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"That's the situation, Sirzechs."
In the Underworld, Grayfia was reporting everything that had happened in the Human World to Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the current Four Great Devil Kings.
"You're saying Riser was captured by someone named Kaito, and he wants to dissolve Rias's engagement?"
"Yes."
Sirzechs frowned. He had also wanted Rias's engagement dissolved and had even prepared a backup plan for it, but he hadn't expected things to go this way. And with Riser being held, the situation was delicate.
"He also demanded thirty bottles of Phoenix Tears from the Phoenix Family as compensation, otherwise..."
Grayfia left the rest unspoken. Sirzechs understood.
"The Rating Game is in three days?"
"Yes."
"Alright. I'll talk to the Phoenix Family, but we need to ensure Riser's safety. Pure-blooded devils are becoming rarer by the day."
Sirzechs smiled slightly.
"Haha. I didn't expect little Rias to know someone like that. When he comes to the Underworld, I'll have to take a closer look and see if he's worthy of being my brother-in-law."
Grayfia's expression twitched.
She had a bad feeling. If that man ever set foot in the Underworld, the whole place would be in chaos.
"Grayfia, you've worked hard. Go and rest."
"Yes. I'll take my leave."
Grayfia bowed and left the room.
"Thirty bottles of Phoenix Tears. That man really knows how to set a price. I hope that old man doesn't collapse."
Sirzechs shook his head, a troubled look on his face. A red light surged from his body, and in an instant, he was gone.
"Kaito-sama, the Army's First, Second, Third, Fifth, and Sixth Legions, five legions in total, are ready for deployment at any time. As for the Navy, given the significant reduction in pirates, four legions can also be deployed."
In the Jura-Tempest Federation's conference room, Benimaru stood at the front, pointer in hand, explaining the troop deployment map to Kaito.
"Good. This war with the Underworld means we'll be facing a considerable number of enemies, likely in the millions. We need to deploy more high-end combat power this time. I don't want any casualties on our side."
Kaito looked over the deployment map, stroked his chin, and spoke quietly.
"Kaito-sama, all three Great Admirals of the Navy can be deployed. If needed, I can go as well."
Sakazuki stood up and addressed Kaito with a serious expression.
Sakuya, standing behind Kaito, frowned slightly. Thinking of the girl who was about to return, she spoke with a straight face.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, are you certain you want to go? Ness's internship ship is returning tomorrow."
The moment he heard Ness was coming back, Sakazuki's expression shifted entirely.
"But as Fleet Admiral, I can't simply leave. And the training of the other six legions is still ongoing. At the moment, I'm stretched quite thin."
Kaito stared at him.
'Your whole tough-guy image just collapsed. Since when did you become a total pushover for one little girl?'
"Hahahaha! Sakazuki, so even you have days like this, completely wrapped around a little girl's finger. I heard you don't even dare smoke cigars anymore!"
Sengoku, who had turned into a soft, doughy old man in floral shorts, pointed at Sakazuki and laughed.
"Hmph. You should worry about training your own Air Force properly before commenting on others."
Sakazuki looked back at him with rare disdain.
"What?! You damn Sakazuki, I'm the Air Force Fleet Admiral, not some Legion Commander!"
Sengoku bristled instantly, jabbing a finger at Sakazuki.
"Oh right. An Air Force Fleet Admiral with only one legion."
"I @#$%..."
Kaito watched Sengoku wind up into another rant and pressed a hand to his forehead. He genuinely didn't understand why, but ever since Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral, his favorite hobby had been provoking Sengoku by bringing up the Air Force's single legion.
"Kaito-sama! I demand an increase in the Air Force's troop quota! We can't keep letting that brat Sakazuki walk all over us!"
Sengoku slammed the table, eyes red.
"Ahem. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, our finances aren't particularly healthy right now. The Air Force will just have to hold on a little longer. As soon as funds allow, I'll increase your quota right away."
As a seasoned troublemaker, Kaito's favorite pastime was making the Air Force suffer just a little.
"Oh, and Sakuya, I've decided to expand your Imperial Guard Corps into a full Imperial Guard Legion, increasing its personnel from five thousand to fifteen thousand. We'll draw the manpower from the Air Force. The country is a bit short on people at the moment, after all."
Kaito kept a perfectly straight face as he announced the expansion plan, suppressing a grin.
Financial difficulties? Please. Kagaya and the others weren't just sitting there doing nothing. Kaito could expand ten more legions without breaking a sweat. They simply didn't need that many right now.
After all, following the full integration of the Pirate World, the Jura-Tempest Federation's total population had surged to 737.4 million.
Sengoku stared at Kaito. Didn't you just say finances were tight? Then why is there funding for the Imperial Guard Corps? And why does their expansion have to come out of the Air Force? The entire country has hundreds of millions of people, so why are you only picking on his tiny flock?
Ah ah ah ah! (╯‵__′)╯︵┻━┻
"I @#$%￥..."
Everyone in the room took two involuntary steps back as Sengoku erupted.
Himejima, wearing a puzzled expression, leaned toward Rengoku beside him.
"Did Sengoku offend Kaito-sama somewhere? Why is he being targeted so much?"
Rengoku's mouth twitched. He understood perfectly well. Sengoku hadn't offended anyone. Kaito-sama's mischievous streak had simply kicked in, and now both Sakazuki and Sengoku were caught in it.
To preserve some dignity for his boss, Rengoku swallowed his laughter and replied carefully.
"Kaito-sama certainly has his own way of thinking. We shouldn't read too much into it."
"Is that so? As expected of Kaito-sama. So far-sighted. I could never match him."
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow at the chaos and couldn't resist one more jab.
"Heh heh. Sengoku, looks like you'll soon have an even smaller quota than Whitebeard's security team."
(For reference: Whitebeard's security team currently has a quota of three thousand. Sengoku now has five thousand left.)
"Sakazuki... you... I... I... hic!"
"Someone help him up! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has fainted! Otherwise we'll have to carry him to the hospital!"