Selfish Bastard!

Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, underground secret conference room in the Prime Minister's Office. The air was thick with tension and excitement far beyond anything from days before. The massive screen cycled through aerial photos of the ruined Kejonuma Leisureland, lists of thank-you letters from embassies worldwide, and blaring headlines from global media proclaiming Japan's Miracle.

Sakamoto, Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office, wore exhaustion mingled with unmistakable satisfaction on his face.

"Tanaka, your report."

"Yes, Vice Minister."

Director Tanaka of the Public Security Intelligence Agency rose and stepped forward to the screen.

"To cut to the chase, the 'Eternal Nightmare' incident at Kejonuma Leisureland has been perfectly resolved without any casualties among Japanese civilians or government personnel, thanks to the code names 'Crow' and 'Fox.'"

He manipulated the remote, displaying a list of survivors marked with dozens of different national flags.

"The standout feature of this incident is that the victims weren't limited to Japanese nationals. According to survivor testimonies, they were forcibly summoned to Kejonuma Leisureland by some unknown force from amusement parks around the world—Universal Studios in Orlando, USA; Chick-Chick Land in Paris, France; even Nuguuri World in Korea. Without 'Crow' and 'Fox's intervention, this would have been a horrific international disaster with dozens of foreigners dying on Japanese soil, on top of the confirmed deaths."

Sakamoto nodded in satisfaction.

"But in the end, it turned out the opposite."

His voice dripped with glee.

"A surreal catastrophe striking Japan. Yet through it, innocent citizens from around the world were saved right here on our soil by these 'mysterious guardians.' Diplomatically, this is a massive boon. Japan now stands as the safest nation in this new era of Eternal Nightmares—even blessed by enigmatic saviors. This... elevates our national prestige to a whole new level. A true case of turning disaster into triumph."

The Kusanagi elder, who had remained silent until then, spoke gravely.

"I agree with you, Vice Minister. But we mustn't overlook one thing. This incident signals that the foreign media scum's invasion methods have evolved to a new stage. Beyond simply descending nightmares on one area, they can now randomly 'abduct' humans from across the globe and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠drag them onto their stage. We got lucky this time, but there's no guarantee next time."

His warning dampened the room's excited atmosphere momentarily. Tanaka picked up the thread.

"You're right, Elder. And... to prepare for that 'next time,' Korea has sent an urgent request for intelligence sharing."

He brought up the official request from South Korea's National Intelligence Service on the screen.

"They're demanding everything we have on this incident, citing links to the 'Fox Mask' in Seoul."

Sakamoto stared at the document like it was a filthy bug, then snorted derisively.

"Fools."

He stood and paced the room ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slowly.

"They tried to snag the savior who appeared on their turf with that bait, only to botch it and let him slip away. Now that we've handled everything, they want to reap the benefits for free? No way in hell."

He turned coldly to Tanaka.

"Reply like this."

"First, we'll share basic identity and health info on the 'Korean survivors' rescued on Japanese soil, purely on humanitarian grounds. It's our duty as allies."

"Second, all other information—especially any analysis on 'Crow' and 'Fox'—is classified as Japan's top national security priority and cannot be shared with any nation. Make it polite but firm."

This wasn't mere refusal. It was Japan's declaration to the world: 'Crow and Fox Mask are now under our sphere of influence. We're their sole link. Want info on them? Want their power? From now on, you go through us.'

Everyone in the room grasped the implications. Japan was no longer a bystander in this new era. It had seized the most vital 'key,' becoming a central player.

The same moment, underground bunker of the National Intelligence Service in Seoul's Seocho District. The air was chillingly frigid and murderous, incomparable to the Prime Minister's Office.

The massive screen didn't show Kejonuma's ruins but the gruesome aftermath report from the battle in central Seoul last time.

The NIS Deputy Director rubbed his dry face with trembling hands as he listened to the report. Department heads sat before him, heads bowed like criminals.

"What... what the hell is this?!"

The deputy director finally slammed the table, roaring.

