We agreed to be in a band for life, what the heck is Dragon Raja?

However, this investment was only 168 billion yen, which is just over 100 million US dollars. For a conglomerate like the Sheqi Hachike, it was nothing to worry about.

Even though he spent two weeks handling the investment process, it was still a very routine business compared to the flow of funds within the family. Couldn't he have just sent a few finance graduates from the University of Tokyo or Waseda University?

So, what was the reason that the head of the Ju family came here?

The two walked inside together.

Asuya was in front, with his back to Toyokawa Kiyoshi.

He seemed completely unguarded, whether because he had absolute confidence in his own abilities or because he felt that everything here was a trap and there was no need for any precautions.

"What does the Kanto branch have to do with my business today?"

"Why did the patriarch bring these people here?"

Kiyoshi Toyokawa didn't quite understand.

But he didn't say anything, he just followed in Asuya's footsteps.

Asuya was the first to raise the topic:

"Mr. Toyokawa also graduated from Kassel College, right?"

"Yes, but that was a long time ago."

"I really hope to have the opportunity to spar with Mr. Toyokawa."

Asuya licked his lips and said with a hint of smugness,

"Back when I was studying at Kassel College, I was invincible in close combat, and people nicknamed me 'Demon Blade'."

"Oh, that's impressive." Toyokawa Kiyoko smiled.

He's been married for years and is a father of a daughter; he's long since given up on competing with young people for titles.

Since Asuya is so eager to boast, let him be.

Asuya faced forward, his expression somewhat dissatisfied, seemingly feeling that Toyokawa Kiyoyuki's reaction was not to his liking.

But after glancing around, he didn't say anything and continued striding forward.

Reaching a corner on the thirtieth floor, he opened a hidden sliding door.

"Please come in."

Asuya turned around.

The scene inside was revealed.

Kiyoshi Toyokawa never expected there would be such a spacious terrace here.

He had thought Asuya had opened some kind of explosion-proof conference room, but who knew it would be this kind of building.

This was his first time here.

He had never been invited to a place like this before when he met the patriarch.

This solemn attitude made him feel a little nervous.

Inside the terrace, however, lies a completely different world.

Inside, it's in the style of a Japanese Shinto temple, and it's called 'Shojin-ji'.

In addition, there is a 'torii gate', which is an auxiliary building of the temple.

The granite walls are intricately carved, with bold yet delicate lines. At the very top are the three main deities of Shintoism—Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo.

Toyokawa Kiyoshi couldn't help but look at their faces.

Amaterasu sat serenely in the center, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. She wore a hunting robe and held a mirror in her arms, its surface seemingly shimmering with golden light, exuding an ineffable holiness.

The images of Tsukuyomi and Susanoo are also exquisitely crafted.

Besides these, there are statues of all sorts of demons and monsters. Some have ferocious faces, like lion-faced demons; some are huge, sitting cross-legged in piles of bones; and some are half-hidden in the clouds and mist, with only their fangs and claws showing.

Toyokawa Kiyotaka carefully examined the images of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Sasuke, then hurried to catch up with Asuya.

"over there."

Asuya pointed a finger.

"There is a 'hand-washing ritual' before entering the temple, where people wash their hands and mouths."

"It was requested by the head of the family."

He paused, a hint of impatience flashing across his face, seemingly quite dismissive of the matter.

But Asuya dared not disobey the old man's order, and quickly rummaged through the copper basin a few times.

Kiyotaka Toyokawa, dressed in his work suit, performed the ritual with utmost seriousness, as if he were visiting a client who lived in a temple.

Only after the ceremony was completed did the two enter.

Inside is a stone table, with black and white rocks pieced together to form a circular yin-yang symbol.

Sitting in the center was an old man dressed in white linen clothes, none other than the patriarch, Tachibana Masamune.

Beside him were several figures, men and women, all of whom looked young, but exuded a fierce aura.

"Qinggao, you've arrived."

Tachibana Masamune smiled.

“These are the group leaders of the Kanto branch. The one standing next to you, Asuya, is the head of the Kanto branch.”

"Hello, everyone."

Toyokawa Kiyoshi smiled and did not bow.

"Hello, senior."

The seated members of the Kanto branch stood up and bowed slightly to him.

They were all graduates of Kassel College, but they enrolled much later than Toyokawa Kiyotaka, so Toyokawa Kiyotaka was actually their senior.

Although their status within the family was much higher than Toyokawa Kiyoyuki's, after all, they were the twelfth group leaders of the Kanto branch.

However, with Tachibana Masamune by his side, and seemingly because he valued Toyokawa Kiyotaka quite a bit, the Kanto branch members were very polite when they stood up, addressing him as "senior."

Such a spectacle could only happen in front of Tachibana Masamune, and only he could convince this group of madmen.

