In the study,
"Kōgenji, what can I do for you?"
Katsuragi Retsu, the current head of the Katsuragi family, answered the phone. His tone was indifferent, and he was surprised by the call from the head of the Kōgenji family.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Kōgenji Conglomerate and the Katsuragi Conglomerate 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 conglomerates and established families.
The Katsuragi Conglomerate, representing Japan's national interests with its roots in Kyoto, and the Kōgenji Conglomerate, backed by American interests, were in constant opposition. They became the two top powers in the country, each working for their respective nation.
The Kōgenji Conglomerate was like a beast that could never be satisfied, greedily feeding on Japan's economy and crushing others with its financial power.
The Katsuragi Conglomerate, 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 Kōgenji 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 nations they represented, while their cooperation was aimed at suppressing any other conglomerate that tried to rise.
There was only room for Katsuragi and Kōgenji 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 Kōgenji. He wanted to get straight to the point and find out what he was planning.
"Advanced Nurturing High School. My son, Kōenji Rokusuke, will be attending."
"Your family's young dragon is also of high school age. Let's have them meet."
The Kōgenji head didn't waste time. He stated the reason for his call, making it clear he was interested in the young dragon the Katsuragi Conglomerate had kept hidden.
From time to time, there were small clashes between their subordinates. These comparisons eventually led to their future successors.
The Kōgenji head was very interested in the next leader of the Katsuragi Conglomerate.
The Katsuragi Conglomerate 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, Kōenji Rokusuke, 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 Kōgenji head never concealed anything about his son, Kōenji Rokusuke. 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 clan. No one could force him to do anything, not even his own father, Katsuragi Retsu.
If he dared to demand that Ren must attend the high school to test Kōenji, 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, the Young Master 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, Young Master. We have."
Lying on high ground, a maid aiming an AWP 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 tiger leaped onto the bear's body and moved closer to Katsuragi Ren, rubbing its 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 the white tiger'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."
The white tiger jumped down with him and walked by his side, its tail swaying back and forth.
"Young Master."
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 conglomerate. He was also known by all family members as...
The Black Dragon of the Katsuragi family.