I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 33 Reactions from all parties

Chiyoda Ward,

Outside the Prime Minister's official residence in Nagata-cho, crowds thronged and countless cameras and microphones stood in rows.

This place is adjacent to Kasumigaseki, where the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters is located. Although it is called the 'Prime Minister's' official residence, the Prime Minister of the island nation usually lives in the Prime Minister's official residence next door. The official residence is the place where the cabinet officials and important personnel work and release important information.

At that moment, in front of the Prime Minister's official residence, the government spokesperson and Chief Cabinet Secretary were holding a press conference with serious expressions.

"The above is the complete account of the major earthquake in Arakawa Ward on the 17th of this month, and the terrorist attack. The perpetrator was shot dead on the spot."

"The injured were taken to the nearest hospital and received proper care and medical treatment."

"We have arrested the remaining members of the terrorist organization."

The Chief Cabinet Secretary spoke with great confidence and detail, and his description is consistent with all official reports:
The major accident that occurred yesterday in Arakawa Ward, Nishioku Town, was a tragedy resulting from a combination of natural disaster and human error.

First, a shallow-focused collapse earthquake occurred in Arakawa Ward, with a magnitude of 6.4 at its center. Fortunately, it was just a brief, isolated earthquake, and had no impact on areas other than Arakawa Ward, where the epicenter was located.
Earthquakes are not only caused by the movement of continental plates. Other factors such as volcanic eruptions, land subsidence, and meteorite impacts can also trigger earthquakes.

There are even man-made earthquakes: underground nuclear explosions, industrial blasting, high-pressure water injection in deep wells, and the impoundment of large reservoirs can all trigger earthquakes.

The reporters were quite convinced by this explanation.

After all, when it comes to research on 'earthquakes', if the island nation claims to be second, who dares to claim to be first?

In this earthquake, the yakuza organization "Taoka-gumi" not only failed to participate in disaster relief, but also took advantage of the disaster to loot, which is a heinous crime and has been classified as a terrorist attack!
These 'terrorists' possessed automatic rifles that are difficult for civilians in the island nation to obtain; and during the suppression, they detonated a natural gas pipeline, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Although dozens of casualties may sound like a lot, the truth is:

It's nothing special.

With the increasing accessibility of information, we hear news every ten days or so about earthquakes causing hundreds of casualties or road collapses resulting in dozens more. Not to mention the Middle East, where death is commonplace, and hospitals and schools are being leveled one after another. Compared to that, these casualties are utterly insignificant.

It's even worse than the neighboring West 8, where a single stampede resulted in over 300 injuries and deaths!

After only half a month of mourning, where won't people continue to sing and dance in peace and prosperity?
It has even become a popular spot for online influencers to take photos.
"Hello, I am a reporter from XXX News Agency."

A brown-skinned reporter with curly hair raised his hand immediately after the Chief Cabinet Secretary finished speaking.

"Why were reporters not allowed into the scene of the attack? And what about the rumors circulating online?"

Facing foreign reporters with their arms raised, the Chief Cabinet Secretary did not patiently answer their questions as he usually does at press conferences. Instead, he turned and left, preoccupied with organizing his prepared remarks.

What's even more interesting is that journalists from countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, who are usually eager to stir up trouble, all kept their eyes down and didn't question the Chief Cabinet Secretary's words in the slightest.

This is just an earthquake plus a terrorist attack, nothing more!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Hey Hey hey,"

"I just went on a mission and something this serious happened?"

Back at the Metropolitan Police Department, Iori Kazuka plopped down on the sofa, propped her feet up on the glass coffee table, picked up the remote and turned on the TV, and couldn't help but complain.

The television screen showed the Chief Cabinet Secretary's press conference, interspersed with CCTV footage of a 'terrorist organization attacking a crowd with guns.' Although only a few seconds long, it was incredibly realistic: suits and floral shirts, slicked-back hair and scarred faces, various firearms of different lengths, and:

"Aren't these guys just the bastards from the 'Violent Opposition' three departments?"

Although the terrorists did not show their faces and their images were blurred, Iori Kazuka still recognized her colleagues by their figures.

Even many of those 'innocent passersby' who fled were familiar faces to the police.
"It looks pretty decent,"

As expected of the government, it has clearly arranged what it wants the public to know and what it doesn't know.

"Sir, this damage was caused by the 'earthquake catfish'!"

