As breakfast ended, Nishiki handed Zumi the car keys to symbolize their strengthening trust. This action signified the start of a fresh chapter in their relationship. Ana and Cathy eagerly began getting ready for their departure later in the day, filled with excitement for the upcoming adventure. Amid Zumi's preparations, the doorbell interrupted, and a man's voice crackled through the speakers: "Oyabun Nishiki, this is Zara Security number 22893. Young Master Kaito has arrived."
"Let him in," Nishiki said immediately. He then turned to Zumi and added, "Before you go, you must meet Kaito; he will be a valuable ally in the future! Make as many connections as you can; they are crucial in this world." Zumi felt a surge of excitement and enthusiasm as he replied, "Understood."
Zumi and Nishiki entered a spacious living room to wait for Kaito's arrival. The elegant furniture and tasteful decorations adorning the room showcased Nishiki's refined taste. As they entered, Kasumi, a woman known for her mystery and grace, materialized at the entrance, seemingly out of thin air. Her sudden presence surprised Zumi. Had she been here the whole time? he wondered, scanning the room for any clues of her earlier presence.
With a cheerful tone, she offered to guide Kaito to the room, then quickly hurried away from the entrance. "Does she know the visitor?" Zumi asked with curiosity. Nishiki responded with a touch of amusement, saying that they were dating. Zumi and Nishiki settled down on the couch, eagerly awaiting their visitor.
The doors opened after a minute, revealing a casually dressed man with long, dark hair tied in a ponytail. He wore a black jacket, gray shirt, black pants, and black army boots. A dragon tattoo on his left arm became visible as he rolled up his jacket sleeve. Upon entering the room, his mere presence commanded attention and ignited curiosity in Zumi; he could tell Kaito was very strong.
"Greetings, Oyabun," Kaito addressed.
"My apologies for not being able to fight beside you in battle. My siblings and I had some matters to attend to."
"Kaito, I know you have a lot on your plate as the head of your family, but no need to worry," Nishiki said, singling out Zumi. He explained that Zumi was the one who prevented Kasumi from being involved in the battle.
Kaito expressed his gratitude to Zumi for protecting the Dojima family and keeping Kasumi out of the fight by sitting down on the couch and bowing. Zumi reassured him, saying there was no problem.
"Master Zumi, your humility is admirable. How should I properly express my gratitude to you?" Kaito asked confidently, his expression serious. Zumi responded authoritatively and without hesitation.
"Like a dagger in the night, my words shatter the silence. I announce the formation of my own Yakuza family," Zumi declared.
In the Yakuza realm, making such a statement leads to significant power struggles and the creation of alliances. Zumi continued, "It is evident to me that you have great strength, and if your siblings possess the same strength, I would like to recruit all of you."
Kaito's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the proposition, even though he was eager to accept it. Nishiki caught his attention, and they silently reached an understanding. Kaito solemnly nodded and shifted his focus back to Zumi.
Thankful for Zumi's protection of his girlfriend's admired family, Kaito pledged loyalty and agreed to join Zumi's new family. "Trust that the Yamato Clan will be at your service from here on out. I would appreciate it if you could arrange a meeting with my siblings as soon as possible. Regrettably, at the moment, only one of them is available; the rest are tying up loose ends from our recent mercenary job."
Zumi acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. "I will call upon you when the time comes. How about we exchange phone numbers?"
Prior to entering the room, Gia, who had stepped into Zumi's shadow, overheard Zumi confidently calling for her, "Gia!" She quickly emerged from his shadow, leaving Kaito shocked and smiling. "OH! Another shadow wielder!" he exclaimed.
"Another?" Zumi replied, surprised.
Kaito's hand turned into a dense mist resembling a black, viscous substance as he spoke. "Every member of my family has unique abilities and enhanced physical skills; my ability is Shadow Embodiment. Should your attendant desire to expand her knowledge of shadow manipulation during her leisure hours, I will instruct her. Finding someone who can manipulate shadows like me is a rare occurrence."
Zumi inquired of Gia if she desired that. "I'm willing to do it if it helps me serve you better," Gia replied.
