If I don't have money to go to college, I can only go to slay the dragon.

Looking up, amazed, overjoyed.

Ethereal and clear, the world of glass.

Every guest who steps into the Tamamo-mae Club for the first time will think of the flying immortals in the Dunhuang murals. Those colorful and contrasting colors are constructed in the vast space, and the glass-like seamless glass floor reflects the dazzling light. , the vermilion corridor hangs on the four walls, and the charming half-covered paintings on the walls remind people of the ambiguous and warm words of love. They are full of luxury, and you don't know why when you look around.

Before tonight, Okubo Ryoichi boasted that he had seen the world, including Takamagahara where Shinjuku's famous women lingered, the Red Square Geisha House where politicians and congressmen played and danced night after night, the swimming pool filled with expensive champagne, and the gold and silver treasures piled up into hills. But all that was lost in the blurry and colorful colors.

This is undoubtedly the ultimate dream in the era of entertainment to death. If we look at the "scene" that Team Leader Hasegawa lamented in the previous car, then the owner who built and owned this club must have been an ordinary person when he was young. An unimaginable dream of flying immortals.

And the old man who once had dreams when he was young and now has the entire wonderland is sitting at the end of the brown and red low table in the hall on the first floor, wearing a navy kimono and holding a blue folding fan, waiting for the people who poured into the club.

Congratulations to the head of the Inuyama family, Inuyama.

Okubo Ryoichi recognized the old man and immediately avoided direct gaze to show awe.

A low table was placed in a U-shape in the hall. There were small plates of cold food and a bottle of sake on the table. The old people in black haori walked into the Tamamo-mae Club one by one without saying a word, hanging their heads in silence on the low table. They found their seats at the left and right sides of the table. There was no jostling or chattering, like filling in a jigsaw puzzle. Every part fell into its place efficiently, just waiting for the owner at the end to press the button to start the tightly stitched machine. machine.

"Follow me." Hasegawa Yoshitaka gently touched Okubo Ryoichi's wrist in the crowd, and gently followed the crowd and led him to the front of the left row of the low table, which was also the position closest to the end of the main seat. The closer the seat is to the main seat, the higher the status in the Inuyama family. During the Warring States Period, in addition to the sword-wielding valet, only confidants could visit the head of the family. Based on the position, Hasegawa Yoshitaka undoubtedly had a high position in the Inuyama family. .

It is natural that Okubo Ryōichi did not have a seat of his own in this party. Every seat on this low table, which is neither long nor short, was earned with blood and sweat by the old people. Only a few sacrifices were made for the family. Only those loyal warriors who have sacrificed their lives or even their entire lives are entitled to their own seats and a bottle of sake.

There is an extra futon left behind Yoshitaka Hasegawa. Ryoichi is sitting on it with his head hanging silently. He puts his hands on his thighs and uses his peripheral vision to observe the layout of the entire club. There are places where weapons can be hidden, where snipers can be set up, and where they can evacuate in an orderly manner. There was no doubt that every place he could think of had already been arranged. The Inuyama family guards in black suits and guns stood like stone statues, with cold and ruthless eyes. The side showed that the host of the party was serious and valued the present.

When everyone was seated and there was no more sound of footsteps or friction of clothes, the head of the Inuyama family on the main seat put down the painted folding fan in his hand, and touched the solid jade fan bone on the table. The crisp sound symbolized this gathering, or in other words It's the beginning of the meeting.

"1946." The head of the Inuyama family said.

Then nothing more.

Okubo Ryoichi thought that the opening remarks of a meeting would always start with "Gentlemen", but this was not the case. It was a year that started everything, a year that people today have no sense of reality and no memories.

After such an opening statement, the hall fell into silence. Every old man was sitting or thinking, doubting, or worrying, including Hasegawa Yoshitaka in front of Okubo Ryoichi, who was also suddenly thoughtful.

