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Akira lifted a brow without the intention of relenting. Her move would look a little petty, but she did not want to get off on the wrong foot during the negotiation. If she showed that she could be taken for granted, she would lose out before accomplishing her goals. 

"I am Suzuki Taira." The aide said through gritted teeth. 

"That was not so hard, was it?" Akira asked with a smile as she would to her stubborn students during training in the Immortal Sword Valley. "Ah, you have wasted so much time. Let us get moving before the sun sets. This is an urgent meeting after all." 

The aide was frustrated by the casual attitude. It was like Akira kicked her and forced her to the ground beneath her feet. Then, asked the reason she was kneeling before her. It felt humiliating and oppressive, but she could not say anything. 

Suzuki Taira led the way to the vehicle Akira had identified after stepping out of the plane. As expected, the unknown bigshot was hiding and watching in that car. It was obvious that the person had unknown vested interests in her. 

However, she was prepared. 

Aide Suzuki opened the rear door for Akira and indicated for her to enter. She watched Akira\'s face with a little smugness as she waited for her mouth to open in wonder once she recognised her boss. However, she was the one surprised as Akira stepped into the vehicle with a change in expression. 

In the end, she could only close her mouth and the door without feeling vindicated. 

As the motorcade left the airstrip, Akira looked at the middle-aged woman. Her expression remained calm. 

"Minister Shimada, you did not have to come to pick me up," Akira said politely. 

The Chief had remained cagey about the exact identity of the big boss because of potential security problems. If something was leaked out concerning the Minister\'s whereabouts, Akira would have taken the blame. 

Therefore, even though Akira had her suspicions about the person she was meeting, she only confirmed it after stepping into the vehicle. 

"I insisted on meeting you on short notice even though I knew your difficulties. It is only right that I reduce your burden." The Minister said. 

The woman spoke in a kind manner that showed understanding, but Akira was not fooled by the older woman\'s outward demeanour. She did not miss the shrewdness in those aged eyes. Moreover, she could feel the underlying strict personality beneath the smart pantsuit. 

This woman, Shimada Nene, was the Minister of Defence. She was an iron lady who was revered and feared in equal measures in the political world. She had experience in the military scene before retiring. Everyone thought she would rest at home after her military career. 

However, she rose again and took the position of Minister. 

Most civilians did not understand the work conducted beneath the surface by the government branches. However, Akira was not a true civilian, so she knew the significance of Shimada as the head of the sensitive ministry. 

She had improved the national self-defence measures by streamlining both orthodox and unorthodox organisations. Consequently, the severity of crimes against the country and the people on both the local and international platforms had decreased. 

The efficiency of the Minister made Akira admire the iron lady a lot, especially when she was handing missions and felt frustrated. At that time, she wished she were in a position to make larger-scale changes, especially when she could not solve problems on the field from the route. 

On the other hand, the shrewdness of the Minister made her cautious. If she was not careful, she was sure that she would come out on the losing end in the meeting. 

"Thank you for your consideration," Akira responded politely. 

She tried to think about all the stratagems she knew to defend herself again. Her guard was already up when she found that the Immortal Sword Brigade had chartered a plane for her instead of letting her use a commercial flight to get to Tokyo. 

A small part of her wished that she had brought Taiki with her. However, she also did not want to appear like a weak woman. The odds were already against her since she was pregnant. She looked like a little round ball, which diminished her aura. 

"It is nothing. When I was pregnant in my younger days, I wished that I could have had an easier time. Of course, at that time, I was still in the military. It was not possible for me to get maternity leave immediately. I was confined to desk duties, but the environment was still quite harsh." Minister Shimada smiled. 

"In that case, I have it easier than you. I have been resting at home, painting a mural in the nursery." Akira said. 

She could already see the passive-aggressive strategy that the Minister was using against her. The older woman wanted to make her feel like she was being fussy by choosing to stay at home doing nothing. By comparing them, it would make Akira feel embarrassed and less open to whatever plan she had. 

Unfortunately, such a low-level trick would not work on her. She would not be guilted so easily or provoked into doing something she did not want. Therefore, her response was showing the Minister that she was content with her choices. 

Minister Shimada laughed. "You are still so young. Right now, you are quite apprehensive about your first baby, but you should listen to the world of someone experienced. You are only twenty-three years old. Your life has not begun." 

Akira\'s face darkened a little, but she did not respond. 

"You might have lived a different life than most people, but you have still not seen the world in its entirety. Even an old woman like me cannot claim to be experienced in life. I think that I still have a lot to learn." The Minister added. 

"What do you want from me?" Akira asked directly. 

Minister Shimada looked through the window and found that they had arrived at their destination. Her shrewd eyes became even brighter when she heard Akira\'s question. 

"That can wait for a moment. We should have lunch. You need all the nourishment you can get at this stage in your pregnancy. You are about seven months along, right?" The woman asked. 

"Yes," Akira replied. 

She looked outside and saw that they were entering a palatial residence.