READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 282.2
Chapter 282.2. Fall From Grace
This should put my mind at ease. The rest can be handled by others. I’ve already chosen the right people for the job, those who can easily cut ties. I’ve lived in a world of scheming and violence. Tobi Kato is dead, and has no complaints. Freelance operatives must always be prepared for betrayal, even if it comes from the parents of a close friend.
“Well then, time to pull out.”
I stand up, thinking I should destroy this base as a precaution and move to another location.
“I see, you’re doing the same thing as your daughter. I can feel the bloodline connection.”
The voice of a man comes from somewhere in the room, causing me to freeze in place. Looking around, only the slender shadow of a snake slips through the door’s crack and into the room.
A jet-black snake slowly emerges from the shadow and materializes, flicking its tongue as it looks up at me.
“…Amano Mamoru, huh? You’re early. This is an abandoned building in Kanagawa.”
“You’re not surprised?”
“I’m plenty surprised. So, what’s your business?”
I shrug and shake my head. The snake, about two meters long, exuded an intimidating presence despite its size, but I showed no signs of being shaken or scared, as if it were nothing more than a passing breeze.
“You know what I’m here for. Isn’t this a bit too much of a match pump?”
The snake’s reptilian, slit-like eyes glint as it speaks. Its cold, chilling gaze and the eerie sight of a non-human creature speaking human language gave the room a sinister vibe.
“Evidence? Did you find any evidence linking me?”
“I didn’t find anything on a quick look. The Tokugawa Alliance seems to believe they’re getting support with weapons and funds from their backers who want to take down the skilled ones. The name of their backer, ‘Uncle Ashikaga,’ made me laugh a little.”
“Interesting. A witty name. Is the Ashikaga family secretly backing them?”
I answer nonchalantly. Of course, there’s no evidence. I just disposed of the last piece of evidence.
“The Miyoshi family is something else. They’ve wiped out other random families and seem to plan on framing the new ones.”
“After making a fortune, the next thing those guys want is prestige. It’s no surprise they’re swallowing up a collapsing family without realizing it’s a bomb waiting to explode. It’s like a bubble economy, or rather, a bomb economy.”
“I’ve heard there’s someone planning to buy up the stock of a collapsed company for pennies on the dollar.”
I’m a little surprised by the continuation of the conversation. I didn’t expect them to have caught that. The investigation after the attack was surprisingly fast.
Seeing my surprise, the snake slithers its body playfully. The shadow of the snake in the underground room without a single window grows large, giving an eerie sense of movement.
“That was just a prediction. I figured they’d go that far. You’re a lot like me, after all.”
The snake sneers as it looks at me, and I continue to watch it closely. It’s likely true. If I were in their position, I’d have expected the same outcome.
“As you probably know, my assets have greatly diminished. I’m still struggling to succeed as an investor. So, is that all? I’d like to be on my way soon.”
I make a subtle reference to the lack of evidence, preparing to leave the room, but the snake doesn’t move from the door. Instead, it raises its head.
“The truth is, I’m a bit of a harsh man. I often act on assumptions. Not a judge, not a detective, not a prosecutor.”
“…I see. In that case, I’ll have to seek help from another family.”
“That’s decisive. But I think it’ll be hard for a man to die from a snake bite, don’t you?”
“I am the father of your lover’s daughter, you know.”
“How unfortunate. I’ll make sure the funeral gift is generous.”
We glare at each other, and a few moments of silence pass.
[Sunlight Sword]
As soon as the suit-clad figure of Nobuhiro Oda vanishes, the black snake’s head is severed and flies through the air. At some point, a glowing Japanese sword, warm like sunlight, appeared in his hand.
“I’m surprised. That snake isn’t easy to defeat.”
“I thought so. But it does seem to have a fatal weakness.”
Remaining calm, Nobuhiro doesn’t move from his position but quickly swings the sword several times. The sound of wind slicing through the air follows, and once again, the snake’s head soars into the air, its body falling to the ground.
The door creaks open with a rusty sound. Nobuhiro turns his gaze toward it, narrowing his eyes.
With sharp footsteps, a man with a villainous face and knives for eyes enters, his mouth twisted in an impressed grin, and he speaks.
“I’ve been wondering who the last of the Four Heavenly Kings of Tokyo was. Now I know. No one else would have.”
“You’re pretty careless, Amano Mamoru, coming here yourself.”
“Well, killing you through my familiar would feel like an insult to Yoko. That’s why I was curious about why Yoko knew the techniques of the Sword Saint.”
The man, known as the Demon King, speaks in a more serious tone as he looks at Nobuhiro.
“You’re the Sword Saint, aren’t you? Oda Nobuhiro.”
“Yes.”
I acknowledge my true identity and nod. At the same moment, the basement explodes, and the entire structure collapses.