The Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox. Also known as the Fox.
One of the largest anti-social organizations in existence since ancient times, the organization was currently in a state of quiet confusion.

The organization's central office receives reports from members all over the world, plans operations, and issues orders. That's how the fox works.

There are multiple "centers" that receive information, and no one knows the full story except for the highest officials. Thorough secrecy was one of the factors that allowed the organization to evade investigation to this point, but now it is backfiring.

The members have a certain amount of discretion, depending on the number of tails they are given. Gaff of the Seven Tails, who was supposed to carry out the plan at the Martial Emperor Festival, was one of the senior members.
He was known for his discretion and charisma, and especially for his ability to command his subordinates and achieve his goals, but the events occurring at the current Martial Arts Festival were a little too grandiose.

In the center of the foxes, where they gather and organize information from a wide area centered on the imperial capital of Zebrudia, and where few people even know of their existence, people wearing fox masks were busy organizing information.

'Making fried tofu? Which operation?'

'The bandit king reported that the operation was going smoothly...'

'We have information that the foxes are gathering and hunting other groups...'

'It's probably part of Gaff's operation. Tell him to report any changes in the operation.'

I'm aware of certain discrepancies in information. The reason we're giving the field more power is so we can be flexible in the face of any trouble.
So far, it has worked well. There are no incompetents in the Fox organization, which has always valued quality over quantity.

'I've just received word that the foxes on the Zebrudia side have blown up a room in the inn the Clan took. Footprints of the Beginning, which unit?

'There's an imposter of an Imperial Princess on ......?

One after another, information that wasn't part of the plan came in. You can't be sure of the truth, but the troops in the cleats are on maneuvers, and as long as there's no report from the other side, there shouldn't be any problems with the operation.

This plan is the largest the Fox has ever undertaken. The execution team is also elite, especially Gaff, who leads them and is a man of extraordinary skill and ambition. I'm sure he understands the importance of this operation better than anyone.

However, aside from blowing up the inn and cutting off the rest of the organization, we can't overlook the fake princess.

'Send in a new squad just in case. It shouldn't affect the operation, but there's a chance someone might interfere. Also, make sure there aren't any idiots in the research department who've created an impostor of the princess and let it run wild. And send word to the boss.

This operation is an important one that involves the highest officials, the symbol of the organization.
A top executive with a fox mask brought back from a high-level treasure house--the power of the nine-tails is far different from that of lesser executives.
He has power, charisma, and... individual fighting ability. If you expose your incompetence, you could be purged, no matter how much of an ally you are.

At that moment, one of the fox-faced men standing in line stood up and shouted in an unusually impatient voice.

'I got an urgent call from the boss who was on his way to the cleat, asking what happened to that thing--'

'What ......! Gaff said he'd already handed it over--'

The fake princess has nothing to do with the mission, but that thing - that treasure trove - is the main part of this mission.
I've already received a report directly from Gaff that it was handed over to the boss. This inquiry is obviously strange.

Gaff was supposed to be accompanied by the Fox Priestess. How could he have misread the boss's face?
Taking all this into consideration, there was only one conclusion to be drawn--.


'--No way ...... is this an ............ internal struggle, huh!


'Yes!

The room went silent for a moment at these shocking words.
It's a top secret, and not even the intelligence community knows the full story, but there is more than one fox-faced top executive, aka boss. It is said that the bosses communicate with each other in secret on a regular basis and decide the guideline of operation.

It is believed that the bosses are usually divided into regions and command the organization, but on rare occasions, their orders may conflict.

This time, however, it's more than a conflict.

This is a major operation. It is unacceptable for another boss to snatch "it" from the side when the boss is supposed to use it.
This meant that a power struggle, which had not been a part of the organization until now, was about to break out.

'What do we do now?

'...... tell the truth, no falsehoods. We're ...... in over our heads.'

It wasn't Gaff's fault. Of course, it's not Headquarters' fault either.

The boss's identity is classified and his power is absolute within the fox. You can't go against him.
That's how the organization has developed all these years.

An internal conflict would cripple the foxes and kill a lot of people.

The fox masks that had been in contact with various places began to move again. However, the atmosphere in the air had changed drastically.

A bloody war was now looming before their eyes.










'The fox conspiracy, or ...... to be honest, it's pretty incompatible with me.

'After all this, what are you talking about?


I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I forced myself to move my body, which was unwilling to stop, and followed Franz. Sitri was following behind me, smiling, and it seemed that my toilet plan would not work this time.

Why do I always have such bad luck? I'm being carried away by the situation again.

I'm a kelp swaying on the ocean floor. beautiful.


No, wait, wait, wait. I'm not ready to give up. If I give up now I'll bump into the wrong fox.
I appeal to Mr. Franz with all my emotions.

'Mr. Franz, it's chemistry. Hunters have chemistry! The fox and I, we're not compatible. The only ones who are good with foxes are Mr. Gark and the old lady who burns!

'Old lady who burns! No, before that. Do you know what a fox is?

I've dug my own grave. Franz-san's eyes widened and he came at me.

I reflexively pulled Sitri to my side and tried to hide behind her, but I was too pathetic to do anything but hug her shoulder.

'I don't know. I don't know, but I can at least guess!

'Prediction? What do you mean? What do you mean? Don't always say it in a roundabout way, say it clearly!



, . .

, .
, .


' , . , , '


. .
, .



' , . '

' . , . , , '

' , , . '

.

,


' '

' '

' '

.





, , .
, . .

, .

' , '

' , . '

, .


, .

' '

' '

,
, .

' . , '

' , '

' , '

.
, .

, .
. .

. .

, .
, .


' '

, .

, . , .

, , , .
, . ,

. , .

' , , '

, .

' , . '

' , '

. , .
, , , .

' , '

.
, .

' , . , '

' , . , '

. , .
, , .

' , '

' '

.
, , , .

, .

.

' , , '

' , . '

, . .
Franz-san gave a small cough, looked at me with a glare and said.

'Gosh. Come to think of it, you're a treasure collector, aren't you? Are you familiar with the treasure called the Key of the Earth?

'Hmm? Yes, I have it.

'Oh, that's great that you have it. .................. huh?

'? No, no, I just happened to get it recently for various reasons. It's just one bottle.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to hide .......