Chapter Twenty: The Supreme

The tatami room fell into a heavy silence as the final footsteps echoed beyond the sliding door.

Then—it opened.

Masanori Kurohane entered.

He moved like a storm cloaked in stillness. Towering, broad-shouldered, with long hair cascading over his back, his muscular frame was barely contained by the black and crimson kimono he wore. The fabric shifted with every step, hinting at the coiled dragons and crashing waves inked into his flesh. His eyes—piercing, ancient, and cold as steel—swept across the room.

The Five Immortal Vassals instinctively lowered their gazes. No one spoke. No one dared.

Masanori sat at the head of the room, folding his arms with deliberate, slow power. Only then did he speak.

"I heard… your pride was wounded," he said flatly, directing his gaze at Masaki Kamaguchi.

Masaki remained composed. "It was more than pride, Oyabun. A stain. One we must address."

Daigo grinned, already leaning forward. "Then let me handle it. I'll crush that Tatsugami brat. One swing, and it's over."

Masanori's gaze turned to him—sharp enough to silence thunder.

"You'll start a fire I won't be able to put out. The boy may be reckless… but you're worse. No." His voice was final.

Daigo's grin faded just a little.

Reika gently stirred her tea. "Then what do you propose, Oyabun?"

Masanori's gaze shifted to Shigure.

"You will clean this up. Quietly. Efficiently."

Shigure gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "Understood."

"And listen carefully," Masanori continued. "I want no blood spilled on school grounds. No chaos that reaches the press. If something must be done—do it like the old ways. The street. The back alley. Make it silent. Make it clean."

A stillness followed. Even Daigo leaned back, swallowing his chaos.

Masaki finally asked, "And if the boy resists?"

Masanori's voice dropped, colder than death. "Then bury him in silence. But not before we learn why he walks like a ghost from the past."

The room remained silent.

Masanori closed his eyes, arms folded once more. "Dismissed."

And just like that, the shadows moved again.

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