The Commander turned his head slowly toward the approaching maid.
"Supreme Commander, the Family Head has temporarily broken his quarantine," the maid reported with a formal bow. "He requests your presence immediately."
The Commander gave a single, smooth nod. He turned back to the two young ones standing on the rocky shore, his voice dropping into a low, imperative whisper. "I will resume this briefing once I have concluded my audience with him. Ensure this information does not leave the perimeter of this shoreline."
Hayato offered a casual nod, followed by a thumbs up.
"Understood, Father," Akira stated sharply.
The Commander turned on his heel, his heavy coat snapping in the ocean breeze as he marched back toward the central estate.
Hayato remained motionless on the rocks, his eyes tracking the dark waves crashing against the shore.
"What could possibly motivate the subordinate branches to target the main bloodline?" Akira murmured, her brow furrowing as she ran through the variables.
"Well, they aren't executing an open rebellion—not yet," Hayato corrected, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "It's more accurate to say their current movements are forming an inevitable trajectory toward one."
"How can you speak with such absolute certainty?" Akira asked, turning to study his posture.
"Think about it," Hayato explained, his tone becoming unusually grounded. "Historically, the Yamamoto main house is an immovable mountain. A direct rebellion is nothing but a suicide. The subordinate clans aren't stupid. They are patient, waiting for a window—the perfect moment of vulnerability."
"Then the solution is simple," Akira stated coldly, her hand dropping instinctively to the hilt of her katana. "We deploy our units and eliminate them before they can act."
"Making decisions like that is the Commander's job, not ours," Hayato reasoned, shifting his weight. "Besides, striking first would completely destabilize our political alliances. It isn't worth the fallout. It would weaken the family, giving outside enemies a chance to enter the game. We'd get crushed in the middle of a two-front war."
"What if they've already made contact with our enemies?" Akira pressed.
"Exactly," Hayato replied. "Which is why we need a calculated plan, not a bloodbath."
"But what shattered their loyalty in the first place?" Akira demanded, her frustration clipping her words. "What changed?"
Hayato's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared out at the sea. "It all traces back to the Family Head..."
"Explain," Akira commanded.
"Yes, boss." Hayato said, "A major incident occurred in the past—an event which forced Takashi Yamamoto into absolute, permanent isolation," Hayato revealed. "Several years have passed since that day. The leaders of the subordinate clans have slowly deduced that the great Takashi Yamamoto is no longer the force he once was."
Akira stepped closer. "What specific incident?"
Hayato smirked, looking sideways at her. "Well, I can tell you if you agree to go on a dat—"
Thwack!
Before he could finish the word, Akira drove her fist straight into his solar plexus.
"Ouch!" Hayato wheezed, doubling over.
"Alright, alright! Truth is, I don't know the whole story myself," Hayato admitted, rubbing his stomach with a groan. "All I know is that it involves someone named Hideki Yamamoto."
Akira froze, the name echoing uncomfortably through her mind. "Hideki... I've heard that name before. Judging by the surname, he's definitely tied to the main family line."
Hayato nodded slowly, his easygoing demeanor returning as he checked his watch. He took a few steps backward, preparing to leave the shoreline grid.
"Keep your eyes open, Akira," Hayato said, offering a lazy wave as he turned.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.
"Getting food. You can come along if you want—my treat."
Akira dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. "Get lost."
As Hayato walked off.
Akira took a deep breath of the cold sea air.
Is there anything I can do to help Father? she thought. Maybe I should visit Himari and clear my head for a moment.
Setting her resolve, Akira headed toward Hayato's family residence.
Meanwhile, Hayato was busy enjoying a steaming bowl of street-side ramen. Once he finished, he made his way home, stepping inside to find his sister, Himari, completely glued to her phone, totally oblivious to his presence.
Smiling wickedly, Hayato crept up behind her and let out a sudden roar.
Instinctively, Himari shrieked, whipping around and throwing a lightning-fast elbow toward his face. Hayato ducked smoothly, chuckling as she glared at him.
"When did you get back?!" Himari snapped, catching her breath.
"A while ago," Hayato said smoothly. His eyes drifted down to her phone screen. "Finn? Who's that? Somebody from Canada?"
Himari instantly pulled the phone to her chest, her cheeks turning red. Hayato grinned.
"Nice," he teased, though his expression quickly shifted into a dramatic pout. "Wait... why do I feel like you're going to get married before I do?"
Himari snorted. "Why? Did Akira-chan punch you again?"
"Hey! That is our secret love language," Hayato declared, crossing his arms and refusing to look weak in front of his little sister. "You're way too young to understand."
Himari burst out laughing. "When we were little, whenever we got into a fight, I'd run to Akira-chan and she would fold you up like a piece of origami."
"I tell you, it's a love language," Hayato insisted proudly.
"Oh, please. Explain this 'love language' to me," Himari said, her eyes suddenly drifting to the doorway right behind Hayato.
Hayato smirked, launching into his grand explanation. "In our love language, a punch means 'I love you.' A slap means 'I love you very much.' And when she draws her katana... that means 'I want to marry you right now.'"
"Is that so?" Akira's voice chimed coldly right into his ear.
Hayato froze. He slowly looked over at Himari, who gave him an innocent smile. "Well, she was just using the restroom, so I picked up my phone... right before you walked in."
Hayato turned around, raising his hands defensively. "Akira! I was just—"
Before he could finish the sentence, Akira's fist met his face with brutal precision.