Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 66: Japan Branch (14)

Dragon Raja 3

“I think there’s only one way to escape fate: to become fate itself! To become the one who weaves it! Weave the fate of the Yamata no Orochi, the fate of Japan… even the future of the world!” The old man said quietly, “It’s something no one has ever done before. I’ve decided to try. If I succeed, future generations of the Yamata no Orochi will be free from war and bloodshed. If I fail, I hope you will accept the position of head of the family, continue to lead this clan, and never let our people lose hope.”

The wind swept through the pine forest like ghostly wails, the whole world drowned in the rustle of rain. At this moment, the humble smithy seemed to sit at the very center of the vast mountains. In the distance, the ancient bell of a mountain temple tolled deeply.

“Then let’s try it. I’ll do my best to help you, Father, starting with convincing the other clan heads.” Chisei looked at the furnace, holding his long blade in his arms. “So, according to you, if we succeed, I’ll be able to go to France, right?”

“You brat! Is it just to slack off?” The old man froze for a second before cursing with a smile. “Alright, alright. You’re right. If we succeed, both of us will be free. You can go sell sunscreen in France, and I will prepare to die in peace.”

“Hey, don’t say that. You’re still a young old man, Father,” Chisei replied.

“True. I could go to France with you and sell sunscreen.” The old man chuckled.

He pulled a file from beside the furnace and handed it to Chisei. “This is the profile sent by the main headquarters. There are three people coming to Japan on this mission, supposedly Anjou’s elite team. They aren’t deployed easily.”

Chisei skimmed through the files and frowned. “They’re just a bunch of kids. Is the principal joking?”

“They’re indeed young and inexperienced, but their bloodlines are exceptional. Anjou likely considered that approaching the embryo requires an excellent bloodline; otherwise, the embryo’s protective domain could kill them.” The old man said, “In this matter, we can trust Anjou. He doesn’t take someone seriously without good reason, nor has he ever misjudged a person. I’ll arrange a meeting with the heads of the Eight Families, and I want you to welcome these young people, earn their trust, and have them cooperate with our plan. We absolutely cannot allow the Oni Clan to make contact with them. From the moment they step onto Japanese soil, they must be fully monitored and protected.”

“Understood. So the best way to keep the Oni Clan from getting to them is to lock them up in the family dungeon, right?” Chisei raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t mistreat the people from the headquarters like before. I mean you should find ways to please them, to show our hospitality.” The old man smiled bitterly.

“Do we even have such a side?” Chisei asked.

“Come on, don’t underestimate the young people sent by the headquarters. They are currently the strongest team in the college, and you are the strongest person in the Japanese branch. In a way, you’re rivals.” The old man pulled out the knife blank, and its red-hot patterns glowed like a splendid sunset.

“Fine. Kabuki, AV stores, compensated dating girls, love hotels… I mean, isn’t Japan just a hedonistic place in the eyes of foreigners? Give them these, and they’ll be happy enough to give us a thumbs-up. I’ll go make some preparations,” Chisei said as he donned his coat. “Oh, by the way, how is Erii?”

“She had another nightmare,” the old man replied, taking a sip of strong liquor and spitting it onto the red-hot knife blank, making the flames flare up. He swung his hammer in the heat, his aged but muscular upper body reflecting the firelight, looking like a warrior cast in iron.

Italy, Rome, on a sunny morning.

In an old castle on the outskirts, Frost, the acting head of the Gattuso family, was entertaining bankers from around the world with an Italian-style breakfast. The atmosphere was full of laughter. They were discussing a $22 billion project—investment in a natural gas field under the North Sea in Scotland. The Gattuso family had secured the extraction rights at the end of last year. In two years, the gas field was expected to contribute $7 billion in annual taxes to the British government, and the Gattuso family’s return would be several times that. Banks from all over the world were eager to invest in the project and get a share of the profit. The breakfast was leisurely and elegant. In Frost’s view, big deals should be discussed in this way. Only small-time businessmen would resort to banging tables during negotiations. True power brokers finalized cooperation through casual conversations.

“And there’s an even more amusing story about that illegitimate son of the Bourbon family. In 1732, he inherited a barony from the mother he had never met and tried to enter high society, and then he…” Frost had been telling jokes all morning, making the female bankers laugh out loud.

Suddenly, a secretary dressed in black appeared behind him. “Sir, there’s important news.”

Frost smiled. “Parsi, there is no important news while we’re having breakfast. The most important thing at the table is the cheese.”

He didn’t want to lose face in front of the bankers. As the acting head of the Gattuso family, there was no need for him to handle business during breakfast. The world revolved around people like him; even if the world were to end, it should pause while Frost enjoyed his breakfast.

But Parsi didn’t leave. He leaned over and whispered a few words in Frost’s ear.

“Anjou, that son of a bitch lunatic!” Frost slammed the table in anger, knocking over the cheese dish, and hurriedly left without even explaining to the bankers.

“Something urgent came up, regarding the family heir. My apologies for the interruption,” Parsi bowed and then followed Frost.

The bankers looked at each other in silence, trying to figure out what could have made Frost lose his composure like that. And the ‘son of a bitch lunatic’ Frost mentioned… they seemed to know him as well.

It was only after entering the soundproof office that Frost let out his full fury. His roar was as loud as a jet engine: “How could he send Caesar on such a dangerous mission?!”

“Last year, the family tried to oust the principal. Our relationship with Anjou is effectively broken. Anjou no longer gives us any leeway. Caesar is a student of the college, and according to the rules, Anjou can assign him to missions. We have no right to intervene.”

“But we’re his guardians! I attend Caesar’s parent-teacher meetings every year! I have the right to be concerned about his safety!”

“I’m sorry if this may displease you,” Parsi paused, “but… you attend Caesar’s parent-teacher meetings as the acting head of the Pompeii family… You have the right to attend, but not to stop the mission.”

Frost looked as if he had been struck over the head. “Then… then call the Japanese branch! Tell them to stop the mission! If they help us this time, they will earn the goodwill and rewards of the Gattuso family!”