Chapter Fourteen: Izumi Inoue

In the backyard of the Maeda family estate, a man dressed in samurai attire sat on a chair beneath a pavilion, holding a steaming cup of tea. He watched the red koi swimming and playing in the clear pond below.

After instructing the servants not to disturb her, Yui Maeda crossed a quaint wooden bridge alone and arrived at the pavilion.

“Yui, it’s been so many years since we last met, yet your scent remains as enchanting as ever,” the man said, taking a small sip of tea before gently placing the cup on the table and rising to his feet.

“Izumi, must you say the same thing every time?” Yui smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth lifting.

“You know why I do it, don’t you?” The man, Inoue Izumi, walked slowly to Yui’s side, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. His gaze was filled with deep affection as he whispered tender words.

“At your age, still so frivolous. Besides, until the family feud is avenged, I don’t wish to discuss such things,” Yui said softly, breaking free from his grasp and moving toward the lakeside, a trace of sorrow in her eyes.

“So many years have passed, and you still haven’t forgotten,” Izumi said, looking at Yui’s saddened back with a hint of pain.

“How could I forget my father’s vengeance?”

“It’s my fault. If I had pursued you earlier, you wouldn’t have gone to the Dragon Soaring Kingdom with that old man, and your father wouldn’t have...” Izumi’s voice trailed off.

“Now, I’ve found a good way to exact revenge. I need your help.” Yui turned to face Izumi, clenching her fists, her eyes resolute.

...

“That’s your own grandson. Can you bear to do this?” Izumi frowned upon hearing Yui’s plan.

“This is the best option. Over the years, we have sent many top assassins there, all of whom failed. So, sacrifices must be made...” Yui said helplessly.

“But he’s just a child.”

“That’s precisely why I chose you. I’ve observed him; his innate talent is promising. With time, if trained as a top assassin, he will surely succeed in his mission.”

“But what if he finds out?”

“As long as he remembers I’m his only family, that will suffice,” Yui replied calmly.

“I understand.” Izumi said no more. For him, this was not the first time to make such a choice. However, this time’s target was somewhat different... Perhaps this would be a worthy challenge.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. If I had followed back then, the family head wouldn’t have died.”

The Iga clan, an ancient assassin organization in the Sakuragi Kingdom, has been the ruler of the ninja world since the Sengoku period, standing alongside the neighboring Koka clan at the pinnacle. They have saved their lords several times in crises and played a significant role in the founding of great families. Their influence even extended deeply into Kyoto, making them feared by rulers. Ultimately, they faced near annihilation, with only a few escaping after receiving warnings.

...

Those few survivors formed an assassin organization, surviving and growing by taking on assignments for assassinations, intelligence gathering, and protection.

The previous Maeda family head, Ken Maeda, once unintentionally saved Inoue Izumi, who was injured and unconscious during a mission. Izumi is now the head of the Iga clan, which established a connection with the Maeda family.

With the strong financial backing of the Maeda conglomerate, Iga has grown to become the largest assassin organization in the Sakuragi Kingdom and ranks third worldwide.

Because of the relationship with Iga, no one dared act rashly during the period the Maeda family lost its head, giving Yui Maeda, who had suffered a double blow, time to recover and eventually take over the family business.

---

“Sister Mai, this isn’t the way home. Isn’t the house in the other direction?” Sun Siyu, sitting in the back seat, holding a cola in one hand and a hamburger in the other, chewed thoughtfully as she looked out at the night view.

“Tonight, we’re going to stay somewhere else,” Mai said, surprised at Sun Siyu’s keen sense of direction. He seemed unlike a newcomer to the city, though she thought since he had been playing all day and spent much time in the car, there was no need to explain where they were headed.

“Somewhere else? Why? Grandma’s house is fine, isn’t it?” Sun Siyu asked, puzzled.

“Well...”

“Young Master, aren’t you supposed to meet your parents? We are taking you to see them; they have already arrived.” Chiyo stepped in for Mai and explained to Sun Siyu.

“Is that so, Sister Mai?” Sun Siyu looked at Mai with his big, innocent eyes.

“Yes.” Mai lightly pinched her fingers together, recalling the instructions from the president, then nodded.

“Oh—Mom is finally here! Grandma wasn’t lying!” Sun Siyu cheered loudly.

Mai sat in the back seat, glancing at Chiyo through the rearview mirror, her eyes filled with doubt and disbelief.

Chiyo shook her head gently in the mirror. They had to follow the president’s orders.

They both knew what kind of place they were about to take the young master to, for they had all come from there.

Soon, the car stopped at a shallow beach by the sea.

“Sister Mai, where’s Mom? Why is there no one else here?” Sun Siyu excitedly opened the car door and jumped out, only to find the beach deserted except for them.

“Your parents are still on the way. We’ll wait here for a while; they’ll arrive soon.” After exchanging a look with Mai, Chiyo got out and ran to Sun Siyu’s side, offering him a lollipop as she crouched down.

Mai remained seated, pulling a phone from her boot and sending a string of numbers to a certain number.

“Sister Chiyo, I’m so sleepy,” Sun Siyu said with the lollipop in his mouth, eyes half-closed, yawning.

“If you’re tired, just sleep for a bit. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Before Chiyo finished speaking, Sun Siyu had already fallen asleep, his body leaning back. Chiyo reached out to support him.

A small yacht approached and stopped about a hundred meters from the shallow beach.

Mai took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and used her finger to cover and uncover the light repeatedly, making it blink at different frequencies.

After finishing, Mai put her phone away, nodded to Chiyo, and walked toward the beach’s edge.

Chiyo carried the sleeping Sun Siyu and followed Mai to the water’s edge.

The yacht came closer, its lights shining bright. A man dressed in samurai clothing stood at the bow, watching them.

“Mr. Inoue.”

Seeing the man clearly, Chiyo and Mai immediately bowed respectfully.

“Hand him over to me. You may go back now.” In the blink of an eye, Inoue Izumi was beside them. Before Chiyo could react, he had already taken Sun Siyu in his arms and turned to board the yacht.

“But the young master...” Mai began but stopped midway. Fear suddenly showed in her large eyes, and her body trembled involuntarily. She sensed a sudden surge of imposing energy from Inoue, as if speaking another word might cost her life. She immediately closed her mouth and lowered her head.

“Useless.” Izumi muttered disdainfully. In the next blink, he was back at the bow.

As the yacht disappeared beyond the coastline, Chiyo and Mai finally raised their heads.

“Mr. Inoue’s power is truly terrifying. Mai, are you alright?” Chiyo said, looking toward the horizon. Though they were strong themselves, they couldn’t even move under Izumi’s oppressive presence.

“The young master...” Mai’s eyes were full of worry.

“This is the president’s decision. All we can do is pray for the young master’s safety.” Chiyo patted Mai’s shoulder and got into the car.

The black sedan parked on the beach started, heading back to the Maeda estate. Three had come out; only Chiyo and Mai returned.