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Page 91
"Decades have passed in the blink of an eye since I last came back."
As Uesugi stepped into the mansion again, a feeling of loss and change washed over him, as if the days he had lived there were just yesterday.
Perhaps this is a common problem among older people; they can't help but reminisce about the past.
Behind him followed a large group of people, almost all of whom shared the common feature of having "gray temples." These were all followers of Uesugi Echizen, one of the former Snake Clan.
Not every mixed-race dragon bloodline can match the robust health of people like Uesugi Koshi and Angers, who are still 130 years old.
Uesugi Takuno, who had been waiting at the door since early morning, looked at Uesugi Kotsugu and his eyes immediately welled up with tears: "Your Majesty, you're back!"
Uesugi Echizen was once so domineering. The other heads of the Snake Clan were all called family heads. In the entire Japanese mixed-race world, only Uesugi Echizen was worthy of the title "Emperor".
"Takuno, it's been a long time!"
"Your Majesty, please come in first, along with the patriarchs and other family heads." Uesugi Takuno was excited, but he also knew that now was not the right time for reminiscing.
The reappearance of the former Shadow Emperor after decades of absence, along with such a large group of people who encompassed almost all the leaders of the Snake Clan, must mean something important.
We entered the largest reception room.
Some clues can be gleaned from the seating positions these people subconsciously choose.
Those who supported Tachibana Masamune and those who supported Uesugi Kochi sat facing each other, forming two distinct camps, and the undisguised hostility in their eyes was palpable between them.
This is a struggle between the old and new leaders!
Uesugi Kotsu, who has been living in seclusion for many years, would really be unwilling and unaccustomed to taking over the Snake Clan again and being busy with various matters every day. However, his unwillingness does not mean that it cannot be fought for.
Sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat, Uesugi Echizen, with one hand supporting his cheek, stared at Tachibana Masamune, who was at the head of the group, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes. His first words were brooking no argument:
"You may step down! The Snake Clan does not need someone of unknown origin to lead them."
The subtext is simply that if Tachibana Masamune chooses to leave, he can save his life; otherwise…
"Uesugi Kotsugi, the Snake Clan is not what it used to be. It's none of your business to tell them what to do!"
"Don't forget that you were the one who chose to abandon the Snake Clan back then. What right do you have to come back now!"
Miyamoto Shio and Ryoma Genichiro, the heads of the two outer five families, spoke up one after another to defend Tachibana Masamune.
The Miyamoto family controls the Ganryu Research Institute, while the Ryoma family is the largest arms dealer in the Hebi-Hachi family. What they have in common is that their status in the Hebi-Hachi family has risen steadily since Tachibana Masamune took power, making them incomparable to each other.
Kotaro Fuma was perhaps the only neutral party present.
This family of "ninjas" has made a living through assassination. They obey whoever becomes the head of the Snake Clan. It's that simple!
Inuyama He and Sakurai Nanami chose to stand with Uesugi Kotsu.
The situation has now reached a point of relative equilibrium.
Tachibana Masamune had a straight nose and deep-set eyes, with facial features as clear as if carved by a knife, which was very different from the average elderly Japanese man, and he had a kind of eagle-like and wolf-like appearance.
"It's as if you fell from the sky; nobody knows where you were born or what you did before."
An old man with only nine years of life experience can sit firmly in the eye of the storm; you are a very big 'thing'.
For a century, only two people have been able to forcibly unite the various factions of the Japanese underworld: one is me, who established the Japanese branch of Kassel College; the other is you, who gradually eroded the organization I built and revived the banner of the Snake Clan.
Angers' sudden words caused a huge uproar, giving the older generation who supported Uesugi Etsu a breakthrough to attack Tachibana Masamune.
"I knew it! There's no one like you in the Ju family."
"As the Emperor said, you are indeed a fellow of dubious origin."
“I remember now. It’s been since you took over as the head of the family that the Ghost Gang has been unable to be completely eradicated for so many years. In fact, it’s only gotten worse. I seriously suspect that you’re working with them from the inside!”
"Right, right, I remember now. Before you appeared, there were no Demon Clan members among the Japanese mixed-race!"
Some things cannot withstand scrutiny, especially the issues surrounding Tachibana Masamune's background and identity.
Many things were temporarily covered up because of the patriarch's position and Genji's support; now, the topmost "fig leaf" has simply been lifted.
The scene suddenly became tense.
Tachibana Masamune knew he had to say something, because if things continued like this, he might not even have a chance to speak. "Please hear me out."
The patriarch, who had been in charge of the Snake Clan for many years, still held considerable authority; at least, his words completely silenced the chaotic, marketplace-like situation.
"Doubt is like the devil's whisper; once it takes root, it's only a matter of time before it blossoms and bears fruit."
My performance over the years since I took the position of patriarch is evident to all and needs no further explanation.
Since you all feel it's not suitable, I'm willing to give my seat to Zhisheng.
Tachibana Masamune knew that he had been forced to the edge of a cliff, and that going forward would be a certain death.
Even though he already possessed a considerable portion of the White King's bloodline, making him a "half-finished product," he still faced certain death against both Uesugi Kotsugi and Angers.
"Retreating to advance" was his only way out!
As long as he retains Tachibana Masamune's status, even if he is no longer the head of the family, he will still maintain influence over the Snake-Headed Eight Families. When necessary, he can use the sound of the clapper to control Genjiro just like he controls Genjiro.
