KAGE

"It looks like this is the place."

Standing before me was a massive, luxurious estate. According to the map, this was the destination.

It was far away from the inn where my family was staying, and I had to admit that this place far exceeded my expectations.

I had expected somewhere rundown or at least ordinary, all because of my prejudice against the Mukade gang.

Instead, the mansion before me broadened my horizons.

Apparently, crime really does pay.

Anyone who says otherwise is just fooling themselves.

Just as I was about to knock on the imposing gate, it swung open by itself.

The sudden movement startled me and brought back distant memories from the days when the Tsukishiro and Uzumaki families were at their peak, when life had still been good.

A butler stood in the middle while a group of maids lined up neatly on both sides of him.

"Welcome, Ren-sama. My name is Kurosaki Shin, the butler of this estate. My master has been expecting you. Please, follow me."

The butler began walking as soon as he finished speaking.

While following him, I used the Eye of Insight to examine both him and the maid standing beside him.

Name: Kurosaki Shin

Rank: Chunin (Beginner)

Bloodline: None

Talent: Low

Name: Minazuki Hana

Rank: Genin (Intermediate)

Bloodline: None

Talent: Medium

Two shinobi working as servants...

It seemed the leader of Mukade was living an exceptionally comfortable life.

We entered the mansion's main hall.

The moment I stepped inside, I was once again amazed by the sheer luxury surrounding me.

It was official.

Anyone who claimed crime didn't pay was simply jealous.

Five men were already waiting inside.

The sofas were arranged in a U-shape, with one man seated at the head while the others faced one another.

Every one of them possessed an imposing aura, especially the man sitting at the head.

He appeared to be in his fifties and was clearly the leader.

Name: Arakawa Goro

Rank: Jonin (Beginner)

Bloodline: None

Talent: Medium

My heart grew heavy.

Although my strength had been steadily increasing, I was still only comparable to a Genin.

With enough preparation, I might stand a chance against a beginner Chunin.

But a Jonin...

Fighting one would be foolishness, not courage.

And I wasn't a fool.

The moment he saw me, the conversation stopped.

Arakawa Goro stood up with a warm smile and walked over to greet me.

"Our honored guest has arrived. Good evening, young Ren... or perhaps I should say good morning."

He smiled as he shook my hand.

His reaction genuinely caught me off guard.

Ever since entering this mansion, one surprise after another had left me speechless.

I immediately examined the remaining four men.

Name: Kazehara Nao

Rank: Chunin (Advanced)

Bloodline: None

Talent: Good

Name: Ichinose Yuki

Rank: Chunin (Intermediate)

Bloodline: Metallic Rock Release

Talent: Good

Name: Sakuraba Renji

Rank: Chunin (Beginner)

Bloodline: None

Talent: Medium

Name: Ichinose Kaede

Rank: Chunin (Intermediate)

Bloodline: Metallic Rock Release

Talent: Very High

The strength of the four "Heavenly Generals" standing before me made me regret my arrogance.

I had underestimated my enemies.

That was the first rule every transmigrator should remember.

Never underestimate anyone.

After all, protagonists spend their entire lives slapping the faces of those who underestimate them.

Whenever I thought about Mukade, I had imagined their leader as some mediocre Chunin—a spoiled rich kid with powerful connections who enjoyed pretending to be a gangster.

Clearly...

I had been wrong.

After greeting everyone, they all stood up and led me into another room.

Six chairs had been prepared.

The five of them sat down, and after Arakawa Goro gestured politely, I took the remaining seat.

"I know my invitation was rather abrupt, and the circumstances are... unusual," Arakawa Goro began with a helpless smile.

"But after everything you've caused over the past few days, I've been left with quite a headache."

"I know my men."

"I know power has gone to their heads."

"The thrill of bullying defenseless civilians has made them addicted to chaos and violence."

"I hate that."

"But... they are still my people."

"What happened a few days ago placed me in an impossible position."

"I know my men were in the wrong."

"But the way you acted without showing the slightest respect for my authority left me caught between a rock and a hard place."

"A father doesn't stop loving his son simply because that son causes trouble."

"He may become angry."

"He may scold him."

"But when the time comes, he'll still protect him."

"Because a son will always be a son."

He looked directly into my eyes.

"So..."

"I invited you here to discuss how we're going to settle this matter."

After hearing him, my mood worsened.

Coming here alone had been reckless.

Arakawa Goro truly was an impressive leader.

His charisma and approachable attitude could easily win people over.

But I came from Earth.

There, countless books and courses taught people how to become exactly this kind of persuasive leader.

"So..."

"How do you propose we settle this?" I asked calmly.

"I value talent," he replied.

"And I know you possess remarkable potential."

"So I'll offer you three choices."

"First..."

"Join Mukade."

"If you do, everything that happened in the past will be forgotten."

"I'll personally take you as my disciple."

"And one day..."

"All of Mukade will belong to you."

"Second..."

"As punishment for disrespecting us..."

"You may choose which one of your arms will be cut off."

"Third..."

"You may challenge any one of us."

"If you win..."

"All offenses will be forgiven."

He paused before smiling again.

"However..."

"I know you're merely passing through this town with your family."

"So I won't waste your time with the first proposal."

"I'll replace it with another."

He clapped his hands.

The door opened.

Two men entered.

One of them was Kirisawa Yuna.

The other was someone I had never seen before.

Between them, they dragged an old man whose entire body was covere

d in bruises.

The instant I recognized him...

Rage surged through me.

Arakawa Goro smiled calmly.

"Here is your new third option."

He pointed at the old man.

"Kill this old man..."

"And everything between us will be forgotten."