Back in time, to when Yu-jin and Winterer were scuffling.

 

The group of Awakeners, who had kept a distance to avoid interfering with the hypnosis.

 

In the fight between the next S-rank and the strongest villain in Korea, they…

 

-whispering.

 

“Aika… right? It’s really her, isn’t it?”

 

“Didn’t you see earlier? Who else but her could move at supersonic speed?”

 

“Why on earth is she in Korea?”

 

They didn’t even glance over.

 

Right beside them, there was a strategic nuclear weapon, the top S-rank.

 

Why would they be watching a children’s fight?

 

People were busy glancing at Aika and discussing.

 

“No way, did she come to teach Yu-jin?”

 

“She uses a katana, so definitely… no, that can’t be.”

 

“Would Japan really allow that?”

 

Did she really come to teach Yu-jin swordsmanship?

 

Japan must be crazy to do Korea such a favor. That’s like saying Korea would hand over its big corporations’ management rights to Japan.

 

“Did the Association President have a meeting with Aika?”

 

“Ah, come to think of it, Aika broke that gate yesterday. The Association President might have called her…”

 

-BOOM!!!!

 

“———Disciple, what are you doing with that villain?”

 

“……!!!!!?”

 

Why was this actually happening? Why were they really master and disciple?

 

The Awakeners were shocked, their mouths agape.

 

However, the surprises did not end there.

 

“Wait a minute. This hostage that Aika rescued… doesn’t he look familiar?”

 

“Isn’t that Nakano Wataru, the newly appointed Prime Minister?”

 

“Eek.”

 

Taking advantage of the moment when Aika was being scolded by Seol Ha-yeon, their gaze shifted to the man she was protecting.

 

What the… Japanese Prime Minister?

 

…Both the top S-rank and the Prime Minister in Korea? In Seoul, no less?

 

The Awakeners were horrified.

 

“Is a war about to break out?!”

 

“Should I sell all my stocks right now… Ah, the market’s closed!!”

 

“Japan has released a nuke on Korea!!”

 

Tension naturally heightened.

 

Eyes filled with hostility towards the Prime Minister.

 

However, the Prime Minister remained calm.

 

With his arms crossed and a satisfied smile on his face, he looked at Aika leisurely, as if everything was going according to plan.

 

It was the attitude befitting the head of Japan.

 

-thump thump thump.

 

‘What should I do? How can I survive here?!! Mother in heaven, please tell me!!!’

 

His dignified expression was just a facade.

 

Inside, he was screaming.

 

I didn’t intend to launch a nuke at Korea.

 

I actually like Korea. Bibimbap is delicious.

 

But the nuke sprouted legs and ran away to Korea.

 

I have no fault in this. Truly.

 

What? Why did it run away?

 

Haha. I slashed the money I was supposed to give Ninomiya to a ridiculous extent.

 

Embezzling money from the top S-rank? The nerve.

 

‘If I explain this, I’ll be decapitated!!!’

 

He couldn’t explain the truth.

 

If he did, he would become an incompetent Prime Minister who couldn’t detect the corruption or the nuke’s escape.

 

Not to mention, he’d be a national disgrace who got captured by a villain and cried.

 

If this reached Japan?

 

He’d be lucky to end with just impeachment.

 

He might never be able to show his face in Japan again.

 

No, worse, he might be assassinated.

 

Life is unpredictable.

 

What if someone from the Self-Defense Forces, armed with a homemade gun, shot him through the SP?

 

‘Think. I’m the Prime Minister elected by the Japanese people. I should be able to handle this level of crisis…!!’

 

Therefore, even though he was sweating profusely, he pretended to be a big shot.

 

The Awakeners around couldn’t say a word, just stomping their feet.

 

“Um, excuse me….”

 

-murmur murmur.

 

“Ooh… Disciple, will you not be disappointed…….”

 

“Eeek.”

 

Someone who could speak Japanese tried to step up, but it was thwarted by Aika’s return.

 

Thus, the Awakeners just waited.

 

For the return of Seol Ha-yeon and Seo Yu-jin, who could converse with them.

 

They stayed quiet, fearing a war might really break out if they acted rashly.

 

“By the way, this is really scary. Terrorism is already horrific, but Aika being Yu-jin’s sword teacher, and the Prime Minister being in Korea….”

 

-suddenly.

 

“Is that really true?”

 

“Huh? Well, of course… a mic?”

