The Hatamoto clan soon learned what had happened with Hatamoto Ichiro, but neither of the central figures, Hatamoto Gozo nor Hatamoto Natsue, left their room. That in itself made their position very clear.
"..."
Hatamoto Mariko and Hatamoto Kitaro were unusually silent on their way back.
Because they both knew very well that the old man would not spare Ichiro this ti. The charge of attempted murder was enough to make Ichiro waste his best years in prison.
A conservative estimate for this charge was up to ten years.
But the key issue wasn't the ten years—it was the old man's attitude.
This ti, Gozo had clearly decided to teach Ichiro a lesson by letting him rot in prison for a decade. That alone ant the old man had already made up his mind to take action against the rest of them as well.
And once they ca to that conclusion, neither of them dared to speak further. They didn't even dare to stir up trouble again, fearing they'd be made into public examples by the old man's wrath.
However, by noon, Hatamoto Gozo and Hatamoto Natsue finally stepped out of the room.
The old man's face was frosty, his expression unreadable.
Seeing this, the mbers of the Hatamoto clan, already feeling the weight of impending consequences, didn't even dare to breathe.
Takehiko, who had been ostracized from the Hatamoto family, had his gaze locked solely on Natsue.
Natsue was different today.
Takehiko knew Natsue far too well.
In order to pursue her, he had studied her carefully—her personality, her preferences, everything. Otherwise, how could he have gotten so close?
But now, with all that familiarity, Takehiko could imdiately tell that today's Natsue was not the sa as the one he'd known yesterday.
Hatamoto Gozo slowly led his granddaughter over to Shinomiya Kaguya. The old man began by showing the utmost respect.
"Miss Shinomiya, thank you for your rescue yesterday. The favor is already heavy, and for what happened last night, I must express even more gratitude."
Gozo knew that he had been saved by his granddaughter yesterday, but the way she had suddenly erupted with power was obviously not normal.
And imdiately after, the Shinomiya family's bodyguards had rushed in, making it clear that even if his granddaughter hadn't acted, the Shinomiya bodyguards would have saved him.
So, this gratitude was beyond question.
Kaguya accepted the thanks with grace. She didn't act proud, simply nodding slightly.
"Mr. Hatamoto is too polite. It wasn't anything major."
"Perhaps not to you, Miss Shinomiya, but it was certainly major for . Once again, I thank you."
Kaguya gave a slight nod. She could overlook many things, but still hoped that others would understand where the lines were.
She then turned her gaze toward the already demoralized Hatamoto clan.
"Mr. Hatamoto should handle internal matters properly. Don't waste this hard-earned opportunity."
Hatamoto Gozo understood this well. After facing death the previous day, he had made a decision in his heart. He could no longer tolerate these parasites. If he did, they would eventually beco a major obstacle for Natsue's future.
"Of course."
So reminders were enough. Kaguya didn't believe Gozo was a fool.
A fool couldn't turn a company into a powerful conglorate.
And what nearly happened yesterday was no trivial matter. It was enough to make anyone abandon sentintal ties.
Seeing that the conversation had run its course, Hayasaka, who had been standing behind Kaguya, stepped forward to shift the topic.
"Mr. Gozo, the cruise ship will arrive at the Port of Tokyo in two hours. Please get so rest during this ti."
"Preferably in a secure location."
This was a polite but necessary suggestion. After all, there really was a madman among the Hatamoto family who had done sothing insane. In such circumstances, security was a top priority.
"Of course."
Gozo didn't think those fools would try anything reckless, but he had misjudged Ichiro the day before. He wasn't about to take any chances this ti. He wouldn't risk Natsue's or his own safety.
From now on, he would be much more vigilant about the rest of those useless relatives.
"Then, I'll take my leave for now."
"Grandfather, I still have sothing to say."
Just as he was about to leave with Natsue, Gozo paused when he heard her speak. He was slightly surprised, but still nodded and walked over to a seat nearby.
Once seated, Hatamoto Gozo turned his attention to his granddaughter.
Because of the distance and the quiet voices, he couldn't hear what was being said. But what he needed now wasn't to hear, it was to see who she was speaking to.
Following Natsue's line of sight, he noticed she was looking at a boy among the group of high-society girls, soone Gozo didn't recognize.
"Miss Hatamoto, do you believe in faith now?"
"I do."
This ti, Natsue answered without the slightest hesitation.
The reason faith often fails to spread is because miracles are rare.
But once a miracle does appear, faith becos the fastest thing to propagate.
Hatamoto Natsue had never believed in gods. Her elite scientific education had made her skeptical, even dismissive of such notions.
But once a miracle actually happened—one that saved her grandfather—she imdiately accepted the existence of divinity.
And the boy standing before her was the god who had descended to this world.
That devout faith was evident in her eyes. Ren could see it without needing to confirm it.
"The knowledge in your mind and the power you've received are gifts of your faith. You made the right choice. You changed your destiny, and also your grandfather's. For , this was a successful trial."
"I'm curious to see what choices you'll make next."
"If you still wish to change things, very well. Then begin with your family."
"Spread my na. Bring in more believers. If you succeed, I'll grant you greater rewards."
"How does that sound, Miss Hatamoto?"
"Of course, I'm willing... god."
To Hatamoto Natsue, the boy before her had already beco a true god. She would naturally accept any mission granted by him.
"Hmm... the na 'god' is a bit excessive. Let's go with this instead. From now on, Miss Hatamoto, you may call 'The Fool.'"
"Yes, Mr. Fool."
(To be continued.)
***
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