"Hey, you there. You're not doing your job seriously. With hair that long, how do you look like Shigeo? You need a cut. Once we reach the manor, I'll cut it myself. You can't meet the boss like this—you'll anger him." The butler shook his head in disdain.
"Relax. The boss isn't angry. We already met on the ship, and he didn't say a word." Shigeo replied indifferently.
The man glared, unsatisfied, and the carriage rolled on.
The manor was lavish, grander than the residences of many daimyō.
After more than ten minutes, the carriage stopped before a towering building. Attendants led them inside.
The interior gleamed with gold, overwhelming the guests. They gasped and whispered in awe.
On the side, someone whispered, "Did you hear? The boss's business used to flop. Earning a million a year was a miracle. But once he tied his sales to Shigeo's name, he struck gold. Everyone in that town works for him now. And that's not even all—rumor says he has an entire nation backing him!"
Shigeo's face darkened. Neither Senzo nor Cheng Da had told him this. Did Lute have forces behind him? Was this not his true base?
Of course. On the ship, Senzo feared him and avoided details, while Cheng Da was a closed jar. Some questions he would never answer.
Yet Shigeo's name still burned hot across the shinobi world after more than a year. Some force was fanning the flames.
The group entered the back garden, where a vast outdoor buffet stretched before them.
The butler announced happily, "Everyone, this is all prepared for you by the boss. Please, enjoy to your hearts' content!"
The crowd surged forward, eating and drinking. Shigeo stayed still, coldly watching, a sharp contrast.
The butler noted this with hard eyes. He'd heard from shinobi escorts that this man was dangerous—he crippled Senzo and many others on the very first night. For reasons unknown, Senzo suppressed the matter…
Stranger still, Senzo dropped dead as soon as they docked. Could this youth be a spy from one of the Five Great Villages?
Many shinobi had come secretly to East Secret Island in the past year. Many never returned. If this man made one wrong move, the butler would make sure he vanished.
"Watch him. The long-haired one. If he acts suspicious, kill him. Don't move in front of the others unless necessary. But if push comes to shove, don't hold back. No one escapes East Secret Island." The butler's eyes flashed coldly.
"Yes!" Several freelance shinobi appeared, surrounding Shigeo in a quiet net.
The butler turned away. Today was a special day. They had prepared for years. Finally, the first step.
Once the guests had eaten, they were led into a building at the back.
Down the stairs they went, into a massive underground chamber.
"Everyone, wait here. The boss will arrive shortly." The guard shinobi announced.
"Why hold a celebration in a basement? This feels wrong…" someone whispered nervously.
Shigeo leaned in the corner, silent and watchful.
"You'll understand when the boss comes." The shinobi left.
Time passed. Anyone who tried to leave—even to find a toilet—was shoved back. They were trapped.
At last, half an hour later, the Blue-Gate Trading Company's true boss appeared.
Wearing a heavy fur coat, he swayed as he walked. His eyes blazed with arrogance, radiating disdain.
At first glance Shigeo knew: this was the real Lute. That gaze could not be faked.
"Heroes, you've waited long, haven't you? Hahaha. Good things are worth waiting for. Busy day, forgive me." The fat man strode in and flung himself into the high seat.
"You are all the pillars of Blue-Gate. You've made us rich this year. But tell me, what is money for?"
"To enjoy life!"
"To marry and have children!"
"To make more money!"
Voices shouted back. Lute laughed, cheeks quivering, and stood.
"Your goals are too small. Do you know what money cannot buy?"
"What?"
"Power. Ability. Think. No matter how wealthy, if a desperate man comes for you, can you protect your family?"
"We can hire shinobi from the Five Great Villages. Who could harm us then?" someone answered.
"Hahaha. And if you offend a Kage?"
Silence fell. Whispers spread. Why such talk?
In the corner, Shigeo's sense of unease deepened.
"You see? Against a Kage, you have no chance. Unless we ourselves become Kage. But that's impossible…" Lute waved his hand. The butler lit his cigar. He sat, crossed one leg over the other.
"Boss, what are you saying?" someone called.
"I mean this. To protect you. To let you walk the shinobi world unchallenged. To give you stability. I will climb beyond mere business. If I succeed, all who follow me will feast, will wear glory, and none will ever look down on you again."
(End of Chapter)
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