The Raven Dark Hero 63

Chapter 63 : Byakkotai Advances

TL:SummerPeanut

Roughly 20 minutes ago...

Sagara, a member of the Byakkotai, had met up with the main team to inform them that two of Shiroyume’s numbers ambushed them inside the hideout.

“I see. There's a good chance that our plan was leaked to some extent…”

After receiving the information from Sagara, Senzaki considered what to do.

(...If that's the case, there's a high probability that Shiroyume’s members are waiting for us in perfect shape. I guess we've lost half the advantage of sending an elite group... Should we call HQ and wait for backup or...?)

“Byakkotai! All units advance!”

While Senzaki was still struggling to come up with a plan, Byakkotai led by Madarame began to prepare for the invasion.

“Madarame. I understand how you feel, but you need to refrain from acting on your own.”

Senzaki, as commander in chief, discouraged the Byakkotai.

“We've got people waiting for us inside! We can't just sit here and do nothing!”

Madarame disagreed with him, a lieutenant general’s, order. If it were anyone other than the mild-mannered Senzaki, this would be an act that could be punished severely.

However, given Madarame's desire to save his friends and the current level of danger, Senzaki thought he would be willing to allow it, but only on one condition.

“...I understand. But, it's absolutely crucial that you come back immediately after you join up with the advance team.”

“YESSIR! ALRIGHT, LET’S DO THIS!!”

The Byakkotai entered the hideout with great enthusiasm.

Senzaki allowed Byakkotai to enter but wondered if it was really the right thing to do. If, for some reason, Madarame and the others didn't come back... they wouldn't even be able to stop this operation, and Shiroyume would be able to take back the control of the situation and drag them down.

“Nature Stranger, we also need to be ready to move in at any moment.”

“Understood. Yellow, White, understand?”

“Ah. I’m always ready!”

“…I understand.”

(5 minutes. If the Byakkotai doesn't come back in five minutes, we're going in. But before that, we need to first inform the headquarters of the current situation…)

-The first floor of Shiroyume’s hideaway.

“Oh! You're all right, Iwashita!”

Byakkotai, led by Madarame, had entered the hideout and had safely joined Iwashita, who had gone ahead of them.

“Yeah. But Sanada followed Shiroyume’s Genji and Yone to the back.”

“I see. He's a member of the Byakkotai, after all. We can't just abandon him, can we? So let's split into two groups here. Sagara will lead the group pursuing Sanada. The rest of you can go outside with me... hmm?”

At that moment, Madarame noticed something strange.

The Byakkotai has a total of 20 members, but since the captain didn't show up today, there were 19. Hiro was the first to charge in, so there should have been 18 of them but they couldn't divide themselves evenly into two groups. The numbers didn’t add up.

“...all units, roll call from the right-hand side!”

The members of the team were confused by the sudden order from Madarame, but they started the roll call.

13… 14… 15… 16…

...it was cut off there. But there were even fewer of them now.

“We're under attack!! All hands alert!!”

With Madarame at the centre, the entire squad took up a 360-degree position.

“......Well well, I'm surprised you noticed me so soon. That's an elite unit for you.”

From the depths of the hideout, Genji appeared with his strings wavering around.

“...You're, Genji, the number two of Shiroyume, aren't you? Where did you send my other units?”

“No need to worry, they're safe. I'm just taking them to the VIP room one step ahead of you. Follow me…”

Obviously, this was a trap, no matter how one interpreted it. If it were just Madarame alone, he would never accept such an offer. However, he was now in charge of the squad.

The Byakkotai was a new organization, having been formed less than half a year ago. However, the members were made up of promising young soldiers, and Madarame hoped that they would be able to move up the ladder in the future.

On top of that, the upper age limit was 25, and Madarame, who was 24 when the group was formed and was also a second lieutenant at the top of his class, believed that he was the one who would be appointed as captain.

However, Mizutani Fuuka was the one who had been appointed as captain. She had risen through the ranks exceptionally quickly to become the youngest female major general.

In the beginning, Madarame had looked down on Fuka as a mascot to attract attention. Not only Madarame, but the rest of the squad must also have thought so as well. But Fuuka was strong. And she was resolute. It was hard to believe that she was only a teenager.

So it was a stroke of luck for Madarame that Fuuka had made a mistake during the shopping mall incident. In the absence of the captain, he saw it as a chance to win the hearts of the other members of the squad as vice-captain and replace the unworthy Fuuka as captain.

To be honest, the lives of one or two members of the team were not dear to Madarame. But if he abandoned them here, his efforts to win the hearts and minds of the squad over the past week would be for nought or so he thought.

“…Sagara, I'm sorry, but please relay the message to Commander Senzaki again. The rest of us are all moving inside. We can't leave our own behind…”

Despite the words he squeezed out of his mouth, he could not hide the bitterness on his face, but fortunately, no one saw his expression.

“Now, why don’t you show us the way. we'll go to the VIP room or whatever.”

“It’s good that the talk is smooth. This way... follow me.”

The members of the Byakkotai followed Genji... They didn't know that the road was a straight path to hell….

Author’s Note:

It was a bit short, but it's a good start, so that's it for today.

Vice-captain Madarame… Good luck~(LOL)

<<Prev 

Next>> 

TL: A filler. At least it’s short.