Toyokawa Kiyoshi's expression remained unchanged. He had seen many agents from the Execution Department at Kassel College, and the group in front of him was still somewhat inferior to him. He simply pulled over a small round stool and sat down gently.

"This is an investment in the family's biopharmaceutical field. I have already planned and signed the entire agreement. Please take a look."

He took a yellow leather bag out of his briefcase, slowly twisted the sealing thread around the opening of the bag, and then opened the file folder.

"it is good."

Tachibana Masamune simply took it, glanced at it casually, and then put it aside.

"Is there anything else, Master? If not, I'll take my leave now."

Toyokawa Kiyoko said.

He stared back at the young people beside Tachibana Masamune, who were casting probing and curious glances at him, his mind filled with doubt.

“These lunatics… Why did the patriarch seek them out?”

"Moreover, he didn't pay much attention to those investment documents, and didn't even have them reviewed by professionals."

"They're not here to see me, are they...?"

As expected, Tachibana Masamune smiled and looked at him, saying:

"Please inform me that some of the younger members of the family have recently encountered some problems."

"But I'm a bit too old, and I don't quite understand some of the questions these young people ask."

"These are all young people from the Kanto branch. They are all outstanding and are true geniuses."

"Youth is a double-edged sword. The family hopes that someone can provide guidance on their path forward. I have thought about it for a long time and feel that you are the most suitable."

"I wonder if you would be willing to serve as the vice-minister of the Kanto branch and guide these young people."

“You’ve both been to Kassel College, so you must have a lot in common.”

A teacup sat on the table. Tachibana Masamune took a sip, his voice deep and gentle.

How could this be?

Toyokawa Kiyoshi had a bit of a headache.

He finally understood the source of Asuyana's subtle challenge when they first met: it was because the head of the Tachibana family wanted him to be parachuted in as the vice-head of the Kanto branch.

The Kanto branch has always only had the minister and the twelve group leaders as the heads of the organization. The addition of a vice minister who was previously just an outsider of the family will undoubtedly make them resentful.

It's like putting yourself on a hot plate.

Moreover, he had already made up his mind not to get involved in the conflicts between mixed-race societies.

As one of the two branches of the Japanese branch, the Kanto branch is directly under the jurisdiction of the patriarch and is bound to carry out various tasks.

Given his understanding of the personalities of the members of the Kanto branch, this was probably not a good job.

Go and guide this group of people? You might as well go work as a gorilla keeper at Tokyo's Tama Zoo; they might be easier to manage there.

Toyokawa Kiyotaka pretended to think for a moment, his face showing a conflicted expression, and then said:

"I'm sorry, I've rarely taken action since graduation. I'm afraid it would be difficult to convince people of my combat prowess alone."

"Given that all the young people in the family are very outstanding, I am afraid I am not capable of taking on this great responsibility. I would appreciate it if the head of the family could find someone more capable."

"Oh, I see." Tachibana Masamune was somewhat disappointed.

"Actually, Qinggao, with your strength, if you were willing, the family would certainly not treat you unfairly."

“The Executive Bureau had invited you before, but you declined. This time, you also refused the position of deputy director of the Kanto branch.”

"But the problem is, how can a position like group manager be worthy of someone as talented as you?"

"I'm sorry, my abilities are truly limited." Toyokawa Kiyoko simply bowed.

"Oh, it's alright, everyone has their own ambitions." Tachibana Masamune seemed somewhat disheartened.

"Asuya, go and see Mr. Toyokawa off again."

"Yes, sir." Asuya bowed. "Mr. Toyokawa, please come with me. There will be another check when we go downstairs."

"it is good."

Toyokawa Kiyotaka bowed deeply once again in the direction of the patriarch before getting up and leaving.

Behind him, Tachibana Masamune watched his retreating figure, a sigh tinged with regret on his face.

Tapping.

Backtrack.

Asuya was still walking at the front. His expression was less sharp than when he arrived, but it was still not very peaceful.

Kiyoshi Toyokawa, carrying his briefcase, remained silent the entire way.

The two went down to the twenty-eighth floor.

Toyokawa Kiyoshi announced:

"Thank you, Minister Mingzhi. No need to trouble yourself, I can take the elevator down by myself."

"Alright, Mr. Toyokawa, I hope we'll meet again someday."

Asuyamichi.

"Please take the elevator."

No sooner had he finished speaking than an elevator door opened.

The place was empty, just like when we arrived.

Toyokawa Kiyotaka went inside.

He felt a little regretful that he hadn't taken the transparent observation elevator when he went downstairs this time. However, since an elevator had already come, he naturally couldn't wait for the next one to come up.

Kiyoshi Toyokawa pressed the button for the first floor, then stood next to the elevator buttons without making any move.

Outside, after the elevator doors closed,

With lightning speed, Asuya pulled out a red card and swiped it hard in a card slot used by the Snake Clan employees.