Chapter 235: Natsuba Yosuke’s Mind Shatters
With Mizuō Morishige coming in, and due to his powerful fist, the black smoke around Chikari Tanishi was swept outwards, and Chikari Tanishi’s figure was revealed.
And since the loud sound had come from Chikari Tanishi’s direction…
Mizuō Morishige had looked at the source of the sound first and had seen Chikari Tanishi.
Until Natsuba Yosuke had shouted Mizuō Morishige’s name and had frantically run towards him.
Seeing this, Mizuō Morishige’s thick brows furrowed slightly, and he said in a low voice,
“Natsuba Yosuke…?”
“How did he come out of the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain’s room alive? And it looks like he’s fighting Steward Chikari.”
Looking at this scene, Mizuō Morishige’s mind was filled with confusion.
However, Mizuō Morishige had already made a decision in his heart.
With a slight thought, the supernatural power in his body flowed like a dragon snake.
However, Natsuba Yosuke at this time naturally didn’t know Mizuō Morishige’s thoughts.
In Natsuba Yosuke’s memory, although the Mizuō branch had changed its court in the conglomerate time and time again, in the end, it was all in service of the Natsuba conglomerate.
In fact, in Natsuba Yosuke’s view, Mizuō Morishige was a bit foolishly loyal.
As for the reason?
Nonsense. You could tell just by looking at his face.
Such a thick-browed, big-eyed, honest and loyal face, how could he be anything but a loyal minister?
Moreover, although Mizuō Morishige was the head of the Mizuō branch, and the Mizuō branch was a supporter of Natsuba Kouryu back then…
But Mizuō Morishige himself was directly under Natsuba Genryū.
After all, in terms of the Natsuba conglomerate’s structure, the head of a branch family was actually of the same rank as a young master.
Of course, this was only in terms of structure.
In reality, it was ultimately strength that mattered.
For example, the head of the Mizuō branch, even Natsuba Kouryu had to occasionally listen to his opinions. And the head of the Nenba branch back then could only slightly fawn on the future head of the family, Natsuba Kouryu.
Not only that, but Mizuō Morishige and Chikari Tanishi were different.
The Mizuō branch was a branch that had been integrated with the Natsuba conglomerate a thousand years ago. Their loyalty was beyond doubt.
Natsuba Yosuke mobilized all the supernatural power in his body and transformed it into the energy of his physical strength. He ran towards Mizuō Morishige.
Natsuba Yosuke’s lungs had been injured by Chikari Tanishi’s punch, so his stamina was much worse than before.
Natsuba Yosuke was covered in a cold sweat and was gasping for breath. His legs and feet were twitching, and his running path was crooked.
But Natsuba Yosuke’s pale golden pupils were filled with a full sense of determination.
“Almost……… there…………”
“Just……… a little……… further…”
“…I will be the head of the family. I absolutely cannot die here… ah!”
With a roar, Natsuba Yosuke squeezed out the last few wisps of supernatural power in his body and ran towards Mizuō Morishige.
Natsuba Yosuke’s eyes were filled with hope.
As long as Natsuba Yosuke got there, to that place…
He would be safe.
Behind Natsuba Yosuke, he heard the sound of Chikari Tanishi releasing his Qi ability to strike, but that was because Chikari Tanishi had injured Natsuba Yosuke, and had been targeted by an unconscious divinity.
And it had given Natsuba Yosuke time to escape.
Otherwise, with Natsuba Yosuke’s speed, he would not have been able to escape Chikari Tanishi’s so fast.
But even so, Natsuba Yosuke had to quicken his pace. The injury Chikari Tanishi had caused him was not serious, which meant that the divinity that had targeted Chikari Tanishi was definitely not strong.
It was very likely that it wouldn’t be long before Chikari Tanishi could disperse it, so Natsuba Yosuke’s actions had to be fast.
And Mizuō Morishige had just come in and clearly didn’t understand the current situation.
What if Chikari Tanishi took advantage of the fact that Mizuō Morishige had just come in and didn’t know anything, and directly went for the kill? That would be over.
Although the final result would be a one-for-one exchange…
But Natsuba Yosuke would be dead. What was the use of a one-for-one exchange?
With great difficulty, Natsuba Yosuke finally reached Mizuō Morishige.
But at the same time…
The sound of Chikari Tanishi and the divinity fighting behind Natsuba Yosuke had also stopped. That fast and fierce running sound, like the scythe of death, was quickly sweeping towards him.
In fact, Natsuba Yosuke could already feel the wind from Chikari Tanishi’s fist on his back.
In this life-or-death moment…
Under Natsuba Yosuke’s feet, a thin black smoke appeared, and a final, weak explosion sounded. The force sent him fiercely towards Mizuō Morishige’s side.
