On a weekend afternoon, I followed Kallen's lead to the Ohgi Group's newly established hideout.
"We're here. It's a bit of a trek, but the security is airtight."
The location Kallen pointed out was a derelict logistics center situated on the outskirts of the old city district. Upon entering, I found a space far more cavernous and organized than I had anticipated.
"Oh..."
An exclamation of genuine admiration escaped my lips.
With its high ceilings and sprawling floor plan, the facility was lined with large-scale warehouses perfectly suited for concealing and maintaining Knightmare Frames.
It was an environment incomparable to their previous, cramped sanctuary.
"Welcome, Lelouch!"
From deep within the warehouse, Ohgi greeted us with a radiant smile.
Beside him, various resistance members were bustling about, moving supplies. Unlike before, their expressions were brimming with a newfound vitality.
"What do you think? It's quite the upgrade, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's much better than I expected. That warehouse over there looks large enough to house three or four Glasgows comfortably."
"Haha, you have a keen eye. To be honest, we were only able to acquire this place thanks to you."
Ohgi clapped me on the shoulder, his voice thick with gratitude.
"Because of me?"
"Precisely. Thanks to the Glasgow and the Sutherland you liberated for us, our group's standing has completely transformed. Certain... collaborators who had been watching us from afar sent a substantial amount of support funds. We've been able to bolster our equipment and secure this proper base because of it."
I nodded inwardly at Ohgi's explanation.
It was almost certainly the Kyoto House. They were known to provide capital to resistance cells that proved their competence.
It seemed my intervention had brought the Kozuki Group to Kyoto's attention far earlier than in the original timeline.
"Ha! And who do you think paved the way for that? Eh? Wasn't it all thanks to the negotiation skills of the Great Tamaki?"
Suddenly, a familiar, boisterous voice echoed through the rafters.
It was Tamaki. He dropped the crate he was carrying and stormed over to stand before me.
"Tamaki, are you starting again? The collaborators—Kyoto—offered the funds first!"
Kallen sighed, her tone dripping with exasperation, but Tamaki was undeterred, huffing with pride.
"Shut it! Do you have any idea how much legwork I put in? It's only because I promoted us non-stop, telling them we have the legendary pilot who smashed those Sutherlands!"
"A 'legendary pilot,' you say..."
I forced a bitter smile at the embarrassing epithet. However, Tamaki paid my reaction no mind and began rummaging through his pockets.
"Here, take this!"
What he thrust toward me was a strip of red cloth—a headband.
"What is this?"
"What does it look like? It's the mark of the Kozuki Group! I'm giving this to you because you're special."
Tamaki cleared his throat, adopting a performative air of solemnity.
"Lelouch, as of today, you are an honorary member of the Kozuki Group! Even if you are a Britannián, we've all acknowledged your guts and your skill."
"An... honorary member?"
"That's right! Now that we're in the same boat, this red headband will be the bond that connects you to us. Whenever times get tough, look at this and remember our burning friendship!"
Tamaki forcefully pressed the headband into my palm.
The fabric was cheap and the stitching was crude, yet for some reason, it felt strangely heavy in my hand.
"Tamaki, you're making Lelouch uncomfortable."
"It's fine, Kallen. Thank you, Tamaki."
I fingered the fabric and offered a small smile.
"Ho-ho! I knew real men would understand each other! Come on, put it on for a commemorative look! I bet it suits you!"
Urged by Tamaki's persistence, I hesitated for a moment before tying the headband around my forehead.
The moment the red cloth encircled my brow, cheers erupted from the surrounding members.
"Ohhh! It looks great! You really look like one of us now!"
"Lelouch, you've actually got some style!"
Tamaki, seemingly delighted, continued to slap me on the back with rhythmic thuds.
"Welcome to the fold, Lelouch! From now on, we're practically family!"
"Indeed, Lelouch. We're counting on you," Ohgi added, followed by Sugiyama and the others, all offering warm smiles.
"Honestly, Tamaki always goes overboard," Kallen grumbled, her arms crossed, yet a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
I touched the red headband once more. To think that I, without even having the power of Geass, have become an honorary member of the Japanese resistance by my own merit... Fate is truly a fickle jester.
That evening, we gathered in the center of the spacious warehouse for a modest celebration.
The atmosphere, filled with laughter and the smell of roasting meat, was as vibrant as any high-end restaurant.
Now that I had secured their camaraderie, I decided it was time to take a more active role in their destiny.
"Excuse me, may I ask one thing?"
"What is it? Ask anything!" Tamaki replied, mouth full of food.
