Eichi sat in his room, still groggy from his nap, as Sakimura and Kazuna stood before him, discussing the "plan" with complete confidence.
He rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of what they were saying. Attack Tsukiji and Ginza first? Force them to move their defenses, then take Bakurocho?
What the hell? When did I ever say that?
Eichi glanced at the table where the map still lay, his half-asleep scribbles now being interpreted as some grand tactical maneuver. His note, "Don't draw attention to Bakurocho," was being treated as some kind of misdirection tactic instead of what it actually was—a simple thought to keep himself from getting assassinated.
His mind raced for a way to fix this misunderstanding, but then he realized… Wait… their plan actually makes sense. More than what I was thinking.
If he admitted the truth now, he'd just look like an idiot.
Eichi let out a slow breath, straightened his posture, and put on a knowing smirk. "As expected of you, Sakimura," he said, nodding as if everything had gone exactly as planned. "You got me right. You didn't fail to understand my true intentions."
Sakimura and Kazuna both straightened, their admiration for him deepening.
"As expected of the Young Master," Kazuna murmured. "To think he was already planning three steps ahead before we even realized…"
Sakimura felt an overwhelming sense of loyalty. This was the man he had chosen to follow. A leader who moved in ways ordinary people couldn't comprehend.
Meanwhile, Eichi sat there, completely clueless. He forced a smile. Huh? What's with that intense look on his face?
Eichi sat in his room, the quiet of the night surrounding him. The lamp on his desk flickered softly, casting long shadows across the walls. He was engrossed in a manga, a secret escape from the chaos of his life. The manga was about a warrior's journey, but the cover was a clever disguise. To anyone who entered the room, it looked like he was reading a serious book, a strategy guide, perhaps something important. In reality, it was just an action-packed manga.
He chuckled quietly to himself, enjoying the brief moment of peace. The fictional world was far simpler than the one he was tangled in.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes watched him from the shadows of the doorway. Ryuunosuke, the spy and right-hand man to Keisei, stood silently, observing Eichi's every move. He had been instructed to monitor Eichi's behavior, to remain hidden and unnoticed. But tonight, something felt different.
As Eichi turned the page, the main character in the manga said something that made him pause.
"Hey, Shadow, no need to hide. I know you're here to watch me."
Eichi, still not looking up from his manga, spoke in a calm voice, almost as if he were continuing the conversation from the page.
"I know you're out there."
Ryuunosuke's breath hitched. He froze in place, his mind racing. How did Eichi know? He had been careful, making sure his presence was undetectable. There had been no signs—no sounds, no indication that Eichi was aware of him.
Yet here Eichi was, speaking as if he had known all along.
Ryuunosuke's heart pounded in his chest. Had he been noticed? Was this a trap? Or was Eichi merely playing some game, pretending to know things he couldn't possibly know?
Eichi, still unfazed, turned another page, his expression unreadable. He didn't look toward the door, didn't glance in Ryuunosuke's direction. But the feeling in the room shifted. There was a tension in the air now, as if the game had changed.
Ryuunosuke remained motionless, his mind caught between confusion and suspicion. How much had Eichi figured out? And how long had he known?
While Eichi continued to read his manga, lost in the fictional world, he was completely unaware of the figure watching him from the shadows. Ryuunosuke, hidden just out of sight, couldn't shake off the growing unease. How had the young master known? He hadn't made a sound, hadn't moved, yet somehow, Eichi had caught on. The spy's thoughts were clouded with confusion and worry. How had the young master seen through him so easily?
Eventually, Ryuunosuke decided it was time to come forward, the weight of his failure pressing on him. He stepped out from the shadows and walked slowly toward Eichi.
"I'm sorry, Young Master," Ryuunosuke began, his voice tinged with regret. "I didn't think you'd catch me so easily. I'm ashamed... but I must say, I'm impressed by your awareness."
Eichi, still sitting at his desk, felt his heart practically stop. His eyes widened as his gaze snapped up toward the source of the voice.
What the hell?! His body went rigid, a cold chill running down his spine. Where the hell did this man come from?!
He hadn't heard a single sound—no footsteps, no rustling. Ryuunosuke had appeared as if from thin air. Eichi's mind struggled to process the sudden appearance of the spy in his room.
Ryuunosuke stood there, looking calm yet respectful, a hint of admiration in his eyes as he watched the young master's reaction.
Eichi's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to regain composure. His mind raced, but all he could focus on was the strange realization—Ryuunosuke had been standing there, hidden, for God knows how long. How had he missed him?
Trying to sound casual, Eichi forced out a shaky laugh, hoping to cover up the shock. "Well... I wasn't expecting company," he said, his voice still trembling slightly. "Next time, knock, alright?"
Ryuunosuke bowed his head, his expression respectful. "Of course, Young Master. I will be more careful next time."
Eichi, still reeling from the surprise, couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. He had no idea how he had sensed Ryuunosuke's presence, but one thing was clear now—the room felt less safe.
The next day, Eichi remained fast asleep, his body exhausted from staying up all night reading manga. He had been so absorbed in the stories that he hadn't realized how late it had gotten. Meanwhile, far from the quiet of Eichi's room, the scene shifted to the serene garden of the Arata Clan's residence.
The grand villa, nestled in the heart of Koto, exuded a calm and almost regal atmosphere. The lush greenery and flowing water of the garden created the perfect backdrop for Keisei, who sat quietly in a chair beside a small pond, his eyes scanning the peaceful surroundings. His demeanor was always composed and almost unshakable—until today.
Ryuunosuke approached, his head bowed low, signaling his unease. Keisei, noticing the shift in Ryuunosuke's usual confident stride, observed the spy closely as he walked up and stopped just short of him, speaking in a low voice.
"Master… I'm ashamed," Ryuunosuke began, his tone filled with regret. "I was exposed."
Keisei, who had been sitting in quiet contemplation, froze for a moment. His usual calmness faltered, and he stood up abruptly, a sense of concern flashing across his face.
"What?" Keisei's voice was sharp. "You were exposed? By who? Who could possibly be more talented than you? You are the best man in this clan!"
Ryuunosuke took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "It was Young Master Eichi," he said hesitantly. "He somehow sensed my presence. I don't know how, but… he caught me in the act of monitoring him."
Keisei's eyes widened briefly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face. He had always seen his son as naïve and lacking the sharpness of a seasoned leader. But now, he realized there was more to him than he had given credit for.
"Interesting…" Keisei muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I never expected Eichi to be so perceptive. He's sharper than I thought."
Ryuunosuke bowed his head in apology, feeling the weight of his failure. "I'm sorry, Master. I let my guard down."
Keisei sighed, his hand falling to his side. "It's not a failure to be caught by someone more aware than you anticipated. We are all still learning. But this changes things."
Ryuunosuke looked up, confusion evident in his eyes. "Master, what do you mean?"
Keisei's gaze hardened as he stared out toward the horizon. "We can't underestimate Eichi anymore. If he's aware of surveillance this easily, he might be planning something of his own. Keep an eye on him, but do it without being obvious. I don't want him to know we're watching."
Ryuunosuke nodded, his resolve strengthening. "Understood, Master. I'll proceed with more caution."
Keisei allowed a rare smile to play on his lips, a small show of approval. "Good. Now go. There's more at stake than you realize."
As Ryuunosuke bowed and left, Keisei returned to his seat, the wheels in his mind turning. Eichi's sharpness had caught him off guard, but it only fueled his interest. This was no longer a mere power struggle—it was about testing his son's abilities and seeing just how far he could go.