"Gia and I have plans for the next couple of days, but I'll call you when she's free," Zumi said. Kaito, while addressing Zumi and Nishiki, expressed his desire to spend time with Kasumi before leaving, adding that he needed to take care of some matters first. "I will also inform my family about the situation, and they'll be more than willing to serve you from now on."
Zumi replied, mentioning that he also had to depart. Kaito bid farewell to Nishiki and Zumi, bowing and expressing his anticipation of working with Zumi before he exited the room.
Gia led Zumi to the garage. Approaching the car, Zumi passed the keys to Gia and told her to drive to a car dealership.
"With respect in her voice, Gia answered, "Yes, sir," and sat down in the driver's seat. Lost in his thoughts, Zumi settled into the passenger seat. Gia was familiar with a car dealership that was a two-hour drive from Ana's house. Upon their arrival at the dealership, Gia parked her car in the underground parking lot across the street.
Zumi remained quiet throughout the entire car journey, deep in thought about his plans and the leader he wanted to become. Reflecting on his actions during the recent war, he realized that his approach had been too aggressive, instilling fear but not respect. "I want to be a leader who is respected and feared, yet not hated," he thought. "Authentic leadership is not about instilling fear through intimidation or aggression but about demonstrating integrity, decisiveness, and confidence in facing challenges. It is about earning respect through actions, not just words, and inspiring others to follow your vision with unwavering dedication."
This introspection marked a turning point for shaping his future leadership style and actions. Yet, a leader must also possess approachability, empathy, and understanding.
After exiting his thoughts, Zumi asked Gia if she could help buy the Hyatt Centric Hotel. Gia, who had switched off the vehicle and was waiting for Zumi's directions, replied respectfully, "Certainly, sir, I can complete that task by tomorrow's end with no difficulty."
Zumi smiled as he exited the car. He enthusiastically exclaimed, "Let's go!" She followed suit, joining him by his side. Zumi reached for her waist, gently pulling her close and enveloping her warmly. Gia's cheeks grew hot as Zumi's sudden display of affection caught her off guard, but she could not resist. Surrendering to his embrace, she felt herself melting in his arms like butter under intense heat. This moment of trust and commitment between them was a testament to their bond and the strength of their relationship.
The depth of Zumi's hug left Gia feeling overwhelmed. As he expressed his gratitude for her, Gia felt overcome with emotion as Zumi thanked her for being a part of his life. Tears welled in her eyes as Zumi's words resonated deeply within her, reassuring her of his unwavering trust and commitment to their journey together.
At that moment, Gia made a silent vow to herself. She pledged to support Zumi wholeheartedly, to stand by his side through thick and thin, and to uphold his values and morals with unwavering dedication. Her heart belonged to him; she was determined to do whatever it took to see his dreams come to fruition. This commitment, she knew, was not just for Zumi but for herself as well. It was a promise to grow and evolve alongside him, face the challenges of leadership together, and create a future they both believed in. Her unwavering commitment to Zumi's vision was a testament to her strength and resilience.
At that moment, the system made a ping sound: The host has unlocked a special function called Eternal Loyalty for system characters. Regardless of the life the host leads, Gia will always be there in every lifetime. Currently, Gia is the only system character that possesses it.
After a few moments, they released each other from the embrace, and Zumi said, "Let's buy that car." They left the underground parking lot and went to the dealership. As Zumi and his elegant secretary, Gia, stepped into the high-end car dealership, the atmosphere shifted. Despite his newfound billionaire status, Zumi opted for a relaxed look, attracting disapproving glances and disdain from some of the pretentious sales staff. Gia, exuding sophistication in her stylish one-piece suit, walked confidently by Zumi's side. However, the employees at the dealership made a misguided assumption and directed their attention toward Gia, assuming she held the purse strings for the potential purchase.
Outraged by the insinuation that she was the one in control, Gia swiftly corrected the misconception by asserting that Zumi was, in fact, the one making the decisions. As Zumi was belittled and insulted for his casual attire and demeanor, the employees' disrespectful behavior towards him only worsened. As tensions escalated, the situation drew the attention of the manager, who waded into the confrontation. Instead of diffusing the conflict, the manager sided with the hostile employee, exacerbating the already charged atmosphere.
With words turning into sharp exchanges, security was eventually called to remove Zumi and Gia from the establishment. Frustrated, Zumi reached out to Kaito for assistance. He wanted to remain as anonymous as possible while building his new family.
