Planet Master

“First, let’s talk about your origin. Do you know about your biological parents?” Yasuhiro asked the first question after careful consideration.

“No. Let me tell you that I was abandoned when my headmaster at the orphanage found me.” Tatsumi replied without giving important details to see whether this would turn into a parallel line or a convergence.

“Coincidentally, we left our newborn child at a certain orphanage.” Tachibana said, then she added.

“At the time, Yasuhiro and I were in a dangerous situation where some people wanted to harm us. If we had carried our child, we would have been discovered so quickly, and after a quarrel, we decided to temporarily send him to an orphanage near the city we had visited at that time.

“We even gave our child his name in the paper that was stored before we left. At that time, we were not even a transcendent and the internal situation at the Heavensend Kingdom was not as stable as the propaganda claimed. We assumed that the orphanage in that city was actually a truly safe haven for orphans and so we decided to leave our child there.”

Tatsumi tapped his arm with his finger, weighing the words that came out from both of them even if they were truly his biological parents, some things needed to be clarified.

“But when you come back to that city and that orphanage, you did not see anyone. Is that what you want to tell me?” Tatsumi said with a sharp tone.

Tachibana suddenly put her hand on her mouth, her eyes shocked as she did not expect that Tatsumi would reply in such a manner. But more importantly, he could guess the rest of the story.

How could he not? He had left the Nine Suns Orphanage and Nine Suns City under the military operation of the Hinon Federation so their information was classified as top secret. But he decided to reveal this to the two to see what kind of information he could fish.

“That is…” Tachibana was surprised to hear that. It was as if Tatsumi knew how they would react to that information.

“So you don’t know exactly whether your child is still alive or not. Furthermore, you could only hope that is the case.” Tatsumi added.

“When we returned to the city, it had been bombed out by what we know as an atomic bomb. We were afraid that our child might be entangled in that but we also knew that the orphanage was quite far from downtown, so it had survived and even stood still. But we found traces of the place being abandoned and we assumed that the orphanage people had left, but we did not even know their next destination. We have searched for our child for so long but there are only some possibilities.” Yasuhiro said with a tired smile on his face.

But his eyes still held hope that his child was still alive and hoped that he lived well.

That was also true for Tachibana as well. The pair were hoping for the best that their child could live well despite their absence.

“I see. Care to share some details about your life?” Tatsumi asked this since he was slightly curious about their life after that.

Then the two started to talk about how they witnessed the change of the Heavensend Kingdom to become the Qin Empire, knowing that Long Wu, who was the strongest transcendent at that time were contributing to that change, caused them to want to be part of the new government.

Then the Third Star Battle commenced and they served as a logistic since they were the people of the Empire. After that, Ether suddenly filled the atmosphere of the Cerulean Planet, allowing them to step on the path of transcendence.

Since then, they practiced the basic method of Ether gathering and entered the Nothingness Realm. Meaning, they increased their lifespan. That was why they could live longer. As for the older generation, they could not get much in return since the increase in lifespan for them was limited and soon the oldest generation died.

That was when the two found out about the death of their parents when they returned in glory. That became one of the regrets they had, while the other was not able to find their child.

“At least you are truthful. Now, tell me the name of the city where you left your child, as well as the orphanage. You don’t mention the name so far.” Tatsumi said.

Ame and Charlene just kept their silence but focused their gaze toward the two with scrutinizing intent.

“We arrived at the Nine Suns City after some difficulties and decided to leave our child with the Nine Suns Orphanage. That is all.” Yasuhiro said with resignation. He seemed to realize why Tatusmi kept pressuring them subtly.

If he realized that, then Tachibana would also realize it as well.

But they felt so ashamed in front of Tatsumi. No more words came out of their mouths.

“You two probably realized who he is by now. So now that you have told us your part of the story, would you like to hear what he has to say?” Ame spoke.

Tatsumi glanced at her before returning his gaze to the two.

“Of course! I mean, we have been looking for him but we have limited capabilities. There is someone we cannot reach to verify things so if you could clarify, we would be glad to hear.” Tachibana said this as quickly as possible.

“As far as I remember, I have lived in the Nine Suns Orphanage managed by headmaster Feng Mo and Sister Hua Fei. They told me my own name was given by supposedly my parents, who abandoned me. They said that they had found me on the doorstep of the orphanage and had not seen anyone when that had happened.

“Then I grew up there with my fellow friends. When I was seven years old, that was when the Heavensend Kingdom was attacked by the Hinon Federation. That was also when we at the orphanage were moved.”

Tatsumi told the two his part of life, when he met Charlene for the first time and she and the special ops of the Hinon Federation decided to move the people of the orphanage all to become citizens of the Hinon Federation.

