Chapter 95: Agul Takes the Blame—What Does That Have to Do with Me, JoJo?

“Remember what I told you. If you ever cross into a parallel world, be sure to take me with you.”

Qiao Zhe reminded Gamu once more before heading toward the command room.

He did not keep repeating it because he was overly cautious, but because Gamu liked to act alone.

As everyone knew, there were said to be four Heisei heroes.

So why was it that whenever Gaia made a cameo in a theatrical film, only three of them ever showed up?

Because Gaia had not brought Agul along.

Whether he had simply forgotten, or deliberately kept Agul in the dark, no one knew.

In the Orb prequel, the two of them had gone together, and in the end they had merely drifted through the whole affair and come away thoroughly embarrassed.

Behind Qiao Zhe, Gamu glanced back at the device that shifted space and time.

So I really will cross into a parallel world? What kind of things will I encounter?

Thinking this to himself, he followed after Qiao Zhe and went into the command room with him.

This time it was not an enemy invasion, but Fujimiya was carrying out his plan to introduce the Dragon Vein Guardian to the world.

Of course, “introduce” was only a joke.

As the guardian of the earth, if not for Gaia and Agul, Tokyo would probably already have been plunged into rolling blackouts and water shortages everywhere.

The interview had been arranged in an open field.

The live news feed had already been transferred to the main screen by Atsuko.

After receiving the notice, Ishimuro, Chiba, and Tsutsumi were all watching the scene.

“What is Fujimiya Hiroya trying to do?” Chiba asked, frowning at the news broadcast.

Atsuko then reported, “Commander, the number of people paying attention to this is rising rapidly.”

“It is not just Tokyo. This is being broadcast all over the world.”

When Chiba heard this, his expression grew grave, and he offered what he knew and what he suspected.

“From what the investigation team has found, Fujimiya Hiroya holds a number of industrial patents in countries around the world.”

“If he is using that network, then this is very likely his doing.”

“Commander, we should remain cautious.”

Chiba warned Ishimuro, worry showing in his face.

Ishimuro said nothing. He only watched the news on the main screen, deep in thought.

Tsutsumi gave his own opinion. “The coverage is so widespread, and he is using a news report to do it. I think Fujimiya Hiroya may be trying to tell the public something.”

Ishimuro glanced at Tsutsumi when he heard this, because that was exactly what he had been thinking.

At that moment, the command room door slid open automatically, and Qiao Zhe and Gamu walked in.

The three of them could not help but turn their eyes toward them at once.

Under Ishimuro and the others’ gaze, Gamu grew extremely nervous, his eyes darting away uneasily.

To be honest, this was his first time doing something like this.

From childhood to adulthood, Gamu had never told such a huge lie, and he was now participating in the plan as well. If one counted carefully, he could even be considered one of the masterminds.

By contrast, Qiao Zhe remained calm and unruffled.

He did not feel the slightest bit flustered under the looks the three of them gave him.

After all, the plan had been masterminded by Fujimiya. What did it have to do with me, Jojo?

Even if the plan were exposed, the one they should arrest would be Fujimiya.

He walked quietly to the main screen, where the people in the broadcast seemed ready, and Reiko Yoshii had begun the report.

“We are now at an open area near Tokyo’s Marunouchi district. Standing beside me is Mr. Fujimiya.”

“He is Ultraman Agul, the blue Ultraman we all know.”

At Reiko Yoshii’s gesture, Renbun turned the camera toward Fujimiya.

Fujimiya merely gave a faint, imposing nod and said nothing.

According to the original plan, he was supposed to speak next about the Dragon Vein Guardian.

But then a female geomancer had arrived. Fujimiya could sense that she possessed formidable skill in geomancy, so he changed the plan at the last moment.

Rather than let him speak, it would be better to have Kuroda Kei, as a human, explain it instead.

Besides, Kuroda Kei had an exquisite bearing, and the effect would probably be even better.

Just look at Renbun, the man handling the camera. Ever since he saw Kuroda Kei, his eyes had kept sneaking toward her, almost like a lecher.

Fujimiya’s judgment had been correct. The first time Kuroda Kei saw him, it was as though she had glimpsed an endless sea, as if the ocean itself were right before her eyes.

Even if Fujimiya had not revealed his identity, she would probably have guessed that he was the guardian of the sea.

Reiko Yoshii then gestured toward the other side.

“In the underground of Tokyo, we have discovered a vast dragon vein. Now Miss Kuroda Kei will explain it to us.”

Renbun swiftly turned the camera, hurrying to aim it at Kuroda Kei while taking the chance to steal several more glances at her.

Kuroda Kei wore a shy expression and held a geomantic compass in both hands. Her whole presence was elegant and refined.

She was a little nervous at the moment, but still explained, “If one uses geomancy to divine this land beneath our feet, then in truth it is alive. That is the matter we are discussing today.”

“Alive?” Reiko Yoshii asked at just the right moment.

Kuroda Kei went on to explain the name of the dragon vein, the Dragon Vein Guardian, and how, if the dragon vein were severed, the land of Tokyo would become an omen of great misfortune.

As Kuroda Kei continued her detailed explanation, the transparent phantom of the Dragon Vein Guardian appeared once more.

It hovered in the air behind her, occasionally shaking its head.

XIG command room.

Ishimuro watched the live broadcast on the news and then turned his gaze to Qiao Zhe and Gamu.

Did these two know something?

Sensing Ishimuro’s stare, Qiao Zhe did not pretend not to notice this time. Instead, he gestured to Gamu and said, “Gamu, send the underground structural map of Tokyo to the main screen.”

“Ah, okay!” Gamu had been growing uneasy under Ishimuro’s gaze, and when he heard this, he hurried to the computer.

He transmitted the underground structural map of Tokyo to the main screen and said, “According to what this geomancer has described, subway lines, underground waterways, river channels above and below ground, and the like…”

“It is easy to see that many of the man-made pipes have damaged the earth’s veins.”

“And if the large-scale project in the Marunouchi district continues, it will completely sever this dragon vein.”

As Gamu marked everything one by one, a winding red dragon appeared on the main screen.

“So this is the dragon vein?” Chiba asked, startled.

Tsutsumi glanced at Qiao Zhe and Gamu, then asked, “So by that logic, this dragon vein is alive.”

“Is it some kind of Earth monster, or what? Does it pose a threat to us humans?”

“The dragon vein is also called the Dragon Vein Guardian,” Qiao Zhe said, taking over from Tsutsumi. Under the eyes of the others, he explained, “She is essentially a natural force of the Earth.”

“If humans do not harm her, then not only is there no danger, but we may instead receive the protection of the Earth’s dragon, and this region will enjoy favorable winds and rain.”

“But now—”

Qiao Zhe stopped there, but everyone understood what he meant.

After a brief silence, Ishimuro said with a heavy expression, “The development of modern cities has buried countless pipes and facilities underground. This has unquestionably damaged the dragon vein.”

“Once technology advanced, we humans also lost that original reverence for the power of nature.”