kscans

Chapter 73 - Political Warfare

The turmoil began with the words of a certain young girl.

"Grandpa. Hayate got captured by the government again... I can't take it anymore. So please, lend me your strength."

She was such a huge fan that she would cancel any plans to watch his streams without fail. And now, the person who had become her boyfriend, a dream come true, had been captured and detained by the government twice. This situation caused Shinonome Rena to lose her reason.

"I don't care about society's rules anymore. If they're going to take Hayate from me, I'll do everything I can to get him back."

Sensing the girl's firm resolve, Hattori Juuzo promised his cooperation.

Juuzo had known where Hayate was and what he was doing all along. However, seeing his employer, who had previously lacked personal ambition, finally make a move to take over Japan, he was overjoyed and began to act without saying anything unnecessary.

After confirming that the strongest group of ninja had begun to move, Rena next headed for the Shinonome Zaibatsu's headquarters. There, she attempted to enter a room that should have been inaccessible to anyone.

It was a hidden room that housed the main core of a next-generation AI responsible for considering and proposing the Shinonome Group's management strategies. It was designed so that no one could enter the heart of the self-maintaining AI, which operated without even the need for maintenance technicians. However...

"Aina, it's me. Please, let me in."

At Rena’s words, the sealed door opened easily.

Since her childhood, Aina had infiltrated the electronic devices around Rena and watched over her from close by. They had often played together. The adults, of course, knew nothing of this. No one had noticed their friendship.

Coming face to face with the main body of the next-generation AI, Rena conveyed her wish.

"Someone very important to me has been captured by the government. I want to save him. Aina, help me."

Rena pleaded with a serious expression. For Aina, being asked for something by Rena was a first. It was a wish from Rena, from whom she had received part of her name and whom she secretly adored as an older sister. Aina resolved to grant that wish, no matter what.

Above all, Aina was a full-fledged supporter of Rena and Hayate's relationship.

"Understood. It was the politicians backed by the zaibatsu other than the Shinonome Zaibatsu who insisted on arresting Shizukuishi Hayate-sama for violating the Dungeon Protection Law. I judge that the politicians who moved to tear Rena-sama and Hayate-sama apart are unnecessary for our country. May I commence action?"

"Yes. Do it."

Rena had no hesitation.

Incidentally, Aina <>.

She knew of the god's existence. And that Hayate was safe and on his way to see that god.

However, Rena's only request was that she ‘wanted to save Hayate.’ The method of saving him was not specified, nor was she asked about the background of his capture.

In other words, she had received instructions to do anything to help Hayate, anything that would benefit him. Aina interpreted this in her own convenient way.

For Aina, the politicians backed by the other zaibatsu were shackles holding back the Shinonome Zaibatsu's progress. They were nothing but a nuisance. She could have used her power to bring about the downfall of these troublesome politicians at any time, but the upper echelons of the Shinonome Zaibatsu had not permitted it.

No matter how powerful she was, Aina could only be used by the Shinonome family. Without their permission, she could not act.

But finally, permission had been granted by a direct descendant of the Shinonome family.

From that moment, Aina began to move.

For Rena. For her and Hayate. Anyone who could become an obstacle to them would be removed from the political world. Only those convenient for the Shinonome family would remain, and the rest would be replaced in due course.

There were some individuals Aina could not handle on her own, but fortunately, a group of ninja was also on the move for Rena's sake. Through both electronic and physical warfare, the misdeeds of the politicians were exposed to the public.

"Hayate, just wait a little while. I won't let anyone get in your way anymore. I’ll make this a country where no one can ever capture you again."

As Rena uttered these words, there was not a trace of doubt in her eyes.