Highlights
Shadow and Shadow Garden's company, Mitsugoshi, has become public enemy number one as they steal business from other companies.
John Smith, now using the alias Shadow, joins forces with Yukime, one of the rulers in Lawless City, in order to exploit the ongoing conflict between Mitsugoshi and the Major Corporate Alliance for personal gain.
In his persona as John Smith, Cid proposes a scheme to counterfeit bills as a means of generating income. However, Yukime unintentionally expresses her disapproval of the flawed plan, much to Cid's disappointment.
Attention: The subsequent text unveils details regarding The Eminence in Shadow, Episode 24, "Mask of Falsehood," which can now be streamed on HIDIVE.
Following the resolution of the Red Moon crisis, both Shadow and Shadow Garden have departed from Lawless City and headed back to the capital of Midgar Kingdom in The Eminence in Shadow. Now situated in the capital, an enigmatic situation emerges as Shadow adopts an unfamiliar facade. Assuming the persona of Mr. John Smith, Shadow masterminds secretive endeavors in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Mitsugoshi, led by Alpha and the upper echelon of Shadow Garden, dominates the market by outpacing other companies and franchises. Infamous for their cutthroat tactics, Mitsugoshi has earned the title of public enemy number one, especially when pitted against their archrival, the Major Corporate Alliance. Surprisingly, there appears to be a clandestine connection between the Major Corporate Alliance and the ominous Cult of Diablos. However, as The Eminence in Shadow unfolds, Shadow's intention does not align with aiding Mitsugoshi; instead, he intends to dismantle everything and rebuild it anew.
John Smith And A Ruler Of Lawless City
Mitsugoshi, a company created by Alpha and the members of Shadow Garden, has emerged as a dominant player in the industry. Leveraging the knowledge bestowed upon them by Shadow from his previous world, Mitsugoshi has successfully outperformed and outmaneuvered its competitors. However, Shadow, driven by his personal interests, perceives this success as a threat to his own business and sets out on a mission to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
In doing so, Shadow relinquishes his Shadow persona and transforms into the esteemed secret agent, Mr. John Smith. He then forms a partnership with Yukime, the spirit fox and one of the three rulers of Lawless City. The purpose of this alliance is to enable Mitsugoshi and the Major Corporate Alliance to engage in conflict while they clandestinely profit. Garter, an executive of the Major Corporate Alliance, is already discussing strengthening their defenses against Mitsugoshi. Behind the Major Corporate Alliance lurks an underworld swordsman whom Yukime appears to have a shared history with.
Mitsugoshi - Public Enemy Number One
While Mr. John Smith and Yukime plot in secrecy, the Major Corporate Alliance is determined to undermine Mitsugoshi. And they are not alone. In addition to the Major Corporate Alliance, all shopping districts are hosting massive sales, involving even major corporations and downtown shopping hubs. Having earned the animosity of the entire retail industry, Mitsugoshi's survival seems uncertain. As the major corporations strategize to crush Mitsugoshi, John Smith aims to retaliate by utilizing the remaining capital to enter a new market and establish a fresh corporation. His plan entails inviting Alpha and the rest to join as upper management, effectively allowing Mitsugoshi to be reborn under a different name.
Meanwhile, Cid stumbles upon a revelation – the Major Corporate Alliance has recently introduced new bills that can serve as a substitute for those issued by the Mitsugoshi bank. Though this fact may seem common knowledge, Cid is taken aback by the fact that Alpha and the others have their own bank. He vividly recalls their discussions on banks and credit creation, but these conversations merely skimmed the surface, leaving him bewildered at how they not only established their own bank but even devised their own currency. Reflecting on these musings, Cid formulates an audacious plan to create counterfeit bills.