The pressure is enormous on the room I founnd myself currently in. The room is spacious, with many "elders" and higher-ups of our clan.
My father did say that I must observe to get the general feeling of it or whatever his intention may be.
My father is in the center, with many people in his left and right directions but no one dares to sit in front of my father.
There is a dignified aura to each of the people inside the room, no one is making a sound, the silence is deafening. The pressure is making me tense.
"Commence the meeting." A soft yet majestic strong voice enveloped the room. That is my father.
"Yes!" Everyone in the room, even the oldest ones shouted with enthusiasm.
I then saw my father look at the man close to his right. His name is Akito, the head of the administration.
He is thin, he is as old as my father with white hair and he looked like a wise old man.
'So this is how a Yakuza meeting feels like huh? Let's say it is too stiff and formal to my taste.' I thought curiously.
Akito then proceeded to talk about the current revenue of our "businesses." Income came from feudal tax, casinos, drug trafficking, brothels, protection rackets, gun trade, and drugs smuggling.
Listing billions of Japanese yen of revenues so casually made my head dizzy. Akito also mentioned the earnings from the legitimate porn industry that we recently opened.
'W-What? Do we have our hand on porn as well? Awesome!' It seems on protection rackets alone we earned billions already!
"... and that is all for the briefing." Akito finished his briefing, then looked at my father.
"It seems that the protection rackets are not going well." My father said with his eyes closed.
"Yes, clan head," Akito answered.
The room became cold. And I became confused.
'What?! Those billions of Japanese yen are lacking?' Of course, I am shocked but more oblivious to why the room has a cold and scary vibe.
I then noticed one of the guys, on the left side of my father, is visibly nervous.
He moved carefully in front of the boss, and then.
Bam!
He immediately bowed so low with his head hitting the floor. Making me jolt a bit.
"It's my fault, clan head! T-The locals of the prefecture under my jurisdiction are losing their trust in us!" He said while bowing.
The room became silent once more, making me uncomfortable, as I do not know what to do, I'm scared I might fart or something, that would be hilarious though.
"Is this the 8th prefecture?" My father finally spoke but his eyes are still closed.
The vassals in the meeting room glanced at each other. Before Akito confirmed it.
"Yes, clan head."
"Clan head, this must not go on! We all know that the 8th is under the hateful Hojo! We must teach them a lesson!" One said boldly. I am also surprised that someone would speak that way with the presence of my father.
He is Takeo, the third lieutenant. The third-in-command of the whole clan. He is a middle-aged guy full of scars, and stout build like a bodybuilder.
I could see various vassals nodding as if showing their support to him and others remaining silent and unmoved.
Father finally opened his eyes. His gaze swept around the people even landing on me before saying in a serious tone:
"This issue will be put on hold for now," Father said with other vassals visibly disappointed and others unfazed.
"The problems with 8th prefecture is a very important issue, and we must approach it cautiously. And now, proceed to the next agenda." He added.
Akito nodded and continued: "Our department is looking for a legitimate market to invest in and before we do that, I would like to ask the people present here to give suggestions if they have one."
"In the entertainment industry, we had opened businesses regarding adult entertainment a few years back but it is still maturing," Akito added.
"We are also now evaluating if we must proceed on investing in technology? What do you think?" He asked.
Of course, as a man that came from the future, seeing the wacky phone we have here. It is weird, I also think investing in digital currencies is a good opportunity, and maybe buying shares of companies that I know will grow big in the future.
Unconsciously, I raised my hand.
"Oh, young master. Is there something in your mind?" Akito gave me a kind smile.
Everyone turned and they looked at me, I felt pressured being gazed at by these vassals and more importantly my father who has a curious look.
I feel caught now, father did say that I should observe. Ha~ whatever. It's not like they will remember the opinion of a youngling like me.
"Akito-san, I do think that the phone market may face a resurgence soon," I said humbly. Not minding the weird look I am getting.
Even in pressured situations, I do think I could talk, even being stared at by many. Let's say being thick skin can be a skill.
"Ho? Why is it?"
"The current generation of phones is obsolete and the future is touch phones," I said confidently.
"It is advantageous to our clan to invest a lot on and get a pie from these sudden peaks. I also heard that Apple, one of the biggest tech companies, is eyeing the Japanese market. We could take advantage of that."
"I see, thank you young master for the suggestion." He said with a smile that I cannot read. And I nodded.
What I said is true, the future Japanese phone market is dominated by Apple. It seems that in this world it's still the same with just weird parts of the history changed.
In this world, the Yakuza of Japan is still a big force and so are other Criminal organizations. And also why are we still using these keyboard phones. It may mean that the arrival of touch phones became late.
Unfortunately, I don't have much say in the clan. I hope I can get my own money so I could invest it in the things I know will get big returns in the future.
'You know what, I'll just ask my father for a big allowance or earn myself some cash. I don't know how to pay taxes though.'
I mean I could write the literature that does not exist in this world and maybe earn some bucks. Maybe become a YouTuber? Okay, that's cringe but you get the point. I need money!
The meeting finally ended, I found myself walking beside my father.
Walking a pace behind him to show respect I then heard him speak:
"Raku, what do you think about the meeting?" He said in a gentle tone.
"Very stiff, pop." I joked.
"Haha! That's what I thought too when your grandfather brought me to the meeting hall to familiarize myself." Father laughed.
We walked some more away from the other members and vassals and now the mood is starting to get dignified once again.
"Raku, what do you think about the 8th prefecture issue?" Father's tone is neither serious nor playful.
'This is a test?' I thought, I mean it felt like it. I inhaled a mouthful of air to calm myself before saying:
"I do agree with Takeo-san, we as the biggest clan must show that we are not easily ignored and the Hojo clan must be ruthlessly put down! The Shuei clan has a face to maintain too!" I answered with passion.
Father finally turned to see me with a smile on his face.
---
'That's what I thought too at first.' Issei is now looking at the fierce expression of Raku.
'I thought you were timid but it seems like the blood of our family still ruin to your veins. Like our predecessors, the Ichijos have always been known to be valiant warriors, hotheaded, reckless, and bold.'
Issei is looking at his son as if he is seeing his younger self. He can't help but pat the head of his son.
"Good but don't forget, as the biggest clan. We have so many enemies, because of our expansionist policy, all the rival clans are in an alliance and even the government is alert to our every move." He said seriously to Raku.
"The Hojo is a clan that your grandfather subjugated, they tenaciously fought against him and rebelled every opportunity they got, and even when he passed away and now they are doing it again. Why is it?" Issei asked with a smile.
He is trying to make Raku more thoughtful and not be a brute.
Raku now has a thoughtful expression.