After a three-minute silence, the head of the Inuyama family slowly spoke again: "In 1946, Hilbert Jean Angers came to Japan to discuss with the eight Sheki families the establishment of a Japanese branch of the European Secret Party. , 63 years have passed since then.”

Hilbert Jean Angers?

Okubo Ryoichi was slightly startled. He felt that he had heard this name before. He thought about it carefully but had no general impression, so he could only continue to listen with his head down.

"63 years ago, Hilbert Jean Angers came to Japan alone and used knives and sticks to knock down the pride of the Japanese mixed race. The secret parties in Europe are like American warships, deeply rooted in this land. They It is said that they brought freedom and democracy, human rights and knowledge, but when they left, what was written on our skin was only the shame left by the iron and a bunch of dream bubbles that were burst with just a few clicks." The head of the Inuyama family said: "It was a very unhappy period. In easy times, white military caps and roaring jeeps are lingering nightmares for many old people. They say that we should have our own freedom and self-control according to human rights laws, but they bring shackles and frameworks to formulate for us. freedom' limits."

Okubo Ryoichi opened his eyes slightly and felt a little commotion, but the team leader in front of him nodded inaudibly, which directly confirmed the words of the head of the Inuyama family. In the old history, the Sheki Hachi family did have a past that was unbearable to look back on. It is a problem left over from history. As Japan was a defeated country in World War II, the eight Sheqi families were naturally affected. If it was the American warships that landed in Japan and defeated the country's bottom line, then it was naturally the entrained military that smoothed the pride of the Japanese mixed race. An elegant old British man wearing a hat.

As Japan's last bottom line, the Sheqi Eight Families in the early years always believed that they were independent of international conflicts. The failure of World War II was Japan's failure, not their failure. They are mixed races, elites who are nobler than ordinary people. The United States defeated the emperor of Japan but did not defeat them - this idea ended until Hilbert Jean Angers landed in Japan with a warship. As a European The representative of the secret party, the old man personally tore off the last fig leaf of Japan. The old man 63 years ago defeated the eight Sheqi families by himself, and made the entire Japanese mixed race surrender with absolute violence. Since then, the Japanese branch established.

The Japanese branch is not a spontaneous organization, but the product of compromise, surrender, and helplessness. In the eyes of international hybrids, there are no so-called Sheqi Eight Families in Japan, only the Japanese branch, Kassel Academy Japan Division.

The hall fell into silence again, and many old people began to drink. The head of the Inuyama family watched their reactions quietly. No one felt the humiliation and cursed angrily. Everyone was so quiet. Maybe they were unwilling or sad, but they were not. Over-acting, because they have made enough trouble and acted out enough in the past years, and finally chose to accept the reality after knowing that it would not help.

The head of the Inuyama family also poured himself a glass of sake: "In the winter of 1946, that man contacted the Sheqi Hachi Family to discuss establishing a Japanese branch. At that time, I personally received him. I still remember that the location was a restaurant in Shinjuku. It was completed in the double compartment of the izakaya because we couldn't find a better place to host the reception. At that time, the main family was still very weak. Due to the national conditions, our economic strength could not even provide three meals a day for the family members. We only had to work in the field. The thugs get fresh meat with their midday meal.”

"The winter of 1946 was extremely cold. People would feel cold in their hands and feet when sitting on the tatami. However, in such a rigorous negotiation situation, there would be no chance of a meeting, so I sat down in the opposite position for half an hour before the negotiation. Just so that the person I am talking to will not be angry because of the cold weather when he sits down to discuss."

Everyone in the hall was silent. It was winter in Japan now, but they could not imagine that in the same season 63 years ago, the old man under the person at the end of the low table was so humble.

"But today, 63 years later." The head of the Inuyama family changed the topic, picked up the wine cup, paused, looked up at everyone, and said calmly: "We are sitting here, gathered together, who knows the famous Tamamozen Club? 'The predecessor was that izakaya that didn't even have a heater?"

