Kaiju No.8: Devour and Evolve

Who was Isao Shinomiya?

As a high-ranking officer of the Defense Force, his decisions carried the weight of countless lives. Renowned as the strongest man in the world of Kaiju No. 8, his presence was nothing short of seismic.

His unexpected arrival at Yokohama General Hospital, in a private capacity and without prior notice, was like an earthquake shaking the institution to its core.

Kafka Hibino, already consumed with guilt over Drake Myers' hospitalization, barely registered Kikoru Shinomiya's sarcastic comments.

Meanwhile, Reno Ichikawa, ever observant, was the first to notice the imposing figure entering the room.

The sight of Isao Shinomiya left him frozen for a solid half-minute before he finally mustered the courage to salute. "Sir, it's an honor! I'm a huge fan!"

For someone like Reno, usually cold and stoic, this uncharacteristic display of emotion spoke volumes.

Kafka's Reaction

"What?" Kafka turned, and upon seeing Isao, his jaw dropped. "General Shinomiya?" He bolted toward the man, only to be stopped by Reno in the nick of time.

Isao raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the unnecessary commotion.

The steward, Seibuya, swiftly stepped forward to escort Kafka and Reno out of the room, making it clear that his master wished to speak with Drake privately.

Even Kikoru was ushered out, leaving only Isao and Drake in the room.

A Tense Confrontation

The scene was almost comical:

On one side was Isao Shinomiya, a towering, lion-like figure exuding dominance with his golden hair and beard.

On the other was Drake Myers, looking frail and weak, bandaged up and hooked to an IV drip, the picture of helplessness.

"So, you're the young man with the strength of a Level 3–4 kaiju? Drake Myers?" Isao's voice was calm, yet tinged with skepticism.

Drake, using the barrier ability he had recently absorbed, maintained the illusion of his injuries.

Feigning fatigue, he replied with a faint smile, "That's me. I must admit, I didn't expect the great Isao Shinomiya to visit me. Does this count as a stroke of luck?"

"Don't get cheeky, kid," Isao snapped, his tone turning icy. "Consider this a warning—stay away from my daughter.

"For now, you've been confirmed as human. But who knows what's lurking behind the scenes? You've hidden your secrets well, but it's a shame we couldn't find anything non-human about you."

His rugged face radiated authority, his every word carrying an unspoken threat.

A Protective Father

Isao's hostility toward Drake wasn't baseless.

His daughter, Kikoru, had invested considerable time and energy into this young man, a fact that infuriated him as a father.

To his knowledge, Kikoru barely knew Drake.

After returning from the U.S., she hadn't even made time to see her father. Instead, she had thrown herself into joining the Third Defense Division, where she crossed paths with Drake.

What was it about this young man that had captivated her attention so quickly?

Drake's Response

"You're mistaken, sir," Drake replied, his smile never faltering. "I have no backing, no hidden motives. And as for Kikoru, it's not like I sought her out.

"Perhaps it's just fate? You know, that strange connection between people that can't be explained."

"Cut the nonsense!" Isao's expression darkened further. "When are you joining the Defense Force? I can arrange for you to be transferred to headquarters immediately."

Drake almost laughed at the proposition.

Join the Defense Force?

His ambitions were far greater than that. He aimed to create his own faction, not to be a subordinate.

"Apologies, sir, but I don't think I'm ready yet," Drake said, his voice tinged with feigned regret. "I need to recover first.

"Recent events have felt like a dream—so surreal that I can't even tell what's real anymore.

"Maybe once I'm discharged, I'll go back to being a normal person. Meanwhile, you and the Defense Force will remain untouchable in your lofty heights."

His words were a carefully crafted mix of humility and deflection.

A Reluctant Acceptance

"Hmph, you don't seem like a schemer. More like a fool chasing after glory," Isao scoffed. "Every year, countless young men like you are born in the Sakura Nation.

"Fine. Recover first. There are still two months left until the recruitment period ends.

"Let's see if you can prove yourself then."

Isao's gaze lingered on Drake, scrutinizing his every word and movement. The young man didn't seem particularly cunning—just a reckless spirit eager to stand out.

Still, Isao trusted the Defense Force's advanced surveillance systems to detect any anomalies.

"Understood!" Drake replied, offering a mock salute from his hospital bed.

Isao waved dismissively. "If you have potential, you might even become the next Gen Narumi.

"But if I find out you've crossed any lines—especially with Kikoru—you won't live to regret it."

Drake maintained his composure, though inwardly, he found Isao's overprotectiveness amusing.

Closing Thoughts

For Isao, this visit was more than a simple check-in.

It was the first time his daughter had asked him for something since returning from the U.S., and it involved Drake.

The thought of this frail-looking young man getting closer to Kikoru made Isao's fists itch.