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

"And the family of your childhood playmate—the Toyokawa family—is actually a branch of the Snake-Headed Eight Families."

"The Snake Clan has always been wary of mixed-blood individuals with unstable bloodlines to prevent them from getting out of control."

"As for the Toyokawa family... it just happens to be a branch with a less stable bloodline."

Upon hearing the name of the Toyokawa Shoko family, Mikasa Hatsuka silently lowered her head, lost in thought.

Kazama Ruri smiled:

"In recent generations, the bloodline of the Toyokawa family has been unstable, with two consecutive generations failing to survive for long,"

"The current head of the Toyokawa family is not too worried about this, but the second-generation son-in-law is very concerned about it."

"Perhaps, you'll even meet your childhood friend in the Ghost Clan then."

"Xiao Xiang..."

The name came to mind as Misaka Chuka recalled it. They had been so close when they were young, but now it felt like they were worlds apart.

"Is she...like me?"

"Sanko Chuhua asked softly."

"Not yet, but if there are no unforeseen circumstances, it should be soon."

Kazama Ruri said calmly.

"Bloodline is both a blessing of fate and a curse from the gods. Some things that you are born with may be shackles that you can never get rid of in your entire life."

"and……

He got up and went to a low, lacquered wooden table. The table was very clean, and the lacquer was so shiny that it reflected the image of Kazama Ruri.

"Judging from my last contact with that second-generation son-in-law of the Toyokawa family, there must be some other reason behind his coming to Japan."

"?"

Misaka Chuka was somewhat confused. "Why do you say that?"

Her impressions of the Toyokawa family came from Toyokawa Shoko, and she didn't really know much about her father, Toyokawa Kiyoko.

"Heh." Kazama Ruri pulled a piece of paper from the drawer of the table; it was covered with writing.

"There are some things about mixed-race society that you haven't experienced enough of, so you may not understand some situations."

"Simply put, he is Toyokawa Shoko's father. Toyokawa Kiyoko is quite capable, and it's hard to imagine that he would become a live-in son-in-law."

"But these are secondary."

Kazama Ruri finished reading the contents of the paper, then tore it into snowflake-like pieces and casually tossed them aside.

"You drank alcohol today, didn't you?"

“Yes.” Misaka Chuka nodded, without denying it.

She recalled the overwhelming power that almost burst forth from her body when she drank this 'wine'.

At that moment, Misaka Chuka felt as if she were no longer herself, but some kind of imprisoned god.

"Alas, this is poison. Why is it that everyone who hears its name is so eager to drink it, even if they initially hate it, they will eventually drink it all down?"

Kazama Ruri sighed.

"And I remember... you said you have an older sister?"

“Yes.” Sanjiao Chuhua nodded.

"She is now a popular idol in Japan's new generation of bands, and the guitarist of the group Sumimi."

"Heh...an idol, huh?"

Ruri Kazama shook her head, seemingly not taking it to heart.

"It's just a superficial thing. If you had been born a hundred years earlier, you would also be a contemporary master in the field of drama."

"Alas, it's a pity... with the Snake Clan around, we can only exist in the shadows..."

He looked at Sanjiao Chuhua's lowered face:

"You've already felt the power of your bloodline within you... With that, why bother with such an ephemeral thing as fame?"

"If you harbor resentment towards your sister... there will naturally be a suitable opportunity in the future."

"Sigh, brothers and sisters..."

Suddenly, Kazama Ruri let out a soft laugh, as if she had thought of something.

He changed the subject, his expression becoming more serious:

“Tomorrow, some people will be coming. Now that you know my identity and your lineage, you should naturally join us.”

"Is this the 'Fierce Demon Clan' you've been talking about?" Misaki Hatsuka asked.

“That’s right,” Kazama Ruri said.

"However, I slightly concealed your bloodline information, only saying that you were a hybrid that I rescued from a small island under the supervision of the Snake Clan."

"it is good."

Sanko Chuhua listened attentively, without asking any questions like "why".

After a moment of silence in the room, Kazama Ruri spoke:

"Moreover, several special figures from the Ghost Clan will also be coming tomorrow."

"Among them, there will be a person named 'King General'."

"Is he the leader of the Demon Clan?" Misaki asked. "The one who commands all the 'demons'?"

"Yes, but not entirely." Kazama Ruri put down her wine glass and placed her hands on her knees.

"What I'm telling you is, don't believe a word he says."

Chapter 57 received guidance from Principal Angers.

Kazama Ruri spoke these words with utmost solemnity.

Misaka Chuka suddenly raised her head and looked at the mysterious and ever-changing man in front of her.

