. "This picture was taken in Japan, with no special effects. This is a real Superpower User. The destroyed site is Biological Research Lab 47. Their primary focus was using hybrid toxins to stimulate the human body’s internal potential, thereby awakening Superpowers. We have backups of the relevant experimental data, which you can review at any time if you agree to take on the project."
Doctor Emilio swallowed the retort that had almost left his mouth. As he looked at the photograph, his expression became extremely complex—a mixture of thrill, excitement, and a degree of skepticism. Then, he dismissed his skepticism. I’m just an obscure doctor, he thought. There’s no value in the Secretary of State deceiving me.
A serious expression settled on his face as he understood what taking on this project would entail. If it succeeded, the entire world would undergo a drastic change. For better or for worse? That was completely unclear.
He slowly extended his hands and, with great solemnity, took the photograph. He gazed at the figure amidst the mountains as one might gaze upon a lover, and whispered, "I accept your invitation." Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds... he mused.
Oppenheimer, before creating the atomic bomb, had clearly understood that the weapon would change human history. Yet, he still chose to create it. Scientists always love pursuing truth, even if the truth they pursue might destroy all of humanity.
"I’m delighted to collaborate with you," the Secretary of State said, a faint smile on his lips. Biological Research Lab 47 is gone, but we can simply build another. As long as we avoid building it in Japan, to prevent Dio from discovering it. This time, we’ll choose a location within the United States itself. Regardless of the investment, they had to become the first nation in the world to master Superpowers.
According to intelligence from the CIA, the only two other countries in the world capable of threatening the United States’ position had also begun preparing plans in this area. Specific details were beyond the CIA’s grasp; these were matters of the highest state secrecy, not easily uncovered. Some countries in the European Union were also becoming restless. But glory and Victory will ultimately belong to the city at the pinnacle.
After sending off Doctor Emilio, the Secretary of State picked up the next document. Superpower Users were a matter requiring his special attention, but the turbulence on the international scene was also something he could not afford to ignore. It seemed there was some new trouble brewing in the Middle East. In the past, the Secretary of State might have treated chaos there as an opportunity. But times had changed. Both he and the United States needed stability; the seeds of any new chaos had to be swiftly extinguished.
「Japan, Tokyo.」
The rain outside the classroom continued to fall relentlessly.
Ayatsuki Ayaka stood in the hallway, looking out through the window. The raindrops, as large as soybeans, showed no sign of abating. Her hand, extended outside for just a moment, was quickly soaked. If she curled her fingers even slightly, she could swiftly accumulate a small pool of rainwater in her palm.
Ayatsuki Ayaka sighed, a touch of girlish sorrow clouding her normally cheerful face. "Ah, our afternoon date at Shinjuku Central Park might be ruined. This downpour isn’t suitable for a walk at all."
Takahashi Saeko glanced outside and laughed. "Ayaka, remember this: heavy rain, much like men, often doesn’t last long. Don’t worry. Just listen to me: prepare to wear shoes that are easy to slip in, and then go out without an umbrella. If it’s still raining this afternoon, you’ll get to experience the romance of walking with Aozawa in the rain."
"Hehe~" Hearing this, Ayatsuki Ayaka’s confidence returned. She quickly withdrew her hand and splashed the water towards Takahashi Saeko’s face. "Take that!"
Takahashi Saeko swiftly dodged, letting the water splash onto the ground. She teased, "If you want to ambush me, you’ll have to try again in a hundred years."
Ayatsuki Ayaka muttered, "Saeko, next time you won’t be able to dodge!"
"That’s impossible." Takahashi Saeko rolled her eyes. Unless I deliberately let Ayaka splash me, how could I, with the reflexes and agility of a Street Cleaner, possibly be caught off guard by her sudden ambush?
DING DONG DONG~
The bell for class rang. The Hot Girl quartet didn’t linger in the hallway but entered the classroom through the front door.
Ayatsuki Ayaka’s gaze swept past the desks, landing on the last row by the window. Aozawa smiled at her.
Ayatsuki Ayaka smiled back, her heart thumping wildly as she thought of the moments alone with Aozawa that were to come, and even the possibility of scenes filled with a romantic atmosphere.
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s gaze swept over the giggling Ayatsuki Ayaka at the door, then shifted to Aozawa behind her. "Hmph." A soft snort escaped her delicate nose. She asked, "You two have plans later, don’t you?" Her tone betrayed a hint of sourness. My only upcoming plans are various school assignments, she thought.
Aozawa smiled. "Yes, we’re going for a stroll in Shinjuku Central Park this afternoon."
"You’ve picked a rather poor time then. According to the weather forecast, it’s supposed to rain heavily all day."
"The weather forecast is never accurate," Aozawa replied. He wasn’t concerned; I just need to transform into the Wind Element to disperse these clouds and return Tokyo to the sun’s embrace, he thought.
Phoenix Academy Maggie thought for a moment, then said nothing more. Class was about to start, and anything she said could easily be overheard by those in front. She turned around, took out her textbook, and silently prayed in her heart. Let the rain keep falling all day, she prayed. I’d rather the downpour flood every street and alley in Tokyo than let Aozawa and Ayatsuki Ayaka legitimately stroll through Shinjuku Central Park together!
The heavy rain did not heed Phoenix Academy Maggie’s wishes. By the third period, the downpour had lessened to a drizzle. After school, not another drop of rain fell from the sky. The air was fresh and clean.
Ayatsuki Ayaka’s face was full of excitement as she waved. "Saeko, Maru, Kaoru, see you on Monday~"
"Are you planning to save all your weekend time for Aozawa?" Miyahara Kaoru teased. "We can still meet on Sunday, can’t we?"
"Of course! How could I forget you guys?" Ayatsuki Ayaka responded cheerfully, seeing her friend practically bouncing with anticipation.
They had no doubt Ayatsuki Ayaka would prioritize a boy over them. It was just lucky she didn’t have plans with Aozawa on Sunday. If she had, they probably wouldn’t see her for shopping trips for a long time to come.
"Ayaka, go for it!" Despite her thoughts, Takahashi Saeko patted Ayatsuki Ayaka’s shoulder with a smile. "Don’t forget the techniques Maru and I taught you."
"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely use all my killer moves, one hundred percent!" Ayatsuki Ayaka replied, brimming with confidence.