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 half-covered paintings on the walls remind people of ambiguous and warm erotic words. 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 sang night after night, the swimming pool filled with expensive champagne, and the gold and silver treasures piled up into hills.
But all that fell into disarray under 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 this club and owned it 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 whole 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 are pouring into the club.
The head of the Inuyama family, Inuyama He.
Okubo Ryoichi recognized the old man and immediately avoided looking directly in his eyes to show his 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 wearing black haori walked into the Tamamo-mae Club one by one without saying a word, bowing 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. It was 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 were available to those who were next to the head of the family. Based on the position, Hasegawa Yoshitaka undoubtedly had a higher status in the Inuyama family.
Weights.
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 the warriors and loyal generals who have fought for 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 serious about 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
This is the beginning of the meeting.
"1946." The head of the Inuyama family said.
Then there is nothing more to say.
Okubo Ryoichi thought that the opening remarks of a meeting would always start with "Gentlemen", but this is 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 speech, the hall fell into silence. Every old man was sitting or thinking, doubting, or sad, 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 and discussed with the eight Sheqi families about the establishment of a Japanese branch of the European Secret Party.
It has been 63 years since the incident occurred."
Hilbert Jean Angers?
Okubo Ryoichi was slightly startled. He felt that he had heard this name before. After thinking about it carefully, he had no general impression, so he could only continue to lower his head and listen.
"Sixty-three 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 one finger." The head of the Inuyama family said: "It was a very unhappy period.
Easy times, white military caps and roaring jeeps are the lingering nightmares of many old people. They say that according to human rights laws, we should have our own freedom and self-control, but they bring shackles and frameworks to formulate for us.
freedom's limits."
Okubo Ryoichi opened his eyes slightly and felt a little uneasy, 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 Sheqi Eighth Family did have a past that was unbearable to look back on. Then
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 ships that landed in Japan and defeated the country's bottom line, then it was naturally the entrained military that flattened the pride of the Japanese mixed race.
An elegant old British man wearing a hat.
As Japan's last bottom line, the Sheqi family 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 idea that the United States defeated Japan's emperor but not them ended until Hilbert Jean Angers landed in Japan with the warship. As a representative of the European secret party, the old man personally pulled Japan's last fig leaf away.
Lost, the old man from 63 years ago defeated the Sheqi Eight Family alone, and made the entire Japanese mixed race surrender with absolute violence. Since then, the Japanese branch has been 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. 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 and sad, but they didn't.
Over-acting, because they have made enough troubles 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 place 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. The head family was still very weak at that time. 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 can have fresh meat with their midday meal."
“The winter of 1946 was extremely cold, and people would feel their hands and feet getting cold when sitting on the tatami, but in such a rigorous negotiation situation, there would definitely be no chance of an appearance, 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 at the end of the low table was so humble and small.
"But today, 63 years later." The head of the Inuyama family changed the subject, picked up the wine cup, paused, looked up at everyone, and said calmly: "We are sitting here, gathered together, who knows about 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 surrounding walls are reflected in the splendor, and the light is overflowing with color. How come the old houses were only standing on the walls, and the rooms were like hanging chimes?
Someone applauded.
Then in the silence, applause broke out.
No one could have imagined that today we would hear the story about the origin of the Tamamozen Club, the most representative building of the Inuyama family. 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 again, let him see the Sheqi family that is getting stronger now, and ask him what he thinks
But now it seems that the other party has not given me this opportunity. In the eyes of 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 measuring 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 European secret party's beating and questioning. The speed of our family's development 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. If it comes out, it will be shocking. Our family's big plan has not yet been put on the schedule. It is too early to show the king with a sword. They want to see our reaction, then we will show them what they want.
"
The elders of the Inuyama family both agreed 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, sipping sake.
"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. It is comparable to Hu Che and Guozong. When the sword is drawn, the world will be cold. Now it is just for the sake of a moment of recklessness."
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 to test our attitude. They are trying to figure out our attitude. This is a good thing and a bad thing. We
We can make a show of concession 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 attitude of giving in and currying favor?" 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 regard, 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 the person recommended by Ryoichi, Yoshitaka Hasegawa, 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 Minamoto family is in charge of the game. Do we need to make some contact with them?" Hasegawa Yoshitaka said.
"No, what you want is that the Inuyama family is solely responsible for this matter. Naturally, you don't want the chess pieces sent by the European secret party to have too deep contact with the inside of the family. The call mentioned the mission implementation, Noda Shinjuku, Tokyo, General Assembly
There are some trivial matters for him to handle, and there is no need to contact anyone from the Executive Bureau." The head of the Inuyama family shook his head.
"You can also ask the executive bureau to carry out a few insignificant tasks, and then let the family members help secretly, so that it can get through without any surprises." Hasegawa Yoshitaka thought and said.
"It's not necessary," said the head of the Inuyama family: "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', which is rare in the headquarters.
An 'S'-level 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.
"We 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 who was sent to study abroad. Judging from what he said on the phone, in the college
The kid from the Miyamoto family has already been defeated by that childish kid 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 Seraki 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 place the cubs of ferocious beasts into the wolf's den?"
A 'provocation'?" Ryoichi, who had never joined the conversation in the seat next to him, suddenly expressed his opinion.
"Ryoichi!" Hasegawa Yoshitaka yelled in a low voice.
The head of the Inuyama family raised his hand and said 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 so, Hilber
What other plan does Te-Jean Angers have? Not to 'test' our surrender attitude, but to send a powerful and strong-armed man to 'demonstrate' our family again like he did 63 years ago?"
"How can a 16-year-old kid defeat 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 young as it was 63 years ago.
"This is really something someone like Principal Angers can do," he said in a low voice.