Chapter 527 - A TOUCHING SPEECH (1/2)
Minister Shimada looked at Akira for a long moment before speaking. She was hoping that the meeting would go in a better direction, but Yamazaki Akira was a stubborn girl. She did not want to compromise, even though she had no reason for quitting the Immortal Sword Brigade.
The matter concerning someone eyeing Kaito as a sacrificial lamb for his career on the international scene was true. However, she had planned to use the information and its resolution as a reward rather than a threat, if only Akira were not so mule-headed.
”It is not impossible to give this person an alternative plan of action. He owes me a favour, and I am privy to a lot of information that he could use to advance his career. Of course, I am not a philanthropist. I will require something in return.” She said without pause.
Akira understood that the minister was prepared for any choice she would make. At the moment, it was useless for her to quarrel and struggle meaninglessly.. The other woman would not let her go.
”And what is the something you want?” She asked.
”It is nothing difficult, and it will not require a lot of your time.” Minister Shimada said. ”As you know, the Immortal Sword Brigade and a few other unorthodox government agencies are managed by a special panel.”
”The current presiding panel has been in place for a long time. It was there even before my predecessor's time. Moreover, the director of the panel has been hospitalised due to the complications of old age. And even when he was there, the effectiveness of the panel has declined.”
Minister Shimada sighed. The Immortal Sword Valley had been established in the feudal period, but it had managed to catch up with modern times with regard to technology and operations. However, the people overseeing the brigade and a few similar groups was a little outdated.
The panel was established because the people in the old government were afraid of abuse of power. Over the years, the panel had played its role, but the people in it had hardly changed. The current panel had old people, with the youngest being seventy-one.
Moreover, the current director was one foot into the grave.
If the situation were different, Minister Shimada felt like she would have waited for a while before approaching Akira for the job. However, the cracks in the agencies were already showing, starting with the person responsible for that dreadful Watch app.
Yes, the minister was naturally aware of the menace, and she knew it had originated from the Immortal Sword Valley. Therefore, she could not afford to waste time using soft tactics with Akira and helping her realise her importance.
”I have been seeing more and more problems cropping up with the agencies. If immediate changes are not made, it is likely a lot of trouble will ensue in the country. I need you to take over as the director of the presiding panel.” The minister finished.
Akira was a little overwhelmed by this request. She knew that Minister Shimada had a plan, but she did not expect that she wanted to put her in such a high position directly. It was a little flattering but also horrifying.
She was not one to thirst for power, especially political or military power. But she understood the significance of the position as the head of the panel. It would mean overseeing all the clandestine operations of the government.
Unfortunately, it was also a risky position.