"What do you think, Saizō?" An elderly man looked at his assistant, feeling the buzz of excitement from the crowd around them.
"We can't genuinely intervene here…" Kirigakure Saizō replied, his gaze fixed on the figure on stage. "Just look at that kid; he's so at ease. He's well aware that no one here would dare to disrupt this gathering of high-profile guests!"
Saizō had only a fleeting familiarity with Yoichi from their previous encounters, but the kid's cat-like reflexes had left a lasting impression on him. His speed, ferocity, and precision were unforgettable.
"You're right, Yukimura-sama. Engaging with our limited capabilities would only provoke these minor clans," said a girl with long hair and a lovely dress, standing to the old man's left.
"What are your plans now, Kosuke-san?" the elderly man asked, his expression turning serious, the fiery determination in his eyes as unwavering as ever.
Sanada Yukimura was a hot topic, notorious for his clashes with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. After witnessing the betrayal of loyal samurai clans by the ruling elite, combined with the death of his beloved lord, Yukimura severed ties with the powerful and embraced radical beliefs, rallying rebels to challenge the Daimyo.
With public support behind him, he felt restless as he observed the daimyos indulging themselves with beautiful Oirans, enjoying life without a care.
"I think we should keep a low profile for now, Yukimura-sama. We can't afford to take risks any longer. Maybe we can exploit some greedy individuals in the Auction House to our advantage, or perhaps we should call for reinforcements in three days…" Anayama Kosuke suggested, glancing at the agitated Sanada, who nodded in agreement.
'Three days, huh? Let's give them a little more time to prepare. We'll stretch it to five days for extra assurance.'
Unbeknownst to them, Yoichi had overheard their entire exchange and was thoughtfully stroking his chin as he gauged the curious crowd eager for more information about the groundbreaking inventions from Genesis Bank.
"Just to clarify, these devices are merely prototypes; the official sale kicks off in five days! So if you're low on cash, consider taking on missions, borrowing funds, or asking friends for help! Until then, take care, everyone, and we'll see you in five days!"
Once Yoichi wrapped up the event, the audience surged toward the tester's area, including his parents, who were bombarded with numerous questions. Meanwhile, other members of the crowd hurried away, already plotting how to make quick money, faster than a printing press.
The news spread rapidly, and Genesis Bank's reputation soared again as not just one, but three new technologies were unveiled and featured prominently in the media.
"You little rascal! Why didn't you tell us sooner? Now I look foolish in front of everyone!" Machi scolded Yoichi, giving him a light smack on the head, anger boiling beneath the surface.
"Oops! My bad!" Yoichi smiled sheepishly. "Anyway, we're about to meet the higher-ups, so get ready. What do you think of my outfit, Dad? Do I look good?"
Striking different poses, Yoichi felt more dashing than ever. As the saying goes, clothes make the man.
"Hmm… This suits my taste quite well. Is there any secret stash around here?" Machi inspected the fabric and design, while Miruko shook her head, asking, "What do you mean we'll be meeting the founders of Genesis Bank, son?"
"You'll see, Mom," he replied with a mysterious grin, prompting both of them to follow, fueled by curiosity and excitement.
After all, it was a powerful organization.
Engaging with the architects behind Genesis Bank would surely be advantageous for them.
"Welcome, Leader of the Murakami Clan and the Mistress. We are the founders of Genesis Bank!"
As the three visitors entered the room, they were greeted by Ryoma, Sumiko, and Natsumi, who welcomed the couple with polite smiles, while the couple took a moment to assess the three esteemed individuals from around the globe.
"Dad!"
Meanwhile, Yoichi was feeling overwhelmed by the impending chaos—his joyful daughters wrapped their arms around him tightly, leaving only Kenshin looking utterly helpless.
'What on earth is wrong with my daughters? They've grown up, but they still act like kids, just like their mothers!'
As he struggled to catch his breath, Yoichi exchanged some subtle glances until he caught Harumi smirking at him, sending chills down his spine and a sense of mischief radiating from her smile.
