The three of them ran all the way back to the hot spring hotel, finally stopping at the entrao catch their breath.

  Since embarking on the Sequeh, Ren's stamina had vastly improved pared to before.

  Ran, who had begun following the path of physical strengthening, was barely affected by short-distance running.

  "Ha… ha…"

  Oher hand, Sonoko who rarely exercised was pletely out of breath after running nearly a kilometer.

  "Sonoko, you really o work out."

  Seeing her friend panting so heavily, Ran couldn't help but ent.

  "L-Let's… talk about it… after we get inside…"

  Sonoko, her face flushed from exertion, could barely get the words out.

  At this moment, all she could feel was the burniion ihroat.

  This was the result of years of avoiding physical activity, sudden exercise took a serious toll oamina and endurance.

  After taking a moment tute her breathing, she finally calmed down.

  "Alright, let's go in."

  "Wait."

  Just as Sonoko was about to step inside, Ren grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

  Without expining, he turoward the entrand pushed open the door.

  Less than 200 meters outside the hotel, a woman in a short skirt and suit was leading a fully armed SWAT team toward them.

  They had arrived faster than expected.

  And…

  Activating Spiritual Vision, Ren sed the SWAT officers.

  Their etheric bodies had a strong presence, and their auras carried a certai.

  It was clear that these SWAT members had undergorous training.

  Their riot shields, submae guns, pistols, grenades, and ammunition, all of it added up to at least 30 kilograms of equipment.

  Without exteraining, moving quickly with such a load would be impossible.

  At a steady but determined pace, the team covered the remaining distan no time.

  Standing upright, the female officer leading the group took a deep breath, then pulled out her police ID.

  "Hello, Ms. Suzuki."

  "I am Sato Miwako from the Metropolitan Police Department's First Division of Criminal Iigation."

  "We received intelligehat drug traffig is taking p this isnd. We are about to ence a sweep operation to arrest all suspects."

  "In order to prevent aaliation from the drug dealers, we are here to ensure your safety."

  "I hope you will cooperate."

  After Sato Miwako finished speaking, Sonoko immediately nodded.

  "No problem."

  "But we'd like some details."

  "How did drug dealers end up operating on an isnd so close to Tokyo?"

  "And why is the Metropolitan Polily disc this now?"

  Her line of questioning was rather direct.

  It was as if she ointing at the polid demanding. What exactly have you guys been doing this whole time? How did you not realize drug dealers were operating so close to the capital?

  Sato Miwako's expression darkened slightly.

  She wasn't happy about the question but she couldn't deny that the Metropolitan Police Department had indeed failed in their early iigations.

  Although they had been trag the sources of illicit drugs in Tokyo, they had never mao pinpoint their in.

  If it weren't for the tip-off they received this time, they might have never discovered that the dealers were hiding on Tsukikage Isnd.

  "Fet it, Sonoko."

  Ren interrupted before the situatioed.

  "Sure, the police took a while to locate the drug dealers but at least they're here now."

  "As long as they arrived in time, it's not too te."

  Hearing this, Sato Miwako rexed slightly and bowed as a formal apology.

  "I sincerely apologize. This was an ht on the part of the Metropolitan Police Department."

  Since Ren had taken on the role of the mediator, Sonoko who had been pying the bad cop decided to let it go.

  "Fine."

  "But the fact remains, this wouldn't have happened if the police had done a better job iigating."

  After making her point, Sonoko's expression softened.

  "Anyway, I won't dwell on it."

  "Thanks for ing."

  Sato Miwako let out a quiet sigh of relief.

  At least the situation haded further.

  And holy, the police did bear some responsibility for failing to discover the drug dealers sooner.

  Given that these young women had actually been in danger, a little criticism was uandable.

  "e inside."

  Now that she had gotten her frustration out, Sonoko allowed the officers to ehe hot spring hotel.

  It wouldn't be good to leave a fully armed SWAT team standing outside.

  They o keep a low profile, especially sihe Tsukikage Isnd sweep operation was about to begin.

  "Everyone, spread out and secure the hotel."

  "Ehat no unauthorized individuals enter before the operation begins."

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  The SWAT officers, well-trained and effit, quickly spread out to cover all key points.

  Each officer had a radio unicator, allowing them to maintain coordination and provide real-time updates.

  After ensuring the defensive perimeter was set up, Sato Miwako exhaled aed to Iure.

  "Iure, all security measures are in pce."

  "Good work, Officer Sato."

  "Stay on high alert. The Coast Guard has arrived and is advang toward Tsukikage Isnd."

  Sato Miwako felt a sense of relief.

  The drug bust was officially underway.

  With the Coast Guard's manpower and specialized equipment, the operation would be even more effective.

  However—

  "There's a high probability that a rge number dealers are hiding in the mountainous area behind the vilge."

  A sudden voice startled Sato Miwako.

  Turning around, she saw it was Ren, the same boy who had just calmed down Sonoko earlier.

  "Are you sure?"

  Ren shook his head slightly.

  "I 't be 100% certain."

  "But when I went for a m run, I passed the boundary between the residential area and the back mountain."

  "I noticed a sentry post a few hundred meters away. There were surveilnce cameras installed outside, and a ndslide warning sign osted nearby."

  "I have a strong feeling that the vilgers of Tsukikage Isnd are bei away from that area for a reason."

  Sato Miwako immediately uood the implication, something suspicious was definitely being hidden in the back mountain.

  "In addition, I also saw several protest signs scattered in the vilge while running."

  "They were all about enviroal pollution."

  "I suspect that the local fishery has been affected, and the vilgers have noticed something unusual."

  Drug produ causes enviroal damage.

  Sato Miwako's eyes widened.

  It all made sense now.

  The signs of pollution, the restricted area, the guards and surveilnce, everything poio ohing.

  There was a drug manufacturing facility hidden in the back mountain.

  Iure, who had been listening through the radio, had also reached the same clusion.

  "Officer Sato, seg your location is now your top priority."

  "I'll tact the tactical team and have them move in immediately!"

  ***

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