March 2095, a temporary Ten Master Clans meeting convened at a Hakone hotel, with all clan heads present an unusual in-person gathering typically held online. The purpose: deciding the fate of the Toyama family, one of the Eighteen Assistant Houses.
Two months prior, the Defense Force Intelligence Division targeted Yuto Nagano (Yugen Mitsuya) for "re-education," deeming him a threat. Their mistake was attacking at the Ueyama family's main residence, the Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship headquarters, during a goodwill match with the Chiba-ryu, with master-level swordsmen and most of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion present. It was a suicidal scenario akin to a video game boss rush with a secret boss triggering an unwinnable event.
The assault team was captured, and the mastermind, Tsukasa, faced Gozo Ueyama himself, surviving only by his whim. Gozo summoned the Toyama head to his Tokyo estate, where they begged for their daughter's life. Gozo agreed, but forced a signed oath: no abductions of his kin or allies, even under Defense Force orders, or face annihilation. His past in the Yotsuba's revenge war made him fiercely protective, and the Toyama and Intelligence Division had crossed a line.
The two-month delay in convening stemmed from Gozo's deliberation, as the Saegusa and Juumonji clans' roles were too heavy for the other 26 clans to bear, complicating the Toyama's punishment.
Post-meeting, Saegusa head Koichi called his daughter Mayumi to his study. Fearing punishment over a Valentine's incident, she was surprised by his leniency. "Saegusa stays as is?" she asked.
"Yes. Yotsuba taking Chubu and Tokai's oversight hurts, but Saegusa shares blame for the Toyama incident," Koichi admitted. He'd known of Toyama's plan to use the Defense Force against Ueyama but ignored it, hoping to weaken Yotsuba-Mitsuya ties post-Okinawa invasion. This backfired, enraging Gozo, who'd been inactive for years.
"Gozo Ueyama, Third Lab's owner and Shinkage-ryu grandmaster, warned Saegusa and Juumonji: 'Trying to kill my grandson is unforgivable. There's no next time,'" Koichi recounted. Over 100 attackers were overlooked by the two clans, who now faced consequences.
"Gozo fought in Yotsuba's revenge war, a one-man army. Even past his prime, he could erase hundreds," Koichi said.
"What's your plan? Media manipulation?" Mayumi asked.
"Nothing. With Gozo as Mitsuya's kin, Saegusa must comply," Koichi replied, hands trembling. The Mitsuya's third son's engagement to his third daughter was canceled due to Gozo and Yugen's anger. Other clans Ichijo, Isshiki, Itsuwa, Kudou, and likely Yotsuba sought ties with him.
"I kept this from you, but Izumi was secretly engaged to him. That's broken now. If you want, you could pursue him," Koichi offered.
"And Itsuwa?" Mayumi asked.
"We'll see," Koichi said, ending the talk.
Alone, Koichi reflected on 30 years since Gozo's actions. Consulting Kudou Retsu, his mentor, he was stunned by Retsu's rebuke: "How long will you cling to the past?" Others had faced their scars, but Koichi struggled to grasp this. Unbeknownst to him, Mayumi's sister would soon confront him with hostility over the broken engagement.
Ichijo head Goki returned to Kanazawa post-meeting, not for urgency but lack of reason to stay in Tokyo. The Ichijo, without servants, rely on automation, freeing manpower for their vast defense region. His wife Midori welcomed him warmly.
"How was the meeting?" she asked.
"Nothing major, but Yotsuba officially joins the oversight system," Goki said.
"Trouble?" Midori asked.
"No, Maya seemed… calmer," Goki noted, sensing her growth since two years ago.
"Are Shoki and the others in their rooms?" he asked.
"Yes, with Shinkuro visiting," Midori replied.
"Ruri over Akane? Unexpected," Goki mused. Ruri, a second-grader, had a crush on Shinkuro, a third-year middle schooler headed to Third High, an eight-year age gap.
"Love ignores age. Akane's into her 'white knight,'" Midori teased.
"Who's from Mitsuya," Goki sighed. Two years ago, at an Ichijo party, fourth-grader Akane confessed to "Yuto Nagano" (Yugen), who gently declined, citing six years for her feelings to mature. Shoki's tactless comment earned him and Shinkuro a joint lock from Yugen, who later apologized. Goki forgave him, acknowledging Shoki's fault.
Magic clans favor early marriage, often strategic, but Goki preferred love matches like Mitsuya's. Shoki's blunder targeted a war hero's kin, leaving Goki no room to protest.
Over dinner, Goki briefed Shoki on the meeting. "Toyama's spared, but warned. Saegusa and Juumonji can't shield them anymore," he explained.
"Yotsuba's influence grows, and Mitsuya's rising. Gozo's move strengthened their bond," Shoki said, wary of Saegusa's oversight.
"I proposed Mitsuya take Sanin's oversight, but they declined," Goki admitted, citing Sado's invasion alongside Okinawa's. Ichijo fortified Sado, saving researchers, thanks to Mitsuya's tip via Ueyama. Goki saw potential in Shinkuro, recommending him to the Magic Research Institute.
"If Yotsuba moves, Saegusa will. Ichijo can't lag," Goki said.
"Yugen's a Mitsuya, tied to Gozo via his mother, Shiho," Goki revealed.
Shoki was stunned. Yugen used "Nagano" to avoid pressure as a Mitsuya. Goki saw his potential to stir change, intrigued.
"If Yotsuba strengthens without harming others, I'm fine with it. We might cooperate, especially against New Soviet threats," Goki said, envisioning Mitsuya's intelligence aiding a Yotsuba-backed defense.
Shoki found it far-fetched, but Goki saw necessity, even considering sending a daughter to solidify ties.