Zumi thought that if one of Kaito's family members came in and supported him, the dealership employees would face humiliation and damage their reputation. He smirked, imagining their pleading faces asking for forgiveness. Gia had had enough of their insults toward Zumi and retaliated, but Zumi noticed this and whispered sternly, "Gia, do nothing. Trust me!" Gia immediately calmed down, returning to her composed demeanor and deciding to trust Zumi.
Zumi retrieved his phone and dialed Kaito's number. After only two rings, Kaito picked up the phone and spoke. "Master Zumi, in trouble already?" he said, laughing.
"Something like that, unfortunately," Zumi replied, informing Kaito about the situation. This upset Kaito, who said, "My little sister Hinata will be at the dealership in ten minutes. They won't dare touch you once they see her. She's the strongest fighter in our family."
Zumi responded with surprise, "Oh, really? I look forward to meeting her! Thank you. What does she look like?"
"She's six feet tall, has long white hair and striking red eyes. She's wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck top, black high-waisted pants, and black combat boots. She has a long black trench coat with the sleeves rolled up, and her earrings are black."
"Thank you," Zumi said as he hung up. Ignoring the employees, he began glancing at the cars with Gia. Shortly after, security rushed in and instructed them to leave. Zumi said to Gia, "Do not hit them; just dodge them."
"Understood, Master," Gia replied.
Dodging with swiftness and grace, Zumi and Gia eluded the oncoming security guards, who could not lay a finger on them. With a loud bang, someone kicked open the doors of the car dealership after ten minutes of this standoff. The sound of glass shattering resonated throughout the building! A woman walked into the dealership with confidence and authority, as if she owned the place. Zumi recognized her from Kaito's description; it was Hinata.
As the people in the building recovered from the shock of the loud sound, they all looked up to see who had made it, causing their faces and hearts to turn pale with fear. Every rich and well-connected person knew who she was: Hinata Yamato, the Phoenix Sorceress.
Mrs. Yamato was warmly welcomed by the car dealership's manager. Just as he said her name, she walked right past him toward Zumi, ignoring him entirely. Her mere presence made the manager shake in fear. As she approached Zumi, Aurora, who was still on top of Zumi's head, spoke, "Master, that lady is mighty. Be careful." This shocked Zumi slightly because Aurora, a legendary creature more powerful than most humans, was warning him about another woman.
Zumi peered at her and said, "It's okay, Aurora; she's with us!"
"Really? If you say so," Aurora replied.
Zumi found himself enchanted by Hinata's beauty and the intense fire-like glow of her red eyes. Yet, the moment she neared him, he felt her presence make his knees quake slightly, as if she were devouring him. Fear and enticement overwhelmed him simultaneously. She approached him and spoke with pure confidence. "You must be Zumi. I am Hinata, and my brother Kaito sent me to help you," she said, looking at Zumi with her piercing red eyes. Zumi felt like she was staring straight into his soul.
Regaining his composure, Zumi said, "Yes, that is me." He explained the situation to Hinata and added that he could handle it himself, but until he officially introduced his new family to the world, he wanted to keep his strength a secret.
"Understood," Hinata said as she turned towards the manager, walked up to him, and grabbed him by his shoulders, lifting him off the ground. She looked directly at him and spoke, her voice carrying a hint of malice as she said, "My friend came in here to buy a car, so you will sell him one. Is that clear? Also, all your employees who mistreated him should be terminated effective immediately."
"Yes, understood," the manager said without hesitation. She put him down, and he immediately fired the employee who had mistreated Zumi. He approached Zumi and said, "I apologize for my earlier treatment of you. Please forgive me. As long as you promise me that all customers, regardless of who they are or what they are wearing, will be treated fairly and equally when they walk in here."
"That is a promise, sir. I swear it!" said the manager.
"Now and then, my secretary Gia will visit you to ensure you're on track. She sees everything, so you better keep your word," Zumi replied.
"Yes, sir, understood," the manager said.
"Now I came here to buy a car, so show me the best one you have in stock."
"Understood," the manager said as he led Zumi to a large showroom where only VIP customers were allowed. Gia and Hinata followed closely behind Zumi. As they walked, Zumi whispered to Hinata, "After we buy the car, may I speak to you privately?"