And it became Natsuba Yosuke’s ticket to survival.
Natsuba Yosuke had entered Mizuō Morishige’s protection range.
A curve appeared on Natsuba Yosuke’s dry lips, and he cheered for his own life.
And Natsuba Yosuke said,
“Steward Mizuō, Chikari Tanishi is going to kill me! Save me!!”
As soon as Natsuba Yosuke finished speaking…
Natsuba Yosuke saw Mizuō Morishige’s entire body surge with a pale blue supernatural power, and a tortoise shell with a diameter of one meter condensed in Mizuō Morishige’s hand.
Clearly, Mizuō Morishige was going to use this tortoise shell to block Chikari Tanishi’s attack.
After all, back then when Mizuō Morishige was at peak B-rank, Natsuba Yosuke’s father had said that Mizuō Morishige’s full defense could withstand an ordinary A-rank attack.
And now that Mizuō Morishige had already reached A-rank, even if the offensive power of the Qi ability was terrifying, Chikari Tanishi was only at the B-rank critical point.
Mizuō Morishige’s defense was completely sufficient to protect Natsuba Yosuke.
Natsuba Yosuke’s pale golden pupils widened. He was going to watch this moment carefully.
However…
The more Natsuba Yosuke looked, the more he sensed that the way Mizuō Morishige was swinging the tortoise shell was a bit strange?
How was it that it was coming towards his head………?
“Boom——————!”
In the next moment, Mizuō Morishige slammed the tortoise shell heavily on Natsuba Yosuke’s head.
And a melodious sound, like a musical instrument being struck, was heard.
Natsuba Yosuke, who was already struggling to stand and run, after receiving this heavy blow, his eyes immediately saw stars, and he fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Chikari Tanishi, who had originally thrown a punch at Natsuba Yosuke, quickly stopped his steps and forcibly stopped.
Chikari Tanishi’s gleaming golden eyes flickered slightly, and he looked at Mizuō Morishige with a hint of displeasure.
Undoubtedly, this was a kill-stealing behavior.
The seemingly loyal Mizuō Morishige before him probably thought that Natsuba Yosuke had been lucky to escape from the Second Miss’s room, and was preparing to capture Natsuba Yosuke himself and then hand him over to her.
And thus to get a reward.
After all, Mizuō Morishige had tasted the sweetness on this point.
And Mizuō Morishige was also a professional at backstabbing.
He had backstabbed Natsuba Kouryu and had gotten the reward of becoming an A-rank. And to backstab another Natsuba Yosuke, Mizuō Morishige had started to become proficient.
As for the reward, the Second Miss was naturally generous.
And it might allow Mizuō Morishige’s rank to be further improved.
If not for the fact that Natsuba Genryū didn’t have enough sons, Chikari Tanishi felt that Mizuō Morishige could have probably reached the divine realm just by backstabbing.
Mizuō Morishige’s appearance, combined with his dark heart, did indeed have a strong deceptive quality.
However, according to what the Second Miss had said…
This kind of rank improvement had endless lingering problems.
The ability to improve one’s supernatural power on one’s own would be greatly reduced, and because it was a power given by another person, that person would become more and more subject to the giver, which was the Second Miss.
Until finally, as long as the Second Miss was willing, with a single thought, even if Mizuō Morishige were far away, he would die violently.
However, Mizuō Morishige was close to forty. Without the Second Miss’s help, it was almost impossible for him to enter A-rank. For Mizuō Morishige, this was probably a fortunate thing.
But Chikari Tanishi was only in his thirties, and his rank had also reached the B-rank critical point. He still had the hope of entering A-rank on his own.
And in the future, Chikari Tanishi could also reach a higher rank.
Of course, if Chikari Tanishi couldn’t advance in rank on his own, at that time, even if he were subject to the Second Miss, Chikari Tanishi would be willing.
However, for Mizuō Morishige, who had joined later and whose talent was inherently inferior to his, Chikari Tanishi was a little contemptuous.
Not to mention, Mizuō Morishige was now suspected of kill-stealing.
Chikari Tanishi’s gleaming golden pupils showed a hint of a threat, as if a tiger were showing its sharp teeth. He said,
“Mizuō Morishige, you can leave.”
“I’ll take care of the rest.”
Seeing this, Mizuō Morishige smiled loyally.
“There’s no need to trouble you, Steward Chikari. This operation was carried out by our two major branches together.”
“In terms of reason and propriety, as the head of the Mizuō branch, I should also be here.”
Yes, Chikari Tanishi had guessed Mizuō Morishige’s thoughts correctly.
Mizuō Morishige did indeed want to rely on Natsuba Yosuke to raise his rank again.
