Two days after returning to Manhattan, Naori sat pensively by the window of her apartment, watching the bustling city that never stopped. Smoke slowly wafted from her cigarette, mixing with the wind coming through the slightly open window.
'This city is so busy,' she thought, staring at the rows of cars speeding down the street. 'It's so unsuitable for relaxing.'
With a bored expression, Naori leaned her body against the window frame. She had plenty of money, thanks to the $20 million from Tony Stark. Enough to buy a comfortable house.
Buy a new house!
Naori quickly reached for her phone. Within seconds, she began contacting several real estate agents. Every second counted, and her decision was made. It was time to leave her small apartment in downtown Manhattan—a place she had always found too crowded and dense. The price of homes in Manhattan was still very high, so even though she was successful, Naori had chosen to stay in the modest apartment she had lived in for a long time.
But this time was different. With the money she had just received, she was ready to start a new life. Not wanting to rush, Naori compared several house options in different locations. Finally, a Japanese-style house surrounded by a garden and trees in Brooklyn caught her attention. This was different from the other luxurious options, like a villa in Long Island or an apartment in an impressive Manhattan skyscraper.
After considering, Naori made a decision. Without wasting any time, she confirmed an appointment to see the house in person. To ensure everything went smoothly, she also invited her trusted lawyer, Matt Murdock, to accompany her.
Matt, though blind, was a very reliable figure. Dressed in a neat suit, his short hair slightly messy from the wind, and his ever-present dark glasses—though no one knew whether they were just a fashion statement or to hide his eyes that could not see. In his hand was a white cane he used to help feel his way. However, Matt's abilities were more than just what met the eye.
In addition to being a lawyer, Matt was also known as a vigilante who fought crime at night under the alias Daredevil. Naori had met him several times while carrying out her missions as Kaguya Hime, and although they came from very different backgrounds, they respected each other.
Armed with information from the real estate agent, they headed to Brooklyn, leaving the hustle and bustle of Manhattan behind to check out the house that might become Naori's new home.
On Ditmas Park's streets, rows of grand old Victorian houses stood tall, but one house that caught her eye was a Japanese-style residence that stood out from the others. It had a curved roof, sliding wooden doors, and a small garden with maple trees and neatly arranged stones.
"So this is the house?" Naori asked, looking at the house with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Her black hair cascading down contrasted with the surrounding leaves.
Beside her, Matt Murdock gave a small nod. "Yes, as per the description I received from the property agent. This house was built by a Japanese family who settled in Brooklyn in the 1970s. They've been very particular about maintaining its authentic design."
Naori walked closer to the small wooden gate leading to the front yard. She gently pushed it open, and the wooden hinges creaked lightly, like a gentle greeting from the past. Inside the yard, there was a white gravel pathway leading to the main door. The garden was perfectly arranged, with stone lanterns and a small koi pond where the fish swam slowly beneath the shade of the maple trees.
Matt Murdock followed her, holding a folder with the purchase documents. "But before we get too enchanted, I must remind you to thoroughly check the condition of this house. Don't let the exterior make you forget about the technical details."
Naori nodded without truly listening. Her gaze was fixed on the sliding wooden doors, adorned with frosted glass etched with cherry blossom patterns. "I feel like I've known this house," she murmured softly, almost as if speaking to herself.
Even after living in this world for five years and experiencing the luxury of high-rise city buildings, Naori still missed her old home in the Hyuga clan residence.
Matt Murdock sighed. "Alright, let's go inside. The real estate agent is waiting inside."
As they stepped in, their shoes touched the clean, shiny wooden floor. The scent of cedar wood filled the air, mingled with a faint fragrance of freshly brewed green tea. The living room looked spacious but simple—without excessive furniture, just a low table and a few sitting cushions. The walls were lined with wooden panels, with small shelves displaying ceramic vases and small Buddha statues.
"This feels like an oasis in the middle of the city chaos," Naori said, touching one of the wood panels with her fingertips. "It feels... peaceful."
The real estate agent, a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile, appeared from the next room. "I'm glad you like it, Miss Naori. This house was indeed designed to bring tranquility amidst the hustle of the city. If you're ready, we can start discussing the details of the purchase."
Matt Murdock immediately adopted a serious expression. "We also need to discuss the property inspection. I want to make sure my client gets the best deal."
While Matt Murdock and the real estate agent discussed, Naori slowly walked to the backyard garden. There was a small pavilion with tatami flooring and sliding doors facing the mini garden. She sat there, feeling the soft cool breeze and the sound of water gently trickling from the pond.
