Chapter 482: Department of Homeland Security
Chapter 482: Department of Homeland Security
“Leader, the car’s ready.”
Sato Hayato’s voice called from outside the apartment.
Fang Cheng and Ye Yuqing pushed open the door with their luggage, followed by Kanzaki Rin and others seeing them off.
Uka Kaori stood among them, having taken leave from Oni Yuki to settle temporarily in the Mechanical City and stay with her daughter.
Two weeks after defeating Isis, Fang Cheng finally prepared to journey to North America at Tsukimi Narumi’s insistence—both to address his soul tearing problem and search for his mother’s body. The risks were high, so only Asaka Akihime and Ye Yuqing accompanied him.
Ye Yuqing turned to wave at the group, grinning. “Bye! Ah Cheng and I’ll miss you all! Call us often, okay? Hahaha!” Her laugh rang out, annoyingly smug, as if they were off on vacation rather than a life-saving mission. The others rolled their eyes, but she didn’t care—this was her chance for extended alone time with Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng bid farewell to Kamikawa Takumi and Sato Hayato, entrusting them with the Mechanical City’s safety. Kanzaki Rin stepped forward, ignoring Ye Yuqing’s antics, and hugged him tightly. “Stay safe. Come back quickly.” Though she knew what might happen between Fang Cheng and the two girls during this trip, their lives were at stake. She couldn’t object.
“I’ll return soon,” he promised.
“See that you do.”
She kissed his cheek—a first public display of affection—prompting Ye Yuqing to point accusingly. “Shameless!”
Sato Mai copied the gesture, hugging and kissing Fang Cheng with a giggle. Nangong Saye, Takeda Masumi, and even Qingxue followed suit. Uka Mirai glanced at her mother before darting over to hug Fang Cheng and peck his cheek. Fang Cheng’s gaze flicked toward Uka Kaori, who pointedly looked away.
“Ew, all that slobber,” Tsukikage Chuxia sneered. Beside her, the nine-tailed fox grumbled, “Stop dawdling! Hero selection’s starting.”
“Hold your horses!” The cat and fox had become gaming comrades, glued to their screens daily.
Kamikawa Takumi and Sato Hayato watched wistfully—this was a man’s ultimate dream. But with Minamoto Karei and Kujo Yuri glaring nearby, both adopted disapproving scowls, silently declaring, “We disavow this playboy.”
“You! All of you!”
Ye Yuqing hadn’t expected her taunts to backfire.
But with everyone joining in, she couldn’t possibly go around punching them all. Fuming, she dragged Fang Cheng outside.
Fang Cheng waved goodbye to the crowd before getting into the car with her.
Hokkaido lacked an airport, so they first crossed the strait to Saitama Prefecture on Honshu to catch a flight to North America.
Fang Cheng’s identity now drew constant scrutiny—whatever he did, countless eyes followed.
After departing Mechanical City, he and Ye Yuqing boarded a passenger ferry across the strait.
The Area 11 Government had wisely restored ferry services between Hokkaido and Honshu, permitting free commercial travel without smuggling.
Disguising themselves aboard the ferry, they easily slipped past watchers and returned to Honshu.
A smooth flight from Saitama took them straight to North America.
On the plane, Fang Cheng revisited the Gates of Heaven cult documents.
Active in California, this cult’s full title was the “Global Advanced Computing Religious Organization.”
Linking a cult to computers seemed absurd enough, but its founder also claimed aliens and UFOs—sent by God to save humanity—were real.
Fang Cheng ignored the propaganda, focusing instead on the cult’s strength.
North America’s state government had once launched a classified operation against Gates of Heaven, hiding both its execution and disastrous outcome.
Sato Mai hacked the state database, uncovering records: the operation had failed completely, even costing them an ace. Too ashamed to admit it, the government assessed Gates of Heaven as possessing substantial armed forces and individuals surpassing aces.
Tsukimi Narumi’s wariness suggested the cult harbored an evil god’s proxy—one wielding his mother’s body.
This mission would be perilous. No wonder Iyaya had delayed pushing him until now—she’d likely doubted his earlier capabilities.
Fourteen hours later, their plane landed in San Francisco.
Fang Cheng knew little about the city beyond its Gold Rush fame and the Golden Gate Bridge’s frequent destruction by monsters and superheroes.
With scant clues from Tsukimi Narumi or Iyaya, he’d solve this alone. At least he wasn’t isolated anymore, boasting solid connections now.
A gaunt, stern middle-aged man met them post-landing.
“Welcome to North America.”
Victor Haren, 34, a Level 3 investigator for the Department of Homeland Security. He’d visited Area 11 on official business once, owing Kamikawa Takumi a favor.
Like the Countermeasures Department, his agency handled demons and cults. Gates of Heaven fell under Homeland Security’s jurisdiction, making Victor their local ally.
Having video-chatted earlier, they exchanged brief greetings and handshakes, skipping formalities.
Ye Yuqing stood silently to the side without uttering a word.
This wasn’t due to coldness – her limited English and refusal to let Asaka Akihime take over forced her to maintain this aloof facade.
“Let’s go. I booked your hotel. Find your own rental if staying long.”
The trio left the airport, entered Victor’s car, and headed downtown.
Victor remained taciturn during the drive, only responding briefly when Fang Cheng spoke.
“Rest first. Tomorrow’s closed-door meeting at Homeland Security about Gates of Heaven – you’ll attend.”
“Non-members can join?”
“Sure.”
Victor’s faint smile could’ve been mockery or ice. “Strength opens doors here.”
He knew Fang Cheng only as an Area 11 official visiting North America, reluctantly accepted due to Kamikawa Takumi’s influence.
Fang Cheng’s identity documents were classified for government higher-ups – unsurprising a state investigator like Victor remained ignorant.
Given his circumstances, discreet entry proved wiser than grand announcements.
At the hotel entrance, Victor stayed in the car, warning through the window: “Whatever status you held in Area 11, keep your head down here. Cause trouble and I’ll deport you immediately.”
Overworked and unimpressed by these under-twenty youths, he sped off after Fang Cheng’s reply: “Don’t worry. Any trouble won’t be yours to handle.”
Ye Yuqing flipped off the departing vehicle. “Million-dollar scowl on that guy. Needs a good punch.” Though relying on Asaka Akihime’s translations, she grasped the hostility.
Fang Cheng shrugged. “Big Brother warned he’s difficult. But we need this local’s help finding Gates of Heaven.”
“Treat him like a fart then.”
The hotel revealed Victor’s single-room booking. Ye Yuqing’s nervous shower lasted ages before Fang Cheng dragged her into all-night gaming.
…
Next morning brought neighborhood exploration and local cuisine sampling. Victor’s afternoon message summoned them to Homeland Security.
The city branch resembled corporate offices with suited elites. Victor waited stone-faced at the entrance.
“Five minutes late.” He marched inside without explanation.
The empty meeting room received them. “Wait here. Others arrive soon.” Victor vanished without water offerings.
A hulking black man entered first, eyeing the pair curiously. Others followed – eccentric youth, tattooed Native American, card-shuffling magician, androgynous robed figure.
Soon the room buzzed with acquainted attendees exchanging greetings. Only Fang Cheng and Ye Yuqing sat isolated, weathering open stares of suspicion.