[79: The Nightmare of the HPSC]
The only thing running on the news was the death of the HPSC president and the new leaks on the HPSC. The management of this crisis had reached catastrophic levels. And the timing of it was one that was impossible to ignore.
"This is no longer a conspiracy! These new leaks are the final nail in the coffin! It's over for the HPSC! And the heroes, government, and the police are all complicit in it! It's good riddance that she was killed! She deserved it!" Some journalists, mainly independent ones with their own networks, let their bias and opinions be strongly known.
"We have news that the government is conducting an immediate investigation into the HPSC following the recent leaks as well as the death of the HPSC president." A news broadcast said.
An independent platform, with a moderate following. "A political earthquake! The most extensive leaks yet! Former HPSC presidents and high-level officials revealed as names have appeared in new leaks, and previously censored leaks are now uncensored! Heroes, high-level government agents, people in police departments, the military, politicians, and more have been named and implicated in these files!"
A mainstream news channel. "Breaking news! A large wave of resignations has hit the HPSC! Many high-level employees and other workers of the HPSC have resigned from their positions! Various statements from high-level government officials have distanced themselves from the HPSC."
A formal news channel. "Emergency succession protocols have been initiated in the HPSC following the wave of resignations. Whether this will work, nobody knows, but critics have mentioned that the quality of the HPSC will decrease following these leaks."
This channel was showing the police escorting someone in handcuffs, grabbing them by the arms and forcing them forward. The person had a suit on. They had their heads down. "We have footage here of a high-level HPSC official being taken in by police. This is not the only instance of this happening. Many officials, even after they've resigned, have been detained or arrested by the police."
A video on YouTube. "This just in: the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor-General have announced that they will work together to ensure justice is dealt to those implicated in the leaks. They promise to bring forth the harshest penalties, including up to the death penalty if applicable."
A controversial podcast that received a large influx in viewership after the HPSC leaks and assassination of the HPSC president. "The HPSC are terrorists! The death penalty! Bring it forth!"
A talk show between pundits who were having an intense argument. "Every hero should be ashamed of themselves! They're all complicit! Even All Might! His greatest time of peace was built on the back of assassinations, silencing, getting rid of witnesses, and choosing who was worthy of saving! If All Might knew what the HPSC was doing, he would've said something about it! But he didn't!"
"The only reason All Might said nothing was because the HPSC kept it hidden from him! All Might is the strongest hero in Japan, and one of the strongest in the world! Of course the HPSC wouldn't want All Might to know! He would've punched their headquarters into dust!"
"Oh, yeah?! And then what?! His reputation would've been ruined and he would've been cast aside! It's obvious the HPSC has the capability to do that, since they've already done it! Even someone like All Might was scared of the HPSC! And Hawks should resign completely as a hero! He's just as bad!"
"Hawks was raised by the HPSC! They used him as a child soldier and put in his mind that the HPSC is important to him! The leaks show the HPSC took him from a bad household! They gave Hawks structure and a reason for living!"
"And his reason for living was supporting an institution that never batted an eye at silencing witnesses! At assassinating heroes who got too close to the truth or wanted to expose them! At being willing to leave people behind if it didn't help form their own narrative! At destroying the reputation of people who only wanted to improve society! Hawks being raised as a child by the HPSC is no excuse or justification! He deserves to be in jail! Send him to Tartarus!"
Various opinions, some potentially extreme, were only on multiple channels on the TV. Even regularly programmed shows and entertainment were scrapped to focus extensively on coverage of the massive HPSC scandal.
The TV was turned off. "This is beyond our scope now, Nezu. This is in the hands of the government," Aizawa said, turning to face Nezu.
Nezu and Aizawa had been very busy ever since they saw the assassination of the HPSC president on live TV. They had barely gotten any sleep.
"Yes, but…do you really think they're doing this with the full intention of delivering justice? They're also doing this to make themselves look better. To distance themselves as much as possible and secure a better reputation for any upcoming elections."
"You're not wrong, Nezu. The situation has been rapidly deteriorating. This is even running on international news."
"What are other countries saying?"
"The usual. Formal statements of condemnation and stuff like that. So far it's China, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, India, England, Canada, Mexico, America, Brazil, Germany. Just to name a few."
"Well, at least they're only talking about it."
"Let's hope it stays that way. As far as they're concerned, this is mostly an internal conflict in Japan."
"Internal. Yes, but it's obvious that intelligence agencies are keeping a close eye on all of this and probably reporting back."
"That's a problem for the government. As I said before, this is beyond our scope now."
"The National Intelligence Bureau and National Intelligence Council are going to be very busy."
⁂
(Langley, Virginia, CIA Headquarters.)
In the office of the director of the CIA, a few files were on their desk. Among them was the latest report regarding the situation in Japan about the HPSC, as well as some older files regarding previous reports on the leaks.
"Damn, what a situation they got going on over there. This is definitely getting sent to the president." The director was looking at the newest file and comparing it to the old reports. Sure, they had an idea of what was going on with the HPSC, but it's not like they did any better themselves.
The director saw that some things were right and some were wrong from the previous reports in terms of the information they used to fill in the gaps of the initial censorship.
The director called in an analyst. The door opened. "Sir, what is it?"
The director set the file on the table and pushed toward the analyst. "Include this as part of the president's daily brief. Our ally across the Pacific might need some help soon. I'll have our assets in Japan placed on higher alert and pass along some messages to the NIB and NIC, and offer our assistance."
"I'll get to it." The analyst picked up the file and left the room.
⁂
(Beijing, China. Ministry of State Security Headquarters.)
In Beijing, almost the same thing was happening as in Langley. The Minister of State Security was looking at documents about the situation in Japan and the HPSC leaks. It was a formal report after consolidating everything new in the recent leaks.
"How should we respond next, sir?" One of the workers said to the minister.
"We'll keep a close eye on this. Have our people in Japan gather more information. For now, this is an internal Japanese conflict, so we shouldn't get involved at all at the moment. However, if this situation deteriorates further, we'll need to start considering the balance of power in the region," The minister said calmly as they assessed the documents.
"Do you really think the situation will deteriorate that fast? This only seems like an internal scandal. A large one, sure, but nothing that I think would require such a bold assertion."
"Yes, there's a strong possibility. It's better to assume a worst-case scenario. And if it does come to unfold, we'll stand by and watch."
"So…doing nothing?"
"Yes. Even if we do nothing, we'll get something out of it. I'll recommend that the premier keep his attention on this."
⁂
(Deika City)
Re-Destro was handling multiple calls. He wasn't receiving any shocking or important news. He was giving out orders.
"Yes, start it. But slowly. Now is the perfect time." Re-Destro was calm on the phone. He hung up.
Re-Destro stood up from his desk. He looked outside the window, taking in the city. A smile was on his face.
"Soon. Soon. Father, we're about to make your vision come true. I know you're watching me." Re-Destro spoke to himself. There was a creeping sense of eagerness that filled him.
"Sir, are we starting the plan?" Curious entered the office.
"Yes, we are. It's time to let the people know of a better path forward. Toward a truly free society where we can exercise our natural rights and what we were born with without any restrictions."
⁂
End of Chapter
A/N: Guys, it's not looking so good for Japan right now.