When the sake is poured into the wine cup, the four walls are reflected in the splendor, and the light is overflowing with color. How can the old houses stand on the walls and the rooms look like hanging chimes?

Someone applauded.

Then in the silence, applause broke out.

No one could have imagined that today we would hear the story of the predecessor of the Inuyama family's most representative building, the Tamamo-mae Club. 63 years ago, a boy used his body to keep warm. 63 years later, a new high-rise building was built in this place. , like a fairyland, the four seasons are like spring, this is the growth of young people, and also the growth of the eight Sheqi families.

When the applause ended, the head of the Inuyama family said calmly: "I have been thinking that if there is another chance, I will invite that man to talk to him again, let him see the increasingly strong Sheqi Hachi family, and ask him what he thinks But now it seems that the other party did not give me this opportunity. In the eyes of the European secret parties, we are still clowns who are not on the stage, but we are increasingly showing rebellious behavior, so they decided to send me a hat. A military cap, a jeep, and a pointer.”

At this point, the topic finally entered the real business of this gathering.

After hearing the foreshadowing given by the head of the Inuyama family, Ryoichi had a clear understanding of the cause and effect.

"A 16-year-old child came from the headquarters not long ago." The head of the Inuyama family said: "He represents the beating and questioning of the secret parties in Europe. The growth rate of our family and the expansion of self-control power in recent years have finally made them panic. For the commissioner of the headquarters Their harshness and severity made them feel that their status was challenged, so a child was sent into our hands. They are looking forward to our reaction. Gentlemen, how should we deal with this chess piece now?"

"Break him." Someone said angrily: "Tell the secret parties in Europe that our family is no longer what it used to be!"

For a moment, the crowd was excited, the old people waved their arms, black feathers were spread out like flags, and foam flew from the mouth.

"No, we should be polite." Sitting on the side seat, Hasegawa Yoshitaka put forward a different opinion: "There is an ancient Chinese poem that says: 'Ten years of sharpening a sword, the frost blade has not been tested.' The swordsman spends ten years carefully forging the sword. , the blade can shine on the snow, and it will be enough if it doesn't come out, and it will be shocking. The family's big plan has not yet been put on the schedule, and it is too early to show the king with the sword. They want to see our reaction, then we will show them what they want. "

The elders of the Inuyama family agreed with and opposed this view for a while. The hall was crowded with arguments. The old man at the end of the low table just watched quietly, drinking sake in mouthfuls.

"Yes, as Yoshitaka said, we should be polite." Finally, the head of the Inuyama family nodded slightly and agreed with Hasegawa Yoshitaka's view, and the voices of dissent on the low table fell silent for an instant.

He took a sip of sake and said calmly: "We have been waiting for 63 years. In 63 years, we forged a good sword, which is comparable to Hu Che and Guozong. When the sword is drawn, the world will be in a cold state. Now it is just a temporary anger and reckless treatment." It is really unwise. Although our family is strong, the European Secret Party cannot be underestimated. This time they sent a child to our family as a test. They are trying to figure out our attitude. This is a good thing and a bad thing. We We can make an appearance of giving in so that the nobles in the Far Continent can rest easy, and we can just sharpen our swords in secret and wait for the day when we can carry out our big plan."

"With the highest level of courtesy? To show my family's concession to please?" Hasegawa Yoshitaka asked.

The head of the Inuyama family nodded: "The message mentioned in the call was that the chess pieces would interfere with the family's execution of the mission. It is quite suspected of investigating the secrets of the family. Kaguya will find out all the background of the chess pieces sent by the European secret party. This matter We must be thorough in everything we do, and at the same time, we must not be careless and underestimate the enemy. Age and appearance are the most confusing and paralyzing people, so we also need to place supervisors around this chess piece."

