Saturday arrived with uncomfortable swiftness. Zororo stood before his bedroom mirror, adjusting the formal suit he'd purchased specifically for this dinner. The black suit with subtle silver accents was expensive thirty thousand yen that had made a noticeable dent in his savings. But first impressions with the Shirogane family required looking the part.
His golden eyes stared back at him from the mirror, glowing slightly brighter than usual. Stress and rapid leveling had intensified the effect. He'd need to control that tonight drawing attention to his unusual features would invite unwanted questions.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[OPTIONAL MISSION ACTIVE: IMPRESS THE SHIROGANE FAMILY]
[TIME REMAINING: 3 HOURS]
[CURRENT SUCCESS PROBABILITY: 47%]
[RECOMMENDATION: PROJECT CONFIDENCE WITHOUT ARROGANCE]
Less than fifty percent chance of success. That was simultaneously reassuring and terrifying reassuring because it meant success was possible, terrifying because failure was slightly more likely.
A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.
"Zororo? Can I come in?" Akari's voice called.
"Sure."
Both his sisters entered, and their expressions immediately shifted to approval. Akari clasped her hands together with delight while Himeko gave an approving nod.
"You look so handsome!" Akari gushed. "Yukari won't be able to take her eyes off you."
"More importantly," Himeko added with her usual practicality, "you look respectable. The Shirogane family values presentation. This suit sends the right message successful but not trying too hard."
"Thanks for the fashion advice." Zororo adjusted his tie one final time. "Any other wisdom before I walk into the lion's den?"
Himeko's expression grew serious. "The Shiroganes are calculating. Every question they ask has three layers of meaning. Every compliment is a test. Don't volunteer information beyond what's asked, but don't be evasive either. Find the balance."
"And smile," Akari added. "Not too much you'll look nervous. Not too little you'll look cold. Just enough to seem pleasant and confident."
"You two have thought about this a lot."
"Of course we have," Akari said. "You're dating into one of the most powerful families in Kazekami. We want you to succeed."
Himeko pulled out a small box. "Speaking of which, this is for you. Consider it a good luck charm."
Inside was a silver tie pin shaped like a wolf's head with small ruby eyes. It was elegant and subtle, clearly expensive.
"Mom gave this to Dad when he first met Grandpa's family," Himeko explained quietly. "It's a Kurogami family heirloom. Wear it to show you come from a family with its own history and pride."
Zororo felt emotion tighten his throat. The original Zororo's memories carried deep love for these sisters, and now Nanzi's soul felt that same protective affection. "Thank you. Both of you."
He attached the tie pin carefully, and it did complete the look adding just enough family prestige without being ostentatious.
A car horn sounded outside.
"That's Yukari's driver," Akari said, checking her phone. "Good luck, little brother. Make us proud."
"And if anyone gives you trouble," Himeko added with a dangerous smile, "remember you're a Kurogami. We don't back down from anyone."
Zororo hugged both sisters surprising them and headed downstairs. The black luxury car waiting outside was even more impressive than usual, a clear indication this was a formal occasion. The driver opened the door, revealing Yukari already seated inside.
She took his breath away.
Yukari wore an elegant ice-blue evening dress that perfectly complemented her silver hair and pale complexion. The dress was formal but not overly elaborate, striking the same balance of respectability and restraint that Zororo had aimed for with his suit. Her hair was styled in an intricate updo with small crystal ornaments that caught the light like frozen stars.
"You clean up well," Yukari observed with a slight smile as Zororo sat beside her.
"You look stunning," Zororo replied honestly.
A faint blush colored Yukari's cheeks. "Thank you. Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
The drive to the Shirogane estate took thirty minutes through increasingly exclusive neighborhoods. They passed gated communities and finally arrived at a property that could only be described as a compound high walls, security gates, and grounds that stretched for what looked like several acres.
The estate itself was a masterwork of modern Japanese architecture blended with traditional elements. The main building was three stories of glass, steel, and dark wood, with a garden that looked professionally maintained to perfection. Even in the evening light, Zororo could see the property was worth tens of millions of yen.