She imagined herself living in this house—reading a book under the maple tree, drinking tea in the pavilion, or simply sitting on the porch enjoying the atmosphere while smoking a tobacco pipe. There was a warm feeling growing in her chest, like finding a place where she could finally feel "at home."
Matt Murdock joined her in the garden a few minutes later, holding documents in his hand. "Miss Naori, are you sure you want to take this house? The price and condition of the property have already been discussed, the house is priced at $5 million, which is quite high but still reasonable given its uniqueness and location in one of Brooklyn's quietest neighborhoods. It's just waiting for your signature. But I need to know, is this really what you want?"
Naori turned, her face full of certainty. "Yes. I've never felt this safe and calm before. This house... is a new beginning for me."
Matt Murdock gave a small smile and handed her the pen. In the quiet garden, with maple leaves falling around her, Naori signed the document.
…
Although she had moved to Brooklyn, Naori still had to frequently visit Manhattan to oversee her company.
The sky over Manhattan that morning was clear, and the sunlight reflected off the glass of the towering buildings surrounding the business district. Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, a five-story building, unremarkable compared to the surrounding skyscrapers, stood tall with an elegant sign reading Hidden Leaf Corp at its entrance. The font was sleek and minimalist, reflecting the company's vision of prioritizing advanced technology and aesthetics.
Naori stepped out of her car, wearing a black coat that extended down to her knees. Her long black hair was left loose, giving off an impression of strength but grace. She walked confidently into the building, her high heels making soft sounds on the white marble floor.
"Good morning, Miss Naori," greeted Mia, the receptionist sitting at the front desk, with a smile.
"Good morning, Mia. Is everything going smoothly?" Naori asked briefly, glancing at her watch.
"Everything is on schedule. The latest sales report has been sent to your desk."
Naori gave a small nod and walked towards the elevator without saying much. She inserted her access card into the scanner, which immediately lit up blue and opened the elevator doors. Inside the elevator, the atmosphere was quiet with soft instrumental music, giving Naori a brief moment to collect her thoughts before starting her day.
When the elevator doors opened on the top floor, Naori was immediately greeted by the view of the company's headquarters. The design of the office was spacious, with large glass windows framing the view of Manhattan. The room radiated a professional yet warm atmosphere, with neutral colors like white, gray, and natural wood brown.
She walked past the open office area, where employees were busy at their desks. The sound of keyboard typing and quiet discussions created a productive atmosphere. Some employees glanced at Naori with respect, but she continued walking toward her office without stopping.
Once inside her office, Naori gently closed the glass door and placed her bag on the small sofa in the corner of the room. Her office was large and perfectly organized, decorated with simple yet elegant elements.
A wooden bookshelf filled with business and technology literature, a few small green plants adding a touch of life to the modern space, and a large black wooden desk equipped with a wide computer screen that reflected the soft light from the desk lamp.
On the desk, the latest sales reports, financial graphs showing remarkable progress, and several important documents were neatly arranged, waiting to be followed up.
Without hurry, Naori walked toward the large glass window that stretched from floor to ceiling, gazing out at the ever-awake city of Manhattan. The streets were crowded with cars and pedestrians, a busy life, yet in the solitude of her office, the atmosphere felt calm.
With a smooth motion, Naori took her vape pod from her jacket pocket, pressed a small button on the side, and took a deep breath. Sweet grape-flavored smoke immediately filled the air around her. She exhaled slowly, letting the soft grape flavor flow in her mouth before disappearing into the cool air. Every time she inhaled, there was a sense of satisfaction, as if the smoke gave her a moment to reflect.
Naori glanced at the sales report in her hand, occasionally looking at the graph showing the rapid growth of their products, especially the "digital tatami"—smart flooring that automatically adjusts room temperature, an innovation that was increasingly popular in the market.
Without any overt expression, Naori stared off into the distant city skyline. Her thoughts flowed freely, diving into every detail of the life she had built so far.
With one more deep breath, she exhaled slowly, savoring the grape taste that left a sweet sensation on her tongue. Though feeling content, her face remained calm, with the emotions behind her deep gaze left unspoken.
Naori returned to her desk and saw an invitation that had just arrived. A card with a simple logo, yet full of meaning.
"Wilson Fisk?" Naori paused for a moment. She hadn't expected to receive an invitation from this "humble spice merchant."
Wilson Fisk, known to many as a philanthropist and successful businessman, had a very different reputation among those who knew the dark world of New York. As Naori knew, Wilson Fisk was Kingpin, one of the most powerful crime bosses in the city, with ambitions to unite all the criminal groups in New York under his control.
The invitation indicated that his charity event would take place in two days. Naori smiled faintly, deciding to attend and observe firsthand.