"Dad! We've missed you so much! Right, my little sisters?"
"Don't call me little! We were born at the same time! Isn't that true, Dad?"
Midori felt hurt and pushed back while Kenshin shook his head in disbelief. They were just like their mothers with their playful teasing.
"Yoichi, what's going on with them? Calling you Dad seems like a big mistake…" Miruko looked at his son, eyeing the suspicious Yoichi as Machi frowned in confusion.
Over the past few years, they had noticed that their son had taken on some strange and unusual traits. The way he enjoyed tea, loved nature and was so laid-back during missions was very different from typical kids who played in the dirt with runny noses or the mature, hardworking ones who understood the harsh realities of life on the battlefield.
"It's come to this... Let me explain. Get down, you troublemakers! Especially you, Harumi!"
Some secrets are impossible to hide from the keen eyes of loved ones. Yoichi playfully flicked Harumi's forehead before revealing the entire truth about the Murakami Clan's lineage over the past 1,500 years.
"What?! Are you saying these people are my ancestors?! No way!" Machi felt as if his entire world had collapsed from the revelation dropped by Yoichi.
Unlike the Indra and Ashura clans, who still carry significant advantages even today, Yoichi's Murakami Clan felt somewhat unremarkable, yet it managed to hold its own amidst the many formidable and deceitful clans throughout the Land of Fire.
"What do you mean?! If I'm a descendant of the Murakami Clan, what about my dad?! He's the oldest guardian from outer space!"
At Machi's words, Harumi pouted and clung tightly to Yoichi, while everyone else nodded in agreement with her sentiment.
It certainly made sense.
"Hehehe... So I'm the true ancestor!" Yoichi confessed, taking note of Machi's bewildered expression. "Don't worry, Father. Even though things feel...odd right now, my gratitude for both you and my mom remains unchanged!"
His words moved Miruko to tears as she embraced him tightly. The ancestor had become a son, yet his familiar demeanor still radiated warmth.
If this was an immortal being reincarnated or something similar, one might expect arrogance to linger and a focus on maintaining 'face,' or even confronting enemies head-on.
"Alright now, stop crying. Just hang out for a bit and interact with these troublemakers; I'm sure their antics will entertain you."
Giving his father's shoulder a reassuring pat, Yoichi stepped out of the room, leaving everyone to chat while they anticipated the five days of thrilling (or possibly dull) events leading up to the upcoming auction.
->->->->->->->->->->
In those five days, people brainstormed various ways to make money, resorting to methods like counterfeiting, robbery, or even targeting wealthy individuals for their cash.
On the other hand, the clans and officials had a stronghold within the Land of Fire, which meant they didn't need to engage in shady activities. With their resources and connections, the loans they had from the Genesis Bank, along with the money earned from missions, were more than enough to prepare for the upcoming battle against the top players.
Of course, other clan members were lurking outside the auction house, ready to collectively rob the winners. Meanwhile, the mastermind Yoichi was curious to see how many foolish clans would dare to challenge the Genesis Bank.
"Hey everyone! I've got something really exciting for you all! It's a massive Chakra Battery Scroll! This thing offers a greater storage capacity, and an impressive ability to hold chakra, and it can unleash a truly catastrophic explosion! We only have three of these available, so make your decision carefully!"
After his bold announcement, the crowd was left speechless while the clans and officials grumbled to themselves. Yoichi had just revealed a major product right there, seemingly sparking competition among the wealthy and influential for these three limited-size scrolls.
They thought their current cash in hand was enough, but Yoichi's revelation sent them into a frenzy. Sure, carrying these large scrolls might be a hassle, but the potential they held against formidable opponents was undeniable.
If a clan couldn't secure one, they certainly didn't want their rival getting their hands on such a powerful "nuclear bomb" without a challenge.
Inside their minds, they held intense resentment against Yoichi's shady practice. However, Yoichi shook his head and smiled in delight.
Can hatred be eaten? Can it be swapped for food?
As always, money money money.