MTLNOVEL Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Temporary Ten Master Clans Meeting
March 2095
A rare in-person Ten Master Clans meeting convenes at a Hakone hotel, attended by all clan heads—a departure from the usual virtual gatherings. The agenda: deciding the fate of the Toyama family, one of the Eighteen Assistant Houses.
Two months ago, the Defense Force Intelligence Division targeted Yuto Nagano (me, Mitsuya Yugen) for "re-education," labeling me a threat. Their mistake? Attacking at the Ueyama family's main residence, the Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship headquarters, during a goodwill match with the Chiba-ryu. Master-level swordsmen and most of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion were present—a suicidal setup, like a video game boss rush with a secret boss triggering an unwinnable event.
The assault team was captured, and their mastermind, Tsukasa, faced Grandpa Gozo himself. He survived only because Gozo allowed it. Gozo summoned the Toyama head to his Tokyo estate, where they begged for their daughter's life. Gozo agreed but forced a signed oath: no abductions of his kin or allies, even under Defense Force orders, or face annihilation. His history in the Yotsuba's revenge war made him fiercely protective, and the Toyama and Intelligence Division had crossed a line.
The two-month delay in convening stemmed from Gozo's deliberation. The Saegusa and Juumonji clans' roles were too significant for the other 26 clans to bear, complicating the Toyama's punishment.
Saegusa Estate
Post-meeting, Saegusa head Koichi calls his daughter Mayumi to his study. Bracing for punishment over a Valentine's incident, she's surprised by his leniency.
"Saegusa stays as is?" Mayumi asks.
"Yes. Yotsuba taking Chubu and Tokai's oversight stings, but we share blame for the Toyama incident," Koichi admits.
He'd known of Toyama's plan to use the Defense Force against the Ueyama but ignored it, hoping to weaken Yotsuba-Mitsuya ties post-Okinawa. It backfired, enraging Gozo, who'd been inactive for years.
"Gozo Ueyama, Third Lab's owner and Shinkage-ryu grandmaster, warned us and Juumonji: 'Trying to kill my grandson is unforgivable. No second chances,'" Koichi recounts. Over 100 attackers were overlooked by the two clans, who now face consequences.
"Gozo fought in Yotsuba's revenge war—a one-man army. Even past his prime, he could erase hundreds," Koichi says.
"What's your plan? Media manipulation?" Mayumi asks.
"Nothing. With Gozo as Mitsuya's kin, we have to comply," Koichi replies, hands trembling.
The Mitsuya's third son's engagement to his third daughter was canceled due to Gozo and Yugen's anger. Other clans—Ichijo, Isshiki, Itsuwa, Kudou, and likely Yotsuba—are eyeing ties with Yugen.
"I kept this from you, but Izumi was secretly engaged to him. That's broken now. If you want, you could pursue him," Koichi offers.
"And Itsuwa?" Mayumi asks.
"We'll see," Koichi says, ending the conversation.
Alone, Koichi reflects on 30 years since Gozo's actions. Consulting his mentor, Kudou Retsu, he's stunned by Retsu's rebuke: "How long will you cling to the past?" Others have faced their scars, but Koichi struggles to let go. Unbeknownst to him, Mayumi's sister will soon confront him over the broken engagement.
Ichijo Estate, Kanazawa
Ichijo head Goki returns to Kanazawa post-meeting, not out of urgency but because there's no reason to linger in Tokyo. The Ichijo, without servants, rely on automation, freeing manpower for their vast defense region. His wife, Midori, greets him warmly.
"How was the meeting?" she asks.
"Nothing major, but Yotsuba officially joins the oversight system," Goki says.
"Trouble?" Midori asks.
"No, Maya seemed… calmer," Goki notes, sensing her growth since two years ago.
"Are Shoki and the others in their rooms?" he asks.
"Yes, with Shinkuro visiting," Midori replies.
"Ruri over Akane? Unexpected," Goki muses. Ruri, a second-grader, has a crush on Shinkuro, a third-year middle schooler headed to Third High—an eight-year age gap.
"Love ignores age. Akane's into her 'white knight,'" Midori teases.
"Who's from Mitsuya," Goki sighs.
Two years ago, at an Ichijo party, fourth-grader Akane confessed to "Yuto Nagano" (me), who gently declined, saying six years would let her feelings mature. Shoki's tactless comment earned him and Shinkuro a joint lock from me, followed by an apology. Goki forgave me, acknowledging Shoki's fault.
Magic clans favor early strategic marriages, but Goki prefers love matches like Mitsuya's. Shoki's blunder targeted a war hero's kin, leaving Goki no grounds to protest.
Over dinner, Goki briefs Shoki. "Toyama's spared but warned. Saegusa and Juumonji can't shield them anymore."
"Yotsuba's influence grows, and Mitsuya's rising. Gozo's move strengthened their bond," Shoki says, wary of Saegusa's oversight.
"I proposed Mitsuya take Sanin's oversight, but they declined," Goki admits, citing Sado's invasion alongside Okinawa's. Ichijo fortified Sado, saving researchers, thanks to Mitsuya's tip via Ueyama. Goki sees potential in Shinkuro, recommending him to the Magic Research Institute.
"If Yotsuba moves, Saegusa will. Ichijo can't lag," Goki says.
"Yugen's a Mitsuya, tied to Gozo via his mother, Shiho," Goki reveals.
Shoki's stunned. I used "Nagano" to avoid pressure as a Mitsuya. Goki sees my potential to shake things up, intrigued.
"If Yotsuba strengthens without harming others, I'm fine with it. We might cooperate, especially against New Soviet threats," Goki says, envisioning Mitsuya's intelligence aiding a Yotsuba-backed defense.
Shoki finds it far-fetched, but Goki sees necessity, even considering sending a daughter to solidify ties.
Yugen's Perspective
The Toyama incident was a mess. The Defense Force's attempt to "re-educate" me at the Ueyama residence was a disaster waiting to happen. Attacking during a Shinkage-ryu and Chiba-ryu goodwill match, with master swordsmen and the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion present? It was like walking into a lion's den with a steak suit.
Grandpa Gozo didn't hold back. Tsukasa, the mastermind, was lucky to walk away. Gozo dragged the Toyama head to his Tokyo estate, forcing a blood-oath: no targeting his kin or allies, or they're done. His Yotsuba revenge war days made that threat real.
The delay in the meeting came from Gozo's deliberation. Saegusa and Juumonji's influence complicated things—the other 26 clans couldn't handle the fallout alone.
The Saegusa's misstep with Toyama cost them. Koichi's plan to weaken Yotsuba-Mitsuya ties blew up, and now they're losing oversight to Yotsuba. My canceled engagement to Izumi? Gozo's fury and my own didn't help. I'm not bitter, but the Saegusa sisters' chocolates still sting.
Other clans are circling—Ichijo, Isshiki, Itsuwa, Kudou, even Yotsuba. Maya's calm demeanor at the meeting suggests she's playing a long game. Goki's openness to cooperation is promising, but I'm wary of being a pawn in their schemes.
For now, I focus on FLT and Taurus Silver with Tatsuya. My CAD designs—Valkyrie and Odin—are progressing, and the Loop Cast System's a game-changer. But the clan politics? They're a minefield. I'll need to tread carefully, especially with Shina starting to ask questions about my "Nagano" days.