"In this aspect, we are already prepared." Hasegawa Yoshitaka turned sideways and revealed Ryoichi's face. The elderly people of the Inuyama family on the low table nodded slightly after seeing Ryoichi's age. Only people of similar age can get along well. I believe that Ryoichi is recommended by Hasegawa Yoshitaka. He must be a rare elite among the younger generation, so he is the perfect person to serve as a supervisor.

"Young man, your name." The head of the Inuyama family looked at Ryoichi with a smile.

"Master, Okubo Ryoichi." Ryoichi stood up and bowed.

"Nice young man, I will leave this task to you. Kaguya will upload all the relevant information to you in the near future." The head of the Inuyama family looked at Ryoichi and nodded: "Don't let the family down."

"Hi!" Okubo Ryo bowed to the end.

"The head of the family mentioned that this chess piece will interfere with the execution of the game. But the head of the Yuan family is in charge of the execution of the game. Do we need to have some contact with them?" Hasegawa Yoshitaka said.

"No, what you want is that the Inuyama family will be fully responsible for this matter. Naturally, you don't want the chess pieces brought by the European secret party to have too deep contact with the inside of the family. The call mentioned the implementation of the mission. Noda Shinjuku, Tokyo, General Assembly There are some trivial matters for him to handle, and there is no need to contact people from the Executive Bureau." The head of the Inuyama family shook his head.

"We can also ask the executive bureau to carry out a few insignificant tasks, and then let the family members secretly help, and we can get through it without any surprises." Hasegawa Yoshitaka thought and said.

"That's not necessary," the head of the Inuyama family said: "After all, a person who is qualified to be a chess piece, even a 16-year-old child, is no small matter. In Angers' call, he boasted that this child is the 'Destined Dragon Slayer', and he is a rare person in the headquarters. An 'S'-class hybrid."

"'S'-class hybrid?" Ryoichi couldn't help but sigh. Not only him, but also many old people at the table expressed varying degrees of astonishment.

"I don't know whether it's true or not for the time being." The head of the Inuyama family rubbed the white porcelain wine glass: "Along with that child was a child from the Miyamoto family's overseas headquarters, Miyamoto Isshin. Judging from what he said on the phone, in the college The child from the Miyamoto family has already been defeated by that childish man several times."

"The Miyamoto family still has descendants of the practical faction?" Hasegawa Yoshitaka was a little surprised. Most of the Miyamoto family's responsibility within the Sheqi Eight Family are scientific research projects, and the Rock Flow Research Institute under them is not part of the equipment department of the headquarters. exist.

"After all, he is a descendant of Musashi. It is not surprising that his bloodline is still alive. Isshin Miyamoto is an outstanding 'A'-level hybrid. He once had an excellent record in the Executive Bureau and was later sent to the headquarters for exchange and study. He returned recently. The reason is that the Miyamoto family called back to be engaged to the eldest daughter of a leader of the Fuma family, and it has nothing to do with that childish incident." The head of the Inuyama family took a sip of wine.

"If the chess piece sent to our family is a genuine 'S' grade, is it possible that the purpose of our trip this time is not to give eggs to hungry wolves as a 'test', but to put the cubs of ferocious beasts into the wolf's den?" A 'provocation'?" Ryoichi, who had never participated in the conversation, suddenly expressed his opinion.

"Ryoichi!" Hasegawa Yoshitaka yelled in a low voice.

The head of the Inuyama family raised his hand to express that it was okay, and his expression seemed to show that he had already made the same guess as Ryoichi. After raising his glass and drinking, he said softly: "Only if he is a genuine 'S' class. But if that is the case, Hilber What other plans does T. Jean Angers have? Not to 'test' my family's attitude of surrender, but to send a strong and strong man to 'demonstrate' my family again like he did 63 years ago?"

"A 16-year-old child can beat the entire Japanese branch?" The head of the Inuyama family laughed at his conjecture.

But after a moment, his smile slowly disappeared, and his face reflected in the wine was no longer as handsome and youthful as it was 63 years ago.

"This is really something someone like Principal Angers can do." He said in a low voice.