Offer of Adoption

I didn't realize that I fell asleep after eating the exquisite meal prepared by the chefs. And when I woke up, it was already eight o'clock in the morning. Because it was already time to leave. I changed into the clothes that I used before I arrived here. However, one of the housemaids knocked and already entered the room while I still haven't worn my T-shirt.

After seeing me without my shirt on, the housemaid was startled and fell to the ground. She hid her face out of embarrassment because she caught a glimpse of me being topless. But when she sneaked a peek, her face suddenly was filled with worry.

"Sir, Are you alright?" It was an abrupt question, but I reckon what she meant.

"You dont have to worry about these bruises. Besides, what business do you have with me?" Because she saw how many scars were in my body, it made her worry, which is understandable.

"Sorry for meddling with your affairs, Sir. The Master of the House requests your presence at his office," At least the housemaid knew when to apologize for meddling at something she isn't involved.

"Alright, tell him that I'll head there after I prepare," After hearing my response, she was about to leave when I suddenly asked her to wait.

I whispered to her ear and told her to forget what she saw.

-Few Minutes Later-

"Hey, Old Man, One of your housemaids told me that you wanted to see me? What do you want? I'll be leaving after hearing what you have to say," The old man was waiting for me inside his office in front of him is an envelope.

"Kid, or should I say, Xavier, come in and sit here. I have something to tell you," What is this old man planning? Suddenly when I entered the room, the ambiance changed.

"I thought I made myself clear last night, never ever call me again using that name. I'll leave you off with a warning for now because of letting me stay for the night. But is that all you have to say? Because I'll just leave, I have things to take care of," What does this old man want? He has this austere look on his face making me wonder why he asked for my presence.

"Let's get straight to the point. I want to adopt you as my son, dont worry because it wouldn't be legalized. You'll only be standing as the son of one of the supreme mafia families in Japan. With your strength, I could also protect everyone under my supervision. In exchange, I would give you all the rights to all my fame and be the next master of this family. What do you think of this offer? Only you, Xavier, would receive this kind of offer," I think this old man has a screw loose in his head. Who would offer someone he met in the middle of the night all of his wealth?

"Hey, old man! Are you crazy or just pure stupid! What the hell are you thinking to offer someone you just met in the middle of the night everything you have? You should seek help about what's happening with your mind. I think all those fights made a dent in your brain," I couldn't ascertain what this old man is thinking. Who in their right mind would offer someone you just met everything you have?

"Child, when I first saw you last night. I have felt something that I couldn't encounter in anyone who has ever dared to stand up, right in the middle of a conflict. You have the potential to lead among men, plus you have this quality that I tried so hard to find in all of my years being the founder of this family. However, I won't force you if you chose to decline this offer. With this much influence, I want you to promise that you'll never be corrupted with greed. Always put the sake of everyone under you first. Because that is what a true leader is supposed to be. I'll give you a few days to decide," Well, that was quite a surprising statement coming from a fearsome man.

"Deep respect for you, Old Man. However, there is no need for you to wait for my answer because I'll tell it right now. I accept your offer. Although I want to be clear with something, my goal is to seek vengeance for the unjust treatment I received from my family. If any of your men tries to interfere with my objectives, then our agreement will be invalid. Despite that, you can rest assured that I'll protect everyone under your care because I personally experienced mistreatment," I may be cold-hearted. However, I will never harm the lives of people who'll risk their lives for me.

As soon as I agreed, the old man prepared the adoption papers and name change. Because I'll soon be known as Nicholas Kim, the heir of one of the leading families in Japan. Suddenly a butler came in, and then the old man instructed one of the butlers to inform his lawyer about the adoption.

After a few minutes, another butler came in and was instructed to gather everyone in the training fields behind the mansion.

-At the training grounds-

"Listen, everyone! I have an announcement to make," Everyone was shocked since it seems that it's rare for the old man to personally announce something.

"This child is now a part of our family. He is now my son! Anyone who wishes to interfere, step forward!" After announcing my adoption, a lot of his men were enraged to hear about the sudden news.

"Boss! What the hell is the matter with you! How could you even recruit that child! Not only do you want someone inexperienced to lead the whole family. But also adopting whose background is unknown!" One of the men shouted in rage while the others agreed with him.

"That's right, boss! A lot of us are much deserving to lead than that child! The Invincible, Mushashi-sensei. Could be the suitable candidate to lead this family! Why do you insist on having that child be your heir! What can a child like that do!" So that Mushashi-san is the strongest fighter they have in here.

"I acknowledge every word that everyone has stated. So why not let this child show you the reason why I chose him to lead everyone?" Knew it would turn out like this. However, I dont have control over my strength, and I still dont know its trigger.

"Mushashi, come forward! You have seen what this child was capable of during the conflict last night. Do you have the guts to have a sparring match with this kid?" So Mushashi-san is the guy who was unfazed with how things turned out last night. I can see why everyone wants him to be the next in line.

"Boss, if I could be of use to you. Then it is such a great honor for me to have the opportunity to spar with this child. I have seen his capabilities in combat and his thirst for victory. Although there might be a tiny problem regarding his attitude. However, as you observe this child's eye. You can already feel that at such a young age, he experienced the cruelty of reality," I gotta say, I'm amazed at how Mushashi-san plays with words.

"Alright! Now that everyone has heard Mushashi's statement, the two will spar to determine the rightful heir! Because this is a sparring match, there should be a consequence to the one who will lose. And the winner will be awarded the next title! Whoever loses this sparring match will have to submit his entire life to supporting the winner. Should that person doesn't follow the conditions! Then the gang would immediately cut ties with that person," How can this old man just carelessly announce something like that. As if I would offer and serve someone my entire life.

"However, my adoption wouldn't be affected whatsoever the result! If anyone has a problem with my decision, then you are clearly disobeying my orders! The sparring match will be held in the evening after all the operations scheduled for today are finished!" After what the old man announced, everyone was dispatched to head out for their scheduled operations. And while they leave, I could sense that some of them were glaring at me.

The old man heads back to his office while I also followed him to question his methods.

"Ojiisan, what the hell was that all about? Fighting a sparring match is not a part of our deal! Why did you suddenly decide that I should spar with your strongest fighter! You didn't even inform me in advance!" Ojiisan is the term used by Japanese people to call a male person in his 60s and above. Although I resumed calling this old man Ojiisan as a sign of respect.

"You finally learned how to respect someone older than you, but you have to earn everyone's trust. You may be my adopted son, but not everyone will follow someone they know would only fail them. Even so, you can rest assured because Mushashi knows your potential. So get some rest. Because in the evening, you'll have to spar with him in front of the whole family," Dont know if this is a burden or not, but I'll just think of it as a means to achieve my goals.

"Okay, then I'll just be in my room," Before I leave the office. The old man ordered one of his maids to escort me to another room which would be my permanent space.

And the housemaid who saw my scarred body earlier escorted me to another room.

While I stayed inside my room, the housemaid brought a first aid kit and asked if she could tend to my wounds.

"Alright, just make it quick. I'll need to rest because of the events that will happen this evening."

It just lasted a few minutes, but I didn't realize that I fell asleep while the maid tended to my wounds. I just remembered that I still haven't eaten anything because of the sudden announcement. Which took at least half an hour. And the maid tending to my wounds which only lasted a few minutes, but I fell asleep.

When I looked at the clock, it was already six-thirty in the evening. I went down to the kitchen in hopes of finding something to eat. Then suddenly, I heard a loud gunshot in the woods.