Iori then explained the government's stance as well as the position of the current prime minister, including how Japan was responding to the policy. The situation was not simple—especially when the United States seemed to be trying to take advantage by inserting itself into the vortex of conflict.
"This is getting more complicated. The current President of the United States seems to be using the situation to appear as a hero, but in return, he is asking for an increase in the supply of peaches."
Peaches—the product of the Mato dimension—are not just ordinary commodities. They are a source of power. A fruit that only grows in another world, capable of turning an ordinary human into a superhuman with just a single consumption.
However, there is a limitation that cannot be broken: the power only works on women. Men gain no effect whatsoever—that is why Kazuma's existence becomes an anomaly that should not exist.
On the other hand, the fruit also cannot be cultivated. It only grows naturally within Mato, making its quantity extremely limited. In practice, Japan even has to restrict exports to only around a thousand fruits for the entire world.
That amount is clearly insufficient.
Major countries like the United States and China have never truly been satisfied with such a small allocation. The ambition to obtain more—even to surpass other nations—has long been a flame that continues to burn behind global policies.
This issue is not new. Since the early emergence of Mato, tensions had already begun to form. But now, with increasing political pressure and more overt maneuvers by major powers, everything has developed into a far more complex and dangerous conflict.
"Even though our country has become a superpower thanks to monopolizing the peaches, we will still be overwhelmed if these economic sanctions continue."
"So what do they want?"
Yamazaki asked, his tone flat yet clearly carrying interest.
"This is likely related to the president's move to purge individuals suspected of being part of Eden."
"This is... painful, and at the same time reminds me how unique humans are."
Kazuma spoke quietly. He called it painful because there are people willing to betray their own country for a few yen, yet at the same time, that is a side of humanity that never truly changes.
"I held this meeting to determine our next steps. Initially, I only wanted to ask about the attack incident a few days ago... but I didn't expect the scale to be this large." Iori paused for a moment, then looked at Kazuma. "Satou-san, can you tell me what you know?"
Kazuma let out a slow breath. He thought for a moment, weighing his options. But from the side, Yamazaki only glanced at him briefly—a silent signal as if to say: just tell it.
"Hmm... I still have the flash drive that Omar Bradley slipped to me. Want to see it?"
Iori looked briefly confused, but still nodded. Not long after, the three of them watched the fifteen-minute recording in tense silence.
"So... this Mato Essence cannot be mass-produced because of you?"
"Yes... maybe they've tried to make something similar, but there is still another component they cannot replicate. Most likely... that's me. They need to dissect me to find out whether the substance can be mass-produced."
Iori fell silent for a moment, digesting the implications of that statement.
"In that case... whether you like it or not, the government has to protect you."
Kazuma and Yamazaki exchanged glances, then simply shrugged—as if realizing that, from this point on, their situation was no longer fully under their own control.
"But I still don't want anyone to know about my secret."
"Satou-san, this is no longer just about your secret. You absolutely must be protected for the safety of humanity."
"I understand that those people have their own ambitions—and from what they've already done, it's clearly not something trivial. But if my existence becomes widely known... that would be dangerous for me."
"Why?"
"Well, obviously. There would be chaos. The current social order is formed because women became superhumans thanks to peaches. So what would happen if I appeared within that system?"
The room fell silent again after Kazuma's question hung in the air.
Iori did not answer immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on Kazuma, as if trying to assess not only his words, but also the potential consequences hidden behind them.
"...Imbalance," she finally said quietly. "Not just socially, but politically as well. You would become a symbol—or a threat—depending on who sees you."
"Exactly," Kazuma replied without hesitation. "I'm not just an anomaly. I could become a reason to trigger a new conflict. Women who have held power all this time might feel their position threatened. Men... will start hoping for something they were never meant to have."
"And hope like that," Yamazaki added flatly, "often ends in chaos."
Iori let out a long breath, her fingers interlocking on the table.
"I understand your concern. But still, leaving you without protection is not an option. If Eden fully learns of your existence, they won't stop."
"They never stopped from the beginning," Kazuma replied shortly.
"That's why the situation has changed," Iori continued. "Before, you were just a target. Now, you are a strategic variable."
Kazuma frowned slightly. "A variable... huh?"
"Your existence could change many things. Not just for them, but also for us." Iori looked at him directly. "So we need a different approach."
"What kind?"
"We keep your secret hidden... at least from the public. But within a certain scope, you will be under official protection—indirectly."
Kazuma fell silent, processing every word.
"You mean... a shadow?"
"More or less," Iori replied. "Not recorded, but protected. Not visible, but monitored."
Yamazaki smirked faintly. "Typical approach from you."
"This is the best compromise we can offer for now," Iori replied calmly.
Kazuma leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before finally exhaling deeply.
"...Alright. As long as it means I don't have to appear in public."
"For now, no," Iori answered.
Silence filled the room again, but this time not because of tension—rather, because of the agreement that had just been formed, fragile yet unavoidable.
"So who needs to know?"
Kazuma asked in a calmer tone, but clearly demanding defined boundaries.
Iori did not answer immediately. She clasped her hands on the table, thinking for a moment before finally speaking,
"Only a limited circle. Me, a few high-ranking officials who absolutely need to know... and the special unit that will handle your protection. No more."
"The fewer, the better," Yamazaki muttered.
"Agreed," Iori replied shortly.
Kazuma nodded slowly. That was enough—for now.
...
The discussion that day came to an end. Yamazaki and Kazuma were escorted back, leaving the location under the same tight security as when they arrived.
Meanwhile, Iori remained in her place. She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. The conversation had clearly drained her mentally more than she had expected.
'This is why matters like this used to be handled more often by men... such a hassle.'
Her thoughts drifted briefly. There were certain roles that, in her view, were naturally more suited to men. But now, those positions had shifted—replaced by women who possessed superior power since the emergence of peaches.
She did not entirely reject that change. The world had been forced to adapt. It was just that, in practice, not everything worked as ideally as imagined.
Iori opened her eyes, then reached for the glass on the table and drank the water in one go. The cold sensation helped clear her mind slightly.
Without wasting time, she picked up her phone and immediately contacted someone.
The dialing tone rang several times before it was finally answered.
"I need a follow-up meeting," Iori said directly, without preamble. "This is related to Eden... and a new variable we cannot ignore."
On the other end, a faint voice responded in a serious tone.
"How urgent?"
"Very. We may already be one step too late."
A brief silence followed before an answer was given.
"Alright. Set the place."
The call ended.
Iori stared at her phone screen for a few seconds longer, then exhaled slowly.
If her calculations were correct, then what they had just discussed today was only the surface. The real wave... had not truly arrived yet.