"Nervous?" Yukari asked as the car stopped before the main entrance.
"Terrified," Zororo admitted.
"Good. That means you're taking this seriously." She squeezed his hand briefly. "Remember, you're not here to beg for approval. You're here as my equal, meeting my family. Confidence, not arrogance."
They exited the car and were greeted by a formal butler who led them inside. The interior was as impressive as the exterior high ceilings, expensive art, and an atmosphere of refined wealth that spoke of generations of accumulated power.
The butler led them to a formal dining room where the Shirogane family waited.
Zororo's first impression was of ice made human. Four people sat at a long dining table, and all possessed the same distinctive silver hair and ice-blue eyes as Yukari, though each had their own variation in intensity and presence.
At the head of the table sat a man in his fifties with dignified bearing and sharp eyes that missed nothing clearly Yukari's father. Beside him was an elegant woman in her late forties whose beauty suggested Yukari would age gracefully her mother. Across from them sat a young man in his early twenties with an athletic build and a warmer expression than the others Hiroshi, Yukari's brother.
And at the far end sat Kazuki Shirogane, looking every bit the heir apparent in an expensive suit, his cold eyes fixed on Zororo with barely concealed hostility.
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS]
[TARGETS IDENTIFIED]
[KENJI SHIROGANE - LEVEL 35, S-RANK ICE EMPEROR SYSTEM]
[MIYUKI SHIROGANE - LEVEL 28, A-RANK FROST SAGE SYSTEM]
[HIROSHI SHIROGANE - LEVEL 25, S-RANK ICE BLADE SYSTEM]
[KAZUKI SHIROGANE - LEVEL 28, A-RANK ICE DOMINION SYSTEM]
[WARNING: YOU ARE SIGNIFICANTLY OUTMATCHED]
[RECOMMEND: EXTREME CAUTION]
The power levels in this room were staggering. Even Yukari's mother could probably defeat Zororo without breaking a sweat. This wasn't just a family dinner it was a room full of apex predators evaluating potential prey.
"Father, Mother, Hiroshi," Yukari said formally, "may I present Zororo Kurogami. Zororo, my family."
Zororo bowed respectfully not too deep, showing respect without submission. "Thank you for inviting me to your home. It's an honor to meet Yukari's family."
Kenji Shirogane's eyes studied Zororo with the intensity of a master appraiser evaluating a gem. "Zororo Kurogami. We've heard interesting things about you. Please, sit."
They took their seats Yukari beside Zororo, positioned across from her parents with Hiroshi on one side and Kazuki on the other. The arrangement put Zororo in the metaphorical crossfire.
Servants appeared with the first course an elegant appetizer that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Zororo noted everyone's table manners carefully, matching their refined movements.
"So, Zororo," Miyuki began with a pleasant smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Yukari tells us you're in her class at Seika Academy. What system type did you awaken?"
Here it was. The first real test.
"Shadow element, B-Rank," Zororo replied calmly, maintaining the cover story he and Yukari had prepared. "It's been developing rapidly since I recovered from an illness earlier this year."
"B-Rank at seventeen is respectable," Kenji acknowledged. "Though unusual for Yukari to show interest in someone of that ranking. She typically associates with higher-tier system users."
The implication was clear Zororo was beneath Yukari's usual standards.
"Perhaps that's because I don't judge people solely by their system rankings," Yukari interjected smoothly. "Zororo has qualities beyond raw power that I find valuable."
"Such as?" Miyuki pressed.
"Intelligence, tactical thinking, genuine character," Yukari listed. "He's one of the few people who sees me as Yukari rather than the Ice Princess or a Shirogane heir."
Hiroshi spoke for the first time, his voice warmer than his parents'. "That's high praise from my sister. She doesn't compliment people easily." He looked at Zororo with genuine curiosity. "I heard your team defeated a hidden boss in the Shadow Grotto last week. Impressive for a first dungeon expedition."
"Team effort," Zororo replied modestly. "Yukari's leadership and planning made it possible."
"But you dealt the final blow to the Shadow Knight," Hiroshi continued. "A level twenty boss. That requires significant skill for a B-Rank user."