Since Mizuō Morishige had tasted the speed of the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain’s rank improvement, he could no longer go back.
Not to mention, after his own constant cultivation, the improvement in his supernatural power had become minimal.
Of course, Mizuō Morishige knew very well.
This kind of rapid improvement definitely had its drawbacks.
But so what?
If not for the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain, Mizuō Morishige would have never reached A-rank. After all, back then, he was still at the B-rank critical point.
And this time, to have another chance to raise his rank, Mizuō Morishige was of course unwilling to let it go.
As long as Mizuō Morishige stayed here, the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain would then think that he also had a contribution in capturing Natsuba Yosuke. But once he left, he wouldn’t.
Moreover, Mizuō Morishige did have a contribution.
It was he who had stopped Natsuba Yosuke.
As for his betrayal of Natsuba Genryū, did Mizuō Morishige feel any guilt in his heart?
That was definitely a little………
———Not at all.
After all, what the Mizuō branch had said a thousand years ago was that they were loyal to Natsuba.
Natsuba Hanae was also a Natsuba.
The Mizuō branch had been loyal to the Natsuba conglomerate from beginning to end. Where did the guilt come from?
At most, it was just finding another master.
For a stronger Natsuba conglomerate, to choose a stronger Natsuba head, was there anything wrong with that?
Of course not.
And Natsuba Yosuke, after a brief dizziness…
Looking at the veiled confrontation between Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige…
A look of confusion appeared in Natsuba Yosuke’s pale golden pupils.
Who was he? Where was he?
If Natsuba Yosuke remembered correctly, it wasn’t Chikari Tanishi who had hit him just now, but Mizuō Morishige with that tortoise shell, and Mizuō Morishige had given his head a heavy blow!
Could it be that Mizuō Morishige had also betrayed the Natsuba conglomerate?
But that was not right.
The current Mizuō Morishige was arguing with Chikari Tanishi. In Natsuba Yosuke’s view, the two were more like they were wary of each other, so they were just arguing verbally and had not started a fight.
And Mizuō Morishige’s words, a look of wanting to prosper for the Natsuba conglomerate.
Combined with his honest appearance, it looked as if Mizuō Morishige was really considering for the Natsuba conglomerate.
And with the Mizuō branch having served the Natsuba conglomerate for a thousand years, just a Summer Harvest Mountain that had appeared not long ago was not worth them changing their court.
In other words, Mizuō Morishige had not yet betrayed.
And that dull blow just now was highly likely to have been to let Natsuba Yosuke dodge Chikari Tanishi’s attack, and Mizuō Morishige had hit him downwards, and thus to dodge.
From the two’s current wary posture, it could be seen…
Mizuō Morishige’s hasty shield might not have been able to completely withstand Chikari Tanishi’s attack.
However, that dull tortoise shell was really heavy.
Natsuba Yosuke shook his head, still feeling a little dizzy.
If not for the fact that Natsuba Yosuke had the leather armor of a Nightmare-level supernatural being protecting his entire body, Mizuō Morishige’s dull tortoise shell just now might have even dented his skull.
Of course, in a crisis situation, Natsuba Yosuke couldn’t blame Mizuō Morishige.
To be able to survive was already extremely lucky.
Next, Natsuba Yosuke would let Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige fight, and he would take the opportunity to escape.
Natsuba Yosuke had to let someone inform his father. The betrayal of the Chikari branch could weaken the foundation of the Natsuba conglomerate.
And this foundation was highly likely to be the lingering problem that would cause the Natsuba conglomerate to fall out of the top-tier forces in the future.
After all, the current Natsuba conglomerate was entirely supported by Natsuba Genryū with his peak A-rank strength. The overall strength of his subordinates was already very threatening on the edge of the top-tier forces.
Natsuba Yosuke didn’t want to take over a tattered Natsuba conglomerate when it was his time.
From this point, Natsuba Yosuke was sincerely considering for the Natsuba conglomerate.
Barely getting up from the ground, Natsuba Yosuke crawled a dozen steps forward before he slowly stood up.
And he prepared to walk towards the core area of the main residence.
Natsuba Genryū’s personal guards were there.
However, just as Natsuba Yosuke had taken his first step and was preparing to walk towards the exit…
Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige both stopped their words, and the corners of their eyes both looked at Natsuba Yosuke. Both were shrewd people, so they naturally couldn’t be careless.
In reality, Natsuba Yosuke’s movements were all in their eyes.
And if Natsuba Yosuke were to walk out the main door, he would surely walk out.
Mizuō Morishige also noticed something was wrong with Natsuba Yosuke. Mizuō Morishige’s own ability, although its offensive power was exceptionally weak, his current rank was also at A-rank.
