Planet Master

The moment Tatsumi opened his eyes and found himself sitting cross-legged in his seclusion room and in the world of the living, he slowly rose from his seat and exhaled.

“Now, time to meet my parents. I wonder what their expression would be when they know that I am their child.” Tatsumi had a slight smile on his face.

Getting out of the room, Tatsumi was met with a stare from Ame. Looks like he could not even pretend that nothing had happened.

“What are you doing so long there?” she asked. But to Tatsumi, it felt like she implied something else.

“Something important that I kept evading because of my own inadequacy. Is this explanation enough, or should I expound on it in detail?” Tatsumi replied with a serious expression.

Although he often asked the Father God for information about his lineage, he was also conflicted. Part of him wanted to see his parents and grandparents but the other wanted him just to let it go and forget about it.

But since he had Perfect Connection to the Afterlife, Tatsumi decided not to ignore it any longer. It would be different if he had not had the Perfect Connection and lived as an individual who did not know much about the Afterlife.

Ame’s eyes softened when Tatsumi said that. She knew that Tatsumi was dealing with the matter of his family. Even the Assassin Guild was currently searching for traces of his family but to no avail. It meant that his parents were intentionally hiding from him.

“No. But can I support you like always?” Ame said.

“Fine. But we need to discuss this with Charlene. If not, she would feel left behind.” Tatsumi replied helplessly.

Since this occasion was important, he had to discuss things with his family first. Then the two went to Charlene and said what was going on about Tatsumi’s parents and grandparents.

“Thank you for telling me this. We need to prepare ourselves for the eventual reunion.” Charlene said, clasping her hand with Tatsumi’s.

“No, this is what I need to do. After all, you are one of the closest people I have as a family so it is fair that I need to discuss this with you. I know that the two of you wanted to help me find my parents all this time but now I have a lead as to where their current location is.” Tatsumi felt touched by the words and gesture.

Ame patted his back gently as she knew that this moment marked that Tatsumi did not shy away from this matter anymore.

“Looks like you are not forcing yourself.” Ame said with a smile.

“I need to face this, so the least I can do is to steel myself.” Tatsumi replied with a serious tone.

‘It is the appropriate time to face this problem. No more running away!’ Tatsumi thought.

-

Mariana Deep Sea Facility. Ceres Ocean.

Tatsumi had obtained the information that the transcendents who were integrated into the security of this deep-sea facility included his parents.

The facility itself functioned as a resource-gathering hub as well as a research center about how the deep-sea creatures were developing and living in the high-pressure environment.

Furthermore, almost every big player in the economic world of the civilization had a share in the creation of this facility, including the Mikazuki family.

For a low-level transcendent, this place was the only bastion in the deadly pressure of the deep sea. For Tatsumi though, such pressure meant nothing to his physical body as he could go there directly.

But the idea was shelved by Ame and Charlene. There should be a need for a proper procedure and Tatsumi reluctantly agreed to that.

“All the people should prepare for the coming of the important guest to the Mariana Deep Sea Facility.” An announcement could be heard throughout the entire facility.

Its superstructure made sure that the pressure of the deep sea could not break it or cause it to implode. Additionally, the facility was equipped with enough weaponry to repel any large beasts that came their way.

The transcendents who were tasked there were also equipped with the suit which helped them withstand the pressure of the outside water. This suit was specifically designed so that the ability of the transcendents would not be hindered.

Then, from the one entrance to the facility, a giant submarine came to their direction and then docked at the specific location.

The director of the facility personally went to the entrance to welcome the people which caused some personnel to murmur and talk about it.

“Who is it that caused the director to come here personally?”

“I think it is actually one of the shareholders of the facility. Otherwise, the director would not have bothered to move.”

Understanding came to those people. Of course, only those who had an impact on their current facility could command fear and respect from the director.

Then the procedure to synchronize the pressure had to be done carefully, otherwise something terrifying would happen.

After confirming that it was safe, the circular door opened and three people walked in from the corridor of arrival.

The personnel and the director were faced with two women and a man. The director realized who they were and sweat began to form on his forehead and his nape.

Seeing the long-brown-haired woman caused him to almost choke on his own saliva but he managed to gulp it down and said what he had prepared before coming there.

“Welcome to the Mariana Deep Sea Facility, Miss Mikazuki.”

“Don’t be nervous. I am here not for official business. Rather, I come here for a more personal reason.” Ame said calmly.

Her eyes darted to the director’s face and expression before looking at the personnel who were supposed to welcome her.