"My abilities work well in shadow-rich environments," Zororo explained. "The dungeon amplified my effectiveness."
Kazuki finally spoke, his voice dripping with false politeness. "How convenient. A B-Rank system that performs like A-Rank in the right conditions. Some might call that suspicious."
"Some might call it strategic adaptation," Zororo countered evenly. "Playing to your strengths is basic tactical sense."
"Interesting philosophy," Kenji observed. "Tell me, Zororo what are your intentions regarding my daughter?"
The question hung in the air like a blade. Everyone at the table focused on Zororo, waiting for his answer.
This was the critical moment. Zororo met Kenji's eyes directly, projecting confidence without arrogance.
"I care about Yukari deeply," he said honestly. "I know your family has expectations and arrangements, but Yukari deserves the freedom to choose her own path. I intend to support that choice, whatever it may be."
"Even if that choice leads to conflict with our family interests?" Miyuki asked sharply.
"I hope it doesn't come to that," Zororo replied. "But yes. Yukari's happiness and autonomy matter more to me than political convenience."
Silence fell over the table. Zororo couldn't read whether his answer had been right or catastrophically wrong.
Then Hiroshi laughed a genuine, pleased sound. "I like him. He's got spine."
Kenji's expression remained neutral, but something shifted in his eyes. Respect, maybe, or at least acknowledgment. "Bold words. We'll see if you can back them up."
"Which brings us to an important matter," Kazuki interjected smoothly. "Our scheduled duel in three days. I assume you're still planning to fight, despite the obvious level disparity?"
"I don't back down from challenges," Zororo said firmly.
"Admirable. Foolish, but admirable." Kazuki smiled coldly. "I look forward to testing these 'strategic adaptations' of yours in actual combat."
The dinner continued with increasingly pointed questions about Zororo's family, education, future plans, and combat experience. Each answer was evaluated, dissected, judged. It was exhausting maintaining the careful balance between confidence and humility, honesty and necessary deception.
But as the evening progressed, Zororo noticed Hiroshi growing more supportive, occasionally redirecting hostile questions or offering Zororo opportunities to show his knowledge. Yukari's brother was clearly on their side.
When dessert arrived an elaborate creation of frozen fruit and crystallized sugar Kenji made an announcement.
"Zororo Kurogami, you've handled yourself well tonight. Better than I expected for someone of your background." He paused significantly. "However, before we can consider you suitable for our daughter, you must prove yourself in the upcoming duel. Win against Kazuki, and you'll have my respect. Lose badly, and we'll reconsider Yukari's associations."
"Understood," Zororo replied, though his stomach twisted. Everything now hinged on that single fight.
[MISSION UPDATE]
[PRIMARY OBJECTIVE COMPLETE: SURVIVED DINNER WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE PARTIALLY COMPLETE: GAINED HIROSHI'S APPROVAL]
[REWARD: 300 VP, +2 CHARISMA, SOCIAL STATUS INCREASED]
[NEW REQUIREMENT ADDED: WIN DUEL AGAINST KAZUKI]
[FAILURE WILL NEGATE ALL PROGRESS]
As the dinner concluded and Zororo prepared to leave, Hiroshi pulled him aside briefly.
"You're hiding something significant about your power level," Hiroshi said quietly. "I can sense it. But I won't tell the family." He smiled slightly. "Yukari deserves someone who makes her happy, and you clearly do. Just... don't die in that duel. My sister would be devastated."
"I don't plan to," Zororo assured him.
In the car ride home, Yukari leaned against his shoulder tiredly.
"You did well," she murmured. "Better than well. You impressed Hiroshi, didn't completely alienate my parents, and stood up to Kazuki without seeming aggressive."
"But everything depends on winning that duel now."
"Yes." Yukari's hand found his. "Three days, Zororo. Can you be ready?"
Zororo checked his system stats. Level nineteen, multiple powerful skills, legendary weapon, and three days of focused training remaining.
"I'll be ready," he promised. "I have to be."
[END OF CHAPTER 15]