 

“———Hey, bring all the cameras from the car!! And the boom!!”

 

“Breaking news, breaking news!!”

 

The Awakeners’ caution did not apply to the reporters who had already infiltrated.

 

Journalists, who had rushed over upon hearing about the terrorism.

 

But what was this? The atmosphere was peaceful, so they approached to find out what was going on…

 

What? Aika and Yu-jin, and the Prime Minister?

 

‘The gate incident from yesterday is still trending number one. If it’s revealed that Aika is Yu-jin’s teacher…’

 

‘Prime Minister Nakano Wataru? As a political reporter, I can say this is definitely tampering!!’

 

‘Seo Yu-jin, preparing to emigrate to Japan? To avoid the military?’

 

The reporters, holding cameras and microphones, were wide-eyed.

 

Yu-jin, who had been rising in popularity recently, going to Japan?

 

That was news that could completely dominate the front pages.

 

Even people who weren’t interested in Awakeners would click on it.

 

Koreans, who usually had no interest in companies or such, would rise up if Japan tried to take anything.

 

And, most importantly.

 

Yu-jin’s reputation would plummet in an instant.

 

There was nothing more sensational than the downfall of a celebrity.

 

‘Reporters too? Sigh… I guess I’ll have to put on a brave face.’

 

-whisper whisper.

 

“Miss Ninomiya. I understand your feelings, but for the sake of my dignity. No, for the dignity of Japan, could you please cooperate? I’ll do anything for you later.”

 

The Prime Minister, smelling disaster, became desperate.

 

However,

 

“…….”

 

‘If it’s for my disciple, I don’t mind, but if my disciple is disgusted and asks what I’m doing… No, if he’s horrified at this sight…’

 

‘Damn, if Ninomiya doesn’t cooperate, I’m done for. She won’t listen to me….’

 

Aika’s mind was in turmoil, worrying about appearing foolish.

 

The Prime Minister despaired, thinking, ‘I’m doomed.’

 

Reporters gleefully captured the scene from afar.

 

While one bald man’s political career was ticking away by the second.

 

-step… thud!!

 

“Is it true that you learned swordsmanship from Aika?”

 

“Why is Prime Minister Nakano Wataru here….”

 

As if to signal the end, Yu-jin walked slowly forward.

 

The pack of reporters surged to feast on the hungry views…

 

‘Ah, it’s all over. To the people who trusted and elected me, I apologize….’

 

“Ah. Actually, Brother Suguru informed me. About Winterer causing the terror.”

 

‘……? Did I just hear my name?’

 

The former top S-rank openly lied.

 

* * *

 

A swarm of cameras and microphones focused on me.

 

Next to me, Haru said, “Daddy, should I sing?” The scene was grand enough.

 

However, I couldn’t answer Haru.

 

I was busy sending a telepathic message to my teacher.

 

[Master.]

 

**Chapter 64**

 

**A Sincere Apology (1)**

 

[……!!!? D-Disciple. For what reason.]

 

[What did the Prime Minister say while I was gone?]

 

[The Prime Minister? This bald guy was just posing and acting all cool. He didn’t even open his mouth.]

 

‘…Oh. I see.’

 

Thanks to that, I grasped the situation.

 

Master, being clueless about these things, was bewildered.

 

Brother Suguru, bluffing for now, but from the tremor in his pupils, he was on the verge of a panic attack.

 

Lastly, me, the former S-rank No. 1.

 

…In the first round, I was the punching bag for setting up a harem and got beaten whenever they were bored.

 

Confidence surged within me, and I grinned.

 

‘I’m annoyed that old hag dumped this on me and ran away… but, well, this is my area of expertise.’

 

I knew well why they were so desperate.

 

Hatred generates good viewership.

 

They wanted to find any fault with me and churn out articles that stoked anti-Japanese sentiments.

 

But…

 

Was I just going to sit back and take it?

 

If I get criticized, my wives will also get criticized.

 

I had no intention of being torn apart by the media.

 

I roughly grabbed a microphone and began to speak.

 

‘It can’t be helped. I’m sure it’s our first meeting, Brother Suguru. Sorry for the first encounter, but let’s work together.’

 

“Brother Suguru informed me about the terror attack.”

 

With a friendly smile, I lied.

 

The eyes of the two Japanese turned towards me.

 

“……?”

 

[Wait, disciple. What do you mean.]