The director also shifted his gaze toward the short black-haired man beside Ame and the long-pink-haired woman with her red eyes was looking at him, amused. The director knew who those two were and did not dare to neglect all three of them.

“Oh, of course. But your visit this time is quite sudden, so I don’t have much to offer. Let’s talk about your ‘personal’ matter in my office. What do you say?” the director composed himself and suggested something.

This time, it was Tatsumi who replied.

“That’s fine by me. What do the two of you think?”

Ame answered, “As long as it can speed up the process, I don’t care.”

Charlene opened her mouth, “You can just say what you want. It will be no different to us anyway.”

Tatsumi nodded and once again looked at the director with a knowing look.

Then they were escorted by the personnel on their side while the director was leading them in the front. While he did that, he also did not forget to introduce some works that the facility had done during its active service.

Tatsumi listened but he was looking forward to seeing his own parents. He had some expectations but was mostly cautious since they had, in fact abandoned him so his feelings were actually complicated.

Ame and Charlene had noticed this complicated mood that came from Tatsumi so they accompanied him right behind him, to ensure that they were there to support him.

They knew just how important this moment was to him. They hoped that he could at least fix the one thing that made him who he was. Knowing his biological parents was something that most people took for granted but for Tatsumi, it was something of a luxury which he did not hope much in the first place.

‘Since the Father God has cleared the matter, it is time to face them. I need an explanation for why I had been abandoned at the Nine Suns Orphanage.’ Tatsumi thought as he saw that the director slowly stopped and opened a huge door.

Apparently, it was made from reinforced steel and its size could fit two people at once. The space on the other side was huge enough even for a dozen people to occupy.

At the end of the space in front of them was a desk and a luxurious chair. The director led the three to the chairs and table in the middle of the room, where he could see them directly.

“Please sit down. I’m sorry for the lack of accommodation.” The director then went to his cabinet to look for some drinks to be offered.

The three respectfully sat down on the long chair. Ame and Charlene on Tatsumi’s left and right side, making him feel like he was being squeezed in his heart. But from their eyes, Tatsumi knew that they were concerned about this matter no less than his own.

Then the director prepared some of the tea that he had before accommodating the three.

“Would you like some tea?” the director asked while placing the cup on the table.

Tatsumi nodded as he wanted to clear his heart through drinking some tea. From the waft of the tea, it was warmed up and he decided to take some sips.

As for Ame, no need for further explanation. She immediately took a cup and sipped it. She was trying to analyze which type of tea leaves were used to make it. Tea was her favorite things so much so that she knew almost all the types of tea in the civilization.

Charlene felt that the situation required her to enjoy the hospitality of the director so she also took the cup and sipped it slowly, savoring the slightly bitter but refreshing tea.

Only after that could the discussion start.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. We are here for certain people.” Ame spoke first, even before the director could open his mouth.

This meant that the matter of the people involved may be bigger than the director had expected.

The director let out a small smile as he said, “Oh, this is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing. Care to elaborate?”

Tatsumi looked at Ame before he gave his consent in the form of a nod.

Ame looked at Tatsumi, signaling him to leave the matter to her.

“Well, it is like this. We have been investigating certain people and we now know that the two people we investigated happen to be working here.” Ame slowly said something without saying the connection between the people involved and Tatsumi.

But the director knew that from the gesture alone, the people the three were looking for were important enough for them to personally visit this facility.

“I see. So you want to meet them. Is that what this is all about?” The director understood the matter and tried to clarify.

“Yes. If you could give us your permission for them to come here and meet with us, we can offer you more tangible benefits. How about that?” Ame said with a calm voice.

But for the director, there was no benefit as big as knowing the person in front of him directly. In fact, helping them was actually helping himself since this meant that they would owe him a favor.

“Um, there is no need for that. But who was it that you want to meet if I may ask?” the director politely asked.

“They go by the names ‘Yasuhiro’ and ‘Tachibana’. Does that name ring a bell in your head?” Ame asked, focusing her gaze on the director’s face and gestures.

“Actually, are you referring to those pair of transcendents?” The director remembered that the name actually referred to the two transcendents who had been working at the facility since it opened.

“At the seventh heavenstage of the Core Formation Realm and a husband and wife pair, yes, that is the people we are looking for.” Ame said while glancing at Tatsumi, who had a serious look on his face.

“Okay. I will call them. Fortunately, this time is not their shift of patrol so they should be in the dormitory complex.” The director then used his wristwatch to connect to the intranet of the Mariana Deep Sea Facility and contacted the two specifically.

