The black train that Laskey and Tama had been following for several days, like all other trains, actually had a name. It was called 'Kurogane,' and it was the only 'Iron Fortress' in the entire country painted entirely in black.
Inside the train.
"I am deeply honored that the son of the General himself is guiding us," Ayame said apologetically as she followed Amatori Biba.
Beside her were a blonde woman, a blue-clad Warrior, and the gray-green-haired young man whom Laskey had noticed earlier. As for the little girl in red, her whereabouts were unknown.
"We have long severed ties; we are no longer father and son," Amatori Biba explained calmly as he led the way, addressing his relationship with his father.
"How could that be... By the way, there's something strange we'd like to tell you."
"Oh?"
Amatori Biba seemed particularly interested in the word 'strange.' He stopped and turned around, asking softly, "Please, go on."
After exchanging a glance with the gray-green-haired young man, Ayame spoke gently, "Well, when we passed through Yatsushiro Station, we heard something almost like a myth or legend."
"They said that a few days ago, 'Black Smoke' attacked their Station. Just as everyone was falling into despair, a 'God of Sand' appeared, who could transform into yellow sand and control wind and sand. This god defeated Black Smoke, swept away all the Kabane, and before leaving, took Chief Steward Tian Jiang with him."
The gray-green-haired young man continued, "We checked, and there were indeed clear signs of a battle at that location. Especially the slopes on both sides of the tracks had their tops sliced off, as if cut by a sharp blade in an instant. This matches the accounts of many soldiers at Yatsushiro Station!"
"Yes, just as Ikoma said, although it sounds fantastical, there's a strong sense of reality about it. There are just too many residents who claim to have seen this 'God of Sand.'"
Ayame nodded and added, "Even a grilled chicken stall that the 'God of Sand' visited was packed. The spot where the god sat has been covered with a large umbrella to shield it from the elements, treated as a sacred place where a deity once lingered."
"Such a thing..."
Amatori Biba lowered his head in deep thought. If it was strange occurrences, he had one of his own. One of his subordinates, a man named Kurusu, had reported that recently, a few rice balls and bamboo water containers kept going missing.
If this had happened on an ordinary Iron Fortress, it wouldn't be surprising, as there are always those who try to sneak extra. But the Hunter Group is under strict military management, and the quantities of rice balls and bamboo containers are tightly controlled.
Because of this, they had interrogated several soldiers during the journey, but nothing was uncovered.
Most importantly, he trusted his sixth sense. For the past few days, he had felt as if he was being watched from time to time...
Meanwhile.
Laskey and Marta had temporarily separated. The former hid in the shadows, using a Den Den Mushi to communicate with the Star Gate Base, while the latter went to observe the city's environment, looking for anything noteworthy.
"People emitting the aura of Kabane?"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Senior Director Addison, upon hearing Laskey's report, suddenly recalled a plan that the Biochemical Research Institute had submitted not long ago.
"Wait a moment, I'll get Dr. Fritz over right away. I'm sure he'll be very interested in what you have to say!"
After speaking, he didn't hang up the Den Den Mushi. Instead, he immediately used another Den Den Mushi on the desk to call Dr. Fritz and quickly explained the situation in a concise manner.
[Bang!]
Sure enough, in less than five minutes, Professor Frieze, who wasn't far away, burst through the office door, snatched the receiver from the former's hand, and shouted excitedly, "You really saw living people emitting the aura of Kabane? And they were fully conscious?"
"Yes, and not just one, but four—two men and two women. Moreover, they—" Laskey recounted the physical traits displayed by Amatori Biba and the short-haired blonde woman.
"Hahahaha!"
After listening, Professor Frieze laughed with wild delight and exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew my ideas weren't wrong!"
"Though I didn't expect that people in this world have already mastered the technology to mass-produce Kabaneri. It's a bit of a small regret, but it also saves us a lot of time and effort."
"Listen, even though I don't know you, you must keep a close eye on those four. At the very least, make sure you can bring one back!"
Laskey, who was far away at Shitori Station, cautiously observed his surroundings while whispering into the Den Den Mushi, "Understood."
"By the way, since four Kabaneri appeared there at once, it means there must be someone who has mastered the relevant technology. Look carefully to see if there's anyone who seems like a scholar or researcher!"
"There is indeed one."
Laskey recalled some members of the Hunter Group whose attire and demeanor were quite distinctive.
In his mind quickly appeared the image of a middle-aged man with gray-green hair, slicked back in a pompadour style, wearing a clean white robe, and a small device around his neck that combined a punk-style gas mask with night vision goggles.
When the 'Kurogane' had stopped along the way, he had seen this man accompanying Amatori Biba several times. His demeanor was very similar to the scientists he had met before.
"Hahaha, that must be him. Keep an eye on him; his value is even greater than those Kabaneri. Of course, since you have two people, try to bring both of them over!"
Dr. Fritz cheered with excitement. At this moment, Senior Director Addison interjected, "Laskey, since you have high-value targets there, I'll order other CP9 teams to converge on your location."
"We've already obtained a map of this country. Based on the location you provided earlier and the intelligence about Amatori Biba, they are most likely heading to Diamond Citadel, the capital of the Shogunate."
"So your next stop is clear: Iwahato Station, the last stop before Diamond Citadel. I'll have them head there in advance!"
Laskey nodded expressionlessly and said, "Understood."
"Wait, hold on!"
Just as both sides were about to hang up the call, Dr. Fritz stopped them and quickly said, "Didn't you mention to Director Addison earlier that you sensed a source of negative emotions?"
"Yes."
"That was a mental wave that, upon merely touching it with my Observation Haki, evoked intense fear and a desire to kill within me!" Laskey said gravely, clearly troubled by the matter.
"That confirms it. There must be a 'Core' of a 'Black Smoke' on the train. Amatori Biba must have captured hundreds of Kabane alive to feed it!"
"What are 'Black Smoke' and 'Core'?" Laskey asked, puzzled, but quickly grasped the concepts after Dr. Fritz's explanation.
"It seems the Hunter Group carries far too many things of significant value. They're practically a treasure trove! Your decision to follow them was absolutely the right choice!" Senior Director Addison laughed.
"I'll report these matters to the homeland immediately and see how the higher-ups decide to handle them, especially this Amatori Biba and the young female leader you mentioned. Like you, I sense political value in her as well."
"However, your and Marta's primary and secondary tasks are to keep a close eye on Amatori Biba and that Kabane researcher. Once we reach Iwahato Station and regroup with the other teams, await further orders!"