Anime Multiverse: Building a Pantheon from Scratch

"Can you ride a motorcycle?"

In the underground parking garage, Inoue Takina walked up to a modified motorcycle and tossed a helmet toward Luo Shu.

With a crisp clack, Luo Shu caught the helmet, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Is it okay if I don't have a local license?"

He could ride a motorcycle and even had a license—but that was from mainland China. In this island country, he'd probably have to pass another test to ride legally.

"If you can ride, that's enough."

Inoue Takina put on her own helmet, her voice growing more focused and serious.

"For moving quickly through the city, cars are inefficient. On the contrary, motorcycles are more convenient. Of course, that convenience comes at the cost of a car's defensive capabilities, but considering this mission is about pinpoint eliminations, I recommend going with bikes."

As she spoke, she stared at Luo Shu without blinking, clearly waiting for his answer.

"Riding fast on a bike? I'm fine with that, as long as it doesn't end with me back in a police station again."

With a wry smile, Luo Shu slid the helmet on, then swung a leg over the blue-and-white motorcycle that a nearby staff member had prepped.

"As long as you're okay with it. Now, the next thing…"

Inoue Takina paused for a second and continued, "I want to eliminate as many suspected targets as possible. If the situation calls for it, I hope you'll agree to us splitting up."

"Of course, doing so will be riskier, but I…"

She trailed off, her heart uneasy. She knew that if Chisato Nishikigi were here, she'd never agree to this request.

Partner deployment was the minimum requirement for any SDS mission—solo operations were strictly forbidden. What Takina was proposing already skirted the very edge of SDS regulations, and if caught, she'd undoubtedly face disciplinary action.

But with the lives of over six million people in Chiba Prefecture at stake, she couldn't help hesitating.

Just then, Luo Shu retracted the bike's kickstand. With a faint click, he casually offered, "I actually think solo ops might be more suitable. I mean, even if I hate to admit it, my powers do lend themselves to single-person scouting."

On one hand, Luo Shu hadn't used his wind-elemental sorcery often, but he did understand how to use it for reconnaissance. Ever since his abilities leveled up, all the know-how had been imprinted directly into his mind.

On the other hand, working solo also gave him the perfect cover to selectively fabricate his reports—eventually handing over Katsuhiko Yakushiji's secrets to SDS at the right moment.

By now, Luo Shu had figured it out. He could let Sharon capture the demon while using SDS to keep Yakushiji's people busy, all while profiting from the shadows.

So naturally, this proposal for separate action was exactly what he wanted.

"Huh? Oh… right."

Inoue Takina blinked and finally remembered—Luo Shu was a wind-elemental sorcerer, one whose primary advantage was manipulating airflow for scouting.

In other words, while she had to carefully sneak up on a location and observe the suspected target before she could confirm it, Luo Shu simply needed to get near, throw out a wind-elemental probe, and the entire area's situation would be laid bare. Not only was it far safer, it was vastly more efficient.

"Sorry, that was inconsiderate of me."

She quickly abandoned her own motorcycle and walked over to Luo Shu. "From here on, I'll drive for you. You conserve your strength for recon."

"Huh?" Luo Shu blinked, a little dumbfounded.

Before he could respond, Takina had already moved in close, using her back and hips to try and push him toward the pillion seat.

"What are you spacing out for?" Takina furrowed her brows, clearly unaware of how stimulating this physical contact could be for a man. "Wind-elemental scanning drains mental stamina quickly. In this kind of situation, conserving your energy is a tactical necessity—so it makes more sense for me to handle the driving."

"I assume that's why Mr. Mika assigned me to lead the team," she added. "Chisato and Mizuki's driving skills are terrible. I'm the only one who can give you a smooth ride."

"…It is pretty comfortable," Luo Shu admitted reluctantly.

After being jostled around a few times, he was now in the unfortunate position of having his chest pressed against her back. Weren't we just talking about splitting up? he thought helplessly. Takina, you changed your mind way too fast!

"Alright then," Takina said brusquely, "sit tight. Hold on to me properly and lean back a bit. You're sticking a little too close."

You realize that now?! Luo Shu scooted back slightly, his face a mix of exasperation and resignation as he watched Takina swing her leg over the motorcycle and mount it. And just like that, they took off toward their first destination.

Holding onto her waist—a slim yet surprisingly soft waist—Luo Shu's thoughts began to drift.

Sure, they say it's better to cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle, but I'm the one sitting on the back of a bike right now. Somehow… that makes it a little complicated.

And then, in the very next second…

Wow, Takina's waist is really soft…

—

Chiba City. Inside a luxury villa in an upscale neighborhood.

A man sat leisurely on a sofa, slowly peeling an apple.

His hairline had retreated significantly. His round face and slightly puffy cheeks gave him an aged appearance, though his wrinkles were still relatively shallow. He had a thin mustache—the kind older men in this country often kept.

This was none other than Katsuhiko Yakushiji, the man the military had sealed off Chiba Prefecture to capture.

At the moment, he was watching the massive LCD television that covered most of the wall in front of him.

"Twenty minutes ago, the American side released a photo of the terrorist ringleader. I will now read out the related details."

"Katsuhiko Yakushiji, male, Yamato ethnicity, 71 years old, born in Showa year 25. Formerly served as a strategist in a certain organization in the Middle East…"

As the news anchor droned on, Yakushiji took a bite from his freshly peeled apple, juice dripping from the corner of his mouth. Calmly, he turned his gaze toward the family of four trembling near the wall.

Speaking to the elderly woman among them, he said in a serene voice, "Don't worry, Lady Yukinoshita. What they're showing on the news… is all fake."

As he spoke, a slow smile crept up his face, revealing eight teeth embedded with bits of apple flesh.