Chapter 38: The Happy Natsuba Family Reunion
At the door stood a bald old man leaning on a cane.
His body was neither strong nor frail, but for a man in his seventies, he was still in good health.
His long white beard, like a cascading waterfall, reached his waist.
His expression was kind and benevolent, giving him a gentle air.
He looked no different from an ordinary old man on the street.
However!
Natsuba Genryū wore a dark brown kimono with nothing underneath, revealing a chest riddled with countless scars from swords, spears, and other weapons.
Although Natsuba Genryū didn’t exude any aura, the sight of these scars was enough to unleash an overwhelming killing intent, as if one were on a battlefield, in a living hell.
Behind him, on his left and right, stood…
The first and second sons of the Natsuba conglomerate.
Natsuba Taiga and Natsuba Kouryu.
Like his name, Natsuba Taiga’s silver hair stood on end, his fierce, pale golden eyes filled with malice. He was built like a tiger, with a burly, muscular frame, his sharp teeth clenched.
A magnificent white tiger-skin cloak hung over his shoulders. He stood with his arms crossed, a defiant expression on his face, chewing on bubble gum made from supernatural materials.
And in stark contrast was Natsuba Kouryu.
He had long, shoulder-length white hair and a handsome face.
He wore a crisp white suit with a red tie, on which a black dragon was coiled.
A gentle smile was always on his face, and he was polite even to stewards and servants, a true gentleman.
Even if a servant accidentally spilled tea on his clothes, he wouldn’t get angry, but would instead comfort them. However, that servant would never be seen again.
And at the lake in Natsuba Kouryu’s residence near the south gate, pieces of flesh would often appear.
But they would quickly disappear, eaten by the crocodiles Natsuba Kouryu kept there.
Of course, besides Natsuba Kouryu’s confidants, most people in the Natsuba main residence didn’t know his true nature.
Natsuba Hanae knew because she had specifically looked up Natsuba Kouryu’s profile in the game.
Being naturally perceptive, the appearance of such a perfect gentleman in the profit-driven Natsuba conglomerate had raised her suspicions.
And she had, of course, discovered a major problem.
In terms of sinister danger, Natsuba Kouryu was even more terrifying than Natsuba Taiga.
But when Natsuba Genryū stood in front of Natsuba Taiga and Natsuba Kouryu, their auras were completely suppressed.
The head of the family was, after all, the head of the family.
As long as Natsuba Genryū lived, his authority would loom over the Natsuba conglomerate, and no one would dare to make waves.
Of course…
The crimson vertical pupil, which transcended the Natsuba conglomerate, was an exception.
A faint light flickered in Natsuba Hanae’s red, glass-like eyes as she watched the three approach. Natsuba Taiga walked with an air of arrogance, while Natsuba Kouryu nodded at every steward.
Until he passed by her.
She smiled a perfect, exquisite smile, her lips slightly parted, and her soft, gentle voice spoke,
“Father.”
“Good day to my two elder brothers.”
According to the family hierarchy, she should have addressed Natsuba Taiga, the eldest son, after their father.
But with Natsuba Taiga and Natsuba Kouryu in a fierce power struggle…
Addressing them in order would displease Natsuba Kouryu. Such a petty man, once displeased, would likely cause her unnecessary trouble.
And addressing them both at the same time would slightly displease Natsuba Taiga.
However, Natsuba Taiga wasn’t one for petty schemes.
He preferred to crush people with absolute power and looked down on women, seeing them only as tools for procreation.
So, Natsuba Genryū only nodded slightly at Natsuba Hanae’s greeting.
And Natsuba Taiga simply ignored her and walked past.
As for Natsuba Kouryu, hearing her address him alongside his brother, his gentle smile deepened, and he said kindly,
“Long time no see, Hanae.”
“I hear that in two months, you and Rinrei will be marrying the Kujō head. Don’t forget to save me some wedding candy, so I can share in your good fortune.”
“After all, your brother might just need that little bit of good luck to win the position of head of the family.”
As soon as Natsuba Kouryu finished speaking, Natsuba Taiga’s tiger-like, pale golden eyes shot a hostile glare at him.
And deep within Natsuba Hanae’s eyes, a crimson light flashed intensely.
But the smile on her face didn’t waver.
“Yes.”
“I’ll be sure to save some candy for Father and my elder brothers. I just hope you won’t find it wanting.”
Hearing this, Natsuba Taiga looked away.
And Natsuba Kouryu’s pupils constricted slightly, his gentle smile fading as he gave Natsuba Hanae a deep look.
“Hanae, if you were a man, you would be much more interesting.”
With that, Natsuba Kouryu walked to his seat.
Natsuba Hanae’s smile remained.
She quietly returned to her seat.
Meanwhile, Natsuba Rinrei sat in her seat, gritting her teeth, her hands clenched so tightly around her thighs that her black stockings tore, revealing red marks on her fair skin.
This abnormal wedding was a constant source of pain for both her and Natsuba Hanae.
And for Natsuba Kouryu to bring it up in public was to trample on their dignity.
Not only that, but he had even used his words to incite Natsuba Taiga’s hostility towards them, making their future even more difficult.
Although Natsuba Rinrei preferred not to waste her energy on such schemes, she wasn’t a fool.
The slightest misstep in the veiled exchange between Natsuba Hanae and Natsuba Kouryu could have put them in grave danger.
But…
She was powerless to resist.
Because, besides Natsuba Kouryu’s confidants, she was also one of the few who knew his true nature.
The memory of his gruesome dismemberment of a victim and his twisted, sadistic laughter, which she had accidentally witnessed as a child, was deeply ingrained in her mind, leaving a lasting psychological scar.
Within the Natsuba conglomerate, Natsuba Rinrei feared Natsuba Kouryu the most.
She hadn’t even dared to breathe loudly just now.
Natsuba Rinrei looked at Natsuba Hanae. What kind of fear was hidden behind her younger sister’s gentle smile?
She also noticed Natsuba Hanae unconsciously rubbing her lips, likely to calm herself down after the tense exchange.
After their mother died, she should have been her younger sister’s protector.
But now, she was helpless.
Hanae, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Natsuba Rinrei was filled with self-reproach.
However, Natsuba Hanae’s expression was calm, her mind filled with only one thought.
How to kill Natsuba Kouryu?
That little insect had slightly soured her mood.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be a person who could read thoughts in this family.