"How do you intend to operate from here on? I'm curious if you have a specific policy or an ultimate goal."
My question cast a sudden silence over the group. The members exchanged uncertain glances.
"That's obvious! Topple Britannia! Kick them off this land!"
"Right! We have to reclaim Japan's independence!"
Tamaki and several others shouted enthusiastically, but their words were hollow, lacking any concrete methodology. Ohgi added with a troubled expression:
"Well... we have to do our absolute best within our means so that Japan can be independent..."
I steeled my heart as I watched their earnest yet planless resolve. This was the moment.
"If I may... I would like to make a proposal. It might be presumptuous of me, but..."
All eyes locked onto me.
"I believe you must fundamentally change your operational philosophy."
"Change it? How?"
"A struggle that consists merely of ambushing the military and fleeing, as you do now, will only breed an endless cycle of despair. Eventually, even the Japanese people will grow weary of the perpetual bloodshed and turn their backs on you. The resistance will become isolated."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"What? Are you saying we should stop fighting and talk instead? Do you think those Britannian bastards will listen to us?" Nagata countered, his voice laced with dissatisfaction. I shook my head.
"No, I am not suggesting you stop fighting. I am saying you should fight to win."
I recalled the founding principles of the Black Knights. We could not be simple terrorists; we needed a cause that the entire world would be forced to acknowledge.
"We must not be an organization that merely cries for Japanese independence. We must ensure that not only the Japanese but even conscientious Britannians feel compelled to support us. For that, we need a 'Just Cause.'"
I stood up, my gaze sweeping over them with an intensity that commanded the room.
"We must become the champions of the weak. We must judge those who trample upon the powerless and execute justice where justice has vanished. A group that realizes universal justice, transcending the framework of nations or races—that must be our identity."
Kallen stared at me blankly, whispering under her breath, "Champions of the weak... emissaries of justice?"
"Exactly. If the Britannian military massacres civilians, we will strike them down. But conversely, if radical resistance cells attack innocent Britannian civilians, we will not forgive them either. We will become the sole shield against the violence of the powerful."
A profound silence filled the warehouse. Even Tamaki watched me with his jaw slightly slack.
"If we do this, the world will not be able to brand us as terrorists. Under the name of 'Champions of Justice,' the oppressed will reach out to us. That is the only path to toppling a behemoth like the Holy Britannian Empire."
Everyone looked stunned. Kallen asked tentatively, "Lelouch... how long have you been thinking about this?"
"...Since I began spending time with you. Seeing what you were willing to risk your life to protect, I began to reflect on it myself."
Kallen's face flushed at my answer. Ohgi, meanwhile, sank into deep thought.
"I understand what you're saying. The ideal is magnificent. But... it won't be an easy road. Doing that would mean making enemies not just of Britannia, but also of radical Japanese groups."
"I am aware. However, I am not speaking of justice in words alone. To realize this, we need power."
I paused for effect before continuing.
"First, the Kozuki Group must unify the armed factions of the Shinjuku Ghetto. Only then can we respond systematically to incidents like the last one and possess the strength to enforce our will."
"Unify the Ghetto? Is that even possible?"
"It is possible. Do we not already possess the power?"
My finger pointed toward the Knightmare Frame standing in the shadows.
For a group that had only possessed the vague goal of independence, my words had sent a massive ripple through their collective psyche.
"Champions of the weak... it sounds grand, but is it realistic? If we try to suppress the people's desire for revenge against Britannia, our own support base might turn against us," Inoue noted with concern. Yoshida and Sugiyama nodded in agreement.
"But our current methods have clear limits. Lelouch is right—we need a change," Minami countered cautiously.
"I think Lelouch is right! Champions of justice? That's incredible! We'd be heroes!" Tamaki pumped his fist, already lost in the fantasy of heroism.
"I... I agree. If we truly want to change the world, I don't think just breaking things and running away will be enough anymore."
Kallen added her support, her eyes shimmering with a deep sense of trust as she looked at me.
Ohgi, watching this scene unfold, remained silent with his arms crossed, carefully weighing the opinions of the members.
Soon, a heated debate—a mix of agreement and opposition, concern and expectation—warmed the air within the warehouse.
When the intensity finally subsided, I offered them a gentle smile and spoke once more.
"I am not asking for a decision today. However, our group is going to grow even larger. To wield that power correctly, the reorganization of our structure and a clear set of goals are absolute necessities."
My proposal was like pouring oil onto the small spark that was the Kozuki Group.
I did not yet know in which direction this flame would roar, but for the first time, the look in their eyes was not one of aimless wandering, but of a new hope directed toward a definitive destination.