Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH6: The Yaksha Princess's challenge (prt 5)

Not everyone can boast about being personally invited to the Prime Minister's residence for drinks and have the audacity to lean back casually in his presence. But Kouzou Kazamatsuri didn't have to boast, in fact he was actually a close friend of Prime Minister Tsukikage, one of the few whom the he truly trusted.

A middle aged man with dark brown hair, Kouzou is the head of the Kazamatsuri Zaibatsu. One of two of Japan's most wealthiest entities, the other being the Totokubara Foundation. One could say that the Kazamatsuri and Totokubara families have a sort of rivalry but in truth the two of them were never in competition; the Totokubara Foundation was more about entertainment, social welfare and charity, while the Kazamatsuri Zaibatsu focused on finance and technology.

"You look tired, Prime Minister." Kouzou said humorously. "Running a country can't be any more stressful than running a Chivalry School, can it?"

The Prime Minister laughed. Bakuga Tsukikage was middle-aged but fit with light blonde combed spiky hair and beard and was rarely seen without his oval shaped glasses. What Kouzou referred to was a little known fact that Bakuga was once the Director of Hagun Academy before he retired and started his political career.

"Ah, that takes me back." Bakuga sighed out of nostalgia. "It's been years since those days. But no, I had allies back then just like I have allies today. Allies that do all the financial heavy lifting like you, Kouzou."

Kazamatsuri took a sip of his drink and grinned in amusement.

"Oh ho! 'A financial heavy lifter'? Is that what I am to you?"

"Indeed. In fact, I should be worried about YOU being stressed!"

The two men shared a hearty laugh and then their conversation settled into a somber tone.

"But seriously, I can't imagine you or the other Numbers were pleased with the events yesterday." said Bakuga.

The terrorist organization known as Rebellion had Adherents and Apostles in their ranks but those were mere foot soldiers. At the very top was their founder and leader, the enigmatic powerful Blazer only known as 'Tyrant' below him were twelve executives who have great influence and resources in the world; Power Brokers, businessmen, politicians and even assassins. They were called the Numbers. Ironically, many of them happen to be Non-Blazers despite the organization's ideology about them being inferior. Kouzou Kazamatsuri was one of these Numbers.

"Yare, yare. It's an unfortunate outcome but halfway expected, Bishou was too arrogant for his own good. But speaking of which, there was something I wanted to ask you."

Kouzou then leaned forward with his fingers interwoven and a furrow on his brow.

"This Batman person, What do you make of him, Bakuga?"

The prime minister also frowned at this point.

"I'm glad you asked and I would tell you...if there was anything of him I could make."

"What do you mean?"

Bakuga extended hand, palm facing upwards and a crystal ball-like device materialized and floated above his palm.

"As you know, my Getten Hoju allows me to see the past or future events of anyone or anything of my choosing. While it has limits, it does not deny me sight of what I request."

"And?"

The Getten Hoju dissipates as Bakuga closed his palm into a fist with a pained expression.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. I cannot see anything about the past nor the future of the Batman. It's like he doesn't exist!"