Standing upright beside him with his hands behind his back and a serious expression, Teng Shengzi spoke.

As the first police officer to encounter the 'earthquake catfish,' she vividly remembered the characteristics of this extraordinary creature; she also knew very well that those fleeting 'giant craters' in the footage were definitely not a natural gas pipeline explosion!

"right,"

"That's the guy."

Iori Kazuka, who was sitting on the sofa with a boss-like posture, spoke frankly about the police officer who had just been transferred to her command.

"I heard that it had a fight with the Self-Defense Forces in Nishioku Town yesterday, and as many as six armored vehicles were completely destroyed, causing losses of up to 10 billion yen!"

"Damn it, the extraordinary!"

In response, Teng Shengzi, a mature policewoman who stood tall and proud like a javelin, gritted her teeth in anger.

"Ha, that's how the world is, survival of the fittest."

He patted the sofa next to him.

"Don't stand, sit."

"Yes,"

When his superior spoke, Teng Shengzi sat down next to him.

Stand with your legs together, hands on your knees, and back straight.

"You're just too serious."

Iori Kazuka shook her head at her new subordinate, but didn't say anything more.

"Write a report on the experiment involving 'Mrs. Inoue' and I'll submit it."

"Yes, sir!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Terrorist attacks?"

One hand was holding an umbrella, while the other was scrolling through a phone.

As Jun Kishida walked down the corridor, he couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly after reading the report.

It's all a lie.

Earthquakes and terrorist attacks are actually extraordinary events!

The earthquake catfish fought against a modern army, and the police and self-defense forces could not withstand it; in the end, a 'divine child' used magic to defeat it.

That's right, Jun Kishida knows the truth perfectly well.
Because he was there at the time!
His school, the 'Tokyo Municipal Koishikawa Junior High School,' was also located in Bunkyo Ward. After sensing the aura of the 'Sessho-seki,' he secretly rushed over and witnessed it firsthand while mingling in the crowd:

After its back to the torii gate was destroyed by a high-explosive bomb, the earthquake catfish went berserk and wreaked havoc in all directions!

"Is the torii gate on the back of the earthquake catfish a barrier that seals it?"

Thinking of this, Kishida Jun secretly felt fortunate.

He had previously hunted down that 'earthquake catfish' and felt that it didn't have any special abilities other than being able to burrow underground.

Although it was enormous and its movement caused houses to collapse and roads to sink, it posed little threat to Jun Kishida, who could manipulate water currents and was agile.

Unexpectedly, this was only the opponent's 'first form'.

After the torii gate behind it was destroyed, the earthquake catfish's 'second form' became several times stronger, overwhelming the Self-Defense Forces.

Of course, this is also partly because the battlefield is in Tokyo: many heavy weapons cannot be deployed effectively.

"Pity,"

Inside that earthquake catfish was a considerable number of 'killing stones'.

During the previous chase, the opponent spat out a piece of 'Killing Stone', creating a fiery skull.

But now they have been subdued by the shrine's 'divine child,' and the police and soldiers treat the 'divine child' with great respect."

Facing not only the police and the military, but also the 'divine child' with unknown tricks up his sleeve, Kishida Junji wisely abandoned his plan to obtain the Killing Stone from the 'earthquake catfish'.

There were no other Killing Stones nearby; it seemed we needed to expand the hunting area. "Kishida-kun,"

As the boy walked along, lost in thought, a voice called out to him.

"Teacher Jiuling?"

The person who stopped him was a young female teacher wearing a professional bodycon mini-skirt.

"Kishida-kun, don't walk while using your phone, and..."

The female teacher's gaze swept over the umbrella in Kishida Jun's hand.
"One cannot dwell on sadness forever,"

The female teacher felt sympathy for the student's plight and even felt a little envious.

After all, in this day and age, there are very few people who can still remember their girlfriends with such deep affection.

"You still have a bright future ahead of you, and you still have your parents."

"Teacher, what do you mean by a successful life?"

Interrupted by Jun Kishida's question, the female teacher answered without hesitation:
A life without regrets

bad,

You can't say things like that.

"That's right, teacher."

"I will never regret what I am doing now."

Jun Kishida was not provoked by these words, and instead nodded in agreement.

?

"Don't worry, teacher."

"I won't fall behind in my studies. So—"

The young female teacher was stunned as she looked at the students who had also asked for leave today, citing "feeling unwell."

