Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter's Hero Dream - Chapter 244

Chapter 244 Great Sinner ②
Part 1
　《Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)》. Commonly known as――”Fox (Kitsune).”
　An organization that has existed for a long time and is considered one of the largest antisocial organizations was now in a state of quiet confusion.

　The middle management quarters receive reports from members in each region, formulate a plan of action, and issues instructions. That is the modus operandi of the “Fox (Kitsune)”.

　There are several 『Middle management quarters』 that receive information, and no one but the highest top executives knows the full picture of what is going on. Up until now, this thorough secrecy was one of the factors that allowed the organization to escape the investigators’ hands, but it is now backfiring.

　Members have some discretion depending on the number of tails they are given. Gaff, a seven-tailed, the one who was supposed to carry out the plan at the Supreme Martial Arts Festival is one of the top members.
　A man who had a reputation for both his discretion and charisma, especially in his ability to command his subordinates to achieve his goals, however, the events occurring at the current Supreme Martial Arts Festival were a little too grandiose.

　At the headquarters of operations, the center of the “Fox (Kitsune)”, which few people even knew existed, where information from a wide area centered on the Imperial Capital of Zebuldia was collected and organized――People wearing fox masks were spending their days organizing the information coming in.

“Producing Aburaage? Which operation is this?” (Kitsune Member 1)

“The “Thief King (Tozoku Ou)” reported that the operation was progressing smoothly――” (Kitsune Member 2)

“We have information that the “Fox (Kitsune)” are gathering and hunting other organizations――” (Kitsune Member 3)

“It must be part of Gaff’s operation. Tell them to report it when there is a change in the operation.” (Kitsune Member 4)

　To a certain extent, they take into account discrepancies in the information. The decisional power is given to those on the field because they need to be flexible enough to be able to face any problems.
　So far, it has worked. There is no incompetent person in the organization called “Fox (Kitsune)”, which has always emphasized quality over quantity.

“Word came from Zebrudia Foxes, it says that a fox had blown up one of the rooms of an inn that a Clan used. The Clan is 『First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)』 which unit did it?” (Kitsune Member 1)

“A fake Princess appeared……?” (Kitsune Member 2)

　One after another, information that was not part of the plan came in. Even if they wanted to confirm the truth, the troops inside Cleat are doing their own operations, and as long as there is no report from the other side, there should be no problem with the operation.

　This time’s strategy is the largest one that the “Fox (Kitsune)” has ever undertaken. The execution team is also an elite team, Gaff, the one who leads them, is, in particular, a man of extraordinary skill and ambition. He should understand the importance of this operation.

　However, aside from blowing up an inn and destroying other organizations, they cannot overlook the fake Imperial Princess.

“Just in case, send a unit. It should not affect the operation, but there is a possibility that someone is trying to interfere. Also, check to see if there are any idiots in the research department who created a fake Imperial Princess and let her roam free. And contact the Boss too.” (Fox Member 3)

　This operation is an important one, as the symbols of the organization, the highest executives are participating.
　The highest executive with a fox mask brought back from the ultra-high level Treasure Shrine――The authority held by a Nine-Tails is far apart from anyone else.
　Possessing authority, charisma, and individual combat ability. If anyone is deemed as an incompetent person, no matter if they are an ally or not, they will be purged.

　At that moment, one of the fox mask men that were in line stood up and made an unusually impatient voice.

“An urgent communication from the Boss, who was on his way to Cleat, it says “What happened to that artifact”――” (Fox Member 4)

“What……!? Gaff said that he had already handed it over――” (Fox Member 5)

　The fake imperial princess is not particularly relevant to the operation, but that artifact――That Relic is the main part of this operation.
　We have already received a report from Gaff that he has already handed it over directly to the Boss. This query is clearly strange.

　Gaff was also supposed to be accompanied by a Miko of the Fox-God. There was no way she could have misjudged the Boss’s identity.

　Considering all these factors, there is only one conclusion that can be drawn――.

“――Don’t tell me…… This is………… An internal conflict!?” (Fox Member 5)

“Huh!?” (Fox Member 6)

　The room became momentarily quiet by his shocking words.
　Because of its top-secret nature, even the information center does not know the whole picture, but there is more than one fox mask top executive――a.k.a. the Boss. It is said that the Bosses communicate with each other in secret on a regular basis to determine the guidelines of the organization.

　It is believed that the organization is usually divided into regions to pilot the organization, but on very rare occasions they may give conflicting orders.

　However, this time, it is not at the level where they are just conflicting with each other.

　This is an important operation. It is unforgivable for a Boss to take 『That』 which was supposed to be used by another Boss in secret.
　That meant a power struggle, something that was unrelated to the organization until now, was about to break out.

“What do we do?” (Fox Member 1)

“…… Tell the truth, don’t make anything up. This is…… Way over our heads.” (Fox Member 5)

　It is not Gaff’s responsibility. Nor, of course, is it the responsibility of the headquarters.

　The identity of the Boss is confidential and authority is absolute within the “Fox (Kitsune)”. They cannot go against the Boss.
　That was how the organization has developed all this time.

　If an internal struggle happened, it would paralyze the “Fox’s (Kitsune)” functioning and many would die.

　The fox masks that had been in contact with various areas began to move once again. However, the atmosphere was very different.

　A blood-for-blood war was now at hand.

§　§　§

“The “Fox’s (Kitsune)” conspiracy, huh…… In all honesty, it doesn’t go well with me.” (Cry)

“What the hell are you talking about, after doing all this!” (Franz)

　Franz-san cut me off with a single sentence as I declared my surrender in a badass manner.

　I forced my body which was unwilling to move and was complaining by stopping my body, and followed Franz. Sytry followed me while *niconico* smiling, and it seemed that the bathroom strategy was not going to work this time.

　Why am I always this unlucky? I am once again carried away by the flow of the situation.

　I am a kelp that sways to the bottom of the sea. The sea, so beautiful.

　No, waitwaitwaitwait. It is too early to give up. If I give up now, I will be pitted against the bad fox.
　I appealed to Franz-san with all my feelings.

“Franz-san, our compatibility. Compatibility exists for Hunters ! The fox and I are not compatible. The fox is compatible with Gark-san and the burning Baa-san!” (Cry)

“The burning Baa-san!? No――Before that. For you to say that you are incompatible, do you know the true identity of the fox!?” (Franz)

　I dug my own grave. As if he wanted to eat me, Franz-san came at me with wide-open eyes.

　I reflexively tried to pull Sytry in order to hide behind her, but it was so pathetic that I stopped myself and just hugged her shoulder.

“I don’t know, ok. I don’t know but I can at least predict that!” (Cry)

“Predict it!? What do you mean!? Stop always talking in a roundabout way and make it clear!” (Franz)

　Because, see…… There is no enemy that would be compatible with me. On the contrary, if there is someone like that, I would like you to bring him to me.