Over the past few days, she felt that the person in front of her wore countless masks; he could be a dashing gigolo or a peerless actor, all shrouded in mystery.

Only when he uttered those words did he seem to shed his disguise, appearing so genuine.

"If you meet someone named Sakurai Kogure, you can listen to her advice."

Kazama Ruri smiled.

"Her code name is 'Dragon Horse'. Logically speaking, she is now in charge of handling some of the trivial matters of the Ghost Clan."

"I will tell her about your situation in detail when the time comes, and she will make appropriate arrangements."

Sanjiao Chuhua was somewhat puzzled:

"Didn't you say you were going to hide some details about my background?"

“It’s not necessary for her,” Kazama Ruri said calmly. “It’s mainly for the ‘King’ to see.”

Triangle Chuhua's doubts deepened:

"Could it be that 'King General' is not actually the leader of the Ghost Clan? Or is there someone else in the real story?"

It's no wonder she would make that guess; from Kazama Ruri's words just now, she didn't see any respect from him for the king.

Perhaps, or maybe, his dominance wasn't actually as strong as people thought?

Seemingly noticing Mikasa's confusion, Kazama Ruri added a few more words:

"I just don't want a hellish monster to skin you alive."

A flash of resentment crossed his eyes.

Triangle Chuhua couldn't help but shiver.

She had never seen such a venomous expression on her face, like the icy chill of a thousand-year-old ice cellar.

Can someone like him also experience hatred and fear?

Sanko Chuka wondered what the real reason was behind it, but remained silent.

She remained seated, listening quietly to the 'teacher's' narration.

At this moment, Kazama Ruri's expression had returned to normal, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

A calm expression returned to his face:

"There's one last thing, which concerns the Snake Clan."

"In fact, the Demon Clan and the Snake-Headed Eight Families are twins. All the 'demons' in them have some connection with the Snake-Headed Eight Families."

"Many people, due to defects in their bloodline, have been imprisoned, detained, discriminated against, or even hunted down by people who may have been relatives, lovers, or friends after being judged to have a tendency to lose control."

"Many people don't willingly fall into the abyss from the beginning, but they find that their friends and family no longer consider them as fellow travelers..."

It was this despair of being abandoned that drove them step by step into darkness, ultimately leaving them no choice but to become ghosts…

Sanjiao Chuhua fell silent.

Transformed into demons, fratricide... the Snake Clan naturally has its shadows, though some are concealed.

Kazama Ruri seemed to remember something and continued:

“Recently, the Ghosts Guild has been trying to rescue a group of imprisoned ‘comrades,’ so you may not see me for a while.”

"Why are the Snake-Headed Eight Families so wary of them...?"

"Sanko Chuhua asked softly."

"The deepest reason is to prevent the resurrection of 'God'."

"god?"

"That's right, it's 'God'."

This time, Kazama Ruri didn't drink.

He got up, and the tea on the coffee table was just brewed. He picked up a black glazed teacup and poured himself about seven-tenths of the tea.

The tea is slightly green in color, steaming hot, and carries a hint of the astringent aroma unique to boiled tea.

He took a small sip, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"It's just a pseudonym; nobody knows what 'He' actually is."

Kazama Ruri briefly summarized the situation before looking at Mikasa Hatsuka.

"Is this all for today's lesson?"

Triangle Chuhua Road,

“I thought I would study classical drama or something like before. I just came into contact with Kabuki a few days ago, but I feel that 'Kyogen' might suit me better.”

"No," Kazama Ruri said calmly.

“You can bury those things deep in your heart, but you must never forget them, especially the part about ‘King General’.”

"Then why bring these things up specifically?" Chu Hua asked, puzzled.

"This is just to give you a general idea of ​​some details. If you don't know anything about these things, you can easily be taken advantage of."

Kazama Rurido

"Back then, I was deceived because I didn't know anything. Now that you know more, it will benefit you."

Sanko Chuka remained silent.

Everything Kazama Ruri said still echoed in her mind, ruthlessly crushing her past and her world.

Only today did she realize just how deep the waters were around her.

But then she thought of her mother, Toyokawa Shoko, her older sister Misumi Hatsune... and many other people, and felt that it was all so unreal and interesting.

Kazama Ruri quietly got up, pushed open the door and went out, leaving Misumi Hatsuka alone in the room.

Suddenly, Sanjiao Chuhua felt the strong liquor she had drunk earlier surge up, and a fiery torrent enveloped her entire body.

Her consciousness seemed to be rising, yet it was so clear that she was aware of her every move.