And Natsuba Yosuke was only at the C-rank critical point.
According to the blow just now, if not to dent Natsuba Yosuke’s skull, at least it would be a concussion, the kind that would not wake up for half a day.
But Natsuba Yosuke seemed to be fine, and had just stood up with a bit of a dazed mind, and was preparing to run away.
This meant that Natsuba Yosuke most likely had some defensive item.
And it was highly likely to be a Nightmare-level one.
And once Natsuba Yosuke walked out, even if there were people from the Mizuō and Chikari branches outside, but facing a Nightmare-level leather armor, they would be helpless.
Just as the two were preparing to act and pull Natsuba Yosuke back, they immediately noticed something.
And quickly turned their gaze and faced forward.
In the next moment…
A clear sound of footsteps was heard.
A gentle breeze blew, and the hem of an exquisite black formal dress swayed gently, and it rippled.
A gentle and soft female voice came with it.
“Brother, where are you going? You’re not willing to stay and chat with your little sister for a while?”
Hearing this, Natsuba Yosuke’s pupils constricted sharply. His entire body trembled.
Natsuba Yosuke turned back and saw Natsuba Hanae’s figure.
Natsuba Hanae had caused him a serious injury to his arm. In such a short time, she had actually eliminated the divinity of the Natsuba family?
Was the Natsuba family’s divinity too weak, or had Natsuba Hanae deceived him with her description of it?
But from the way Chikari Tanishi had faced the divinity just now…
It had only caused him a little injury, but the divinity that had emerged had also blocked Chikari Tanishi for a considerable amount of time.
What was going on?
But no matter what the situation was, Natsuba Yosuke had to survive.
And Natsuba Yosuke shouted,
“Steward Mizuō, block Chikari Tanishi for me!”
At the same time, Natsuba Yosuke quickly started his brain.
Since his strength was completely no match for Natsuba Hanae, he could only rely on his eloquence to have her spare his life.
Natsuba Yosuke organized his words, and soon had a general idea in his mind. He said,
“Hanae!”
“I’m your brother! Although my father and my other brothers, and I, have usually treated you badly, and have seen you as goods, and have even called you a bastard…”
“And have arranged for you to marry the Kujō head. My father doesn’t even care about your reputation and the rules of the conglomerate, and is preparing to marry you off a second time.”
“But……… we’re your family.”
“And Summer Harvest Mountain is just an unknown force. We don’t know what their purpose is.”
“What you’ll suffer in the future might be even worse than in the Natsuba conglomerate!”
“Not to mention the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain. Her methods are cruel and her schemes are cunning. Both Natsuba Kouryu and Natsuba Taiga died at her hands.”
“Do you think she’ll let you, who also has the Natsuba surname, go?”
“To cut the grass and pull out the roots, at that time, you and Rinrei will both be killed. It’s better to abandon the darkness and turn to the light, and return to the Natsuba conglomerate. Tell us the information of Summer Harvest Mountain, and I’ll ask my father to forgive you for your betrayal this time.”
Natsuba Yosuke said.
The more he spoke, the more he got into it, and the more he felt he was right.
If he could persuade Natsuba Hanae to turn back, not only could he resolve this crisis, but he could even get information about Summer Harvest Mountain.
For example, where Summer Harvest Mountain was located, and some information about their god. Natsuba Hanae had obtained divinity. She must know some news about the god of Summer Harvest Mountain.
And Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige, hearing Natsuba Yosuke’s words…
On Chikari Tanishi’s usually calm face, the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
And on Mizuō Morishige’s honest and loyal face, it also twitched slightly. Clearly, he was holding back with some difficulty.
Natsuba Hanae seemed to also think that what Natsuba Yosuke said was very reasonable, and frequently nodded.
And as she listened, she walked out of her room.
And Natsuba Hanae pursed her lips and said softly,
“Brother, your analysis is very reasonable. If I were to return to the Natsuba conglomerate now, could you really make my father forgive me?”
And Natsuba Hanae continued to advance, until she had reached Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige.
At the same time, hearing this, an unparalleled ecstasy appeared in Natsuba Yosuke’s pale golden pupils.
Natsuba Yosuke knew that Natsuba Hanae had been moved!
But Natsuba Yosuke knew it was almost impossible for his father to forgive Natsuba Hanae. But for his own life, he immediately agreed.
“Of course, Father will definitely……”
Before Natsuba Yosuke had finished speaking, Natsuba Hanae, who had walked to Chikari Tanishi and Mizuō Morishige, was met with their kneeling on both knees.
And the two men said respectfully,
“Your subordinate greets the Second Miss.”
“Your subordinate greets the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.”
In an instant, Natsuba Yosuke felt as if a mouthful of phlegm was stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t say the next words.
…
