In the reception room on the first floor of the Hidden Management Department.
"Supreme Commander."
Sensing a surge of energy, Gyūki immediately rose from the sofa and approached Nura Rihan.
Noticing this as well, Nura Rihan stroked his chin:
"Seems like... an acquaintance..."
Meanwhile, at the entrance on the first floor, a tall, burly man with a square jaw, a buzz cut, a cross-shaped scar on his face, and a dark blue kimono entered with a grim expression.
As soon as he stepped inside, his gaze shifted toward the sofa.
Soon after, a thunderously rough voice emerged from the man:
"Nura Rihan of the Nura Clan?"
Recognising the newcomer, Nura Rihan responded:
"Gōzaburō Seto of the Seto Group?"
Confirming it was indeed him, Gōzaburō Seto revealed a ferocious grin:
"Well, never thought I'd run into you here. Where's your old man? That sly old coot still kicking?"
"My father is in excellent health. Just yesterday, he sneaked into the Metropolitan Police Department cafeteria for a free meal."
Nura Rihan, with a senbon dangling from his lips, smiled cheerfully at Gōzaburō Seto:
"But Group Leader Seto, that scar on your face... it doesn't still hurt, does it?"
Hearing this, Gōzaburō Seto smirked without warmth:
"Hurt? Of course it hurts. But when I remember how I punched your old man so hard he could only have one son, it makes me downright happy!!"
Overhearing this, Yukari Oikawa couldn't help but glance away toward Gyūki:
"Is that true?"
The scar on the face of Gōzaburō Seto, the wakagashira of the Seto Group, was left by Nurarihyon, and the former Supreme Commander was injured in his... lineage by Gōzaburō Seto?
How did she not know about such a thing?
Gyūki's face twitched slightly at the question, then he explained impassively:
"That was an accidental clash two years ago. It was eventually mediated by the Yokai Princess."
"Eh..." Setsura was also surprised, having been secluded in Hokkaido at the time: "Well, at least it wasn't Rihan who got hurt, otherwise Rikuo wouldn't have any younger siblings in the future."
"Hey, Setsura, I'm right here!!"
Nura Rihan glared darkly at the frivolous Yuki-onna, wishing she wouldn't drag him into such topics.
Just then, Gōzaburō Seto also noticed Yukari Oikawa's 'betrayal' and couldn't resist a menacing chuckle.
"That Yuki-onna over there is surprisingly articulate. Would you like to collaborate with our Seto Group?"
"Recently, the chilled preservation work for special seafood has been quite profitable. I can offer you 500,000 yen per order, with no less than 20 orders per day. It's very lucrative!"
Special seafood? Gyūki narrowed his eyes. A business earning ten million yen per day was far more profitable than his group's antidote trade.
As the one being invited, Setsura's expression remained icy cold:
"Boring man. Do you want to be frozen into an ice block?"
She, a Great Yokai, reduced to an ice-making machine? Had these fish demons of the Seto Group gone mad for money?
"Don't refuse so quickly. The price is negotiable..."
Just as Gōzaburō Seto was about to continue poaching and irritating Rihan Nura, a somewhat airy female voice sounded from behind him:
"Father, have you encountered friends here?"
Hearing this, Gōzaburō Seto's expression shifted instantly. The ferocity on his face vanished, replaced by an unusually docile demeanour:
"It's little Sun!"
Gōzaburō Seto turned his head, looking at the cute high school girl with traditional princess-style hair behind him, and laughed heartily while scratching his head:
"Dad just met some friends and is discussing business, that's all!"
"Is that so?"
Sun Seto tilted her head, glanced towards Rihan Nura on the sofa, and seemed to believe it quite readily:
"If it's not fighting like Mother mentioned, then please continue your discussion here, Father. I'll go to the garage to fetch Sister Kotoko and Sister Shiranui."
Gōzaburō Seto smiled obsequiously as he watched Sun Seto head towards the underground garage. Once she was out of sight, he turned back with an expressionless face and said to Rihan Nura:
"You've been spared a dog's life, you brat Rihan."
Hearing this, Rihan Nura wasn't angered. Instead, he stroked his chin and remarked teasingly:
"Seto, your daughter is rather adorable, isn't she?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a murderous intent so thick it disgusted Setsura and horrified Gyūki spread through the air:
"Brat, do you have a death wish?!!"
"This guy!!"
Setsura felt her scalp tingle as she looked at the murderous Gōzaburō Seto, sensing that his aura was emitting a terrifying pressure in that moment, causing even her, a Great Yokai, to tremble involuntarily.
On the other side, Gyūki placed his hand on the sword at his waist, cold sweat streaming down as he said:
"Rumour has it that the leader of the Seto Group is a mermaid who crossed the dragon gate and successfully transformed into a dragon. It seems now that this might not be false..."
In contrast to the two trembling individuals, Rihan Nura, who had provoked the situation, looked rather surprised at Gōzaburō Seto and said:
"You old fish... could it be you've already touched upon that?"
Rihan Nura sighed with emotion, biting on a senbon as he narrowed his eyes:
"But speaking of which, are you really sure you want to fight me here?""
"Hmph!" Gōzaburō Seto snorted coldly at this, glanced at the two counter staff nearby who hadn't changed expression at all and showed no human presence, and immediately restrained his aura.
Even if he wanted to teach Rihan Nura a lesson, he couldn't make a move here.
After all, Gōzaburō Seto had come to the Hidden Management Department this time to ask for a favour.
And just at that moment, one of the two unmoved staff members at the counter suddenly spoke up:
"Mr Seto Gozaburo, the Director is already waiting in the reception room. Please follow me."
"Consider yourself lucky, kid."
With a cold snort, Gozaburo Seto turned and followed the staff member.
At that moment, Setsura glanced at the departing Gozaburo Seto, both relieved and puzzled as she said:
"Didn't he arrive later than us? How did he get up there first?"
Upon hearing this, Rihan Nura narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin:
"Perhaps that guy from the Seto Group made an appointment in advance."
"However, for this black market boss who usually does business around the Seto Inland Sea to personally pay a visit... it seems we're not the only ones affected by the True Dragon Legacy."
Just as Rihan Nura was pondering this, Gozaburo Seto had already reached the third-floor reception room.
In the reception room, he saw his daughter Sun Seto again, along with Luo Shu, who was chatting animatedly with his daughter.
Wait, what's going on here? He was only downstairs for a moment!
Looking at the two who were getting along so well, Gozaburo Seto felt his head buzzing as if he'd hit a tree.
What the hell is this situation?