“Thank you for cooperating.” Ame said while glancing at the two with a knowing look.

Tatsumi felt that every second that passed stretched into infinity. Meaning, it was so long yet the time spent was so short before there was a bell rang from outside.

“They are here. Open the door.” The director used the voice-based order to let the facility’s system open the door to his office.

As the door to the office opened, the three and the director finally could see the newcomer.

Tatsumi focused his gaze toward the two and found himself speechless.

The appearance of his parents was a bit of a surprise for him, who was on the scene.

His father had short hair which was tied into a ponytail, black and white hair combined into an elegant color of his hair and his build was robust, signaling that he also trained in the Body Refining Technique.

As for his mother, she had an oval face, and despite her age, there was no trace of age that marred her face. She looked beautiful, as if she were in her twenties with long black hair covering her behind. Her eyes then met with Tatsumi, and she felt something deep inside her almost come out.

“What’s the matter, director?”

Yasuhiro asked since he knew that it was rare for the director to call him and now not only him but he, along with his wife, was called to the office. Clearly, there was something important going on and it involved them.

“It’s like this. These esteemed guests requested me to call you two here. Do you perhaps know them on a more personal level?” The director had to ask this since he was a bit curious about the matter and decided to probe a bit.

But from Yasuhiro’s expression, the director could not discern the change so he shifted his gaze toward Miss Tachibana.

He was surprised to see that there was something in her eyes. It was as if she had seen someone she longed for but the director did not even express it through his face or gesture. He decided to keep this in his heart.

Her eyes trembled, her body started to tremble too. Furthermore, her heart was in turmoil. A feeling of familiarity rose in her heart.

“Well, sit down. There is a vacant chair opposite us.” Charlene opened her mouth and showed a hospitable look.

Then Yasuhiro and Tachibana sat on the opposite side of the three. As for them knowing the three, of course, they knew.

How could someone not know the strongest transcendent Tatsumi who inherited the title from his teacher Long Wu?

How could they not know the famous inventor and innovator Charlene with her appearance?

How could they not know the face of the Mikazuki Corporation Mikazuki Ame?

Now, all three of them appeared at the Mariana Deep Sea Facility. Clearly, they came with something in mind.

As for Tatsumi, he kept looking at the two of them without saying anything. It was as if he had been waiting for them to say something to him.

“Ahem. What do you three need from us?” Yasuhiro calmed himself down by asking the question. He truly wondered what kind of things they needed from him.

“Nothing much, just seeing your reaction for the first time and trying to see what kind of person you are.” Ame replied calmly. She truly meant what she said.

There could be a possibility that Tatsumi’s parents were not that good, so to see whether that was the case, they had to know the person themselves by meeting face to face.

“Why, though? It is as if you are determining whether we are a suitable person for a certain position or something.” Yasuhiro became alert of that possibility but he could not understand where the feeling of guilt came from.

Seeing the two beautiful women in front of him, scrutinizing him to see whether he was worthy, made him think about something.

As for Tachibana, she widened her eyes as she bit her lips. She had a faint sense of realization of something monumental, something that she and Yasuhiro often thought about but did not dare to verify, as it would offend a major power of the civilization.

But here, they could verify it in person!

So she extended her hand and pinched Yasuhiro’s waist, twisting it and making him feel pain.

‘What are you doing? What is the meaning of this?’ Yasuhiro sent a mental communication to Tachibana.

‘Don’t you understand? This is a way for us to verify everything. This is…an opportunity to ask whether he is our child.’

Yasuhiro finally realized where the sense of guilt came from and took a deep breath. Although their mental communication was intercepted by Tatsumi, who had a higher mental power but he hid the fact and let them talk about it themselves.

“So you want to verify something from us. Well, it just so happens that we also want to verify something with you.” Yasuhiro’s eyes finally landed properly on Tatsumi.

Tatsumi then crossed his arms in front of his chest as he looked at the two with a slightly cold look.

“Ask away then. Remember that every word you say will be judged seriously so please ask carefully.” Tatsumi said with a flat tone.

The director felt that something big was happening in front of his eyes. But he should and would not interfere in this drama.

Charlene and Ame glanced at Tatsumi with concern on their faces. They decided to trust this to Tatsumi since this was a matter between him and his parents.

‘Let’s hope that what they said next will be the clearing point of all the events in the past.’ Ame thought as she finally shuffled through her memories regarding her investigation into Tatsumi’s family. She was also interested in hearing what had exactly happened at that time.