Chapter 278: End of the Road

“Blasted Dream Technology!”

Fury engulfed Toyotomi Ichiro as he hurled everything on his desk to the floor in a fit of rage.

Despite all their calculations, they hadn’t foreseen that Dream Technology would leak the virus incident. But how did they find out?

Puzzled and without answers, Toyotomi turned to the Director of the Prime Minister’s Intelligence Investigation Office. “How did Dream Technology obtain information about this covert matter?”

“The intelligence capabilities of Dream Technology are well-acknowledged as the strongest in our intelligence community. This is evident from the significant information they have released on several occasions.”

Toyotomi shook his head, his disappointment palpable. He then addressed Mizukawa Kazuhide, the Director of the Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Department, “Mizukawa-san, what’s your take on how they acquired it?”

With a slight bow, Mizukawa replied, “I surmise they may have used network or electronic device monitoring. It’s likely that Dream Technology has surpassed the technological level of all nations.”

Toyotomi nodded, seemingly impressed. “Your inference seems plausible. Draft a response plan immediately to prevent such breaches in the future. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Mizukawa acknowledged.

With a dismissive wave, Toyotomi sent them away.

As they left, Mizukawa quickly summoned assistance to tidy the Prime Minister’s office, discretely clearing up the scattered items, and then silently departed.

“Sir, now that the situation has escalated, we must consider our response plan,” Mizukawa cautiously advanced.

Toyotomi approached the window, gazing at the setting sun, a sense of doom creeping upon him. He shook his head hastily, trying to dismiss the ominous feeling.

Turning to Mizukawa, he asked, “What’s your proposal?”

Mizukawa reported, “According to Kato’s latest figures, the virus has been detected in six districts including Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo, with 356 confirmed cases, 1200 suspected, and 326 fatalities so far. The spread of the virus is faster than any previously known. Now that the super virus is public knowledge, we must act immediately. Deploy the Self-Defense Forces in hazmat suits to quarantine the affected districts and prohibit anyone from leaving.”

Toyotomi paused before replying, “That’s merely a stopgap measure. Who knows how many have already fled Tokyo in these few hours. Inform Kawata that the Self-Defense Forces must be ready to seal off any virus-ridden areas at any moment. I’ve already notified Takehara-Sensei to prioritize vaccine distribution to the Self-Defense Forces.”

“Right away,” Mizukawa saluted and set to work on the orders.

“How many countries are willing to take in our refugees?” Toyotomi inquired.

“Just Parsia and the Kangaroo Country, though they’ve imposed restrictions and won’t accept people from the Tokyo area after hearing about the virus,” Mizukawa updated.

“Then use all available transportation to prioritize evacuating people from other regions to these two countries.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mizukawa questioned further, “When do you plan to head to the command center, Prime Minister?”

After hesitating, Toyotomi decided, “We go to the command center immediately.”

In Shibuya, Tokyo, armed forces in hazmat suits and gas masks rushed to the main streets, erecting barricades with haste, sealing off the intersections in mere minutes. People with bags and suitcases quickened their pace only to be stopped at the barricades.

“Hey, clear the way, let us pass!”

“Damn it, why can’t we leave?”

“For goodness sake, you’re human too, how can you trap us in here?”

“I’ll drive through this barricade myself!”

As the commotion grew, the rumbling sound of an engine grew nearer—a truck seemed poised to ram the barricade. The crowd scattered, and the soldiers tensed, guns at the ready.

An officer with a megaphone announced, “Attention, citizens. By the government’s martial law decree, Shibuya is entirely sealed. Please remain calm; the government will arrange for screenings. Only those who pass can leave. Anyone defying the martial law or trying to break through will be shot on sight.”

Amid the announcements, helicopters circled overhead, repeating the message. Yet, as people contemplated their next move, the truck revved its engine and surged forward, its speed increasing as it neared the barricade.

“Fire at will!” Commanded an authority as gunshots echoed through Shibuya at the 30-meter mark. Despite the hail of bullets, the truck didn’t stop. A red beam then seared through the air, striking the truck, and a thunderous explosion ensued. The truck halted in flames just shy of the barricade.

The specter of a domestic military force set amid the capital’s bustling center, the sound of gunfire, the sight of helicopter bombardment—it had been years since the people of Yamato witnessed such a scene. Their own military had proven any attempts to cross the barricades would constitute a direct confrontation.

The grim reality set in: the virus’s infectiousness and mortality were alarmingly high. The military’s decisive action only confirmed the worst fears.

“Please let us through, we’re not infected!”

“When does screening begin? You’re not lying to us, are you?”

As the crowd pushed against the barricade, another earthquake shook the ground, creating a distracting panic. Suddenly, a person started coughing frantically before collapsing, intensifying fears of infection among the crowd.

Seeing no other option, they prepared to force their way through the barricade. As the helicopters veered off to continue broadcasting, the planned breach commenced: Several buses thundered toward the barricade, as soldiers, lacking heavy weaponry, opened fire. But the drivers had already strapped their feet to the accelerators.

The buses plowed through the barricade, enabling countless people to flood out. Soldiers panicked, firing into the crowd, who, strangled by fear of the virus, charged forward heedless of the danger. The military was quickly overwhelmed, with some even disarming soldiers and confiscating their gear.

More people ran in blind panic as the helicopters circled back. The pilot hesitated at the trigger.

“Headquarters, Shibuya’s Sector 7 barricade is breached, countless individuals are escaping. Awaiting instructions.”

“The order to shoot on sight was clear, what is there to confirm?”

“But… these are our people…”