In Japan, name usage reflects the level of familiarity. Normally, people use surnames in daily conversation, especially with people they're not close to. Using first names is usually reserved for close friends, family, or very intimate relationships.
With his soul originating from Indonesia in his previous life, Naoki tended not to care too much about such formalities. To him, a name was just a name.
But Tenka was different. Since their brief meeting, she had smoothly asked Naoki to call her by her first name, and she herself without the slightest hesitation called Naoki by his first name plus "-kun".
This was a sign that Tenka from the beginning had placed herself—or placed Naoki—in an equal category.
"Now, Naoki-kun~ what kind of ability did you awaken? I really want to know!" Tenka asked with eyes sparkling full of curiosity.
"Do I have to tell you?" Naoki asked back, trying to keep a few aces up his sleeve.
Tenka winked one eye, her smile remaining friendly but there was a flash of cleverness in her green eyes. "I don't mind if Naoki-kun doesn't tell me, of course. But...are you sure that's the best choice?"
"What do you mean, Tenka?"
Naoki vaguely guessed the direction of this conversation. As a former State Intelligence Agency member, he knew that information was the most dangerous commodity. Sure enough, Tenka immediately confirmed his suspicion.
"Unless Naoki-kun plans to never use your Peach Blessing for the rest of your life—which would be very regrettable—it's only a matter of time before your secret is exposed. Whether intentionally or not."
"And when that time comes, endless problems will come to you. You're not just an anomaly, Naoki-kun. You're the first man in history to obtain power from a Peach."
"When that news leaks, you'll become a target for many parties. Not just organizations but also major countries, conglomerates, terrorist organizations, unethical scientists... Everyone will want you."
Tenka didn't stop there.
"Both men and women will compete to capture you. Men of course want to uncover your secret, want to obtain the same power as you, want to change the world order that makes them feel inferior. While women... some may feel their power and special status are threatened if gender equality, or even male dominance returns because of you."
Tenka wasn't trying to scare him; she was presenting cruel facts that Naoki understood very well that every word was very possible, even almost certain to become reality.
"Let me guess. Tenka, you want me to join the Anti-Demon Corps, right? That's the solution you're offering." Naoki concluded the direction of the conversation.
Tenka smiled wider, her delicate eyebrows rising slightly. "Ho~ Why does Naoki-kun think that way? Let's hear your reasoning."
She looked at him with a neutral expression, neither confirming nor denying.
Naoki took a breath. "The scenario you mentioned has a very high probability of happening, I don't doubt that. Looking at current global geopolitics, undoubtedly only the Anti-Demon Corps—which is the official and strongest institution in Japan, the country holding the Mato monopoly—can protect me from targeting by all parties openly, at least on the surface."
As for in the darkness, he knew that foreign factions would definitely send mercenaries or spies to kidnap him. All this time, many infiltrators had sneaked into Mato just to steal Peaches because of Japan's very stingy distribution policy—only 500 fruits per year for the entire world.
Meanwhile, domestically, Japan practiced favoritism. At Kaminoge High School alone, almost all female students had Peach Blessings.
The point is, Japan had the largest number of Peach Blessing users in the world, making it a superpower no less than the United States, Russia, and China.
"Besides the factor of the number of ability users, the biggest factor that makes other countries reluctant to take the risk of opposing Japan is none other than one person." Naoki recalled the arrogant narcissistic individual who had the capital to support her arrogance. "The person called even by the President of the United States as The Apex of Humanity and Planet Earth's Answer—Yamashiro Ren."
"Her existence alone is the greatest deterrent to anyone intending to mess with Japan. With her and the entire power of the Anti-Demon Corps, Japan is the strongest country de facto."
After Naoki finished his analysis, Tenka applauded slowly.
*👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻!*
The sound of applause echoed softly inside the cave.
"Impressive, Naoki-kun." Tenka praised, genuine admiration radiating from her beautiful face. "Not only is your courage extraordinary, exceeding the majority of men I know, your intelligence and analysis itself cannot be underestimated."
"As expected from the man who performed a miracle. You said almost exactly what I wanted to convey."
Stopping her applause, Tenka's expression changed. That almost constant friendly smile disappeared, replaced by genuine seriousness.
"Well, talking with smart people really saves time. Let me ask once more, Naoki-kun."
"What exactly is your Peach Blessing?"
However, as if realizing her question could sound like pressure, she immediately added in a softening tone:
"By the way, you don't need to answer if you really don't want to join the Anti-Demon Corps. I respect your choice."
"It's just... I'm very worried the scenario you depicted yourself earlier will actually happen someday. And when that happens, you'll be alone."
As if realizing there was a tone that could be misinterpreted as a threat in her words, Tenka hurried to defend herself with a small wave of her hand.
"Ah, of course I'm not threatening you, you know~! I promise, regardless of your answer, I won't tell anyone your secret without your permission."
"..."
In a normal situation, with his intelligence background, Naoki would be very skeptical of such verbal promises.
Promises were words easy to say and even easier to break for greater interests.
But the woman before him was different.
Naoki's knowledge as someone who knew plot spoilers from this world gave him invaluable insight. He knew, from the depths of his memories about the «Mato Seihei no Slave» series, about Izumo Tenka's personality.
Tenka was known as a calm, emotionally mature, and fundamentally kind-hearted woman. Her interactions with members of the Seventh Unit—like calling Kyouka with the affectionate "Kyou-chin" or calling Yuuki "Slave-kun" at their first meeting—showed her warm and sincere nature.
She wasn't the manipulative or cunning type. More importantly, Tenka was someone who would gladly plunge into dangerous battlefields to save the lives of her subordinates.
Her integrity and loyalty to people she considered important were real.
In short, based on all that information—both from direct observation and meta knowledge—Naoki concluded: Tenka was worthy of trust.
This was a gamble. But in the midst of his isolation in this dangerous world, with a secret that could destroy him, he needed allies. And Tenka, with her power, position, and most importantly, her character, seemed like the best choice—perhaps even the only choice—he had at the moment.
With a deep breath, Naoki decided to roll the dice. He bet on his assessment of Tenka's character.
"«Pandemonium»." Naoki said clearly in the silence of the cave. "That's the name of my Peach Blessing. «Pandemonium» allows me to perfectly copy other people's Peach Blessings."
Tenka nodded slowly, processing that information. Her expression remained calm, analytical.
"Copy, huh..." Tenka placed a finger on her chin, muttering softly. "That's somewhat similar to Azuma Himari's Peach Blessing from the Seventh Unit, «Learning». She can also learn and imitate other people's abilities, though with certain limitations."
Tenka didn't show too much reaction. She apparently hadn't fully grasped the difference between «Pandemonium» and «Learning». If she realized the true implications of perfect copying ability, she almost certainly wouldn't be able to remain this calm.
"Alright." Her seriousness melted back into a lighter demeanor. Tenka clapped once, as if closing a meeting. "Let's move to a more comfortable place to discuss the details. Standing in this dark cave isn't very pleasant, is it?"
Naoki nodded, not objecting. He also wanted to get out of this cave as soon as possible.
Before leaving, Tenka picked all the remaining Peaches from the tree. After making sure nothing was left behind, a round and stable portal opened.
"A portal to my private room at the Sixth Unit headquarters." Tenka explained with a smile. "Safer and more private."
She then reached for Naoki's hand, pulling it gently.
"Let's go."
With no other choice, Naoki stepped with her into the portal.