Following Kure Ragna's question, Mochigase's thoughts drifted back to three days ago.
Three Days Ago – Bank of Japan Headquarters
Afternoon sunlight poured through the windows, casting long shadows across the high-level conference room. Two elderly men sat at the large table—one in the middle, the other to the right.
At the head sat Katahara Metsudo, chairman of the Kengan Association and the most powerful figure in Japan's underground business world.
To his right sat Kure Erioh, the patriarch of the Kure Clan, a man once feared as the "Demon Fang" of the first generation.
They were more than old friends. They were war-forged partners—if not for Erioh's help, Metsudo wouldn't be sitting here today. Of course, the same was true for Erioh.
Metsudo smirked, stroking his long gray beard. "I heard you sent your grandson to high school, Erioh."
Erioh took a slow sip of tea, unbothered.
"You even picked an advanced nurturing high school—strict, closed-off, full of promising students. Why? Isn't Kure Ragna supposed to take over as your successor?"
"That's right." Erioh set his cup down. "Which is why I want you to do me a favor—send a few of your most reliable guards to that school as undercover teachers."
Metsudo's eyes narrowed. "A favor? I thought you just said he was your successor."
Erioh chuckled. "Let's just say I made a bet."
"A bet?" Metsudo leaned forward, intrigued.
Erioh smirked. "Sakayanagi passed along a message from a certain cunning bastard—someone who's never satisfied."
"And?"
"That bastard actually thinks my grandson will lose." Erioh scoffed. "I told them—Ragna will be back within a day at most. But that little brat is actually enjoying himself there." His tone carried both irritation and amusement. "I sent him to become a great fighter, to inherit the Kure Clan, not to waste time playing student."
"Oh~ I see now." Metsudo's smirk widened. "You don't just want Ragna to take over—you want someone to help 'polish' him first."
"Exactly."
"But if that's the case, why send someone after the one who's supposed to refine him?"
Erioh's expression turned serious. "Because while I trust Sakayanagi, I don't trust the bastard who proposed the bet."
Erioh's smirked sarcastically. "White Room? Their so-called 'masterpiece'?"
"Bullshit." Erioh scoffed. "No one in that place can compare to my grandson."
"If he can't even handle your guards, then there's no point in entertaining this farce."
Metsudo let out a deep chuckle. "Hey, old bastard, are you looking down on my men?"
"Enough games. Just tell me if you'll do it or not."
Metsudo tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought. "It's possible, but not easy."
Erioh frowned. "With your influence in Japan, what could possibly be difficult?"
Metsudo sighed. "Back when that high school was first established, they approached me for investment. I wasn't interested—I thought their entire concept was unreliable. So I turned them away. Now, getting people inside might be tricky."
He paused. "Who's in charge of the school now?"
"Sakayanagi."
Metsudo raised a brow. "Sakayanagi… Oh! I remember now. You once brought a little girl named Sakayanagi to me. What was her name again? Alice?"
"Arisu," Erioh corrected, resisting the urge to rub his temples.
"Well, in that case, it shouldn't be too hard. I'll send someone. Sakayanagi can handle the rest."
"Oyooyo~"
Erioh gave him a disgusted look. "Talk properly. You sound ridiculous."
Metsudo just laughed, picking up his phone and dialing a number.
"Hello? Mochigase, come to the meeting room."
After hanging up, Erioh tilted his head. "Mochigase? Who's that?"
"Relax," Metsudo assured him. "Mochigase is the most skilled unarmed fighter in my Annihilation Army. He'll get the job done."
Erioh scoffed but said nothing. He then leaned back and smirked. "You still don't get it, Metsudo. My grandson is a true genius. He's mastered every Kure technique. Even in my prime—"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Metsudo cut him off, waving a hand. "You're just going to start bragging again."
Erioh huffed. "If Mochigase loses, will you send another?"
"If you think Mochigase would lose," Metsudo said firmly, "then you, Kure Erioh, have become old."
Erioh smirked. "That confident?"
Metsudo grinned. "That's my guard."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Metsudo called.
The door swung open, and a well-built man stepped inside. Seeing the two elders at the table, he bowed respectfully.
"President Metsudo. Sir Kure Erioh."
"Mochigase," Metsudo beckoned him forward. "I have a job for you."
Mochigase listened attentively as Metsudo relayed Erioh's request. At first, he thought it was some elaborate joke. Sending him after a high school kid? But when he saw how serious both men were, he quickly straightened his posture.
"Yes, sir. I'll handle it."
Metsudo nodded in approval before turning to Erioh. "Anything you want to tell your grandson before this starts?"
Erioh's expression didn't change. "What do you mean?"
Metsudo smirked. "Don't act dumb. You didn't send him there just because of the bet."
Erioh sighed, knowing there was no point in hiding it.
"The Kure are Fist Wish Fighters. Our fists carry the wishes of others. We fight for something greater than ourselves." He paused. "That school… it's full of ambition. A mix of good and evil. If nothing else, it's a place where strong, determined people gather.
I want Ragna to find someone there… someone whose wish he can carry."
Metsudo's expression softened in understanding. "Just like you and me, back in the day."
"Exactly." Erioh took a sip of tea. "And there's one more reason."
Metsudo raised a brow.
"You remember when I got married?" Erioh asked.
Metsudo chuckled. "Oh, I remember. You swore up and down that you were a 'true assassin,' incapable of family attachments. Then the moment your kid was born, you turned into a doting father."
"Shut up," Erioh muttered, coughing. "Anyway, I know my grandson well. He acts indifferent, like he doesn't care about anything… but that's just a mask."
He set his cup down with a quiet clink.
"Ragna will be the strongest. That much is certain. But being 'the strongest' is a curse. You, of all people, should understand that."
Metsudo's expression turned serious. "It's lonely at the top."
"Exactly." Erioh nodded. "He'll become a great fighter. He'll become a great leader. But when it comes to choosing his partner—that, at least, should be his decision."
Metsudo smirked. "Didn't you always say the patriarch's duty is to create stronger offspring?"
Erioh sipped his tea. "The Kure bloodline hasn't evolved in 200 years. Pairing with strong outsiders barely makes a difference anymore. It's all about probability."
Metsudo rubbed his chin, then suddenly grinned. "Well, if that's the case, why not let him pick several wives and start a hare—"
"Shut up."
Metsudo just laughed.
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