 

[Master. Please convey to the Prime Minister. I’ll pretend to be close with him, so use that to your advantage.]

 

[…Understood for now.]

 

“……? ……!!!!?”

 

-Nod nod.

 

Taking advantage of the moment, I established a direct line through telepathy.

 

It was the beginning of a national scam, colluding with the Japanese Prime Minister.

 

[Please interpret what I say immediately to the Prime Minister.]

 

“The truth is, the Prime Minister secretly contacted me a few days ago.”

 

Without a single pause, I started lying.

 

No, a few days ago, the Prime Minister secretly contacted me.

 

He had received information that the first-class villain Winterer was planting bombs in Seoul. Be cautious, he said.

 

At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was an impersonation.

 

But then, he even sent a photo taken with Ninomiya Aika as proof?

 

I asked, if this is true, why are you telling me?

 

Why would you, the Japanese Prime Minister, tell a mere cadet like me…?

 

“He said, even though we are of different nationalities, we are all human beings. He didn’t want to play politics with human lives.”

 

Human lives were at stake, so who cares about politics.

 

Japan would take forever to notify Korea directly, so he told me instead.

 

Secretly. As an independent action.

 

“When I asked why me, he said he felt that I believed human lives transcend national borders, just like Brother Suguru.”

 

He said he noticed that I seemed upright. So he entrusted it to me.

 

At this part, I made a deeply moved expression.

 

-click clack.

 

“I apologize for causing inconvenience to the people of both nations with my visit. However, in an emergency where lives are at risk, immediate action was necessary before following diplomatic procedures. That’s why I took action myself.”

 

Brother Suguru also stepped in, saying something plausible in Japanese that I couldn’t understand!

 

The glistening look in his eyes as he glanced at me…

 

Yes. That wasn’t acting, but genuine.

 

Journalists hesitated at his sincere performance.

 

“No matter what, allowing Aika into Korea without a word is a bit….”

 

“Didn’t you see earlier? Without Master, the Association President would have been in danger. Fifty villains attacked together.”

 

“…….”

 

Another preemptive strike.

 

Why did you bring a strategic nuke into Korea?

 

Without it, our strategic nuke would have been in danger.

 

Are you going to criticize this?

 

“So, Ninomiya Aika is really your master….”

 

“Well, I use a katana too. So does Master. We met and she taught me, and that’s how we became master and disciple.”

 

Moreover, that strategic nuke taught swordsmanship to Korea’s next strategic nuke.

 

All eyes turned to Master.

 

As if asking if this was true.

 

“Ahem. Yes, that’s what happened.”

 

“…….”

 

‘Master is still bad at lying~ How cute.’

 

With the endorsement of the top S-rank, the credibility of this national scam skyrocketed.

 

Those who had been doubtful began to change their expressions.

 

“That’s such nonsense. How could a Japanese Prime Minister….”

 

“The Prime Minister is anti-Korean. Isn’t that ‘common sense’…?”

 

“Anyway. That’s how it is. We’re tired, so we’ll continue the interview next time.”

 

Seizing the moment, I decided to make a quick exit.

 

If I dawdled and got caught up in an argument, there’d be no escape.

 

“Wait, just one more word….”

 

“My two friends, Alice and Yu Shia, who possess unique S-rank talents, have made hidden contributions.”

 

“……?”

 

“And Winterer wasn’t actually a villain.”

 

“……!!!!!?”

 

Before escaping, I made sure to divert attention.

 

I may be an S-rank, but my wives also have unique S-rank abilities?

 

And guess what, Winterer wasn’t a villain.

 

How about that? Curious, right?

 

“Is that really….”

 

“Then, we’ll be going!! I’m about to collapse after using hypnosis on Winterer dozens of times!!”

 

-Swiftly.

 

Saying that, I made my escape.

 

Though not as slick as Bojji Kkong or the Chairman, I could proudly say it was a worthy exit for the former top S-rank.

 

“…Let’s get going. We’ll discuss the details in the Chairman’s office.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Thus, the Winterer incident, Aika’s, and the Prime Minister’s visit to Korea were truly wrapped up.

 

This was a pretty decent conclusion.

 

* * *

 

“Yu-jin, you did well….”

 

-BANG!!

 

“———Ninomiya!!!! I’m sorry!!!!!!”

 

“Brother!!?”

 

…No, we resolved it well.

 

Why are you suddenly bowing in apology, Brother?