Hinata nervously replied, "Oh, umm, sure." Most people, especially men, feared her and ran from her. The fact that Zumi was still keeping her around made her happy. The system chimed: Ping! You have fulfilled Hinata's desire, so you will not be terrified of her. Attribute points +2, Request values +2.
They entered a large room that looked like a scene from a futuristic cyberpunk movie. Neon light arrows directed Zumi's attention to a car on display, resulting in love at first sight. The manager said, "This car is from a new, exclusive line called 'Aether Motors,' combining the elements of innovation, luxury, and a touch of mystique. This is the Phoenix Fury, our best product."
The car's design was sleek and angular, resembling a futuristic sports car. Its glossy, reflective black exterior gave it a dark and imposing presence. The design incorporated detailed red Phoenix-like creatures with fiery red tones, appearing to be in motion as if wrapping around the car gracefully yet powerfully. The front of the vehicle featured menacing-looking headlights with sharp angles and red accents, enhancing the gothic aesthetic. The wheels were large, with a modern design and red accents to tie in with the overall theme.
The overall exterior design exuded a blend of charisma, power, and elegance, making it truly one of a kind.
"I want to see the inside," Zumi said as he walked up to the car and opened the door. The interior was a striking contrast to the dark exterior. The color scheme was a lighter shade of red, creating a sense of warmth and luxury. The seats were plush and comfortable, upholstered in high-quality red leather with intricate stitching that resembled the wings of a Phoenix. The dashboard featured a mix of digital displays and analog gauges, combining futuristic technology with a classic touch. Gold trims were delicately placed throughout the interior, adding a touch of luxury and elegance. They adorned the door handles, steering wheel, and other vital features. Ambient lighting in golden hues further enhanced the luxurious and old-school feel of the interior, casting a warm glow throughout the car.
High-tech features such as a cutting-edge entertainment system, advanced sound system, and customizable lighting options catered to both modern convenience and classic style. Zumi stepped out of the car and asked, "How much?"
The manager replied, "One billion!"
"I will take it," Zumi said without hesitation. The manager beamed from ear to ear and said, "Right away, sir."
Zumi instructed, "Give Gia the keys so she can drive it away immediately, and I will come with you to do the paperwork."
"Okay," Hinata respectfully replied to Zumi as he walked off with the manager to pay for the car and complete the paperwork.
Gia eagerly caught the keys tossed to her by Zumi, a wide grin spreading across her face. As she climbed into the driver's seat, she admired the sleek design of the car, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of test-driving it. Hinata joined her on the passenger side, exuding an air of confidence and power that Gia couldn't help but respect.
As they sat in the car, waiting for Zumi and the manager to finish up the paperwork, Gia turned to Hinata with a curious look in her eyes. "So, you're Kaito's sister, huh? Your presence and aura are so dense that there's a lot more pressure in your environment," Gia remarked casually.
Hinata chuckled softly at Gia's observation, her red eyes glinting with amusement. "Yes, I suppose you could say that," she replied cryptically. Gia couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Hinata than met the eye, a depth of power and knowledge hidden beneath her calm exterior.
As they waited, a sudden commotion outside caught their attention. Through the car windows, they could see a group of shady individuals approaching menacingly, their intentions clear. Gia's heart raced with alarm, but Hinata remained unfazed, her expression unreadable.
Without a word, Hinata gracefully stepped out of the car and stood before the approaching group, her presence commanding respect and fear. The leader of the group sneered, "You think you can stop us, Phoenix Sorceress? We have business with that man in the dealership."
Hinata's lips curled into a confident smile as she raised her hand, flames flickering around her fingers.
As the men closed in on Hinata, her feet ignited with fire, and even her shoes seemed to glow with a fiery intensity as she stomped the ground with controlled fury. A small shockwave rippled through the earth, causing the men to stumble back a few feet. Her voice rang out with fierce determination as she warned them to stay away from Zumi, her eyes ablaze with an even brighter red glow as her inner fire surged through her veins. The men, now filled with fear, quickly retreated from the car as Hinata regained her seat on the passenger side.
With a deep breath, she calmed herself and focused her energy inward, extinguishing the flames that had threatened to consume her.