Chapter 33: Arrival

Just when he was feeling sleepy, someone brought him a pillow—Takeda Tetsu’s somber face even showed a hint of a smile. He had just been considering how to deal with Xiao Kaitian, and unexpectedly, his clan sent orders, allowing him to mobilize his resources openly and legitimately.

His innate restraint warned him not to become complacent, so he merely curled his lips slightly. “What’s the reason for this mission?”

“Sir,” the messenger ninja replied respectfully, “His Highness says that if you ask, this matter involves some people from ‘above,’ and it’s also related to Takeda’s plans to enter Musashi. His Highness believes you’ll understand.”

“Musashi?” Takeda Tetsu frowned. “The capital and the surrounding Sagami region belong to Musashi, which is under the Hojo family’s influence. Is Father preparing to confront the Hojo family directly?”

“No, not exactly. His Highness thinks that while an open war with the Hojo wouldn’t benefit us, loosening the situation a bit is possible. If you have any questions, you can consult His Highness directly.”

“I understand.” Takeda Tetsu immediately grasped the meaning. The area around the capital of the island nation should soon see the influence of the Takeda clan. He waved his hand. “Integrate the resources. When the time comes, I’ll handle the transfer myself.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Give me all the information on Xiao Kaitian. Also, have someone contact the Hojo family and tell them I’ll be visiting in person soon.”

“Yes, sir!” The messenger ninja accepted the task, flashed away, and vanished into the woods.

Sparse sunlight fell across Takeda Tetsu’s face, patchy and uneven, making him appear even gloomier. “Jiang Churan, you will be mine…”

Xiao Kaitian was unaware of the shifting tides in the island nation. He checked his phone, confirming that Ogihara Rin had sent information about Six Leaves. In his eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible blue light flickered.

Rationally speaking, he was not yet strong enough to dominate this world. The existence of martial artists and bounty hunters proved that many here were more powerful than he, like Takeda, whose combat strength surpassed his own.

He should lie low, wait until he became stronger, then pursue matters of vengeance and justice.

But he simply couldn’t suppress the fury within. Six Leaves’ actions targeting him had affected Jiang Churan, and that made him lose control.

Why was this? Knowing full well that exposing himself might bring greater difficulties, he was still eager to destroy Six Leaves. Anything that threatened those close to him, he could not allow to exist.

He mused that it must be the lingering emotions of this body’s previous owner influencing him. Yes, surely that was it.

He switched trains and arrived at Takagoinji, found a small café, ordered a rather mediocre cup of coffee, and leisurely inhaled its aroma.

Takagoinji was a famed second-hand market district in the Eastern View area, also a birthplace for young people’s fashion trends. Thus, the streets teemed with youths and eccentrically dressed individuals.

Xiao Kaitian’s aesthetic sense did not quite match this world, but he had grown accustomed to it. Watching the parade of “alternative” people before him, he found nothing amiss.

As night deepened, he gently pushed aside his now-cold coffee cup and stood up. Here was the renowned Pure Heart commercial street, lined with second-hand clothing and accessory shops, each with its own unique style. Some even had outdoor stalls, where university-aged women squatted or stood, carefully examining accessories.

Xiao Kaitian smiled and turned his gaze to the last small Western-style house at the end of the street—there lay the hidden headquarters of Six Leaves. He had arrived!

On the top floor of the Six Leaves headquarters, the president Watanabe Hirofumi, wearing wide-rimmed glasses, was livid. Three people sat on the sofa inside.

One was a bald old man, holding a tea bowl, staring blankly at his blurry reflection in the tea. Another was a young man in a light-colored suit, his shirt collar wide open, arms draped casually over the sofa back, exuding a reckless air. Behind him, a cold and elegant woman stood with her arms folded, lips pressed into a thin line.

They were the Coyote, the Crow, and the Hummingbird—Six Leaves’ three other guardians.

“The Double-Headed Snake is dead,” Watanabe Hirofumi gritted his teeth, words squeezed through his jaw. “Xiao Kaitian didn’t kill him, but he ruined them. There’s no way Xiao Kaitian can be excluded from this account.”

“Tell me, a second-rate dark contract has turned Six Leaves upside down.” He leaned back on the sofa, adjusting his glasses. “Has Six Leaves fallen so far? If this keeps up, the Bounty Hunters’ Guild will surely downgrade us.”

“If that’s the case, we might as well disband and go home to farm.” He breathed heavily. “Utter disgrace.”

The Crow grinned, his manner insolent. “President, it’s not quite like that. Isn’t the Guild also responsible? They issued the dark contract without proper investigation.”

“Xiao Kaitian is a fool. I’ve asked people who know the Han-Tang family, and the answer’s the same,” Hummingbird interjected. “Personally, I think the intel was accurate. Maybe he has a martial artist protector—after all, he’s a scion of the Han-Tang family.”

“Impossible,” Crow retorted. “They’ve investigated—no one’s by his side. What, an invisible man?”

“Hmph, maybe his cultivation is so high we couldn’t detect it,” Hummingbird shot back.

“In my opinion, we should report this to the Guild and let them deal with it.” Crow sneered. “Six Leaves should withdraw from this plan. The Xiao Kaitian mission is obviously not worth it.”

Watanabe Hirofumi frowned. Crow’s words were harsh, but not without reason. Yet Six Leaves had lost two bounty hunters; if they couldn’t account for it, their reputation would suffer. He turned to Coyote for his opinion.

Coyote offered none; it seemed as if everything around him meant nothing. He stared intently at his tea bowl, lost in thought.

“President,” Crow yawned. “I don’t see why we should be conflicted. Better to lose face than lose our lives. I came a long way back—I'm tired.”

Watanabe Hirofumi shook his head. As the head of Six Leaves, he couldn’t be as irresponsible as Crow. “I’ve heard Xiao Kaitian has a sister—perhaps…”

“The Ogihara Society has already tried, guess what? Nothing came of it,” Crow shrugged. He’d said all he could; if someone insisted on going against his advice, he couldn’t help it. He stood up. “Besides, we target only the contract subject, not others. That’s the principle of bounty hunters.”

“Crow, watch your words. You’re a member of Six Leaves…” A flash of anger crossed Watanabe Hirofumi’s face.

“If that’s so, I withdraw from this mission and leave Six Leaves,” Crow chuckled, glancing at the three in the room. “Life is what matters most.”

“Coyote!” Watanabe Hirofumi couldn’t contain himself any longer; he would not let Crow continue to challenge his authority.

“Enough,” Coyote finally set down his tea bowl, the soft clink breaking the silence. “He’s here!”