'What should I wear?'
...
—Two days later—
Naori stepped out of her car, her elegant high heels touching the sidewalk. The grand theater building in Hell's Kitchen loomed before her, surrounded by a crowd of photographers, journalists, and guests in luxurious attire. The lights around the building shone brightly, contrasting with the cold night.
The dark blue gown with gold patterns she wore hugged her body perfectly, every detail reflecting luxury. The high slit at the front of the gown revealed her long legs, while the back of the gown trailed down to her calves, adding a dramatic touch to her steps. The golden butterfly embellishments on her shoes glittered with each step.
With graceful steps, Naori walked into the building, flanked by strong bodyguards in black suits (Bunshin Naori using a transformation jutsu for formalities). The camera flashes followed her relentlessly. She looked straight ahead, her face calm yet charismatic, reflecting the demeanor of a woman accustomed to being the center of attention.
Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere was already busy. Prestigious guests took their seats, while on stage, musicians prepared their instruments with seriousness. Naori walked down the main aisle toward the VIP seats that had been reserved.
"It seems Mr. Fisk is really serious about this event," Naori thought, glancing briefly toward the front of the auditorium. There, Wilson Fisk sat next to his wife, Vanessa, who looked elegant in a white gown accented with jewels.
A small smile appeared on her lips. Wilson Fisk, the man known as the king of New York's underworld, was also a loving husband. This concert was clearly dedicated to fulfilling Vanessa's wishes, who seemed to be a huge fan of Master Edward LeBlanc.
"No wonder," murmured Naori. "Even the most ruthless men have a soft side."
When Edward LeBlanc finally appeared on stage, the atmosphere in the auditorium shifted. The tall man with silver hair bowed respectfully to the audience, receiving a thunderous round of applause. Naori watched every movement with anticipation.
As the first note from the grand black piano was heard, the room fell silent. The melody played by Edward was captivating, like a story told without words. Each note evoked different emotions, taking the audience into a world only accessible through music.
Naori felt herself being swept away by the harmony. The peaceful tones at the beginning, like a whisper, turned into waves of emotion that swept across the room. Edward's fingers danced across the piano keys with precision and feeling, as if he was not just playing music, but creating new life within it.
When the composition reached its climax, Naori couldn't help but be stunned. It felt like being in the middle of a storm, but one filled with beauty. Then, slowly, the storm subsided into a soft melody almost inaudible, leaving a long trace of silence.
As the applause filled the room, Naori stood, giving a full bow to the legendary pianist. "Incredible," she thought, feeling grateful for attending this event.
Exactly at midnight
After the event ended and the socializing session was over, a formally dressed woman approached Naori.
"Miss Naori, Mr. Fisk would like to meet with you in his office," she said politely.
Naori, with a slight nod, followed the woman out of the auditorium. Her bodyguards were asked to wait outside Fisk's office door. Naori showed no hesitation. With confident steps, she entered the spacious room, decorated with classic and expensive furniture.
Wilson Fisk stood behind a large desk covered with documents, a cigar tucked in his hand. The man, with a large frame and standing nearly two meters tall, smiled warmly as he saw Naori.
"Good evening, Miss Naori. Apologies for interrupting your time. What did you think? Was the performance satisfactory?" he asked while walking closer.
Naori calmly returned his smile. "Very satisfying, Mr. Fisk. Mrs. Vanessa must be proud to have such a thoughtful husband."
Fisk laughed lightly, nodding as he poured wine into two glasses. He handed one to Naori. "You're exaggerating. A husband only does what he's supposed to do for his wife, right?"
Naori accepted the glass and drank slowly, savoring the taste of the expensive wine that felt smooth on her tongue. She placed the glass on the table as Fisk pressed a small button.
A man with glasses in a black suit entered, carrying a luxurious long box. Fisk gestured for him to place the box on the table, then said, "I have something for you. Open it."
Naori opened the box and found a 20cm Chinese smoking pipe with a jade mouthpiece, adorned with beautiful gold Chinese script carvings. She lifted it, admiring its fine details.
"Mr. Fisk really knows how to impress a woman. If Vanessa weren't here, I might have misunderstood," she said with a smile.
Fisk laughed loudly. "If Vanessa weren't here, perhaps I would be pursuing you," he joked.
Naori placed the pipe back into its box and looked at Fisk.
"Alright, Mr. Fisk. Let's talk business."
Fisk nodded, adjusting the chair for Naori to sit. Once they were both seated facing each other, his expression turned serious. "Alright. I want to discuss a matter that's been bothering me, and I need your expertise, or more precisely, 'Kaguya Hime,' to ensure everything goes smoothly..."