“Well, since then, I have been living quite well. To me, family is a matter of bond and not limited to bloodline.” Tatsumi snorted when he said this. This was what he realized during his life.

Family was a matter of choice and now, Tatsumi was faced with such.

Tachibana looked like she could not hold her emotions as tears welled-up on her eyes. Yasuhiro on the other hand, started to write something on the piece of paper he had.

Then he gave Tatsumi the paper and Tatsumi narrowed his eyes as he realized what Yasuhiro had done. He had written the exact thing that he left Tatsumi with.

-

“What is this? A piece of paper with a written thing?” Tatsumi asked Feng Mo one time when she wanted to explain his origin.

“That’s right. This is the only thing your parents left behind. Your name is bestowed by them so at least remember it. What is written on the paper is actually your name.” Feng Mo said as she showed the paper to Tatsumi.

Tatsumi looked carefully at the paper and what was written on it, committing it to memory.

“But they left me here without any news. They probably don’t want me if they never appear.” Tatsumi said with a sad expression. He almost let out a tear but he held himself.

Many of his seniors had gotten families, leaving him and those juniors in the orphanage.

That was why as the eldest, he needed to be strong enough to protect the other orphans under him.

Feng Mo patted Tatsumi’s head affectionately as she said, “Perhaps they are busy with something. Until you see it with your own eyes, it is better to assume that your parents are out there somewhere.”

That caused Tatsumi to feel aggrieved and a slight resentment he had to appear in his heart.

-

But now, facing his biological parents, Tatsumi’s expression did not change. After his discussion with Dian, he knew that his past still tied him up and even his wives knew that.

“Come on. Everything is clear now. There is no need to wear such a wary face.” Charlene said with a slight smile on her face.

“I don’t know what to do when facing them.” Tatsumi honestly said what had been bugging his mind.

“Let’s put the past aside. What matters is that you have to face them.” Ame said.

Tatsumi sighed and nodded before he stood from his seat. Yasuhiro and Tachibana also followed and then the two faced Tatsumi without hiding their elated emotion. But there was more guilt in it than relief.

“I don’t know what you have gone through.” Tatsumi opened his mouth. He truly did not understand the predicament of his parents at that time, so he said this first and foremost.

“But if you truly want to be a good parent, then from now on, please do your responsibility as a parent.” Tatsumi said this seriously.

Ever since he became a father, Tatsumi knew just how heavy his responsibility was. He needed to lead by example and set some rules for the family so that his children would not be easily misguided. At the same time, he needed to make sure that his children enjoyed a sense of free will.

That was undeniably the most difficult thing to do.

“Sorry would not be enough for what we have done.” Yasuhiro said sadly. He had hurt someone and now he had to atone. But he did not know where to start.

“But still, let us do our part as a parent.” Tachibana said.

Tatsumi gulped down the saliva that had been accumulating. He did not even notice that he was a bit flustered but he kept his composure after a while and faced the two properly.

“So what are you going to do?” Tatsumi asked.

“Well, how about this!” Yasuhiro suddenly plunged right into Tatsumi’s arms and hugged him. Tatsumi’s eyes widened as he did not expect that Yasuhiro would do such a thing so suddenly.

‘Perhaps I still don’t know much about my parents. That is why I am still surprised by their words and actions.’ Tatsumi thought.

Then after a while, Yasuhiro separated from him after patting him on the back several times.

The next one would be…

Tatsumi was prepared this time. But when he saw the face of Tachibana, he found that tears had covered her face as she slowly hugged him.

“Don’t cry. Although I know what these tears are for, I feel like a happy occasion should be more suitable.” Tatsumi said with a depreciating smile.

He handed a tissue to Tachibana and she received it while clearing the tears that came out.

“I’ve finally seen what you look like. I am so happy that I am crying right now. I apologize if that is not what you like.” Tachibana said.

Tatsumi felt like he was about to choke from the sight before him. He knew that it was already a great thing for them to look for him all this time. Especially in the time of war between the two continents, they still risked their lives looking for him.

‘Although the war also shifted the balance of the civilization at the time but its effect should reach even the lower strata of the hierarchy. From what I know, they truly care about you.’ Kudungga said after connecting to them and knowing what they had gone through.

‘I can feel that. Through their eyes and their gesture, I can read what they feel right now.’ Tatsumi replied in his mind.

But he was so happy that he finally could see his parents safe and sound. Although, as vagrant transcendents, they had to gather the resources themselves, they were used to it after so long.

Then Tatsumi perceived something with his mind power. His mind power could faintly see a connection between him and his parents, like a thin thread that connects them.