"Dad, I... I'm not qualified to be the head of the family."
Unexpectedly, Genjiro took the initiative to refuse the position of patriarch.
However, the word "Dad" that he blurted out unconsciously caused his biological father, Uesugi Echizen, to feel a pang of pain in his heart, followed by an inexplicable surge of anger, and his eyes were filled with hostility as he looked at Tachibana Masamune.
It's unacceptable for any normal man to accept that his own son calls another unknown person "Dad."
And then there's his daughter, whom he's never met. According to Uesugi Koshi, she's been "locked up" inside the Ganryu Research Institute, supposedly for some ridiculous reason about unstable bloodline.
What nonsense are you spouting? He himself is of Shadow Emperor bloodline, with an absurdly high concentration of dragon blood, yet there's been no risk of him going out of control. His own son and daughter are even less likely to have any problems.
Thinking about this...
Uesugi Kotsugu immediately overturned his previous request, staring at Tachibana Masamune and saying, word by word, "Resign from your position as head of the family, then get out of Japan and never come back!"
He had a premonition that the other party staying in Japan would definitely be a huge disaster!
The ambiguous relationship between the other party and his children further solidified his resolve to get rid of them from Japan.
"Why do you want to kill us all?" Genjiro glared at Uesugi Kotetsu, completely baffled by his relentless pursuit.
In Genjiro's view, since his father, Tachibana Masamune, had already agreed to hand over the position of patriarch, why should he be so aggressive and try to drive him out of Japan?
The identity of Uesugi Koshi as his biological father has been confirmed, but feelings cannot be cultivated overnight.
At least for now, Genjiro clearly trusts his cheap "father" more.
Chapter 95 If you can take action, don't waste words.
"Finger, did your junior say what to do in this situation?"
"No."
"I have a feeling that this Tachibana Masamune is definitely not simple."
“How come you see?”
"A woman's intuition!"
"Do you think we should try to get Kaiyuan Zhisheng involved? It seems like neither side is willing to take action because of him, and I don't know if that will deviate from my junior's plan."
"The Japanese are too slow. If it were our family negotiating with our opponents, they would have started shooting within three sentences!"
The two sides were glaring at each other in a standoff, and the conditions proposed by Uesugi Kotsugi further enraged Tachibana Masamune's supporters.
Fingal and Lucy Pallas, hiding at the very back, kept chirping softly behind them.
In fact, Uesugi Kotsushi was also struggling with his dilemma and feeling frustrated.
If, after driving Tachibana Masamune out of Japan, this shadow emperor were willing to take back control of the Snake-Headed Eight Families, then it would be perfectly legitimate, and no matter how unwilling others might be, they wouldn't be able to voice any objections.
The problem is that Uesugi Kotsushi doesn't want to get bogged down in endless troubles anymore and wants to hand over the position of patriarch to Genjiro.
Despite being one of the top talents in the entire Snake Clan, Genjiro's strength is undeniable. However, in Japan, where seniority is highly valued, it would likely require unconventional methods to gain the respect of the people at the age of seventeen.
"This is the Uesugi family residence. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!"
"Oil! Who do you think you are, kid? You dare barge in here? You want to die?"
"Hey, hey, hey~ If you come any closer, I'm going to make a move."
"..."
Just then, the noise and commotion outside the courtyard reached the house, and it seemed to be getting worse.
Judging from the situation, someone must have actually broken into the Uesugi family at this time.
Hiding at the back, Fingel and Lucy Pallas exchanged a glance, confirming that the other was thinking the same thing. Before anyone else noticed, Fingel quietly opened a crack in the door.
It's just the right size to observe what's happening outside the courtyard.
Cao Han, holding a weapon in each hand, walked in without any restraint. As for the Kara fans who were all bark and no bite but dared not make a move because of his amazing aura, they didn't even give him a second glance.
It was an aura that sent shivers down the spines of even those of Japanese mixed heritage.
It's not surprising that they reacted this way, since Cao Han had killed the gods they revered in mythology. The two forces were trembling, but no one dared to make a move. Even the slightest thought of it made these average-strength mixed-race people feel suffocated by the shadow of death.
boom--
The Japanese-style sliding door to the reception room was violently pulled open and slammed against the terminal, revealing the menacing Cao Han to those inside.
"Yoshi, everyone's here."
Seeing Cao Han's arrogant demeanor, some people naturally couldn't stand it, and those who were able to enter this place were not ordinary people, such as the head of the Fuma family, Fuma Kotaro.
"Young man, you should be humble when facing your seniors here, or you'll suffer a setback!" This sounds like a patient and encouraging instruction, but it's really just him taking advantage of his age.
"Tumble? You think you can do that?" Cao Han's tone was full of disdain.
He did this to deliberately attract hatred and provoke the Snake Clan to start trouble, so that he would have enough reason to intervene.
Unfortunately, such poor acting skills obviously couldn't fool some cunning old foxes.
"you!"
Just as Kotaro Fuma was about to unleash his fury and teach this arrogant young man a lesson, a pair of thick hands pressed heavily on his shoulders, rendering him unable to move.
Turning his head, he saw that the person who made the move was none other than Uesugi Yue.
Although Uesugi Yue did not understand Cao Han's specific intentions, his perception was very sharp.
He sensed the terrifying sharpness emanating from Cao Han, like a blade being drawn from its sheath, and felt the hand silently resting on the hilt of his sword.