Nevertheless, no matter what had happened between Shinra and Mina that night, neither of them discussed it, nor could they, as he had been called into the headquarters by Isao to attend a meeting to determine what to do with Kafka Hibino.
Yet, while he should say that they should let Kafka fight alongside them as Kafka could be trusted, they didn't know Kafka well, and naturally, it was impossible for them to have a similar trust as he had toward Kafka.
At the same time, his rank within the Defense Force was low, so he knew that he had no place to talk, especially in front of those veterans, who had been fighting for decades and more.
"How is your body?"
Still, Isao asked this question in front of everyone as if he wanted Shinra to announce his condition in front of all of them.
"I am fine, Sir." Shinra made a military salute as he gave his answer. "Thank you for asking."
"You are all fine now?"
"Yes."
"But in case something is happening, you should start to take care of your body well."
"Thank you, Sir."
Regardless, everyone was concerned about Shinra, as he was a vital asset to the country.
Assets.
What a crude word to use, but this was the fact, as everyone within the country was a subject, and unless Shinra planned to take over the country, he was still a soldier, even if his position was somehow elevated and he was promoted.
Yet, instead of being treated like a normal soldier, his treatment was akin to a nuclear weapon, delicate, yet treasured preciously, as his existence could become a symbol of peace and hope, as nothing would happen to this country.
Or rather, due to his handsome face, and also almost all-mighty-like power as he could use Weapon 4 and Weapon 6 at the same time, he had become like a hero in the Isekai story to fight against the demon king that terrorized the world.
Or like Ultraman, Kamen Rider, or simply superhero stories?
Regardless, when they all saw him standing straight like a pine, they sighed in relief, knowing he was okay, and then moved on to their following discussion, the reason they had all gathered.
Still, as Shinra saw their expressions, he knew that with his power, no one would think it was inappropriate to have him stay in this meeting with all of them.
"Kaiju No. 8."
"I never expected that a Kaiju would infiltrate the Defense Force, and a mega monster class at that, too. We must deal with it immediately."
Most of the officers of the Defense Force who gathered had never thought of Kafka as anything more than a Kaiju, an existence that should be killed. Instead, it was all the better to kill Kafka as soon as possible, so they could turn him into a weapon or a piece of combat armor.
No one knew that Kafka would go berserk, and it was better to take it down when it was all quiet and docile.
Lastly, with Shinra, even if Kafka became the strongest weapon that was created, they believed that he could wield it and become even stronger, making this country more peaceful!
Naturally, Shinra knew all of that since he wasn't naive enough to think that all of them would believe in Kafka. While most characters would get angry at their friend for being treated this way, he wasn't so naive, thinking that getting angry would solve everything. Instead, he knew well that he should face them in a way that they could understand the benefit that came from living Kafka was far better than dead Kafka.
"What do you think, Uchiha?"
As they finished their talk, Isao glanced at Shinra, asking for his opinion, thinking of what to do with Kafka.
"I believe that Kafka Hibino should live."
"Huh?"
Everyone was startled by Shinra's answer, as they thought he would be confident in wielding the strongest weapon created from Kafka's Kaiju body, yet he unexpectedly wanted Kafka to live.
What the hell was this young man thinking?
"Why do you think so, Uchiha?"
Still, Isao didn't get angry and asked him this question again.
"I believe that his humanity still remains within him, and he will help us to protect this country from Kaiju."
"Are you serious?! He is a Kaiju!"
"Before he is a Kaiju, he is also a human."
The report and record of Kafka's origin on how he could become a Kaiju were presented in front of everyone. In the belief of many, it was just a one-sided story, especially when the one who could confirm everything was real was only Ichikawa. If it were someone else, it might be different, but Ichikawa was only a new soldier, and his words didn't contain as much persuasion as those with high positions.
"Human? You've seen the record, right? How can you say that he is a human with such a body? Even if he is a human from the past, as a Kaiju has infected his body, he has become a Kaiju! What if he goes berserk and truly becomes a dangerous Kaiju that can't be controlled! With his power, this country might fall!"
As Kafka was caught, everyone quickly checked his entire body, and as expected, it had changed. It wasn't that of a human anymore. Instead, he had become a creature that was close to a Kaiju!
No, he was a Kaiju!
At this moment, Kafka might be docile and could protect his comrades, but could anyone guarantee that he would continue to have such an emotion?
Instead of waiting for Kafka to lose himself and become the most dangerous and strongest Kaiju that destroyed humanity, it was far better to turn him into weapons as soon as possible!
"I know that my words sound naive, but I am just alone. I can't protect this country by myself."
"....." Everyone.
Being a hero was nice and all, as Shinra gained many things that he wished to be, and he even got the secret knowledges, whether it was technology, or even money, but as expected, it was too heavy to shoulder the fate of this country by himself, especially when he wouldn't stay in this world forever.
Yes, Shinra knew Kafka and this was one of the reasons why he wanted to save him, but compared to him, who came to this world with an intention to rob the power of the Kaiju, he believed that the role of protecting this country was far better to be in the hand of Kafka.
"I am all alone, and I can't be that of an all-mighty god that can protect this country by myself."
"Then... you want Kafka Hibino to help you?"
"Yes." Shinra nodded. "If we have the strongest Kaiju to help us protect this country, isn't that good?"
"But how can you be sure that he won't go berserk?"
If they could somehow control a Kaiju to protect this country, then why not?
It was like how a tamer or a summoner profession existed in MMORPG games, and relying on the power of their subjects was a nice way to fight since they had no need to move on their own, and they could protect themselves from a far distance.
Yet, while it was a great method, the risk was high!
In the worst case, this country would be destroyed!
Only—
"It doesn't matter if he goes berserk."
"Huh?"
Under everyone's confusion, Shinra said, "Because I can kill him."
"..."
Why did he have the confidence to keep Kafka?
It was simple, and the reason was that Shinra was the strongest.