In the study,
"Koenji, what can I do for you?"
Katsuragi Retsu, the current head of the Katsuragi Family, answered the phone. His tone was indifferent, but he was surprised by the call from the head of the Koenji Family.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Koenji Group and the Katsuragi Group were old rivals. It was strange for him to take the initiative to call.
Japan was a small place, barely an island.
But it was also a large place, filled with powerful groups and established families.
The Katsuragi Group, representing Japan's national interests with its roots in Kyoto, and the Koenji Group, backed by American interests, were in constant opposition. They became the two top powers in the country, each working for their respective interests.
The Koenji Group was like a beast that could never be satisfied, greedily feeding on Japan's economy and crushing others with its financial power.
The Katsuragi Group, however, was like a dandelion in the wind. Its seeds scattered and took root throughout the political world, giving it a firm grip on Japan's government and authority.
The two powers did not interfere with each other, but they kept each other in check.
"Katsuragi?"
The deep, questioning voice of the Koenji Family head came through the phone, as if he couldn't believe Katsuragi Retsu had actually answered.
Being enemies didn't mean they had no contact.
In fact, it was because they were enemies that they had a strange respect for each other.
They were in competition, but they also cooperated. Their conflict came from the interests they represented, while their cooperation was aimed at suppressing any other group that tried to rise.
There was only room for Katsuragi and Koenji at the table. Any newcomer who tried to take a third seat would be crushed by their combined force.
"It's me. What is it?"
Katsuragi Retsu had no intention of making small talk with Koenji. He wanted to get straight to the point and find out what he was planning.
"Advanced Nurturing High School. My son, Rokusuke Koenji, will be attending."
"Your family's young dragon is also of high school age. Let's have them meet."
The Koenji head didn't waste time. He stated the reason for his call, making it clear he was interested in the young dragon the Katsuragi Family had kept hidden.
From time to time, there were small clashes between their subordinates. These comparisons eventually led to their future successors.
The Koenji head was very interested in the next leader of the Katsuragi Family.
The Katsuragi Family kept all information about their heir a secret. They had only released the heir's name and appearance, but nothing else could be found.
He was using the fact that his own son, Rokusuke Koenji, was going to Advanced Nurturing High School to get a look at the quality of his rival's successor.
"You want your little golden lion to meet my little dragon?" Katsuragi Retsu saw through his intentions.
Unlike his own child, Katsuragi Ren, whose information was hidden by the elders, the Koenji head never concealed anything about his son, Rokusuke Koenji. He openly displayed his son's profile, which matched the personality described in the files.
"That's right. Are you interested?"
"I understand. I'll ask him." Katsuragi Retsu did not agree immediately. He simply acknowledged the suggestion before hanging up.
Although he was tempted by the idea and also wanted to see which of their sons was stronger, he couldn't make that decision.
Katsuragi Ren was cherished by everyone in the family. No one could force him to do anything, not even his own father, Katsuragi Retsu.
If he dared to demand that Katsuragi Ren must attend the high school to test Koenji, then that night, the elders and his wife, Katsuragi Yue, would be testing his own quality with a cane.
Katsuragi Retsu took a sip of the cold tea on his desk, then stood up and left the study.
"Master."
The old butler, who had been waiting outside the door, saw him come out. He immediately placed a hand on his chest and bowed.
"Has Ren returned yet?" Katsuragi Retsu asked faintly, looking at the scenery outside the window.
"Master, Ren-sama is still on the summer hunt. He has not yet returned."
"The summer hunt... he went hunting again. Let me know when Ren gets back." After hearing his son had not yet returned, Katsuragi Retsu gave the instruction and went back into the study.
In ancient times, the hunts of the four seasons had different names and purposes, but these old customs should have been abandoned as society developed.
However, Katsuragi Ren had a great interest in hunting, so the adults let him do as he pleased.
...
Hokkaido,
"Have we met the quota for the summer hunt?"
"Yes, Ren-sama. We have."
Lying on high ground, a maid aiming a sniper rifle at the prey spoke without hesitation into her headset after hearing Katsuragi Ren's question.
In her scope, a well-built young man with black hair and red eyes sat on a brown bear that would have been three meters tall if it stood up.
The bear lay on the ground, a silver spear piercing through the back of its head, staining the green grass with blood.
Roar!
A large white tigress leaped onto the bear's body and moved closer to Katsuragi Ren, rubbing her large head against the young man's hand.
"Then let's wrap it up, Roberta." Katsuragi Ren gave the order to the maid named Roberta, then turned off his headset without waiting for a reply.
He stroked Koharu's head with his left hand and gripped the silver spear with his right. With a sharp pull, he freed the weapon from the bear's skull, splashing more blood onto the grass.
He jumped off the bear's corpse and looked down at the dead animal, its eyes wide open. He chuckled and said, "That's the fifth one."
Koharu jumped down with him and walked by his side, her tail swaying back and forth.
"Ren-sama."
Roberta, dressed in a traditional maid outfit with a headpiece, her hair in two long braids, and wearing round glasses, was waiting for him. She held a black case in her hand.
She had already started disassembling and packing the sniper rifle as soon as he had asked about the quota, quickly returning to their starting point.
A proper maid never lets her master wait for her.
"Let's go, Roberta. It's time to go home," Katsuragi Ren said to his personal maid, resting the silver spear on his shoulder.
"Yes!"
Katsuragi Ren, the only son of Katsuragi Retsu.
He was the only heir recognized by all branches of the Katsuragi Family. He was also known by all family members as...
The Black Dragon of the Katsuragi Family.