"In the heart of our capital, our elite agents get swept away like leaves by mystery terrorists, a police chopper gets shot down! And our key 'bait,' Kim Sea, gets kidnapped! Is this... is this even remotely acceptable?!"

One head spoke up hesitantly.

"Deputy Director... the enemy was beyond human. According to our agents' testimonies..."

"Shut up!"

His rage now targeted the incident's culprit, the 'Crow Sorcerer.'

"Selfish bastard! Thinks he can let the country burn just because he's got power? Fine, we get it—you're strong! But this isn't just your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠playground! There's a duty to protect the people...!"

It was classic blame-shifting, rooted more in emotion than logic—pure audacity pinning their incompetence on the foe's uncooperativeness and selfishness.

"What about the Japanese reply?"

He barely reined in his emotions, asking the overseas liaison.

The man sweated profusely before speaking.

"We... just got their response."

He displayed the reply from Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office on the screen.

"...They say they can't share anything beyond basic info on Korean survivors. Citing 'top national security priority.'"

"Wha... what?!"

The deputy director's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Those monkey bastards... dare to...!"

Raw fury erupted, devoid of diplomatic polish.

"Begging for all our info when it hit their turf! Now that we need help, it's 'national security'? Bullshit!"

The anger stemmed not just from the refusal, but deeper, stickier jealousy.

"'Crow'... seems he's shifted his main stage from Korea to Japan."

His voice turned bitter.

"Masakado incident, this 'Fox Mask' bitch— all tied to Japan. Now delivering civilians worldwide to Japanese soil for his savior show... Ha! He's practically their guardian deity now."

Everyone grasped it. The card they'd discarded had become a joker elevating a rival nation's status, and they could only watch helplessly.

"We have to... somehow lure him back to our side."

A young agent declared resolutely.

"I don't know what Japan offered, but we can top it! Money, honors, or... women!"

But his passionate cry echoed hollowly in the room's cold despair. They dimly realized the river couldn't be uncrossed.

The same moment, U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The Senate Armed Services Committee hearing boiled with fury and sharp rebukes.

Senator John Connor, a white-haired Vietnam vet veteran, glared at top Pentagon and CIA brass in the witness box and bellowed.

"Goddamn it, what the hell is this?!"

Behind him, a massive screen listed Eternal Nightmare damages across the U.S. over recent months, with horrific photos.

"American citizens! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Our kids, wives, husbands! Dragged from their homes and streets by mystery monsters! And what have the mighty U.S. military and world's top intel agency been doing? Pouring billions in taxes yearly just for 'unknown cause,' 'no countermeasures' excuses?!"

The Secretary of Defense and CIA Director sat stone-faced, silent.

Connor caught his breath and advanced the slide. Now it showed the globally infamous plague doctor-masked sorcerer alongside photos of two Arizona college students he'd saved.

"What's even more humiliating is this! 'Crow'! He first saved our citizens on our soil! We had hope—a powerful ally against this hell. But where is he now?"

He pounded the screen.

"Japan! And Korea! Why isn't he fighting for us anymore?! You seeing the internet uproar? 'Government made him an enemy,' 'Japan stole him'! People are losing faith in the federal government and military! If that's not the biggest national security crisis, what is?!"

The CIA Director finally spoke haltingly.

"Senator... our analysis suggests 'Crow' is... highly likely Korean. So his focus on East Asia..."

"Bullshit!"

Connor exploded again.

"Then explain Japan! He's more active there now! With a 'Fox Mask' partner—Japan's symbol! Even delivering global civilians to their turf for a rescue show! Japan's getting thank-yous worldwide, branding itself 'safest nation'! While we lose citizens to monsters! You think this makes sense?!"

The hearing froze under the barrage. Connor yanked off his tie roughly and concluded.

"I... don't know if he's human, monster, or god. But one thing's clear: He has power, and it delivers results."

He commanded the witnesses.

"Reconnect with him somehow. Money, tech, every diplomatic card we have. Make him fight for us again. If not... at least snag his tech, those survival items he creates."

"This... isn't a request. It's an order in the name of the American people."