‘What is this?’ Tatsumi felt like something in his mind was liberated from the heavy burden and that caused him to be able to do this.

‘Don’t tell me that is the karmic thread between you and your parents. Quick, check your thread between you and your wives!’ Kudungga guessed something and he told Tatsumi to act.

Tatsumi then focused his mind power on another thread. If the threads between him and his parents were violet in color, this time the threads that connected him to his wives were red.

‘So violet color is the weakest and red is the strongest connection?’ Tatsumi thought as he listened to his parents, while he also had to introduce Ame and Charlene to the two.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect that he lives so well. I thought that he would be living in a harsh but eventful life. But this is probably for the better.” Tachibana said as she exclaimed when Charlene told her the entire story from her perspective.

“Em, I don’t think that’s important, though. What gives?” Tatsumi said while he did not understand why his mother liked to hear his stories from Charlene.

“For her, hearing that story is more entertaining and interesting.” Charlene looked at Tatsumi for a moment before returning to telling Tachibana his story during his growth in the Hinon Federation territory.

“Hahaha, when they are like that, we feel like abandoned. You know that well, right?” Yasuhiro laughed as he sat on the left of Tatsumi since the three women were on the same long chair discussing Tatsumi’s life from when he was little to when he was in high school.

“True. I just did not expect that they hit it off right now.” Tatsumi felt glad that everything went well.

The director which was sidestepped, did not interrupt them. Now that he knew who those people were, he did not dare to mistreat them or interrupt them. He sat in his director’s seat which was his official seat and decided to enjoy his own tea.

Tatsumi also analyzed the thread of karma between him and those close to him. Now that he had an elementary understanding of it, he did not hesitate to explore the new things he had at his disposal.

‘Violet means that the connection is on the superficial level, while red is the highest form of connection.’ Tatsumi had several red threads connecting him to the others. It meant that their karma was interlinked with each other.

Directly intertwined with each other was actually the highest kind of connection since whatever happened to one of them would affect the other directly or indirectly.

‘Let’s call this Karmic Eye. With the strengthened mental power, I can gain this ability. Perhaps this is why mental power is important.’ Tatsumi thought while stopping using his mental power.

His mental power had reached Rank 2 along with his Body Refining Technique so a triangle of harmony was reached and perhaps this was related but for now, Tatsumi had to enjoy the time with his long-lost parents.

Furthermore, they were currently in the Mariana Deep Sea Facility. Meaning, they had to see what the facility had to offer.

Tatsumi asked about this and was sure that his parents knew this place like the back of their hands.

“Ah, do you want to tour the facility? They can accompany you but can I also follow you?” the director asked with a pleading tone.

“Well, you are the director, so I am sure that you can introduce us to the facility and its finer detail.” Tatsumi said.

This was actually the secondary thing Tatsumi, Charlene and Ame wanted to do other than reuniting with his parents.

“Thank you so much!” the director said with a relieved expression.

‘Yes. I can say that I have some connection with the bigshot!’ the director thought in his mind.

Even without using his mind power, Tatsumi could guess what was on the director’s mind.

But he let it since it was also beneficial for him to have connections here and there.

The six of them then walked around the facility.

There were six outer shells and one central shell, which was actually the facility’s command center. One of the six outer shells was actually a dormitory for both the scientists and the workers in the facility.

The other five were used to gather resources of the deep sea, research facility, storage facility, exploration and scientific show facility.

Now, the six were visiting each one of them. They enjoyed the explanation given by the director as well as by Yasuhiro and Tachibana.

Tatsumi however had something to ask of his parents.

While they visited the central shell which was tight in the security part, Tatsumi managed to get some time with his parents.

“I want to ask you something, although this should be the first thing I do.” Tatsumi said to the two. His expression was one of curiosity.

“Hmm, what is it?” Yasuhiro did not mind Tatsumi asking him something. He had an idea about what Tatsumi wanted to ask.

After all, he had heard the words that Tatsumi could communicate with the deceased. Whether that was true or not, Yasuhiro believed that since the person himself did not deny that, it meant that it was likely the truth.

Meaning, he had the information about their identity even before coming to the Mariana Deep Sea Facility.

“Why do you use your real name here? In other places, you used a pseudonym or something like that but here you used your given name.” Tatsumi asked.

“Well, since we have nothing to be stolen or kept anymore.” Tachibana said. There was a sad smile as she said that.

“I’m sorry if that reminds you of something unpleasant.” Tatsumi said.

After that, the pair of husband and wife finally found their lost child, and the child finally met with his biological parents. That was what Charlene and Ame wanted to see the most.

After enjoying the tour, the five of them left the facility after the director gave his formal permission to allow the two to leave.