"Sit." Didn't even lift eyes, sitting motionless in chair.
Woman said nothing, just bowed, said intruding, then sat across from.
After sitting, leaned forward introduce self. "My name Yamamoto Kei. If here tourism, please register with government department. Otherwise illegal entry difficult handle."
Showed fake smile. "Don't put harshly. Just from China, passing through. Got dark, so rested. By way, surveillance system impressive. Found fast? One step later, already gone."
Yamamoto Kei immediately stood, bowed. "Sincerely apologize, miss. If offended, very sorry. Ministry's detection, just..." Paused uncertainly, as if next words too rude say.
Found extremely annoying. Really didn't like beating around bush. What couldn't be said directly?!
"Can speak directly. After all, invited first." Said.
Yamamoto Kei bowed again. "Then excuse. Don't speak well, please forgive. Place chose land, thank for liking. But within Mahoutokoro territory. Should know schools pay special attention all outsiders. That's why disturbed so early. Truly sorry."
Spat out tea. "Said where?!"
Yamamoto Kei showed gentle smile. "South Iwo Jima. Mahoutokoro's island."
Glared imperceptibly at Stephen's location. Good grief! What portal opening. Said find uninhabited place. Went straight wizard settlement! Brilliant!
Quickly had Coby clean mess. Dabbed mouth with handkerchief. "Sorry, just surprised. From Hogwarts in Britain. Heard of Mahoutokoro. Aren't many photos market, so didn't recognize. Thought just sparsely populated island, so decided rest overnight."
Yamamoto Kei nodded gently. "See. Then must be excellent Hogwarts student. After all, didn't detect landing at all. Only detected when used magic set tent."
Smiled awkwardly. What could say? Used mystic arts master's portal instead wizard methods?!
"Ahem, regarding America's magical state, what think?" Changed subject stiffly.
Yamamoto Kei's expression didn't change, still gentle as spring cherry blossoms. "Mm, Japan, civilians naturally curious magical state. After America's magical world exposed, mysterious entities various countries started emerging. Especially some evil god cultists. Caused great trouble."
Felt more awkward. Right on sore spot!
"So, what evil gods? Haven't heard." Tried maintain curious expression.
Yamamoto Kei looked troubled. "Originally would've reported, but some radicals blocked. Think evil gods might controllable. Mahoutokoro always had few students. Not prominent internationally. Those radicals think if can control evil gods, can boost reputation, expand Mahoutokoro scale."
"Impossible! Evil gods can't be controlled!" Stephen couldn't hold back. Threw off invisibility cloak, face serious.
Yamamoto Kei showed no surprise, just bowed slightly Stephen greeting.
Felt face completely lost. During business meetings, having someone listen side one thing, but walking out own? If happened self, fight host directly. Given current situation, could only say Yamamoto Kei good temper. Otherwise could've started fighting spot!
Nodded apologetically Yamamoto Kei. "Travel companion. Not wizard—mystic arts master from Himalayas. Sorry, because didn't know intentions earlier, so..."
Yamamoto Kei looked gentle. "That's very good. Girls traveling naturally need vigilance. Needn't apologize. What gentleman mean earlier? News don't know?"
"Uh, Stephen Strange. Just call Stephen. Mystic arts masters always..." Stephen began lengthy introduction mission, purpose.
Yamamoto Kei listened seriously, responding appropriately "Wow! Really!" "Not easy!" similar expressions. When Stephen's words started involving magical theory, couldn't stand anymore. Coughed, interrupting conversation.
"Honestly, came for evil gods recently appeared Tokyo. If left unchecked, whether Japan survive questionable." Said seriously. "Not exaggerating. Read plenty texts. Regarding dimensional invasions, personally experienced with experienced mages. If resistance hadn't been timely, Earth already become fuel another dimension."
Yamamoto Kei looked seriously. What said indeed true. Expression became difficult. "Then, have evidence? Need evidence convince stubborn factions. Evidence dimensional dangers."
Stephen immediately said: "Wait! Have texts. Can borrow photograph whatever, but can't take!"
Casually drew ring sparks. Stephen reached in, pulled book, spreading table Yamamoto Kei see.
Yamamoto Kei pulled cherry wood wand, pink notebook from sleeve. Tapped notebook wand before carefully reading open text.
Noticed everything Yamamoto Kei looked at appeared word-for-word notebook, like imprint.
Soon notebook filled. Yamamoto Kei closed seriously. "Understand. Please let Mahoutokoro join. Absolutely cannot happen Tokyo. Those magical families need cleaned. Best not touch powers don't belong!"
Stephen exchanged glances. Having local mages join made much easier!
After settling, Yamamoto Kei immediately took leave, saying return gather people. How long? Naturally no objection.