"He was actually overwhelmed by the students' imposing manner."

"Nine-Ling, Nine-Ling, you are a really incompetent teacher."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Ok?"

After deliberately circling around several times without finding anything unusual near the target, Tanimura Watari finally entered the old apartment building in front of him.

The so-called "tuandilou" is a product of the last century. A large number of rural people migrated to cities, the urban population grew rapidly, and housing was in short supply. Therefore, the government built countless tuandilou across the country, imitating the former residential camps.

The word 'danchi' can be understood literally—to designate a piece of land to live on.

These apartment buildings were constructed during a period of rapid economic growth in the island nation, when they had convenient access to electricity and running water, and the lifestyles were more Western.

In that era, the term "dun" (僕地) represented progress and civilization. Therefore, many "Japanese art films" often feature labels like "dun wife" (僕地妻): the husband is gentle, refined, and highly educated, while the wife goes out to work, and the young wife encounters difficulties at home, just in time to meet a strong but poorly educated plumber.
Then he took the opportunity to invite the other party to unclog the pipes!
However, that was decades ago. With the development of society, the people who used to live here have grown old and left, and young people prefer shared apartments.

Although the island nation's government has been continuously converting old residential buildings into apartments, the pace has been negligible due to the sluggish economy.

So this apartment building in front of us is so quiet it's like a haunted house!
Even when a short, painful scream rang out, no one paid any attention.

"So that's how it is,"

As he walked out of the dormitory building, looking through his phone, Tanimura Watari belatedly realized what had happened.

Terrorist attacks?
No no no,
What kind of terrorists could cause such a shocking disturbance in Tokyo?

As a 'superhuman,' Wataru Tanimura himself once slaughtered an entire American army, only to be concealed as a 'traffic accident' caused by a dense fog. Putting himself in others' shoes, his first reaction to this situation would be that other superhumans intervened.

Speaking of extraordinary:

"I wonder what that 'sir' is doing?"

Ever since he slammed the 'Killing Stone' into his forehead, that mysterious adult has disappeared. Tanimura Wataru has also searched online, but there is not a trace of him.

That's quite normal; the streets are still bustling with pedestrians, and everyone is living their peaceful daily lives. The so-called 'extraordinary' events are completely covered up by the government; even the deaths and injuries of dozens of people can be attributed to a natural gas explosion.
Thinking of this, Tanimura Watari couldn't help but sneer.

Okay,

The newly emerged supernatural beings are causing terrifying destruction.

That way, he can have an easier time.

Let's go get some food!
Thinking this, Tanimura Watari shrugged.

Following his favorite 'fragrance', Tanimura Wataru wandered aimlessly through the streets, eventually stopping in front of a restaurant.

"Welcome. Huh?"

"Ok?"

Pushing open the door, both the waiter holding the menu and Tanimura Wataru were stunned.

"—It's you?!" X2
"What do you want?"

"Just give me one of their signature dishes, please."

"OK,"

The girl marked the menu, went to the kitchen to inform the chef of the dishes, then came back, sat down opposite Tanimura Watari, carefully looked around, and asked in a low voice.

"Are you sure you're okay coming out like this?"

On their first meeting, the other person jumped into their "home";

The second time they met, the man in front of her fought back fiercely to save her;
Each instance was sufficient to constitute a crime, which explains the girl's 'sneaky' behavior.

"What's the problem? It's you who's the problem,"

Tanimura Watari asked rhetorically,
"Where is this place?"

"Of course I'm working!"

"I've enrolled in a cram school to prepare for the exam and get into a good university."

The girl answered with a serious expression.

"I don't want to add to my parents' burden, so I earn my own tuition fees."

"now it's right,"

Seeing the girl diligently studying while also working to support herself, a smile appeared on Tanimura Watari's face.

If Akemi could also
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Autumn at home
"Earthquake, plus terrorist attacks."

"Why didn't it happen in Minato Ward, Chuo Ward, or Chiyoda?"

Qiu Riqiong, engrossed in browsing the internet on her laptop, complained unhappily.
"Does even natural disaster avoid the rich?"

"Have you forgotten that in the end, the 'terrorists' all stormed up to the vicinity of your school?"

In response, Qiu Riyou, who was sitting on the sofa with her eyes closed, gave a casual reply.

The reason he closed his eyes to rest was because of his energy—

Over at Tiannvying's side!

(End of this chapter)