Walking Stephen door, watched Yamamoto Kei throw paper figures, board palanquin, paper figures rise wind, quickly disappearing view.
Didn't delay either. Packed portable items, had Coby collect tent.
When finished packing, stood waiting, saw several figures flying toward brooms distance.
Getting closer, found Yamamoto Kei leading several young wizards. Changed from elaborate robes into golden wizard robes like others.
Couldn't help nodding. Supposedly Mahoutokoro robes changed color. Gold represented top students. Looked like Yamamoto Kei wasn't slacking.
After brief discussion, gave Stephen address—Mahoutokoro's Tokyo base. Had Stephen open portal directly. After all, convenient portal shouldn't wasted.
Soon golden sparks spun. Japanese mages curiously peeked through portal. After confirming location correct, walked through first. If went first, easily attacked as invader.
After reaching Tokyo, Yamamoto Kei arranged young mage named Fumuro Shin guide Stephen around Tokyo confirm locations.
As for, Yamamoto Kei's words, identity somewhat sensitive magical world. Could only tour around. Yamamoto Kei arranged witch named Akabane Momoko accompany.
Pursed lips but didn't object. Just made encouraging gesture Stephen, decisively followed Akabane Momoko through portal.
Stephen didn't say much either. Having guide, being able move freely much better than sneaking around.
That evening, everyone gathered conference room. Tokyo map displayed wall.
Stephen pointed area north Kudanshita Park Chiyoda Ward, saying confidently: "Right here. Entrance alternate dimension opened here. Can feel. Summoned alternate dimension isn't friendly."
Except Stephen who knew nothing, everyone else including showed strange expressions.
That place... how put? Felt conflicted. No matter how said, connected China. That place well-known China—place called Yasukuni Shrine.
"Sure?" Yamamoto Kei's expression troubled. That place hawks' weak spot Japan. Not easy handle.
Stephen looked puzzled. "Place special? Certain. Inside. Innermost position!"
Before Yamamoto Kei could figure how talk politicians, Japanese mage suddenly burst in, chattering away.
Stephen quickly stood together. After all, from perspective, something definitely happened. Were team. Who knew what these people would do?
Yamamoto Kei asked few questions Japanese. Face turned ugly. Spoke sternly mage rushed in. That mage stood attention, bowed "Hai!" ran off.
"Something happened!" Yamamoto Kei's face looked terrible. "No need Stephen confirm. That place. Just now, Mahoutokoro's Tokyo branch detected strange magical burst. Source exactly where Stephen pointed. Using remote monitoring, already seen interior. Show!"
Tokyo map wall immediately changed. Image showed shrine—destroyed shrine. Above, monster covered tentacles swinging cause destruction. Monster's main body actually giant eyeball.
Footage showed gunfire roaring. Shells hitting giant eye monster no effect. Besides adding smoke, didn't even scratch skin.
Blinked, silently pulled phone, photographed shrine being ravaged monster, quietly sent Sun Xiaoxiao.
"No time waste. Must move quickly!" Yamamoto Kei said, looking expectantly Stephen.
"Wait, will be treated enemies?" Suddenly asked.
Yamamoto Kei immediately slapped forehead. "Sorry! Forgot!"
Gave few orders Japanese. Someone immediately ran off. Soon returned two robes like others wore.
"Wear Mahoutokoro robes, won't treated enemies!" Yamamoto Kei said seriously.
Didn't object. Immediately took one, draped on. Robe automatically adjusted, color gradually changing pink gold. Seeing color, nodded satisfaction, turned look Stephen.
Nearly burst laughing. Because Stephen from different magical system, robe only became form-fitting. Color? Blinding hot pink nearly made everyone present struggle keep straight faces.
Stephen's red cloak silently wrapped tighter, firmly covering pink clothes, only showing bit pink trim feet.
"Move quickly!" Stephen forced self not look face. Raised hand, started drawing circles.
Soon spark-rimmed portal appeared before everyone. Yamamoto Kei shouted sharply. Japanese mages responded loudly, expressions solemn charged through portal.
After everyone else went through, patted Stephen's shoulder suppressed laughter, followed.
Hmm, how much could sell photo? Mystic arts masters had no money though. How many years should Stephen work off? Casually tossed few spells while secretly pondering.
After battle, giant eye monster eliminated Stephen. Even rift wasn't spared—directly sealed. Stephen used mystic arts masters' exclusive seal. Finally had help add Chinese seal. That way, unless Japanese invited Chinese sects remove seal, portal couldn't opened again.
As for post-battle shrine, looked rubble everywhere, pulled phone take another photo, briefly said goodbye Yamamoto Kei, had Stephen quickly open portal. Can't stay long! Figured movements during battle bit much. Should fine. Tossed some talismans. Should fine too. But safety's sake—after causing trouble, gotta run fast!
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